A Beginner's Guide to Witchcraft

How To: Make a Wand

Wands are not in any way required, but they do seem to help many.
Here is how to make a basic wand, though the wand is yours and can be made however you wish, so long as it lasts a while and your method is safe.

1.) First, find a tree that you wish to make a wand from. Though you can pick up a branch that has already fallen, it will likely be weaker if you do. Try to find a tree that is strong and healthy so that you are not left with a fragile wand.
2.) Pray or meditate at the tree's base. It may take some time, but wait until you feel something. If you feel guilt, do not use that tree. It does not wish for you to use it as a tool. If you do not, cut a branch of comfortable holding size off with a knife or small saw. This branch should be roughly the length of your fingertips to your elbow. If it is significantly too short, you might consider a different one, or if it is too long you could cut it down to the correct size.
3.) Remember to thank the tree!
4.) After getting it to the best length, use a pocket knife to take all the bark off with. If you aren't use to using a knife, be careful. If need be, you could ask someone else to do it rather than risk the life of your hand.
5.) Now that all of the bark is off, sand it! Sanding is super easy, if you haven't done it before. Just take a piece of sandpaper and vigorously rub the wand until it is smooth.
6.) If you know how to carve, you can carve sigils and other designs into the wand. If you can't carve, you can either use Sharpies or leave it blank.
7.) Spray an even coat of wood polish or finishing spray over it. This will make the wand waterproof, strong, and stop it from rotting.
8.) Decorate it! You can do whatever you want, but some common ones I've heard are crystals on the top (pick one corresponding to your path and hot glue it to the top. Tie it with string to hide the glue and keep it even more rooted), a strand of hair around it (your own, to highten its connection to you and its magick), charms tied to the bottom, a drop of blood, cleaned but stained (blood magick), or other things.
9.) Bless it. If you aren't religious, just ask your wand to be there for you. If you are religious, ask the god that you most often look to to bless it or guide you.
It doesn't have to be fancy, but it can if you want. It should be from the heart, though, so you should try making it up yourself. It could really be as simple as:
"Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless this wand so that I may practice this craft to heal the mind, bodies, and souls those around me." (Christian Healer Witch)
"Allow this wand to help me in my craft so that I may learn to harness the storm"
(Atheist Storm Witch)
And so forth, you get the idea.

Tip For Closeted Witches
If you are still in the broom closet, just use a tree in your neighborhood and do this while you're alone. Hide it someplace that is rarely checked. If it is found and you don't feel safe to come out, say that it is for cosplay or similar for something fantasy, or even a fantasy AU if you aren't into fantasy. (Exs. "Mom, I was planning to do a cosplay of Haruhi in an Ouran Medieval Fantasy AU." "C'mon, dad, it was from/is for Halloween and I thought it was pretty cool so I kept it. I mean, I worked on it for hours, I'm not about to throw it away!" "See, Nana! It's simply a home-made Harry Potter wand." "What? I don't know what you're talking about, Pops. I just love the aesthetic!")