The Oracle

Ok, as many of you know, some tools seem to have a sense of gender to them. Some say the Challice is feminine as it represents the womb in many traditions, while the wand gets labeled with the obvious phallic symbolism of being male.

I put the poll up top to see what you think of the Athame, do you see it as female aspected due to its working nature, or is it male because of the obvious shape. You may consider that it has both, no matter what it is though, I'd also love to hear your thoughts on this.

Ok, here's my opinon I put 'Male'

This is due to, not only the shape of the blade but also due to its 'traditional' useage within Ritual e.g. the Rite of Wine and Cakes. It's very apparent that the Athamé is male during this, as it is plunged into the Chalice of wine, a symbolic pratice akin to fertility.

However, I can see why some people would see it as Female, or both, but to me, it will also be a Male tool

I tend to see it was both, but its for similar reasons that I see the May pole as a very symbolic union

The blade is fitted into the hilt, to me it represents the male phallis and naturally the way it fits is symbolic of the union between male and femaile. I know this may seem a little sexually orientated, but I am a firm believer of seeing the force of creation in all things.

Male.

I've never heard of anyone call it female or both. Yes, we can call the Besom both, but I don't think with the Athamé.

lol, glad to be the first you've encountered who thinks its both then

Believe it or not the entire concept of how it was both came from a wonderful conversation with another person a few years back. We sort of just butted the idea back and forth and went 'actually' and came to that conclusion.

But I know what you mean, very few people see it that way, its the same as some groups see it as associated with air while others see it as fire