Make Your Own Manifestation Tool

A wand is used for directing energy. It is best to make your own wand from found wood and instill it with your personal energy. You could go out into a nearby park or the woods and find a suitable branch that has fallen. Never cut a wand straight from a tree as the energy from harm to the tree will be retained by the wand. Allow Mother Nature to choose one for you; she is always right. You might find the perfect weathered wand on a beach as driftwood.

Gather together

• a found piece of wood
• sand paper
• bolline
• 12 inches (30cm) copper wire
• a crystal of your preference to use as the pointer
• beads, sequins, seashells, tiny crystals, or other decorations of your choice

When you have found the perfect piece of wood, sand it to smoothness so it feels good in your hand, which is very important. If your found wood branch is too long, use your magical bolline knife to cut it down to 12 inches (30cm), or your preferred length. Wrap copper wire around the top and affix your crystal to the end. Your wand should look beautiful to your eye so embellish it with ornaments you love, such as beads, sequins, seashells, tiny crystals, or whatever pleases you and adds to the power of this sacred implement.

The Witch’s Toolkit: Everything You Need to Know for Making Fast Magic Part II

Essential oils are natural oils made by distillations of herbs and flowers, ideally organic. They retain the fragrance of the original plant from which they are made. When you are making a blend of oils or a potion or lotion, mix them with a carrier (or base) oil, such as jojoba, almond, apricot, grapeseed, or sesame, to dilute the essential oil and make it safe to apply to the skin. Always test a blend on a small area of the skin first and leave for 24 hours to check you don’t have any reaction to it.

Magical Meanings of Essential Oils

• Psychic power: jasmine, benzoin, cinnamon, sandalwood
• Courage: geranium, black pepper, frankincense
• Dispelling negative energy and spirits: basil, clove, copal, frankincense, juniper, myrrh, pine, peppermint, rosemary, Solomon’s seal, yarrow, vervain
• Divination: camphor, orange, clove
• Enchantment: ginger, tangerine, amber, apple
• Healing: bay, cedar wood, cinnamon, coriander, eucalyptus, juniper, lime, rose, sandalwood, spearmint
• Joy: lavender, neroli, bergamot, vanilla
• Love: apricot, basil, chamomile, clove, copal, coriander, rose, geranium, jasmine, lemon, lime, neroli, rosemary, ylang-ylang
• Luck: orange, nutmeg, rose, vervain
• Peace: lavender, chamomile
• Prosperity: basil, clove, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, oak, moss, patchouli, peppermint, pine, aloe
• Protection: bay, anise, black pepper, cedar, clove, cypress, copal, eucalyptus, frankincense, rose geranium, lime, myrrh, lavender, juniper, sandalwood, vetiver
• Sexuality: cardamom, lemongrass, amber, rose, clove, olive, patchouli

Incense contains inherent energies that you can use to further your intention and promote your purpose. Every New Age store, herb shop, or health food store has a wide variety of cone, stick, and loose incense. Many spells call for creating your own incense mixture, best done by grinding the incense ingredients in a mortar and pestle. You can then store the fine powder in small sealable jars. Craft stores and New Age shops carry the 4-ounce (115ml) lidded jars that are perfect for DIY incenses. This kind of powdered or loose incense needs to be burned on a charcoal cake, usually sold in these same stores in packets of ten. You should set the charcoals in a fireproof glass or clay dish or use your censer from which the smoke will waft out enchantingly. Another kind of sacred smoke you will come to rely on is when you burn sage to purify and clear a space. Sage bundles are readily available at any New Age shop and are essential to keep on hand for much of your ritual work.

A censer, also called a thurible, is an incense burner and represents the elements of Air and Fire. Place your censer at the center of your altar. Incense can be used to purify your other sacred tools and to cleanse your ritual space.

A pendulum is a witchy tool that helps with decision making. Pendulums are easily bought at any metaphysical or New Age shop or mind, body, spirit bookstore, but you can also make your own, with a 12-inch (30cm) strip of string or leather cord and a small rose quartz with a pointy end. Knot the quartz onto your cord and test it to show you which is “yes” and which is “no.” This is done by asking it yes/no questions that you know the answer to, then observing its responses— you will notice it swings in a different way for each one, for example, round in a circle clockwise or anticlockwise, or back and forth.

Keep cord and string in different colors for use in your spellwork—a magic cord is a rope that binds you to magic. I like silken cords as they feel good in your hands and are lovely, but knitting yarn makes for nice string and comes in an endless array of magical hues.

Potpourri is a hedge witch and herbalist’s staple for floral spellcraft. Similarly, you should have a collection of dried flowers, petals, and herbs and mix them into combinations with special energies.

Wands are conduits of energy and your personal magic; as such, yours should be a very special tool either made or chosen with care. Find out more overleaf.

Wonderful Wands

  

I see many gorgeous, crystal-encrusted wands for sale in metaphysical five-and-dimes, and I am sure they are super-powered. Bear in mind, though, that it is a wonderful thing indeed to make your own wand. Start with a tree branch that has fallen to the ground on its own. Sand and polish the rough edges, as it is a wand and not a weapon. Then give it a good smudging. Hot-glue a large quartz crystal onto the wand near the handle, and hot-glue on any crystals featuring properties that will complement your magic. Citrine makes an excellent pointer tip for your wand and aligns your self-identity with your spirit. And, after all, isn’t that the point? Here are stones I recommend for harnessing various powers with wands:

• Amber for grounding;
• Amethyst for balance and intuition;
• Aventurine for creative visualization;
• Bloodstone for abundance and prosperity;
• Calcite for warding off negativity;
• Carnelian for opening doors for you and helping you overcome any family problems;
• Chalcedony for power over dark spirits;
• Citrine for getting motivated and attracting money and success;
• Fluorite for communicating with fairies and other unseen beings;
• Garnet for protection from gossip;
• Geode for getting through periods of extreme difficulty;
• Hematite for strength and courage;
• Jade for wisdom to interpret or realize powerful dreams;
• Jasper for stability;
• Lodestone for bringing a lover back into your life;
• Mahogany obsidian for feeling sexy and emanating sensuality;
• Moss agate for powers of persuasion and healing;
• Quartz crystal for divining your dreams;
• Rhodochrosite for staying on course with your life’s true purpose;
• Rose quartz for love;
• Turquoise for safety when traveling; and
• Watermelon tourmaline for help with planning your best possible future.

Keep Your Muse Close

 

Any time an imaginative person feels her creativity is blocked, or if she feels uninspired, she can call upon a muse. Whether you’re passionate about growing plants, painting, or writing music, you can stay in touch with your muse by using a special tool that will draw her to you with sweet-smelling smoke of sage.

Sage is hardy and sun-loving, so keep a pot of it on the windowsill. There are very simple steps to take to create a sage wand to use when you need inspiration. First, you will want to create a tight braid of materials. This braid will consist of a long fennel stalk, a twisted bundle of sage, long sticks of incense (I prefer cinnamon), and purple (for power) and gold (for money) string or thread. When you are about to embark on an artistic activity, simply light one end of your wand and gently wave it around your head to clear your environment. Your mind will be cleared in the process, freeing the way for creative ideas. A little sage smoke goes a long way, so you will not want to burn the entire wand at once. Keep a cup of water or a small bowl of earth on hand to extinguish your wand when you are done.

The Essential Toolkit: Everything You Need for Rites and Rituals Part III

 Cauldron

The cauldron represents the Goddess, its round basin symbolizing the womb. The cauldron can hold fire and represent rebirth—the phoenix rising from the ashes of the past. Usually, cauldrons stand on three legs for practicality and mobility. You can place a cauldron on your altar if there is room, or on the floor to the left of the altar. In spring, the cauldron can be used to hold earth or water. In winter, it can represent the rebirth of the sun and should hold fire. The form of the vessel may change. In the spring, the cauldron can be a rain-filled jar or flower-filled fountain. In the summer, it can be a cup, and at harvest, it can be a pumpkin or other hollowed- out gourd. You can play with this “vessel” concept in your own ceremonies. Cauldrons are very useful for mixing your herbs and essential oils, though you must be sure to clean them before and after each use. You can scry with a cauldron full of water to foresee the future by reading images on the surface of the water. You can use this magical tool to burn paper upon which you have written your intentions or spells. In doing this, you can send your wishes to the gods and goddesses through the flames. A cauldron is not the easiest magical tool to find, as they are not nearly as commonplace as one might think. I advise you to wish and wait patiently, and the cauldron of your dreams will arrive in the most enchanted manner.

Censer

A censer, or thurible, is an incense burner and represents the elements of air and fire. Place your incense at the center of your altar. Incense can be used to purify your other sacred tools and to cleanse your ritual space. The evocative scent and smoke can also transport you in a sensory way. Always test your incense prior to ritual, however, to discover how much smoke is produced by your incense stick or herbal mixture. The purpose of incense is to release energy into the ritual space, not to create billows of smoke that can cause respiratory problems in the circle. If you or someone else finds incense smoke irritating or worrisome, consider using another symbol of air instead, such as potpourri, fresh flowers, feathers, or a fan. 

There exist an abundance of incense burners nowadays, so use your discretion and choose one that pleases you—perhaps a smoking dragon or a goddess to hold the fiery embers of your incense would add to the energy of your altar.

Incenses themselves contain inherent energies that you can use to further your intention and promote your purpose. I depend on Wylundt’s Book of Incense, which I consider to be the ultimate reference for excellent information about essences and properties of incense. It contains an enormous amount of information in regard to loose, cone, stick, and cylinder incense. It also tells you how to work with herbs, which part of a plant to use, and how to gather, dry, and store the plants. The following is one of my recipes for an incense to use to cast a circle.

Circle Incense

2 parts myrrh
4 parts frankincense 2 parts benzoin
1 part sandalwood
1 part cinnamon
1 part rose petals
1 part vervain
1 part rosemary
1 part bay leaf
1⁄2 cup orange peel

This incense will significantly aid the formation of the sphere of energy that is the ritual circle. A fine grind of all the ingredients is the key to good incense, so you should add a mortar and pestle to your list of tools if you intend to make a lot of incense. A blender or food processor is a more modern approach that may save on time and elbow grease, especially if you are making a large batch of incense for a group.

Clearing Incense

1 part sandalwood
3 parts myrrh
3 parts copal
3 parts frankincense

This is an optimal mixture of essences to purify your home or sacred working space. Negative energies are vanquished and the path is cleared for ritual. Open windows and doors when you are burning this clearing incense so the “bad energy” can be released outside. It is also advisable to use this clearing incense if there have been any arguments or other energetic disruptions in your home. You can recreate a sanctuary with this incense.

Dream Incense

2 parts rose petals 2 parts cedar
1 part camphor
1 part lavender

6 drops tuberose oil 6 drops jasmine oil

This mixture will bring on psychic dreams. If you set up a bedroom altar, place this incense in your censer and allow the scented smoke to imbue your sleeping space with its unique energy before you drift off. Prophetic dreams may come to you and, even better, you will remember them! 

Chalice

The chalice—another vessel symbolizing the feminine, the Goddess, and fertility—is a goblet dedicated specifically for use on your altar. Holding both physical fluid and the waters of our emotional body, it is connected to elemental water. Place your special chalice on the left side of your altar with all other representations of the energy of the female and the Goddess. A grail is also a chalice. Legend tells that the Holy Grail brought life back into the decaying kingdom of Camelot and restored Arthur and his people to health, giving rise to the rebirth of England itself. On your altar, your chalice can hold water, mead, wine, juice, or anything that has been blessed. It can contain holy water for consecrations and blessing rites. At the end of many ritual ceremonies and sabbats, it is customary to toast the deities with a hearty ale, cider, or wine and thank them for being present. After the circle has been opened, you can pour the contents of your chalice into the ground outdoors as an offering to benevolent entities.

Wand

A magical wand is a powerful tool used to cast the circle and invoke deities. Like an athame, a wand focuses, projects, and directs energy. Because it gathers and stores magical power, a wand is wonderful for healing and can also be the device with which you “draw” the shape when you cast the circle.

If possible, find your wand in a serendipitous manner. Draw it to yourself through attraction. A wand makes a mighty gift. It may, however, be more practical and expedient just to purchase your wand. When you do this, purify it, cleansing off the energy of the shop, so it is truly yours. Before you race off to the nearest metaphysical five-and-dime, take a walk in the woods. You may very well find the wand of your dreams waiting there for you on the forest floor. Some folks favor “live wood,” like cherry, willow, or oak branches that need to be cut off the tree. I prefer fallen wood that Nature has already harvested. Some folks like to ornament their wand with magical metals, such as copper, gold, or silver, and encrust it with gems and crystals. The most important determining factor for any wand is how it “feels” in your hand. You will know when you have found the right one. 

Tools of the Magic Trade

With crystal magic, you can make sure your own ritual accessories and tools as you wish. Your intentions and personal energy are the driving forces behind the enchantments you create. For many people, their most important tool is the wand, but don’t be afraid to experiment with new mystical implements. You’ll be amazed as the various crystal accoutrements hold and collect the energy of all your magical workings and your power grows.

A Muse-ical Wand

If your passion is making art or music, throwing pots, or growing an artful garden, you are an imaginative person, and you need to stay in touch with your muse. Call her to you anytime you are feeling blocked or uninspired. You can make a very special tool that will draw your muse to you with sweet-smelling smoke.

You’ll want to keep a pot of the hardy and sun-loving herb sage on your windowsill so it is handy at all times. Here is a simple way to use this herb to create a wand for instant inspiration: Combine a long stalk of fennel with a twisted bundle of sage and long sticks of your favorite incense, such as cinnamon or nag champ (my personal favorite). Braid the materials tightly together into a wand using purple (for power) and gold (for money) string or thread. Before any artistic endeavor or meditation, light one end of the wand with a candle and wave it around to clear your environment, allowing the smoke to clear your mind in the process.

Wonderful Wands

 

I see many gorgeous, crystal-encrusted wands for sale in metaphysical five-and-dimes, and I am sure they are super-powered. Bear in mind, though, that it is a wonderful thing indeed to make your own wand. Start with a tree branch that has fallen to the ground on its own. Sand and polish the rough edges, as it is a wand and not a weapon. Then give it a good smudging. Hot-glue a large quartz crystal onto the wand near the handle, and hot-glue on any crystals featuring properties that will complement your magic. Citrine makes an excellent pointer tip for your wand and aligns your self-identity with your spirit. And, after all, isn’t that the point? Here are stones I recommend for harnessing various powers with wands:

• Amber for grounding;

• Amethyst for balance and intuition;

• Aventurine for creative visualization;

• Bloodstone for abundance and prosperity;

• Calcite for warding off negativity;

• Carnelian for opening doors for you and helping you overcome any family problems;

• Chalcedony for power over dark spirits;

• Citrine for getting motivated and attracting money and success;

• Fluorite for communicating with fairies and other unseen beings;

• Garnet for protection from gossip;

• Geode for getting through periods of extreme difficulty;

• Hematite for strength and courage;

• Jade for wisdom to interpret or realize powerful dreams;

• Jasper for stability;

• Lodestone for bringing a lover back into your life;

• Mahogany obsidian for feeling sexy and emanating sensuality;

• Moss agate for powers of persuasion and healing;

• Quartz crystal for divining your dreams;

• Rhodochrosite for staying on course with your life’s true purpose;

• Rose quartz for love;

• Turquoise for safety when traveling; and

• Watermelon tourmaline for help with planning your best possible future.