Grab a spoon, and dip it in a big bowl of change. Magic is only a bite away. And is waiting there just for you.

Once again we are learning more about Wicca beliefs by focusing and will soon be learning how to keep your mind blank for ten minutes.

Most of The Craft Rituals are magic to me because they are attainable yet gentle. Once again, the spells and crafts I give to you are those taken from the "Book of Shadows" by Dorothy Morrison, a Wiccan High Priestess of the Georgian Tradition.

The craft is accepting, generous, and loving

It's gentle, unobtrusive,and supportive. It's

an ethical way of life that, once embraced,

brings immeasurable Joy and wonder to

everyday living.

In Basic Witchery, The Moon is so important and resembles the following;

• The Moon / Goddess Connection-Because its feminine in quality,the Goddess is often symbolized by the phases of the Moon. Each phase vibrates separately.
• Waxing Moon / Light Maiden - When the moon grows from light to full, we use its energies for anything that requires increase,growth, or enhancement. It's a good time to work magic involving inspiration, new love and friendships, financial prosperity, healing, increased physical stamina, and garden planting.
• Full Moon / Mother - The moons energy is most potent when it reaches this stage. And while you can use it to boost any effort, it's of real benefit to especially complicate workings or difficult situations.
• Waning Moon / Dark Maiden - When the moon shrinks from full to dark, we use its vibration for anything that we want to diminish or eliminate.  This energy works well for efforts that involve dieting, breaking bad habits, and eliminating stress or depression.
• Dark Moon / Crone - Some practitioners use this phase to rest, regenerate, and regroup.  Others use its energies for psychic work, divination, and delving into past life memories.

Fairy Tales and childhood impressions aside,the wand is probably the most important utensil in a Witches Toolbox.

Element; Air

Direction; East

Color; Yellow

Gender; Male/Female

People all over the world associate Witches with wands. Witches connect them to the tool. It is an instrument to manifest any number of supernatural phenomena in the physical realm.  Also because it's magical uses are so widespread.  Simply put, it's the one tool that most serious practitioners just can't and won't do without.

Understanding wands, and their uses.

What seems most interesting to newcomers, though, is that there's more than just one wand in the Witches' basic tool assortment.

The small wand is generally used to conduct and generate energy. The large wand, however, is better suited towards attracting and repelling energy. Like having two sides of a magical coin, working together.

Before we begin to create wands, it is important to understand exactly what each one is used for, and what they are capable of.

Below, is a partial list, but don't stop there, put your thinking cap on, you may be able to make a personal connection with something else that could be surprisingly handy.

• Drinking Straw - matter mobilization
• Pencil - communication, definition
• Ruler -measurement, division
• Stick or Club - defense, separation
• Board -building
• Candle - illumination
• Closet Pole -support

Creating a wand is not just as simple as cutting down a tree branch.

First, you must find a tree that is healthy and strong. A willow tree.

Then, you have to talk to it, touch it, sing if you wish, get to know it, hug it and love it. Don't rush. Don't mind the raised eyebrows you will be sure to get by those passing by. For this reason you may want to work with a tree as private as you can.

Once you have a good rapport with the tree, wait until the next full moon to harvest the necessary branches.

The small wand should distance from the tip of your middle finger to your elbow, and the diameter no wider than the width of your thumb.

The large wand should be 39 inches long and no larger than 2 inches in diameter.

Just as a reminder once the Harvest is finished, remember to continue your visits with the tree.

Materials;

1. yardstick or tape measure
2. 2-12 inch lengths of ribbon or cord
3. pencil or marking pen
4. sharp handsaw
5. 5-6 fertilizer sticks (gift for tree)

Gather these materials and go to your tree. Remind it as you talk to it why you are there.

Measure the appropriate branch lengths, and clearly mark the cutting lines, then tie a ribbon around each limb, tightly. Approximately one foot closer to the trunk than the cutting mark.

Using the non sharp side of the hand saw tap the branch three times and say;

Spirit of my Tree, my Friend

To lower portions now descend

Until I have 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, hug the tree and call it's spirit back by saying;

O spirit of this tree, my Friend

From trunk and root depths do 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 tree, thank the tree, and leave.

Now that you have your materials, here comes the fun stuff.

While indeed a serious business, it is now that we unleash our creativity, and enjoy the process. It is also important not to hurry, as much as we want to. The more energy and time we put into our wands, the more powerful and energy, will our wands hold.

You have plenty of time for decorating and preparing the wands, as we cannot consecrate 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 bark and branches from the wands. (If you have difficulty, try soaking them in the bathtub overnight to loosen them).  

Then smooth the wands with Newspaper.

Using the knife, carefully carve a notch in the large wand ends, and whittle the small ends into points.  Sand both ends until smooth.  Carve your name or designs into them to make them your own.

Add 3 tablespoons of dried camomile to a cup of boiling water, cover and allow to steep for 30 minutes. As the tea steeps say something like this;

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. Chant this as you do it;

Wand, gather the magic from this herbal soak

Growing power and might with every stroke

Materials;

1. white candle

2. sandalwood incense

3. small dish of water

4. salt

Se aside some time for the next full moon to bless the wands. Sitting comfortably on the floors with the materials and wands in front of you, light the candle and incense.

Breathe in deeply through your nose letting yourself visualize the grounding energy of the earth filling your body. Exhale fully through your mouth expelling all negative energy. Keep repeating this until you feel completely comfortable and at ease.

Pass the wands through the incense and smoke and say;

With scented air, so light and free

I give you breath now. Blessed be.

Becareful not to burn yourself or the wands and and pass them quickly through the candle andsay;

With fire that dances wild and free

I give you passion. Blessed be.

Lightly sprinklethe wands with water and say;

With water so pure, I give to thee

The blood of life now. Blessed be.

Sprinkle the wands with a bit of salt and say;

With salt of the earth, I give to Thee

Roots in magic. Blessed be.

Hold the wands close to your heart and lovingly caress them with your fingers while saying;

I am yours and you are mine

From now until the end of time

I give you life now willingly

As I will, so mote it be!

Take the wands outdoors and hold them to the moon.  Then invoke the Lord and Lady by saying;

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

The wands are ready for magical use.

Wrap the wands in cloth as a measurement against vibrations of others. Store them away until you are ready to use them.

I can Hub the steps to learning and personalizing what your wand can do,each week. Just let me know if you would like this, and a ritual bath as well.

Now that you have had time to make your wands, next week we are going too start training them and using them in practice.  I also thought it would be nice to bring you a Wicca bath Ritual-very relaxing.  Hope to see you then.