At the moment I am not versed enough as to how, what, where and when of such matters as it seems that the method will be in the form of doing something and later on finding out why it was done.

Should you take some time to peruse Hedge Druid site you will see that this is often the case. The why comes after the what. Thus my friend Gwas and I will go on a expedition or similar and then afterwards learn of all the connections that existed.

Here is some instruction that I received from a water spirit this fine Saturday morning. See this post on Hedge Druid as to how I obtained this knowledge.

1. Take water from the center of the Pacific Ocean, in particular from the beach of Easter Island
2. Also take sand from the same beach
3. Boil the water in a testube (or container) so that only salt remains
4. Create a little ampule from glass that has had the above sand mixed into it
5. Put salt in ampule
6. This ampule will form part of the core of “the wand”

After some reflection and dowsing, the why of this came to me…

Posiedon (or if you will, the ocean) is like life. It is ever changing and yet always the same. To create a reflection of this in the wand is to imbue it with the paradox of change and constant.

Questions remain…

• Why the center of the Pacific?
• Why Salt from the water?
• Why glass from the sand?
• O and How am I supposed to get to Easter Island?

Addendum!

I was mentioning this finding to my dear friend Gwas a few days after it occured and he instantly said that he would pay for my trip to Easter Island – shock and surprise. I am truly honoured to have such a friend. And wow – how strange the world works.

Acorn

Do I not sound like a master who knows his art? How can it be that such knowledge germenates without seeds and the source shrouded in mist? Perhaps it is time to pay respects to ancient ones that proclaimed “we all are remembering, nothing is learnd. All is returned to us from our own hall.”

The lore that I will speak of here is my lore, it has no following, no history, no precident and indeed, at this time, it has no practitioners.

Like a lovers scent that is followed through a maze of greenwood on a fresh spring afternoon. My teacher tantalises me with a glimps here, a hint there and rarely, the slightest taste of an outline. Leaving me for days, to fill in the details.

Imagination and creation entwined

Close your eyes as you take hold of the wand, feel the grooves and curviture of the Stem, for you are holding the first part of the two trinities. As your hand moves along the soft surface can you smell the scent that goes with it?

Slide your hand further along its length and if your senses are acute enough you will feel a slight change in…is it the wood or the finish? Maybe it is the energy? For now your hand is upon the Tip, which forms the second part of the first trinity.

Hold the wand close to you…closer still and you will feel (sense) something inside of it. You have to close your thoughts before your senses will be silenced enough to feel it – There! There you have it, that is the Core you are feeling, more properly called Genius Virga ~ Spirit of the Wand. The Core completes the first trinity.

You have explored the tip of the wand, now slide your hand towards the other end of it and you will feel a kind of soft cloth or braded rope attached to the butt of the wand. This is called the Sash and forms the first part of the second trinity.

Before you is a some type of cloth or covering, this cloth is balanced and attuned to the wand. Placing the wand upon it and folding the length over will provide it a good home. This is the Wrap and forms the second part of the second trinity.

Finally, the wrapped wand is placed in a Case that is energetically neutral and ensures the wand is not affected by externals. This Case completes the second trinity.

Before you close the case you see a rolled scroll lying besides the box, take it up and unravel it. The scroll contains a written history of the journey to create the wand and all that has happened. It is a biography of the wand and is called the Providence. Place it in the case with the wrapped wand.

So it is that the story of seven is complete and the vision delivered.

Since the pervasive information gathering tool of the day is this marvelous tool called the Internet I have perused its pages in search of knowledge and guidance. On many a page I have found suitable implements to begin my story into carving however each time I came to click the buy button something held me back.

Carving knives

Of course it wasn’t the cost, a single knife or even a set of knives is quite comfortably in my price range. It wasn’t the notion of getting the “wrong” type of tool either. Again, at such low costs, I didn’t mind if I purchased a useless implement – how else is one to gain wisdom and experience if not to try? No, something else was holding me back.

A couple of days ago I realised what it was, “meaning”.

In my “mini” quest for a carving tool I was forgetting a very important part of this quest and that was “meaning”. If I just bought the tool myself where would “it” get its meaning? Perhaps some synchronistic event would “lead” me to it. Perhaps…

Mistress Synchronicity is a lady of her own pleasure and often she courts me and propbably just as often I court her. Awaiting her pleasure in this instance I wasn’t prepared to do so I decided to take actions of my own.

With such good friends that surround me a mere mention of wanting someone to gift me a wood carving knife would have brought several to my door. I daren’t mention it to my friend Gwas who would have an order at my door faster than one could throw it. I thank the thoughts before they are made. No, this would need to bare more musing…

Garden

I searched my garden (of friends) for someone that would fit the bill, and a thought occured to me, “who would I feel most uncomfortable asking?” An interesting idea. I looked through my phone diary and dismissed person after person. I am quite a cheeky person and it wouldn’t take much more than the idea of it for me to text the entire directory.

Then someone occured to me, A friend that had – shall we say – set aside our friendship. At one time we were close, then as these things happen we drifted into uncomfortable silence from which only the odd festival greeting emerged. As I imagined writing her this – quite interesting – request, I checked my own feelings in the process. Yes, there was plenty of agitation and a sense of discomfort there. Perfect! What a stroke of luck to find a meaningful way in which to ask for this “meaningful” gift.

I will be honest and say that it was with quite a degree of trepidation that I wrote that text and it was left in draft mode for a full four hours before I had gathered the courage to send it.

Fear

Fear is a strange beast at times, people often talk of slaying it but I have learnd that you don’t slay it, you go on in the face of it – the definition of courage. And one day you walk the same path and realise after your passage that fear wasn’t in attendance.

Well, I will pause here because this post so far is awaiting a response from another party. Let us see what we shall see…

Peter and Jane

I remember that I was 11 at the time and had just started my new secondary school. In my English lesson we had a wonderfully inspiring teacher by the name of Mr Lee. His talented teaching introduced me firstly to “The War of the Worlds” read admirably by Richard Burton and produced by Jeff Wayne.

WotW

And secondly, as I mentioned The Hobbit. Perhaps it was these two titles brought into my life at a time of trials and tribulations that made there inherent value stick with me. I don’t know that for sure but not long after reading The Hobbit. I went out and begged, borrowed and (literally) stole so that I could get hold of the sequel i.e. the Lord of the Rings.

Yes, my intuition tells me that this is where it all began. For the next probably fifteen years I was an avid reader of most of the fantasy genre at the time. Occasionally I still delve into them, when a favoured author pens a book, mostly for nostalgia, it is like visiting old friends.

However, my point in bringing this all to you is that, it was here that my love of quests began. I loved the journeying, the discoveries, the deep love of company that companions had throughout the genre. Surely questing was the highest form of human calling?

Many years ago I came across the work of Joseph Cambell and read his very entertaining book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” Here is what he says about heroes…

“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man”

Here is a thing that I have often wondered about when reading the many books about adventuring and questing…why is that there are so few heroes? Why is that when a country comes under the bailiwick of some oppressor that the story zeroes in on a handful of individuals who fight “the good fight” and turn the tide against the ungodly? Of course I want to be, and indeed feel that I would be one of the ones who would take up the challenge and quest, should such an opportunity arise. But my question stands. Why wouldn’t everyone be standing there besides me?

Three Fates

Think about if for a minute, all the so called “action” films/stories that are floating around…what the heck are all the other characters doing? Does the Goddess Fate have only one “brave heart” to bestow per “good fight”? A question to ponder at some other time perhaps.

The first couple of weeks of pondering and musing on this Wand Making journey had me wondering, “why I was following this path with such zealousness?” This evening whilst I was relaxing in the whirlpool (wherever inspiration hits, right?) at my local gym, the answer came to me. It’s like a quest.

A quest with unforseen dangers and the promise of exciting adventures. In the process of adventuring to become a far greater being than one is today. To boldly venture forth. To test ones arm against the challenges that will present. To venture forth on nothing but the promise of the quest itself. Yes, indeed, yes. That is the truth of it.

Quest

Many years ago I recall watching a wonderful program called Cosmos. Presented by one of the most passionate astronomers I have come across, Carl Sagan. His presentation of the universe was an inspiration for me to study the science of Astronomy many years ago with the Open University. It is with the most profoundest feelings that I recall that it was this passionate man taught me that “We are all made, quite literally, from stardust”.

Carl Sagan

I mention this exceptionally emotionally wonderful (yes I loved it) programme because in one part of it Carl talks about travelling the universe at the speed of light. If it were possible for this to happen then the travellers would suffer from what is called the Time Dilation effect. This effect essentially means that the travellers would take, perhaps 20 years to visit the center of our Milky Way and return. However the passage of time on Earth would be over 30,000 years!

Whilst thinking of questing I feel (my intuition tells me) that it will be like this with such a journey. Whilst the questor goes on their journey, they will change in many ways and much faster than those left behind. It is a thought that lends some fear, becuase in essence we would (like those stellar travellers) be leaving the world and people we know behind, to stay “virtually” the same, whilst our quest would forge us anew.

Indeed, it is a strange calling to be a questor.

“We are star stuff which has taken its destiny into its own hands” ~ Carl Sagan (November 9, 1934 – December 20, 1996)

Beech Tree

Until that time I was completely un-aware of the mystical or magical properties of the Beech tree. So I was rather surprised to learn some of the following:

• The Beech is associated with Yang energies – During my personal energy investigations I have come to the conclusion that I am more aligned with Solar or Yang energies.

Yang energies are aligned with:

• Active
• Hot
• Life
• Summer
• Male
• Sun
• Fire

I can definately relate to all of these.

• Beech is the family of trees to which Oak belongs, thus is Beech sometimes called Atarya Dwyrion, “Grandfather of Oaks.”

The turning point in my relationship with Tree occured May 2009 when I intuited a truly fascinating way in which to heal the aura of a Tree. Which turned out to be an Oak tree. Here is the article that tells how I did this.

• Norse tradition says that tablets of Beech were used to make the very first writing tablets for the runes

I just love books. Over the years I accumulated thousands of them, gave them to charity and then went on to re-create a entirely different collection. Learning and learning is one of the most fulfilling pastimes that I engage in. Not only that but I am eternal student.

• Beech is a sacred wood of the summer solstice

Beech Leafs

An interesting connection, I think I will have to remember this for when Gwas and I visit Glastonbury this coming solstice.

• Magical operations especially applicable to Beech include: spells of information, especially seeking old wisdom; invocation of ancient guardians or Ancestors; research into old writings and the runes; magick of the Summer Solstice, culmination of desires; magick of victory

Here we see a connection to “writing”, “old wisdom”, “culmination of desires” and since I am very interested in fulfilling my writing ambitions concerning personal development. This seems to be echoed in a reflection on Beech.

I can see from these reflections that the Beech seems Ideally suited for the making of my wand. It really does make me smile that the tree that was pointed out to me had so many connections with me.

It is a feeling, this knowledge of how to make wands, comes as a feeling. From where it comes I wouldn’t even speculate. Let us say it is providence. It’s as good an answer as any.

I sit down and breathe deeply, taking hold of the Earth beneath my hands and it makes itself known. As you will create this wand, it will create you. Isn’t that only fair? It can only be made if it changes me too. An odd thought to entertain. Change me how? I ask.

A simple question and, do I feel a smile coming on? No answer is forth coming as yet, just a marker in the sand, saying “here you are now”. Just watch and see what you will become.

It surprises me to recognise fear in myself. Honestly, it truly surprises me, that this small feather, called fear, binds me to darkness. I ask myself, “Haven’t I trained myself to feel the fear and do it anyway?” Indeed.

It feels foolish to have fear over something like this, surely? Am I not making too much of it? That is the game though isn’t it? It is all about how much I make of it. Playing with such transformational magic is – deep breath – touching to the core.

I will take you places, inside and out. Why? Why can’t you feel my hands in yours?

Crackling twigs entertain me as the darkness folds, but I am not alone, the waves sing their song in the rising wind.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear it is to continue on in the face of it and, and I do not engender fear…that is in you alone.

Listen to the wind and the waves. Come and play, it is only a game, nothing to mind over. Don’t think, thinking tells you that you are alone. Listen, feel and know

Transformation through creation, I will match any stake you place. Come and play…

If you visit the sister site to this one, Hedge Druid, where I am side-kick to the most illustrious Gwas. You will find along the side of the page many links to various other Druid related material. Up until a couple of days ago I have never bothered visiting these off-shoots, being quite content with my own musings.

However, a couple of days ago I found myself clicking on one of the links and found a interesting door on the otherside. But I run too far ahead, let me slow down a bit.

Since my “tangent” into wand making was “announced” I had been musing over and generally letting my intuition guide me as to what would be needed. The simple answer to this is “alot”. One particular focus is that of carving. It seems obvious really, that with wand making must come carving, right? Still you have to have patience with me, the last thing I ever made from wood was a table in wood-work at school.

So, I have had carving on my mind for the last few days and this is where that “link” that I clicked becomes interesting…

The link leads to the site of a lady whose tag line is “Oonagh”. Which happens to mean Unity, Pure or One, quite a nice name I have to say (it’s Irish by the way).

Anyways…apart from having some lovely pictures on her site, I found myself scrolling further down the pages and found to my surprise some carvings of staffs and wands! Now then, if you want to peak my interest at this time you just have to combine those two words “wand” and “carving” and I’m chasing you like a good-un.

I explored more and more of Oonagh’s site and found that I must have been channeling this lady because many of the ideas that she has incorporated into her wand-making have been filtering into my mind too. Here is a description of one of her wands from this site (the top part is in French but scroll down and you will find an English translation).

Wand by Oonagh

• Hand made artefacts , no power tools used
• Select wood from a dealer respectful of ecology
• The species of Tree are selected for the meaning that it has for the Celts , and the Oghams alphabet
• The work is done with a specific intent
• The artist can never reproduce the same piece since she follows the direction of the wood itself , veins and energies of the wood are all different
• …this one was made as a banishing tools , for rituals leading to cut cords to unwanted energies , cleansing of spaces …

All of the above are a description of how Oonagh’s creates her wands and all of them, bar the second, are exactly the kind of notions I have in mind for the wand that I will be making.

What an enlightening find, as I said, mistress Synchronicity is always a wonderful entertainer. It is a real pleasure to encounter, after literally stepping out of the womb on this particular project, a lady who is walking the wand making path already.

I highly recommend a visit to Oonagh’s dream. You will find wonder, magic and mystery.