More then one wand

[addy]

I know tools arent always important, but I have a question about a certain tool. The wand, I use this to direct energy, but I hear people always making a collect of wands or buying them. Whats the point if they do the same thing? (this is not suppose to sound rude, Im stating this because its hard to tell over reading a text) thanks and blessed be <3

[Jenett]

I know tools arent always important, but I have a question about a certain tool. The wand, I use this to direct energy, but I hear people always making a collect of wands or buying them. Whats the point if they do the same thing? (this is not suppose to sound rude, Im stating this because its hard to tell over reading a text) thanks and blessed be <3

 
Different wands generally direct energy differently. It's, oh, like using different kinds of art pencils to get different effects, or different kinds of paintbrushes. You *can* do a lot with one designed for a wide range of uses - but you can also do some really interesting things with some different tools.

One common model for groups who use multiple wands is a different wand for each quarter/direction, plus at least one general use one, plus perhaps wands for specific (semi-regular) ritual work, like invoking a particular deity.

(This is not solely limited to wands: I know people who have multiple ritual blades, because different blades do different things, even beyond the relatively common athame (energetic work) and boline (physical work) pair. Some people have different chalices for different uses, too.)

The things that make the most difference for wands fall into 3 basic categories:

1) Material - different woods have different magical properties, so you might use one wand for one thing, and a different wand for something else. So, in the example I gave above, the wand for each quarter might be a wood that's particularly appropriate for that quarter (from a tree associated with that element - say, willow for water, or oak for earth), the deity wand might be a wood sacred to that deity, and the general one might be a wood suited to the general work of the group.

2) Shape: some people use wands that have been shaped on a lathe, making a long, straight direct shape. Some people use tree branches that have a curve to them, or deliberately shape wood over time to a particular shape to direct energy in a particular way. These all direct energy a little differently.

3) Additions and decoration. Some people really like additions like wire wound up in a helix around the wand, or a crystal on the end. Other people find that sort of thing distracting. (I'm in the latter camp, myself.) Same thing with decoration - some people really love carvings and woodwork, other people prefer something as close to nature as reasonable (maybe with the bark peeled off, and sanded, but nothing additionally fancy.)

Anyway, given these three things, there's room for a bunch of options - especially in group work, where people may have a particular preference and donate a particular wand for the stuff they do regularly for a while, that kind of thing.

I currently have four in my custody: plain oak (bark stripped most of the way, remaining on the handle, sanded smooth), yew (peeled all the way, sanded). Which one I use depends on my mood, what kind of work I'm doing, etc. And then two that were a gift from a friend who's no longer practicing in a way that makes them useful to her: they were made for her by a gifted wood-turner. One of them I'm pretty sure is going to stay with me, and get used for invocational work, the other may end up getting passed along to someone else down the road.

[Micheál]

I know tools arent always important, but I have a question about a certain tool. The wand, I use this to direct energy, but I hear people always making a collect of wands or buying them. Whats the point if they do the same thing? (this is not suppose to sound rude, Im stating this because its hard to tell over reading a text) thanks and blessed be <3

 It depends on its use. Different kinds of wood, copper rods, e.t.c. all have their own properties. A wand is something that I would try to avoid purchasing, and prefer the traditional walk to the woods, and cutting of a branch measured from your elbow, to finger tip, but that's not always practical for others.

It can be said to represent the element of air, or fire, as it does represent your will, and is seen as less threatening to na sí, and other spirits, that are more intimidated by metal swords, and pointed knives. Depending on what you use it for, materials used such as different woods, stones, sigils, e.t.c. you may not say, want to use the same wand used in a Thelemic Liber V, the invocation of Horus(where the wand is whacked off of the ground), for other purposes and circles. It represents your Will, but you'd also be mixing different energies¤ts.

[Catherine]

One common model for groups who use multiple wands is a different wand for each quarter/direction, plus at least one general use one, plus perhaps wands for specific (semi-regular) ritual work, like invoking a particular deity.

This is what I do, too.
I've made three of my quarter wands myself, the wand I use for air is actually a recorder with flowers carved all around it (didn't make that one). I can't play any complete songs, but it has a nice sound. My general use wand was a gift from a former employer. It's made from a variety of semi-precious stones.

Different wands generally direct energy differently. It's, oh, like using different kinds of art pencils to get different effects, or different kinds of paintbrushes. You *can* do a lot with one designed for a wide range of uses - but you can also do some really interesting things with some different tools.

I like this analogy. I was going to say something about different types of screws and screwdrivers, but this is much better.

[addy]

I have a wand I made and it has all of the colors of the elements and it was a wood I found on the beach at my moms cousions beach. I might us that to invoke all the elements at once. I could also make a wand for just circle casting. Thanks everyone it was a huge help blessed be

[buttercup]

I have a wand I made and it has all of the colors of the elements and it was a wood I found on the beach at my moms cousions beach. I might us that to invoke all the elements at once. I could also make a wand for just circle casting. Thanks everyone it was a huge help blessed be

 Just a quick suggestion!  There is this really cool tool called a Dorjes it's a Tibetan Buddhist sorta wand and anthame combined.  From my limited knowledge of it, cause I just got into it and I've used it in ritual, I was told that it harnesses the power of lighting.  That it is both directive and trans-formative at the same time. Just saying, you might want to ck it out. Powerful stuffs!

[Fagan_the_Pagan]

I know tools arent always important, but I have a question about a certain tool. The wand, I use this to direct energy, but I hear people always making a collect of wands or buying them. Whats the point if they do the same thing? (this is not suppose to sound rude, Im stating this because its hard to tell over reading a text) thanks and blessed be <3

You do not need to have multiple wands, (and this from a wandmaker) as each one is capable of doing whatever magic you need.  That said, certain wands are especially suited to certain kinds of magic.  Their energies--based on materials, inscriptions, intention charged, and so forth--can color your magic, and help even more than an all-purpose wand when doing particular kinds of magic.  When you take this into account, some people will find it helpful to have different wands for different purposes, based on the qualities of each.

[Tana]

Whats the point if they do the same thing?

That statement is only true, if all the owners of wands practice the same flavor of witchcraft in which they use the wand for this one and only purpose.

In other traditions different wands serve very different purposes.

[Kylara]

I know tools arent always important, but I have a question about a certain tool. The wand, I use this to direct energy, but I hear people always making a collect of wands or buying them. Whats the point if they do the same thing? (this is not suppose to sound rude, Im stating this because its hard to tell over reading a text) thanks and blessed be <3

 
Though I am not a wand person, I find myself now in possession of two actual wands and several things that I use like wands.  

When I first started, I made a very simple wand: found wood, stripped of bark, smoothed just enough to not worry about splinters and round the ends (so it still has it's natural shape).  I tend to use my blades more in workings, but I do use the wand from time to time and really like the simplicity of it.

Then a couple years later I made a friend a wand.  I had taken a section of bamboo, used leather lacing to attach a piece of rough emerald to the top (he was born in May, so birthstone), then wrapped the handle with leather lacing, and the other end had feathers and wood/bead dangles (that were originally one of a set of earrings).  It ended up looking really neat, and I had enough stuff to make a second (since my birthday is in May also).  I had the hardest time getting another base piece though, I had my mind set on bamboo, and it was close to 15 years before I found a wood piece I liked.  Then I went ahead and made it and now I have this kind of ornate wand as well.  It is interesting because it jingles a little when I shake it, so kind of functions like bells as well.

I also did some work with a rosewood fan I have, one of those ones that fold up and then fan out in a half circle.  I really enjoy working with the fan.  And I have a pencil made from a branch that has served wand duty as well.

For me, even though I don't use them as often as other tools, I just like different things.  For an everyday tool I would probably still go to the very first one.  It's simplicity just works for me, I don't always want the extra fluff.  But sometimes I like using the others.