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The Wand
The tool of the South and is associated with Fire.

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Alter ~ Athame ~ Incense ~ Candles ~ Bell ~ Figurines ~ Chalice ~ Two Bowls

Broom ~ Wand ~ Pentacle ~ Robes ~ Censer ~ Charcoal ~ Cauldron ~ Sword

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The wand is one of the most renown of the tools and one of the most

versatile. Traditionally, the wand is made from the wood of many different

kinds of trees including willow, elder, oak, hazel, and fruit trees. The length

of the wand varies from tradition to tradition, but it is safe to say that the

wand should be fairly straight, comfortable in your hand and is not so long

as to be unwieldy. When searching for wood for your wand, even wood

from a building supply store will work. If you take your wood from a living

tree, remember to ask the tree first, then thank it for its sacrifice. Wands

can also be made of crystals and metal. Make the wand your own by

carving or painting symbols on it, adorning it with ribbons, whatever

makes the wand special to you.

 

For thousands of years the wand has been used in both Magick and rituals.

The wand is used mostly to invoke the God and Goddess, direct energy,

and to charge other objects. It is used to draw symbols on the ground and

even to stir the cauldron. The wand is the tool of the South and is associated

with Fire. In some traditions it is the tool of Air. The wand is phallic in

nature, is a masculine tool and is sacred to the Gods.

 

The wand is used to bind the energy of the spell together. The wand has

been used for thousands of years in religious and magickal rites. The

Goddess and God are invoked with the wand. The wand is also used to

direct energy, to draw magical symbols during ritual. The wand represents

the Element of Air and evokes the energy of the spell. The energy is sent

in the direction the wand is pointing.

 

The wand represents the element of Air and the Male East. You can

purchase a ready made one or collect one from your friendly neighborhood

tree. (Ask first, if you want to harvest one from a living tree and leave a

small token of thanks.) Even dowels, such as those sold in hardware stores,

can be painted and decorated quite beautifully.

 

The wand can be used to cast the circle or direct energy in other magickal

ways, such as in spells and incantations. There are wands of glass, copper,

silver and other metals, but the "classic" material is still wood. Various

woods have different magickal associations and uses. It is very common

for a "Wand Witch" to have many wands of various types in his/her

magickal closet. Witches who do not use athames often use a

wand instead.

Starwood's Making Your First Wand
by Susan Baxter

 

Some feel the tools of Magick must be made by some powerful person

with more knowledge than yourself. This just isn't true. Making your

own wand is the most powerful thing you can do. making your own tools

invests then with your personal power and therefore will work better for

you as from its' conception it is imbued with your vibrations, your energy,

it is a part of you - a familiar, if you will.

 

Choose a length of wood - I use tree branches that must be pruned anyway.

I like a 12 inch length about the thickness of my finger. When selecting

the wood I refer to the magickal vibrations of the different woods. I use

apple for love Magick, seven barks for money Magick, Elder for fairie

Magick, oak for nature Magick, willow for general Magick.

 

You will want a quartz crystal point for the tip - you could use rose quartz

on the love wand or amethyst on a wand for spiritual contact and guidance.

Gouge a bit of wood out of the tip of the wand to help hold the crystal -

glue with high temp hot glue gun or a strong hold glue - let set.

Now use glue on bottom sides of crystal and top inch or so of wood, wrap

with leather strips or cord or embroidery thread in a color that goes with

the purpose of the wand. That helps to secure the crystal. Now wrap the

base end of the wand by gluing wood and wrapping with leather or yarn to

make a hand hold. Use the same color as on top and cover about 4 inches.

 

You may decorate the shaft of the wand with symbols that relate to the

purpose of the wand, such as runes and other symbols that have meaning

for you. You can use a knife, water proof marker, paint, wood burning

tool, etc. You could decorate the end of the top yarn with gemstone beads,

metal beads, wood beads and tip it with feathers if you like. Cleanse and

consecrate as with any tool.

 

This above article may not be reprinted

without written permission from Witch's Brew

 

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