Black Walnut

 Metaphysical Properties of Black Walnut

Walnut wood is associated with various metaphysical properties in different cultural contexts including the Greeks, Romans and early Americans. Here are some commonly attributed metaphysical properties of black walnut wood, along with potential cultural or belief system influences:

Fertility: walnuts have long been associated with fertility due to their physical resemblance to human brains and reproductive organs. In ancient Greece and Rome, walnuts were often used in fertility rituals and ceremonies, and they were sometimes considered symbols of fertility and abundance. Early American settlers would look for black walnut trees as a symbol of fertile land.

Protection: In some parts of the US, black walnut trees were grown near farm houses as they were believed to provide the homes protection from lightning. This wood can be used to shield yourself from negative emotions and unsavory energy by absorbing it on your behalf. Just be sure to cleanse your wand. 

Divination: In some traditions, burning walnuts could bring you bad luck. In other traditions, a bumper crop of walnuts was considered to portend a long and difficult winter. 

Maple

 Metaphysical Properties of Maple (incl. Ambrosia Maple)

Maple wood is an important wood in many cultures Here are some commonly attributed properties of maple wood:

Protection:  Maple wood is believed to possess protective qualities, creating a shield against negative energies and promoting a sense of safety and security. This belief may stem from the resilience and strength of the maple tree, which is known for its durable wood.

Abundance: In some belief systems, maple wood is associated with abundance, prosperity, and growth. The maple tree's ability to produce sweet sap, which can be processed into maple syrup, symbolizes abundance and the rewards of hard work. Maple wood may be used to attract prosperity and manifest abundance in one's life.

Harmony and Balance: Maple wood is often linked with qualities of harmony and balance. The maple tree's vibrant foliage and symmetrical growth patterns symbolize harmony with nature and balance in life. Maple wood may be used to promote emotional equilibrium, peace, and inner stability.

Vitality and Renewal: Maple wood is associated with vitality, energy, and renewal. The maple tree's seasonal cycles, including the vibrant colors of its leaves in autumn and the regeneration of new growth in spring, symbolize renewal and the cyclical nature of life. Maple wood may be used to revitalize the spirit, stimulate creativity, and promote personal growth.

Spiritual Connection: Maple wood is believed to enhance spiritual connection and intuition. The maple tree's deep roots and tall stature symbolize a strong connection to the earth and the heavens. Maple wood may be used to deepen meditation, facilitate spiritual awakening, and enhance psychic abilities.

The metaphysical properties attributed to maple wood may draw from various cultural influences. In North American indigenous cultures, maple trees have symbolic significance and are associated with myths, legends, and traditional ceremonies. Additionally, maple wood has practical and ceremonial uses in traditional craftsmanship and woodworking practices.

Olive

 Metaphysical Properties of Olive Wood

Olive wood, derived from the olive tree (Olea europaea), is known for its durability, unique grain patterns, and beautiful coloration. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, olive wood is also associated with various metaphysical properties.

Peace and Harmony: Olive wood is often associated with peace and harmony. The olive tree has historical and symbolic significance in many cultures as a symbol of peace, reconciliation, and wisdom. As a result, olive wood is believed to emanate peaceful energy and promote harmonious relationships.

Healing and Renewal: Olive wood is associated with healing and renewal. In some belief systems, it is believed to possess cleansing and purifying properties, helping to release negative emotions, traumas, or blockages and promoting emotional healing and renewal.

Spiritual Growth and Wisdom: Olive wood is often linked with spiritual growth and wisdom. The olive tree is revered for its longevity and resilience, symbolizing endurance and spiritual maturity. Olive wood is believed to facilitate spiritual growth, deepen one's connection to higher realms of consciousness, and enhance intuition and wisdom.

Abundance and Prosperity: In some belief systems, olive wood is associated with abundance and prosperity. The olive tree has long been cultivated for its valuable fruit and oil, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and prosperity. Olive wood is believed to attract abundance and prosperity into one's life and promote a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the blessings one receives.

Cherry

 Metaphysical Properties of Cherry

Cherry wood, the lover's wood, is associated with several metaphysical properties centered around emotion.

Balance and Harmony: Cherry wood is said to promote balance and harmony in one's life. It's believed to help align the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of an individual, fostering a sense of equilibrium and well-being.

Energy: Cherry wood is associated with vitality and energy. It is believed to enhance one's zest for life, helping to rejuvenate and revitalize the spirit.

Love and Passion: Cherry wood is often linked with love and passion. It is thought to stimulate feelings of love, romance, and affection, making it a popular choice for items such as love charms or tokens of affection.

Manifestation: Cherry wood is often associated with manifestation and the law of attraction. It is believed to amplify one's intentions and desires, helping them manifest their goals and dreams into reality.

Bloodwood

 

Metaphysical Properties of Bloodwood

Bloodwood, also known as Satine, is a dense and vibrant red hardwood that is believed to possess various metaphysical properties. Bloodwood is associated with the color red and the energies that go along with that: the physical body, passion, and creativity. 

Vitality and Energy: Bloodwood is often associated with vitality, strength, and energy. It is believed to invigorate the body and spirit, promoting physical health and well-being.

Passion and Courage: Bloodwood is associated with qualities of passion and courage. It is believed to ignite the flames of passion and desire, empowering individuals to pursue their goals with determination and bravery.

Protection and Grounding: Bloodwood is thought to have protective properties, creating a shield against negative energies and psychic attacks. It is also believed to promote grounding, helping individuals feel more connected to the earth and anchored in the present moment.

Stimulating Creativity: Bloodwood is often linked with creativity and inspiration. It is believed to stimulate the imagination and encourage innovative thinking, making it a favored material for artists, writers, and creative individuals.

Wand Crafting

Joyous Yule, Everyone! 

One of the things that I have found most enjoyable this winter has been spending some quality time in my garage chipping away at blocks of wood, turning blanks into wands. My day job (a kindergarten teacher) is overstimulating to say the least and the time I get to spend alone on my lathe is invaluable to me. It has been enlightening to discover the different properties of different woods, learn about their origins and the lore that surrounds them.

The Progenitor -- Wood unknown

This is my first turned wand. This piece of wood came off a friends burn pile and was just something I threw on the lathe to practice. I actually have no idea what kind of wood this is.  The original "finished product" was a chunky, ugly looking wand who then went into my drawer while I went on to practice on more pieces of wood. Yet, I was always drawn back to that one, and decided to put it back on the lathe and see if I could turn it into something more elegant.  It became the basic shape that all of the wands that came after. 

This is my personal wand, who I have dubbed "The Progenitor."

Purple Heart

This wand is made of "Purple Heart."  Purple heart is known for enhancing ones creative faculties and increasing healing potential (citations needed). One of my favorite woods, the color is absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, as it is with all of us, the beauty of this wood will fade over the years, becoming brownish to black in color -- which I actually find quite poetic. Bonus similarity: as it is with all of us, the beauty fades faster with exposure to UV. 

Ambrosia Maple

These wands are a very interesting wood that results from an unfortunate situation. These four wands are made of a wood called ambrosia maple. It is a form of "soft maple" (not actually soft, mind you) that has been bored into by an invasive beetle called the ambrosia beetle. Once there, the beetle spreads its symbiotic buddy, the ambrosia fungus that feeds its young. That fungus makes the colored splotches in the wood. To my knowledge, that makes these the only wood I've worked with that results from a combination of flora and fauna. 

I bought these by mistake, thinking I was buying regular maple because I am fascinated specifically by sugar maples. It turned out to be quite the happy accident, as this wood took me down quite the journey of knowledge seeking. 

Cherry

I know that these wands are all wood, but if I had to pick one type of wand that screamed "wood" it would be these wands. Cherry is a wood that is associated with love. The blossoms of a cherry tree bloom seemingly all at once in a flash of youthful beauty, yet the amorous flowers last only a moment before fading away. 

Black Walnut

Black walnut is one of my favorite woods that I've explored. It smelled wonderful while being turned and turned like soft butter! Something about turning black walnut almost felt inviting, like the wood wanted to see what it became just as much as I did. These wands also have some spots that highlight the woods natural chatoyance, or a foil like quality. The base of all of these wands "rod" portion is a cut out, where one could tie something meaningful if they desired. Right at the center of these cutouts, the light plays a little trick, creating what appears to be a faint ring of gold!   

Bolivian Rosewood

This is another wand that I had a blast making. The process of turning it showered me with light pink shavings. The surface of this wood is also glass-like it is so smooth. 

While my research did dig up some stories about rosewood, Bolivian rosewood is not actually a true rosewood (which is endangered)!  Specific to this tree, however, I was not able to find anything other than its modern usage as a popular tone wood.

As a musician myself, I found this wand really speaking to me while I handled it. 

Olive Wood

Here is another wand that was a joy to craft.  This wand was made specifically for my friend, the one who introduced me to the world of new-age spirituality. For him, the wood has special meaning, as it harks back to his youth spent on the Côte d'Azur. 

Supposedly, the city of Athens derives its name from a battle (of sorts) between Athena and Poseidon, where both were asked to offer something to the city. Poseidon gave water and Athena gave olive trees. The rest, they say, is history. 

Bloodwood

These wands give me the heebie jeebies. First, they feel like iron in your hands because they are so dense and heavy.

The first wand is my latest creation. It cannot be seen in the picture but the wood is extremely chatoyant. It is almost as if it is hard for the eyes to focus in on the wood when looking at it in person. My wife asked me if I was going to include it in my fundraising efforts and a feeling came over me like a certain legendary hobbit trying to give up his ring. 

This second wand of bloodwood shattered on my lathe and flew off -- not a good sign. After a bit of convincing, I managed to get it back on the lathe (albeit shorter) and had to work the tip to a finer more dagger-like point that I usually do to accommodate the angle of the break. It's like it wanted that. 

Weird wood.

Other Wands

The rest of these wands are a collection of friends that I've picked up in my walk but were not turned on my lathe. 

This little wand is the one of the few remaining pieces of an American holly bush that had the unfortunate placement of being too close to a building that needed repair. I took what I can and made holly wreathes, a nice pentacle and a few straight pieces to be made into wands. 

Holly is known as a ward against evil, and when inside, to be a place where spirits can find respite against the winter cold. 

This big guy was a stick I found wandering around. I love that its generally straight, but full of bends. 

I don't really have more information than that!  

This wand was created from a refuse pile after the trimming of my neighbor's weeping cherry. This particular piece is a combination of the heart wood and sapwood, so it has a beautiful white belly with a reddish brown back pictured here. It is very reminiscent of a snake.

*****

Each wand that I have made starts off getting worked outside but then ultimately gets finished at my altar where I craft. Each wand is crafted with with the intention that it be used as a spiritual aid for someone whether it is used it for casting a circle, or as a physical representation of the energy one wishes to invite in. However, as the current trend is for druid to be solitary, there are only so many friends I can give these to.

Regardless, I still want these wands to come of some use to someone, somewhere. 

I would like to offer anyone here one of these wands in exchange for a donation. When I am not making wands, I am a kindergarten teacher at a Title 1 school. Many of these kids lack cold weather gear and as a result, we often have to spend very cold days inside. Unfortunately, my classroom did not come equipped with non-academic (play) supplies in case of an indoor recess.  If you would like one of these wands, I would be happy to give you one in exchange for a donation to be used to purchase indoor toys like blocks and board games. If I am lucky enough to get everything these kids need, any funds beyond will be donated directly to Child Houses for their work with refugee children.  

https://gofund.me/0fe8a266

May the warmth of the Sun return to shine on all of us!

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Kyle 

 ***** 

Druid Crafting

I have not posted in some time. I've been hard at work at my second master's degree which has finally concluded! 

While I have not been giving this blog the attention that it deserves, I have been busy investigating new aspects of Druidism. The first aspect is more spiritually based: the crafting of magical items. For me, these items represent my intentions for their use and do not contain any literal magic. They remind me of my goals and aspirations as I work with them and self-reflect. The second aspect is more scientific: herbalism. 

Wands

As I continue my daily walks through my neighborhood, watching the leaves change as we enter fall, I have been collecting gifts left by the trees. I also have been picking up suitable branches cut by neighbors as they leave the remains gardening work by the curb for collection. Sometimes I am able to sit or stand with a tree and personally thank it for its gift, but often times I find wood scraps set off on the curb from trees on private property.  In any case, I figure these trees would not mind their limbs being used for honorable purposes.

When crafting the wand, I try to leave as much of the natural shape of the wood that I can. That is the way the tree grew them, who am I to question that?

First, I use my pocket knife to shave off the bark and whittle away any nubs that may interact with the flow of my energy. Next, I hand sand each branch down with progressive sand papers to 1500 grit, which leaves them looking like wooden glass. Then, each wand gets an oil bath and a polish. Finally, they are hand wrapped. While at this point the wand is finished being made, I still do not consider these wands complete. 

In order for the wand to truly be considered complete, they need an intention set. With my personal wand, I set my intentions for it in a ritual that I conducted with my good friend who set their intentions for their wand (which was also crafted by me). 

 

The wands in the picture here are "blanks". They are wands that I've finished the process of creating, but have not built a personal relationship with. I hope to continue creating these wands and give them out to friends.

Moon Water

Moon water is another spiritual item that I crafted. A friend joined me for a moon ritual on the harvest moon (which also happens to be Mid-Autumn/Moon Festival in my spouse's culture). All around a good evening.  

We followed a modified version of the Full Moon Ritual contained in The Druids Book of Ceremonies, Prayers & Songs. The modifications were designed to align more closely to my own religious beliefs (or lack thereof). One of the reasons that I was so drawn to this particular ritual was that very little of it needed to be changed to accommodate my beliefs and what is there is as accessible to me as a non-religious practitioner as it was to my friend who is a more traditional Pagan. 

Herbalism

I have only just started to scratch the surface of this topic. Herbalism has always been intriguing to me and having lived in China and Taiwan for many years, its quite interesting to see the juxtaposition between Eastern and Western approaches to medicine. China is, of course, quite famous for its "TCM" (Traditional Chinese Medicine) which is essentially formalized herbalism. 

This book is the first book on my Earth Path Studies list. While I have not had too much time to go through it in depth, I did find a recipe for a tincture of lemon balm, which I have growing in the garden. Quite interestingly, while it is already early November, my lemon balm started shooting up fresh stalks. I made enough for a mason jar worth and I'll have to see how it turns out in the next few weeks. 

As always, thank you again for being a part of my journey. 

Kyle 

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