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Tuesday 18 February 2020

Ancient power tools: the Shamans stick and staff Episode 57- LVII

ORANJESTAD — The Shamans stick or wand is a thin, light-weight rod that
is held with one hand, and is traditionally made of wood, bone or antlers,
but may also be made of other materials, such as metal or stone or any-
thing that can be made into a stick. A wand that is used for magical pur-
poses is often called a magic or shamans stick, rather than simply a stick.

Pic 1. Artistic interpretation of an Shamans stick. Etnia Nativa collection

The stick is an extension of our the first depictions of a stick comes
own energies, amplifying and from Egypt, in the hands of the
extending those energies for Pharaohs. The Greek god Hermes
psychic communication, healing, is depicted with a caduceus,
enchantments, protection and a winged stick or staff with two
energy balancing. snakes coiled around it. In Celtic
In the shaman's world, all things mythology, the so-called "Triple" or
have a spirit and everything is alive. "Triadic" Goddesses are often seen
or depicted with sticks.
Shamans sticks serves a similar
purpose to athames (ritual Sticks should be made from the
daggers), though the two objects limbs of a living tree or recently
have their distinct uses: An athame fallen from a living tree, preferably
is used to command, whereas a of a light-colored wood, since air
stick is seen as more gentle, and is colors are clear, white and sky
used to invite or encourage. blue. The limb should be between
The most common misconception ¼ and 3/8 inch, and be no longer
about the Shamans stick is that it is than from the bend of your elbow
a fire tool. The stick in principal is to the tip of your middle finger. Pic 2. Masked Shaman`s mummie with staff
actually an air tool that it is made Longer sticks are considered as
out of wood, which burns easily a wizard or Shamans staff. A staff
when in contact with fire energies. serves as a tool and frequently a
While popular movies, such as symbol of status and power. Some
Harry Potter, often portray the stick staffs are adorned with talismans
as a multi-purpose tool that can and feather, carved with various
handle air and fire energies, it is patterns and designs, we find that
actually the Athame, or magical a smooth surface with no carving
knife, that can handle multiple produces the greatest and most
types of energy. effective flow of air energies. The
Modern shamanic and esoteric staff is generally a highly personal
practices include the use of a ritual piece of equipment - often one
stick. The stick is an instrument of he makes for himself - and will
invocation of spirits and serves generally reflect his personality in
primarily to direct spiritual energy. appearance and function. Using
Healing energy can be mentally another wizard's staff may be
transmitted through the stick and dangerous or even impossible -
out into the environment or into a some users believe that they are
patient's body. Prayer and intention self-aware to some degree or at
can be broadcast to the spirit least highly bonded to their creator
world. It may serve as a divination and resist strangers - although there
tool, extraction aide, and purifying are some stories of staves being
device. inherited.
The Shamans stick or wand dates
back to prehistoric times. Some of Continued on Page 15 Pic 3. An Athames or ritual dagger, center.