Wands

The Wand represents the Element of Fire the direction of South, and the power of the God as consort of the Goddess. The Wand is viewed by many as a acceptable substitute to the Athame in addition to its other uses

Apperence

The wand is a wood or (less commonly) metal rod, traditionally the same length as from the users elbow to their fingertips (this usuly makes the want between 12″ and 18″) and about 1/2 – 1 inch in diameter. The thickness will depend on how it feels in your hand. Some people will prefer the weight of a thick Wand, and some prefer the petite feel of a thin Wand.
Hardwoods are best suited and are easier to craft than softwood like pine. Fresh cut wood will require a drying and bark removal procedure before starting. You may want to look for a branch that has already broken from the tree.

Symbols

The wand is a masculine symbol and represents the element of Fire. As the wand is a phalic symbol, some are carved to reflect the shape of the penis or are tiped with a pinecone for this same reason.

Woods for Wands

Apple: this wood”™s magickal properties often centered around the ideals of honor. Reveal symbolism, both within and without. Also represents love, healing, longevity.
Ash: The ash tree received through Odin the gift of divination. It is the Tree of the Universe or the World Tree. It also represents protection, prosperity, healing. This wood is preferred for tool handles and embodies the principals of reverence.
Beech: the magickal property of Beech aids the user in achieving goals and wishes by giving that person organizational skills.
BIRCH: Birch wands decorated with red ribbons will ward off the evil eye. It represents protection, exorcism, purification.
CHERRY: Represents love, divination, creativity.
CHERRY ROOT: Should only be taken from fallen tree.
ELDER – Spirit of the Earth Mother resides in the tree.
EUCALYPTUS: Represents cleansing, purification, divination and wisdom.
HAWTHORN: Associated with May Day, in honour of the sun god Belenus. Represents fertility, happiness.
Hazel: It”™s the Tree of Knowledge. Its branches are useful in divination and represents knowledge, divine powers, protection, and understanding. This wood is one of spiritual leadership and insight.
Hickory: this wood”™s magickal property is endurance; those who are firm in their beliefs and brave in their actions best use it.
HOLLY: The Holly Tree is the symbol of the Lord of Winter, the Holly King. Representing longevity.
Maple: the magickal property is kinship; it promotes energy, healing and enthusiasm in relationships.
MISTLETOE: According to legend the mistletoe grew on the sacred oak at Lake Nemi. It is not only the symbol of love but also of immortality.
Oak: The oak tree is the most sacred of all trees to the Ancient/Old Religions. Used for the Yule log and burned at Midsummer in the bale-fires. It represents immortality, wisdom, great divine spirit. This wood promotes higher planes of awareness and aids in shifting of consciousness for magickal work.
OLIVE: Is sacred to Athena/Minerva. Its oil was burned in temple lamps. It represents goodness, divination, protection and healing.
Pine: Represents protection, exorcism, money. Ritual tools made of Pine are excellent choices for those in quest of new beginnings and rebirth.
POMEGRANATE: It figures in the myth of Persephone, and symbolises fertility.
Poplar: Represents money, astral projection. the magickal properties are protection and resolution.
Rowan: Also known as the Mountain Ash, it is a tree long associated with Witchcraft and Paganism. It has protective symbolism, and appears frequently in mythology. This tree was regarded as magickal because of the 13 sections of its leaves and their correspondence to the 13 lunar months.
SYCAMORE: It has been called the Mother Tree and the Tree of Life. Represents maternal magic, and divination.
WALNUT: In Greek mythology Dionysos transformed his dead lover Carya into a walnut tree, and a temple was built in her honour. Represents love, divine spiritual powers, longevity.
Willow: Is linked to chastity, and to the Goddess Artemis. It is used to draw mystical serpents from the Underworld to combat infertility. It also represents Moon magick, love, protection, healing. The magickal property is healing; Willow symbolizes the importance of being receptive and nurturing.

Consecrating a Wand

The wand must be consecrated like any other tool. By consecrating a tool, you are declaring to the God and the Goddess that it is sacred and will only be used for magical work. [2]

Method 1

Begin as always by clearing and releasing.
Hold the Wand straight up-and-down before you, pointing upwards.
Imagine the Wand surrounded by a ball of yellow-white light. Focus on this light, see it grow and expand. Concentrate upon the idea of purifying the Wand, and cleansing it of all impurities. Say something to the effect of;
Say: “Behold, I do cleanse and purify this sacred Wand, casting out from it all negativity.”
Now imagine a beam of light coming from the Wand and going down to the ground. Imagine that beam of light descending into the earth, going deeper and deeper. As the beam of light goes down into the Earth, it takes the impurities you have banished with it.
Now imagine a stream of blue-white light coming up from the earth, through the beam of light and into the Wand. See the Wand fill with the blue-white light. Say something like;
Say: “And behold, I do bless and consecrate this Wand to my use.”
Now imagine the blue-white light shooting out through the top of the Wand like a geyser, or a fireworks fountain -shooting up and arching all around you like an umbrella. Allow this to continue until you feel that there has been enough.

You have now consecrated your Wand. Clear and release as always. Whenever you feel that the Wand needs to have its energy cleansed or strengthened, repeat this process.

Method 2

Clear and release as usual, as you should know to do before any workings.
Hold your wand high in salute and say: “God and Goddess, Father and Mother of all Life
Here I present my personal wand for your approval
From now on may it serve me
As a tool for use in my workings”
Place it on your altar and bow your head, thinking of it. Connecting with it your power.
Now cleanse and purify your wand.
Cleanse the Salt, making three tuathail circles above it with your hand, while visualising yellow-white light. Imagine the light forcing out all negative or unfocussed energy from the Salt. Speak words to this effect:
“Behold, I exorcise you, O creature of Earth, casting out from you any impurities which may lie within.”
Now bless the Salt, making three deosil circles above it with your hand, again while visualising blue-white light. Speak words to the effect of:
“And I do Bless and Charge you to this work!”
Next cleanse the Water, making three tuathail circles above it with your hand, while visualising yellow-white light forcing out all negative energy. Speak words to the effect of:
“Behold, I exorcise you, O creature of Water, casting out from you any impurities which may lie within.”
Now bless the Water, making three deosil circles above it with your hand, while visualising blue-white light. Speak words to this effect:
“And I do Bless and Charge you to this work!”
After blessing the Salt, say: “Behold, the Salt is pure!”
Then bless the water, by saying: “Behold, the Water is pure!”
Now you take three pinches of salt and add it to the water, saying though as you do, something like this: “Purity into purity then, and purity be blessed!”
Now dip your fingers into salted water and sprinkle it on the wand, on all sides.
Now its time to turn to the element of Fire.
It is time to cleanse the Charcoal (or matches), making three tuathail circles above it with your hand, while visualising yellow-white light. Imagine the light forcing out all negative or unfocussed energy from the Charcoal, then speaks words to the effect of: “Behold, I exorcise you, O creature of Fire, casting out from you any impurities which may lie within.”
Now turn to the element of Air, usually using either powdered or solid incense.
Now bless the Incense, making three deosil circles above it with your hand, while visualising blue-white light. Now speak words to the effect of: “And I do Bless and Charge you to this work!”
Now cleanse the Incense, making three tuathail circles above it with your hand, visualising yellow-white light forcing out all negative energy. Speak words to the effect of: “Behold, I exorcise you, O creature of Air, casting out from you any impurities which may lie within.”
Then bless the Incense, making three deosil circles above it with your hand, visualising blue-white light. Speak words to the effect of: “And I do Bless and Charge you to this work!”
Now bless the Charcoal (or matches), saying: “Behold, the Fire is pure!”
Then bless the Incense, saying: “Behold, the Air is pure!”
Now you can take three pinches of powdered Incense and sprinkles it on to the Charcoal (or lights the solid Incense with a Match), saying something like the traditional: “Purity into purity then, and purity be blessed!”
Now pick it up and hold it in the smoke of the incense, making sure all parts get thoroughly censed.
Hold it between the palms of your hands, straight up and down before you, pointing upwards and imagine the Wand surrounded by a ball of yellow white light. Focus on this light, see it grow and expand. Concentrate upon the idea of purifying the Wand, and cleansing it of all impurities.
Say: “May the sacred water and smoke drive out any impurities which may lie within this wand, so that it be pure and cleansed, ready to serve in my workings in any way that I may desire. So mote it be.”
Now imagine a beam of light coming form the Wand and going down to the ground. Imagine that beam of light descending into the earth, going deeper and deeper and deeper. As the beam of light goes down into the Earth, it takes the impurities and negativity that you have banished with it.
Now imagine a stream of blue-white light coming up from the earth, through the beam of light and into the wand. See the wand fill with blue-white light. Now say: “I so bless and charge this wand through me with the wisdom of the God and the Goddess. May it serve us well, keeping me from harm and acting in their service in all things, both seen and unseen. So Mote it Be”
You have now consecrated your Wand. Clear and release as always. Whenever you feel that the Wand needs to have its energy cleansed or strengthened, repeat this process.
Keep the wand close to you and sleep with it under your pillow for three consecutive nights, if possible, as I have found this to be very powerful indeed. When we sleep, our powers are increased through our unconsciousness, but never let another use it for anything, inside or outside the magic circle.