Magic WandsWoods Unit 1 - lecture

part 1

Harry PotterEach character from the movie has their own particular wand.Each wands design and material composition is unique to its individual user.“It’s the wand that chooses the Wizard.”

A wand is a thin, straight, hand-held stick, usually made of wood, ivory or metal which is considered to be

generally used in witchcraft/magic for casting various kinds of spells.

QUESTION: Is there a difference between magic and witchcraft?

Some religions use wands as part of ceremonial rituals. This is true even today – can you think of any examples?

In some branches of magic, wands are used for the channeling of energy or to help focus concentration.

In magic today – a wand is often used for misdirection.

Traditional wand woods are oak, hazel or other trees and are pruned and then carved or decorated to create a wand that suits the

magician.

Wands can be kept plain wood (with bark or without) or can be embellished with other items such yarn or

cord (or other material) as hand grips for the hand or tips

(to help focus and channel energy).

You should also think about the branch joints – keep or remove?

Carved or embellished handles work not only for decoration but for good

grip as well.This also allows the use of personal symbols or signs.

Surface decoration?

Hot glue used to create surface decoration…

Alternative materials…

• Crystal, glass and metal, while not as popular or as common as wood, are all traditional wand materials.

• Plastic is also another 21st century option.

Natural elements…

Copper tubing and crystal…

How will additional materials be attached?

What additional materials (if any) will you use? Remember that all the materials should be a very personal choice reflective of you as an individual.

Modern Materials…

Consider in your sketches, modern materials as well as traditional.

Remember, through history craftsmen have always used what was at hand.

Therefore its easy to assume that ancient craftsmen creating wands today, wouldn’t shy away from items like plastic, fiber optics, lenses and lights, sound and a variety of other “new

stuff”.

Don’t limit your thinking – work hard, but think harder!

The StaffMoses is believed

to have carried a hazel staff which is mentioned many times in the Bible, and was used in the “creation” of many miracles (which could be considered “magic”).

Staffs have been the mainstay of wizards throughout history.

Sauruman’s staff (from the LOTR) represents or exhibits his obsession

with metal and gears, turning his face from the natural world.

Gandalf’s is a symbol in the same way. His also changes to show his growth through out the books and movies.

Native American dance staves

Modern religion still makes use of the staff as a symbol of power

and office.One of the Papal Staff’s and Pope John Paul II’s favorite personal staff.

As does the military

(and society in general).

FUN STUFF…Items related to, but not

necessarily wands (or magical) that can be seen as relatives of

the wand and used as inspiration.

Native American

prayer sticks

Native American dance sticks

African tribal elders staff

The Flail

Similar to a medieval battle flail, used to show royal and warrior status.The

CrookA shepherds

crook, for use in

allowing Pharaoh to use all the

items he was buried

with.

Aztec ceremonial dagger

The Mace• The mace was

originally a deadly club-like weapon, often with spikes to pierce armor.– Originally became

popular as a means to “smash through” armor.

• The English word "mace" is derived from the French word "masse" (large mallet).

• King Edward I appointed twenty such mace-toting Royal Sergeants.

British crown jewels…During the 14th Century, the mace evolved into a symbol of authority with

precious metals and jewels (sometimes now called a scepter) used in place of the spikes,

and retaining a decorative orb (usually) on or near the top.

Cornerstone University Mace

• Today, the mace’s significance is primarily ceremonial and denotes authority, signaling an official gathering.

• It is usually carried at the head of processions, academic and religious, by a special honoree.

• Universities throughout the world take great pride in their own particular mace.

• Each University spends a great deal of time and effort to create designs with rich symbolism and history relating to the specific institution.

Sketching…

Some other stuff (inspiration)…

Some more University Maces…

Summary of woods used for magical wandsSource - http://www.esotericarchives.com/wands/index.html

• Acacia - According to Franz Bardon, "the wood of an oak or an acacia, too, is an excellent material for making a magic wand."

• Almond - This wood is specificed in the Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage. The wand of the magician may be made of any nut wood according to the Key of Solomon. According to Agrippa (OP1.26), almond and other woods of nut trees are associated with the planet Jupiter. Levi recommends the magic wand be made of almond or hazel.

• Apple - The druidic wizard Mannanàn Mac Lir carried a wand of apple ( Peter Berresford Ellis, A Brief History of the Druids , New York, Carroll & Graf, 2002, p. 249.).

• Ash - According to Franz Bardon, a magic wand made of ash is especially to be used in healing people. Yates recounts details of an Irish "fairy doctor" -- one whose mystical power is received from fairies -- who observed many traditional practices, including carrying a wand of ash during prayer.

• Bay - According to Ad. 36674 (fol. 73r) and Sloane 3850 (fol. 98v), the magical scepter must be made of a bay tree.

• Box - According to the Key of Solomon box and oak have "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of Jupiter. According to MC this is a sacred tree associated with the zodiacal sign of Libra.

• Buckthorn - Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal sign of Aquarius (MC).• Cane - The staff of the magician may be made of cane according to the Key of

Solomon• Cedar - According to the Key of Solomon cornel and cedar have "some quality

referring especially unto the spirits" of Mars.

• Dogwood - Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal sign of Scorpio (MC).• Ebony - Ebony is named as the wood of Hermes in one ancient Greek spell

(Faraone, p. 202.) This wood is specified by Trithemius in his treatise on invoking angels to appear in a crystal. The Egyptian king Nectanebus used a rod or wand of ebony along with magic formulae to animate models of his enemies and attack them. (Budge, 1930, p. 488; 1971, p. 92.) An Ebony wand is used in the Graeco-Egyptian spell PGM I.335 (Betz p. 12).

• Elder - The staff of the magician may be made of elder according to the Key of Solomon. Grimorium Verum specifies a wand of elder should be used in preparing the parchment, and is also used in preparing the pentacles and magic rings. According to the method of Abognazar a special staff of elder is used for operations of Venus only. According to Franz Bardon, "the wand made of elder-wood, proves, on account of its analogy to Saturn, especially efficient when calling up or evoking elemental spirits and demons."

• Elm - Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal sign of Pisces (MC).HazelMultiple sources including the Key of Solomon, Weyer, Goetia, Grand Grimoire, Levi, .... According to MC this is a sacred tree associated with the zodiacal sign of Cancer. According to the Key of Solomon hazel has "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of Mercury.

• Chestnut - Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal sign of Leo (MC).• Cornel - According to the Key of Solomon cornel and cedar have "some quality

referring especially unto the spirits" of Mars. • Cypress - Used to make a magic circle for the experiment of the Black Hen (Fr. poule

noire, It. gallina nera) found in several grimoires.

• Holly - Holly is the whitest of all woods, and has been used in making piano keys. It was considered sacred by the druids, and played a part in the magic of the Greeks and Romans. It was especially suitable for divination. In early Europe, holly and other thorny plants were believed to repel all evil spirits. (Gale, p. 2.) The same apotropaic properties were noted by Pliny the Elder (23-79 CE).

• Oak - A rod of this material is used in the operation of the magic garters, according to Abognazar.JuniperAccording to the Key of Solomon juniper and pine "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of Saturn.

• Laurel - Wands of laurel are found in multiple spells in the Magical Papyri. Called "Apollo's holy plant of presage" and "Phoibos' mistress" (Betz pp. 15, 110, 112) A sprig of laurel held in the right hand is said to be a protective charm (PGM I, Betz op. cit. p. 10). Also used in Graeco-Egyptian spells PGM I.335, II.6, II.22 (Betz p. 12, 13). According to the Key of Solomon laurel has "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of the Sun. According to MC this is a sacred tree associated with the zodiacal sign of Gemini. On magical uses of laurel see also L. Deubner, Kleine Schriften zur Klassischen Altertumskunde (Königstein: Hain, 1982, p. 401-2.) According to Porphyry (On Images, fragment 8), laurel "is full of fire, and therefore hated by daemons."

• Myrtle - According to the Key of Solomon myrtle has "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of Venus. Marvin Meyer's book Ancient Christian Magic includes a spell which involves a branch of myrtle held in the right hand (p. 272). The use of a Myrtle branch is also found in the Graeco-Egyptian spell mentioned above (Betz, p. 5.) According to MC this is a sacred tree associated with the zodiacal sign of Taurus.

• Olive - Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal sign of Aries (MC). Wands of olive are also found in the Greek Magical Papyri (e.g. Betz, p. 109.) According to Butler (p. 145) Casanova (1725-1798) used a magic wand made of olive wood, approximately 18 inches long.

• Palm - A twig of palm is held in the right hand during a ritual described in the Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses (T2). Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal sign of Sagittarius (MC).

• Pear - Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal sign of Virgo (MC).• Pine - According to the Key of Solomon juniper and pine "some quality referring especially

unto the spirits" of Saturn. According to MC this is a sacred tree associated with the zodiacal sign of Capricorn.

• Pomegranate - This wood is also mentioned as acceptable for the baresman in Zoroastrian ritual.

• Poplar - Grillot de Givry (Witchcraft, Magic & Alchemy, p. 308) shows a magical operation which features a "wand of poplar-wood, 'half without bark'."

• Quince - This wood is specified for the staff of the magician according to La Vera Clavicola del Re Salomone.

• Rosewood - The staff of the magician may be made of rosewood according to the Key of SolomonTamariskZoroastrian magi

• Walnut - The wand of the magician may be made of any nut wood according to the Key of Solomon

• Willow - According to the Key of Solomon willow has "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of the Moon. According to Bardon, "hazelnut or willow are to be used for a wishing-wand. The wishing-wand is a modification of the magic wand.... In making magic wands willow twigs may also be used for any type, for the willow is a very good fluid condenser." Wormwood - Used in Graeco-Egyptian spell PGM III.704 (Betz p.

• Yew - Traditionally considered a sacred tree among the Irish, the yew deeply rooted in Irish folklore. It has long been known to have toxic properties.

Why does the flag fly backwards on the sleeves of

American soldiers?

The Flail…A derivative of the mace used to get more force behind a blow (and harder to handle).

Cat-o-nine tails (flail):

Similar to a flail except with many strands, each often ending in a sharp metal or stone barb, that would penetrate (shallowly) and rip the skin.

Jesus of Nazareth was beat with a flail prior to crucifixion – flagellation was a very common Roman punishment.