- Choose a fallen branch (or ask a tree for permission to cut one) that speaks to you, regardless of the type of wood. Pick one that draws you in and “feels right.”
- Sand away the bark and consider carving runes into the shaft. Decorate the wand with a crystal, wire, a strand of hair, or anything that resonates with you.
- Cast a circle and consecrate your wand by channeling your intentions into it. Use meditation, incense, and a candle to focus your energy.
Choosing a Branch to Turn into a Wand
Look in nature for a fallen or damaged branch that speaks to you. While you might choose a branch based on the type of wood (oak, willow, or ash wood are traditional choices), you’ll likely feel more attuned to your wand if you feel a connection to the branch it’s made from. Does it look visually interesting to you? Does it feel “right” in your hand? For example, you might use a piece of driftwood from the beach that caught your eye if you’re particularly fond of water. Look for a branch or stick that’s dry, sturdy, not so thin that it will snap easily, and at least about as long as your forearm. Some common types of wood and their magickal properties include: Alder: self-protection, divination, healing Apple: youth, beauty, fertility, love Ash: protection, purification, healing, water magick Beech: creativity, imagination, granting wishes Cedar: money, love, protection, healing, purification Elder (fallen branches only): protection, healing, prosperity and luck, exorcism Hazel: white magick, divination, wisdom Oak: fertility, healing, strength, endurance, money Willow: love, divination, healing, moon magick
Or, ask a live tree if you can use one of its branches for a wand. Meditate next to or underneath the tree of your choice and wait to receive an answer. If you feel guilt or any negative energy, the tree is telling you, “no.” In that case, look for and ask another tree for a branch. If you feel no negativity or if the tree remains silent, then the answer is “yes.” You may use one of the tree’s branches for a wand.
Cut off a sturdy branch carefully using a sharp knife. Use a boline, or a traditional Wiccan ritual knife, to sever your chosen branch from the live tree. If you don’t have a ritual boline on hand, use any other sharp knife or saw you have access to. Make as clean and straight of a cut as you can. Think of the tree’s spirit or energy as you cut. A clean, decisive slice is more respectful to the tree than hacking away at it and potentially damaging it. Don’t rip or snap the branch off haphazardly. Damaging the tree will imbue the wood you take with negative energy and affect your wand’s potency.
Thank nature or a specific tree for its sacrifice with a small offering. Leave something behind to replace what you took. You might water the tree whose branch you cut or leave a small gift of cornmeal, fruit, or other interesting or beautiful natural objects you encountered on your search for wand wood. Almost anything left with a good intention will work. Leaving an offering is a way to thank nature for providing for you yet again. Do this whether you chose a fallen branch or cut a live one directly from a tree.
Crafting Your Wiccan Wand
Sand off the bark, leaves, and stubs to get a smooth surface all around. In some cases, the bark may easily peel right off, revealing relatively smooth wood underneath. If not, use a knife to shave off the bark or use sandpaper to file it away. Sand it all over to avoid splinters and consider narrowing the tip into a dull point. Or, if you prefer how it looks with bark on it, you’re free to leave it on. How you craft and customize your wand is entirely up to you, and many Wiccans prefer a "rustic" look. If you like, leave the “base” end of the wand thicker than the tip or whittle a handle at the bottom of the wand if it makes it easier to grip. Trim the ends of the branch if they’re broken or rough, but try not to make your wand too short. A good length is from the crook of your elbow to just past the tip of your middle finger.
Carve meaningful runes or symbols into the wand if you wish. What you carve is entirely up to you. You might name your wand and carve its name, or add any magickal symbols that resonate with you or speak to your intention with the wand. For example, if you plan to use your wand for love magick fairly frequently, you could add powerful love runes to aid your spellwork. As you carve and decorate, remember that your wand is an extension of your mind and hands. Add anything that “feels right” or speaks to your personal energy.
Secure a pointed crystal at the tip with wire, if you so desire. Both wands and crystals are tools that focus and direct energy, so adding a crystal to your wand can make your spellwork more powerful and effective. Use any crystal that you like; pick your favorite so that your wand resonates with you, or choose one that amplifies specific spells (for example, using rose quartz for love magick). If you’re not sure which crystal to use, try clear quartz. This crystal is a “master healer” that amplifies and purifies any energy channeled through it. Use wire wrap to secure your crystal to the tip of the wand (similar to how you’d wrap a crystal in wire to secure it as a pendant or charm on a necklace). The type of wire can influence your wand, too. For example, copper is a superconductive metal with love and healing properties, while silver is linked to psychic powers, fertility, and the moon.
Add any other embellishments to your wand that you wish. Feel free to paint your wand, glue or wrap a strand of your hair or a feather to it, tie on ribbons, or adorn it with wire, yarn, clay, or any other material that has a meaning to you. This all serves to personalize your wand and make you feel more connected to it, which enriches your Wicca practices. Consider imbuing your wand with magickal plant properties by rubbing it down with essential oils. If you wanted peppermint’s calming energy, for example, you could wipe down your wand with a cloth dipped in peppermint essential oil. Oiling your wand also protects the wood and keeps your wand in good condition.
Consecrating Your Wiccan Wand
Gather a candle, incense, and a plate of salt, then cast a circle. These simple supplies will help cleanse the energy of your space and endow your wand with the energy of the four elements. Light your candle and burn sage or the incense of your choosing—the flames and herbal smoke will cleanse your work area of negativity. Then, cast a ritual circle to begin consecrating. To cast a circle, visualize a protective sphere around your space or draw a literal circle around your work area with your finger, a consecrated wand, or a ritual tool like an athame. Another way to cast a circle is to place an item representing each of the four elements—earth, fire, water, and air—in a circle around you. If you crafted your wand for a specific purpose and chose your materials intentionally, the wand is already imbued with your energy and ready to use.
Place the wand on the plate of salt and channel your intention into it. Put your right pointer finger on the wand once it’s in the salt and project your energy into the wood. Bless it with a prayer or spell, infuse memories into it with meditation, or imagine yourself using it for good, noble purposes. The goal is to clear the wood of any lingering negativity or past associations. When your intuition tells you you’re ready, recite the following: “I consecrate you, a wooden wand, so you can cleanse and purify yourself, and in this way, you can serve me inside the circle of stones. In the name of the Mother Goddess and of the Father God, you are consecrated.”
Pass the wand through symbols of the four elements to finish the ritual. Hold your wand and sprinkle it with a pinch of salt (representing the element of earth). Then, waft it through the smoke of your sage or incense (air), pass it near the flame of your candle (fire), and finish by sprinkling it with a few drops of water (water). When you’re done, raise the wand and say: “I consecrate you for the ancient powers, for the omnipotent Goddess and God, for the virtues of the Sun, the Moon, and the stars, for the powers of earth, air, fire and water, that I will obtain everything I desire, through you.” Once this ritual is done, your wand is ready to use! Cleanse your wand’s energy from time to time by leaving it out to absorb moonlight over night or wafting it through sage smoke again.
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