neptunesdolphins | LITUUS, WAND, PENCIL (Reply)

Since I am a Roman Polytheist, I usually do not use magic in my practice. However, in reading about wands, I realized that I do use a wand. When I do Roman divination, I use a lituus to mark out a templum to take auspices. The lituus is a curved wand with the top shaped as a question mark. Pointing to the sky or an area of land, I set up a square which I quarter, and then quarter again. This is the templum, which could be thought of as sacred space. I ask my question and note the signs occurring within the templum. I interpret the bird signs to discover what the Gods’ answers are to my questions.

In “The Witch’s Wand,” Alferian Gwydion MacLir wrote, “You aren’t begging for divine intervention, you are casting your will upon the cosmos as a person of power and confidence. That is what the wand signifies.” (Note 1.) In using my lituus, I am doing precisely that since I want an answer to my question. I am not foretelling the future but want to find out if I have divine approval for something.

In magic, wizards use wands to cast circles and direct magical energy. Wands are also used for channeling magical energy. With a wand, a wizard can write out their intention in the air. Oberon Zell-Ravenheart in “The Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard,” sums up what the wand means to a wizard. “In ritual, the wand strives to unite our body, mind, and soul with that of universal consciousness to bring into manifestation our magickal desires.” (Note 2.) I interpret that to mean that the wand unites the wizard with the Cosmos.

I pondered how I could make a wand since I am limited by my brain injury. Christopher Penczak, a noted wizard, inspired me in his observations about wands. He wrote that wands can be disguised as everyday tools. “I’ve known witches who use their wooden kitchen spoon and mechanics who use their screwdrivers.” (Note 3.) The important point is to be united with the tool so that it becomes a part of you.

For a wand, I chose the yellow No.2 pencil. (Note 4.) I use one daily to write in longhand for my exercises to promote brain health. Since for many cultures, words are magic, I regard my pencil to be a magical tool. Dr. Bernard Beitman writes in “Meaningful Coincidences, “words are created to carve out portions of reality that deserve our attention.” (Note 5.) With cursive, I can create and direct my will. (Note 6.) The flow of writing the words out by longhand channels the will of the writer, thereby creating magical intent. Cursive translates my will physically on to the paper much like a wizard writing with a wand in the air.

I have always been particular about my pencils. I routinely dedicate them to the Gods to aid in my writing. After placing them on my lararium (Roman altar), I ask Mercury the God of Communication to bless them and my words. For writing poetry, I ask Apollo, the God of the Bards. I dedicate those pencils to the act of creating beauty and truth.

For me, the pencil would be appropriate for a wand. It is made from wood, which is a traditional material for wands. Moreover, the yellow color represents the mind. The eraser, which is the pommel, balances the yellow and also represents intuition.

Notes:

Note 1. Alferian Gwydion MacLir, “The Witch’s Wand,” P. 170.

Note 2. Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, “Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard,” P. 104.

Note 3. Penczak quoted by MacLir, P. 26.

Note 4. No. 2 lead is neither too hard nor too soft for regular use.

Note 5. Dr. Bernard Beitman, “Meaningful Coincidences,” P. 10.

Note 6. I write all my essays using cursive in multiple drafts.

Works Used.

Adkins Lesley and Roy Adkins, “Dictionary of Roman Religion.” New York: Oxford University Press. 1996.

Beitman, MD.,Bernard, “Meaningful Coincidences.” Rochester (VT): Park Street Press. 2022.

Greer, John Michael, “The New Encyclopedia of the Occult.” Woodbury (MN): Llewellyn. 2003.

MacLir, Alferian Gwydion, “The Witch’s Wand.” Woodbury (MN): Llewellyn. 2021.