Use of bone or horn in making of handles for ritual tools?

Question

I have access to elk, deer and moose bone and horn to make handles for ritual tools like athame or a boline. Are these good materials for this? Does it change the rituals in any way if these materials are a part of the tool?

July---you are looking at rituals through a limited or limiting scope. Rituals can be and are much more than that.

Answer 1

Not at all, as long as the use of the animal part is done so in a respectful way and appreciation is shown to the animal by an offering of some appropriate source. The use of Bone, Teeth, and Horn tends to add the enrgy of that animal to all workings involving the useage of that tool, which gives further honor to the sacrifice of the animal, as long as the tool is used appropriately.

BB,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 2

I would not use anything from an animal you killed violently.

However, there is reason to believe that horns are cast every year so that they can be used . There are also bones scattered through forests which wait to be used. If anything they would enhance a ritual.
I once saw a wonderful bowl shaped and carved from the antler of a Moose that brought a quite extraordinary sense of nature into the rituals of an alter.

Answer 3

I would think that whatever change the material has is entirely up to you. I have found that the tool itself is not as important, so much as your interpretation of what that tool symbolizes. If you feel a moose bone for your athame would increase its ability to channel energy, then that is most likely the result you will see. I haven't seen/heard of any real difference that a different material makes (when it comes to ritual tools) other than what the user expects.

Answer 4

Most of my ritual tools I've made myself -- craft stores are definitely a Pagan's best friend. Some I've found at thrift shops. But my favorite place to find ritual tools is at a Pagan festival such as Sirius Rising or Starwood. These are often hand-made for Pagans, by Pagans. And, festivals are really fun places to be, anyway. They're like big Pagan flea-markets!

Answer 5

I prefer these types of materials in ritual work. I am very strongly drawn to elk and use several artifacts, bone and tooth, in my home. Since the blade (athame, etc.) and the cup (cauldron, etc.) represent male and female respectively, I think it is very appropriate to use horn or bone for this purpose. Very Horned God (essence of maleness).

Answer 6

They are excellent materials for making ritual items, and I highly recommend you use them. I personally feel that the natural material empowers the tools.

I personally use natural material (animal parts, feathers, leather, horn, antlers) a lot. I go to great lengths for find out their source. If you find parts in the woods or along roads, that is ideal. Or obtain parts from hunters you personally know --who respect the animals and offer prayers before the hunt--and who hunt for need, ie. food. I actually find it rewarding to use as many parts as possible as to ensure that nothing goes to waste. . . like our ancestors taught us. I always make an offering and prayer of thanks to the spirit of the animal. I also smudge the part with sage to cleanse and release any negativity from the part.

Answer 7

As a Freyrsman and heathen, my ritual tools are a bit different from those in Wicca, but antler and horn are *exactly* what I use, to good effect.

Answer 8

Rituals are made to summon spirits of those who once lived here on earth. It is a belief that it is more effective to use what was once apart of those living things.