Hand carved, approx 200cm.

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. In high ceremonial magick the wands are very elaborate, typically constructed of metal or fine wood, 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 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.

When you finish choosing or making a wand, you will want to dedicate it to magickal 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 Sabbats or New Moon or Full Moon are particularly appropriate times to dedicate a new 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. Wands are most commonly used to channel energy. Match the wand’s materials and decorations and magick writings to the kind of energy being channelled. 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 and for manifestation.