Wiccan's and other pagans: is an athame an acceptable gift?

Question

I really don't know that much about the religions, so I decided to ask those who know. I would like to present my girlfriend (Wiccan) with a dagger emblazoned with my personal meditation sigil. Would this be an acceptable gift? If not, please explain the reason.

Answer 1

Yes it is a personal gift, and a very thoughtful one. You have mentioned before that she is new to the craft. I think she would be pleasantly surprised and honored that you have been so thoughtful of her needs as a beginner. She should be proud to have your support! Maybe, as time goes by, and she become more familiar with ritual, she will find another that calls to her. But as a beginner, I would think it will bring her comfort and security on her new path. But remember that sometimes we outgrow our beginnings...you should look forward to seeing that also! ; )

Answer 2

If you're giving her the gift of a dagger, I'd say it's fine and dandy (although I'll echo other comments here in saying you might want to examine why you're putting /your/ personal sigil on it). However, whether she chooses to use it for magical purposes is her own choice. If I was her, I would feel you were being presumptive in calling it an athame. Athames are very personal tools. When people decide to acquire a permanent athame (as opposed to grabbing a knife from the kitchen) they often look for one they have a particular connection with. They don't just buy the first pretty one they see. And I /certainly/ would not use a blade that had a symbol on it associated with someone else, or even a symbol that did not personally resonate with me.

Answer 3

I would say no. An athame is, in my opinion, probably THE most personal tool a Wiccan owns -- it has to "feel" exactly right, which means that the person likes the way it looks, likes the feel of it in their hand, and can channel energy through it easily at appropriate points (and to an appropriate degree) during their rites. For example, some people can work with an athame with a metal handle, or a bone handle, or a wooden handle, and others simply cannot.

Most Wiccans of my personal acquaintance are very particular about not letting others touch their athames without permission, because it is a tool that becomes so filled with their own personal energy and it usually one that they have spent a great deal of effort to cleanse, consecrate, and balance (in the energy sense) properly.

If you want to get your girlfriend something Wicca related, you could get her a nice pentacle plaque or necklace that she would both enjoy and use. But an athame? Probably not.

Answer 4

I would have to say yes, an athame is a very acceptable gift. Now, I would think that putting a personal sigil of her's instead of yours might be a better idea. The athame is a personal tool used in ritual, it might be a better idea if it was specific to her. I would think it would be better since it will be used by her in ritual. Normally, with magickal tools, any form of runes or writing on them are either specific to the item or specific to the person using it. As a futher note, the athame is symbolic of the element of air, so any form of rune or sigil having to do with the element of air would also be acceptable.

Answer 5

Well. this is how I feel. I have been a witch for around 40 years. An Athame is a VERY personal item and should be chosen by the witch (Wiccan). It does make a difference. A better gift would be a silver pentagram necklace or if you want something more craft specific, if she i into divination, a crystal ball would make a wonderful gift. It would be something she can cleanse and imprint with her essence. Very practical for someone into divination and not usually thought about as a gift. If she is not into divination, stick with jewelry. It is nice of you to be so thoughtful!
BB
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Answer 6

Enigma, An Athame would make a wonderful gift. Just keep in mind that SHE will have to add her OWN symbol to it as she must put her OWN energy into her tools. So, Don't get offended if she does that, in fact consider it an act of love and acceptance of your gift when she does so, as she WILL bve using it in her rites. I have been presented with several Athames by friends and relatives and ALL have been worked on by myself and get used at different times, depending on my mods or depending on what the athame feels like in different situationjs. Often an Athame "likes" to be used only for dark moon rituals or full moon rituals or only during Beltane, etc.. Or it may only wish to be used for certain types of spell work. Just let HER figure out when the best time to use it will be. I'm sure it WILL be appreciated very much.

Brightrest Blessings,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 7

Athame (stated ath-uh-would) is a black-dealt with knife in many circumstances used for issues including casting circles (in case you haven't any longer have been given one you may basically use your index finger) or consecrating issues including wine and tarts. some keep theirs sharp, different purposely boring them and keep their bolline (white-dealt with knife) sharp for any reducing of herbs, cords, and so on that they'd ought to do- in spite of everything, a pointy knife would properly be slightly risky, fairly once you're in a crowded or skyclad circle. I do have some thing corresponding to an athame- i've got not got the right aspects to purchase or trend a real one, so till I do, my athame substitue will artwork positive.

Answer 8

I say yes. I have acquire a few tools from friends and my boyfriend as gifts and they have become very special to me. If the gift is given with true intentions there should be no problem. She would still have to put her own energies into it, purify it, etc., before she uses it. I am a strong believer in, you well come across your tools when it is time. If she hasn't acquired one yet and you have found one you feel she will like maybe this is the way she was meant to receive it. Also if she ends up not connecting to it, that is ok as well , she can still keep it and put on a shelf and appreciate it that way.

Answer 9

That really depends. Some people feel that an athame is personal and should be bought/crafted/carved by the user, like most working tools. I personally feel that you could give her an athame but there are more logical choices. What about a lovely amber and jet necklace? I'd be absolutely thrilled to receive one. Or you could get her a bolline if she doesn't have one... but just do what you feel is right.

Answer 10

Most Wiccans collect, but the tools they actually use are very personal. Usually things they made or found themselves.

So an athame is an acceptable gift as long as you don't expect her to use it in rituals.