The wand is perhaps the most common of modern Wiccan magickal tools. It has been used for thousands of years in both magickal and religious rites. It is used primarily to invoke and to direct energies, though it can have other purposes as well.
The Goddess and the God, or the Four Quarters, are often called with the uplifting of a wand or staff. It can also be used to draw the magick circle, both literally and figuratively, or it can be used to stir the magick cauldron, and has numerous other uses as well.
The Symbolism of the Wand
To most Wiccans, the wand represents the south, and the element of fire. There are some who equate it with air, but this is becoming less common in neo-Wiccan practice. Both are correct, depending on the chosen point of view. Most connect it with the south because it is seen as symbolizing the spear, and this is usually connected to the Warrior of the South, but others see this as connected with learning, and so connected to the east.
The correspondence that makes the most sense to the practitioner is generally the correct one to use, though if you practice a particular tradition, you should adhere to whatever your tradition specifies. Its phallic nature connects it to the God, and so it is a masculine symbol.
Where to Find a Wand
There are traditional woods used for making wands, including willow, hazel, apple, oak, and cherry, and just as many traditional ways to cut a wand. Some Wiccans still use the traditional length of the crook of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, but this isn't really necessary as far as most traditions are concerned. Most Wiccans simply use whatever is most comfortable. Any fairly straight piece of wood can be used as a wand, or even a dowel purchased from the local hardware store.
Wands can also be purchased. As long as it’s attractive to the practitioner, it is a fine wand. Beautiful wands made of almost any material can be found in most New Age shops, though wooden wands are preferred. It has a longer history, and because of that, is more likely to connect us more firmly to the powers that are utilized. Again, if you practice a Wiccan tradition, such as Gardnerian, you should use whatever your tradition states.
The search for a wand is not about finding the perfect wand. The ideal wand is more about instinct and intuition than it is about the type of material and exact length. What feels right, is right, at least generally speaking.
The Goddess and the God, or the Four Quarters, are often called with the uplifting of a wand or staff. It can also be used to draw the magick circle, both literally and figuratively, or it can be used to stir the magick cauldron, and has numerous other uses as well.
The Symbolism of the Wand
To most Wiccans, the wand represents the south, and the element of fire. There are some who equate it with air, but this is becoming less common in neo-Wiccan practice. Both are correct, depending on the chosen point of view. Most connect it with the south because it is seen as symbolizing the spear, and this is usually connected to the Warrior of the South, but others see this as connected with learning, and so connected to the east.
The correspondence that makes the most sense to the practitioner is generally the correct one to use, though if you practice a particular tradition, you should adhere to whatever your tradition specifies. Its phallic nature connects it to the God, and so it is a masculine symbol.
Where to Find a Wand
There are traditional woods used for making wands, including willow, hazel, apple, oak, and cherry, and just as many traditional ways to cut a wand. Some Wiccans still use the traditional length of the crook of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, but this isn't really necessary as far as most traditions are concerned. Most Wiccans simply use whatever is most comfortable. Any fairly straight piece of wood can be used as a wand, or even a dowel purchased from the local hardware store.
Wands can also be purchased. As long as it’s attractive to the practitioner, it is a fine wand. Beautiful wands made of almost any material can be found in most New Age shops, though wooden wands are preferred. It has a longer history, and because of that, is more likely to connect us more firmly to the powers that are utilized. Again, if you practice a Wiccan tradition, such as Gardnerian, you should use whatever your tradition states.
The search for a wand is not about finding the perfect wand. The ideal wand is more about instinct and intuition than it is about the type of material and exact length. What feels right, is right, at least generally speaking.
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