As I feel as if I have been going through a lot of internal changes, I have been wanting to make some external changes as well.  I cannot focus on the future while focusing on the past.  A lot of my tools I feel I have outgrown, and have been feeling the urge to make new ones - ones that represent who and what I am, and who and what I am becoming.

My wand is my latest project.  The wood is from a holly tree behind my house, and it has been infused with hazelnut oil, bringing in the strong fiery aspects of Holly and the airy wisdom of hazel. 

It feels just /excellent/ in the hand.  The smooth texture, the shaping of the wood, the warmth of the spirit of that tree within it.  The natural shaping of the wood lends itself to being a nice contour to my hand - especially if I were to hold it in a pistol grip.  It's perfectly shaped to Take Care of Business. 

I think that as soon as I figure out what word is to name this wand, I will inscribe that, my magical name, and nothing more upon it.

I am really starting to fall in love with this wand.  There is a great satisfaction I get out of crafting my own magical tools.  I have actually been considering buying a lathe so that I can make some beautiful wands like the ones at Acme Wand Supply.  My lust for beautiful things aside, I was reminded today of how important crafting is to my magical work - the act of making the wand itself was a magical one.  Though I will ritually purify, charge and name the tool, as I always do, I have already begun with this, having started charging it from the minute I cut it from the tree. 

In working with the wood as well, I got to know the exact feel of the textures of the wood, the scent, the moisture, the way it felt under my fingers.  I got familiar with every bump, knot and wiggle in the wood, as I worked them into a pleasing shape.  In creating something, especially something which involves shaping with your hands, you become intimately familiar with the materials which create it - that familiarity will help with naming it.

And naming it is the last step.  It is, through this familiarity with its qualities in the act of creating it, that we can learn that word which awakens the power within the object. 

< Prev		Next >