Help with my old staff

[CuddleFish]

I figure should go under 'tools' but I couldn't figure out where.

So, back before I became a Christian, I was pagan and had made a staff and put quite a bit of time and energy into it. I never got rid of it because it was so tied to myself, even if I didn't use it. One day I found my now ex husband messing around with it and before I could stop him he cracked it in the tile floor and somehow broke one of the two antler tips off. :bug: The event made me sick and my staff felt and still feels broken, almost dead to me. Now that I'm a pagan again, I feel I should actually do something about it instead of just keep it in a closet, if for no other reason to remind me to stick with my gut feelings in life.

I would like advice on how or if I should go about restoring it. I haven't picked a specific path. I feel close to my Celtic blood though and honor Brigid. I don't know how much that matters with this. I don't have any antler to replace the broken one, or the ability to get more right now. I'm not even sure what all info you all might need to help me with this. I could post a pic if someone thinks that would help. Let me know. :weirdsmil

[Morgaine_cla]

Greetings,

Assuming your staff is made of wood, here is what I would recommend:


First, temporarily decommission it from service, but also state your intention to repair and rededicate it.

Then, at the location where the staff "snapped", make a clean, angled cut on each half where the two join. The angle will have to be the same on both sides, obviously, for them to fit together neatly. Sand each half smooth. Be fussy about this part, as the pay-off is well worth it. When you place the two halves together, the seam should be almost invisible.

Choose a double terminated crystal (clear quartz, flourite, or citrine, or other good transmitter--the best is to ask the staff what it wants), the largest you can fit in the heartwood of the staff without weakening the outer layers of wood. Hollow out a space in each half of the staff in the heartwood large enough to insert the crystal. You will want this to be as snug a fit as possible.

When you've inserted the crystal, take some jeweller's glue (or hide glue obtained from an Amerindian shop) and coat each side of the staff inside the joint.
Push or twist the staff together until the seam is well-aligned and sealed tight.
Stand upright in a safe place and let the glue cure for at least a week before handling.
Get a really good, hard finishing natural wax or, if you want permanent, a clear polyurethane and seal the area around the seam, being careful not to put pressure on the joint.
Use the same or similar procedure on the antler.
Charge the staff in either sun or moonlight (again, ask the staff which it wants and for how long).
Rededicate the staff in your ritual circle, in your usual manner.

You will find that the staff will be just as powerful, or perhaps more powerful than it was before.

Hope this helps!

[CuddleFish]

Well, the break wasn't in the wood, it was to the antler branch on top. That gave me some food for thought though. I couldn't find the part that broke off, or that might have worked there. Maybe it's just time to take it apart and redesign it, asking it what it wants, like you suggested. Then I can rededicate it. Thank you for the advice. The part about the crystal is sparking something as sit here with the staff. I think I'll hit the mineral shop and see if I can find something.