The Shamanic Wand

Variety of Wands

Many modern shamanic and esoteric practices include the use of a ritual wand. The wand is an instrument of invocation of spirits and serves primarily to direct spiritual energy. Healing energy can be mentally transmitted through the wand and out into the environment or into a patient's body. Prayer and intention can be broadcast to the spirit world. It may serve as a divination tool, extraction aide, and purifying device.

The wand dates back to prehistoric times. Some of the first depictions of a wand come from Egypt, in the hands of the Pharaohs. The Greek god Hermes is depicted with a caduceus, a winged wand or staff with two snakes coiled around it. In Celtic mythology, the so-called "Triple" or "Triadic" Goddesses are often seen or depicted with wands. Scholars believe that the origin of the wand derives from the shaman's drumstick. And if this hypothesis is correct, why would the drum no longer have been used in conjunction with the wand (beater)?

The most likely answer may lie in the fact that throughout history in different cultures around the world the traditional practice of shamanism has often been outlawed and driven underground. In a recent post, blogger and author David Warner Mathisen presented the argument that the shamanic worldview is an integral part of the shared history of all humanity, but that this worldview has been deliberately stolen and suppressed. The shamanic worldview was perceived as an extremely potent threat -- to the point that possession of a shamanic drum has in almost every case been outlawed, and a policy of confiscation and destruction of drums implemented. Hence, the percussive use of the drum became impracticable in populated areas due to its distinctive sound.

Any authentic shaman would have always found a way to continue his or her practice of the shamanic arts. When Tuvan drums were being confiscated and destroyed during the times of Soviet repression, some shamans used only their rattle beater or orba for rituals. In Tuva (southern Siberia), the orba, with its spoon-shaped head covered with animal fur and metal rings attached for rattling, is in part for practicing divination, purifying sacred space for ritual, and drawing the attention of the spirits. Working in this way, shamans would have been able to covertly continue their practices.

In the shaman's world, all things have spirit and everything is alive. Like the shaman's drum, the drumstick or wand is imbued with spiritual purpose and becomes a living presence. Since the objects are then considered to be alive, they function as spirit helpers and guides to the shaman in their work. To guide you in making your own ritual wand and other sacred implements, I highly recommend the book, A Spirit Walker's Guide to Shamanic Tools by Evelyn C. Rysdyk.