In this video I’m going to discuss one of the key tools across all of the traditions, and that is the use of the blade in magic. This video I will discuss the various uses for the blade, and the various types of blades, each of them having a unique purpose.
In the information gathered below, I’m sharing additional information about the dagger, sharing how others around the world have used this tool across the span of time.
I believe this is important when it comes to understanding how we should use a magical tool. We are not just picking up a fresh blade we have purchased. We are picking up a slice of history, that has significance, and symbolic meaning.
Read more about the darker usage of the dagger
Are you ready to use the dagger?
In my opinion, when you pick up a magical tool such as the dagger, you are ready to make a change. You’re not asking for permission, you are taking action. In magical use, you may not see the other side, into the astral world, or into the spiritual plane, where entities may be looking at you while you’re performing the rituals. Just because you don’t see them, doesn’t mean that they don’t see you. When you step up to perform with a dagger, your audience is the spiritual world. The action you take is in their realm. So my point is that you better mean what you are doing!
You wouldn’t step onto a battlefield with a sword, and just declare to the other side that you’re “just testing this out!” My advice is to take it seriously, no matter what you’re doing, or get off the field.
I’m going to be a little bit catty for a second. (And if you are a light worker you are probably going to be offended with what I say.) I do hear things like this for how to use a athame, dagger, knife i magick.
“Place this knife on your altar for grounding and protection; and hold it in meditation as you explore your shadow aspects.”
What? According to these spiritual professionals, I can just buy a dagger place it on my altar and BOOM! Magical effects happen! Or I can just hold it in my hands, and BOOM, my spiritual ritual is complete! Not only is it is painful to my ears and my eyes, but I just feel like vomiting a magical unicorn Sunday with sparkles. Furthermore, nothing truly happens other than making your altar space pretty.
When I’m in magical groups that say this type of statement, I want to start with the teacher and give him or her an awkward 60 second hug, and then hand them my business card, “Call me!” Next, to the class, I’ll let my business card rain like dollars in a strip club, telling everyone in the room just to pull up their socks and get real. (Actually, I would never disrespect the class, or a teacher leading a group, but it still offends my ears!)
Now, my clients who are in this category have told me, they are not ready to be aggressive. They’re not ready to slay and/and open and demand and command. And that is okay, there is no pressure here to do anything. However, the dagger/athame is a tool that commands action, and if you’re not ready for commanding action then I honestly recommend for you to use the wand. At least until you are ready to be assertive. (And softly, if this is you, remember this is not a race but a journey.)
On the reverse, I also think these teachers are being very shady and taking advantage of people who are not ready to wield the tools of magic. These type of teachers and spiritual practices/schools are selling positivity. It’s like handing a first place reward to the kid in the running race who came in last. The truth is that there is no prize for last place in life, and no benefit to the witch if she/he just looks at the tool!
BTW – If you are in one of these classes and you notice that everyone is sitting around for years and years and nobody is actually feeling any better, or has the inability to change their lives through magick, this is just called a support group and not a magical group.
You can’t just put something on your altar and expect it to work its magic just because it sitting there. You just can’t hold a dagger and hope everything else around you changes. The dagger may be the magical tool, but you are the wielder of that tool, and unless you have the confidence to pick up the tool, Stop kidding yourself. Just put it down, and go and hug your friend.
Okay, I will now retract my claws.
Dagger
The dagger’s primary use or symbolic meaning, is to channel and direct psychic energy, generally conceived as etheric fire. This tool is designed for creating change. It’s an aggressive, and assertive tool, designed to transform. Whether it’s transforming life into death, or Cutting into the magical world from the mundane, it is not a passive tool.
Uses:
- Ritual magic & spellcasting
- Religious Rites & Ceremonies
- Spellcasting
Wiccan Athame
As a masculine principle, the black-handled athame is often used in combination with the chalice, as feminine principle, evoking the act of procreation, as a symbol of universal creativity.
The athame represents the magical element of fire, associated with the Sun and the Horned God; while the chalice represents the magical element of water, associated with the Moon and the Goddess. The union of the two then represents the union of God and Goddess, male and female, sun and moon, fire and water.
The marriage of the Sun and Moon—the union of opposites—is an ancient idea in alchemy; and the hieros gamos or sacred marriage of god and goddess is an even more ancient idea in pagan religions. (For example, in ancient Greece—from whence the term “hieros gamos” comes.) This rite is done by dipping the athame into the chalice to bless the wine. This is a symbol of the Great Rite in Wiccan rituals.[See image right]
Some modern witchcraft traditions may prefer not to use iron blades, instead preferring alternatives such as copper, bronze or stone, such as obsidian. This is most common amongst traditions that have a particular fondness of the Sidhe, to whom iron is supposedly baneful.
Element:
- Air – For ceremonial magicians we typically place the dagger into the element of air. It’s also common placement for those practising Wicca, However this will also very according to the tradition.
- Fire – Some witches will place the dagger in the element of fire.
In black magic, or in the dark arts, the athame/dagger Is the preferred tool used for casting the circle, over the wand.
For people practising magic, the dagger is typically used for the casting of the circle. Where the wand could be seen in my previous video, casting a circle to bring down a magical cone of protection, the dagger is used to slice or cut into the veil, allowing us to enter from the mundane into the world of magic.
In most traditional covens, the athame is associated with the magical element of fire, so the circle is considered to be cast in etheric fire. This fire is traditionally envisioned as blue, indigo or violet; although it may equally well be envisioned as other colors. When the circle is ritually purified after being cast, that is traditionally done with the remaining three elements—air (incense), water (salt-water), and earth (salt) – because the element of fire has already been imbued into the circle during the casting, by the use of the athame.
Boline
Used for: Cutting herbs.
Some modern day magical practitioners believe that if things such as herbs or cords need to be cut, another knife called a “boline” is used. The boline is often confused or mislabeled the “white-handled knife”, a completely different magical blade.
NOTE – In “kitchen witchcraft” witches are encouraged to use magical tools for mundane purposes to increase the witch’s familiarity with them.
In the video I discuss how to use the boline to cut rosemary and I suggest that you should do some research to determine what is the most auspicious time to cut your specific herb. So in this case for example, I would write in my book of shadows the following about the herb rosemary:
- Planetary Correspondences of Mercury – Therefore it should be cut on Wednesday, in the hour of mercury
- Has both Air and Earth Aspects
- Uses in Witchcraft & Magic: Purification; Protection from Nightmares & Evil Spirits ; Funerary Rites Love Magic; Healing Spells
- Other tips:
- Mercury rules over the acquisition of magical or other types of knowledge, aids in travel between worlds and the guiding of the souls of the dead, and is the patron of merchants, thieves, gays, and any who present a mask to the world.
Learn more
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (this comprehensive guide features magical uses of over 400 herbs and plants)
The Sword
Sword or dagger is known to have powers external to the magician. Typically I will hear the comment, “…..one does not have to have tools to be a successful witch”. And this is true to an extent. However if you are not an adept, or a seasoned Witch who actually can conduct the elements and cast successful magical spells, then you are going to need the help of magical tools to give you some sort of edge.
The sword has had thousands of years to create its legendary status of being a magical tool across the worlds. External to the wielder of the sword, the energy and magic of the sword possesses strength and abilities highly desirable to the user. For example:
Angurvadel : The sword, possessing magical properties, which was inherited by Frithjof, the hero of an Icelandic saga. It had a golden hilt, and shone like the Northern Lights. In times of peace certain characters on its blade were dull and pale ; but during a battle they became red, like fire.
Answerer, Or Fragarach: A magical sword belonging to the Irish Sea-God, Lir. It was brought from the Celtic Other world by Lugh, or Hy Breasil, the Irish Sun-God, and it was believed that it could pierce any armour.
Kai: The seneschal of King Arthur, known in the French romances as Messire Queux – he is identified with a personage whose ” breath lasted nine nights and days under water ” and who ” could exist nine nights and nine days without sleep.” A wound from his sword could not be cured.
Kalki: The final Avatar of Lord Vishnu, the Hindu God, will incarnate himself as Kalki, the machine-man, who will come riding his white horse and with his blazing sword in his hands. This is supposed to be a future avatar of Lord Vishnu. At the end of Kali Yuga (present eon) He will punish all evil doers in this world, destroy this world and recreate the universe in a golden age.
The athame is an elemental tool, while the sword is often a tool representing power, used to keep Spirits in check during goetic Evocation or group ritual. Magic swords have historically played a role in Chinese, Japanese, Jewish, and Persian magic, as well as in modern Wicca.
In Chinese tradition, the most valued magic sword would be one inherited from a famous and consistently successful warrior, even if one only intended to use it for magical purposes. The next best bet is either a peach wood or iron blade consecrated in the name of the famed sword it’s supposed to represent. Willow and mulberry wood are also favored.
Similarly in Western magic, swords of famous warriors held magical associations. Weapons once belonging to the Knights Templar, for instance, that elite knightly order disbanded and doomed because of alleged occult practices, are priceless magical tools.
The sword’s power may be enhanced through embellishment. The grimoire, The Key of Solomon, recommends engraving Kabalistic inscriptions on hilts and blades. Other powerful embellishments include runes, sacred verses, hieroglyphs, and Chinese calligraphy.
Swords are used in various ceremonial rites.
- They are used for casting circles.
- They are a protective device and may be used in exorcisms and to repel malevolent spirits.
The Kris
The Javanese kris is a ritual knife regarded as having magical powers. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade, although many have straight blades as well. Keris is also a symbol of power and of ethnic pride. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade, although many have straight blades as well. Depending on the quality and historical value of the kris, it can fetch thousands of dollars or more.
Both a weapon and spiritual object, kris are often considered to have an essence or presence, considered to possess magical powers, with some blades possessing good luck and others possessing bad.
Kris are used for display, as talismans with magical powers, weapons, a sanctified heirloom (pusaka), auxiliary equipment for court soldiers, an accessory for ceremonial dress, an indicator of social status, a symbol of heroism, etc.
The keris is an important family possession and considered to be an ancestral deity, as weapons often play critical roles in the rise and fall of families and fortunes in history. Heirloom keris have proper names which describe their power: Ki Sudamala is Venerable Exorcist and repels negative forces, Ki Baju Rante is Venerable Coat of Armor and spiritually protects one wearing it.
In Bali, an heirloom keris and other such metal objects are presented offerings every 210 days on the day called Tumpek Landep, which means ‘sharp’. They are cleaned, displayed in temple shrines, and presented with incense, holy water, and red-colored food and flowers to honor Hindu god of fire Brahma. This is followed by prayers for a sharp mind to Sanghyang Pasupati, the deity who empowers sacred objects and defeats ignorance. (1)
Several folktales—linked to historical figures—mention legendary kris that possess supernatural power and extraordinary ability. Most of the magical kris are of Javanese origin, while the tales are derived from Javanese ancient manuscript, Babad (Javanese chronicle) and the Sejarah Melayu of Malaysia.
Legendary kris that possess supernatural power and extraordinary ability were mentioned in traditional folktales, such as those of Empu Gandring, Taming Sari, and Setan Kober. Kris-makers did more than forge the weapon, they carried out the old rituals which could infuse the blade with mystical powers. For this reason, kris are considered almost alive because they may be vessels of spirits, either good or evil. Legends tell of kris that could move of their own volition and killed individuals at will. Some kris are rumored to stand upright when their real names are called by their masters.
Why do I mention this tool in detail? It’s important to know that Gerald Gardner the father of modern Wicca, Who has a major influence in the way many people think about witchcraft tools, learned about the data from the peoples of this region. It was their culture and traditions and his love of this specific tool, that inspired him and thinking about the daggers use inn Witchcraft.
The Daggers of Human Sacrifice & Death
- The Roman secespita was a ritual knife; however, it was used for sacrifice.
- Zoroastrian priests (“magi”) traditionally used a knife (“kaplo”), a spear (or stick with a nail on the end), or even the forefinger, to draw ritual furrows (“karsha”) for purpose of protecting the sacred ritual space from evil and ritual pollution.
- The Tibetan 3 sided ceremonial knife, the Phurba, also known as the magical dagger or Kīla.
Human sacrifice requires the exchange of a life – willingly or not – in return for supernatural assistance or for a greater cause. Human sacrifice was practiced at least 5,000 years ago among the early agricultural societies of Europe.
Around the same date, the royal tombs of the Shang Dynasty at Anyang in China were similarly provided with sacrificed bodies. In the second century BC, workers and soldiers were buried in the tomb of the first Chinese emperor and, in addition, he was provided with an other-worldly army of terracotta substitute soldiers. I visited this region in China around 15 years ago, and while a very popular tourist destination, you can still feel the energy from thousands upon thousands of people going to the tomb with their dead “employer” while still alive!
Mass human sacrifices were particularly a feature of ancient states whose dead leaders required their courtiers and followers to accompany them into the afterworld. The tombs of the first dynasty of Egyptian pharaohs (3100-2890 BC) were each surrounded by the graves of their courtiers.
SECE′SPITA, an instrument used by the Roman priests in killing the victims at sacrifices. The secespita is a long iron sacrificial knife, made of brass and copper from Cyprus, with a solid and rounded ivory handle, which is secured to the hilt by a ring of silver or gold. The flamens and their wives, the flaminicae, who were priests and priestesses of the Ancient Rome, the virgins and the pontiffs made use of it for sacrifices.
In the Aztec culture, a tecpatl was a flint or obsidian knife with a lanceolate figure and double-edged blade, with elongated ends. The tecpatl or sacrificial knife, was an important element in Aztec rituals. The tecpatl was used by Aztec priests to open the chest of the victims of human sacrifice to extract the heart that would feed the gods, in the hope that the offerings would bring blessings to mankind. The most widespread sacrificial procedure among Aztecs, was removal of the heart. This emphasizes the importance of human sacrifices to feed the gods, especially the sun god, who illuminates the earth and sustains life.
You may remember the use of obsidian in the recent series Game of Thrones? In this series, obsidian (aka dragon glass) was gathered in vast quantities, as it was known as the only tool capable of killing the white walkers.
The writers of the series really did their homework, as obsidian has been used throughout history in sacrificial rituals.
Researchers in Mexico announced that they have found blood cells and fragments of muscle, tendon, skin and hair on 2,000-year-old stone knives, calling it the first conclusive evidence from a large number of stone implements pointing to their use in human sacrifice. (3) It’s important to know the significance of the dagger in Ritual, specifically that made from obsidian, which believed that human blood was a sort of vital liquid needed to keep the cosmos in balance. (4)
Now you may be quick to say that the civilisations were primitive, so let’s bring the conversation into an A.D. period.
The Celts were known to strike an individual in the back with a sword, and then divine from his death struggle, “.. after his fall they foretell the future by the convulsions of his limbs and the pouring of his blood”.
There is evidence that human sacrifice still continues today in isolated parts of the world, and researchers have known cases where it is practiced by shamans. If the idea seems unpalatable, we have to remember that one of the major world religions, Christianity, is constructed in the image of a sacrificed man-god who is said to have died to save humankind. However, let’s not talk about this any further.
Bone daggers
Today, OBSIDIAN DAGGERS are an ultra-specific tool to use to cut out negative thoughts, entities, or other unbeneficial energetic attachments. Their energies would be best utilized by lightworkers who are both adept and confident in their energy work to apply this precision tool to the benefits of their clients who need assistance fracturing and cutting out negative attachments out of the aura or chakras.
Ceremonial magic
In the video above, I talk about how there are various styles of swords made in the preparation for ceremonial magic rituals. I discussed why you use a black handled sword and a white handled sword.
There have been some comments that I didn’t explain what all the lettering meant on the daggers. The study of ceremonial magic cannot be taken lightly, and therefore I cannot do justice to the logic behind the symbolism written on the blades. With ceremonial magic the preparation is just as important as the Ritual itself. This is something most modern practitioners fail understand.
“The sword must be wrought of unalloyed steel, with copper handle in the form of a crucifix. Mystical signs were engraved on guard and blade and its consecration took place on a Sunday in full rays~ of the sun, when the sword was thrust into a sacred fire of cypress and laurel, then moistened with the blood of a snake, polished, and next, together with branches of vervain, swathed in silk.” Lesser Key Of Solomon
In the video I try and impress this important fact onto the audience, as there is no shortcut in ceremonial magic to the tool preparation. The spirits will not appear unless you put in the time and effort to prepare the tools in the prescribed manner.
Let me give you this analogy. You wish to invite your grandmother over for dinner but don’t wish to prepare a meal. You know that she hates take out food, but you hate to prepare food. So you call your Grandma and remind her that she is to come over to your house for dinner tonight, and you also share with her that you intend on ordering Uber eats and not preparing her food. Do you believe that you are setting yourself up for a successful & positive evening with your Grandma? Do you think she would want to turn up at all knowing that you do not care enough to consider her needs?
Eliphas Levi describes the preparation of a magical sword in substance as follows: The steel blade should be forged in the hour of Mars, with new tools. The pommel should be of hollow silver containing quicksilver, and the symbols of Mercury and the moon and the signatures of Gabriel and Samael should be engraved upon it. The hilt should be encased with tin, with the symbol of Jupiter and the signature of Michael engraved upon it. A copper triangle should extend from the hilt along the blade a short distance on each side: these should bear the symbols of Mercury and Venus. Five Sephiroth should be engraved upon the handle, as shown. The blade itself should have the word Malchut upon one side and Quis ut Deus upon the other. The sword should be consecrated on Sunday.
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3muMaVn
Free reference: The secret teaching of all ages (web)
Consecration
In this video I actually share with you my unique and yet very powerful way to consecrate a tool such as a dagger. Even though the editing in this section of the video is a little off, I think I share with you enough detail so you can successfully perform this ritual for yourself.
In witchcraft and especially in Wicca, the consecration of the Itami is performed gently with consideration to the elements. It is generally purified and consecrated to the gods before being used for ritual and magical purposes. There are various ways of accomplishing ritual purification and consecration, depending on the specific tradition of Wicca being followed, and also whether the individual Wiccan is practicing with a coven or as a solitary witch.
One common way to do this is by using the four magical elements of fire (candle), air (incense), water and salt; and perhaps anointing the blade with an oil infused with magical herbs.
Touching another person’s athame without permission is considered a ritual faux pas in almost all traditions of Wicca. It is an intrusion of the owner’s personal space; and more importantly, it is an act that violates the magical bond between the athame and its owner. Some witches will go to great lengths to ritually purify, reconsecrate, and rededicate an athame after it has been touched by another person.
Popular questions
Do I need to buy a dagger for it to be magical?
The simple answer is no. As with any magical tool, and this depends on what you’re using it for of course, but I believe you can find wonderful tools in secondhand shops, and by foraging around your grandparents house if they have lived in the home for many decades.
The key is to never use it for any other purpose other than Magick or ritual once you have brought it into your magical tool kit or temple space. Even if you’re munching on an apple while reading your magical book, don’t grab your dagger to slice up the apple. As soon as you do this, it is lost its magical vibe, and now is just a mundane tool.
References
- http://www.museumneka.com/keris.asp
- Sloane 3847. The Clavicle of Solomon, revealed by Ptolomy the Grecian.
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2138946/The-2000-year-old-bloody-knife-PROVES-ancient-Mexicans-practiced-human-sacrifice.html
- City of Sacrifice: The Aztec Empire and the Role of Violence in Civilization by David Carrasco (Beacon Press, 2000)
- The Highest Altar: The Story of Human Sacrifice by Patrick Tierney (Viking, 1989)
- BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/british_prehistory/human_sacrifice_01.shtml
- https://www.alchemy-works.com/rosmarinus_officinalis.html
