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Started by: Mel Sent: 22/02/2001 10:47 15 Replies
i want to make my own wand , but dont know what type of wood to use

i have willow, sycamore, horse chestnut and flowreing cherry in my garden and would like to use one of those but i dont know what properties they hold

can anyone please help?

mel

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From: Mel Sent: 22/02/2001 12:23 1 of 15
oh.... and i also have a crab apple tree.

mel

From: seabhac Sent: 22/02/2001 15:06 2 of 15
Hi Mel,
If you want to learn the properties of particular trees, I'd recommend a book called "Tree Wisdom" by Jacqueline Memory Paterson. It gives you lots of info on all kinds of trees, most of which are referenced by the Ogham, including all the ones you have mentioned above.
Blessings
Seabhac

From: White Crow Sent: 22/02/2001 16:56 3 of 15
I put a post up about a week ago about woodworking, which was all about making a wand ...

My techniques were spiritually suspect to some people! I'll try making a better one some time (more balanced in Wicca theory than just looks nice!).

It gets compulsive ... I've so far made 5!!!

White Crow

From: Iphigenia Sent: 22/02/2001 22:08 4 of 15
Hi Mel

Seeking the type of wood isn't really that important. You see, we as humans, are as conduits to natural energy. We absorb it and mould it, then it's released, this is why some people give off positive or negative 'energy' or vibes, whatever you wish to call it. However, through magic such energy is amplified. This can cause great damage to our mortal frames which is the sole reason for a 'staff' it allows us to deflect the energy away from our bodies, kind of a substitute conduit.

I hope you find this useful.
Of course, this may be my last helpful post as many around here don't seem to be interested. Take care now

Danarbal.

From: Akasha Sent: 23/02/2001 10:18 5 of 15
i have a confession to make!
i have a wand that is half made at the moment, i started ages ago and havnt bothered to finish. thats not the worst thing though:
the wood its made of is hardwood dowelling bought from a builders yard in an 8 foot length (i used to rest to make parrot toys with!!)
however i have cleansed it and tipped it with a bit of quartz, and it feels fine, no silly negativity or anything, so there!
kash
PS my excuse is that in the middle of bristol its hard to find any windfall wood, let alone the right one!

From: Ebonyriver Sent: 23/02/2001 10:51 6 of 15
That's the bit i don't get! How do you top it with a chrystal? How do you actually attach the stone to the end? Try as i might, i've never managed to do this, please, share the secret...
Eb xx

From: Akasha Sent: 23/02/2001 11:20 7 of 15
the crystal i used is a quartz point just a bit thinner than the wood. posh wands have a an attaching thingy like the thing that attaches rubbers to pencils.
i drilled a dip into the tip of the wand and glued it though!
how traditional am i?!

From: Mel Sent: 23/02/2001 16:35 8 of 15
ok
so i have decided to use willow for my wand, but i have to cut it from a live tree.
i am not sure what i should give to the tree in return, and wheather the phase of the moon matters.
it is a new moon tonight so i dont know wheather to do it tonight or wait for the full moon

mel

From: Ninnghizhidda Sent: 25/02/2001 00:31 9 of 15
Mel:
I would ask the trees' permission first, that always helps, show it affection and that you don't mean it intentional harm. Make sure you make a nice clean cut, afterwards thank the tree for its help and care for the wound.

All plants are living things too remember, as such they deserve respect and to be cared for properly.

Nin x

From: Akasha Sent: 25/02/2001 08:19 10 of 15
you should always leave an offering too, like some wine or cake blessed from a ritual or a crystal, bury it at the bottton of the tree and explain that this is your gift to say thanks

From: Ebonyriver Sent: 25/02/2001 16:44 11 of 15
Thanks for the tip Akasha - you may not be 'traditional' but you are resourseful!
I'll try it out and see if i can get it to work.
Eb x

From: Star Sent: 26/02/2001 16:05 12 of 15
I dont know if you guys know this, but large leaf trees love milk! I kid you not, houseplants are the same too. Get a sponge and wipe over the leaves with the milk. It will absorb it and you can rapidly (two weeks or so) see how much healthier the leaves get. (It probably works with small leaves too but I've never made the effort as I get a bit anal and try to sponge every leaf!) Anyway my point being that trees love milk, so it might be a really nice offering for the tree and probably very relaxing having the milk stroked into its leaves too!

From: Dionne Sent: 26/02/2001 16:15 13 of 15
That tip could come in very handy!...I never knew trees & milk went well together...

On the subject of offerings for trees (& whatever else you take from nature)...I heard somewhere that leaving a silver coin was a suitable offering....but then other people say that what you leave should be biodegradable, which, obviously, a silver coin isn't!...

Any ideas on this??

blessings...

...D...

From: GothsChilde Sent: 26/02/2001 16:58 14 of 15
Chocolate coins are bio-degradable.....but you have to make sure you're willing to part with your choccy first

A friend of mine made a wand by just tying her crystal to the end with embrodery cotton...dunno how witchy this is, but it looked nice...

From: GothsChilde Sent: 26/02/2001 17:12 15 of 15
Just thought I'd add some stuff about wood...

Willow: moon magick, wishing, spirits, death passage, Hecate, Monday
Holly: enhances magick, Tuesday, (sometimes also associated with elves)Tuesday
Hazel: wisdom, all-round witches'wand, lady and lord, Wednesday
Oak: fertility, power, balance, protection, success, Thursday
Apple: love, spirit food, Friday
Alder: water magick, strength, Saturday (sometimes also faeries)
Birch: purification, blessing, health, beginnings, Friday

Hope this helps