Wand Building: Phase One

As I’m still figuring out what I’m going to build as a lamp for my Illumination, I decided to start constructing my wand last night.  I had a brain-melting day at work yesterday, so I figured something fairly simple was just what my mind needed to unwind for the evening.

I selected the wood for my wand a little over a week ago out in our woodshed.  I found it in a wheelbarrow that just had random wood chunks in it, leftovers from a dead tree removal we had done over a year ago.  This made the wood ideal as it was bone dry, and it hadn’t developed any splits.  I stored my selected piece with my sacred objects while I waited for an opportunity to work on it, hoping it would become accustomed to the other items.

I started by removing all of the bark with my AthamÈ.  Even though it’s still not consecrated, using the AthamÈ in the creation process will help bind the two objects together.  After I removed all the bark I went out to our shop and used a bit of modern equipment to finish the rough shape and the first round of smoothing.  I don’t mind doing things the old way, but using a dull knife on the bark was enough for me.  After basic shaping and smoothing, I did the final steps with plain old sandpaper.  I didn’t try to get every little nick and bump out for a couple of reasons.  First, I think it adds character to something to have those little imperfections in it.  Second, most of the harder to remove marks were caused by my AthamÈ, and I didn’t want to remove its influence from the wand.

Just to keep the wood from getting wacky after I removed its natural protection, I put a single layer of a light oil finish on it.  It’s not the final finish it will receive, but it will protect the bare wood from insects and other harm until I finish it.  I also anointed it with a couple drops of blood to start the processes of binding the wand to my will.

Before I consider the wand complete, I will engrave some relevant elements on the shaft.  I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet, but both my AthamÈ and the wand will need some form of personalized inscription before the process is finished.  If fact, the other two objects I have left to make (chalice, pentagram) will also have to be etched/engraved before I perform the consecration ritual.  I’m just happy that I don’t have to hurry in this process.  Yes, it is taking me a while to get to everything, but I feel like I’m making more thoughtful decisions, which should help the efficacy of the entire journey.

Athame in my possession…

I’m not usually a fan of birthdays, but when one is really well-timed, they can be pretty handy.  For my birthday this year I got a beautiful double-edged dagger.  How fortunate that I was in need of a ceremonial dagger (Athame) and it all just seemed to work out.

Now I just need to consecrate the silly thing and I’ll have a tool that I can use in some of the rituals that I perform.  The only problem is, I haven’t decided exactly what my ritual will be yet.  There is such a wide array of opinions as to the consecration of magical tools that it makes me feel like I’m at a buffet.  I’m thinking I’ll start with some candles and incense, take a large serving of focused meditation for the main course, perhaps a side of an appropriate incantation, and finish it all off with a bit of blood anointing for desert.

It’s nice to not be bound to one single magical paradigm, as I can pull together the pieces that will make it a meaningful ritual for me.  I have never found any one discipline that I have found all-encompassing, but all of them contain something there I find interesting, and can find use for in the future.