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The Witch's Tools #2
Witch's Wand: The Craft, Lore, and Magick of Wands & Staffs
With a wave and a flick, you'll discover the fascinating history, tradition, and modern uses of the wand. From a variety of spells and rituals to methods for making your own wand, master wandmaker Alferian Gwydion MacLir presents a wealth of knowledge that witches of all levels can use.
Filled with valuable information on crafting wands with specific stones or crystals, incorporating the magical qualities of trees, and using wands and staves in ceremonies and seasonal festivals, The Witch's Wand is a fun, easy-to-use guide to these powerful tools. It also features nuggets of wisdom written by well-known witches that show how the wand is a constant companion and source of inspiration in the magical life.
Filled with valuable information on crafting wands with specific stones or crystals, incorporating the magical qualities of trees, and using wands and staves in ceremonies and seasonal festivals, The Witch's Wand is a fun, easy-to-use guide to these powerful tools. It also features nuggets of wisdom written by well-known witches that show how the wand is a constant companion and source of inspiration in the magical life.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2015
29 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 5, 2025
When Alferian Gwydion MacLir, also known as Dr. James Maertens, wrote “The Witch's Wand: The Craft, Lore, and Magick of Wands & Staffs” he clearly stated on page one that his goal was to,
“…introduce the reader to wands from my point of view as a wandmaker…”
With a statement like this, MacLir pretty much sets readers up for what to expect, letting them know that the book isn’t going to be comprehensive. I was, however, a little startled by the lack of citations, and especially so given that he earned a PhD in English from the University of Minnesota. This information wasn’t included in the book’s short biography but was instead found on his Amazon page. I attempted to go the website that was listed in the book, but that address is no longer active.
I get it—this book isn’t a scholarly work. Even so, the meager citations included just wasn’t enough. In fact, the few citations and small bibliography pales in comparison to some authors, like Scott Cunningham, who didn’t have advanced degrees yet synthesized copious amounts of information and included hefty footnotes and endnotes.
I know that some reviewers have commented about MacLir’s constant referral to phallicism. In MacLir’s defense, these references are due to the religion (Wicca). At the same time, these references and the accompanying discussion of gendered tools (male/female) have a tendency to make some people, and especially younger generations, uncomfortable. While I think it’s great that the author showed how wands fit into the Wiccan religion, it would have been nice to see him also explain how wands are used in non-religious witchcraft. Doing so would have increased the book’s reception to a wider audience.
I wish that MacLir had included more diversity as far as wands are concerned. I know at face value that this seems ridiculous, but let me explain. I know that the religion of Wicca originated in Great Britain, and the vast majority of trees that the author discusses are either European or in some cases American. In fact, many of the trees listed can be found on my family’s farm. Wicca is practiced by people worldwide, but many of the trees in those areas are absent. For example, olive trees, tea trees, and so on. As a result, this book may appeal to Europeans, Canadians, and the U.S., but what about Wiccans in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, not to mention Central and South America?
MacLir suggests using astral cores for the wands which, as many reviewers have already pointed out, seems to be lifted from the Harry Potter franchise. He even provides an appendix in the back of the book that lists mythical creatures and their meanings. He also provides several examples for each of the Wheel of the Year festivals using line drawings. The line drawings are nice, but I think it would have been more effective if the author had used photographs.
The author gave a few tips regarding the creation of wands, such as using plastic sanding pads. I wish the author had focused more on the tools aspect and the actual creation of wands. In the entire book, he only mentioned the word “lathe” once. While many people use natural wands like those that fall off of trees, many wands are turned on a lathe and specifically use lathe chisels. The author left out important information on the actual mechanics of wand making.
What I really like about this book is that MacLir shows people how to enchant, charge, dedicate, and consecrate wands using not just examples but small ceremonies for solitary witches. I also really like his inclusion of appendices. Once again, though, he only listed thirty (30) trees in the appendix and these are only native and/or grow in specific regions.
This book is basically about the author’s “…point of view…”—a premise that was included on the first page. With that in mind, he succeeded in writing this book. But the book could have been **so** much more detailed. Instead, the book is highly selective and is therefore limited in its audience.
“…introduce the reader to wands from my point of view as a wandmaker…”
With a statement like this, MacLir pretty much sets readers up for what to expect, letting them know that the book isn’t going to be comprehensive. I was, however, a little startled by the lack of citations, and especially so given that he earned a PhD in English from the University of Minnesota. This information wasn’t included in the book’s short biography but was instead found on his Amazon page. I attempted to go the website that was listed in the book, but that address is no longer active.
I get it—this book isn’t a scholarly work. Even so, the meager citations included just wasn’t enough. In fact, the few citations and small bibliography pales in comparison to some authors, like Scott Cunningham, who didn’t have advanced degrees yet synthesized copious amounts of information and included hefty footnotes and endnotes.
I know that some reviewers have commented about MacLir’s constant referral to phallicism. In MacLir’s defense, these references are due to the religion (Wicca). At the same time, these references and the accompanying discussion of gendered tools (male/female) have a tendency to make some people, and especially younger generations, uncomfortable. While I think it’s great that the author showed how wands fit into the Wiccan religion, it would have been nice to see him also explain how wands are used in non-religious witchcraft. Doing so would have increased the book’s reception to a wider audience.
I wish that MacLir had included more diversity as far as wands are concerned. I know at face value that this seems ridiculous, but let me explain. I know that the religion of Wicca originated in Great Britain, and the vast majority of trees that the author discusses are either European or in some cases American. In fact, many of the trees listed can be found on my family’s farm. Wicca is practiced by people worldwide, but many of the trees in those areas are absent. For example, olive trees, tea trees, and so on. As a result, this book may appeal to Europeans, Canadians, and the U.S., but what about Wiccans in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, not to mention Central and South America?
MacLir suggests using astral cores for the wands which, as many reviewers have already pointed out, seems to be lifted from the Harry Potter franchise. He even provides an appendix in the back of the book that lists mythical creatures and their meanings. He also provides several examples for each of the Wheel of the Year festivals using line drawings. The line drawings are nice, but I think it would have been more effective if the author had used photographs.
The author gave a few tips regarding the creation of wands, such as using plastic sanding pads. I wish the author had focused more on the tools aspect and the actual creation of wands. In the entire book, he only mentioned the word “lathe” once. While many people use natural wands like those that fall off of trees, many wands are turned on a lathe and specifically use lathe chisels. The author left out important information on the actual mechanics of wand making.
What I really like about this book is that MacLir shows people how to enchant, charge, dedicate, and consecrate wands using not just examples but small ceremonies for solitary witches. I also really like his inclusion of appendices. Once again, though, he only listed thirty (30) trees in the appendix and these are only native and/or grow in specific regions.
This book is basically about the author’s “…point of view…”—a premise that was included on the first page. With that in mind, he succeeded in writing this book. But the book could have been **so** much more detailed. Instead, the book is highly selective and is therefore limited in its audience.
August 16, 2018
Excellent book.
I had to read a book with a wand on the cover for a challenge, and that's how I stumbled upon this. I know nothing about wands. I don't practice magic, either. When I was growing up I had an interest in Wicca and paganism and read a lot about it. I had an alter and everything. I've since maintained a casual interest in witchcraft and magic, mostly through watching films or reading fictional books about it. So it was pretty cool to read this nonfiction book about wands and their purpose.
Going into the book I had really no idea about wands. I'm giving this book the full five stars because it had a clear purpose to the text and achieved it. Each chapter was succinctly written and easy to understand. I learned a lot about wands and their importance. Most interesting to me though was learning how to make a wand. Particularly, the discussion on the different tree types and stones. I also enjoyed the chapter on spells.
Because of this book I will likely make a wand. I think it could be a powerful tool, even though I am not a witch by any means I see the appeal in having one. I am also interested in making the protection potion.
Also: The owl in the illustrations was too cute! Love it!
I had to read a book with a wand on the cover for a challenge, and that's how I stumbled upon this. I know nothing about wands. I don't practice magic, either. When I was growing up I had an interest in Wicca and paganism and read a lot about it. I had an alter and everything. I've since maintained a casual interest in witchcraft and magic, mostly through watching films or reading fictional books about it. So it was pretty cool to read this nonfiction book about wands and their purpose.
Going into the book I had really no idea about wands. I'm giving this book the full five stars because it had a clear purpose to the text and achieved it. Each chapter was succinctly written and easy to understand. I learned a lot about wands and their importance. Most interesting to me though was learning how to make a wand. Particularly, the discussion on the different tree types and stones. I also enjoyed the chapter on spells.
Because of this book I will likely make a wand. I think it could be a powerful tool, even though I am not a witch by any means I see the appeal in having one. I am also interested in making the protection potion.
Also: The owl in the illustrations was too cute! Love it!
April 17, 2019
So much Nope.
*Did we need to have it pointed out that wands are phallic? Nope
*Did we need specific types of wands pointed out as especially phallic? Nope
*Was it important to discuss a rivalry between wands and athames? Nope
*Did it help to discuss how problematic it is to use "masculine" or "feminine" to describe multiple aspects of wand construction and usage, say you're not going to use them, then use them anyway? Nope. (See Table of Correspondences for Wand Parts pg 69)
*Should Staffs/Staves be described as just big wands which, while mostly being held upright, can also be held and utilized phallically? Nope
*Should the author have used this quote?: "I cannot imagine the female preferring a cold sharp blade of dagger piercing the 'cup' of her vagina rather than the rounded tip of a warmly oiled wand." -Lon Milo DuQuette pg. 16 [Candidate for 'Not Just No...' Award]
*Should the author have used this quote?: "The wand is all things active: all things positive, all things protrusive and penetrating. The wand is the instrument of fatherhood; the phallus of creation; and the photons of sunlight." -Lon Milo DuQuette pg. 62 [Nope.]
All of which serves to distract from the ongoing contradictions in the book about the wand's very nature. The book describes various types of wands, their uses, construction and so on, while at the same time stating that wands really do nothing as the energy comes from the focused mind of the person. That a finger would be just as effective. (The double entendre of this seems to have been missed.)
This is one of 6 books in a series and the other 5 I would recommend to beginners in the craft. This one? Nope.
*Did we need to have it pointed out that wands are phallic? Nope
*Did we need specific types of wands pointed out as especially phallic? Nope
*Was it important to discuss a rivalry between wands and athames? Nope
*Did it help to discuss how problematic it is to use "masculine" or "feminine" to describe multiple aspects of wand construction and usage, say you're not going to use them, then use them anyway? Nope. (See Table of Correspondences for Wand Parts pg 69)
*Should Staffs/Staves be described as just big wands which, while mostly being held upright, can also be held and utilized phallically? Nope
*Should the author have used this quote?: "I cannot imagine the female preferring a cold sharp blade of dagger piercing the 'cup' of her vagina rather than the rounded tip of a warmly oiled wand." -Lon Milo DuQuette pg. 16 [Candidate for 'Not Just No...' Award]
*Should the author have used this quote?: "The wand is all things active: all things positive, all things protrusive and penetrating. The wand is the instrument of fatherhood; the phallus of creation; and the photons of sunlight." -Lon Milo DuQuette pg. 62 [Nope.]
All of which serves to distract from the ongoing contradictions in the book about the wand's very nature. The book describes various types of wands, their uses, construction and so on, while at the same time stating that wands really do nothing as the energy comes from the focused mind of the person. That a finger would be just as effective. (The double entendre of this seems to have been missed.)
This is one of 6 books in a series and the other 5 I would recommend to beginners in the craft. This one? Nope.
January 8, 2016
The Witch's Wand is a short, odd book aimed at the history, crafting and magic behind wands. I found it lacking and not particularly informative.
The author's beliefs are different to my own, which does not in itself make me discount them. I did, however, struggle with some of his claims. The extended use of a penis metaphor for wands is awkward. The author repeatedly returns to the phallic nature of a wand, including mentioning magic bursting from the tip of a wand much like the "seed" from a penis. I found the much laboured metaphor unnecessary and, really, quite gross.
The author is clearly a fan of Harry Potter- it is evident in the artwork in the book as well as the information on the "core" of a wand. The book explains that while in the Potter novels, wands had actual cores made from such things as griffin feathers, in reality you can make a core from the astral parts of mythical or spirit animals. This involves finding an astral unicorn hair, or whatever takes your fancy, somehow, and then imagining it into the centre of your real piece of wood, thus infusing it with the magical attributes of the creature. The author claims there is a long historical record of this being done but the reality is that the idea of such cores was created by J. K. Rowling for a series of novels. And while Harry Potter is a love of mine, he is a fictional character in a fictional world created by a woman who is not a magical practitioner. This inability to separate from fictional worlds leaves this guide to wand making more akin to a fantasy jaunt or an idea for LARPing.
Overall, not a book I'd recommend for someone seeking knowledge on wands, trees or crystals.
July 8, 2016
I was excited to read a book all about wands, but this was a big disappointment. In about the first fifty pages of the book the author keeps comparing the wand to a penis, and after a while it felt like i was reading something written by Freud; i get it the wand is shaped like a penis, i don't need to be reminded of it every two pages.
I did think the author gave a lot of good information about the history of wands, how to make them, and their uses; he goes into detail about color symbolism, crystal and tree meanings, and the wheel of the year. I did have a problem with the author saying that there was only one way of doing things, when that is not true. His target audience is pagans and people practicing witchcraft, and there are endless ways to do things, everyone is unique in how they practice. It got annoying that he would say something has to be done a certain way when that is not the case, and i would not like someone who had no previous knowledge on the subject to have that mindset. Because of this i would not recommend this book; a lot of this information can be found in much better books.
I did think the author gave a lot of good information about the history of wands, how to make them, and their uses; he goes into detail about color symbolism, crystal and tree meanings, and the wheel of the year. I did have a problem with the author saying that there was only one way of doing things, when that is not true. His target audience is pagans and people practicing witchcraft, and there are endless ways to do things, everyone is unique in how they practice. It got annoying that he would say something has to be done a certain way when that is not the case, and i would not like someone who had no previous knowledge on the subject to have that mindset. Because of this i would not recommend this book; a lot of this information can be found in much better books.
December 30, 2021
I really have enjoyed the other books in this series so much that it comes as a great disappointment to find this one is nearly unbearable. The author seems to obsess over sex and unable to break free from extremely outdated gender stereotypes that are maybe the only part of this book that seem to come from a place of ancient thinking. It’s repetitive in its attempt to restrict feminine energy to hearth and home while going on and on about how phallic forms equate to assertiveness and will power. If it were one or two comments on the subject, it wouldn’t be a bother but the author doesn’t seem to be able to discuss anything else without repeating some very limited and honestly offensive viewpoints about the roles of men and women and sex.
It reads like something I’d expect from the 1950s. It’s one thing to equate different tools to male and female energy out of respect for representation and symbolism, it’s another to perpetuate the toxic ideas of what feminine or masculine traits must be. This book could have taken so many other directions but it just kept going on and on about gender roles that simply don’t hold true.
It reads like something I’d expect from the 1950s. It’s one thing to equate different tools to male and female energy out of respect for representation and symbolism, it’s another to perpetuate the toxic ideas of what feminine or masculine traits must be. This book could have taken so many other directions but it just kept going on and on about gender roles that simply don’t hold true.
July 6, 2017
I felt as if this book never quite found its focus. It's partly a guide to making your own wand, and MacLir has included helpful lists of the magical properties of trees and stones to help with this. This is the strongest part of the book—MacLir is a professional wandmaker, and this sounds like his true passion—but if this is what you're interested in, his first book, Wandlore: The Art of Crafting the Ultimate Magical Tool, probably goes into this in much more detail. The Witch's Wand also covers uses of wands in magic and ritual. I'm not sure who would get the most out of these sections, though. They assume some previous knowledge on the part of the reader, so they may not be all that helpful for beginners, but they're also overviews that may not have much new material for more experienced practitioners. And as several other reviewers have noted, the author's emphasis on the phallic symbolism of wands gets tiresome quickly.
January 6, 2016
A comprehensive reference guide exploring nearly every facet of the witch’s wand from lore, legend, and symbolism to wand making and spell casting. While there are books available that cover woods and crystals, others that cover wand construction, and others still that address usage, here everything is compiled in one convenient volume.
That said, there is a risk in writing a guide that targets all levels of expertise. Parts of the book read like a Witchcraft 101 primer (how to throw a circle, for example), while other topics (such as discussions of the astral plane) are likely far beyond the novice.
NOTE: The e-arc was extremely difficult to read, with anecdotal inserts (which were fascinating, by the way) breaking up page continuity throughout. I tried not to let the text format influence my review. I trust it was cleaned up in the final release.
Thanks to NetGalley and Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.
for the opportunity to read and review this title.
That said, there is a risk in writing a guide that targets all levels of expertise. Parts of the book read like a Witchcraft 101 primer (how to throw a circle, for example), while other topics (such as discussions of the astral plane) are likely far beyond the novice.
NOTE: The e-arc was extremely difficult to read, with anecdotal inserts (which were fascinating, by the way) breaking up page continuity throughout. I tried not to let the text format influence my review. I trust it was cleaned up in the final release.
Thanks to NetGalley and Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.
for the opportunity to read and review this title.
June 8, 2021
It was okay. It's very different from the other books in this series. I got a very strong Harry Potter vibe from this especially with the photo of the author (he looks like a wizard you'd see on a chocolate Frog card!). I like the tables at the back of the book. Of course, I also like the cute owl illustrations.
May 27, 2022
J'avoue que ce thème sur les baguettes n'est pas celui qui m'intéresse le plus... néanmoins le livre est très complet et utile !
June 19, 2023
Whenever you begin to use a wand or get to that step in your training, this is a must! How the author manages to write and stay focused on the topic of one tool is an impressive feat.
April 22, 2025
The idea of a series like this sounded silly to me at first, but I've been really impressed by the detail and history included. Great book!
October 29, 2015
What an excellent book! The second in Llewellyn's Witch's Tools series,
this book tells you all you would ever want/need to know about wands.
I have not run across anything quite like it in 35 years in the field.
The author is a Druid and a wand maker and, with great knowledge
and expertise, guides the reader through all aspects of the wand.
He discusses what a wand is and what it does; it's history in myth
and literature. He includes a chapter on a huge number of woods
and stones and how they are best used in wand making. He tells
how to make a wand and how to use it, including suggestions for
a limited number of spells.
I like that the book offers suggestions, as opposed to rules, and
allows the reader free rein to use his/her own intuition and
inner knowledge in making and using a wand.
Thanks to Llewellyn and Netgalley for an e-ARC of this book.
this book tells you all you would ever want/need to know about wands.
I have not run across anything quite like it in 35 years in the field.
The author is a Druid and a wand maker and, with great knowledge
and expertise, guides the reader through all aspects of the wand.
He discusses what a wand is and what it does; it's history in myth
and literature. He includes a chapter on a huge number of woods
and stones and how they are best used in wand making. He tells
how to make a wand and how to use it, including suggestions for
a limited number of spells.
I like that the book offers suggestions, as opposed to rules, and
allows the reader free rein to use his/her own intuition and
inner knowledge in making and using a wand.
Thanks to Llewellyn and Netgalley for an e-ARC of this book.
October 28, 2015
This is a great book for any witch. It has lots of information and great deal of information that I haven't found many other places.
March 3, 2018
Book Review: The Witchs Wand by Alferian Guydion MacLir
Review by Dawn Thomas
264 Pages
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Release Date: December 5, 2015
Reference, Spirituality, Religion, New Age, Paganism, Earth-Based Religions
This book is part of the Witch’s Tool series by Llewellyn Publications.
These are the sections in the book.
What is a wand?
Wands in Legend and History
The Wand as a Symbol
Wood, Bone, Metal, Stone
How to Make a Witch’s Wand
Want Gesture and Geometry
Witch’s Wand in Specific Spells
Wands in Ceremonies
Wands in Seasonal Festivals
The author wrote this book from a wandmaker’s perspective. I love his basic description, “It is a stick used to point at things or tap on them…” The author discusses how the wand represents fire and why some believe it should represent air. There is a very comprehensive list of color magic.
The second chapter goes into detail with mythology and history from Cadmus to Circe. Not only does the author discuss wands but also staffs and staves. He writes how wands are depicted in movies. These include Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, Tinkerbell and of course, Harry Potter. However, in these books, the person holding the want needs it to focus magic. In the next chapter, the author describes the parts that make up a wand. These include the pommel or reservoir (handle or hilt), the shaft and the point. It represents the element of air.
Chapter four covers the types of materials used to make wands. There is an extensive list of wood from trees, including the trees of the Ogham. The next chapter goes into the detail of different stains and finishes. Chapter six describes the shapes and their uses along with the specific meanings. Sigils, runes and other magical alphabets are also included. The author provides a variety of spells in chapter seven. This chapter also has suggestions for using wands during meditations, astral travel, and projects. I like the idea of using a wand while doing QiGong.
In the next chapter, the author gives examples of several types of ceremonies. I love the idea of using a wand to write my name in the form of a sigil during a naming ceremony. The last chapter has suggestions for wands, specifically for each Sabbat. At the end of the book, there are three tables. The first table details the trees and their magical qualities. The second table covers magical powers of stones and metals. The last table has beast symbolism.
The book is well-written and is easy to follow. It is an excellent resources for anyone who wants to learn more about wands or are interested in making wands.
Review by Dawn Thomas
264 Pages
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Release Date: December 5, 2015
Reference, Spirituality, Religion, New Age, Paganism, Earth-Based Religions
This book is part of the Witch’s Tool series by Llewellyn Publications.
These are the sections in the book.
What is a wand?
Wands in Legend and History
The Wand as a Symbol
Wood, Bone, Metal, Stone
How to Make a Witch’s Wand
Want Gesture and Geometry
Witch’s Wand in Specific Spells
Wands in Ceremonies
Wands in Seasonal Festivals
The author wrote this book from a wandmaker’s perspective. I love his basic description, “It is a stick used to point at things or tap on them…” The author discusses how the wand represents fire and why some believe it should represent air. There is a very comprehensive list of color magic.
The second chapter goes into detail with mythology and history from Cadmus to Circe. Not only does the author discuss wands but also staffs and staves. He writes how wands are depicted in movies. These include Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, Tinkerbell and of course, Harry Potter. However, in these books, the person holding the want needs it to focus magic. In the next chapter, the author describes the parts that make up a wand. These include the pommel or reservoir (handle or hilt), the shaft and the point. It represents the element of air.
Chapter four covers the types of materials used to make wands. There is an extensive list of wood from trees, including the trees of the Ogham. The next chapter goes into the detail of different stains and finishes. Chapter six describes the shapes and their uses along with the specific meanings. Sigils, runes and other magical alphabets are also included. The author provides a variety of spells in chapter seven. This chapter also has suggestions for using wands during meditations, astral travel, and projects. I like the idea of using a wand while doing QiGong.
In the next chapter, the author gives examples of several types of ceremonies. I love the idea of using a wand to write my name in the form of a sigil during a naming ceremony. The last chapter has suggestions for wands, specifically for each Sabbat. At the end of the book, there are three tables. The first table details the trees and their magical qualities. The second table covers magical powers of stones and metals. The last table has beast symbolism.
The book is well-written and is easy to follow. It is an excellent resources for anyone who wants to learn more about wands or are interested in making wands.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews