WANDS

 WANDS

    There are a lot of variations on magick wands, depending on the purpose and the Witchcraft tradition.

    In many European based Witchcraft traditions, the magick wand is a simple unadorned stick of natural wood, often with the bark still intact. The wand is typically six inches to two feet in length and a quarter inch to two inches in diameter, either straight or with bends (one slight bend is the most common). The wand can be cut, but usually it is uncut and kept exactly as it was found laying on the ground in nature. Witches used to break dead branches off of trees.

    In earlier times Witches broke off dead wood, never sawing or cutting live wood. This policy actually helped keep the forests healthy, because insects and other vermin went infect dead branches and then spread into the rest of the tree. In many areas of the world there are now too many people impacting the available trees and it is no longer environmentally sound to harvest dead wood directly from a tree.

    Eileen Holland reports a tradition of cutting wands “from one-year-old trees, in a single stroke, at sunrise on a Wednesday.” Ask for permission from the tree before cutting a wand. Thank the tree for the gift of the wand. Possibly leave a small token of thanks, such as a pebble, ribbon (natural fibers and colors), or feather.

    When picking up sticks for use as a wand, the Witch will pick a natural stick that looks right and feels good when held. A Witch will recognize the right stick because it “feels” right (an inner feeling in your heart).

    When picking up sticks for use as a wand, the Witch will pick a natural stick that looks right and feels good when held. A Witch will recognize the right stick because it “feels” right (an inner feeling in your heart).

    Various kinds of wood are associated with specific kinds of magick and the Witch will find a wand from the right kind of tree for the magick to be performed.

    The most famous of these simple stick wands is the divining rod, used for locating water or lost items. The divining wand will have a fork (two short ends that come together into a longer single length, kind of like a “Y”) and is held loosely by the branched end (one branch in each hand). The wand will slightly twitch or vibrate to give the Witches hints on which direction to look.

    In high ceremonial magick the wands are very elaborate, typically constructed of metal (or fine wood that has been covered with gold, a process called “gilding”) and encrusted with valuable gems. Magick runes or symbols are carved on the length of the wand and typically there is a valuable gemstone at the tip.

    Many Witches craft a much less expensive ceremonial wand by wrapping a piece of wood (such as a dowel from the local hardware store) with cloth, leather, twine, and other materials. Magick runes or symbols can be burned or carved into the wood or drawn on cloth or leather strips and wrapped onto the wand. Seashells, feathers, crystals, and other items from nature can be tied or glued to the wand.

    With these kinds of homemade wands, the personal expression of the individual Witch is important. Often the choice of items attached to the wand will be based on the Goddess or God the Witch honors (for example, a wand dedicated to Aphrodite might have seashells while a wand dedicated to Diana might have small sterling silver trinkets). The important thing is to trust your heart and create a wand that matches your personality and beliefs.

    A wand should’t be longer than the length from your elbow to your fingertips.

    For some rituals or spells, the wand might have something temporarily attached to it. For example, for a Full Moon ritual, a Witch might write down the goals and desires for the next month on a small piece of paper and then tie or wrap the piece of paper on the wand.

    As in most of Witchcraft, it is important to figure out what works for you personally. Something may be great for everyone else but not work for you, while another thing that nobody else does might be perfect for you. Trust your heart.

    When you finish choosing or making a wand, you will want to dedicate it to magical work. The ritual should be short and simple: place the tool on the altar, cast a circle, and perform a Short ritual to consecrate the tool. If you belong to a specific Witchcraft tradition, use the ritual specified by your tradition. If you are an eclectic Witch or still undecided on tradition, make up your own short ceremony, possibly based around a poem you write.

    If you have a permanent altar, you might leave your wand on your altar for 24 hours after your ceremony before making use of your new wand. Any of the Sabbaths or New Moon or Full Moon are particularly appropriate times to dedicate a new wand.

   

correspondences of a wand

    Some traditions correspond wands with the element air. Some traditions correspond wands with the element fire. In some traditions, the element is determined by the materials and decorations, including runes and other magick writing.

    The wand is considered to be a phallic tool and therefore of masculine element and male energy. The wand corresponds with the planet Mars.  Mars is one of the basic Western astrological planets. Mars is personal in sign, house, and aspects. Mars the planet is named for Mars the Roman god. Use the Mars herb to consecrate the wand.

    Mars rules physical energy and efforts. It describes the strength and direction of the physical force that drives your ego, fires your emotions, and encourages your mental endeavors and communicative skills. It describes male relationships and associations, risk-taking inclinations, and the physical challenges you are likely to encounter. —Peggy, astro-consulting

    In the traditional ages of man, Mars rules the prime of life.

numerology:

    In numerology Mars vibrates to the number 9.

    the Heavens of Assiah: 5 is the Sphere of Mars in numerology —Aleister Crowley

herbs associated with Mars:

    Plants (and herbs) ruled by Mars can be used in spells relating to: aggression, courage, defensive magick, exorcism, healing after surgery, hex-breaking, lust, physical strength, politics, protection, sexual energy, sexual potency, and strength.

    Herbs marked with an asterisk (*) may be substituted for other herbs in magick spells and formulas related to Mars matters (see list in paragraph above). Be careful in any recipes that will be ingested, as not all herbs are safe for internal use. These substitutions are not appropriate for healing or medicinal uses (where you need to use the exact right herb).

allspice *

asafoetida *

basil *

bdellium

benzoin

bloodroot

broom *

coriander *

cumin *

deerstongue *

dragon’s blood *

galangal *

ginger *

gum bdellium

nettle *

peppermint *

pine *

tobacco *

woodruff *

wormwood *

essential oils associated with Mars:

    Essential oils ruled by Mars can be used in spells relating to: aggression, courage, defensive magick, exorcism, healing after surgery, hex-breaking, lust, physical strength, politics, protection, sexual energy, sexual potency, and strength.

    Any of the following essential oils may be substituted for each other in magick spells and formulas related to Mars matters (see list in paragraph above). Be careful in any recipes that will be ingested, as very few essential oils are safe for internal use. These substitutions are not appropriate for healing or medicinal uses (where you need to use the exact right esssential oil).

    Important: ).

basil

coriander

ginger

peppermint

pine

stones associated with asdf:

    Stones that are red in color are ruled by Mars.

days associated with Mars:

    Tuesday is named for Mars in the Romance languages. See Tuesday.

deities associated with Mars:

Mars (Roman God)

uses of a wand

    Wands are most commonly used to channel energy. Match the wand’s materials and decorations and magick writings to the kind of energy being channeled.

    Wands may be used to cast a circle. Some Witches use an athame for most circles, reserving wands for casting circles of special significance.

    Wands may be used to invite and control entities.

    Wands may be used for manifestation.

Woods for the Wand

How a wand is going to be used will depend on the type of wood that the

wand is made out of. Following is a list of wood and the uses for wands.

Alder- Support, foundation, magickal beginnings, fire and water magic

Apple- an apple wand can be used for love magic, for rituals designed to

contact the Otherworld for initiation and for fertility spells and rites

Ash- The ash is a conductor of magical force, traditionally used for

witches' broomsticks, druids' wands and men's staffs; as wells as it

connects the magician to all three realms and when using an ash wand,

the magician will be performing magic in all three realms

Aspen-The aspen is used for magical shields, for healing and protection.

Bay- The bay tree is associated with the sun god and his powers of

protection, healing, and divination; a bay wand will be effective with

all of these.

Beech- The beech tree is associated with written knowledge and is good

for spells and rituals concerning such knowledge.

Birch- The birch is a tree of fertility, but can also be a magical force

for purification and can banish negative energy.

Blackthorn- A blackthorn wand can be used for great good or great ill;

it is very powerful for magical protection, but can also be used for

cursing.

Bramble- It is good for healing.

Buckthorn- This is good for healing.

Cypress-Use this wand for rites for the dead, crossing the gates of the

underworld

Elder- This wand can be used for rites summoning the crone goddess,

during Samhain and winter, fairy contact during Summer solstice, healing

and summoning spirits.

Elm- This is used for summoning the Goddess and feminine magic.

Hawthorn-Good for protection magic, invoking a shield, fairy contact,

the rite of Beltaine and Goddess magic.

Hazel-A good all purpose wand, sometimes called the wishing rod.

Holly- This is used for rites for male magic, warrior magic, and for

protection from negative forces.

Ivy- This wand is good for binding magic and protection from psychic

attack.

Juniper-Good for warding off the evil eye and exorcism.

Linden- Feminine power and rites of the Goddess.

Maple- Handfastings and rites of celebrations.

Mistletoe- This wand is good for healing, luck and good fortune.

Oak-This is good for protection, all general magic, midsummer,

divination, fairy contact and otherworld magic

Pine- This is good for gaining knowledge, fire magic and illumination.

Poplar-Divination

Rowan-Protection, divination

Service Tree-Protection, or as an all purpose wand

Spindle Tree- Spinning and weaving magic, creating magic and Goddess

magic.

Whitebeam- Earth Magic

Willow- Bardic magic, healing, feminine magic, Goddess magic, rebirth

and purification.

Yew- Initiation and funeral rites