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Making a Magick Wand is a simple task however it will take you at least two full cycles of the full moon. So with this in mind, you will not need all your materials before you start to make yours. Take your time and look for things that call to you.

Now a branch (or what we call a rod) if properly prepared spiritually, can be a powerful tool on its own. Yet we felt you should have a wand with decorations to make it more powerful, beautiful, and personal.  With each one of these steps remember to empower your rod as you work on it.

We at Albany's Mystic Circle look for fallen sticks on the ground. But you can cut a straight, long thick branch from a tree. Do not forget to ask the tree's forgiveness and give it your thanks.

Take your rod home and clean cut both ends with a hand tool not a power tool. Then hollow out the tip of the rod so your crystal point can sit inside the hole. The point is where your energy will flow out. You may also add another hole at the other end for your crystal plug. The plug will help draw your energy from your hand and hold your energy in the rod.

Next you will need to clean and begin to charge your rod. To do this, soak your rod from one to three days in the simple condenser to soften up the wood. Strong chamomile tea will do. We pick herbs that fit the intent we wish for each wand. Remember to keep some of the condenser to "baste" onto the branch after it has been stripped. You may also want to soak a piece of natural fiber cloth in the condenser that you will later wrap your wand in when completed. This will bind your wand and wrap to each other.

You will notice some of the bark now peeling off your rod. Remove as much of this bark as you can with your working knife. Really try to take off as much as you can since it is easiest to remove when wet. If none of the bark is loose and you like the looks of the bark on your rod you may leave it on. Remember to keep some of your sandings for the incense used during consecrated. Now this important! Let it dry in a sunny window and where the moon shines on it for one full cycle of the full moon.

Once dry, use some sandpaper on the rough spots. Your rod may have some drying cracks in it. Maybe even a hole running up the center of the rod. If you are lucky one may run the length of the rod. If so, you will now add your copper wire otherwise wait until later. Notice where the cracks are and take one full un-cut piece of copper wire and push it into the crack the length of the rod with your working knife. Where the crack ends start to wrap the copper around the out side of it until your copper wire is the full length of your rod top to bottom. Leave enough copper at the tip so you will be able to add a few loops around your crystal’s base. Fill the cracks with wood filler. Let dry in your window again one full moon cycle.

Once dry, use some sandpaper on the rough spots. You can apply a coat of sealing agent to the rod or if you wish, you can leave it natural. We rub it down with essential oils that fit the intent we wish for each wand.

The next object to add on the wand is the crystal. These are used to focus energy. Look for the perfect crystal for the size and shape of your rod. A long one with an unbroken point. But the choice is yours. Find that perfect one you are drawn to. You may have to glue the tip of the rod so the crystal can sit inside it. Now this is important, put the glue around the sides of the hole NOT in the center so you do not block your energy flow.

If you have not done so already, finish wrapping the rod with your copper wire. Put it straight down one or more sides or circle it around and around. Twist it around the crystal base.

One of the best beginning decorations is to wrap the rod. It is best to use natural materials. You can use anything from silver wire, to leather cord, hemp cording, to silk ribbon. Cover most or all the rod. We cut down leather jackets from second hand stores for our cording and patches. Wrap tightly at each end with a loose wrap around through the middle of the rod. Try a suede patch on the handle as a good insulator. Black and brown is a common color to use since it is a blend of all colors. You can fix your wrapping, cord or ribbon, with strong glue. You may also wish to leave inches of extra cording if you wish to dangle charms and feathers from the handle.

Along the middle of the rod, you may want to fix some of the small tumbled stones. When choosing stones, it is usually best to go by the energy in the stone than it's beauty. Hold the stone in the palm of your non-writing hand, if your hand tingles, the stone usually has good energy. The stone will NOT always make a tingle or heat in your hand, so keep testing stones and go by your intuition. Always consider the size of the stone to the size of the rod. You can attach them with strong glue and they usually stay.

Now add those small charms or gemstone beads. Have them hanging from the handle or hilt of the rod. Make sure your charms have meaning! You can also use wooden or glass beads as well. Also try to attach the feathers, shells or anything else that's small and able to string or glue onto the end of a cord. Keep the cords small though, if they are too long they will become a hassle when you cast your circle because they will bang against your wrist. Now add the small feathers around the tip of your rod. Wrap with cording. Glue if needed.

This is where Albany's Mystic Circle edds our making of the wand. We here at Albany’s Mystic Circle will wrap up the wand and prepare it to be mailed to you. Once you recieve it you will need to continue on with these instructions.

MAKING YOUR WAND YOUR OWN

The final step in actually making your wand is this: carve or burn your initials or magickal name into the rod. Carving is easier, in my opinion. Start with the plug end of the wand and letter your wand. You may choose to write the figures either horizontally or vertically along the rod. You should use a script such as Runes or the Ogham Tree Alphabet. One example looks like this:

//  ||    /////  ||  |_____
//   ||   /////          |||
J    O     R      D   A   N

Once your wand is made, it is time to consecrate it. It is recommended that you consecrate your completed wand before you try to use it. Since you will have to wait until the next full moon to do this, and you have been charging it with your creative energy as you made it, you should wrap your wand in a piece of natural cloth. This could be the piece of natural fiber cloth you dipped into the condenser.

At the full moon, you should cleanse your wand by the elements by passing it through incense smoke for air and fire, and into salted water for water and earth. If you kept some of your bark and condenser add them to your ritual. Then leave the wand outside or on your windowsill in the moonlight until the next night’s moon. Make sure no one disturbs it but you. Touch the wand often. Your wand is now complete and ready for use. 

Remember, while the wand is a powerful tool, the power is not in the wand itself, but in YOU. You push your energy into and through it. 

 

WAND CONSECRATION

Take your wand outdoors at sunset and rub it with fresh lavender, eucalyptus or mint leaves.  Raise the wand in the air towards the Moon. Then point the wand to the East. And invoke the Goddess. Leave it in the light of the moon. At sunrise, rub it with fresh basil and rosemary. Lay the wand on the ground with its point towards the South. Walk clockwise around it three times, scattering bay leaves over. Take it up and stand facing south holding it upward but with arms lowered, invoke the God to infuse the wand with his power.  Point it to the sky, invoking the Goddess to charge the wand with her love and power. Leave it in the light of the moon until the following day. Then take your wand indoors. Cast your Circle and secure your sphere. Place the wand on your pentacle or a plate of salt. Touch the wand with your projective hand.  Send projective energy into the wand. Sprinkle the wand with salt.  Hold the wand up in your projective hand saying: "I charge you by the Old Ones, by the omnipotent Goddess and God: by the virtues of the Sun, Moon and Stars; by the powers of the Earth, Air, Fire and Water, that I shall obtain all I desire through you. Charge this by your power, Old Ones!"

WAND DEDICATION

On a night during an auspicious waxing moon, place the wand on your alter on top of a pentacle or a plate of sea salt. Cast a magical circle around your working area and secure your sphere. Banished all evil thoughts and distractions, invite the spirits of the four quarters to enter your circle and give their wisdom, protection, and strength to your new wand. Light candles, incense, and prepare a small container of anointing fluid. The anointing fluid is a mix of the condenser, scented oil, water and should contain some of your own bodily fluids (blood, saliva). The point is to create a dramatic physical and astral connection between you and your wand.  Sit before your altar facing south and purify yourself with water by touching it to your forehead. First say: “I charge you by the Old Ones, by the omnipotent Goddess and God; by the virtues of the Sun, Moon and Stars; by the powers of the Earth, Air, Fire and Water, that I shall obtain all I desire through you. Charge this by your power, Old Ones!" Then, taking the wand in your favored hand, anoint it with the anointing fluid, stroking it up and down its length. Send projective energy into the wand. Hold the wand up in your projective hand saying: "I [name] anoint thee to bind thee to me in magical work. Thou art mine and I am thine."   Then, holding the wand in both hands by the ends, send your energy into the wand as you pass it through the flame of your candle (being careful not to char the wood!) and say: "With this fire I consecrate and dedicate thee to Elemental Fire and the achievement of my magical  intentions."   Holding the wand tightly, chant the following: "By Agni, by Ignis, my courage inflame: Bright Obraash, brave Ambash, and swift Orion --Sun, Hunter, Stag -- with thy ardor strong Join now this wand to my magic name."   At this point, whisper your name to the receptive end of the wand. Now, visualize your body of light shining, radiant with lambent fire. Feel the light and heat pulsing out of the palms of your hands into the wand. Imagine, with your inner eyes, the core of the wand glowing with red-gold fire. Fill the wand with your spirit until it shines with ethereal light. Lastly, give your wand a secret name (which you should tell no one) by whispering the name into the wand's receptive end. After you feel you have meditated and chanted long enough, ring a bell to signal the end of the enchantment, wrap your wand in its cloth, and keep it on your person, and then close your circle as you wish, thanking the spirits of fire and the south.  It is a good idea to handle your wand and even sleep with it touching your body (but don't break it!) for the first week or so, and periodically thereafter. You should keep it in a safe place, wrapped in cloth, and reserve it for serious magical work. If you mess around with it and use it as a theatrical prop, it may develop a cavalier attitude and become hard to work with when you want to cast a real spell. Remember to treat your wand with the utmost respect!