The History and Significance of Wands

I’m sure that you’ve seen references to wands in books and movies about magic, like Harry Potter or any shows involving witches and wizards. Some are even portrayed as a staff (Think Gandalf from Lord of the Rings)

You might have even seen wands mentioned in Religious contexts like when Moses stretches out his “Rod” miraculous things always followed. Moses’ rod symbolized power from God/Divine Power

Theologian Emanuel Swedenborg, figured that ancient Shepards used language to refer to a rod as a traveller’s staff. The staff (or a modern walking cane) represents the power of supporting the body just as the power of truth suppers and serves the soul.

Shorter rods/staffs were used by kings to represent power of truth (from God) residing within their royal proclamations and edicts. The rods/staffs used by Royalty were called sceptres.

A Shepard's staff symbolizes the power they had over their flocks.

The Romans even used sticks tied together in bundles to symbolize the power of laws that served and promoted the common good of society.

In the ancient and universal language of symbolism, tree branches represent the power of the natural god - trees are good for the health of nature’s ecosystem and therefore tree boughs symbolized the power of that goodness.

In a persons hand, a staff/rod/wand becomes an extension of and represents the power not merely of a tree but the moral power of that person’s heart and mind to do good for society

It is the outward power of the principles and worldview we apply to our lives.

Wands are often used by those in the The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Thelma, and Wicca and by any practitioner of magic, those who are drawn to the occult, or those who simply want to direct the movement of energy to create their reality.

You do not have to identify as a “Witch” to own or use a wand - they are simply a tool to help you amplify and direct universal energies to help bring an intention into reality.

Wands in the Tarot

The Rider-Waite—Smith Tarot was created by two members of Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn by Arther Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith

Waite provided the general guidelines for the deck, and Smith did all of the artwork.

Wands are a symbol for the element of Fire in the Tarot which is a powerful element that sparks action, confidence, creativity, faith, honestly, motivation and power. All very strong qualities that represent the power we have to create our own reality when directing our will and intent in a conscious manner.

What you should know about wands

If you want to improve your ability to cast spells, you may have considered obtaining a wand

They are sometimes referred to as spiritual wands because you are tapping directly into the energy of the earth and the universe

Most forms of magic utilize the elements, but also that energy which empowers everything around us

The universe itself is the results of an energy that we cannot see, but it can be harnessed in many ways to obtain your objectives

How do they work

Wands can be made from different materials.

They could include different types of wood, crystals or stone - some are made with copper or other metals

In the same way that electricity is conducted through wires, and is amplified with the transformer, that is exactly what a wand is going to do.

It is tapping directly into your own energetic frequency, allowing you to resonate with the energy of the universe. The more you use it, the more you tune in with the natural energies surrounding you and the earth and the universe. It can also be used to access higher levels of energy, those that can help you manifest your intentions

The main purpose of a wand is always the amplification of power. The person using the wand is simply a vessel, a conduit for this energy and the source of for the intentions that are to be manifested

Some people refer to these intentions as prayers or spells or mantras, which all are simply something that you would want to manifest into your life.

 How to use your wand:

I don’t believe there is any way to use a wand in the wrong way - unless of course the intentions you are using with your wand are not aligned to your highest self or your highest good. 

As mentioned - wands are simply an amplification of power.

Use your wand in whatever work you deem necessary

For example, I am a reiki healer and I like to use my wands to direct and amplify reiki energy to those I am giving a session to - often in a distance-healing format where I am giving someone a session who is not in the same room as I am (energy knows no space and time - energy healing can be facilitated anywhere, to anyone anywhere in the world.

Another use for your wands would be to use one (especially one with grounding and protective stones, or a clear quartz point that you can infuse with your intention) to cast a circle of protection around your energy, or your sacred space, or your entire home if you wish.

You can simple hold them and sit in a meditative state - connecting to its energy and the energy of the stones within the wand, any symbols on the wand, and intend for the wand to bring insight into your meditations, or helping to raise your vibration, protection etc

There is simply an endless number of uses for your wand, and it all depends on the one using it and their intention they are wanting to amplify.

You can use them to banish, to manifest, to meditate, to facilitate a healing session, or simply to help shoot your prayer or intention out into the universe to manifest a desired outcome.

Even if you’re someone who doesn’t necessarily believe in witches/magic - you must admit that there are things in this world that is hard to explain.

I’ve been studying deeply into quantum physics, quantum healing, the law of attraction and other universal laws, energy healing, crystal healing and reiki as well as diving into various occult texts about magic and energy and how to manipulate reality with your will and intention (much like praying to god in Catholic and Christian religions) to bring something into reality (such as healing) and all that I have learned seems to be speaking on the same invisible energies that surround us and run through us as life force.

All those things, including the base ideas of many religions are all speaking on the same things in different ways, using different elements of symbolism but one thing they all have in common is that there is an undeniable force that is often referred to as God or the Universe or the Divine or the Creator. When we can tap into these energies, magical things can happen (think of miracles in religion)

It all comes down to belief and the ability to direct your will and intention - which I believe can be amplified by using a wand to direct your intentions out into the universe and the belief that it will manifest.

In summary - wands are an extension of energy and can be used for whatever you can think of.