The Many Uses of Wands by SeaSword 1995 SeaSword--In this talk I will present a few ideas then ask for comments, then put out a few more until I run out of my prepared notes. In my traditions (Faric, NROOGD) the wand is a tool of air. I will be talking about wands as tools of air and most useful in that element. I know some traditions use the wand as a tool of fire,, but I have no real experience with that. In my experience the wand is one of the few tools suited to both sending as well as sensing energies. I often work with it as psychic antenna to extend my sensitivity into an area. either far away or difficult to reach. I would like comments to the above prepared statement. ?'?-- SS: What kind of wand is the best to use?'? SeaSword--The best one is the one that works best for you. ??-- SS: I mean wood, man made?? Merlin-How far can you send your sensitivity? SeaSword-- My sensitivity is pretty low but I can Luunawind.-- can't an athame work in a similar way'? kate--- what about those crystal wands .... very small ones mostly made to be worn around your neck? SeaSword-- Again the most important thing about a tool is how you. respond to it. ??--SS: thank you... I choose natural wood then Melani-- pardon my absolute ignorance.... what qualifies as a "wand"? SeaSword-- In my book any thing that is stick like that you use as a wand. SeaSword-- I have seen wands as short as 2-" and as long as 8 feet kate--- 8 feet??? how do you wave that around? *** lemur has a 6" wand Luunawindó so, what about an athame, though? I read that wands are borrowed from ceremonial, and can be interchanged with the staff, the sword, or the athame ... is there a need to have more than one of those tools? SeaSword-- Well he did have to use it only outdoors Merlin-- I heard that the ideal length of a wand is from your armpit to your finger tips. SeaSword-- Well here comes the next chunk. Wands can be used to direct energy as well as sense it. Casting a circle with your wand can be a most enlightening experience. The energy flow from it is not nearly as precise as a knife but can be just as effective a barrier. Wands can also be used to project both your senses and your awareness to someplace distant in either space or time. Wands have a practical side to them as you may get many a funny look toting around a long knife but very few people took strangely at a stick. Igraine- SeaSword: my wand is an apple tree branch that I took from a tree that my parents removed from their yard. It's about an inch to an inch and a half in diameter. Is that too thick? Also, does one remove the bark and allow the wood to dry? Skif-- Luuna: I've always associated the athame with a more feminine energy, and wands/staves with a more masculine energy, but that's just me moonowl-- if you go by elements, the wand is air, athame fire Skif-- like I said, moon, thats mostly just me SeaSword-- Has anyone used their wands to cast a circle? kate--- I have moonowl.-- wand to cast it... wand to invoke, too *** Igraine mostly uses her wand or just visualization. Malhavoc I've used visualization before, as I don't yet have much in the way of tools. Xanthe doesn't usually use a wand at all but relies on visualization... unless visualized wands count? Cerridwen has heard that just visualization is dangerous. Cerridwen-- I was told it let in negative energies.. SeaSword-- For those of you who have done both can you describe the difference in the energies involved. Cerridwen-- Is this true?? moonowl- no., it's wrong cerri Luunawind-- I think that however one casts a circle, it only is strong if you believe it is. SeaSword-- Not in my tradition. moonowl-- You don't need tools for anything Malhavoc-- That wouldn't seem to make a whole lot of sense to me since whether you use tools or not, the circle is created with your mind. The tools just help to direct the energy. Luunawind-- *agrees with moonowl* but they can be useful to aid in visualization moonowl- tools may help a new user,, but after time you find you don't NEED them anymore even if you like them * * * Cerridwen now knows the truth. Thank you.. Merlin- It all depends upon one's tradition and way of doing things. SeaSword-- They still help anyway. Steanne-- it makes sense to me that the tools are only to AID in visualization, and the actual casting is the power of simply our minds... DrChronos-- Have thought what moonowl said but then tried it with tools and it works much better. moonowl-- Yeah, visualizations aren't dangerous Skif-- moon: some people will never be able to work without tools.. they aid tremendously if your sense of visualization isn't very strong. SeaSword-- well here comes the next set. I use my wand and staff (5'6" by 2.5" diameter oak dowel) more than I use any other tool other than my cup. Mostly to invite in various powers, deities, or other entities from where ever they dwell to where I work. In one of my traditions, the psychic emanation of the tool is often more important that the physical object. It can be used even when deep in trance to protect, defend or facilitate communication with the powers. Defensive uses include directing energy barriers, protective fields or even beating the offending entity over the head with it. Malhavoc-- Beating the offending entity over the head'? Hahaha! :-) SeaSword-- I-lad to use it once that way. It worked. Luunawind-- in Pictish Witchcraft, they speak of the emanations from the tools often ... but, again, I think it is what one puts into the tool... SeaSword.-- I have a very intense grasp of the wand as an antenna, and as such it is completely wrapped in copper wire. The coil is a basic electronic part related both to sensing and control. *** Cerridwen was given a wand make of oak. SeaSword-- One of my favorite exercises with a wand is to use it to sense the vibrations of the world around me. I use this exercise to both look for patterns in the world and otherworld, and to just let the vibrations wash over me and clean me out. One of the more esoteric uses of a wand is as a bridge into the past. With it I can travel into the past of my experience to get insight from experiences I can sometimes barely remember, and help to heal that long ago person and therefore help heal the person I am today. Xanthe-- true... I think the main reason I don't use a wand is that I've never found one to fit my energies Igraine- My apple wood wand sometimes reminds me of my childhood, when things were. simpler and that tree provided a little bit of nice shade. SeaSword-- Does anyone have any special uses or exercises that they use with their wands? Luunawind- SS: you said you. have used it to bridge the gap between past and present ... have you ever used it to reach into the future, as a possible aid to divining? Cerridwen-- My oak wand reminds me of the holly king and gives me extra energy boost to help my work. SeaSword-- Luunawind, Well I have tried but it didn't work- very well Luunawind really ... what do you think the basic barrier was? SeaSword-- I am not a very good diviner * * * Morningst doesn't have a wand per say, but I've two staff's that like to walk with me and help me. SeaSword-- I sometimes use my wand to extend my communications capabilities with the powers I work with. Some of them are very unhuman and I have a great deal of trouble talking with them. My wand can sometimes be used as a translation device. Sometimes I have used my wand to channel the energy of a spell in the direction that I wanted. This is one example of the ways you can use a wand to send out energy. What do you folks do with wands? I am always interested in how other people do these things. I am a great believer in the "There Is No One True Way" school of thought.] am also interested in how people decorate and prepare their wands. I have limited expertise in hand crafts but I like to use my hands. moonowl-- SS, do you know what the woods represent'? SeaSword-- not specifically, Igraine--My wand is very plain and rough and simple. I want to decorate it eventually. SeaSword-- I decorated my staff with nines. moonowl-- I just started mine ... I needed to find the right tree first. I have crystals and owl feathers on it and runes Luunawind-- what do you all think of using modeling materials that are not natural to decorate magickal tools with? Cerridwen- SS: My wand is just a simple oak wand with a strap of leather to hold it with easier. It works rather well. Not quite finished yet though. moonowl-- I wouldn't luuna, but that's me Luunawind- like ... Sculpey, or Fimo clay. Melani-- I think that once I find a good staff (wooden I believe will feet best) I will take great pleasure in decorating and connecting with it. Malhavoc-- Yes, I was wondering what kind of wood might be best for a wand, and how I might make it with natural materials (i.e. a stick found in a forest or something)? Skif-- I wonder if I could use a wood flute or recorder as a staff... Merlin- Luuna, In this world it hard to find things of natural origin, so I think that one has to do what one has to do. moonowl-- I use silver wire to "weave" every thing on it ... had to explain its a method I make jewelry with. Luunawind-- I have actually had great success with it. I use more symbolism, and put energy into the materials. SeaSword-- I have found that for me oak works best, because I like oak. Hamachi-- roomie found a wonderful piece of wood that we both like.... but he doesn't wanna let me touch it, for fear of contamination *** Cerridwen feels comforted by oak. Hamachi-- (aura contamination'.?) whatever SeaSword-- I have that feeling about some of my tools but not my wand. Melani-- a warm, living wood is something I'd take to I think- Luunawind-- Oak: Mathavoc- That's silly ... he can always re-consecrate it if it's that much of a concern. SeaSword-- Do any of you have names for your wands? Luunawind-- the sacred tree of earth magick- and spiritual strength Cerridwen-- my wand is WindWalker. SeaSword-- Mine is wayfinder. Luunawind-- I name my tools, as well, but I do not have a wand. Cerridwen-- Is it odd to name your tools? I find. that it helps my concentration. Igraine- Mine won't tell me its name. I think it's mad at my family. But it seems to like me anyway. Xanthe-- what does anyone know about willow wood as a wand? it's what I've been thinking about, since my tree seems willing to donate a branch for me SeaSword-- Not me I had to work through a large number of trances to find its name. Luunawind-- Oak also represents the highest dimensions of awareness and philosophical ideals. moonowl-- mine don't have names, but I carve my sigil and runic sig in them as they are consecrated Luunawind-- in Pictish Witchcraft, it is normal and encouraged to name all toots. Cerridwen-- *relieved*. Luunawind-- Willow: working tree, healing by its flexibility and loving nature a tree of strength and grace SeaSword-- Willow wood seems to be a good wood to me. Boudiccaó anyone have any feelings on holly'? Cerridwen-- Willow to me seems yielding, a healing sign... Igraine-- I think willow is the 'traditional' wood for wands. at least that's what I've read. moonowl.-- holly is poison ... bad idea. No poison trees in magic, SeaSword-- Especially if the tree wants to give you gift. Alizon-- Redwood'? Cerridwen-- holly to me is flamboyant, energetic.. moonowl-- unless that's your intention Melani-- how about cedar? Cerridwen-- redwood? nope.. Xanthe-- Igraine: looks like I'm being conformist then... actually, willow is my "home tree", or whatever it should be called.. the tree I associate with Cerridwen-- cedar is refreshing and revitalizing.. Luunawind-- Redwood: sacred elder tree of truth strong tree used for people who are on the intellectual path for truth moonowl uses Japanese maple ... anyone know maple'? SeaSword-- Any wood will do if it has special meaning to you. Luunawind-- *has maple, too* hang on... McDunne-- What about black walnut ... that is what my staff is made out of .... seems to give me a place to ground myself Malhavoc-- How do you determine if the tree wants to give you a gift? I was hoping I could find something usable just on the forest floor...I'd hate to have to take a saw to a tree if I don't have to. moonowl-- I just love my tree. It's so graceful. and nice to be around Cerridwen- all woods work great as the spirit in the wood is natural.. flowing, and always there with you. Luunawind-- Maple: working tree for matters of love and kinship... fires the enthusiasm and the giving of energy in relationships Xanthe-- no, this particular willow has given me gifts before.. I needed something to keep with me when I was away for a year, and the last time I talked to him before I left a branch fell off into my lap Skif-- I wonder that no-one has suggested rowan as a material for a wand... true, it's a soft wood, but a wand can be taken care of more easily than a staff ScaSword-- "Willow trees will often respond quite well to cutting. Xanthe-- luunawind, where are you getting these definitions from? kate--- is it OK to have many wands -should you bond to one and just use it? moonowl-- It's good to leave the tree a gift ... coin or stone luunawind- Xanthe: In the Shadow of the Shama, by Amber Wolf... she also writes much on Witchcraft ... she has a wonderful new book on wholistic healing. Lutinawind- now ... what was the other kind of wood? Cerridwen-- I would think that you have your choice of wands to use, as SS says what ever is comfortable. SeaSword-- As many as you need. In all things about magic, the main focus is not what other people think but what works best for you. McDunne-- I was asking about Black Walnut... Igraine-] wanted the tree to not have died for nothing. I wanted to let at least a little bit live on in my craft. Melani-- did someone respond about cedar? Luunawind-- doesn't have cedar or walnut* sorry... Malhavoc-- I'd feet nervous about Black Walnut myself-there are so few still around that I wouldn't want to intentionally harm one in any way, even if for a wand. Melani-- any thoughts?'? Cerridwen-- Melani., use what ever calls to you. Cedar is fresh and energetic. Is that what you need? McDunne-- my staff came from a branch that fell off from our black walnut grove-would never cut a branch off intentionally... Luunawind-- doesn't have cedar, either* sorry Luunawind-- McDunne: I would consider it a gift from the gods, then SeaSword-Has anyone used their wand to direct the energy of a. spell? Ccrrid,wen-- ss: yes I have... Momingst-- SS: Isn't that the major function? Melani-I get a good feeling from it... Luunawind-- *uses almost exclusively candle magick for spells* SeaSword-- Some would say it is mostly to draw energy in. Morningst uses anything to focus his energy. PsiRaven wonders if anyone has heard of them being used in dreams or in the astral? SeaSword-- Well I lost the train of thought. Luunawind-- Psi: I haven't heard of using a wand that way, but I suppose you could. Melani smiles up at SeaSword... awaiting the next morsel of knowledge. SeaSword-- Well has anyone used their wand as a translator? Luunawind-- translator for...? Hamachi-- to translate from whay into what? SeaSword-- I work sometimes with powers that are very unhuman and I need a translation mechanism in order to talk with it. Their thoughts are just to strange for most languages. Malbavoc--If .1 did, I would be taking my wand to Fre n-ch class all the time. Cerridwen-- do you count translating energies, i.e. good from negative.. Beccia--advice to someone who had yet to make her wand? Luunawind-- SS: so, do you have a different wand for all these uses, or the same one? SeaSword-- I use the same one. Sometimes I use my staff outside but I see them as two separate parts of the same thing Luunawind-- and, you don't feel it gets ... over worked? I mean, seriously, I have a hard time thinking of one tool being energized to handle too many tasks. Ceffidwen-- Luuna: that is why you cleanse and re-energize your tools as you would yourself.(or I. do anyway). SeaSword-- No I don't have any problems with that. Melani-- Question: to anyone.. what do you use your wand for.. I don't know much... Harnachi- closest thing I have to a wand is a wooden backscratcher, does that count? SeaSword-- If you use it, yes ham. Luunawind-- Cerri: yes, but I tend to consecrate my tools for one purpose, or one type of purpose, anyway, and then cleanse it, too ... but still, I think of the tool symbolically, and if I put one symbol or energy into it, then, I feel that is what that tool is made for, specifically. Hamachi-- :) to scratch my back Malhavoc- Actually., that would be cool ... my backscratcher looks like a little hand on a stick ... what better for directing energy? SeaSword-- Well the number of things is large. PsiRaven-- anyone like to suggest what use a wand would have in the astral? for projection etc. as well? Cerridwen--Good Point, we all are different, in ideas.. Melani-- I mean, the only tool (so far) is my tarot deck, which I use for visualization.. SeaSword-- Defense for one PR. Luunawind-- *smile* yep. PsiR-aven-- seasword: like to elaborate a little? SeaSword-- The wand is ideally suited to both sensing and sending energies. Luunawind-- I use almost exclusively totem animals for astral work ... I never have tools, and can't really imagine using them astrally ... sorry, PR, can't help. Melani- visualization that is... to meditate and concentrate... on energies around me... would a wand be used the same way. Cerridwen-- PR: sorry no clue... SeaSword-- This is why many traditions use the wand to call in various powers. Cerridwen-- Melani: yes if you wish.. PsiRaven-- seasword: care to elaborate on that a little'? Cerridwen-- Melani, As you heard, no tools are really required, unless you feel the need. SeaSword-- LW: As I sent earlier, to create barriers or even to ba.sh offending tiling on the head. PsiRaven-- seasword: thanks for verifying that:-) PsiRaven had thought of it as a weapon/defender Hamachi- can two (or more) wands be used at once SeaSword-- Interesting idea, but I have never tried it. I will soon however. PsiRaven-- seasword: any comments with regards to aligning a wand. etc. Luunawind- I suppose it would only depend on their uses, and the users own feelings on the matter PsiRaven-- e.g. keeping it tuned?:-) SeaSword-- No I know what works for me, but it probably not work for you. lgraine-- When you use the wand as a translator or receptor, do you use it in the opposite hand from when you send energy? PsiRaven doesn't really so anything apart from keep it with him SeaSword-- No but my tradition is not very big on handedness. Luunawind-- the right hand for sending, left for receiving, you mean? SeaSword-- I hold it in the most convenient or best feeling band. Igraine-- LW: yeah, if you're right-handed.. Reversed for south-paws. SeaSword-- What ever is best for you. Malhavoc-- Sometimes I forget and then use my right hand for receiving, but I don't see that as a huge problem. Cerridwen-- SS: are stones necessary or just for decoration'? SeaSword-- I have always wanted to put a crystal on my wand but that's just because I like crystals. Cerridwen-- SS: I see thanks.. Malhavoc-- I was wondering if it was possible to use a large crystal as a wand?