Magic Wand

Several years ago, my friend and I were going through a more specifically 'witchy' phase and I had purchased a few books on the subject.

I remember reading a section in one of these books called 'tools of the craft' where they described how to find yourself a wand. I read that you should go looking outside for sticks and that the right one would 'make itself known to you'. I also read that the wand should measure from the tip of your middle finger, to the inside crease of your elbow.

I went about my business, keeping an eye open for wands but no sticks leapt out at me from the bushes (probably a good thing in retrospect!). Then, one winter's day, I was with my parents at our local garden center, buying a Christmas tree. I love Christmas with every fibre of my being so this was always a special tradition and this garden center in particular, had a 'special spot' which I had visited every year since I was tiny. Each time, my parents would begin examining trees and I would skip off to this 'special place' and stay there until I heard them calling me to leave.

The 'special place' in question was always empty and I had always felt a real sense of mystique and magic whenever I was there. It is hard to put my finger on, but being there always stirred up the 'witchy' feelings in me. This particular year, I was wandering around my special place, letting my mind wander, when I saw a long stick on the ground. It was possibly part of a planting structure but it was just lying there. It was very long (a couple of meters) so I don't know why I picked it up, but I did. As I was looking at it, the weight caused it to bend and before I knew it, the top half had broken off completely, leaving me holding a smaller length.

I measured it and sure enough - the exact length of my middle finger tip to the inside of my elbow.

I took it home, cleaned it up and wrapped it in some colourful ribbon to mask the splinters where it had broken off. A nice little story of finding a wand at Christmas.