Wiccan Mysteries: Athame and Boline (or Bolline)

nechesh · 3rd February 2005, 10:43 PM

You can find pretty accurate descriptions of there uses and pronouncations here. (it's not that no one knows how to pronouce them, it's just a tomato/tomoto thingy

) Unfortunately, no etomology here.
http://www.denelder.com/glossary/a.html

fearn · 3rd February 2005, 10:56 PM

Hi Nechesh,

Thanks for the info on the book. That solves one thing. Still, the Athame/Bolline question remains. Did those names spring from Gardner's fertile imagination, or did he get them from somewhere else?

I don't disagree that Wicca is a new religion. The fun part is trying to figure out where the pieces came from.

Fearn.

Alam Shah · 4th February 2005, 07:11 AM

Title: Keris and other Malay weapons
Author: G.B. Gardner, Ed.B.Lumsden Milne,
Publishers: Progressive Publishers, Singapore 1936,
Herdruk: E.P Publishing Ltd, East Ardsley, Wakefield-Yorkshire, England 1973,
ISBN: 0-85409-944-1

fearn · 4th February 2005, 01:14 PM

Thanks Alam Shah,

I was searching for it on a couple of university library websites, and I see what Nechesh means about it being rare.

Personally, I'm hoping that one of our Arabic speakers will give us a translation of "blood-letter" or at least tell us whether adh-dhame is Arabic.

F

Alam Shah · 4th February 2005, 03:59 PM

Keris and other Malay weapons (re-print).
is availabe at:
http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/titles/28038.htm

If you're thinking of getting this in a library...then it will take a long time, if you can get it.

Alam Shah · 4th February 2005, 04:36 PM

The Athame
The athame is a magick knife. It is not used for cutting, but to direct energy raised during rites and spells. It is usually a dull, double-edged knife with a black or dark colored handle. Black absorbs power. Athames are sometimes engraved with magickal symbols. The knife absorbs power from you and the area around you. The symbolism of the knife is change. It is linked with the Element of Fire. Its straight phallic shape links it with the God.

The Athame is used in salutes to gods, goddesses and the Ancient Ones, and for a variety of other purposes. None of these purposes, interestingly enough, include the traditional function of a knife as a tool. As a penetrating tool, the Athame represents the masculine aspect of divinity, just as the Chalice represents the feminine aspect. The term, of unknown origin, was first seen in Medieval grimoires.

The Boline
A boline is used to actually cut herbs, cloth and many other magickal items. You need a knife that will hold a sharp edge. This is the Witches working knife.

nechesh · 4th February 2005, 05:16 PM

Alam Shah's descriptions are fairly accurate, althought the athame is also attributed to the element of air in many traditions, specifically in what is known as Ceremonial Magick. This is one of the aspects that Gardner changed when "creating" modern Wicca.
The reprinted book that Alam has posted a link to is NOT Gardner's book, though there is an article by Gardner in it. It is a compliation articles from many different authors, definity worth having (in is a fairly cheap book) even if it is filled with some contradiction and many inaccuracies. i understand the confusion because it does bear the same title.

4th February 2005, 07:11 AM	#3
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	The book details... Title: Keris and other Malay weapons Author: G.B. Gardner, Ed.B.Lumsden Milne, Publishers: Progressive Publishers, Singapore 1936, Herdruk: E.P Publishing Ltd, East Ardsley, Wakefield-Yorkshire, England 1973, ISBN: 0-85409-944-1

4th February 2005, 03:59 PM	#5
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Book available for purchase... Keris and other Malay weapons (re-print). is availabe at: http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/titles/28038.htm If you're thinking of getting this in a library...then it will take a long time, if you can get it.

4th February 2005, 04:36 PM	#6
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	The 2 types of knives... The Athame The athame is a magick knife. It is not used for cutting, but to direct energy raised during rites and spells. It is usually a dull, double-edged knife with a black or dark colored handle. Black absorbs power. Athames are sometimes engraved with magickal symbols. The knife absorbs power from you and the area around you. The symbolism of the knife is change. It is linked with the Element of Fire. Its straight phallic shape links it with the God. The Athame is used in salutes to gods, goddesses and the Ancient Ones, and for a variety of other purposes. None of these purposes, interestingly enough, include the traditional function of a knife as a tool. As a penetrating tool, the Athame represents the masculine aspect of divinity, just as the Chalice represents the feminine aspect. The term, of unknown origin, was first seen in Medieval grimoires. The Boline A boline is used to actually cut herbs, cloth and many other magickal items. You need a knife that will hold a sharp edge. This is the Witches working knife.

3rd February 2005, 10:43 PM	#1
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	You can find pretty accurate descriptions of there uses and pronouncations here. (it's not that no one knows how to pronouce them, it's just a tomato/tomoto thingy ) Unfortunately, no etomology here. http://www.denelder.com/glossary/a.html

3rd February 2005, 10:56 PM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Nechesh, Thanks for the info on the book. That solves one thing. Still, the Athame/Bolline question remains. Did those names spring from Gardner's fertile imagination, or did he get them from somewhere else? I don't disagree that Wicca is a new religion. The fun part is trying to figure out where the pieces came from. Fearn.

4th February 2005, 01:14 PM	#4
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Thanks Alam Shah, I was searching for it on a couple of university library websites, and I see what Nechesh means about it being rare. Personally, I'm hoping that one of our Arabic speakers will give us a translation of "blood-letter" or at least tell us whether adh-dhame is Arabic. F

4th February 2005, 05:16 PM	#7
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Alam Shah's descriptions are fairly accurate, althought the athame is also attributed to the element of air in many traditions, specifically in what is known as Ceremonial Magick. This is one of the aspects that Gardner changed when "creating" modern Wicca. The reprinted book that Alam has posted a link to is NOT Gardner's book, though there is an article by Gardner in it. It is a compliation articles from many different authors, definity worth having (in is a fairly cheap book) even if it is filled with some contradiction and many inaccuracies. i understand the confusion because it does bear the same title.