The Ceremonial Sword.

The Ceremonial Sword is a much later addition to the Witches Tools, and in fact is not necessary at all. It is just a larger version of the Athame, and so as an individual or solitary witch you do not need such a tool, as long as you have your Athame for the creating of your Sacred Space all will be fine. The Ceremonial Sword should only be used when you have a full working coven, and wish to Initiate or take oaths from people, or hold ceremonial blessings.

The Sword, unlike the Athame which represents the Fire Element, is a central tool and represents Sacred Space and is placed usually in the centre of the Majik Circle representing Unification and totality of all things in the Majik Circle.

The Sword was adopted by Magicians and likeminded orders at a much later date, such as the Freemasons, Golden Dawn, Magicians of old in many cultures. Also it was definitely a wepon of protection for the working coven during the Burning Times. As the main character in the coven was a person titled the Lucifer or better known today as the 'Man in Black'. He was the principal Ritualist under the High Priest and High Priestess.

He was always dressed differently than all others in the circle, mainly in black, the others usually in more lighter earth colour, this way if the coven was discovered when working at night, he would be the main one to stand out. He would then stay and defend the whole of the Circle as they ran for protection. He would offer his life for his fellow sisters and brothers. He did not necessarily get captured, if he was swift and fast he too could escape the atrocities of what was usually in stall for Witches of this time.

The Traditional Wiccan Sword is ussually only handled by the Man in Black, The Priesthood, but mainly the High Priest/ess. Remember it is not necessary to have a Tool in your possession if it is only for show, and if you do not understand its full use and meaning.

The Sacred Sword also represents totality, and the centre of all things, it represents the macrocosm of the microcosom and vica versa. Where many covens use the Ceremonial Sword to cut the boundary of the Majik Circle in our Coven we use a Didgeridoo to awaken the energies and spirits of our land that we are working upon. We ask for the presence and assistance of the first ancestors of our land, and that they accept us and aid us in our Majikal rites. This way we are not being sacrilegious to our Aboriginal brothers and sisters and their culture or traditions.©