In Wiccan tradition specifically, the wand is a masculine tool, used to cast a circle in the air, earth or water. It’s usually associated with either fire or air.
But outside of Wicca, wands are used for lots of other purposes, such as the direction, focus or manipulation of energy.
Wands can be used to enchant objects, to direct and focus energy into a person, place or thing, and to use as a transformative tool.
They can be used to cleanse a space, and also as a grounding tool, to help you connect to the earth in a more directed way.
We may have multiple wands for different magickal uses - if we’re doing any kitchen witchery for instance, we can sometimes have a specific wand we only use for stirring our intention into food, incense making, potions or simmer pots.
Aside from being waved or pointed in a directional way, we can use wands to write out intentions into the air itself, literally writing onto the ether, into the earth, sand, water or ashes.
We can even use our wands to sense energy from objects or people.
They can be made of all kinds of materials, although most commonly they’re made from wood. As a natural material, many witches prefer using them, as they contain more natural energy than plastic or resin wands. for example.
Some contain crystals, runes or are anointed with various oils, or hold other magickal symbolism.
Some are made entirely from crystal.
For the wands I make - which you can find more about here - they are all made from wood which corresponds to the birthday of the owner according to the Celtic Tree Zodiac.
The specific tree type and wood used each holds a powerful meaning and characteristic which will make certain wands better for certain tasks or types of magick.
The trees the wands come from will usually be selected due to the birth of the owner, or alternatively they can be a tree that holds some personal connection to you.
For instance, I have a wand I made from a branch of an old apple tree we used to climb and pick the fruit from as children with our dad, and it’s the same tree we scattered my dad’s ashes under when he passed. So it holds deep significance for me - in effect, my dad’s essence runs through it.
Wands aren’t used how they are in movies like Harry Potter, which often depict them as being waved about wildly.
Rather wands are used in a measured and directed way, with great intention and focus.
They can have incantations accompany their use, and can be used to invoke or aspect various spirits or deities if working with them.
However you use your wand, it’s best to develop a deep and personal connection to it - it should be an extension of yourself and your energy and be used as such.
Of course we don’t need any tools to practise magick, but often they provide us with a powerful way to focus our thoughts, energy and intentions in a more directed way.
Whether you create or buy your wand, be sure to connect your energy with it, as it will definitely aid you well in your practise going forward.
The images shown are just a few of the wands I’ve made for people - you can view more and purchase your own handcrafted wand here.
For more musings, why not join our Facebook group 'Beneath the Canopy'?