Ansur
The One Ring
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13
Joined:
Aug 28, 2006
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Zodiac:
Virgo
Chinese:
Rat
Posted Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:08 pm...
Wands are probably the most ancient of all the magical tools. Wands were in use before knives and containers were even thought of. Wands probably represent a functional form of the first tool ever used by humans. When the first human-form of life became intelligent enough to use a simple tool, that tool was probably a stick. When the first individual picked up a stick and used it as a pointer, the magical Wand was invented. As time and invention progressed, the Wand changed its shape and it became first a club, then a Staff, next a spear, and then an arrow.
Since arrows speed swiftly through the air, and swords or knives cut through the air, a controversy of major proportions has developed. There are two major magic systems that disagree with each other. The main question is: Do Wands represent Air and the East, or Fire and the South? Most pagans agree (but not all) that the magic element Air is in the East and Fire is in the South. Even more agreement will be found in the belief that Water is in the West and Earth is in the North. Also agreed upon is that Pentacles represent Earth while Chalices, Cauldrons, or the like are the representation of Water. But, the major disagreement remains: Are Wands the representation of Air or Fire? If they represent Fire, then Magical Blades represent Air. There is almost a 50-50 split between those that attribute Wands to Air in the East and those who equate Blades to Air in the South. To make matters even more confusing, both sides can argue, convincingly, on the good reasons for their particular beliefs.
I will not enter this argument because I already see too much dissent between Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans. It is important to all of us that we allow our brothers and sisters the freedom to develop their individual theories, beliefs, and dogmas, no matter how diverse. Otherwise, we might end up the same social straitjacket that the dominant religion in our society is in. We do not need to feel the negative results of inflexible and totalitarian dogmas. One persons truth may be for them only. Judge only your truths--not those of others of our kind. The major division in tool relativity is usually a result of our different teachers. If you were taught that a Wand is an Air-Tool (or vice-versa, that it is a Fire-Tool), then no argument contrary to this will ever likely change your mind. And does it really matter? Probably not--because those using either system seem to generate the same amount of power despite their different dogmas!
In the past, Wands have traditionally been made of wood from bushes or trees that pagans judged as being especially meaningful, magical, or important. Among these woods, ash, willow, and hazel wood were standouts. Yet, just about any kind of wood has been used. Blackthorn is a popular wood used for making "dark" Wands. Blackthorn Wands are usually used during the waning moon or for darker purposes. Yew is famous for being used to curse, bind, or work other negative magic. Old-time Wands usually had a nail driven into their bottom end, or had a piece of lodestone (magnetite) buried somewhere in them. Their upper end was usually carved into a cone shape or a phallic representation. Sometimes, the top end was set with an acorn or an actual cone. Most hardwoods make excellent and durable Wands but powerful Wands can also be made from softwoods. Usually the length of the Wand is the distance from the owners elbow to the tip of their middle finger.
Modern, high-tech Wands are made of glass or plastic rods, or metal tubes. These usually have a crystal set in their top end and sometimes in their bottom-end also. Some modern Wands even contain batteries and lights inside them.
Evolutionary changes in form of the original ancient pointed stick led to thicker sticks (clubs), longer sticks (spears), and finally to one of their final forms, Staffs. Staffs are usually envisioned as being held by a white-haired old wizard. Magic spears did not stay popular for too long because they were obvious weapons. And, they could be used to kill people, even those in authority. By contrast, Staffs were used by travelers to steady them in their long walks. A Staff could be used as a third leg when crossing a stream or river. They could be used as a crutch to support a sore, injured, or tired leg. Thrust forward and up, they could part the branches overhanging a path. Thrust forward and down they could arrest and divert the attack of a poisonous snake. Thrust into the ground and draped with a piece of cloth they could be used as an emergency shelter. But, perhaps best of all, with a little practice and skill, they could be used as an effective weapon against highway robbers or thieves that a traveler might meet. Staffs were sometimes the only lawful weapon available to the commoners and peasants because they were not recognized as being such. In the hands of an expert, a Staff could be thrust pass the reach of a sword, into the stomach or face of an attacker. They could also be thrown like a spear and could bash the person or animal they hit. A good Staff could also ward-off many slashes of even the sharpest sword. Some Staffs even had decorations on top of them that were just thinly disguised spear-points. Another great advantage of a Staff was that when used properly, it could hurt, bruise, and/or stop an attacker--without becoming a lethal weapon. So, the Staff became the weapon of choice for those that wished to protect themselves--without causing potentially life-threatening wounds to others.
Other Staffs even became a type of traveling altar. These were the forked Staffs with a candle-holder in the center. Pushed into the ground, the horns--which represented the horned, pagan God, were hung with bags containing altar tools. A candle was placed between the horns and lit. These types of Staffs were (and still are) called Stangs.
Todays modern Staff is usually a heavily decorated wooden, dowel-shaped instrument. Some traditions call for a snake motif to be spiraled around the Staff itself. Certain plants had a natural spiral pattern in their wood and these were sought-out. The number of spirals sometimes indicated rank: Three for a witch of middle rank and five for one of higher rank.
A Staffs length is to at least to the shoulders height of owner or higher. A Stang was usually longer than most other Staffs. Decorations on top of Staffs should be made strong enough so they will not break if the Staff is dropped. Some Staffs are exactly the height of the owner and are marked-off or have marks identifying the exact points of the owners chakras.
Many Wands today are made for the smaller hands of the female of our kind. And, if Disney films are any indication, Wands are used in delicate and feminine, soft movements. Therefore, many males consider Wands a feminine tool and they prefer the blades. Nothing is farther from the truth and most males find they are more at ease using thicker, heavier Wands--or a Staff. A Wand should fit the owner and measure about 21 inches long--or the distance from your elbow to the end of your middle finger.
During ceremonies, it is quite easy and appropriate to substitute Wands or Staffs for Athames or swords. They can both perform the same functions so you need not delay a rite if you only have one or the other. Although both are pointing tools, the forces issuing from their points differ a little in type and effect. Blades project a force that is thin and highly focused--it is a cutting power. Blades are used to establish boundaries and can be used to threaten and even injure powers that you are trying to control. The Blade is an offensive weapon and just showing it to an invading spirit is usually enough to make it reverse its direction. By contrast, the Wand or Staff projects a spiral of thick force that is more directing than harmful. The Wand can, however, also be used as a weapon and a shield. Thrust forward, it will stop a psychic attack. Held sideways and out, it will shield you from psychic forces.
Those familiar with magic gestures understand that simply pointing a projecting finger at an object or person is an act of great power demanding immediate attention. The act of pointing projects and defines objects or subjects (targets). This simple act can release a lot of energy. Pointing with a Wand or Staff amplifies this effect. In one of my childhood nightmares, that reoccurred many times, a powerful figure, dressed in black, pointed a stick at me and I was thrown against the wall by the force of it. Perhaps this is a memory of an incident in a former life.
The aborigines of Australia still use a harmful form of magic that kills. A Shaman points a bone at the victim and chants certain magic words. The victim usually dies in just a few days. Other primitive people do similar things. Although these types of actions seem to be counter to what Wiccans believe in, such as the Rule of Three and all--that Rule may not apply in these cases. When a tribal wizard/shaman uses black magic to stop, harm, or even kill an individual, it usually done for the good of the tribe--not for him/herself, personally.
Wands are a great help in directing and amplifying the cone of power generated by a coven. It is especially effective if the person receiving the healing or binding is within sight, and the Wand is pointed directly at them.
Whether you choose to view the Wand as a Fire tool from the South, or an Air tool from the East is not as important as using it well. What is important is to find your own magic tools, representing the factors/elements of the universe as you see it. Learn to point well with the Ancient Stick, to heal, to help, to project the way. And, if necessary, to point out and prevent the flaws in those that wish you ill.
Since arrows speed swiftly through the air, and swords or knives cut through the air, a controversy of major proportions has developed. There are two major magic systems that disagree with each other. The main question is: Do Wands represent Air and the East, or Fire and the South? Most pagans agree (but not all) that the magic element Air is in the East and Fire is in the South. Even more agreement will be found in the belief that Water is in the West and Earth is in the North. Also agreed upon is that Pentacles represent Earth while Chalices, Cauldrons, or the like are the representation of Water. But, the major disagreement remains: Are Wands the representation of Air or Fire? If they represent Fire, then Magical Blades represent Air. There is almost a 50-50 split between those that attribute Wands to Air in the East and those who equate Blades to Air in the South. To make matters even more confusing, both sides can argue, convincingly, on the good reasons for their particular beliefs.
I will not enter this argument because I already see too much dissent between Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans. It is important to all of us that we allow our brothers and sisters the freedom to develop their individual theories, beliefs, and dogmas, no matter how diverse. Otherwise, we might end up the same social straitjacket that the dominant religion in our society is in. We do not need to feel the negative results of inflexible and totalitarian dogmas. One persons truth may be for them only. Judge only your truths--not those of others of our kind. The major division in tool relativity is usually a result of our different teachers. If you were taught that a Wand is an Air-Tool (or vice-versa, that it is a Fire-Tool), then no argument contrary to this will ever likely change your mind. And does it really matter? Probably not--because those using either system seem to generate the same amount of power despite their different dogmas!
In the past, Wands have traditionally been made of wood from bushes or trees that pagans judged as being especially meaningful, magical, or important. Among these woods, ash, willow, and hazel wood were standouts. Yet, just about any kind of wood has been used. Blackthorn is a popular wood used for making "dark" Wands. Blackthorn Wands are usually used during the waning moon or for darker purposes. Yew is famous for being used to curse, bind, or work other negative magic. Old-time Wands usually had a nail driven into their bottom end, or had a piece of lodestone (magnetite) buried somewhere in them. Their upper end was usually carved into a cone shape or a phallic representation. Sometimes, the top end was set with an acorn or an actual cone. Most hardwoods make excellent and durable Wands but powerful Wands can also be made from softwoods. Usually the length of the Wand is the distance from the owners elbow to the tip of their middle finger.
Modern, high-tech Wands are made of glass or plastic rods, or metal tubes. These usually have a crystal set in their top end and sometimes in their bottom-end also. Some modern Wands even contain batteries and lights inside them.
Evolutionary changes in form of the original ancient pointed stick led to thicker sticks (clubs), longer sticks (spears), and finally to one of their final forms, Staffs. Staffs are usually envisioned as being held by a white-haired old wizard. Magic spears did not stay popular for too long because they were obvious weapons. And, they could be used to kill people, even those in authority. By contrast, Staffs were used by travelers to steady them in their long walks. A Staff could be used as a third leg when crossing a stream or river. They could be used as a crutch to support a sore, injured, or tired leg. Thrust forward and up, they could part the branches overhanging a path. Thrust forward and down they could arrest and divert the attack of a poisonous snake. Thrust into the ground and draped with a piece of cloth they could be used as an emergency shelter. But, perhaps best of all, with a little practice and skill, they could be used as an effective weapon against highway robbers or thieves that a traveler might meet. Staffs were sometimes the only lawful weapon available to the commoners and peasants because they were not recognized as being such. In the hands of an expert, a Staff could be thrust pass the reach of a sword, into the stomach or face of an attacker. They could also be thrown like a spear and could bash the person or animal they hit. A good Staff could also ward-off many slashes of even the sharpest sword. Some Staffs even had decorations on top of them that were just thinly disguised spear-points. Another great advantage of a Staff was that when used properly, it could hurt, bruise, and/or stop an attacker--without becoming a lethal weapon. So, the Staff became the weapon of choice for those that wished to protect themselves--without causing potentially life-threatening wounds to others.
Other Staffs even became a type of traveling altar. These were the forked Staffs with a candle-holder in the center. Pushed into the ground, the horns--which represented the horned, pagan God, were hung with bags containing altar tools. A candle was placed between the horns and lit. These types of Staffs were (and still are) called Stangs.
Todays modern Staff is usually a heavily decorated wooden, dowel-shaped instrument. Some traditions call for a snake motif to be spiraled around the Staff itself. Certain plants had a natural spiral pattern in their wood and these were sought-out. The number of spirals sometimes indicated rank: Three for a witch of middle rank and five for one of higher rank.
A Staffs length is to at least to the shoulders height of owner or higher. A Stang was usually longer than most other Staffs. Decorations on top of Staffs should be made strong enough so they will not break if the Staff is dropped. Some Staffs are exactly the height of the owner and are marked-off or have marks identifying the exact points of the owners chakras.
Many Wands today are made for the smaller hands of the female of our kind. And, if Disney films are any indication, Wands are used in delicate and feminine, soft movements. Therefore, many males consider Wands a feminine tool and they prefer the blades. Nothing is farther from the truth and most males find they are more at ease using thicker, heavier Wands--or a Staff. A Wand should fit the owner and measure about 21 inches long--or the distance from your elbow to the end of your middle finger.
During ceremonies, it is quite easy and appropriate to substitute Wands or Staffs for Athames or swords. They can both perform the same functions so you need not delay a rite if you only have one or the other. Although both are pointing tools, the forces issuing from their points differ a little in type and effect. Blades project a force that is thin and highly focused--it is a cutting power. Blades are used to establish boundaries and can be used to threaten and even injure powers that you are trying to control. The Blade is an offensive weapon and just showing it to an invading spirit is usually enough to make it reverse its direction. By contrast, the Wand or Staff projects a spiral of thick force that is more directing than harmful. The Wand can, however, also be used as a weapon and a shield. Thrust forward, it will stop a psychic attack. Held sideways and out, it will shield you from psychic forces.
Those familiar with magic gestures understand that simply pointing a projecting finger at an object or person is an act of great power demanding immediate attention. The act of pointing projects and defines objects or subjects (targets). This simple act can release a lot of energy. Pointing with a Wand or Staff amplifies this effect. In one of my childhood nightmares, that reoccurred many times, a powerful figure, dressed in black, pointed a stick at me and I was thrown against the wall by the force of it. Perhaps this is a memory of an incident in a former life.
The aborigines of Australia still use a harmful form of magic that kills. A Shaman points a bone at the victim and chants certain magic words. The victim usually dies in just a few days. Other primitive people do similar things. Although these types of actions seem to be counter to what Wiccans believe in, such as the Rule of Three and all--that Rule may not apply in these cases. When a tribal wizard/shaman uses black magic to stop, harm, or even kill an individual, it usually done for the good of the tribe--not for him/herself, personally.
Wands are a great help in directing and amplifying the cone of power generated by a coven. It is especially effective if the person receiving the healing or binding is within sight, and the Wand is pointed directly at them.
Whether you choose to view the Wand as a Fire tool from the South, or an Air tool from the East is not as important as using it well. What is important is to find your own magic tools, representing the factors/elements of the universe as you see it. Learn to point well with the Ancient Stick, to heal, to help, to project the way. And, if necessary, to point out and prevent the flaws in those that wish you ill.
We have found the enemy--and he is us!
Ansur
Pisces
Tiger
:idea: