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The elemental cross is a little-used (or little-referenced) symbol in popular Pagan literature. One usually finds the pentacle in usefor devotion, quarter-calls,altar equipage, magic, and decorationat the cost of any other symbol.Thus it waswith surprise that I first heard the idea that the elemental cross might fulfill a sacred purpose in Pagan practice. In Essential Wicca, authors Paul Tuitéan and

Estelle Daniels suggest the elemental cross might replace the invoking and banishing pentagrams in quarter-call use, with each spoke representing a different element. The symbolism made sense; I liked it.I was also reminded of a favorite book in which the elemental cross wasfeatured prominently.�

In Susan Coopers The Dark is Rising, the elemental cross is a sign of power. Why, Inow ask, would she choose this shape? Certainly it is more accessible to the general public than is the pentacle, and perhaps there is mythological significance that I have forgotten, but could the reason be more intrinsic to the shape? Perhaps its elementary structure gives it universal appeal, or its layered yet flexible meanings make it so common cross-culture. Whether out of love for Coopers story or for some other reason, the elemental cross remained a powerful symbol in

my memory. Drawn to it as others are to certain deities, I selected it as my personal sacred symbol.�

The Symbol This sign is composed of an equal-armed cross, arms terminated by thesurroundingcircle; thus it resembles a wheel with four spokes. The circle and cross are often two of the first symbols drawn by children of all cultures. The circle is perhaps our most basic symbol, representative of the sun and the eternal nature of life. Circles unite thoughts on paper and people in ceremony. The equal-armed cross represents four seasons, four directions, four archangels, fourwinds, and four quarters to many neo-Pagans. Many things come in fours, and theequal-armed cross is very naturally a significant symbol. The combined symbol, too, is very natural. It appeared in rock carvings and in the earliest systems ofwritingincluding those used by the Egyptians, Etruscans, Hittites, and more. It

today symbolizes both the planet Earth and the element earth. Often is also represents the Sun. Other meanings, past and present, include thunder, power, energy,head,......

Re: Traditional Athame designAs a follow-up for those wishing to know more regarding the ritual specifics involved in making the Athame and the Boline (white-hilted knife), the following information is given in the Key of Solomon:

"In order to properly carry out the greatest and most important Operations of th

e Art, various Instruments are necessary, as a Knife with a white hilt, anotherwith a black hilt, a short Lance, wherewith to trace Circles, Characters, and other things.

The Knife with the white hilt should be made in the day and hour of Mercury, when Mars is in the Sign of the Ram or of the Scorpion. It should be dipped in theblood of a gosling and in the juice of the pimpernel, the Moon being at her fullor increasing in light. Dip therein also the white hilt, upon the which thou shalt have engraved the Characters shown. Afterwards perfume it with the perfumesof the Art.

With this Knife thou mayest perform all the necessary Operations of the Art, except the Circles. But if it seemeth unto thee too troublesome to make a similar K

nife, have one made in the same fashion; and thou shalt place it thrice in the fire until it becometh red-hot, and each time thou shalt immerse it in the aforesaid blood and juice, fasten thereunto the white hilt having engraved thereon the

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aforesaid characters, and upon the hilt thou shalt write with the pen of Art, commencing from the point and going towards the hilt, these Names Agla, On, as shown. Afterwards thou shalt perfume and sprinkle it, and shalt wrap it in a pieceof silken cloth.

But as for the Knife with the black hilt for making the Circle, wherewith to strike terror and fear into the Spirits, it should be made in the same manner, exce

pt that it should be done in the day and hour of Saturn, and dipped in the bloodof a black cat and in the juice of hemlock, the Characters and Names shown being written thereon, from the point towards the hilt. Which being completed, thoushalt wrap it in a black silk cloth.

The quotes are actually from the medieval grimoire "The Key of Solomon the King", the English translation being that of S.L. Mathers (Levi was French). I quotedthe passage from the Key of Solomon because it is the source of the inclusion of the Athame in the Wiccan tradition. In French translations of the Key of Solomon, one of the magical instruments used is referred to variously as an "Artavo"(pen-knife) and in one instance as an "Arthame" - this of course is the origin o

f the word "Athame" that has been used by practitioners of Wicca since it firstemerged in the 1950's. Oh, and the design has nothing to do with Gil Hibben. Itis based on the illustration of the magical sword in the Key of Solomon:�