Finding your wand
Your wand is an indispensable magical tool. It is important to find one which suits you perfectly, as it will play a prominent role in your rituals and spells - as a director of energy. Wands traditionally represent the element of either air or fire. If you prefer, you may wish to use a large staff instead of a wand, or even have one of each. Either way, the role in magic is the same.
Wand characteristics:
Your wand will be individual to you. Different types of wood, shape, style and design appeal to different people for different reasons; however there are some common similarities which powerful and well matched wands share-
Your wand should be as straight as possible. Remember, the primary aim of it is to channel magical power – it makes sense that a straighter wand is a more effective conduit.
The shape of the wand should be tapered slightly (narrowed) at the top. Again this makes sense when you consider the wand to be a magical channel – you wish the power of it to concentrate at the tip before entering the physical world.
The length of a wand usually, though not always, equals the distance from the tip of your fingers to the tip of your elbow. Your comfort is the most important consideration however. Give it a swirl! Does it feel right for you? Pretend you are in Ollivander's (you really are actually!)
It stands to reason that your wand should be smooth and well sanded. It may not be when you first find it, but this can soon be rectified. Every good hardware store sells sandpaper. Do it with love and enthusiasm though, you are polishing a diamond, a new born wand..
Suitable woods for wands:
A wand can be made of any wood, and indeed, remember that you are an individual -a wood that suits no one else, may well work wonderfully well for you.
This said, there are some types of wood which have traditionally been considered to be very effective at channeling magical power. These are:
Hazel
Oak
Ash
Apple
Maple
Cherry
Willow
Holly (My current wand, and favourite:)
Each of these different woods have different strengths and particular magics which they are meant to perform best. For instance, an Apple Wood wand is said to be fantastic for love spells or work with Faeries or other woodland deities. Holly, which I can personally vouch for, is an optimistic and hopeful partner, full of courage – it will create paths for you where other wands won't, and prosperity and light in the darkest places. But I may be biased.
Your own special wand -wood will call to you with its particular and highly personal energy.
How to make your own Wand:
Go for a wander in a place you love and feel connected to. Look for a fallen twig or branch which is straight and long enough to form a wand. Or pick one ( after silently touching and thanking the tree). You will know when you find the right tree or wand for you.
Dry out your new wand for several days in a warm place. Use a sharp knife if necessary to whittle off any buds or twigs or other roughage. Strip of the bark and taper the tip slightly if necessary, and sand the wood smooth if you can.
Decorate your wand if you wish. Some witches and wizards prefer to leave their wand natural looking, but others like to add a varnish or laquer, or carve magical symbols upon it, or wrap leather cords upon the handle, or attach crystals to the tips and feathers – do whatever you feel is right for you!
When you have created/discovered your perfect wand, the next step is to bless or consecrate it for magical use. This is not essential but it is a nice gesture.
Remember: RECAP
The two most important primary uses of wands are
1) Directings energies during a magical spell or ritual
2) Casting your magical circle
Have fun choosing your perfect wand; it is going to be your able partner and a very useful magical tool for your spellwork, so it's worth considering in some depth. What would Ollivander say about YOUR wand?
