Sparrow's
Nest~Wands Upon A Time!
By Claude Swinburne and Kat Clark, Sparrow by Robin Ator
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Happy
Spring, everyone! You know it's time for the Vernal Equinox when my fellow
birds-of-a-feather return from their winter rest in warmer climes. They
migrate straight as a wand back to their mating sites, be it swallows
returning to Capistrano, California, or sparrows like me returning to
your back yard. Returning birds have one focus point: the place where
they have always built their nests. It's like magic! |
Pagans and Wiccans need powerful focus points as well, and the tools to help achieve them. We already discussed the Athame. Another such director of power is the wand. Think about it. Although most folks who use Athames in their traditions will tell you that their blade is the stronger tool, what always figures in fairy tales and Disney movies? That's right, the magic wand! Just watch the fairy godmother in Cinderella, bippity-boppity-booing all kinds of magical changes, or Sleeping Beauty's godmothers casting a life-altering spell--you KNOW there's a lot of “juice” in them there wands! And... let's not forget Glinda's, topped with a pentagram no less!
Why are wands considered so powerful? They are directly linked to Nature and the four elements, the source of all physical life. Wood wands, in particular, are quite common because they hold elements of earth, fire, water and air. In Irish myth, oak, ash, thorn and hazel are the most noble of the trees and, therefore, the best for wand making, but you can use any that “speak” to you. One of our friends, author Pauline Campanelli, liked to use a fallen twig from her favorite twisted filbert tree!
The tree is anchored in earth, draws water and nutrients from the soil, releases oxygen through its leaves, and is burned for fuel. Wood naturally conducts energy. Other materials are popular as well, and for the same reason: conductivity. Crystal wands are great at drawing energy from your hand chakra and directing it outward, as are those made of copper.
Your wand can be as simple or fancy as you like. The feel is most important. How does it rest in your hand? Does it feel too light, too heavy, or too awkward? When you extend your arm and point at an object in the distance, does it seem like a natural part of you, or does your arm get weak and shaky? When you draw a pentagram in the air, can you sense your energy moving outward through the wand? These are things to consider when making your selection.
Obtaining a wand can be as simple as finding a fallen branch with an interesting twig, buying one from a Craft store or festival, or making your own. Crafting a wand yourself allows you to bind your energy to the wand at all times, not just when it's in use. In fact, you can easily craft a wand that combines wood, crystal AND copper with a little effort and a touch of help from your adult family or coven members. And how is this miracle accomplished? Check back next issue when I'll show you how to make a wand just for you!
Until then, this is Sparrow saying keep your feathers dry and your heads held high! Happy Equinox!