The History of Wiccan and Witch Wands (And How to Make One!)
Dale Hyde is a noted pagan author who is also a Wiccan High Priest with a coven. He is the author of many pagan-related articles.
How to Make and Use a Wiccan Wand
High fantasy books and films feature sensationalized scenes of young witches and wizards casting powerful spells with wands that were custom-made by an adult wizard. In real life, many Wiccans make their own wands. The basic wand may be merely a wooden branch in an interesting shape that is picked up off the ground and cleaned up. Others may opt for more elaborate creations of crystal and copper. Read on to find out more about the history and use of Wiccan wands.
History
The modern Wiccan wand, used as a conduit for power, probably evolved from ceremonial staffs for kings and high religious officials. For ancient officials, the staff or wand was an overt symbol of power and authority, ranging from the rod of Moses to the scepter of a king or queen. A "wand" was also a unit of measurement in ancient times in the British Isles. In modern Wiccan practice, the wand has come to be used for directing or channeling mystical powers and energies.
Significance
Wands are associated with the element of fire in the Tarot. The element of fire is associated with power and energy, and thus the Wiccan wand is a tool for directing energy or the will. Wands are heavily associated with magical transformation. This image is firmly entrenched in pop culture, from the magic wand of the fairies in children's cartoons to the black and white wand of the stage magician to the "magic wand" tool used in photo retouching software.
In Wiccan rituals, wands are used for a variety of purposes, mostly related to the channeling or directing of energy and power. They are often used to "cast a circle" of invisible protection around practitioners or around a sacred space. They can also be used to cast spells or to direct healing power.
Size
Wiccan wands traditionally vary in length according to the size of the user's arm. This is because a wand is used for pointing and directing, and is intended as an extension of the arm or pointed finger. Thus, some traditionalists believe a personalized wand should measure from the crook of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, and then just an inch or two beyond. In practice, that means most Wiccan wands range from just over a foot long to about 18 inches. In pop cultures (such as the Harry Potter books and films) they may be shorter, and in high fantasy films or books, they may be even longer than 18 inches.
Features
Wiccan wands are almost always made of wood, though ivory, metal, and crystal are also occasionally used. The type of wood used can vary, but hawthorn and ash are common. Each type of wood has a specific symbolism, and so the use the wand will be put to may dictate the wood used. For instance, oak trees are supposed to be invulnerable to lightning, so oak is often associated with strength, protection, and invulnerability. Ash is also often associated with protection, while willow is associated with femininity or intuition, birch with purification, and hawthorn with fertility.
Considerations
Making a Wiccan wand can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. Some practitioners of Wicca will simply pick up an interesting branch or twig about the right size and use that in ceremonies. More artistic types might carve or paint their wands. Interesting additions could include wrapping the handle or the entire wand in copper wire (because copper also conducts energy) or attaching a crystal to the tip. Additional touches could include carving meaningful runes into the wood of the wand, gluing or tying on jingling bells, or wrapping the handle end in fabric to make it more comfortable in the hand. The last step is to consecrate the wand for ritual use. This could include waving it through incense or sage smoke, sprinkling it with salt water, or asking the blessing of each element (air, fire, water, earth) over your wand and declaring your intention to use the wand ritually.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
© 2012 Dale Hyde
Comments
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on February 24, 2020:
Feel free to use it as a wand and/or it is cool to give back to nature.
Lilliana Stepto on January 26, 2020:
I have a stick, and I've had it for a while, I felt really close to it, but someone broke it but I can still use the one piece I still have, I feel really connected to it, Would it work as a wand or?....
Do I need to give it back to nature?
Read More From Exemplore
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on March 26, 2019:
Glad that you enjoyed the article. As what is the association with walnut wood, I would not worry about that. You have a connection with that piece of walnut and that is the most important aspect in the power of a wand.
DarcyLupin on March 25, 2019:
Great article! As a beginner in witchcraft, this was REALLY helpful! Thanks! May I ask a question: I have a walnut tree in my garden that I feel really connected to. I am thinking of making my wand from it, but I was wondering: what is walnut wood associated with?
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on May 18, 2013:
So glad you enjoyed the article, GwennyOh! That is a great idea to preserve your current wand and make a newer one. Thanks for stopping by, reading, sharing in comment and voting up. :)
GwennyOh on May 18, 2013:
I love this article, Dale! Thanks for sharing.
I like the wand in your picture. I have a wand that I love, but it is so beautiful that I want to preserve it and plan to make another for regular use. The original will become ornamental.
Voted up.
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on December 25, 2012:
Hello Dan. I am not sure about the question that you raised at the end of your comment. I have never delved into studying of the Zoroastrian Magi. Glad that you found this article interesting. Thanks for stopping by, reading and commenting. :)
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on December 25, 2012:
Hello, ChleotheWitch. Glad that you found the information to be a good guide in reference to the making of a Wiccan Wand. Thanks for stopping by, reading and commenting. :)
Dan Barfield from Gloucestershire, England, UK on December 24, 2012:
Hi there - interesting hub. I'd just like to say that in recent research into all things esoteric I was led to believe that the first 'wands'(though I'm pretty sure they were known by a different name) were used by the Zoroastrian Magi. Any idea if this is true?
ChleotheWitch on December 24, 2012:
Great Post, What an excellent guide! Keep up the awesome work!
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on December 23, 2012:
Hello WiccanSage! Glad that you liked the "guide" (Hub). :) It is always special to use tools and items that we create from our own hands, intents and heartfelt conditions. :)
Thanks so much for stopping by, reading and commenting. :)
Mackenzie Sage Wright on December 23, 2012:
How great, excellent guide. I always treasure tools I can make myself so much more.
C M Fowler from Charlestown, Indiana on June 27, 2012:
krillco, I want to say thank you for showing that not all Christians are the far right wing nut jobs that get all of the press; that there are some that are actually following the true teachings of your religion.
Perhaps there is hope for an end to secular hatred after all.
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on June 27, 2012:
Hello Krillco! Thanks for stopping by, reading and commenting. It is most true of most objects that one creates and/or works with, that power and energy emerge from the creation between the creator and the created item. Thanks so much, also, for the vote up. :)
William E Krill Jr from Hollidaysburg, PA on June 27, 2012:
I too, voted this Hub 'up'. Even as a Christian believer, I enjoy learning about other kinds of spirituality. Healing is healing, it's all good. I have made many walking sticks that I have carved and decorated. And indeed, there is a kind of 'power' in such objects.
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on June 27, 2012:
Hello Lohrainne! Thanks for stopping by, reading and sharing in comment. Using wands certainly is about tapping into and/or magnifying energy, the same as many different healing techniques. :) I do appreciate the vote up as well. :)
Lohrainne Janell from Fairfield, IA on June 27, 2012:
Very interesting Hub. I have not read about wands before. What you write about feels so familiar to me and it is very much like I have used wands before, but not in this life. In Quantum Energetics Structured Therapy, which I do for clients, energy comes through my hands. I can feel energy flowing into my crown chakra and out my hands and fingers. It must be very much like using a wand. Voted up and very interesting.
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on June 26, 2012:
Thanks so much heavenleigh for stopping by, reading, commenting and voting up. :)
Heaven L Burkes from The Invincible Heart of Neverland on June 26, 2012:
Very interesting! Voted up. :)
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on June 26, 2012:
Thanks so much OldWitchcraft, for stopping by, reading and sharing. :) I use several wands myself as does my wife. Some are for specific purposes as you mention, then I have one that is my favorite and I classify that one as "general". :) I use that one most often, especially when doing workings away from home.
OldWitchcraft from The Atmosphere on June 26, 2012:
Good info. I have a collection of wands for different purposes. My homemade copper, clay and crystal wand is probably my best healing wand, though. I have a fancy wooden one that is Potter-esque - really nice, but it's mainly just for show.
Accolades!
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on June 26, 2012:
I certainly agree, Raptorcat. I have one that makes bronze items out of Florida that I resell for. As you said, it is hard to find artisans that create unique and well made pagan/Wiccan related items.
C M Fowler from Charlestown, Indiana on June 26, 2012:
I just wish I could find his card so that I could let the folks here know how to get one of his pieces. All I have is the phone# on the back of the tag for the wand that he made.
We have so few genuine artisan craftsmen that make magical tools for us, that we should be giving the few that are out there all the business that we can.
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on June 26, 2012:
Ahhh... I see, okay, thanks for the clarification. :) However, you still do display what I referenced in regards to the wands. :)
The craftsman sounds like he is excellent at what he does. :)
C M Fowler from Charlestown, Indiana on June 26, 2012:
Well, the named wand was named by it's creator, not by me.
When we were at B.A.R.F. a few years ago, I kept coming back to that wand, more than any other item he had (and he had a lot of very good wands and staffs), so I had to get it.
My wife got a staff from him that she kept coming back to, as well.
The guy is a very talented and and staff maker.
Dale Hyde (author) from Tropical Paradise on Planet X on June 26, 2012:
Greetings Raptorcat! Thank you for taking the time to drop by, read and share so much in comment.
I agree with your line of reasoning on fire and air with the wand representation of element. I think that the wand is like any other altar tool or tool used for magical and spell purposes. The tool becomes what the user charges it to become. Therefore, the wand could represent either fire or air or another element.
The two wands that you own and describe truly sound awesome. From your loving and most detailed description, I can see that you truly care for and honor the tools that you work with. Naming the second wand also reflects this. Many people fail in that area, to have a close spiritual connection with the tools they use. When one picks up the tool, energy should vibrate all around the person and the space from the connection made when the touch takes place. The intent then flows forward as you focus on what you are working on. Energy through connections such as this is what truly enhances the ability of one to work magic and spells very effectively.
Again, thanks so much for sharing!
C M Fowler from Charlestown, Indiana on June 26, 2012:
Great article, Dale.
This past weekend, when our coven met up, we were discussing the papers on air, that our students had to write up.
One thing that we found most interesting, and it applies to this article, is that there are two schools of thought on which element that wands are associated with.
the first, and most common is, as you pointed out, the element of fire, as in the tarot, but the other is air. Personally, I can see both, but I tend to agree with the association of air, rather than fire, though there are some trees who's seeds are germinated by fire, such as the giant Sequoia.
Again, that is personal and not a dictate of our path.
I, myself, own two wands; one is made from a male holly branch, loosely wrapped in copper wire and topped with a copper and leather bound clear crystal.
The male Holly branch was gifted to me from a former HPS at my initiation and is my most treasured wand for that reason.
The other wand that I own was made by a wand and staff maker that vends his wares at the Bay Area Renaissance festival in Tampa, FL (he's local to that area).
That wand is very unique because of the shape of it and the combinations of materials; it is black walnut, with a double prong at the base with a red jasper held in place (between the prongs) with silver, tiger's eye and red jasper on either side of a small eyelet spot halfway up it's length, also held in with silver and topped with a small clear quarts crystal. That one has a name: Avatar.
I will have to post pictures of them both when I get the chance.
