I'm sure this has been mentioned before..But I'm interested in knowing what went in to choosing your ritual sword. Was it simply a matter of just getting any one, or was there one in particular you decided on. What made you choose the one you did? I'd also love to hear about any variations on the sword idea.

I use a replica of a Nazi officer's ceremonial sword (I don't think its an accurate replica... mostly just a sword with Nazi imagery on it...) The reason I chose this particular sword was due to the power and the emotion which is attributed with the symbols engraved into it as well as the hatred and pain they symbolized. Also, the "taboo" nature of Nazi paraphernalia adds an aura of mystery and "dabbling with the forbidden" to it. All these factors evoke an emotional response for me and add to the power of my ritual experience.

I actually use a dagger that I picked up in an occult shop some years back. I think I just picked it up as a result of aesthetics, practicality as a cutting too, and just stumbling across it at the right time and place. It serves its purpose for me.

I picked up my sword while visiting a bazaar in Iraq. The reason I bought the sword was simple: it looks cools to me and I was able to haggle fifty bucks off the price.

As a young devil I remember watching Conan wield his powerful sword. The brutish manipulation of such an awesome instrument crystallized and became a sought after tool as an adult. This broadsword is a symbol of aggressive force, and when used is an extension when gesturing, or pointing to Baphomet etc.. See pictures just below and yes, those are three assassin daggers above/inside the pommel.

I have a Pappenheimer Rapier. Swords in medieval times were initially wide broadswords. These would dent armour but usually proved otherwise ineffective. With the Rapier swords, new manufacturing processes in the steel industry meant that they could make thinner blades. These new rapiers would pierce armour.

The symbolism of piercing is something that appealed to me in the choice of sword.

However, it's not a cliche I like - but my pen is my primary weapon. Because this is my main area of magic I am not going to discuss it. But I collect pens that become as talismans. They have magical power.

Pappenheimer Rapier:

This is my ritual dagger and its sheath. I like it because it has a dangerous, technological or industrial aesthetic to it that I find pleasing. Kind of a dark, science fiction feel. It represents cold, ruthless progress and innovation.

The end of it is a little bit scorched because I’ve burned a number of “parchments” on it during ritual.

Like Rev. Strongbone, I also find the imagery of piercing very important in my ritual. I wanted something very simple, so not to detract from the base nature of my rituals, kind of getting back to my primal nature. This is what I chose, a Rondel.

Well, I have not acquired an actual "sword" to be used for the purpose of ritual as yet, so for now I make do with this long dagger I purchased a few years back on the few occasions that I choose to employ Greater Magic:



I don't think I need to explain why.

I'm somewhat amused that you as a soldier have so ornate and beautiful a ritual sword, when I as an artist have a Kabar for mine.

I recently ordered mine and I'm waiting for it to show up. It was one of those love at first sight things. When I saw it, I knew it was for me. Now I play the waiting game.

Now THAT is a beautiful peice of steel my friend. Mine has too many umm "spots" on it.

Sometimes you just gotta cut a bitch...

it also isn't a good idea to do woodcarving at 1:30 in the morning when you're tired. What were you talking about?

Bitch is...um..Swahili for cheesecake....