Merry meet!
Thank you once again to all those who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Catch-Up 
The challenge clock has started once again and we are off with challenge #161 - it’s time to bring out one of a witch’s most beloved tools! 
The theme for this week’s challenge is…
Wonderful Wands 
Usually listed as one of the essential tools for casting spells, a wand can serve many various purposes in spellwork and crafting.
The Wand is a prominent tool because it symbolizes the Will of the person who performs the Magic, and serves above all to direct the energy, and sometimes to cast the Circle of Protection. It is highly esteemed within most Witchcraft traditions.
The wand, like the athame, is used to direct energy. It is usually made of wood and can be decorated or inscribed with symbols. It is a projective tool that represents the Element Fire, although some consider it to be a tool ruled by Air.
From Spells8: The Magic Wand
Although a wand is not required for casting spells, it functions like all magickal tools- when used with intention, it can greatly enhance the spellwork being cast. No matter what purpose a witch chooses to use their wand for, it is a beloved assistant in your practice!
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This week’s challenge is all about magickal wands - but as always, how you do so is up to you!
So are you ready? Because it’s…
CHALLENGE TIME!
From Spells8: Free Magic Wand Printable Page
STEP 1 : A Witch’s Wand
This challenge is all about magickal wands- but how you choose to take on this theme is up to you!
Still not sure where to begin? To help you get started, here are a few ways in which a witch might approach this challenge.
Have a wand of your own? Feel free to show it off and share all about it for your challenge entry this week!
You might share a little about:
- How you choose your wand
- What wood/materials it is made from
- How you use it in your practice
- Etc.
Crafting a wand is a very special process that creates a deep bond between the practitioner and their new sacred tool. It can often take a lot of time, but rest assured that there’s no need to rush- sharing your wand-crafting plan or beginning the wand-crafting process can count as your entry this week.
Related discussions:
- Making a wand for the first time- how to make and what to use them for?
- Wand crystal wrapping
- Did you make your own wand?
- Tips for making a wand
- What to do with a staff
When welcoming a new sacred tool into your practice, many witches choose to consecrate it- a process that involves preparing the tool to be used in your practice. Consecration is usually done on new tools, although it can be done at any time. Cleansing is the process of washing away negativity and refreshing a tool for use in the Craft.
Magickal Tool Consecration - Cast Along Spell
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Wand Wisdom 
Interested in magickal history and lore? Consider exploring the history of wand-wielding or magickal lore about wands for your challenge entry this week. You might also explore the wisdom of choosing wood for a wand or other wanderful wand facts- or even venture close by into the world of magickal staffs and staves.
Related discussions:
The suggestions above are just a few ideas to help kickstart your creativity- if you feel called to explore wands in another way, please feel free to do so! 
As always, all witches are encouraged to embrace their own unique practice with how they explore the challenge theme 
STEP 2 : Share Your Experience 
Click here for a note about challenge inclusivity
Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For lurkers and those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you!
That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience.
Getting Your Credit 
In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it! 
Where Should I Share My Entry? 
Click here to learn where to share your challenge entry
You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” 
to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!
Alternatively, you could create a new post in the forum (this is good for when you have a lot to share and/or would like to discuss aspects of your entry not related to the current theme)
Note : If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you! 
Deadline 
This challenge will close in 6 DAYS
To join in, please share your experience by:
Tuesday, September 12 at 7:00 AM EDT (Eastern US Time)
2023-09-12T11:00:00Z
(Note that the time zone is ET- if you don’t see your time displayed above, you can use this time zone calculator to check for your time zone!)
Prizes 
For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize!
Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.
After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.
A warm reminder that the challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice
If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team.
And for those new to challenges- welcome! 
Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways 
From Spells8: How to Make Your Witch’s Wand
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Whittled with love and crafted with care,
A wand is a mighty tool to bear
So choose wisely and form your bond-
Behold the power of your beloved wand!
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Blessed Be!
I’m going to have to think how to work this one. 
As for this amazing challenge, hmm. I’ll have to see, because i have my plain and raw, pine wood wand (and i have like 4 more of those! 
) I’m not gonna say much just yet. 
This pic is giving me all kinds of bewitching goosebumps! 
next wand will be from a willow tree branch need to go and find one first 
