poll: wooden or crystal wands?

[themessenger]

which do you all prefer? a wand made of yarrow, or oak, maybe? Or of crystal? Aside from the poll, tell my why you chose your answer, if you like, because i'm trying to decide what my first wand will be.


Blessin's!

[Traknavar]

I was just thinking about this from reading the wand/lightning thread. I haven't got one yet and have been thinking of getting one soon. I decieded on going with wood since, well...it just makes sence to me for some reason. Is there a certain type of wood that is best suited for wands? And is there a certain way that I should go about cutting the branch to make it?

[IvyCeltress]

Well mine have either a wood or clay base and have crystals embedded in it.

[serenarian]

Mine is wood with a crystal bound to the top.

[Mistiblue]

I actually have both. One is a wooden wand that I use for Divination. I'm not sure what types of wood it is made of but it is supposed to be made of three different kinds.

The other one is a crystal wand with a Labradorite crystal for the handle and a channeling quartz in the tip end. I use it primarily for spell work. :broomride

[Demeter]

I have a number of them. Some I purchased, some I made myself, some given as gifts. I have an oak one with a crystal tip (my very first) and a bamboo one with a crystal at one end and a tektite at the other. The bamboo one I made myself out of bamboo that grew in my yard. I have several metal ones with copper shafts, and one pewter one. And I have a glass one with the shaft being a tube filled with crushed crystals. But the one that I wind up using most? The one from my travel altar kit, which is a plain glass swizzle stick with a knob on one end ... :D

[DanuMoonrunner]

Mine's made of wood, carved by my husband in my image. He says when he imagines the Goddess, he imagines me! Ain't that sweet!

[Aidron]

Mine are all made of wood. I cut them (after asking for permission), remove the bark, allow them to dry, and then using a wood burning kit I burn various symbols related to what I wish that wand to be used for. I sometimes fix a crystal to the end (as with my general all purpose wand) and I prefer wood overall.

Crystal you have to buy, unless you are under special circumstances and can craft your own. I've never cared for a metal wand, and I don't care for clay in regards to anything. It's too earthy and solid for me. Haha.

[themessenger]

Great, guys, thanks! I've learned a bit more today :woot: and in-so-doing, i have a better grip on what to look for in a wand. I always thought wooden made more sense, but i only found crystal wands in occult shops and the like.

Thanks again!

Love and Blessin's :fpraiseyo
themessenger

[Sylv]

If you end up going with wood (I like wood more) and aren't sure which type, you could always consider using the wood of your birth-tree. *grin*
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=1360&highlight=tree+zodiac
That's the thread talking about them. I think it's based on Celt ideas (sow, you might be interested in the Tree Ogham) so might not fit with your belief system but I'll just put it out there. :D

[CalliopeHellice]

I have only one wand...it is made of Willow (a tree sacred to my Matron, Hekate, is affiliated with the Muses--my sacred name is Calliope--and Helice is the Greek word for Willow--Hellice is my sacred name, and also the Maiden "form" of Hekate). I found the perfect branch already fallen from the tree. I wrapped the bottom with black leather for a handle, spiraled silver jewellary wire up the wand, and put a lapis lazuli near the top (the stone I work with) and a quartz point at the tip (for focusing energy).

I've made MANY wands, though, and usually given them as gifts.

I made a really nice one out of maple, with a handle of lavendar silk ribbon, and a sheer lavendar ribbon spiralling up it, tipped with a moonstone. I gifted this to a friend of a friend who always wore moonstones.

Another favourite was the "Beltaine/Ostara wand" I made. It was a thick birch branch, completely wrapped with white silk ribbon, with a black leather handle, and yellow silk ribbon and gold and silver thread spiralling up it, tipped with a rose quartz point.

I also made a very pretty wolf wand, with a thick silver birch branch, black leather handle, and a howlite point wrapped in black leather, with a pewter wolf's head (with red eyes) attached near the point.

So, I guess it's obvious I prefer wood. All-crystal wands seem off-balance to me.

[Skrette]

I don't use a wand but I do use a staff, and to me it is a important aspect of the staff that it represent the axis mundi, the world tree, and as such wood is the material I wood want :-)

I understand that a staff and a wand is different, but anyway I think it would be a good thing to have the axis mundi in your hand for spell work and such to :-)

[Mudbubbles]

:)
Different wands are right for different people, so I would try a few first. Some will be compatable with you, and some will not. Don't know whare to start? What's your star sighn? If your a fire sighin you might try metal. Clay and stone are good chioces for an earth sighin. I'd try glass for a water sighin, and wood for an air. You might also want to consider the intended use of the wand, stones are great for healing. Crystal wands provide a lot of clarity for things like chaneling and readings. I've found wooden wands to be the most versitile. Although any wand can be used for a number of things, I've found wood is most easily used as an all pourpose wand. Thare are many different types of wood used for making a wand. The big queshtion isn't really witch one is better, so much as it is witch one is better for you. The best way to to find out is to try them. I've found oak is comonly compatable with most people, but it's not for everyone. Whatever you decide, my advice to you would be to try it out first.

mud. :thief:

[Flar's Freyja]

Great, guys, thanks! I've learned a bit more today :woot: and in-so-doing, i have a better grip on what to look for in a wand. I always thought wooden made more sense, but i only found crystal wands in occult shops and the like.

Thanks again!

Love and Blessin's :fpraiseyo
themessenger

The best thing about wood wands is that if they're free if you want to make them yourself. I feel that tools that we make ourselves are a bit more powerful than store-bought ones since you can put your own energy and intent into them.

My first wand was willow - an old tree dropped an abundance of it in my yard after a storm. I also made a wreath and besom from these gifts. Willow makes a good all-purpose wand and symbolizes gifts from the moon. I made another from oak and still another from a wood that I'm not sure of :) I found the branch and it was the perfect size and shape. All of my wands are tipped with crystal.

I can't remember which book it's in, but Scott Cunningham has a good list of wood correspondences.

[themessenger]

Where on Earth am I gonna find a Hornbeam Tree??? :lol:

[Sylv]

Where on Earth am I gonna find a Hornbeam Tree??? :lol:
*laugh* No clue-why couldn't you be born under the Oak or something? :p (personally, I'm on the cusp of Maple and Rowan which aren't prevalent where I am anyway)

Clay and stone are good chioces for an earth sighin.
Funny how different people have different ideas Mudbubbles. I've always thought of wood as very earthy-as much as a stone. I guess because I really like Earth and Fire to me wood is the natural choice. ;)

[Iris]

Am I the only person here who doesn't really feel comfortable using a wand? I once heard it said that "Anything you can't do with the power of your mind, you won't be able to do with a wand either". I prefer to just visualise. Is anyone else the same?

[Aidron]

Am I the only person here who doesn't really feel comfortable using a wand? I once heard it said that "Anything you can't do with the power of your mind, you won't be able to do with a wand either". I prefer to just visualise. Is anyone else the same?


I feel quite comfortable using a wand, but I make sure to do things the hard way (with pure visualization and energy manipulation) often as possible. I prefer it this way to keep my skills up to par.

So, I know for me personally, whatever I can do with a wand, I can do with simple visualization and energy manipulation.

[Shadowflame]

Ok, I'm wearing my flame-retardant suit so here goes!

I like wooden wands...why? Because I think others are just a bit...poncy (for want of a better word). Why would anyone want to wave a huge great lump of sparkling glass and stone worth £300 around, when you can use a twig if u want...

Much cheaper too...I am the miser incarnate!

[Open Again]

Wood...... but i haven't found the right wood yet. I would like to cut and carve it myself, but the search has been ongoing for a year now.... Nothing has called and will never force a tree give what it is not willing to....

[Amethyst Rose]

I chose "other" because I don't have a wand. :) I haven't found one that really calls to me yet, so I don't know which I prefer.

[Jenne]

Wood all the way. I don't use mine yet--not done with it. Think I mentioned in another thread that I'm still looking for the crystal topper--haven't looked real hard lately. Hmm...need to get on that.

Hey, I use my finger (that sounds suggestive, but it's true in a total benign sense! ;)) instead for now. Works just as well! :) Have to say ITA w/Freyja on the tools you make yourself are the most powerful...

[docdoo]

I went without one for a very long time, mostly because I never found one that really cried out to me. However, recently I found a beautiful wand from a large weeping willow and I adore it.

[mothwench]

here are two links that might be helpful in choosing the wood:

http://www.shee-eire.com/Herbs,Trees&Fungi/HTF.htm#trees

on the left there is a navigation panel with different trees starting with alder, beech etc.
skip all the bits at the start ( if you want to ), at the bottem of the pages there are references to lore and magical use of the wood. :)


http://www.the-tree.org.uk/

this page features first herbs, then mushrooms, and at the bottom, several different trees. click on the individual trees to find their magical use. :)

merry part
the mothwench

[mothwench]

oh, i just realized, i didn't even answer your question, doh!
like docdoo, i didn't have a wand for a while either until i found one that, i don't know how else to put it, called out to me. it's beech i believe, most of the trees round here are. it was lying a couple of yards from the path and called teenie, teenie, pick me up! no, not really. but it is special to me, it's more of a staff than a wand, 6 and a half foot tall and forked at the end. it's got three rocks wedged in to the wood, 2 at the forked ends and one in the middle where they join. under the rocks i have attatched black feathers i found with blonde horsehair. (i found that too, a great big strand hanging from a barbed wire fence.)
all this to me not only is decorative but also is representative of the 3 mundane entities animal, vegetable and mineral.
if you're seriously looking for a hornbeam by the way, find out if they grow in your area. try typing in the words *hornbeam trees hardiness zones* in a search engine like google. once you find out what hardiness zone your area is in, you can also find out what trees typically grow there. :)

bb, the mothwench

[Witchzee1]

I voted "other" because my wand is a combination of the wood and crystal. A very dear friend made for me a twisted willow wand that has a crystal at the very tip. There is a "path" carved down the entire length of it were a thin copper wire is inserted. The wire then comes out at the tip and wraps around the crystal. So when you hold it, you can feel the energy going thru the wire and into the crystal. It's the most amazing wand I've ever seen. It actually comes alive in my hands! I absolutely love it! It's special to me for many reasons. :smile:

Anyway, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

[mothwench]

ooooh, a new idea for my staff!
thanks witchzee1!
you're karmed

-the mothwench

[WereWarrior]

My wand is made from an elm by a creek that I use alot for rituals. I asked permission before taking it. I guess that using wood in it helps me connect to the divine and also helps alot in green magic. I also have an amethyst on the tip to help focus my energies.

[kewlhippiechick]

Greetings!
I have a wand made of Purple Heart wood. It was given to me this summer by a couple whom I helped out (he had dislocated his arm!) at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
Wood is definately IT for me!
Blessings!
~Morgaine

[pawnman]

Mine's wood with crystals on it. Its all wrapped in this colored copper wire, very pretty. My fiance made it for me. I couldn't tell you what kind of wood, it's just a stick we found on a walk. But it was perfect for a wand.

[Cresentarm]

I'm an artist and I made my wand from a part of an old mahl stick that I got from an art supply store.I painted it black, and hot-glued a quartz crystal onto the tip after hollowing it out a bit with a knife. I also attached a feather onto the other end of it. I don't know what kind of wood it is though. :hehehehe:

[Sequoia]

I don't really use a wand, I don't really have set 'rituals' or anything . . . not Wiccan. . .:) but I have something like a wand that I found and worked on a bit. Driftwood, fits perfectly in my hand. Have a bit of jade tucked into one of the holes, wrapped in with leather. Whole thing looks almost like a claw. Makes me happy.

[MoonFaerie]

My wand is a twisted willow branch that I picked up at Pagan Pride day back in Sept. It is still not decorated or anything. I have been thinking about using a stain on it. Other than that, I love my wand exactly as it is. :)

~ MoonFaerie

[Enchanted Echoes]

I don't usually use a wand... haven't needed one. But I am going to be making some out of wood. Why some? Depends on how each one feels...
I will also play around with metals and crystals.

[Haruka2077]

Mine's a length of bamboo I found on the beach. I don't use it too much though I'm a sharp-pointy kinda girl. :devil:

[Mysterious]

Mine is made out of metal actually. I used a hollow tube that I attached a pointed seashell to the end of. I also added a feather and a few symbols in black marker. The tube itself has some bits and pieces in it popurri and representations of the elements. I want to get a wooden eventually though but that's all I had on hand to use at the time.

[FaerieGothMommy]

I put other, because i like the have the handle bit as wooden, and a crystal point on the end.

[BlueFlame]

I have two, that I actualy don't use very often.

One is wood. Just simple carved wood, nothing else, no finish or anything.

The other is made from a copper sheet that I rolled into a tube, filled with some herbs, and wraped a crystal onto the end of.

[Copperaven]

I have two, one is copper tubing with gemstones and herbs inside, and etched on the outside with runes, and the other is the one I use for healing, it is wooden made of ash with a quartz crystal on one end and the shaft has runes burned into it, with a braid of leather up and down its length

Copperaven

[hastings1066ad]

Mine's wood. I'm just more in tune with the energy of a living thing, and it makes it easier to extend my energy. I think that it's a personal choice, and agree that the use you are making of your wand can definately make a difference. I have different wands for different uses and sometimes moods. Season also makes a difference as it sometimes just feels right to use a branch or root of a particular herb as a wand rather than using an "official" wand. My other reason for choosing wood is that most of the crystal and stone wands that I have seen are too small and, while they make a nice focus, I just can't get the energy extention that I'm looking for-- which was the reason I was using a wand rather than some other tool in the first place. (hope that made some sense)
-Hastings

[Linx]

Mine was (I gave it away to a friend and will be making another) wood with stones that I liked wrapped onto it, and a crystal point at the tip.

[Linx]

Mine was (I gave it away to a friend and will be making another) wood with stones that I liked wrapped onto it, and a crystal point at the tip.

Forgot to mention I also used to make wands like this for sale... notice I said used to. I am not doing beadwork anymore.

http://wearableartbylinx.com/images/misc/10094.jpg

[13thChylde]

Forgot to mention I also used to make wands like this for sale... notice I said used to. I am not doing beadwork anymore.
(screams) THAT IS SOOO BEAUTIFUL!!!
You may not be doing beadwork anymore, but my hubby will be when I show him this :lol:

[Linx]

LOL, I hear ys 13th! You could sell them too, they retail about 50 bux. Try it, or just have him make one for you :o)

[MerrisHawk]

Beautiful Linx!
Peyote or brick?
That has to be one of the most beautiful beaded wands I've seen yet. Inspires me to get my own finished.
As for wands, I have several and use them according to mood or need.
My first is a small branch from a tree I used to climb as a kid. The second is a wooden wand that just "happened" to be right at my feet after meditating on a rollercoaster of a day. Neither of these is especialy pretty or nice looking but they were there just when they were needed and they are special to me.
The newest addition is crystal and silver and beautiful. It was my Yule gift from my other half along with a new athame. Something about it being a gift meant just for me makes it very special.
I don't know if anyone else has ever had that feeling of finding just the right thing?
Trust your instincts and your heart, or just hold still long enough for the right thing to bite on the asterisk.

[Linx]

Peyote! Much easier when going around an object, then brick. :o)

[Lesidhe]

My wand is made out of oak, I carved it myself!

It's not fancy or anything.. it's effective though. The ends are burnt, and I'm working on inscribing runes into it. I got the oak from one of the fallen branches in my backyard. It was really fun to make, so I might go make some more pretty soon. =)

[WhiteDragon]

I read somewhere that if you use a wood wand, try to get it from your area where you live, so it's energies are in sync with those around it.

I found a great wand last week, but my daughter got ahold of it and snapped it lol. I have another one though. :)

Anyway, I really dont use wands. I dont decorate them, just trim the bark off.

[Abrashea]

wood all the way baby!! :colorful:

[Karma Chameleon]

I made my wand out of cypress wood.

[Faeawyn]

I have several, but my primary wand is wood with a quartz crystal tip and amethyst embedded in the handle.

[Wiccamagikal]

:floating: I have yet to have my first wand as well, but I would like to have one that is made of wood AND crystal...I think it is my way of viewing the mystic (crystal) and the earth (wood)..Just in my opinion you know..But I say be comfortable with ALL of your belongings, especially the wand...

Blessed Be :achug:

[morrigan]

which do you all prefer? a wand made of yarrow, or oak, maybe? Or of crystal? Aside from the poll, tell my why you chose your answer, if you like, because i'm trying to decide what my first wand will be.


Blessin's!


I had a crystal wand which i loved.. i'm leaning towards getting one with both wood and crystal.. i would like it to have feathers too.. i would love the wooden part to be hand carved... but i'm not in a great rush atm to get a new one, i'm sure the perfect one for me will come along one day.. that being said even when i had my crystal wand i didnt use it all that much..
blessed Be ~Morrigan~

[CaitrionaMorgaine]

My wand is a piece of sycamore (very common in this area) that a member of my circle gifted me with. It's not carved, finished, or anything of that sort--it is exactly as it was found. It has worked well for me, so I don't see myself changing anytime soon.

Avalon's Blessings, ~Rhiannon

[enchancea]

I prefer a wooden wand with crystals in it

[Raven Reed]

I had a wand from a fruit tree with crystals all along it, but it got stepped on. *sigh*

[PoisonIvy]

Don't matter to me. I JUST WANT ONE! My husband almost ordered me a crystal one with a bloodstone ontop for christmas. My heart fell when he told me he didn't get it because it cost too much. :razz:

[dawns_eve]

I just made one from a Norway Maple tree from my back yard. The branch had already fallen so I just carved the bark off and smothed it out and am now letting it dry. I will do more to it after its dried out.

[Pandoras]

I voted wooden for a couple of reasons. I like the idea of actually going out, finding a fallen branch, and making it my own. My best friend has a beautiful wand that she made this way. She woodburned it and it's lovely. I have a bamboo one with a crystal quartz at the tip. I like the uniquess of it. I don't care too much for mass-produced witchy gear (which is often very expensive). Also, I have this weird idea that metal wands absorb and retain energy.

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

which do you all prefer? a wand made of yarrow, or oak, maybe? Or of crystal? Aside from the poll, tell my why you chose your answer, if you like, because i'm trying to decide what my first wand will be.


Blessin's!
i don't actually have a wand, but mine would be made of wood if i had one. I've looked at the crystal ones, and well...frankly, i just don't like them. I think the majority of them are kinda ugly. I want a nice wooden wand, maybe of yew, or willow...

[Sasha318]

I have a crystal one right now. It's pretty, and I like it pretty well. That said, I feel like it's more of a healing wand, iykwim; I would like to make one to use as a more all-purpose wand. When I make one it will be made out of wood with crystals and perhaps other stones on it. I have the beginnings of the idea of what I want, but I'm not rushing anything.

[whitewater]

mine is about 7 inches long and its made purely of selenite. its quite unusual. or maybe not, i dont know.

[AlAskendir]

This might be semantics, but to me, all wands are wooden. The things made of metal with crystal are 'rods', and they have a different purpose and way of doing things than do wands. To me, a wand, always of wood, is a physical demonstration of how to absorb natural magickal energies, and how to apply them in ritual, gving the user the opportunity to apply them in ritual. Rods gather, store, and focusedly apply astral energy (or chi, or orgone, or personal energy - - - whatever one wants to call it), teaching the user how to focus his/her own astral energies and how to apply them.

[Flappersquirrel]

I voted other. I've been using a long piece of coral I found in a field in Tennessee. I don't know if it would count as a rod, though.
I did have a wooden wand, but the dogs got a hold of it. Oh well. I made it from a stick in the woods and gods know there's plenty more where that came from.

[Evendusk]

I chose 'other' since I use my right hand as a wand. I used to use a wood wand but I felt too disconnected from the energy.

[Billy Pilgrim]

Being that I'm new to spell-casting, I haven't much preference for either, though I do use crystals in meditation, and use a wooden wand for casting a circle. I use only my hands in anything healing related..

[Taurwen]

Being "druid" more or less I don't use a wand. Though sometimes I use a wooden staff for work, so I chose that.

[Calen]

I had a wooden wand a while ago, but I felt disconnected from the energy, and starting using my hands. I didn't even know what kind of wood it was, so that's not suprising.

If I were to get another one, which is possible, especially if my worship space changed, say with moving, mine would most likely be wood, and the wood would most likely be willow or oak.

[GreenCrone]

I borrowed a branch from an apple tree. It can be that simple or you can be a fancy as you want. It depended on how you feel about the wand. You should have some connection, feeling about the wand. But then you should have a connection, hopefully, to everything you use while casting spell or observing a sabbat.

[wakywitch]

I voted for wooden.
Stone would be quite heavy.
As for crystal-what happens if it breaks?
When I first started on my path, I had a wooden wand-oak.

Now I just use my hands,left pointer finger.
I feel more connected to the energies that way. :D

[Windigo]

My tradition doesn't make use of wands. :ack:

[Dawa Lhamo]

Mine are all made of wood. I cut them (after asking for permission), remove the bark, allow them to dry, and then using a wood burning kit I burn various symbols related to what I wish that wand to be used for. I sometimes fix a crystal to the end (as with my general all purpose wand) and I prefer wood overall.Hey, that's what I do! cool. Yep, wood works best for me. Mostly I've used maple, because that's what's around--the trees I'm most familiar with--but I need to go down to the river and get some willow, because I think that might work even better for me. I made a clay one about a month ago, but it's not for me; I don't know who it's for yet. I don't know that metal would be too good for me, either. But my athame is steel, so I already have a metal tool. ^_^

Tashi delek!
Dawa Lhamo

[Suzy-Anne]

Hah, I don't even use a wand. it makes me feel all cliche and stereotypical. ^^ Yeah, but if I did have a wand I would have to go with wood. Something like aspen or pine. Or willow because willows are some damn cool trees. Yeah, wood just seems more... Appropriate? Hmph. I dunno, but I still don't use one. Besides, as supportive as my mother is with me and Wicca she'd send me to the asylum if she saw me with a wand. xD I also don't use an athame. I use a steak knife.

[dawns_eve]

I chose other because there was no option for "doesnt matter". I dont feel it matters either way...its the energy you have within and therefore transfer. IMO :vanish:

[Lunacie]

It's true that a wand (or a rod) is a tool that transfers and focuses the energy, but just as people prefer different tools they may also prefer different wands. I made a wand years ago from an ash branch but it never felt right to me. I generally use my hand and my mind to direct energies. I'm not as likely to loose them or forget to take them along. ;) When I'm in circle with my group, I usually let one of the others cast the circle with a wand or athame. It's not as dramatic to simply use your finger to cast the circle, eh?

[Romani Vixen]

For a long time, I just used my finger. I'm currently working on my frist staff and my first wand! lol

The staff is dead fall, I don't know what tree it's from. I've done some carving, and will be adding a band of copper or silver with bezel set stones, i'm not sure what stones yet though. I'll also be putting bells hanging from the metal and strips of fabric with big beads. I'll be sealing the wood with wax.

The wand will have hennaed designs, silver wire wrapped for the handle, and quartz tip held on with more silver wire.

I want to make at least one metal and crystal wand, but that's barely in conceptual form right now.

[VroomBroom]

I chose other, mainly because I use my finger alot. Tho I do have two others. A wooden one that I made and solid crystal one.

[Willow_starr]

My first wand was made out of willow with a crystal because I have close connection to that tree. Wood was the natural choice because it was free, I could make it myself and it can be carved. It sadly broke (maypole accident) and I now have one made of a shed deer antler with a crystal tip. I like this one a lot because to me it symbolizes the Horned God, masculine energies, the wild and the cycles of nature.

[An Clarsair]

Just made one out of a fallen branch outside of my house. Still trying to figure out what tree it's from, but it's got 13 small knotholes running up and down ithe length so I named it "Τρισκαιδεκα" (Triskaideka). I gave it some mineral oit but probably won't stain it, just leave it as is.

[Merrick]

Mine is glass actually, which was passed down to me by my grandmother :uhhuhuh: its fragile but sterdy enough

[Ninjakitten]

Mine seemed to call to me when I was walking amongst a lot of wood debris (possibly from the wood mills in our area) along our beach. It is mostly straight but slightly curved at the end 2/3 of it.

[HorseCrow]

Wooden, defintely wooden!

[elfmage]

I voted "other."

I have two wooden ones, which are my more commonly used ones. I also have a "ceremonial" kind of one, which is iron with an amethyst point. Say what you will about iron and magic, but I get brilliant results....

[Fang of Loki]

Crystal, mostly.

Though I have used wooden wands before and do like them.

[Tsukasa]

I have to say that I would go with a wooden staff. I actually don't have one, but I would definately go with a wooden one. Mainly because I am of the earth element, I'm a Capricorn, so the wand being of earth seems better for me. I use to actually use one but...well parents...some of you may know how it is...she's completly against it. Ugh! _catroll_

Ja ne,
Tsukasa

[The_Justin_angel]

Well, i've got a staff and it's made of wood. So i'll go with "wooden" :)

Though i'm considering making a staff out of metal in a couple of years.



http://www.mysticwicks.com/photoalbum/albums/userpics/15558/normal_Dvc00541.jpg
http://www.mysticwicks.com/photoalbum/albums/userpics/15558/normal_Dvc00542.jpg
http://www.mysticwicks.com/photoalbum/albums/userpics/15558/normal_Dvc00543.jpg
http://www.mysticwicks.com/photoalbum/albums/userpics/15558/normal_Dvc00540.jpg

[Dragonbroom]

Don't need nuthin' but my finger...

[StormVixen]

i mainly use a yew wand now but i used to always use hawthorne... i think its because ive made friends with a yew tree! hmmm...

[Leander]

I went out and found myself a staff which was made of wood. I think that wood just feels better: crystal and metal are both too cumbersome and heavy, and I like my wand to be warm to the touch!

[cheddarsox]

I don't use a wand in ritual, but I have a few that have found me, and they are wooden. The one I love best is maple, which happens to be the tree and wood I love the best. It is way cool, has a head of a man carved in the top and the foot of a deer in the bottom.

It has a name and has become a character in our household. The kids refer to it like it is a real person. LOL.

cheddar

[XanderAmon]

I definetely prefer wood. I'm an Earth-type, so I prefer things that are more natural and organic (not that crystals aren't natural, but they certainly aren't organic). Crystals, to me, seem very cold and unfeeling when compared to wood.

[The High Queen of Faerie]

mine's crystal, and probably has a brass handle or whatever, but... it suits me.

i haven't connected with any wooden-wands yet. but if i do grow out of the one i have now, and manage to connect with a wooden one, that'd be cool :) but right now i'm good

[KarmicallyChallenged]

Wood is good.

[acorn elf]

I just have 2 longish sticks I like to use--one is white and smooth-I stripped the bark off a long time ago--and the other just a brown twig with bark still on it.

[Crow Laylancer]

I use bamboo chopsticks

[Enozgirl]

I actually have a wand I made myself. It's copper, with a Vogel crystal at one end. It's filled with herbs and other crystals, wrapped in leather. I've been using it for a few years now.

I was gifted a wood wand from a tree on my friend's property that I'm working on finishing up and might start using that one as well :)

[BelovedDru]

Well, I prefer wood. Of course, I've always read that the best wand is found lying in the woods--you just have to feel for one that compliments your energy. And when it comes to a specific wood type, I feel quite attached to oak and birch. Don't know why...but my current wand is oak.

[fangedeshana]

I have two wooden wands made of eucalypt (since its a wood that is australian, I relate to it the best, and they both also found me, and both happened to be eucalypt!) one is plain, and no crystals, though I plan to carve runes into it soon and perhaps a spiral of copperwire with sever chakra stones spaced out along it. The second is wooden, with a crystal (clear quartz) bound to the end, though I dont have a use for it yet, it seemed to be right to make it...

I also have a clear quartz terminator wand, which I love the best. I'm not sure why, but I like crystal wands for energy work more than wooden. Maybe its because I can feel the energy in wood, however not in wood.. I mean, wood dies once it's been off a tree, crystals still hold spirit for a very long time. Though, you can put you energy into both materials, so I'm not sure if it would matter - I think that'd be personal preference.

[wolf]

Wooden. I did the beadwork. It's peyote stitch.

[jetzige]

I have two. Both were given to me. The first one is rose and and was given to me by my highpriest. The second, I don't know what it is, but my son gave it to me and that's good enough for me.

[Lady Valkyrie]

I don't use a wand. I prefer an athame. However, if I were to use a wand it would be made of wood and crystals. I would make it myself etc.

[lightdragon]

I usually use athame also for general spellwork. As far as wands go. i only have two. first one is made of gold plated copper. with garnets circling both ends. the tip is a quartz crystal and the the other end is an amethyst mekerba.

the other wand i use for purifying crystals .It's a plain piece of black coral. Just recently i cleansed it at the beach. I`m not sure if i`m gonna add stuff to it.

[Moriganna]

Actually, my wand is made of lavender. It's hard to explain but was made for me by one of my coven sisters, a Crone. She makes the most beautiful lavender bottles (that's what she calls them anyway) and I chose to use it as a wand. She was touched by my using it as such and decided to use one for her own wand as well. :)

[Flaire]

I have both, but when I do anything (which is almost never now) I use my crystal one.

[Eudaimonia]

Hands... I prefer my hands.

[BlackEyed_Susan]

I put other, because mine's both wooden and crystal (gotta buck the trend! Muuahahaa!). I don't really use it much... well, not in a functional sense, but I made it myself, and I place it on my altar a lot because of its personal meaning and the images and connections it evokes in my mind. It's about 8" long - the main part of it is a piece of a tree branch that I found one morning outside my house after a storm. I glued a crystal onto the end, and wrapped the connection between the crystal and the wood with leather thong. I also wrapped about a 3.5" section at the other end for a handle grip, and left an end of the thong trailing, with about a 5" tail. I wrapped the end of the tail around three feathers that I found during the first spring that I began studying Wicca, during a time in my life when Wicca pretty much saved me from depression. So... yeah. My wand is very important to me, symbolically, even if I don't use it so much for circle casting and whatnot.

[StarCraftLia]

Wood for me! ^^

[Willow Rosemerta]

I want one made of oak, with stones on it and a few feathers. I would love to make it myself, but seeing as I'm not gifted in wooding carving then I'm getting a my boyfriend to make it for me. :)

[Witchzee1]

A VERY dear friend gave me a wand that he made it's just incredible! It actually comes alive in my hands (or at least it feels like it does)

It's a combination of wood and metal and has a crystal tip.

It's made from twisted willow. And what's so awesome about it (besides the fact that it comes alive for me) is that when he was making it, he cut a groove in it the entire length of the wand and inlayed a piece of metal wire which wraps around the crystal at the end. The metal seems to amplify the ability for the energy to travel down the wand, into the crystal tip and then out.

I consecrated it on the full moon, lunar eclipse several years ago. It's just an incredible tool! I love it!!

[aluokaloo]

Mine is made out of wood, and I stuck it in the candle flames and it has black-gray smoke bands around it

[Gypsy flower]

oakwood with gems inbedded

[David19]

I haven't made a wand yet but if/when i get the time, i think i'd probably make it out of wood but i'd wait until i found the perfect piece for me, then i'd probably put a crystal in it - one that conducts energy better or maybe one that's help me out more depending on what i'm doing. Maybe i'll have several - one for different types of magic e.g. a wand with a rose quartz for love spells, etc.

[yavanna]

I have a wand made out of corkscrew willow. I like wooden wands best because I have a strong affninty for plants :p

[Kalandriel]

I don't have a wand as of yet, but would most definately feel most comfortable with a wooden wand.

[Meadhbh]

My own is crystal. Amethyst for the most part, my birthday is in February that works out well, it also has little strips of silver and a quartz at the handle. I had a wooden wand before this one and for me it seems that crystal works so much better than wood.

[kissesree]

I guess it depends on the person. I dont think a crystal wand and I would get along. I'd drop it. I cant see spending mass amounts on a wand made from crystal when its life expectancy with me is like 30 seconds. I'm wood all the way.

[AlAskendir]

which do you all prefer? a wand made of yarrow, or oak, maybe? Or of crystal? Aside from the poll, tell my why you chose your answer, if you like, because i'm trying to decide what my first wand will be.


Blessin's!

In my experience, it depends on what you're trying to do.... All tools and thus all wands are training wheels, ways for you to learn to do things in such a way that when you are doing them properly, you won't need to use the wand anymore.

Crystal and metal wands are about vortexing and concentrating and then harmonized or coherent-izing your own energy, you learn it by having them and using them, your subconscious takes note of what they do and how they do it, and you just learn.

Wooden wands are about absorbing a specific kind of natural energy, storing it, and using it as a part of some magickal work you are doing....the kind of wood is less important than what natural energy you have it soak up - - - moonlight, or the spirit of a place, or the essential oils of an element, etc. This activity is much more subtle, and generally takes longer and takes exposure to having made and used several wands of different 'charges' for you to learn to do it without a tool.

[SafeInTheWingsOfIsis]

OTHER....wooden wand with a crystal tip

[bbnflpn]

i currently do not have a wand. but i am not bound to a particular substance. most of my magical tools have called me to them. when the right wand is ready for me it will be what ever it is made of.

remember... the most important tool is your self.

[StarCraftLia]

.

[lilyavalon]

mine is wooden, im still in the middle of finishing it but its Dogwood and ill be adding gems soon. I have a small quartz that will go at the top...

[Eala Rhiannon]

My wand is Rowan.. representing Strength and Justice with a quartz crystal on the top.. I love her.. she is all that I as a Druid embrace.. Thanks to Crystal and Crystal Craft I have her.. I was torn between Ash >which is my Celtic Astrology Tree< and Rowan.. when I first held a Rowan wand in my hand.. I knew.. it took me one year for me to finally to get ready for her and get it in my possession, but she waits patiently for her final adornments.. but she is all I ever imagined and more. Oak.. that will be my staff.. Red Oak.. Great Father Oak.. Strong and proud and full of wisdom.. the most sacred of the Druid grove.. I have started collecting the Swan feathers for my staff.. why Swan?? Because Eala is Gaelic for Swan symbolizing Purity, Love and Beauty..

However, as far as what you want your wand to be.. it will come to you when you are ready.. and when it does it will be like meeting your soulmate.. for a wand is an extension of yourself and your energy.

[Joe46761]

i have a question. would it be better to make a wand then to buy a blessed on or used one. and what would you have to do to get it to center your energy/powers

[dragonprincess]

Mine is wooden, but I don't use it much. I usually just visualize the circle and the elements. I'm not even sure of the type of wood, but I left it as is, bark and all, I just rubbed some special magnolia oil on it.

[BeigeAllen]

Metal, since its your first. Among my people we believe that the stronger the witch the weaker the materials of the wand can be. However, with new students we use wands of metal or wood wands with metal bindings and/or coverings, newbies need all the extra strength they can get.

This also allows new students to choose a flashier wand if it helps them get their mindset in order. In other words, if having merlyn's $29.99 pewter Dragon wand is what it takes for you to focus your will, by all means, grab one. Its not the tools alone, its more the will of the user and their ability to focus that shapes the magick.

The real question you should be asking is when you close your eyes and "imagine" your "witchy self", what sort of wand do you see yourself holding? Toss the poll and go with what is already in your mind's eye and you can't go wrong.

[BeigeAllen]

I was just thinking about this from reading the wand/lightning thread. I haven't got one yet and have been thinking of getting one soon. I decieded on going with wood since, well...it just makes sence to me for some reason. Is there a certain type of wood that is best suited for wands? And is there a certain way that I should go about cutting the branch to make it?

One school of thought is that the wand should measure from the inside of your elbow to the tip of your longest finger, and no thicker than your thumb. As for what woods to use, until you get into crafting tools for specific rituals and purposes, the following information should help you choose a good wood wand:

December 24 - January 20 Birch (Beth)
Symbols: White Stag, the Sun
Deities: Arthur, Taliesin, the sun god Hu, the invisible creator Celi
The birch tree stood for Beth, the first letter of the druIdic alphabet. It was the sacred beth of Cerridwen, representing beginnings and birth.
The whiteness of the tree's bark apparently suggested its connection with the White Goddess, who was both birthgiver and death-bringer in her Crone form as the carrion-eating white sow. Birch or beorc was also the runic letter B.
The Birch Tree represents inception. The rebirth of the Sun from winter's solstice. The first tree that takes away the decay of the mysterious elder. Both the Birch and the Elder stand on either sides of the one Nameless day. They both represent a link between life and death, with the Birch being the beginning of all things. It is associated with the training of Druids. The birth of new life. Energetic and spontaneous.

January 21 - February 17 Rowan (Luis)
Symbols: The Green Dragon, Duck, Insight and Blessing, the Planet Uranus, (flame) The Fire Festival of Brigantia
Deities: Brigid and Brigantia
Also called quickbeam or mountain ash, the rowan tree represented the second letter of the druidic tree alphabet, Luis (L). The tree stood for magic and was sacred to the Goddess Brigit.
In Irish legends, 'the rowan tree in the north' bore the berries of immortality. The tree was guarded by a Fomorian giant with one fiery eye in the middle of his forehead.
The tree which above all others offered the best protection against fairy enchantments and witchcraft. It will be noticed that all rowan are reddish, and the red berries of the rowan-tree make it specially effective. A staff of rowan, a cross made of rowan, a bunch of rowan berries, all these were effective, and it was customary in the Highlands to plant a rowan-tree outside every house. Where rowans were scarce, ash-trees took their place. An ashen gad was supposed to be protective of cattle.
Along with other trees, Rowan played a central role in Druid ceremonies. Even in more recent times, these beliefs have been upheld in practices from different parts of Britain. In the North, for example, sprays of Rowan were fixed to cattle sheds to protect the animals from harm, and in Strathspey farmers drove their goats through hoops framed from branches of Rowan. Sprigs were placed over the main door of the house and also worn on the person to ward off false enchantment - the 'evil eye'. In Wales, or Cymru, Rowans used to be planted in churchyards to watch over the spirits of the dead, as Yew is elsewhere.
The Rowan tree was believed to be magical tree which grew red berries that were the food of the gods. These berries were so sacred that it was believed that the Gods guarded them jealously and kept them from man. The Druids believed that the Creator, Celi who was an invisible god, manifested in nature including the restless elements such as lightning, which was also associated with Dragons. Dragons are associated with new life and thus this period of time is also associated with the coming of new life out of the dark winter.

February 18 - March 17 Ash (Nion)
Symbols: The Trident or Sea Horse, Snake, Connections, the Planet Neptune (Lir)
Deities: Lir and Manannan
A substitute for Rowan as a protection against fairies. Odd and even ash keys (seed-pods) were often used in divination.
Related to their Irish Gaelic word for Heaven, Nionon, the Ash has special sacred meaning. Three of the five trees planted to establish the five provinces we Ash trees. In Celtic mythology the ash is known as the tree of enchantment and it is said the Welsh magician Gwydion fashioned his wands from ash wood. The Celts believed that they came from the Great Deep or the Undersea land of Tethys. It is this reason that the Ash is associated with the sea.

March 18 - April 14 Alder (Fearn)
Symbols: The Pentacle or The Hawk, Red Fox, Ram, Stallion, A strong foundation, the Planet Mars (Maurth), The Vernal Equinox
Deities: Bran, Arthur, Airem and Teutates
A tree associated with several pagan gods, the alder represented the letter F (fearn) in the druidic tree alphabet. It was known in medieval legend as the tree of the Erl King, or alternatively as the tree sacred to the god Bran, brother of Branwen who kept the Cauldron of Regeneration.
Thus the tree stood for the idea of resurrection. It bore the same significance in the Odyssey. The beginning of the Celtic solar year was marked by the alder tree. In the territory of Celtic druids there used to be a tribe known as Arverni, 'People of the Alder'.
The Alder is associated with courage and it represents the evolving spirit. Bran was a mighty warrior of ancient Britain. Not always the victor, but never defeated. In one battle Bran fights the Ash King on behalf of the Alder King. Though he loses the battle, he is still recognized as a great warrior. The period of the Vernal Equinox is an extremely important period in the Celtic year. as it represents free will and liberty in a moral context. It is still considered a crime to cut down a sacred Alder tree and he who does is considered the cause of any trouble in the village.

April 15 - May 12 Willow (Saille)
Symbols: The Sea Serpent, Cat or Hare, Intuition, The Moon, (Llun) The Fire Festival of Beltane,
Deities: Ceridwen, Morrigan, Morgan le Fay, and Dana
The willow was sacred to the Goddess Arianrhod in Celtic tradition and was called the letter S, SAILLE, in the tree alphabet.
The Willow tree since ancient times has always been associated with death. In Northern Europe, the word witch and wicked is derived from the name of the Willow. It is considered to be a tree of enchantment. In Celtic mythology it is associated with the creation myth of two scarlet sea serpent eggs which contained the Sun and the Earth. These eggs were hidden in the boughs of the Willow tree until they hatched, thus bringing forth earthly life. The Willow is also associated with death as it is the obvious conclusion to birth and life.

May 13 - June 9 Hawthorn (Huath)
Symbols: The Chalice, Vulcan (Govanna)
Deities: Govannan or Goibniu
In Celtic tradition the tree was sacred to Olwen. It also represented fertility in the druidic alphabet, where it formed the letter H, Uath. - The Goddess as death-bringing Crone was connected with the hawthorn in the legend of CuChulain. After pronouncing her death curse on the hero, in her carrion crow shape, she settled in a hawthorn thicket on the plain of Muirthemne. Therefore, the place is known as 'the hawthorn of the Crow.'
The Hawthorn tree associated with the sacred and the unlucky. To destroy a Hawthorn was to incur great peril to the person responsible. The Hawthorn tree is embodied in the character of the chief giant Yspaddaden in a Welsh romance of Kulhwch and Olwen. A guardian figure who tries to protect the virginity of Olwen. He is felled and the blooms of summer soon open, thus symbolizing the advance of summer defeating winter at last. It is associated with Govanna (Vulcan) a smith god that is the custodian of the celestial fire and higher powers of the mind. Thus it is symbolize as the Chalice as it too represents divine secrets and everlasting life.

June 10 - July 7 Oak (Duir)
Symbols: The White Horse, The Golden Wheel, the Planet Jupiter, (Jovyn) Summer Solstice
Deities: Dagda
Few trees have been so widely revered as the oak. The classic composition of the Dianic grove or Nemeton, the residence of the heaven-god who controlled thunder and lightning, the deity of druids and dryads, the oak was duir (D) in the druidic alphabet and represented power. Irish churches used to be called Dairthech, 'oakhouse,' an old druidic name for the sacred grove.
The principal sacred tree of the Druids, the Oak Trees symbolized the turning of the year. During this time of year the Druids would carve a circle in to the tree for protection against lightning. The Oak represents the trial we all go through in life while changing and becoming that whom we are meant to be we must also consider the greater good and moral responsibilities. It represents the soul, which in Celtic terms is the "eye of god." Change, sacrifice, and understanding. It is a time when the sun starts his movement into darkness and is sacrificed to darkness as the earth begins to move back into winter.

July 8 - August 4 Holly (Tinne)
Symbols: The Unicorn, War Horse, The Flaming Spear,
Balance, Earth (Abred), The Fire Festival of Lammas
Deities: Danu
A symbol of luck and good fortune. In Celtic mythology the Holly is the evergreen twin of the Oak. It is called a kerm-oak. The Oak rules the light part of the year while the Holly rules the dark part. The Unicorn represents a horse with a horn that resembles the flaming spear. The Celtic symbol of the Flaming Spear is associated with the Celtic month of Tanist because the Celtic T is shaped like a barbed spear. Both the Oak and Holly are symbolized with the Summer Solstice and the White Horse of the Oak becomes the The Unicorn of the Holly in transformation. The Fire Festivals that took place during this time were usually in honor of the Earth. Therefore, the Holly also represents those eternal, ever-green aspects of mother earth.

August 5 - September 1 Hazel (Coll)
Symbols: The Rainbow Salmon, the planet Mercury (Mugher)
Deities: Ogma and Manannan
An important food tree, producing the once-prized hazelnuts (filberts), the hazel was sacred to witches and to the Celtic sea god, Manannan. It was considered symbolic of female wisdom. Bards used to claim that their knowledge of rhymes, epic tales, secrets of magic, and poetic inspiration came from eating 'sacred hazelnuts' that dropped from the tree of wisdom - symbolically, the Goddess as instructress. The tree's alphabetical letter was C (coll). Its wood came to be known as 'witch hazel' because it was the wood of choice for witches' divining rods.
The Hazel nut is the emblem of concentrated wisdom. One could gain knowledge simply eating nuts. In this aspect it is associated with the Salmon, a sacred symbol of wisdom. In Irish Lore it is the Hazel was the Bile Ratha where in which the poetic Fairy lives. It was a capital crime to felling a Hazel tree. Ogma, who is credited with creating writing, is associated with great "knowing." It is he who is credited with mandating that the Oral tradition of the Celts be closely guarded and preserved, yet through his creativity he created the alphabet based on tones and sounds.

September 2 - September 29 Vine (Muin)
Symbols: The White Swan, Lizard, Unlocking, the Planet Venus (Gwena), The Autumn Equinox
Deities: Branwen, Guinevere, Etain
The Vine is the symbol of sensuality and emotions. A hardy, long lived plant. It's symbol, the White Swan represents the radiant divinity of the Gods who are said to go to their underground forts during the Autumn Equinox. The White Swan is also associated with the White Ghost or the White Phantom - Gwenhwyvar. To the Celts, the Autumn Equinox is a time when the light will eventually give up its hold to the darkness, but for a brief moment all is in balance. The light and the dark hold equal positions. To the Celtic mind it represents the balance of the mundane and the supernatural; the mortal and the immortal.

September 30 - October 27 Ivy (Gort)
Symbols: The Butterfly, The Mute Swan, The Boar, Progress and tenacity, the Veiled Moon, the Planet Persephone which is said to exist just beyond Pluto
Deities: Rhiannon and Arianrhod
In contrast to the the Vine, Ivy is evergreen, and it represents the perennial aspects of the human psyche. The Celts associate Ivy with their lunar goddess Arianrhod and their ritual to her marked the opening of the portal to the Otherworld. Thus the dark side of the moon. This door symbolizes an entrance to the world of the Faery People. The Butterfly is the the symbol of the Faery Faith. Thus Ivy represents mysterious and the mystical.

October 28 - November 24 Reed (Ngetal)
Symbols: The White Hound, The Stone, the Planet Pluto (Pwyll), The Fire Feast of Samhain
Deities: Dis, Pwyll, Arawn
Identified with the submerged or hidden dryad, The Reed represents the mysteries of death. In fact the Fire Feast of Samhain celebrates the dead and on Samhain, the boundary between the Otherworld and this world dissolve. It is a night of great divination. Or in another fashion, it represents the hidden roots to all life. The Reed is associated with with being both a savior and custodian. Pwyll, the Celtic ruler of the Otherworld was given "The Stone" , one of four treasures given to him for safekeeping. The Stone represents the right of the kings and queen to have divine power. Thus the Reed is also the symbol of Royalty. The White Hounds represent the dogs that guard the lunar mysteries.

November 25 - December 23 Elder (Ruis)
Symbols: The Black Horse, The Raven, Badger, Healing, the Planet Saturn, The Winter Solstice (Alban Arthuan)
Deities: Pryderi, Bran
The Symbol of both death and rebirth. Like the Winter Solstice, it highlights a time of evolution. The Celts believed that it was during this time that their sun or solar spirit was held prisoner. Just as Pryderi was forced into exile. It is also a time of trouble and struggle for supremacy. In deed what is now will one day be no more, and that which is to come, will also, one day be no more.

Other trees used by the Druids in their cosmology and/or alphabet are:

Apple (Quert) - represents beauty and youthfulness. All things innocent and fresh. Eternity
Beech - the symbol of stability and evenness.
Blackthorn (Straif) - member of the Rose Family it is the Fairy Tree. Guarded by Fairies, if harmed or cut on the wrong day misfortune will follow he who fells the tree (bush). Strength in adversity.
Cedar - represent protection from harm and evil forces.
Cypress - symbolizes sadness and morning.
Dogwood - symbolizes Glamour and refinement.
Elm - symbolized the dark side of the psyche.
Fir - represents change and shape shifting. Objectivity.
Furze or Gorse (Onn) - a thorny shrub associated with the Spring Equinox. Symbol of fertility.
Heather (Ur) - a large shrub - another name for Venus or Guinevere. Generosity and persistence.
Hazelnut - represents elation, loss of inhibition and exhilaration.
Mistletoe - Graves makes a case for an additional blank ogham, the unhewn dolmen arch, which he associated with mistletoe. Mistletoe had great ceremonial importance to the Celts and is associated with birth and rebirth.
Pine - symbolizes continuation and hardiness.
Poplar or Aspen (Eadha) - Courage and endurance.
Sequoia - represents wisdom and longevity.
Silver Fir (Ailm) - a tall tree associated with the Yuletide and Solstice.
Sycamore - symbolizes development, perseverance and vitality. They are often able to grow where no other tree can
Spruce - represents versatility and symbolizes coldness.
Yew (Idho) - symbolizes death, rebirth and reincarnation. Change and regeneration.

[Platinum Dove]

I've got a wooden wand made of apple wood. Its a beautiful wood and I just clicked with it.

[Wyther Wyskers]

Mine is made out of mangowood and has flourite on the end of it.

[morningstar2651]

My first wand was a twig that liked me. I was looking for a wand.

My first staff called out to me one evening when I was walking to my car from the student center of the private college my fiance used to go to, so I picked it up and took it home with me. Alas, we had to part ways when I moved to Arizona.

[fatimah2001]

which do you all prefer? a wand made of yarrow, or oak, maybe? Or of crystal? Aside from the poll, tell my why you chose your answer, if you like, because i'm trying to decide what my first wand will be.


Blessin's!
u should definetly use whatever fits best with ur personality!:)
i use crystal. it fits me... i like shiny stuff :o

[Stormwolf]

Bright Blessings.
I am new to the group and my first visit was to your question.
Why Wood? Well as I am a Wizard handcrafter and make wooden wands I have to say that the energy from wooden wands is immense. For one thing the wood has been a living creature and retains much of the Green Mans energy, then if it is properly empowered by the owner power increases. Finally if the user is skilful and creative and can draw down the moon it is such a powerful tool. I especially like the Chakra wands I make as they, in the correct hands, are powerful healing tools.
My own favourite?...Has to be Yew with a Rose Quartz tip, bark removed to show the lovely grain and polished with Beeswax, yummy!:wave:

[stella01904]

MM ~ Wood is traditional, usually from a fruit or nut-bearing hardwood tree. Different trees for different Trads, since they originated in different places.

Mine is oak, that's a good suitable wood for a conduit to the Gods. :)
I have a crystal on the end, at first I tried to be totally old-fashioned and secure it with some copal that I found dripping from a local tree, but of course when the hot weather came around it fell right out. So I used epoxy glue, but did not clean out the copal first. That way I still have the alignment with the old local spirits, via the old-fashioned adhesive.

I left bark on the knob around the crystal so it would look suitably phallic. I trimmed the bark partway down and woodburned and painted my traditional magical words and symbols into it, then left the bark on the handle. It has been oiled with both linseed and rue oil and gone through the proper consecration. I set an apache tear into the butt end of it since there is clear quartz at the positive tip I thought I would put dark quartz at the other end to help the receptive polarity. This is not traditional, just my own thing I did.

A ritual wand is traditionally exactly the length from your elbow to the tip of your middle finger, and I did make mine according to specs.

As far as "just a wand" to conduct healing energies or things like that, stones are the best! I just think a ritual wand should be wood.

[stella01904]

:yayah:MM ~ We all missed the main point here and I feel the need to add it! Altar tools are elemental tools and the elemental correspondences you use should play a major role in deciding what your wand should be made of!
BB, Stella

[Arie]

I like wood personally.

The others seem to cold and impersonal.

[Dryad]

Mine is a very simplistic wooden (from ash tree) wand made by me.

[Makas]

The wand that I am making right now is a piece of driftwood that I found on the beach, it has a quartz point on the projection end and is wrapped in black leather in a criss-cross pattern. Inbetween the criss-crosses I am going to put a crystal for each chakra, in order of course. On the bottom I am going to burn something special into it. I will post a pic when I get it done. Should hopefully be this weekend.

[Zhr Morgana]

My wand is made of willow...the bark is stripped off and I took some purple leather and wound it around the bottom part to create a handle. I also decorated it in a more natural way...there is nothing painted on it, but I ran it over a candle flame to where it looked scorched, took some essential oil, and rubbed it into the wood...so now all the gauge marks in the wood are now "stained" black.

[tarotgirljess]

all of the above?
I made my wand from willow, it has a crystal tip and stones along the handle, the handle is wrapped embrodery thread in different colors.

[Amber Wynd]

I have two. The first is a willow wand that I made myself. The second is metal and the top branches out into roots that hold a crystal sphere - this one was a present. I don't really use tools all that much anymore, but generally find myself drawn to the wooden one when I do. I like them both a lot, though.

[Morrigan_Wolfwind]

I don't have a wand as of this moment, but I think I'd like mine to be made of wood. Perhaps willow or oak, or even cherry or rose wood if possible. And it seems the easiest to find, since there are trees (but not necessarily cherry or rose) everywhere in my town and I may find a suitable branch somewhere on the way home.

[Foxy_gurl16]

I have not bought one yet, but I am looking at buying this one.....
http://www.witchschool.com/supplies/wand/powerwands.asp
I like the pentacle one.:hahugh:

[Rudas Starblaze]

what the hell does anyone need a wand for? cooking?

[lightdragon]

I have not bought one yet, but I am looking at buying this one.....
http://www.witchschool.com/supplies/wand/powerwands.asp
I like the pentacle one.:hahugh:
Well the best magickal tools are the ones you make yourself. Also the wands from that website are basically best used for decoration rather than actual spell use. A lot of people felt it difficult to weld pewter wands as they are very grounding. And Austrian Crystal is just glass. Try finding a twig in your area that already has been broken from a tree and get some sandpaper and smooth it out. Also try finding what type of tree it came from and what metaphysical properties the tree holds.

[Dragonladyofwater]

what the hell does anyone need a wand for? cooking?

They are used as a ritual tool, some circles use them as a representation of air.

[Darkwater Stone]

My trusty ol' finger.
Have used a large crystal as a wand to channel the energy.
Maybe one of these days i'll go out and make a fancy-dancy one.

[Nerts]

Mine is wooden although I can't for the life of me remember what kind if wood it is right now! It was made for me by a friend for Christmas/my birthday. If I manage to get a pic I'll post it.

E.

[deadoracle]

I use a huge crystal one myself. However I do have wooden ones as well...I prefer the crystal tho.

[Against The Tide]

I decided to use wood because it allowed me to make it myself. I did follow the Key of Solomon's 'Hazel or nut tree and virgin and cut from the tree with a single stroke on the day of Mercury at Sunrise', the soaking in camolie tea (I can't remember where I heard that) for three days is a bit silly though.

Anyone who thinks that wooden wands don't channel energy aswel as crystal ones are right - but you can compensate by wrapping or coring the wood with some metal wire.

[fireopalmuse]

I like wood with a crystal or two afixed to the top. I did not know we had all this talk about wands, this is great.

[Xirian]

My wand is made of pine wood. I made it myself and it happens to be a wood that is favorable to my Patron and Matron. I have carved symbols on it that represent many things, air being one of them. Before I had a wand I used my finger, but that now has been substituted with the wand. I didn't think I would use it much at first, but now that I have it, I use it regularly.

It is a smooth wood and the wand itself is a bit curved and fits nicely into my hand and is like an extention of myself. I like it because I know there is no other wand out there like it and it is something that is personal to me that I put in the time and effort to make.

[Garm]

Prefer purbas personally

[shuvanilu]

Mine's a tree branch with a quartz crystal affixed to it with copper wire. So I'll have to say BOTH.---shuvanilu