Knives

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Using knives in rituals The use of knives is a potential issue. They are definitely part of Witchcraft practice as seen in the Discoverie of Witchcraft, however in the UK the use of knives in public is illegal and can cause problems. The specific problems are two-fold

1. In public

When working in public the police will eventually almost certainly visit a ritual. One of the most common reasons will be that they will be investigating the parking of vehicles, for example those with special disability parking rights, close to the ritual site. The use of robes will then attract the interest of the police. If you have a knife this will then need to be explained to the police. This can lead to further problems.

2. In private

When working in private you will draw in members who believe that it is their right to carry knives in public as part of their ritual practice. When stopped they will tell the police that they are bringing a knife to your ritual and provide the police with your phone number. The police will then call you and you will be placed in a difficult position. If you say that you have authorised it the police will ask why and you may be drawn into further discussions with the police. If you state that you have not authorised the carrying of the knife in ritual practice you will cause the member problems and they will not understand why you have not supported them.

For this reason the use of knives needs to be considered carefully since knives definitely add significantly to the power of rites. Due to the problems that arise before the use of knives in private rituals takes place you must have a clear understanding that knives are not to be brought to rituals by members. The Magister/Maiden must use their own knife and nobody else is permitted to posess a knife.

The best way to do this is to make the knife a statement of the office of the rite's Magister/Maiden. Make it clear that the bringing of a knife by a third part usurps the power of the Magister/Maiden running the rite. The underlying reasons regarding carriage of knives in public should be explained but the underlying reason is legitimate and the Magister/Maiden should be the only person with a knife and that knife should be placed in the house where the ritual takes place and not carried between sites.

In jurisdictions where the carriage of knives is leagal it is still best to not have multiple members with knives in a coven gathering. This is due to the fact that arguments develop and it is not advisable in this situation that members have knives. There is also no reason for members to have knives and generally it is represents a statement being made by the knife holder which is not relevant or helpful for Wiccan gatherings. -

= = = = = = = = 3- Where a Coven does use knives or swords.

Some Covens do use Small Swords or Knives for the sacrament - dipping the blade into the wine or juice being used.

In this case they are the last item to be placed upon the altar, and the first to be put away at the end of the ritual, so it isn’t lying around while the celebrations are on going.

This ensures the person who’s knife or sword it is, is in charge of it at all times.

The above is a good explanation to use if anyone else asks to bring such items and why they can not or if the police ask, you know your “safety routine”

Always bring it’s case with you AND a bag to put it in so it is not on show at all apart from on the altar.