In the Scottish Highlands, those who gathered Midsummer herbs usually carried a walking stick or staff with them to help navigate the rugged terrain. These also served the same magickal purposes an athame or wand. While the Irish crafted staves from the blackthorn tree, English tradition considered the tree cursed and steered clear of it, choosing instead to craft staves out of oak or birch.

The Teutons ritually gathered sticks of ash at Midsummer, for they believed that ash made up the Yggdrasil, the Norse tree of life. These are merely cultural lore, and you may use any wood you wish to create your staff. The branch you use for your staff should be at least four to five feet long, and needs to be sturdy enough to support you. Check carefully for rotting, cracks, or splits in the wood, as they may cause the branch to break when trying to support your weight. It also needs to be thin enough for you to grasp.

The easiest way to obtain a branch is to find one lying in the woods. If you cannot find a suitable branch or live in a suburb or city, you can fashion one from a dowel, which can be found at a craft or hardware store. Simply choose one that is at least four feet tall, and one to two inches thick, and round the edges with sandpaper. Once you have chosen a branch or dowel you may personalize it any way you wish. Here are some ideas to help get the ball rolling...

	Paint magickal symbols, sigils, words, zodiac colours, runes, etc., according to preference.
	If you are a bit more skilled in woodworking and have the proper tools you can engrave these symbols instead, or if you really know your stuff, socket your staff and put gemstones or runes in it. Be sure to use a glue that is formulated for outdoor use, and make sure the glue is waterproof so it can withstand weather.
	You may decorate the top with large crystal point, held in place with pieces of leather and glue, or tie a leather string to the top, and decorate the string with feathers and beads.