As a little girl, you will run around the garden with a plastic wand with a star on the end, shouting ‘abracadabra’ to try and turn pebbles into chocolate buttons. Wands are fun and the ultimate magical tool though they also come with responsibility.
A wand is a living entity and much like the Harry Potter films (yes they got some magical facts right), a wand chooses you rather than the other way around.
Sourcing Options
You have a few options with wands – to either craft one yourself or buy a ready made one. They don’t need to be expensive, fancy or rare. A wand is an extension of you and something that amplifies and directs your power – you could put the finest wand in the world in the hands of a witch who doesn’t know how to use her own power and it wouldn’t do anything.
I’m an elemental witch, Earth priestess and High Priestess of the Magdalen order so I work with nature over everything. For me, the more natural the wand the better. My favourite wand is one that a willow tree gifted me a few years ago. Despite buying a fancy twisted one years later, it’s that original one I go back to.
The big rule is to NEVER take wood from a tree that isn’t fallen. You should never ever even contemplate slicing a branch from a tree to use – imagine someone cutting off your arm so they could wave it around for their own use – just no! All of my wands come from broken branches that a tree has gifted me. If I see a piece of branch under a tree that calls to me then I will pick it up, feel its energy and even then ask the tree for permission to take it and turn it into something beautiful.
Material
Most wands are wooden as wood generally has a natural, organic feel that melds well with human energy. Every wood has a different property which you can match to your needs.
I have a fair few wands if I’m honest and I am currently whittling a few to sell on as every tree carries a different meaning and energy. For example, Oak is known for its Strength and Endurance. It holds the Power of Protection and guards from Evil. Any piece of Oak carried will bring Luck to the Bearer. Its other Properties include Potency, Fertility, Healing, Insight and Money. Willow is a Tree sacred to the Goddess and the Moon. Any Spell worked with a Willow Wand under the Rays of the Moon will increase its Strength. Its properties include, Love, Divination, Healing and all Luna Magic. Rowan is the Witches Tree. It is best used for protection, placed above doorways it will guard your home from Evil Spirits. It is also know for its Divination and Healing qualities and will aid Psychic Powers and bring Success.
Metals, especially copper, conduct energy well and are good for producing a strong, precise stream. Crystals are excellent for amplifying subtle energy, but often absorb it more readily than transfer it to the target.
If possible, it’s best to handle a bunch of materials and see what feels most natural for you. A wand should feel like a sleeker, more powerful extension of your hand.
Rules in taking anything from trees
The big rule is to NEVER take wood from a tree that isn’t fallen. You should never ever even contemplate slicing a branch from a tree to use – imagine someone cutting off your arm so they could wave it around for their own use – just no!
All of my wands come from broken branches that a tree has gifted me. If I see a piece of branch under a tree that calls to me then I will pick it up, feel its energy and then ask the tree for permission to take it and turn it into something beautiful. Every tree has a spirit so sit with your back to the tree, feel that spirit and see if it is happy with you being there and taking what it gives. Also ensure you ask the guardian earth fae by saying something like the following:
‘Dear tree spirit, I ask for permission to take this fallen branch rather than to allow it to melt into the soil and join the endless cycle of birth death and rebirth. I promise to use it for all that is good and all that is light with your full permission’
If it feels wrong then leave the branch where it is.
How do I know its the right piece of wood?
When finding a branch/twig that looks the right length and weight (see below), hold it in both hands, close your eyes and feel the energy run through you… I often pick up branches and nine times out of ten they are dead as they have perhaps been too long fallen and have lost their magic..
Bought wands
There is a risk in buying a wand. Firstly you don’t know who has made it or where it has come from. I only have one bought wand – it came to me in a dream a few times and then I saw it in a magical wares shop. I tried to ignore it as it felt a bit too glitzy for me with it’s crystal ends and spiral shape but it wouldn’t let me rest.
Before buying it I did exactly what I do if I find a branch in the wild, I held it in my hands, closed my eyes and connected with it. I felt its weight, power and exchanged energy.
With any wand, but especially with bought wands I cleansed it before allowing it in my home…I left the tip in salt water overnight and asked for any old energy/karmas to leave it. After that I did a ceremony to send/bind it to me..
Shape
A wand is composed of three basic parts: A reservoir, a shaft, and a tip. Understanding these parts and their functions can help you choose the right wand for your purposes.
The reservoir is at the base of the wand. It may be rounded or bulb-shaped, or simply be incorporated into the wand’s grip or handle. Its purpose is to collect and store subtle energy from the body, especially the energy centers in the palms, wrists, and/or fingertips. When I make a wand I often wrap the end in a crystal or a specific colour leather to match its purpose.
The body of the wand is called the shaft. It refines and concentrates the energy as it travels the length of the wand. I often wrap a wand shaft in copper wire as a conductor.
The tip of the wand transfers energy from the wand to its target. The material and shape of the tip influence how the energy is dispensed. Crystal tips are popular for providing a final boost to the energy as it flies on its way!
Thoughtful designers take the structure of the wand into account when choosing materials. The wand in the photo has a Quartz crystal reservoir to collect energy, a conducive metal wire to direct the energy up the wooden shaft, and a six-sided crystal tip for general awesomeness. Some wands also have a hollow compartment that will hold small items, allowing you to incorporate other materials. (A phoenix feather, if you can find one, or your favorite crystal, herbs or oils.)
Decoration
This is a matter of preference. Some people like a simple wooden wand with only a natural wax finish. Others delight in crystal-crusted creations, or shaman-style juju sticks dangling with charms, ribbons and feathers. Depends how ‘extra’ you want to be. Personally I keep decoration to a minimum and will only embellish with natural materials – the wand soon lets me know if I’m overdoing it.
Cost
There are some beautiful wands out there but as I have said before, a wand doesn’t give you power, it simply amplifies what you have so it can cost you nothing and be just, I not more effective. If you do buy one, try to buy in person and buy from a trusted source. The wands I make, I always say that people can return them if they aren’t happy as not every wand will ‘fit’ first time.
Remember
You can have as many wands as you like – one to travel with, one for nature magic, one for sympathetic magic… just remember to cleanse them all regularly as so much power passes down them and they get tired and need a spa break. Every so often wrap them up and charge on your alter or in the moon to revitalise them. One last thing, always say thank you to your magical helper for all he/she does.
amethyst copper wood wand