White Oak Grove CUUPS

Magical Wands

Definition: a wand is an energetic tool to focus intent and subtle energy to change oneself, others or one’s environment.

Remember a wand is a personal magical tool and should never be handled by anyone except its owner unless permission is asked and given by the owner to pick it up.

History: Two of the earliest mentions of the use of a wand/staff in Western magical tradition is in the “Odyssey” when Circe uses her wand to turn some of Odysseus’ sailors into pigs when she invites them to a feast and in the biblical book of Exodus (7:10) when Aaron turns his staff into a snake.

The Wand may have its roots in the symbol of the phallus or the drum stick used by a shaman.

In Zoroastrian magic a bundle of wands or twigs that was called a “baresman” was used. In Greek mythology Hermes carries the “Caduceus”, a winged staff entwined with two serpents. This symbol also appears in Egypt, India and Mesopotamia. It is considered to be a symbol of harmony and balance.

Early manuscripts of western magic refer to the use of the Wand and the Staff.

From the “Key of Solomon” – “The staff should be elderwood or cane, and the wand of hazel or nut tree. In all cases the wood being virgin, that is of one year’s growth only. They should each be cut from the tree at a single stroke, on the day of Mercury (Wednesday) at sunrise.”

Different descriptions are given for how long a wand should be. In the “Abramelin” the wand is described as being a finger width in thickness, and the length of your arm, measured from elbow to finger tip. The “Grand Grimoire” states the wand should be 19 1/2 inches long.

In Tarot the Suit of Wands represents the element of Fire. Associated with primal energy, spirituality, determination, strength, intuition, and creativity.

In Wicca on the other hand the wand usually represents the element of Air and the direction East. The Wand is used to invite or encourage. In some traditions the Wand is used to cast the Circle. However, in some traditions the Wand represents the element of Fire (as in the Tarot) and so represents the direction South.

Some traditions advocate holding the Wand in the right hand when summoning spirits and in the left hand when dismissing them.

The prime use of a Wand is for healing. Never point a Wand at anyone unless planning to heal and only with their permission. Always make sure to remove negative energy from a wand after it has been used for healing.

Choosing Your Wand

Wands are traditionally made of three materials, wood, metal or crystal.

A wooden wand should be made from a live tree. Ask permission to remove the wand and also ask that energy be left in the wand after it is removed. Once the wand is cut thank the tree and leave something in exchange.

If you want to add crystals or gemstones to the wand make sure you know the properties of the stone first.

A metal wand can be made from a copper or stainless steel tube with crystals or wire added. A metal wand is highly conductive, very directional and focused energetically.

A crystal wand requires special training and tools to work with the stone. Metal wire can be wrapped around the wand to add to the energy.

Caring For Your Wand

Charging a Wand: A new wand will need to be charged by the user. It also may need to be recharged after use. There are several different ways to do this.

Self charging: hold the wand in both hands and visualize healing/good energy flowing into your body from the ground and from around you. Let the energy flow through your body into your arms and hands. Allow this energy to flow into the wand until you feel that the wand is ready to be used.

Moonlight: the light of the full moon can provide very good energy for a wand. Lay the wand out in the open where the light of the moon can fall on it most of the night. By the morning it should be charged.

Sunlight: the sun’s light also can provide positive energy to charge a wand. Place the wand is a safe place where it can lie in the sunlight for at least two hours.

When using the moon and the sun you can also add to the positive energy by putting out items such as crystals and gem stones that you consider positive with the wand and/or short written messages to the spirits or the god or goddess of your choice asking for them to bless the wand and add their good/healing energy.

Cleansing/discharging a wand: After use a wand will need/want to be cleansed in particular if you have used it for a major healing ritual. Again the use of the sun and moon are good ways to do this. Another way to cleanse a wand is to place it on a piece of selenite for several hours or as long as a day depending on how much use it has seen. Some people like to use a pyramid collector to cleanse a wand. If time is short you can smudge the wand with sage or hold it under naturally running water like a stream or waterfall for a short period of time.

Wands can collect negative energy particularly when being transported so should be wrapped or put in dark colored cloth to keep such energy away from them. Some people make special bags to protect their wands for transportation.

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Thank you for joining us for this discussion.  The material presented is originally from Wands and Swords, a White Oak Grove CUUPS discussion with Allen Reed originally held on January 8, 2017.  ©2017 Allen Reed

Sources of Information:

• Witcheslore.com
• magicwandsofwizardry.com
• biddytarot.com
• greeekmythology.com
• paganlibrary.com
• esotericarchives.com
• patinkas.co.uk
• covenofthegoddes.com