I carved two wands tonight But I don’t know which one I want to decorate? The thinner one is made of Willow and the thicker one is Birch. I just copied a picture I found online and I think they turned out pretty well Does anyone know anything about wood properties for wands and what’s best to choose? Or is it more intuition-based? Thank you in advance
I also got this through today, it was meant to be for the challenge but it never arrived in time, and I thought the red on it was pink lol but I still love it
Birch: The tree is used for protection, and the traditional broom of the Witches was made with their twigs and cradles were once manufactured from birch wood to protect their helpless charges. - Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by: Scott Cunningham
Willow: Love, Love Divination, Protection, Healing. carry or use the leaves in mixtures to atttract love. The wood is used to fashion magical wands dedicated to Moon Magic. - Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by: Scott Cunningham
I think either one would be great because you are making it & they have your energy!
No worries The links are awesome btw so much new information Oh and I seen the picture of your staff on the other post and it looks so good The grain patterns are beautiful and its natural curve gives it real character I was meant to write on the actual post but there was so much to read through when I got on I lost it again lol
I have never made a wand of my own, but I find both woods are very useful. For me I do believe though that choosing a wand depends on the person and the purpose of your work.
Was doing some research on this and came across this source on the internet tou can check it out here below:
I’m pulling towards the right one. But you always go with your own intuition!! They both look like they’d make great wands. Why can’t you have two? I have a few. I made one and bought 1, 2…? I don’t remember.
Beautiful wands, @Liisa! You have quite a talent for carving and wand design
Others have shared some wonderful knowledge about Birch and Willow- lots of great info here! Adding to that, I know @MeganB did some research on Sacred Irish Trees and wrote a post about the meanings and uses of Birch/ Beith as the wood is used in the Ogam alphabet and ancient Irish tradition. Just another resource for you to consider as you study the wood properties!
I think both trees have wonderful and unique benefits- I’m with Christina and Rown! If you’re up for it Lisa, why not decorate both lovely wands and use them for different purposes? At the very least, they would both make a beautiful addition to your altar space
@christina4@Rowan@BryWisteria Thank you my Grandad taught me to carve wood with a hunting knife and a Swiss blade, I don’t have his skills for fine details but I still love it I just looked for a picture of wands online and carved the shapes I liked, then give it a light sand and polish with linseed oil. I’m going to carve a Runic Talisman into each of them, which won’t go as smoothly as the shape carving lol but Runes don’t have to be perfect thankfully Should I remove all of the bark? The picture still had it on and like that it looks like a handle
When I made mine, I honestly can’t remember I’ve got to find it but I know I wrapped hemp around the handle to make it it look like one. That ultimately your decision. I’m sure it’ll look great either way!!!
I’m with Christina on this one- I know it’ll look great with or without the bark! It is kind of fun that it looks like a natural handle, but removing the bark leaves more room for decorations (wire wrapping, carving, etc). No wrong decision either way!
@christina4@BryWisteria Thank you I like Birchbark so I might leave that one on but remove the Willow bark Loose dried pieces of Birchbark make really good starting boards for fire lighting kits. if you scrape a little of the dried resin from the inside and use a flint and steel with some tinder it will light practically straight away, its a life-saving bark in the wild
But I don’t know which one I want to decorate? The thinner one is made of Willow and the thicker one is Birch. I just copied a picture I found online and I think they turned out pretty well 
Does anyone know anything about wood properties for wands and what’s best to choose? Or is it more intuition-based? Thank you in advance 
I’m going to have to get the BOS out so I can write them down, you are a star 
I’m probably going to end up using both, one for Moon magic and the other for the rest 
Oh and I seen the picture of your staff on the other post and it looks so good 
my Grandad taught me to carve wood with a hunting knife and a Swiss blade, I don’t have his skills for fine details but I still love it 
Should I remove all of the bark? The picture still had it on and like that it looks like a handle 
I’ve got to find it 
but I know I wrapped hemp around the handle to make it it look like one. That ultimately your decision. I’m sure it’ll look great either way!!! 
It is kind of fun that it looks like a natural handle, but removing the bark leaves more room for decorations (wire wrapping, carving, etc). No wrong decision either way! 
