Monday 31 January 2011

The Wand

The Wand

Primarily, the wand is used to direct your will and intent when in the circle.

Think of it as a magickal conductor that amplifies your will and directs it where you need it to go.

Witches use their wands to cast a circle, empower other objects and to repel negative energy. Some witches use the wand for this, others choose to use the athame in the same way, some use a staff instead, it is down to personal choice.

The wand is used to work with the element of air, which is associated with the mental body and the intellect, hence its use as a focus for ones intent.

Although in a lot traditions the wand represents the elements of Air, in others it represents the element of Fire.

A good way to test a potential wand is to hold it in your power (writing) hand and direct its tip toward the palm of your non-writing hand, about three or four inches away from the palm. Visualise white light coming down your right arm, going through the wand and into your left hand. You will feel a sensation of some type in your left hand, be it a slight warming, a feel of pressure or a magnetic feel. With practice, this becomes an easy thing to do. If the wand is especially good for you, the sensation will be unmistakable.

Generally, the wand measures from the elbow to the wrist. It can be made from various materials, the most common of which is wood. The type of wood depends on what magickal correspondences the tree type has. There are many wands out there that are made from copper, crystal or glass, as well.

Wands range from very simple to ornate, depending on the tastes of the particular witch. Some are decorated with various symbols and sigils carved or painted onto them. Some witches choose to wrap their wands in leather, embed them with precious stones, or even decorate them with feathers or ribbons.

Personally I prefer to use fallen branches to make a wand, but if you want to cut a branch or twig from a tree or plant, please either out loud or in your head state your intent that you wish a section of wood to create a wand and ask permission from the tree first. Once you have cut the live wood thank the tree, and leave some form of exchange.

Aside from a broom, the wand is probably the most recognized magickal tools used by witches. The type of wand you use, what it is made out of and how it looks is completely up to you. The only person that your wand needs to please is you.

Some tree correspondences:

OAK - Endurance, triumph, strength, power, dominion, prosperity,
sacrifice, guardian, liberator.
BIRCH - Controlled by the Lunar influences. Birth, healing, Lunar
workings, and protection.
HAZEL - Wisdom, intelligence, inspiration, wrath.
ALDER - Controlling the four winds, working with
elementals, resurrection.
IVY / VINE ) - (VINE) Faerie work, Joy, Exhilaration, Wrath, Rebirth.
(IVY) Fidelity, Constancy, Love, Intoxication.
YEW - Destructive workings concerning death. Sometimes this carries a warning not to be used for magickal tools, but for me Yew represents life, death and rebirth and transformation.
ROWAN - Divination, healing, astral work, protection.
ASH - Seapower, karmic laws, magical potency, healing, protection
from drowning.
PINE - Strength, life and immortality, rejuvenation
WILLOW - Moon magic, psychic energy, healing, inspiration, fertility
ELDER - Witchcraft, banishment, magical art, waters of life.
HAWTHORN - Purification, enforced chastity, male potency, cleansing.
HOLLY - Holiness, consecration, material gain, physical revenge, beauty
WHITE POPULAR - Hope, rebirth, divination
ALMOND - Fruitfulness, virginity
APPLE - Fertility
COCONUT - Protection from negative psychic forces.
FIG - Balance
MISTLETOE - Love, fertility, sexual potency.
PALM - Resurrection, and the cycle and matrix of life
PEACH - Abundance, fruitfulness, happiness

At the end of the day if you are making or buying a wand it is whatever one feels right for you, regardless of the meanings found here, on the internet or in books!
Tansy
x

All wand pictures are from Kitchen Witch website

1 comment:

  1. I chose to modify a wooden (beech) spoon to make my wand. I had no need of a stick in my kitchen, but a wooden spoon can get intent and energy right where I need it.

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