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 your middle finger to your elbow, and the diameter should be no larger than the widest part of your thumb. The large wand should be thirty-nine inches long and no larger than 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 on the following page. And once the process is finished, remember to continue your visits with the tree. It will not only be a friend for life, but a source of personal power in your magical life.
You will need:
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 tightly around each limb about a foot closer to the trunk than the cutting mark. Using the side of the handsaw, tap the end of the first branch three times and say:
Spirit of this Tree, my Friend
To lower portions now descend
Until I've done what I must do
So no harm or damage comes 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:
From trunk and root depths now ascend
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.
Now that you have the wand material, it's time to get on with 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 branches and bark from the wands. (If the 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.
Add three tablespoons of dried chamomile to a cup of boiling water~ cover, and allow to steep for thirty minutes. (If you can't find dried chamomile, don't fret. Just pick up a box of Chamomile Tea at the supermarket, 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 paintbrush to completely cover both wands five times with the solution. As you cover the wands, chant:
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, that's okay, too. The idea here is to personalize the wands and make them distinctly yours.
Sandalwood incense
Small dish of water
Salt
Set aside some time on the night of the next Full Moon to bless the wands. Sitting comfortably on the floor with the materials and wands in front of you, light the candle and incense. Breathe in deeply through your nose while visualizing the grounding energy of the Earth 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:
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 give you passion. Blessed be!
Lightly sprinkle the wands with water and say:
The blood of Life now. Blessed be!
Roots in magic. Blessed be!
From now until the end of time
I give you Life now willingly
As I will, so mote it be!
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, so mote it be
Wand
Information on Wands
Exercises to Strengthen the Power of you Wand
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