104 Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard
the powers of divination and prophecy. Different ver-
sions of the wand include the stage magician’s wand,
the batons of the symphony conductor and the drum
major, the swagger sticks of the army general and the
movie director, and the divining rod used for dows-
ing or water-witching. The wand is a phallic (penis)
symbol, and has always been associated with divine
wisdom. As an Elemental tool, it represents the Ele-
ment of either Air or Fire. (Although I associate the
wand with Air and the athamé with Fire, in Ceremo-
nial Magick the wand is considered a tool of Fire,
and the dagger is an Air tool.)
To a magician, his wand is an extension of him-
self—a measure of his ability, wisdom, and imagina-
tion. Personalized as to size, shape, and design, he
values this tool above all others. In ritual, the wand
serves to unite our body, mind, and soul with that of
universal consciousness to bring into manifestation
our magickal desires. The wand has remained such a
classic symbol of the Wizard and his powers that fra-
ternal societies of stage magicians often perform spe-
cial wand-breaking ceremonies at the funerals of their
members.
In some traditions, wands may be made of metal
as well as wood. The snake priestesses of Minoan
Crete used metal snake wands. Some Kurgan grave
goods also contain items identified as metal wands.
Most commonly these were made of bronze, but sil-
ver and gold were also used. The Druidic Priesthood
included seven levels, and each priest carried a cer-
emonial wand of a metal specially designated to that
level. Metal wands may be seen as a balance of all
Elements, as all are necessary to their creation.
A number of excellent magickal craftspeople like
Abby Willowroot and Don Waterhawk make beauti-
ful wands of metal, with crystals and fancy filigree.
Abby feels that their primary energy is Air and Fire.
Because the actual function of a wand is to be a con-
ductor of magickal energy, any conductive metal (such
as silver or copper) will certainly serve. Wooden
wands, however, are the most traditional in Wizardry,
and this is what I’ll be teaching you here. Later, you
may acquire others as well, which you may use for
various purposes....
The wand you will be making in this lesson is
called a baculum (Latin for “stick;” also the term for
penis bones in some mammals—bears, raccoons,
whales...). It is used for finding things out, for di-
recting your energies, and for sending your thought
images out to work their magick in the world. Like
many other magickal tools, your wand should be spe-
cially made by and for you alone, according to your
own measurements. As this is your most basic tool of
Magick, I’ll be going into far more detail on its mak-
ing than for any other tools.Task: Cutting Your Wand
First, find a living fruit tree, such as a hazel or al-
mond (willow will do if you can’t find a fruit or nut
tree), with a straight section of branch, free of twigs,
at least as long as your arm from your elbow to the tip
of your longest finger. The thickness is not as impor-
tant as the length, as long as it feels right in your hand.
If you live in the southeastern part of the U.S., you
may be able to find branches that have been twisted
into spiral shapes by vines growing around them. If
you can’t find a vine-twisted fruit or willow branch,
you may be able to find one of dogwood. These make
terrific wands!
Once you have found a tree from which you wish
to cut your wand, wait until sunset on a Wednesday
(the day of Mercury) when the Moon is waxing. Be-
fore you make any cuts, pour water on the roots of the
tree and explain to it what you wish to do. Ask permis-
sion from the dryad of that tree, saying something like:“Gracious Willow, I offer you water and I ask
a boon. I request a branch from you that I may
make a wand with which to practice magick in
the service of all Life. I pledge to honor your
sacrifice and use it wisely. Blessed be.”Sit quietly for a few moments and listen carefully with
your heart for the tree’s answer. If the answer is no,
bow to the tree and go elsewhere. If the answer is yes,
bow to the tree, mark where you want to make the
cuts, and use a sharp hacksaw to make smooth cuts at
each end. Cut it a bit longer than you think you will
need, then trim it up later. Be sure to put some mud
on the tree’s wound to help it heal, and thank the tree
before you leave.Trimming and Shaping Your Wand
You should trim your wand on the same evening
as you cut it. Using a sharp paring or pocketknife (or
athamé if you have one), carefully peel all the bark
from the branch. Avoid as much as possible cutting
or nicking the inner wood—or yourself!
While you are doing this, you should chant
to keep your magickal intention focused on
your task: “Blessed by thou rod of power;
Blessed be thou rod of wisdom....” When this
is done, place the larger end of the branch on
your arm inside your elbow (left or right; the
hand you use to write with). Bend your el-
bow, hold your forearm straight up,
and mark the branch right at the tip of
your longest finger. Cut if off there.
You now have the basic baculum.
Wrap it in linen or silk, and set it aside to dry for
a month, until the next Wednesday of the waxing
Moon. The wood will be good and dry, so unwrap
your wand and sand it smooth with fine sandpaper,- Practice.p65 104 1/14/2004, 4:20 PM