New Wand! - How To Use?

[Little Fang]

Good...technically morning, everyone!

 

So today in the mail I got my first wand.  My original intention was that I wanted something small with a point, to point to my tarot cards during a reading, and a wand looked better than just my fingers or whatever else.

 

However, this wand really sings to me.  It is full of Earth energy, since it's made out of wooden beads, leather, an deer antler, and a clear quartz.  It matches my inner energy, and I'm vibing so well with it, that it almost seems a shame to just use it as a pointer.  It wants to be so much more.  

 

I watched a few videos, but I want to ask my family here: How do you use your wands?

 

[Raggydoll]

Gorgeous wand! 

 

I would start by having a ritual and inviting your matron goddess into the crystal. Then the wand can channel and direct her energies (and powers). Just imagine carefully placing that tip on your third eye for a direct connection... It would allow you to tap into her knowledge and wisdom too. 

[holidayhouseATL]

That's a really cool wand!  I love the combination of elements.  Have you used it yet?  How do you like it?  I just ordered my first wand as well - it's a rose quartz wand.  I would also like a clear quartz wand.  Someone tried to talk me into buying a selenite wand the other day, but I wasn't ready for the gritty texture lol...

[Tanga]

That's a fab wand Little Fang!

 

I use mine to "draw" my magick protective circle before ritual/meditation.

To direct energy/intention into items - say if I'm charging or cleansing Altar props.

And at open public pagan gatherings this is a common theme.

That's if I'm in the mindset to use it.

 

I've had a number of wands over the years - some I've made with crystals myself, some where given to me by people who cut them from trees at the full moon on a cross road...  etc. etc.

In the end... I now have a very simple wand. A fat knitting needle made of striped died wood.

It means it's sturdy so I'm not worried about chipping it/damage dropping it, and can use it happily outside in the wild.

And it's in disguise when non-wand-like people see it 🙃

[WildWoman71]

Quote

 use mine to "draw" my magick protective circle before ritual/meditation.

To direct energy/intention into items - say if I'm charging or cleansing Altar props.

And at open public pagan gatherings this is a common theme.

That's if I'm in the mindset to use it.

I do as well - I also use selenite or my wand to 'write' out my intentions at new moon rituals - I also use them to set my crystal grids

[Marina]

Earlier this year, I made my own wand with a piece of wood, feathers, cottons strings and a quartz point I already had. I really like the way it looks and how it feels on my hand, but haven’t used it a lot… honestly, I still don’t know very well when to use the wand or the dagger and what exactly is the difference between them as a tools. I do get a feel that the dagger is more “commanding”, while the wand has a lighter energy, more “inviting”. Does that make any sense? What are your experiences? 

[chantelalchemy]

I know this post is old, but reading these suggestions is helpful. I have yet to get or make a wand. I really want to though. But I wouldn’t know how to use it, either! Lol

[Raggydoll]

1 hour ago, chantelalchemy said:

I know this post is old, but reading these suggestions is helpful. I have yet to get or make a wand. I really want to though. But I wouldn’t know how to use it, either! Lol

It depends on what type of magic you do/wish to do. Wands are typically used for directing energy, like in the Magicians tarot card. You don’t need one to do magic, but since you really want one then maybe it is something you’d benefit from. You could start with a branch or stick that you are drawn to in the woods. It doesn’t have to be decorated. The type of wood that you choose will add to the possibilities of the wand. So deciding on what type of magic you’re into or what type of qualities you would want to enhance, and then selecting the wood accordingly is a great starting point! 

[Doktor_Zeus]

I make my wands on the lathe, but that's probably not practical for most people! Besides, a lot of practitioners these days prefer the natural look.

 

A practical word of warning though: some woods are toxic! If you're planning to make a wand yourself by hand, check out the timber first. Poisonous woods can be safely worked, but wear a mask and gloves while cutting and especially sanding, and use a quality sanding sealer such as Shellac to protect yourself from any oils that might seep out (shellac is all natural and cruelty-free, as it is traditionally made from the cast-off shells of beetles.) Using seasoned or kiln-dried timber is also highly recommended.

 

In particular, watch out for Yew. It's called the Death Tree for a reason. The entire tree is poisonous - leaves, branches, the lot! Chewing yew leaves has long been a method of suicide. The wood is a lovely material however, with an amazing yellow sheen that will polish to high shine if you're patient with the sandpaper. Just whatever you do, don't let your dog chew on it!

[DanielJUK]

That is wonderful and good advice @Doktor_Zeus 🙂 . I love how those old graveyards and ceremonies here in the UK always have ancient gnarly Yew Trees. They do historically represent death and resurrection with the Celts and about Rebirth with the Druids. Also when the sap runs (rises?) it looks like bleeding. Very atmospheric but poisonous! They are quite spiritually connected to me personally I think.

[Doktor_Zeus]

22 minutes ago, DanielJUK said:

That is wonderful and good advice @Doktor_Zeus 🙂 . I love how those old graveyards and ceremonies here in the UK always have ancient gnarly Yew Trees. They do historically represent death and resurrection with the Celts and about Rebirth with the Druids. Also when the sap runs (rises?) it looks like bleeding. Very atmospheric but poisonous! They are quite spiritually connected to me personally I think.

 

I've never worked 'green' yew, but I can tell you that plum tree sap is bright red in colour.

 

The traditional graveyard tree in Wales (UK) was Rowan (mountain ash) which was thought to ward off evil spirits. The practice of planting rowan in churchyards persisted long into Christian times, and rowan twigs are a traditional hanging charm in several European countries.

[Tanga]

13 hours ago, Doktor_Zeus said:

...Practical word of warning though: some woods are toxic! If you're planning to make a wand yourself by hand, check out the timber first. Poisonous woods can be safely worked, but wear a mask and gloves while cutting and especially sanding, and use a quality sanding sealer such as Shellac to protect yourself from any oils that might seep out (shellac is all natural and cruelty-free, as it is traditionally made from the cast-off shells of beetles.) Using seasoned or kiln-dried timber is also highly recommended.

 

In particular, watch out for Yew. It's called the Death Tree for a reason. The entire tree is poisonous - leaves, branches, the lot! Chewing yew leaves has long been a method of suicide. The wood is a lovely material however, with an amazing yellow sheen that will polish to high shine if you're patient with the sandpaper. Just whatever you do, don't let your dog chew on it!

Oooh - thanks for posting.

We have little Rowans on our estate. Orange berries.

And down the road in a 'posh' garden is the only Rowan I've ever seen with Pinkish-white berries. Super hybrid I presume.

 

Anyway - I still like my wooden knitting needle wand...

But I was perusing wands the other day... & I just could not resist.

Wonderfully twirly and ribbed texture. And the artists looong Harry Potter like speil on a roll of parchment was really cute.

It's pine.

I sometimes just sit with it in my hands and see where the texture takes me... what does it remind me of?  what images come up?

Can I get a sense of the pine it came from?...etc.

I have not yet used it for magick because it is so new... and has not been "processed" yet.

i.e. - I've not set a clear intention for it and let it sit on my Altar after I've rubbed it down with my favourite Aura Soma oil

(Quintessence of The Master - if you must know).

 

 

I also have a no-nonsense wand... which is a black Kubotan.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kubotan

They're actually illegal to carry around in this country - so it won't be going out my front door. Lol.

I did actually want a purple one - but I couldn't find that colour at the time.

[Doktor_Zeus]

@Tanga that's a nice one - do you know the timber? It looks like hand-carved zebrano, although the grain is a bit tighter than the zebrano I've worked with personally. I'm colourblind so I have difficulty identifying timbers sometimes, especially from photos.

 

When I was a kid I had a 'twisty' wand that was made from the branch of a honeysuckle-strangled tree, which caused the limbs to grow with natural spirals. You used to see them a lot in new-age shops around here, but I've not seen one in a while.

[Doktor_Zeus]

Actually, looking again, it could also be Bocote (mexican rosewood) - another lovely timber, makes nice pens.

[Tanga]

On 11/16/2023 at 8:58 AM, Doktor_Zeus said:

@Tanga that's a nice one - do you know the timber? It looks like hand-carved zebrano, although the grain is a bit tighter than the zebrano I've worked with personally. I'm colourblind so I have difficulty identifying timbers sometimes, especially from photos.

 

When I was a kid I had a 'twisty' wand that was made from the branch of a honeysuckle-strangled tree, which caused the limbs to grow with natural spirals. You used to see them a lot in new-age shops around here, but I've not seen one in a while.

I know nothing of woods & I thought it was pine... but I have just messaged the artist to ask him.  He named it "The Dirty Unicorn". Lol.

 

I've always liked the twisty look.

I once planted a weeping acacia in my front yard (before I'd realised they grew so big), and once cut a branch to make a twisty wand for a friend.

We had to remove it since - would just be too big for the space. That was a sad day.  I helped my husband dig it out. Sigh.

 

My father was colour blind - his eyes crossed green & red.

[Tanga]

Here we go @Doktor_Zeus - my Dirty Unicorn is sustainable pine, lightly burnt to reveal the grain, sealed with boiled linseed oil and waxed with natural bees wax.

[Doktor_Zeus]

Ahh, that would explain why the grain is darker and more pronounced than ordinary pine.

[Doktor_Zeus]

Might as well share the last wand I made too, I guess. It's African ebony, finished in natural shellac and Danish oil (not sure which formulation without checking, but it's probably a tung oil base).

 

[Tanga]

8 hours ago, Doktor_Zeus said:

Might as well share the last wand I made too, I guess. It's African ebony, finished in natural shellac and Danish oil (not sure which formulation without checking, but it's probably a tung oil base).

 

Oh my...😍 did you say African Ebony?  (says the Kenyan girl).

Nice...

I have to say - the handle makes me think of a whip.   🤭

[Doktor_Zeus]

2 hours ago, Tanga said:

Oh my...😍 did you say African Ebony?  (says the Kenyan girl).

Nice...

I have to say - the handle makes me think of a whip.   🤭

Yeah, Ebony (and Blackwood) is one of my favourite timbers. You have to mask up to turn it though; it’s so tough it comes off in a fine dust rather than the usual shavings, and it gets everywhere, including your lungs if you aren’t careful. It’s also quite oily and needs a proper sealer, but there aren’t many woods that will take the same quality of shine and smoothness without a CA finish or stabilising resin.

 

I’m also quite fond of sapele for larger projects, and wenge looks amazing when it’s finished but splinters if you so much as look at it wrong.