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    • Introduction to the Core Wiccan Beliefs
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    • An Introduction to Wiccan Rituals
    • Tools of Magic: Ritual Tools and the Wiccan Altar
      • Wiccan Altar
      • Athame
      • Bell
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    • The Book of Shadows: A Modern Grimoire
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      • Yule (Winter Solstice)
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      • Ostara (Spring Equinox)
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      • Samhain
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Wicca Living

Banner
Menu
  • Home
  • Getting Started
    • Frequently Asked Questions About Wicca, Witchcraft, and Magic
    • What is Wicca?
    • What is Witchcraft?
    • Are Wiccans Really Witches?
    • What is Paganism?
    • What is Magic? (And Magick?)
    • What’s the Difference Between Black Magic and White Magic?
    • Is Wicca Connected to Satanism?
    • What is Known of the History of Wicca?
    • Close
  • Wiccan Magic
    • A Beginners Guide to Wiccan Magic
    • Candle Magic
      • A Beginners Guide to Candle Magic: A Wiccan Overview
      • Candle Magic Spell for Beginners
      • Magical Properties of Colors
      • Close
    • Crystal Magic
      • A Beginners Guide to Crystal Magic: A Wiccan Overview
      • Crystal Magic Spell for Beginners
      • Magical Properties of Crystals and Other Minerals
      • Close
    • Herbal Magic
      • A Beginners Guide to Herbal Magic: A Wiccan Overview
      • A Herbal Magic Spell for Beginners
      • Magical Properties of Herbs
      • Close
    • Oil Magic
      • A Beginners Guide to Magical Oils: Essential Oils Magic
      • How to Make Your Own Magical Oil Blends
      • Close
    • Moon Magic
    • The Book of Shadows: A Modern Grimoire
    • Magic and the Law of Attraction
    • Wiccan Guide to Tarot
    • The Ancient Runes
    • Close
  • Core Wiccan Beliefs
    • Introduction to the Core Wiccan Beliefs
    • Deities of Wicca
      • The Wiccan Goddess and God
      • Triple Goddess: Maiden, Mother, and Crone
      • The Oak King and the Holly King: Aspects of the God
      • Working with Ancient Deities
      • Close
    • The Classical Elements in Wicca
      • The Earth Element
      • The Water Element
      • The Fire Element
      • The Air Element
      • The Spirit Element (Akasha)
      • Close
    • The Wiccan Rede
    • The Threefold Law
    • Close
  • Wiccan Ritual
    • An Introduction to Wiccan Rituals
    • Tools of Magic: Ritual Tools and the Wiccan Altar
      • Wiccan Altar
      • Athame
      • Bell
      • Boline
      • Broom (Besom)
      • Cauldron
      • Chalice
      • Incense
      • Pentacle
      • Wand
      • Close
    • Setting Up the Altar and Casting the Circle
    • The Book of Shadows: A Modern Grimoire
    • Clearing and Charging Your Ritual Tools
    • Clothing and Ritual Attire
    • Close
  • Wheel of the Year
    • The Wiccan Sabbats
      • Yule (Winter Solstice)
      • Imbolc
      • Ostara (Spring Equinox)
      • Beltane
      • Litha (Summer Solstice)
      • Lammas / Lughnasadh
      • Mabon (Autumn Equinox)
      • Samhain
      • Close
    • Wiccan Esbats
    • Close
  • Wiccan Paths
    • Wiccan Traditions
    • Covens, Circles, and Solitary Practitioners
    • Wiccan Initiation and Self-Dedication
    • Close
  • Learn More
    • About
    • Recommended Reading List
    • Free Wicca Audiobooks
    • Books by Lisa Chamberlain
    • Contact
    • Close

Tools of Wiccan Ritual: the Boline

You may already be familiar with the ritual knife known in Wicca as the athame. While some practitioners use the athame for all work related to ritual and magic, many do not use it to actually cut anything physical. Instead, they will keep a separate knife for the purposes of chopping herbs for spellwork, cutting magical cords and ribbons, carving symbols into candles or other tools, and/or shaping a wand cut from a tree branch. This knife, more practical but no less sacred than the athame, is called a boline.

The boline is traditionally a white-handled knife which, unlike the typical athame, is single-bladed and kept sharp for effective cutting. The blade may be straight or crescent-shaped. The crescent shape, which can be traced back to medieval influences on ceremonial magic, can be ideal for harvesting herbs, but is somewhat less practical for cutting and carving.

Just as with the athame, you can find very ornately carved and decorated bolines in New Age shops with a Wiccan focus, or you can get a simple one from any store selling kitchen supplies. You can also, of course, repurpose a knife that you already have. Some Wiccan traditions hold that any knife that has been used to cut animal flesh would not be appropriate for a boline, but this is a personal choice for every practitioner. If you put your knife through a proper and thorough energy cleansing, it may not matter for you what the knife was used for previously.

No matter where your boline comes from, be sure not to use it for any purposes outside of ritual and magic. Although it isn’t used in formal Wiccan ritual, it’s still recommended to store your boline with your other tools, rather than in your silverware drawer, in order to keep its magical energy undiluted between uses. For added safety during storage, it’s a good idea to use a sheath or a thick cloth to wrap the blade in. Taking these measures will enhance your energetic relationship with this most practical of magical tools.

Learn More About the Tools of Wicca:

Wiccan Ritual Tools

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