using wands

[indigo rain]

okay, i've never used a wand before in my life, i've used an athame and a chalice, but never really felt i needed them or even really wanted them, so i don't really use tools anymore. but i'm feeling really drawn to this wand i just saw, as a matter of fact, it's the tool i've always been fascinated with. i'm just trying to decide whether i should spend that much money on something i'm not sure will work for me. so how does everyone use their wands? i know you can draw the circle with it just like with an athame, but i'm looking for other uses. what materials do you prefer and why? and what other tools do you use and why? any other thoughts are more than welcome. pictures of your wands would be nice if you have them. :) thanks.

[Aidron]

okay, i've never used a wand before in my life, i've used an athame and a chalice, but never really felt i needed them or even really wanted them, so i don't really use tools anymore. but i'm feeling really drawn to this wand i just saw, as a matter of fact, it's the tool i've always been fascinated with. i'm just trying to decide whether i should spend that much money on something i'm not sure will work for me. so how does everyone use their wands? i know you can draw the circle with it just like with an athame, but i'm looking for other uses. what materials do you prefer and why? and what other tools do you use and why? any other thoughts are more than welcome. pictures of your wands would be nice if you have them. :) thanks.


Depending on your beliefs and studies you may come to percieve the wand as the tool of air, and the athama or sword as the tool of fire. For some it is the other way around. I follow the former ideal, though am not stuck in it and often will meld the two concepts into one.

I tend to use my wand(s) more for directing energy and channeling it. The same can be said of the athame depending on who you speak to, so in my eyes, it is truly a matter of preference. The athama, versus the wand, if you look at them both physically, perhaps the answer for your own satisfaction is right there. The wand is rarely sharp or for that matter dangerous (unless you're poking yourself in the eye with it). I tend to see it as more of a safe way to sculpt the energies I work with. The athame I tend to use more for combatting things, such as negative energies. Also, the athame, no matter how skilled someone may be, can be dangerous. One slip and oops, there goes a finger! Another thing is that government officials will not see it as a ritual tool, but as a weapon, and will confiscate it, so a wand is generally better if you travel a lot.

As for materials, I prefer mine to be made of wood. Crystal wands (not the ones tipped with crystals, but made entirely 'of' a crystal) can often be beautiful (and expensive!) don't tend to appeal to me. They're also significantly heavier (usually) than their wood counterparts, making them a bit more awkward for some people to wield. I prefer to engrave or burn (with a wood burning kit) sigils/symbols into the wood. I will often sand it down and definately remove the bark. Sometimes I will tie a cord (the material of the cord varies) or a piece of cloth on it for the handle, or for a simple aesthetic or magickal reason. I often tip mine with a crystal of some sort, usually quartz to better focus the energy.

As for other tools, anything from my very expensive faerie chalice to a piece of cord or string. Sometimes a leaf or herb, sometimes a gem or stone. Other times just incense or candles, then there are bottles and well, the list is quite long. I refuse to accept that nothing has a both a magickal and practical use, so I try to expose each item's magickal and mundane potential.

I'm currently making my new multi-purpose wand, so no pictures... yet. Soon though. :)

[TYRRHENUS]

Salve.
In the Roman tradition we have more wands than we know what to do with really.
We use the thyrsus, a wand tipped with a fir-cone, which is only used during Bacchanalia. We have the caduceus, a wand with two entwined snakes to either side, which symbolizes moral equilibrium just as Mercurius needs physical equilibrium in his feats of speed. The tridens symbol of Neptunus extinguishes the anger within us as his waters extinguish fire. The pilum, a symbol of Minerva is the releasing of one's own animus. And many more.

[Jenne]

I find myself in tune with you tonight, Raven WindSong! ITA on the wand issue--I'm currently on the look out for a crystal to topper for my handmade wood wand...thinking I want an amethyst...anyway, still looking.

Don't currently use one (still making it, lol!), just use my finger. I like the look of athames, but have yet to find one that pleases me enough to buy it...but then my budget is so small these days.

[Wind_Rider]

Well I have a wand actually two both are just branches I took from my tree while pruning it for health.
I don't think you "have" to have any tools, but if you like to use them and a wand is what you are drawn to then by all means take a walk and see what trees speak to you.
A wand should be as long as your forearm, it can be thick or thin, straight or not so straight, but it should definately be one that speaks to you.

I see the wand as an element of air simply because the tree is strenghtend by wind thus air, I see the athame as fire because it is forged by fire

Do my wands have anything attached such as crystals? Nope, no ribbon or anything yet they command the powers of the wind.

hope to inspire

[Jenne]

Do my wands have anything attached such as crystals? Nope, no ribbon or anything yet they command the powers of the wind.

The only reason why I want a crystal or any other stone is not only for aesthetic reasons, but also I had a vision of what my wand would look like, and I'm striving to make that vision into reality. I also feel a strong pull to amethyst, and I think that is why--to put it on my wand.

The reason why I use my finger (or not) is because of what you said above--you don't need anything really, it's all in what is inside you and the power you draw on from within as well as without.

I'm a proponent for "toys" only if they help you out--not just to have. Tho really, they are fun, so why not? If you like an ornate chalice or wand, then get it if you can afford it. But I know there are plenty of others out there who also like to hand-forge all the tools they can, from the candles and incense to the wands and altar cloths.

The nice thing about this Path is that, whatever works for you works for you.

[Visor3]

I would love to have a wand, but have no clue how to make one, or even where to start, I see that you all have given what you do, but I still have some questions regarding the process. For example, does it HAVE to be as long as my forearm? Is some cosmic energy going to come and beat me up if it isn't? (sorry, just a little humor =D ) and what kind of wood should I use, any kind? Thanks!

[Partly Cloudy]

Myself, my wand is longer than my forarm, it goes to about the first thumb joint. I find it practical enough. In fact, mine is pretty plain- no ribbons, decorations or crystals, though i've thought about experimenting a bit.

[Zaniah]

Well now. I haven't spoken up in some time. But I'd like to contribute :)

I recieved a wand today as a gift. Picture link: http://members.rogers.com/analae/03/quartzwand.jpg . It's at least ten inches long. I'm not close to the person who gave it to me but I know at which shop it originated, and apparently this person, who doesn't practise, had a dream that told him to pass it on and I came to mind.

It's a beautiful wand, but I've never used a 100% crystal wand before. I'm tempted to only use it for my angel workings (after cleansing it!) as it speaks to me this way.

My only other wand I've had I made out of a branch that was given to me on the forest floor. I wrapped it in pink ribbon, painted it blue and added a citrine on the end. It served me well for a time. I find in practise that wands speak to me more than athames. I also have a staff which unfortunately doesn't get much use... It's made out of copper pipe and adorned with things made my be to represent elements. I should take a picture of that soon O.o.

Regardless! Has anyone used a fully crystal wand before?

Love and Light! (Edited for htmlyness)

[Chrystiona]

my one and only tool - my wand. *sighs a blissful sigh*

they are so great - they channel energy and you feel like your arm is 10 feet longer and 10 X more powerful. I never buy expernsive ones though - I look for the right branch - it must (for me ) be fallen, that way you are not harming the tree. There are many people, though, that find a branch that they are drawn to and take it from the tree. This is fine too as long as you ask the tree for permission and thank it for the gift that it has given you. I find wands are stronger when you make them yourself -
personally I don't use crystals.... they say that crystals can focus and strengthen the energy but personally I think that wands are perfectly fine just as is. Each to their own !