Witch’s Wand

 

Here is what you will need:

 

-- A tree branch or wooden dowel approximately 5 to 10 inches long and as thick as you want your wand to be.    If using a branch, let it dry out for 1 or 2 days.  You do not want any uninvited guests in your house (i.e. bugs or other squirmy things).

 

-- Super glue or craft glue (make sure it says it is for wood).

 

-- Paint, stain or varnish if desired.

 

-- A variety of small crystals, stones, wooden beads, buttons, shells, or whatever else your magickal heart desires.

 

-- Silver or gold wire, or thread, thin ribbon, feathers, thin leather strips or shoelaces (optional). 

 

Instructions

 

1.  If you are using a tree branch, you may strip the bark off or leave it on, whichever you prefer.  Just remember to let it dry out for a couple of days first. 

 

If you are using a wooden dowel, it may be left natural or stained, varnished or painted. 

 

The length of the wand depends on what feels comfortable to you, but tradition states that it should be no longer than your forearm.  Some believe to truly make it your own, measure from the crook of your elbow to your longest finger and that will be the length of your wand.  Some believe this personalizes the wand and binds it to the practitioner.  Likewise, use whatever diameter width seems most comfortable and “wandlike�?to you.  It should be small enough to  lay on your altar without taking up too much room. 

 

Do not worry if your tree branch is not perfectly straight, a crook or two adds character.

 

2.  Now you may paint, stain or varnish your wand.  If you stain or varnish  your wand, be sure to let it dry thoroughly before continuing.  An alternative is to paint decorations on the wand. 

 

3.  Glue on whatever crystals, stones, beads, or shells you find appealing. 

 

One tip is to leave the center of the wand free from decoration so you have a handhold unencumbered by bulky objects that could distract you during ritual.  However, it is your choice.  Some like ribbons near the base where one would hold the wand, others do not.  It is your choice. 

 

Clustering of small stones at the top or bottom of the wand works well.  If you have a larger crystal, you can glue it to the top of the wand as a magickal tip, then cover the “seam�?between the tip and the wand with smaller rocks or crystals. 

 

4.  If you like, finish the wand by tying a ribbon, thread, or thin leather lace to the tip of the wand and crisscrossing the ends, braiding them down the length of the wand.  This adds color to your wand.  Tie the ends in a knot at the bottom and trim the ends, or leave them long to ad a “tail�?to your wand.  Glue decorative beads, shells or feathers to the ends.

 

By Mira Liguana from The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wicca Craft