Staff or Wand

So what many people inquire about are the tools of the craft. 2 tools I get many questions about are the Staff and the Wand.

Some common questions concerning these 2 tools are:
"Which is better?" (in the sense of functionality)
"Do I have to buy one or can I make one?"
"How do I make one?"
"Where can I buy one?"

Well let's start with the basics first.

Depending upon the tradition you learn from, or what feels right to you the Wand is usually the representation of the element of Air and the Eastern Direction, but will sometimes be a tool of Fire as well. The wand is a phallic symbol of masculinity.The wand is usually 13 inches or shorter. The common length to work with is from your wrist to your elbow. Wands are commonly used for infusing energy into objects such as candles, stones, or herbs. It can however be used to cast the circle. Again this will vary from tradition to tradition. If you are lacking in a wand you can always use your index finger of your casting hand to symbolize the wand. The wand is also easy to use indoors or outdoors.

The Staff is a longer extension of the Wand as the Sword is to the Athame. It has a lot of the same properties and characteristics of the Wand. The Staff's height however, is usually either equal to or a few inches shorter than your own height. The staff is used for all the same purposes of the wand, but due to it's height, it's best used outdoors. The Staff can be used to aid you in a spiritual walk, as a sign of status (such as in the reenactment of the battle of the Holly King and Oak King at Litha and Yule, though it's more common to just use long branches, some traditions will use plain staffs made of oak and one of holly to represent the two times of the year and the two kings).

So which one is better? That depends on you. If you like simple functionality and easy storage, the Wand is a great choice. If you like being in nature and taking long hikes, or just like that feeling of being a great witch from time to time ^_~ the Staff is the way to go.

So where can I buy a Wand or Staff? There are many places on the internet that offer decent prices and customization. Remember, Google is your friend. You can also check your local pagan and witchy based shops. They may not offer customization but they usually have gorgeous wands and staffs of many varieties.

Do I have to buy one of these? Nope, nature provides her students with everything they need. Go outside and find a lovely length of branch from a tree. Remember it's not wise to harvest from a living tree unless you ask the tree for it's help, and make sure to leave it an offering of water, or a crystal to help it stay healthy! Trees have feelings too!!!!

Are Wand's limited to just being made of wood? Absolutely NOT! Wands range from wood to copper, and even stone. You can find wand making kits for the copper and crystal kinds on the internet from different shops. For those interested in the copper wands, please remember that the oils on your skin and being exposed to air will cause the copper to oxidize, meaning it will turn green (kinda like the Statue of Liberty). Copper wands are usually used for healing, which is also one of the greatest things about the crystal wands as well. Crystals are directly from the earth so they will have a wonderful vibration to them and are great for healers. If you are looking for something more traditional, a simple wood wand made from Holly, Oak, Birch, or something of the like is a great way to go to. Wood wands are easy to take care of, easy to store and highly multipurpose if you personalize them with herbs and crystals, as well as little charms to make them your own.

How do I make a Wand?
Watch this short video for quick tips and tricks for making a wand.
Wand making 101

Instructions for general wand/staff making:

1.) Harvest your wand or staff on the Waxing Moon. Some prefer to do this when the waxing moon is on a wednesday (this varies from tradition to tradition and person to person).  Make sure the size works for you. If you plan to shave it and trim it up a bit, do an extra inch or two longer to be on the safe side.

 *Note* There is a little ceremony to this, which you can find on the internet but it is usually done by speaking to the tree from your heart.

2.) Let the wood dry for about a month and then soak in tea for about an hour then let dry again for approx 8 hours. (This is to kill bugs and other pests in the wood that you don't want in your home.)

3.) Shave the bark if you are choosing to.

4.) Decorate to your specifications (do your wrappings, crystal mounting, etc...)

5.) Let it sit in the full moon for 1 night.

6.) Consecrate your wand or staff during a ritual to awaken it's energies and program it to you. Remember that the more you handle your wand or staff the more of your energy it contains.

7.) You are now ready to start your magic :)

Most importantly here, have fun and instill love in your wand or staff. Use it as frequently as you need to, and always show respect to it :)


Brightest Blessings!

Lady SilverVixen


The pictures are of my wand that a very dear friend who is like family to me, made me for my birthday. This is a more detailed wand example, but it's a beautiful one.

What has Vixen been up to?

Hey there guys

Sorry I haven't blogged in forever. I have been learning how to use photoshop and a few other programs to help me find work. Here's a few examples of what I have been up to


Created my business card with my friend's company

I created a new business logos

And lastly, I've been playing with Gif animation software (this was my first attempt. The image was originally still and had no moving effects. I added in the smoke, the reflective water, the butterfly and the stars)

Please feel free to use these if you want, just make sure you give me credit for my hard work. These things were not easy for me to make and took a lot of my own personal time to fix up the way i wanted them.

Just a short message from me to my readers

A Message from LSV

The world of magic is a rather weird place in this day and age. With so many different paths one can take it can be hard to find your own. Once you find it though, you can find joy and knowledge and know that your path is yours but that you can still learn other paths and why others follow them.

After reading the first 4 chapters of A.J. Drew’s book Wicca for Couples, he spoke about love, not necessarily in a sexual context but more as in a relationship based one. We make a lot of connections with people on a daily basis, but the ones that stick are the ones that spawn friendships, and sometimes even more, such as in the case of my husband and I.  What is to become of all the fertility religions in the world as they are now? Who can really say? I do know that in my path of Wicca there is a stronger emphasis now on the individual rather than the couple.

I read in this book to write a list of individual goddesses, then the gods, then the couples. Granted yes, I can name quite a few in each, his point was very clear to me. In Wicca, there is an emphasis put on the Goddess, then the God, then the Couples of God and Goddess. It’s true that Wicca isn’t perfect, and we are still evolving, but in which direction? Are we going in the way of putting emphasis on the individual, the group or the couple? I personally see where this is going, but there are a few who are standing up and point this problem out.

As I grow in the craft, and I learn and read more and more, I have found that I myself, have evolved away from the simple, God and Goddess ideology of them being separate. They really are equals, and despite what I have read, despite what I was taught and have learned through different studies, all paths have this problem, as all people have this problem. Mankind has been programmed to search out a mate, whether it’s a male and male, a female and female, or a male and a female.  We literally are programmed by nature to do this, it’s instinct for us. What we have forgotten is that relationships come in all forms, such in the case of friendships.

I took to the internet to observe this in a chat that I like. The way we interact in a chatroom and the way we act in real life away from the computer are two different things, however, the similarity between these two places, is that there are still friendships made. There is still love that is shared, and joy, and sadness.  Among all of these things though, I have to say just sitting back and watching how people interact with each other, although a favorite past time of mine, is always interesting. You see how people really feel, even on the internet. I watch people with such love and fondness that I see their joy in their messages back and forth, their tickled delightment over new lessons they learn. I also see their anger, and their sadness, and although some consider this dark, weird, creepy, etc… it really does pay off to keep silence sometimes.

The concept of keeping silence, doesn’t deal so much with actually being quiet, but more to do with taking time to embrace silence and observe those you care about. To see and feel what they are going through. To embrace their pain, their love, their joy and their excitement. I learn a lot through watching my friends on the computer as well as away from the computer. I get to feel their joy, I get to experience their pain and sadness, and I get to understand them on a deeper level.

So why am I telling you all this? Because it’s no different than dealing with the God and Goddess in their couple aspect, as lovers and as friends. There is nothing that brings me more joy than lying in the grass next to my beloved, and know that we are a representation of the Lord and Lady. I liked to think that there is a compassion, and thrill is laying with someone you care about, and just relaxing there. Can you feel the love of the universe when you lay beside your love? Can you feel and embrace the knowledge that we are our deities, we are their love represented in the physical? How mind blowing and loving is that? To know you are one with deity, is to embrace the true divinity within yourself. To express you love to a friend, to a lover, or even to someone you don’t know. I can understand why Christians do this to some extent, though you’ll never see me running around quoting spells and versus from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, I would love nothing more than to shout my love to the whole world, but then I know, I only have to whisper.

I only have to whisper my love to my husband, or to myself, or to the God and Goddess in all their loving glory. This is kind of sappy, and I know many of you will have difficulty relating to this, but those who do, I implore you look within yourself and find this love. I implore you to look at your friends, and those you don’t know and watch their interactions with each other. See the God and Goddess in these interactions and embrace them with kindness, compassion and love.  Love is Law, and Love will be with you in your path. Embrace it in all its forms. 

A Wiccan in the Classroom

A Wiccan in the Classroom

By: Lady SilverVixen

1/31/12

                There was once a little girl named Snowbright, and a little boy named Sunskeeper. They were brother and sister. Snowbright was a happy and talented little 7 year old, and her brother, Sunskeeper was a joyous and sneaky little 9 year old. Both attended the same elementary school, but sadly were in two different classes.

                Snowbright loved her teacher Mrs. Luna, who was from Italy. She was a perky woman who made learning so much fun for her. She taught her class about numbers…..how to write…..how to read….and about the natural world around them in science class. Snowbright just loved, Loved, LOVED going to school to see Mrs. Luna every morning.

                Sunskeeper however, was not so lucky. He didn’t like Mr. Rupert who seemed to yell at him all the time about the little star that hung around his neck.

                “You take that Devil’s symbol of your neck young man, right this minute!” he’d yell.

                “But Mr. Rupert...” Sunskeeper would start.

“No BUTS!” Mr. Rupert would say sternly.

This is why Sunskeeper wasn’t fond of Mr. Rupert. See though, that Mr. Rupert is not a bad man, he is a loving father, a caring husband, and a very faith-filled man who goes to church every Sunday. He does not understand or know about Sunskeeper’s faith. He thinks the little star is the symbol of evil and the Devil.

The kids began taunting Sunskeeper, and at recess, Snowbright as well. They would yell at them

“Devils kid, Devils kid!” and “You’ll burn in hell!”

After several months of this, and feeling singled out by the kids who taunted him and his sister, Sunskeeper went to his mother and father and told them. He cried in his mother’s arms while his father was in an outrage. His dad paced back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Finally he came to a stop.

“I will go and have a talk with both teachers and the principal of this school.” His father said. “They need to be educated that it is not okay to say such cruel things.”

This made Sunskeeper feel better. Snowbright, who was standing around the corner, gave a heavy sigh of relief to know she was not going to get picked on anymore.

The following day, as their father had said, he went to the school during his children’s lunch, with his wife on his heels. The principal, Mrs. Luna and Mr. Rupert were all waiting for them in the main office in a little room.

“Please, Come in Mr. and Mrs. Suade” said the principal, “We have been waiting for you.”

Together they found their seats across from the teachers and sat with a few books and pamphlets.

“So it has come to my attention that the teachers here have not been kind to your children, and neither have the other kids in their classes.” Stated the principal.

“The children tell us they are being picked on every day during their recess.” Said Mrs. Suade.

“Oh My!” exclaimed Mrs. Luna. “I wish Snowbright would have said something to me.”

“She can be rather shy sometimes” replied Mrs. Suade.

“The main reason we are here is our son Sunskeeper” Mr. Suade chimed in.

“Oh?” asked the principal. “I understand he has had some issues of late listening to his teacher Mr. Rupert here.” He said.

“It was brought to our attention that Mr. Rupert was telling our son that he wore the devil’s mark around his necklace.” Said Mr. Suade.

“He is! That child has Devil written all over him!” Cried out Mr. Rupert.

“Well now, that is enough of that!” exclaimed the principal in a very angry tone. “None of the children in this school are of the Devil Mr. Rupert, and I would ask you kindly to keep such negative comments to yourself.”

“I see that our son was telling us the truth.” Mrs. Suade said to Mr. Suade.

“We have brought some reading material to educate Mr. Rupert here, on what a Wiccan is.” Mr. Suade stated firmly.

“Wiccan?” asked Mrs. Luna. “What is that if I may ask?”

“Wicca is a nature based religion that honors a Male and Female Deity.” Mrs. Suade said calmly. “We practice no harm against anyone.”

“It is the Devil in disguise” Mr. Rupert blurted.

“We do not believe in a Devil sir.” Mr. Suade said. “You do not know much about our faith do you?” he asked.

“No I do not. The Bible tells me what I need to know about people like you, and that’s all I need.” Mr. Rupert said firmly.

“Well, tell us what you know about “people like us” “Mrs. Suade said casually.

“You eat children, and you sacrifice babies and animals. I have half a mind to call child protective services on you both for forcing your children to practice such a dangerous cult.” Said Mr. Rupert.

Mr. and Mrs. Suade laughed.

“Sir, we do not eat children.” Mrs. Suade said still chuckling. “We honor a loving Mother, who like any can be a little cruel but does not want us to eat children. Live and Let to Live, is what we practice dear.”

“We do not sacrifice children or animals either.” Mr. Suade said stepping in to the conversation. “We sacrifice the bad habits and negative parts of ourselves so that we may better ourselves and those around us.”

“Our children are still early in their studies of Wicca too.” Said Mrs. Suade, taking over again. “They learn with several other children about their ages, from teachers, like your-selves. Sunskeeper is getting ready to come of age in the next few years and chose to learn himself. We have not forced our children to learn our faith, that is their choice and theirs alone. “

“We also are not a dangerous cult.” Mr. Suade said. “We are trying to live with the Earth, and we respect her for what she has given us. We let people come to us as their path pulls them. No one who practices with us is there against their will.”

“Well you use daggers and swords, and according to your son there are fights twice a year.” Mr. Rupert retorted.

With a chuckle Mrs. Suade said “Yes, that is true. We do not let the children handle these items though. The Dagger you are referring to is the Athame. It is a ritual blade in which energy is directed, the blade does not come in contact with flesh. It is not intended to be used to cause harm. The Sword is for outside only, and the children know not to touch this as well, and as in the case of the Athame, it too is not intended for harm, only energy direction. The battles you are referring to are at the Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice. This is when the Holly King, and Oak King battle. The Holly King represents the sun weakening in strength, and the Oak King where the sun is gaining strength. They battle twice a year when the Sun is at its peak of strength and weakness.”

“That is so fascinating.” Mrs. Luna Chimed in.

“These are times of great celebration.” Mr. Suade said.

Mr. Rupert remained quiet.

“Mr. Rupert, we have a few books and pamphlets that are rather short and easy to read. They offer a basic understanding of our faith and what we are really about.” Mr. Suade stated.

“I would love to have one of the pamphlets and a book too, if you don’t mind.” Mrs. Luna said.

“Absolutely!” Mrs. Suade exclaimed.

They pass the books and pamphlets to the teachers and sat quietly for a moment.

The principal was the first to speak. “I hope this clears up the matter. Mr. Rupert, Mrs. Luna, you can go back to teaching your classes, but I want to hear no more about the bullying of these fine peoples children. Mr. Rupert, no more Bible in the classroom. There is a separation of church and state for a reason, so let us keep it that way. You are lucky you do not lose your job over this.”

A few months go by and there are no problems.

One day, Mr. Rupert pulls Sunskeeper to the side and hands him the books and pamphlet his parents gave him.

“I would like to apologize to you Sunskeeper. I didn’t realize how loving your faith is. It is not my faith, but I respect you for following your heart and keeping the message of love in everything you do. Make sure these books get back to your folks alright?”

“Yes sir.” Said Sunskeeper happily. “Sir, I knew you weren’t a bad person. Many people do not understand my faith, just as many do not yours. I am glad you have learned from this experience, as what my teachers tell me, Learning is a Never Ending Experience!”

Mr. Rupert smiled and patted Sunskeeper’s head. “That is very true, and do not forget it”

Mrs. Luna also surprised Snowbright on this day. She came dressed up in a beautiful Moon Goddess outfit.

“Today class we are going to talk about tolerance, and bullying. I have requested many guest speakers to arrive today and I hope you give them your full attention.” She said cheerfully.

As she walked by Snowbright’s desk, she sat the books down. “Make sure these go back to your parents and let them know I’ll see them on Saturday.”

Snowbright smiled. It was going to be a great school year.

Mr. Rupert’s class joined Mrs. Luna’s that day. The guests came in and each was a different race and religion.  The kids learned much that day, and everything went smoothly for both Snowbright and Sunskeeper for the rest of the year. The children who originally picked on them, stopped. Mrs. Luna was in Snowbrights life for the next several years until she graduated. They all had a joyous school experience.

So you see; school can be a little bumpy when you are different. Whether it’s the color of your skin, your faith, or where you grow up. When you keep love in your heart, and your friends and family close, you can overcome any obstacle. Remember to live and let live, keep your family close, and always keep love in your heart.

Wicca for Couples- My New Read

Right now, between School, Occupy, Marriage, family life, etc... I have picked up the wonderful book Wicca for Couples: Making Magick Together by A.J. Drew. I'm currently reading the introduction and first chapter. I am completely entranced by the book so far, and there was one quote that inspired me to make this post, it is: 

"As many will point out, being loved is SALVATION from the darkest parts of our souls"-A.J. Drew from Wicca for Couples



It is so true that as humans we are always looking for that other half of us. We are always in search of love, unless we get married and have a happy relationship with your spouse (this applies to everyone, not just straight married couples, as I am a firm believer that a union such as marriage remains sacred so long as it is between two people who love each other).

Wicca has provided all of us the unique position to really dive deeply into the interactions between our masculine and feminine, as well as the masculine and feminine in our interactions 

with those we love, and the other relationships we create at any given time. 

See, one doesn't have to have sex to understand the union of the sacred masculine and the sacred feminine, they only need to look in a mirror to see it within themselves. It's this action between our energies and another that creates the union of life (though a little nooky does go a long way ^_~ lol).


To my readers who have stumbled across this, or read my blog and it's random spontaneous posts, I have a dare for you. I am daring you to take 5 minutes (or more)  EVERYDAY for 1, just 1 week and really look at your own interactions between the masculine and feminine in yourself, then look at them within others that you interact with. Not a people person? Then watch the interactions between other people. Record your findings and see where they can take you next, afterall, I can't give you all the answers, how else would you learn through your experiences? hehehe

Dear Reader

Dear Reader,

Wicca as we know it today is nothing like what the media portrays it to be. We work harmoniously with each other and the Earth.  There is nothing more irritating to many Wiccans than the common misconceptions that many people have. Some of these misconceptions are: that we are green; we cast curses for the fun of it; there are no repercussions to our actions; we are devil worshipers; etc… What is always interesting about Wiccans though is that you can ask 10 of us what Wicca means to us and how personally define it and you will get 10 different but similar answers. This isn’t to say they aren’t the same definitions, as they usually are, but we all define it slightly differently based on the tradition or lack of tradition we all follow.

So what is Wicca to Lady SilverVixen? To me, Wicca is not only religious view but it’s a personal way of life. It’s the change of one’s view on the way things work, why they work, and why people may act the way they do. It’s a personal change in how you actually live, because you are more aware of how you influence your surroundings, and the kind of footprint you leave behind.  It’s a change on how you may view your family, and how you view the cycles of life. Before I became Wiccan I used to just view the seasons as just seasons, always knowing there was a deeper meaning that can be expressed but never actually knowing what it was. It was a huge change of view for me to view the cycle of the seasons as a time of new life, to middle life, older life and then death. To view the times of death with hope and joy to know there is new life on the way. Nothing is left over, everything is recycled.

I can talk and ramble out general 101 stuff all day long. I know because I do it online all the time, opportunity provided of course. I teach this stuff and know it like the back of my own hand. The most thrilling part of teaching the 101 though is working with different students, and reading the new 101 books that come out because you always get a new opportunity to view old material from a different perspective. There’s about 5 different ways that I’ve learned to cast a circle that hadn’t learned in my original training, one of which I came up with based on an idea presented to me by a student. So even those teaching you, the ones who are reading this, they too can learn from you and any other students they may have.

I walk the path of the Goddess every day. I may not keep my blogs up to date, or check my facebook regularly, or even do rituals or spells on a daily basis, but I do honor the Lord and Lady in my own way. I say a prayer at least once a day to ask for blessings for my family and friends, including those who have forgotten me, ignore me, hate me, and for those that I may one day meet. Walking the path of the Goddess is: loving everyone despite how nasty they may be to you; for all acts of love and joy are her rituals.  It may be a hard road, but I walk it in faith every day. I walk it knowing that no matter what happens, or when it happens, there is a reason behind it. I hope that I leave this world one day in a better shape than what I was brought into it to find what it has become today.

To touch one person’s life in a positive way is to embrace the universe in all its majesty and be one with the Goddess for a brief moment.  So I say to you, question everything, love unconditionally, long and yearn for knowledge, and always remember that forgiveness and love are easier to give than it is to waste your time filling your heart with Hate. Embrace the path that you are pulled to follow, whether it is Wicca, Christianity or any religious path (or lack thereof) but always keep love and faith in your heart.

Sincerely,

Lady SilverVixen

Poppets

Poppets- by Lady SilverVixen

Poppets have been used throughout the ages since mankind learned to sew. Poppets are small dolls that take on the resemblence of an individual, whether it be yourself or someone else. They serve multiple purposes as well, from protection to healing, and revenge to love. Poppet magic is especially effective because of the psychological effect it can have on the person the doll represents. Dolls can be made of Cloth, Clay, Roots, Woods, or even in a pinch, paper.

Poppets come in a range in sizes as well as designs. Below is just one of many patterns one can choose from when making a poppet. (remember when using a pattern like the one provided, you have to trace out 2 copies of the doll on fabric so you have the front and back of the doll.)

Now of course there is more to making a poppet than just some general tracing on fabric, stitching it together and then stuffing it with cotton. Some other alternatives you can do are: stuff the poppet with herbs, annoint the poppet with oils, or add hair and clothes (or you can do all of these depending on the purpose and intent behind the doll). You can also place tags in/on the doll as well. A Tag is an object that either belongs to the individual, or something that creates a connection to the individual. These can add extra energy to your poppet magic.

Now that your poppet is all made and stitched together, the fun begins. You now have to name your poppet. The name can be a nick name you have for the person, or the persons actual name. The more personalized the doll the better.

Once the poppet has it's name it's time to bring it to life.

You can mark out a cross or a pentacle (depending on your religious beliefs any symbol that means life to you), in the air with your dominant hand over the poppet.

Say:

" (Poppet's name) You are,

And (poppet's name) to me,

Now point at the head and heart of the poppet and with strong conviction say:

"You will always and ever be"

Now hold the poppet in your hands, resting it on your non-dominant hand.

Say: "Creature of the elements, I give to you life from that which you are made of. Your purpose of creation is ___ (state your purpose)___. For this reason you were made, and only when I, your creator, feel you are no longer need, I will return you to the elements from which you came. So I have said, So I will it to be so"

IMPORTANT!!! Take really good care of your poppet when not in use. The last thing you want is to accidentally drop it and break it, or set fire to it etc. Wrap it in white cloth and keep it somewhere safe. To dispose of a poppet, dig a deep hole and bury it. Be sure to sever the magickal link between the poppet and the person before disposing of.

This information was shared in the good faith that no reader will use this to bring harm to another.

Remember that you can use herbs, oils, moon phases and even extra spells you write yourself to add extra boosts to your poppet. Take care of your poppet and enjoy the fun of poppet making.