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Post by Mysti on Jul 6, 2007 22:10:50 GMT -5
The Wand
Element: Air
Direction: East
Color: Yellow
Gender: Male/Female
Since preinitiate wands are traditionally created from the wood of a living fruit or willow tree, making these tools takes some time. It isn't as simple as cutting a couple of branches. You must first find a tree that appears to be healthy and strong. And then you have to befriend it. This isn't always as easy as it sounds. Fact is you have to talk to it. Get to know it. Hug it and love it. You even have to bring it gifts(cornmeal,tobacco, and fertilizer sticks are good choices). Yes, this sort of behavior tends to raise the eyebrows of unsuspecting passersby. For this reason, you may wish to work with a tree in the privacy of your back yard, or locate one in a fairly remote area.
Once you've formed a good rapport with the tree, ask permission to cut its branches. Tell it you will need a small branch and a large one for your magical work. Put your arms around it and listen for a response. You may not actually hear it speaking at this point, but should get a feeling of how to proceed. If the response is negative or you get no feeling at all, dont worry. Know that the tree has its own reasons for denying your request. Just go to another tree, form a new friendship, and try again. Eventually u'll find a tree that is right for you.
If the response is positive in nature, howerver, thank the tree by giving it a hug. Then, walking in a counter clockwise direction, encircle its base while visualizing a protective circle of white light forming around it. Feed the tree positive energy, and leave it a small gift before saying goodbye.
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Post by Mysti on Jul 6, 2007 22:11:16 GMT -5
Wand Harvest
Continue to visit the tree, but wait until the next Full Moon to harvest the necessary branches. The small wand should measure the distance from the tip of you middle finger to your elbow, and the diameter should be no larger then the widest part of you thumb. The large wand should be thirty~nine inches long and no larger then two inches in diameter. Because you'll want to cause your friend the least amount of discomfort possible, pay careful attention to the harvest instructions outlined here. And once the process is finished, remember to continue your visits to the tree. It will not only be a friend for life, but a source of personal power in your magical life.
Materials
Yardstick or tape measure
Pencil or Marking Pen
2 12~inch lengths of ribbon or cord
Sharp handsaw
5-6 Fertilizer sticks(gift for the tree)
Gather the materials and locate the tree. Talk to it a bit. Hug it, stroke it, and remind it of the reason for your visit.
Measure the appropriate branch lengths and clearly mark the cutting lines, then tie a piece of ribbon or cord tightly around each limb about a foot closer to the trunk of the tree then the cutting mark. Using the handsaw, tap the end of the first branch three times and say:
Spirit of this Tree, my Friend
To lower portions now decend
Until I've done what I must do
So no harm or damage com to you
Repeat with the second limb, then make the cuts quickly and smoothly. Untie the ribbons and give the tree a big hug. Call its spirit back by saying:
O Spirit of this Tree, my Friend
From trunk and root depths now asend
Into the form You've always been
Grow tall, be well, and green again
Shove the fertilizer sticks into the ground at the base of the trunk, thank the tree, and leave.
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Post by Mysti on Jul 6, 2007 22:11:37 GMT -5
Wand Creation
Now that you have the wand material, it's time to get on w/ the fun stuff! And though toolmaking is undoubtedly serious business, it's important to unleash your creativity and enjoy the process. It's also important not to get in a hurry. The more time you spend working on your tools, the more energy you put into them. And it's your personal energy that makes them powerful. Besides, you have plenty of time to prepare and decorate your wands exactly as you want. You won't be consecrating them until the light of the next Full Moon, at the earliest.
Materials
Fine grain sandpaper
Sharp knife
Clean, soft paintbrush
3 tablespoons dried chamomile
Almond oil or a floral/fruity essential oil of your choice
Paper towels
Stones, feathers, seashells, and so on (optional)
Wood glue or rubber cement(optional)
Remove all small brances and bark from the wands. (If bark doesn't strip away easily, try soaking the rods in the bathtub overnight to loosen it.) Then smooth the wands with sandpaper.
Using the knife, carefully carve a notch in the large wand ends, and whittle the small ends into points. (These shapes symbolize the female and male energies, respectively.) Sand both ends until smooth.
Carve runes or symbols into them, or add your name if you like. ( there is a page here designed for runes and thier meanings)
Add three tablespoons of dried chamomile to a cup of boiling water, cover, and allow to steep for thirty minutes.( If you cant find dried chamomile, dont't fret. Just pick up a box of Celestial Blends Sleepy-Time Tea at the supermarket. It's made of chamomile and will work just as well. Use three teabags to one cup of water.) As the tea steeps, enchant it by saying something like:
Herb of great power--of magic and grace--
Flow into this liquid, and now interlace
Your strength and your might as you steep into tea
In the names of the Ancient Ones, SO MOTE IT BE
After the tea cools, use the paint brush to completely cover both wands five times with the solution. As you cover the wands chant:
Wand, gather the magic from this herbal soak
Grow in power and might with my every stroke
Allow the wands to air dry in a dark place for three days.
Rub a generous amount of almond or essential oil between your hands, then work the oil into the wands to prevent the wood from cracking. Allow them to rest for the next three days.
If you like, decorate the wands with stones, shells, feathers, or other items. Use whatever materials you want. If you'd prefer plain, undecorated wands, thats ok too. The idea here is to personalize the wands and make them distinctly yours.
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Post by Mysti on Jul 6, 2007 22:11:59 GMT -5
Blessing Ritual(Wands)
Materials
White Candle
Sandalwood incense
Small dish of water
Salt
Set aside some time on the night of the next Full Moon to bless the wands. Sitting comfortable on the floor with the materials and wands in front of you, light the candle and the incense. Breath in deeply through your nose while visualizing the grounding energy of the earht filling your body. Then exhale fully through your mouth, expelling all negative energy. Repeat this process until you feel completely at ease and relaxed.
Pass the wands through the incense smoke and say:
With scented Air so light and free
I give you breath now. Blessed Be!
Being careful not to burn yourself or catch the wands on fire, pass them quickly through the candle flame and say:
With Fire that dances wild and free
I ive you passion, Blessed Be!
Lightly sprinkle the wands with water and say:
With Water so pure, I give to Thee
The blood of Life now. Blessed Be!
Sprinkle the wands with a bit of salt and say:
With the salt of the Earth, I give to Thee
Roots in magic. Blessed be!
Then hold the wands close to your heart and lovingly caress them with your fingers . Say:
I am yours and your are mine
From now until the end of time
I give you Life now willingly
As I will, SO MOTE IT BE!
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Post by Mysti on Jul 6, 2007 22:12:19 GMT -5
Tool Consecration Ritual(Wands)
After the wands are blessed, it's time to consecrate them. Take the wands outdoors if possible, and hold them up to the Moon. Then invoke the Lord and Lady by saying something like
Lord and Lady, hear my plea
Please be present here with me
As I dedicate these wands to You
And to Your work--both old and new
Lend Your power and Your might
Infuse them with Your love and light
Bless these wands I offer Thee
As I will it, SO MOTE IT BE
The wands are now ready for magical use. Wrap the wands in cloth as an insulative measure against the vibrations of others, and store them away until you're ready to use them.
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