(no subject)

[bjornwilde]

 You know, if I ever find I'm writing a story that has to have some flavor of cultural magic or mysticism that I know nothing about and I don't have time for proper groking of the culture (say voodoo or Tibetan shamanism), I think the only way I will ever allow myself to use it is if the villain or character using it screws it up so badly that it is obvious they don't know what the hell they are talking about. And I would be sure to make it obvious they are not a representation of what the thing is really about.

Getting very tired of people saying "oh, I need something mystical, I'll use this thing I know nothing about because it's strange!"

Also, athames are not weapons. Even against spirits. It is much more akin to a wand. It is a focus.