Sword use in rituals

[Morell]

I know, there already is a thread about weapons enchantment, but that's not what I'm on about here.

In my experience with my plastic katana, wielding a sword is interesting addition to a ritual. Even if it remains by the belt. Still didn't buy metal one...

I think the sword is amazing for empowering banishing ritual. Here I'm asking myself, what other rituals are good for incorporating a sword? I suppose that exorcism and fighting a spirit are definitely a rituals that can get advantage this way. Maybe also invoking some warior-related spirits. I'm little at loss with peaceful rituals that do not denote fighting.

Ideas?

 

[Amadeus]

There are some guys who use the sword, one which looks like a walking cane but there's a sword in there, to communicate with spirits in the cemeteries. It's sticked half way into the ground to establish connection, communicate. I understand one needs some "next level" skills to do that. Some practitioners have smaller swords, definitely more on the sword side, bigger than daggers.

Well you could use it do a "once in a lifetime ritual", harakiri, you have to get a real metal one though.

 

[Morell]

There are some guys who use the sword, one which looks like a walking cane but there's a sword in there, to communicate with spirits in the cemeteries. It's sticked half way into the ground to establish connection, communicate. I understand one needs some "next level" skills to do that. Some practitioners have smaller swords, definitely more on the sword side, bigger than daggers.

Well you could use it do a "once in a lifetime ritual", harakiri, you have to get a real metal one though.

I won't do Harakiri, not even "Hare (on) Curry." (not even on metal blade)

Though necromancy is interesting idea.

 

[Denise13]

I know, there already is a thread about weapons enchantment, but that's not what I'm on about here.

In my experience with my plastic katana, wielding a sword is interesting addition to a ritual. Even if it remains by the belt. Still didn't buy metal one...

I think the sword is amazing for empowering banishing ritual. Here I'm asking myself, what other rituals are good for incorporating a sword? I suppose that exorcism and fighting a spirit are definitely a rituals that can get advantage this way. Maybe also invoking some warior-related spirits. I'm little at loss with peaceful rituals that do not denote fighting.

Ideas?

Swords are ultimately cool and evoke a certain Arthurian era romanticism.

They can be used for most purposes you would use an Athame for. I have a metal one, but it's reproduction. Cost me about £300 at the time.

It's all props of course, but cool props are a good way to make the mental shift into ritual mode.

 

[Aldebaran]

I stumbled upon a book once about ceremonial blades and swords. That is about as unhelpful of a comment as you can receive but at least we know some else has broached this subject. Let me see if i can find it:

The Witches Athame by Jason Manke

I can not attest to its value but it is on topic. It can be found in our library in the Llewellyn Collection


I find blades (and weapons) work best for me in personal power rituals. My ritual dagger is my real dagger, so when i use it in a personal ritual of self empowerment or improvement - the connection is there.

 

[Yazata]

I think somewhere in Agrippa he mentions using mugwort (in some way or another) to produce / be able to see visions in the blade of the Sword.

 

[Aldebaran]

For the ceremonial magicians in our tribe, look up:

Of the Knife, Sword, Poniard, Dagger, Lance, Wand, Staff and Other Instruments of Magical Art - Chapter VIII, Book 2, The Three Magic Books of Solomon

 

[Swampdweller900]

I have a takouba sword which was (so I was told) imbued with magical properties by a the first owner. It's old enough that it was sharpened to the point of wearing the edge in a bit, pitted steel, around 100-130 years old (so I was told) and the wear and pitting matches a French sword I have that's about the same age. The previous owner apparently got granddad's sword and said "screw, this, let's get some guns!" Bought it from a trusted jeweler that also sold me some fossils found up in the Sahara. It's not stamped steel, at least, but there's always room for doubt for little details that might sweeten the deal just a bit.

Apparently there's a ceremony where if you pour water over the blade and drink it, the water gives healing properties. Minor caveat: if the sword leaves its scabbard, it must draw blood before returning. Seems a bit circular if you don't have anyone else around to donate the blood. Lovely sword, though the leather on the scabbard and handle are just crumbling apart at this point, and I think I will have to be the one to do the repairs.

 

[Planet13]

Many of our ancestors were buried with their swords. From an archaeological perspective, swords were often more than mere weapons, they were status symbols, markers of identity, and possibly even spiritual companions for the transition into the afterlife.
In many cultures, weapons were considered deeply personal objects with special significance. They could express power, protection, and belonging. When a warrior was buried with their sword, they symbolically carried their role, their honor, and perhaps even their protection into the next world.
The sword is one of humanity’s oldest threshold symbols.
It represents the power to create order between worlds.
This may help explain why swords are so frequently found in graves: they were not only tools of combat, but symbols of transition between life and death — between the earthly realm and the beyond.

Perhaps rituals could be derived from this symbolic background?

 

[Firetree]

Sword and dagger were both used in initiation rituals l usually the sword as a 'side arm' for the guardian or assistant and the dagger similar to a wand ( to direct energy ) and as one of the symbols that are explained in knowledge lectures .

And of course , being the weapon of Mars ; to invoke Mars - The RIte of Mars had a great example . The sword used in that was a classic overlarge huge steel thing that was cut out of an old circular saw blade from a local timber mill , flat wide blade , crescent hilt .

Imagine the temple set up for the Rite of Mars - various shades and tones of red , The Mars Kamea on the front of the altar , the huge censor smoking and on the altar the 'holy symbols' of Mars ; The sword, the spear and the drum ;


SOR. SCORPIO. Hail, Lord of the Eagle and the Serpent!

BRO. MARS. Amen. I appoint you to lead the army.

SOR. SCORPIO. Let us carry the holy symbols with sacred song and dance round the altar of Mars.

[ all march round five times deosil before MARS in procession headed by SCORPIO, ARIES, CAPRICORNUS.]

Strike, strike the louder chord!
Draw, draw the Flaming Sword!
Crowned child and conquering Lord!
Horus, avenger!


..... with some wild drumming and the chant rising .

 

[NoxEternal]

One of my dreams is to get one of the really expensive, top-quality Albion ones to use as a ritual sword. Right now I have a reproduction of a big cleaver (called a falchion by the manufacturer though it really isn't a falchion at all) that is seen in the illuminated Morgan bible. I like it a lot but it is such a brutal looking thing that I only use it when I'm projecting power and aggression. I'd like to get a refined, regal blade for general ritual use.