Magic Forums

Perhaps I spelled it wrong,
but by "athame" I am referring to the ceremonial knife
often placed on altars for the purpose of "cutting through energy"
or something like that.

Anyways, here's my confusion.
I was told that anything can be used as your athame,
including a finger or wand.
I was also told that the athame should only be used
for the purpose of cutting through energy.
So what if I use my finger?
Should I not use my finger for poking through plastic packages?
And let's say I do choose to use a knife,
what is so bad if I do use it for anything else?
Or what if it was used for something else
before I decided to use it as my athame?