Woodworking and wandsmithing: Preparing the staves

There’s no sound, except those made by the work of my hands.  The blade of my knife slides along the length of the still green stave, shaving strips of wet bark away.  Live wood is best, if harvested with respect.  No dry rot or insects, no cracks or breaks.  And live wood still carries with it the spirit of the tree that gifted it to the craftsman.  With a final stroke, the last of bark is gone.  Two staves down, two to go.  It isn’t hard work; that will come later.  But care must be taken not to nick the soft wood underneath or else cracks and splinters may form as the wood dries, and the knots must be trimmed and smoothed now while they are easier to work. 

            Half an hour passes and all four staves have been prepared and the extra moisture wiped away.  A small amount of beeswax wood balm is applied to the ends to help seal the capillaries.  The cut ends dry fastest, and if they aren’t covered the faster contracting wood at the ends will crack.  They’re set away out of the sun and away from the heat to dry.  Dry too quickly and the wood cracks.  Four weeks and they’ll be ready to be shaped and carved.   Plenty of time to study the curves and grain, and work out what forms they’ll yield.  Two straight and smooth staves of American Elder, and two of bumpy curving Birch.  There’s a lot of potential here, and I relish the chance to see what they become.

            Working with wood allows you to learn about a tree on a deep level.  It teaches you not only the structure of the branches and bark but about the tree itself like no other way.  I truly enjoy it, and bringing another aspect of the Craft into the work by crafting a wand is an added boon.  But one can only use so many wands and I already have two, so why am I making four more?  One is promised to the Rose as a gift to repay her for my first wand, which was crafted by her hands so many years ago.  The other three are for my enjoyment.  If they turn out well, perhaps they’ll find their way online for sale. 

            In most traditions a wand should be made by the one who will use it, and this is a good practice.  Anything made carries with it a bit of the craftsman.  You give a bit of yourself, your spirit, to something made by your own hands.  A wand is an extension of the owner so crafting it yourself infuses it with your spirit in a powerful way.  But sometimes this isn’t an option, or a wand crafted by another is preferable.  Whatever the reason, there are a number of wands out there in the wild reaches of the internet for purchase.  

If this is route you choose to take, I at least urge caution.  There are many imitations and artificial options meant for costume.   It should go without saying these would not be suitable.  Do your research and be sure of what you are getting.  A wand is a very personal tool and you would do well to take care in choosing it.  Who knows, perhaps one day a wand of my making may find its way into your hands.  I gave it a bit of my heart and soul.  Use it wisely.