Making Your Own Wand Introduction Choose a length of wood - preferably a tree branch that must be pruned anyway. A length approximately 12" long and about the thickness of your finger will do, but you can choose a longer or shorter length depending on what feels right to you. When selecting the wood refer to the magical vibrations of the different woods that corresponds to the sort of magic you want to work with your wand. You can use apple for love magic, elder for fairie magic, oak for natural magic, willow for general magic etc. Next decide if you're going to add a crystal point, if you are then you'll want something like a quartz crystal point for the tip - you could use rose quartz on the love wand or amethyst on a wand for spiritual contact and guidance. Gouge a bit of wood out of the tip of the wand to help hold the crystal glue with high temp hot glue gun or a strong hold glue - let set. Now use glue on bottom sides of crystal and top inch or so of wood, wrap with leather strips or cord or embroidery thread , use a colour that enhances the purpose of your wand. Moonstorm also used metallic ribbon on the handle of her wand below to great effect. When you've finished wrapping the wood all the way to the base end of the wand secure it by gluing the wood and wrapping with your chosen binding to make a hand hold. Use the same colour as on top and cover about 4 inches. You may decide that you want the leave your wand looking natural or you may like to decorate the shaft of the wand with symbols that relate to the purpose of the wand, such as runes and other symbols that have meaning for you as Beowulf did on his wand below. You can use a knife, water proof marker, paint, wood burning tool, etc. Beowulf's wand above is 21" long, and made from the heart-wood of a Holly branch. He had this to say about his creation. The wood was gathered after first asking permission of both my friends who own the bush, AND the bush itself. It was ritually taken, carefully dried over a couple of months, stripped of the bark and outer wood, smoothed, then the Elder Futark was burned into it. The "handle" was wrapped in sisal string, no man-made stuff here. Finally an incantation was used to "Activate" the wand, when not in use my wand is kept in a protective cotton bag and hung on a hook very close to the Altar so as to be within the "Power Circle" that protects the altar and tools on it. Bunnycat finished her wand, pictured above using a combination of both techniques by leaving some wood in its natural state and adding decoration with items such as a length of purple ribbon round it and tiny diamantes circling the wand, just below the tip. In her column (Bunnycat's Journal - January 2005) she says of her creation "I had planned something more elaborate, but decided that it was fine just like this. I feel very comfortable holding it and it truly seems to be part of me. I'm delighted with it and with my own ability to create such a beautiful thing. I love it!!" Virtually anything goes when you're making your own wand, you could decorate it with gemstones, metal beads, wood beads and tip it with feathers if you like. When you've finally finished your creation and are happy with it remember to cleanse and consecrate it as with any tool. More wands and a step by step guide will be added to this section as soon as possible.