The magic wand
Copyright 2005 Joseph H. Peterson. Last updated Jun 28, 2023.
The use of the magic wand can be traced back to proto-Indo-European times, as shown by its
appearance in both Zoroastrianism as well the early Hinduism.
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The magi of the ancient world were the priesthood of the
Zoroastrian religion.
As Plato noted, magic (mageia) refers to "the Magian lore of Zoroaster" (Alchibiades 1.122).
The baresman (Phl. barsom), or sacred bundle of twigs (or "slender
wands"), is a ritual implement which has played an important
part in Zoroastrian religious practices since prehistoric times.
According to Kotwal and Boyd, the baresman is an "ancient
Indo-Iranian emblem of seeking the Holy", and it
"establishes a connecting link between this getig [material]
world and the menog [spiritual] realm. The barsom is, as it were,
the conduit through which the archetypal principles and powers
manifest their presence and receive the offerings."
(A Persian offering, 1991, p. 6, 10; words in square brackets
are mine). It is also an instrument through which one acquires the sacred power
(op. cit. p. 23). Perhaps then it is also a conduit for channeling
the power outwards, and thus is a prototypical 'magic wand'.
The baresman is traditionally made of tamarisk twigs, although in modern
times metal rods have been substituted.
Dino, a contemporary of Philip refers to the use of the barsom for divination,
which is also supported by the Denkard. (Modi 1922, RCC, p. 280.)
A stick with nine knots is used during the nine-nights' purification (barashnom).
The knots are barriers against pollution and evil influences. (Vd9.14, compare
Key of Solomon Book 2, chapters 4, 5, and 13.)
In Zoroastrianism we also find the mace used. This is now referred to as
gurz (from Avestan vazra, Sanskrit vajra.) It is used
as a spiritual weapon to drive off evil.
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5th-4th century B.C. gold plaque showing a magus
holding the baresman
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Egyptian, Greek, and Roman sources
The use of the baresman by the magi was well known to Greek writers
and is mentioned by Strabo and Phoenix of Colophon (280 B.C.), cited in Athenaeus.
The magic wand was also known among the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Like the Zoroasrian magi, the ancient Roman Flamines or fire-priests, also carried
such bundles of twigs in their hands. (Modi RCC, 1922, p. 280).
Pliny and Apuleius both attest to their use. Homer (in the Odyssey 11.14ff) and
Virgil both describe the archetypical sorceress, Circe, as using a magical wand.
The relevant passage in Virgil was noted by Agrippa in his Occult Philosophy
Book 1, chapter 41. It is also cited by Eliphas Levi Key of the Mysteries, part 4, chap 1.
Betz' collection of Greek and Demotic magical papyri has examples of spells which include the
use of a wand or staff. The spell PGM I.42-195, for example
has the magician "hold a branch of myrtle ... shaking it, [and salute] the goddess."
(Betz, p. 5.)
Similarly PGM II.22, II.65 (Betz p. 13, 14.)
Iamblichus
Iamblichus (c. A.D. 250-325), one of the more important Neoplatonic philosophers,
discussed magic in general in his On the Mysteries. In it he
mentions the prophetess holding a staff or wand, invoking the divinity.
(Mysteries of the Egyptians, chapter 7.) Agrippa also cites this passage in
OP3.48.
The Grimoires
Early manuscripts of magic (grimoires) have many references to the use and importance
of the wand in western magic. There are two similar ritual implements commonly described
in magical literature:
The staff (Latin baculus or bacculus; Italian bastone; French
Le baton, bâton) and the wand (Latin Virga or virgulam; Ital. verga;
German Stäbchen; French: La verge; In French manuscripts this is sometimes
called viere, baguette, baguette magique, baguete, or bagette, also translated as rod).
The staff is more the size of a walking stick; the wand is smaller and tapered:
The staff and the wand from Ad. 10862 (the "Zecorbeni" manuscript), fol. 164v
According to the Key of Solomon
(Book 2 chapter 8):
"The staff should be of elderwood or cane, and the wand of hazel,
in all cases the wood being virgin, that is of one year's growth only. They should each be
cut from the tree at a single stroke, on the day of Mercury (i.e. Wednesday), at sunrise.
The characters shown should be written or engraved thereon in the day and hour of Mercury."
(Mathers tr. revised by JHP)
The magical symbols for the staff and wand according to BnF Ital. 1524, fol 232v. (Dated 1446: This is the oldest-known manuscript of the Key of Solomon):
And from Coxe 25 p. 123 (late 15th century — earliest Latin ms of Clavicula known):
From Ghent HS 1021B fol. 39r (16th ce):
From VSG 334 p. 94 (ca 1550):
According to Oxford ms. Aubrey 24, fol. 17v (dated 1674):
from London, British Library ms. Add. 10862, fol. 122v (17th ce)
According to version F of the Almandal (cp Almadel), wands should be made of
Anthyllis barba-jovis (Jove's beard) — an evergreen shrub native to the mediterranean region.
They should be decorated with silk threads of appropriate color (green, white, red, or yellow).
According to the Sworn Book of Honorius (Chap CXXXII), the magician's wand or staff is made of laurel or hazel,
likewise of one year's growth ("magister tenens baculum lauri vel coruli illius anni...").
More details are provided in chapter CXXXIX:
"But the wand should have four sides. On one side should be written 'Adonay';
on the second side 'Sabaoth'; on the third, 'Hiskiros' (ισχυρος);
on the fourth 'Emanuel.'
On the middle of the wand, make the pentagon figure of Solomon, and where the wand is held, a cross,
and thus it will be prepared for sacred and wonderful works." (My translation, not in Royal ms).
This is collaborated and expanded on in the Clavicula manuscript
from Gerald Gardner's library, which states:
"the wand [lacuna of 6 em spaces, probably "hazel"] which should be at least eight
or nine palms, whose end should be stripped on four sides.
And those same four names of God should be written there,
namely on the first side, Adonay; on the second, Sabaioth;
on the third Ieschyruses; on the fourth, Emmanuel.
In the middle, make this sign of mine, namely, the sigil.
On the other end, where the hand holds it, make a cross."
Very similar is the sceptrum (scepter) in manuscripts of the Pseudo-Bacon (Roger) treatise Thesaurus spirituum,
which instructs that it should be of bay (laurel) wood, "neere as bigg as your arme at the hand and it must be just a cubit longe,
and the barke taken off it." (Wellcome 110, fol. 8r).
Abognazar specifies two types of bâton are needed for magical operations: one for operations
of Venus (made of elder), and another for all other operations calling for a bâton.
Bâton pour toutes les Opérations.
Bâton pour les Opérations de Venus.
In Clavicules du Roi Salomon par Armadel, Livre III
(Lansdowne MS. 1202), the "key to the work" is a triangular wand made of hazel.
The Lesser Key of Solomon (Book 1: Goetia) recommends holding a hazel stick in the
hand during the operation of Bileth, for upholding one's courage. This is based on
Weyer "baculum corili" (hazel staff). The passage in Reginald Scot translates baculum
as "bat", but it could mean rod, staff, or stick.
In Le Grand Grimoire the main ritual implement is called
la baguette mystérieuse, ou la Verge Foudroyante (the mysterious wand, or blasting rod)
"which causes the spirits to tremble; which God also used to arm his angel
when Adam and Eve were driven out of the earthly paradise; wherewith,
finally, he smote the rebellious angels, precipitating their ambitions
into the most appalling gulfs by the power of this very rod -- of this
rod which collects the clouds, disperses tempests, averts lightning, or
precipitates each and all upon any portion of the earth at the pleasure
of its director." (tr. Waite, Book of Ceremonial Magic.)
It is made of "wild hazel which has never borne fruit; its length should be
nineteen and a half inches" with a forked end and magnetized steel caps on the pointed ends.
According to Franz Bardon (1909-1958), one of the most important occultists and
magicians of the twentieth century, "the most important aid in ritual magic is,
and always will be, the magic wand."
Grillot de Givry (Witchcraft, Magic, and Alchemy, p. 308) shows a magical
operation which features a "wand of poplar-wood, 'half without bark'."
Summary of woods used for magical wands
| Acacia |
According to Franz Bardon, "the wood of an oak or an acacia, too, is an excellent material
for making a magic wand."
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| Almond | The wand specified in the
Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage
should be made of almond, as thick as the little finger, and an Ell in length
("Auch solltu haben ein raines gerades stäblin, ungefahrlich eines kleinen Fingers dick, und einer Elen lang, von einem Mandelbaum geschnitten").
(Ell = elbow to fingertips.)
This is probably in imitation of the biblical Staff of Aaron (cf. Num. 17:20-23).
According to Agrippa (OP1.26), almond and other woods of nut trees are associated with
the planet Jupiter.
Levi recommends the magic wand be made of almond or hazel.
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| Anthyllis barba-jovis (Jove's beard)
| According to version F of the Solomonic magic text Almandal. The wands should be wrapped with silk thread of appropriate color. |
| Apple |
Sacred to Jupiter (Agrippa, OP1.26).
The druidic wizard Mannanàn Mac Lir
carried a wand of apple ( Peter Berresford Ellis, A Brief History of the Druids,
New York, Carroll & Graf, 2002, p. 249.). |
| Ash | Sacred to Jupiter (Agrippa, OP1.26).
According to Franz Bardon, a magic wand made
of ash is especially to be used in healing people. Yates recounts details of an Irish
"fairy doctor" -- one whose mystical power is received from fairies --
who observed many traditional practices, including carrying a wand of ash
during prayer.
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| Bay |
(See laurel.)
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| Beech | Sacred to Jupiter (per Agrippa, OP1.26). |
| Box |
According to the Key of Solomon
box and oak have "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of Jupiter.
According to Agrippa (OP2.14) and the Magical Calendar,
this is a sacred tree associated with the zodiacal sign of Libra and the Orphic deity Vulcan.
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| Buckthorn | Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Aquarius (MC). |
| Cane (L. arundo donax) | The staff of the magician may be made of cane
according to the Key of Solomon. |
| Cedar | According to the Key of Solomon
cornel and cedar have "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of Mars.
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| Chestnut | Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Leo (MC). |
| Cornel | See dogwood.
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| Cypress | Used to make a magic circle for the
experiment of the Black Hen (Fr. poule noire, It. gallina nera)
found in several grimoires. |
| Dogwood (cornel) |
According to the Key of Solomon
cornel (dogwood) and cedar have "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of Mars.
The Munich manual has a divination operation which uses a knife with a handle of dogwood
(de cornu nigro uel albo).
Sacred to Jupiter (Agrippa, OP1.26).
Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal sign of Scorpio (MC).
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| Ebony | Ebony is named as the wood of Hermes in one
ancient Greek spell (Faraone, p. 202.)
This wood is specified by Trithemius
in his treatise on invoking angels to appear in a crystal. The Egyptian king
Nectanebus used a rod or wand of ebony along with magic formulae to animate
models of his enemies and attack them. (Budge, 1930, p. 488; 1971, p. 92.)
An Ebony wand is used in the Graeco-Egyptian spell PGM I.335 (Betz p. 12).
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| Elder or elderberry (L. sambucus) | The staff of the magician may be made of elder
according to the Key of Solomon. Grimorium Verum specifies a wand of elder
should be used in preparing the parchment, and is also used in preparing the pentacles and
magic rings. According to the method of Abognazar
a special staff of elder is used for operations of Venus only.
According to Franz Bardon, "the wand made of elder-wood, proves, on account of its
analogy to Saturn, especially efficient when calling up or evoking elemental
spirits and demons."
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| Elm | Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Pisces (MC). |
| Fig, White | Sacred to Jupiter (Agrippa, OP1.26). |
| Hazel | Multiple sources attest the use of Hazel for the magic wand,
including the Key of Solomon, Weyer, Goetia, Grand Grimoire, and Levi.
According to the Sworn Book of Honorius (Chap CXXXII),
the magician's wand or staff is made of laurel or hazel.
Per Agrippa, sacred to Mercury, and also to Jupiter (OP1.26 and OP1.29).
According to MC this is a sacred tree associated with the zodiacal sign of Cancer.
According to the Key of Solomon hazel has "some quality referring especially
unto the spirits" of Mercury. Grimorium Verum specifies wands of hazel and elder
should be used in preparing the parchment.
The Grand Grimoire includes a divining method using a hazel rod or wand.
According to Bardon, "hazelnut or willow are to be used for a
wishing-wand. The wishing-wand is a modification of the magic wand."
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| Holly | Holly is the whitest of all woods, and has been
used in making piano keys. It was considered sacred by the druids, and played a part
in the magic of the Greeks and Romans. It was especially suitable for divination.
In early Europe, holly and other thorny plants were believed to repel all evil spirits.
(Gale, p. 2.)
The same apotropaic properties were noted by Pliny the Elder (23-79 CE).
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| Holm-oak |
Sacred to Jupiter (per Agrippa, OP1.26).
A rod of this material is used in the
operation of the magic garters, according to Abognazar. |
| Horse chestnut |
Sacred to Jupiter, according to Agrippa (OP1.26). |
| Juniper | According to the Key of Solomon
juniper and pine "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of Saturn.
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| Laurel |
According to the Sworn Book of Honorius (Chap CXXXII), the magician's wand or staff is made of laurel or hazel.
Wands of laurel are found in multiple spells in the Magical Papyri.
Called "Apollo's holy plant of presage" and "Phoibos' mistress"
(Betz pp. 15, 110, 112)
A sprig of laurel held in the right hand is said to be a protective charm (PGM I, Betz op. cit. p. 10).
Also used in Graeco-Egyptian spells PGM I.335, II.6, II.22 (Betz p. 12, 13).
According to the Key of Solomon
laurel has "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of the Sun.
According to MC this is a sacred tree associated with the zodiacal sign of Gemini.
On magical uses of laurel see also L. Deubner, Kleine Schriften zur Klassischen Altertumskunde
(Königstein: Hain, 1982, p. 401-2.)
According to Porphyry (On Images, fragment 8), laurel "is full of fire, and therefore hated by daemons."
According to Pseudo-Bacon, the magical scepter must be made of a bay (laurel) tree.
(Ad. 36674, fol. 73r; Sloane 3850, fol. 98v; Wellcome 110, fol. 8r.)
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| Myrtle | According to the Key of Solomon
myrtle has "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of Venus.
Marvin Meyer's book Ancient Christian Magic includes a spell which involves a
branch of myrtle held in the right hand (p. 272). The use of a Myrtle branch is also
found in the Graeco-Egyptian spell mentioned above (Betz, p. 5.)
According to MC this is a sacred tree associated with the zodiacal sign of Taurus.
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| "Nut tree" |
Mathers, in his Key of Solomon mistakenly translated the French "Coudrier ou Noisettier"
as "hazel or nut tree", whereas both are words for the hazel tree (Latin avellana/abellana).
According to Agrippa (OP1.26), almond and other woods of nut trees are associated with
the planet Jupiter.
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| Oak |
Sacred to Jupiter, according to Agrippa.
According to the Key of Solomon
box and oak have "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of Jupiter.
According to Franz Bardon, "the wood of an oak or an acacia, too, is an excellent material
for making a magic wand."
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| Oleum | Sacred tree associated with Jupiter, according to
Agrippa, OP1.26. |
| Olive | Sacred to the Moon and Jupiter (Agrippa, OP1.24, OP1.26).
Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Aries (MC). Wands of olive are also found in the Greek Magical Papyri
(e.g. Betz, p. 109.)
According to Butler (p. 145) Casanova (1725-1798)
used a magic wand made of olive wood, approximately 18 inches long.
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| Palm |
A twig of palm is held in the right hand during a ritual described
in the Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses (T2).
Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal sign of Sagittarius (MC). |
| Pear | Sacred to Jupiter (Agrippa, OP1.26).
Sacred tree associated with the Zodiacal sign of Virgo (MC). |
| Pine | According to the Key of Solomon
juniper and pine "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of Saturn.
According to MC this is a sacred tree associated with the zodiacal sign of Capricorn.
|
| Plum | Sacred to Jupiter (Agrippa, OP1.26). |
| Pomegranate | This wood is also mentioned as acceptable for
the baresman in Zoroastrian ritual. |
| Poplar |
Tree sacred to Jupiter, according to Agrippa.
Grillot de Givry (Witchcraft, Magic & Alchemy, p. 308) shows a magical operation which features a "wand of poplar-wood, 'half without bark'."
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| Quince | This wood is specified for the staff of the magician according to
La Vera Clavicola del Re Salomone. |
| Rosewood |
Mathers included rosewood in his translation of the Key of Solomon, however this
was a mistranslation of the French word "roseau"
(another word for cane or reed). |
| Service tree | Sacred to Jupiter (per Agrippa, OP1.26). |
| Tamarisk | Zoroastrian magi |
| Walnut | The wand of the magician may be made of any nut wood
according to the Key of Solomon |
| Willow | According to the Key of Solomon
willow has "some quality referring especially unto the spirits" of the Moon.
According to Bardon, "hazelnut or willow are to be used for a
wishing-wand. The wishing-wand is a modification of the magic wand....
In making magic wands willow twigs may also be used for any type, for the
willow is a very good fluid condenser." Giordano Bruno's third image of Venus
carries a willow wand (De Imaginum Compositione (1591) Book 2, ch 13.
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| Wormwood |
Used in Graeco-Egyptian spell PGM III.704 (Betz p. 36). |
| Yew | Traditionally considered a sacred tree among the Irish,
the yew deeply rooted in Irish folklore. It has long been known to have toxic properties. |
The length
Beringarius Ganellus, in Summa Sacre Magice (L.3.f.25) states that the wand should be
"the length of the master’s arm, extended."
According to the Clavicula manuscript from Gerald Gardner's library,
the wand should be at least eight or nine palms in length.
According to Pierre Mora's edition of Les Véritables Clavicules de Salomon, the wand should be
one and a half feet in length, and an inch thick. This accords well with Franz Bardon's
statements that it should be between 3/8 and 3/4 inches in diameter, and
about 12-20 inches long.
The Avesta mentions the greatest length of the baresman twigs is the height of a knee,
though ancient art shows it approximately the length of the arm (see above). Modern barsoms
are much shorter, as short as nine inches.
According to Abramelin, the wand (of almond wood) should be about a finger's width in thickness, and the
length of your arm, measured from elbow to finger tip.
According to Ad. 36674, fol. 73r it should be in thickness "neere as big as your arm at the hand,
and it must be just a cubit long, and the barke taken away, and remain white without painting."
The Grand Grimoire specifies a length of nineteen and an half inches.
Joseph Anton Herpentil, in his Epitome of
supernatural magic,
That is
R. P. S. F. (1519) specifies the wand (or rod) should be 4 spans long.
Additional materials added to the wand
The literature includes some examples of adding materials to the wand to enhance certain
characteristics. Here are some of the more commonly ascribed magical attributes of materials.
| Aetites | Stone associated with Venus (Agrippa, OP1.28). |
| Amber | Associated with Venus (Agrippa, OP1.28). |
| Amethyst | Stone associated with Scorpio (MC). |
| Beryl | Stone associated with Libra (MC). |
| Birthwort | Sacred plant associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Pisces (MC). |
| Calamint | Sacred plant associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Virgo (MC). |
| Carbuncle | Stone associated with the Sun (MC). |
| Carnelian | Stone sacred to Venus (Agrippa, OP1.28). |
| Chalcedony | Stone associated with the zodiacal
sign Cancer (MC). |
| Chrisophrase | Stone associated with Capricorn (MC). |
| Cock | Bird associated with Gemini (MC). |
| Comfrey | Sacred plant associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Cancer (MC). |
| Copper | Metal associated with Venus (MC).
According to Pseudo-Bacon, the magical scepter must have affixed to the end a lamin of copper
with certain symbols on it.
|
| Coral | Associated with Venus (Agrippa, OP1.28). |
| Crow | Sacred bird associated with the
zodiacal sign of Sagittarius (MC). |
| Crystal | Stone associated with Mercury and with
Aquarius(MC). |
| Cyclamen | Sacred plant associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Leo (MC). |
| Date palm | used to bind the tamarisk wands of the magi. |
| Dock | Sacred plant associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Capricorn (MC). |
| Dove | Bird associated with Venus and with Taurus (MC). |
| Dragonwort | Sacred plant associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Aquarius (MC). |
| Eagle | Bird associated with Jupiter and Leo (MC). |
| Emerald | Stone associated with Venus and Virgo (Agippa, OP1.28, MC). |
| Garlic | Sacred plant associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Libra (MC). |
| Gold | Metal associated with the Sun (MC).
|
| Goose | Sacred bird associated with the
zodiacal sign of Libra (MC). |
| Granite | Stone associated with Saturn (MC). |
| Heliotrope | Herb associated with the Sun (MC) |
| Heron | Sacred bird associated with the
zodiacal sign of Capricorn (MC). |
| Ibis | Sacred bird associated with the
zodiacal sign of Cancer (MC). |
| Iron | Metal associated with Mars (MC).
Levi recommends a core of magnetized iron. |
| Jacinth | Stone associated with Sagittarius (MC). |
| Jasper | Stone associated with Venus (Agrippa, OP1.28), or Leo (MC). |
| Jove's Beard | (Silver-leaved Woodblade plant) Herb
associated with Jupiter (MC). |
| Lapis Lazuli | Stone associated with Venus (Agrippa OP1.28). |
| Lapwing | Bird associated with Saturn (MC). |
| Lead | Metal associated with Saturn (MC). |
| Maidenhair | Herb associated with Venus (MC) |
| Metal | Grand Grimoire recommends metal caps. |
| Monkshood | Herb associated with Mars |
| Owl | Bird associated with the Moon and with Aries (MC). |
| Peacock | Sacred bird associated with the
zodiacal sign of Aquarius (MC). |
| Pimpernel | Sacred plant associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Sagittarius (MC). |
| Ruby | Stone associated with Mars (MC). |
| Sage | Sacred plant associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Aries (MC). |
| Sapphire | Stone associated with Venus (Agrippa, OP1.28),
also with the Moon and with Pisces(MC). |
| Sard | Stone associated with Taurus (MC). |
| Sardonyx | Stone associated with Aries (MC). |
| Selenotrope | Herb associated with the Moon (MC) |
| Sempervivum | Herb associated with Saturn (MC) |
| Silk threads | Colored silk threads are to be added to wands per Almandal.
("If however you wish to labor with it during the day, you should replace the wax candles
with alma (Ar. eulum), namely flags (or banners), or wrapped around with silk threads of four colors –
green, white, red, and yellow, over the wand almahararam, which we commonly call Jupiter’s Beard.") (My tr.)
|
| Silver | Metal associated with the Moon (MC). |
| Sparrow | Sacred bird associated with the
zodiacal sign of Virgo (MC). |
| St. John's Wort | Sibly specifies that this be
bound to the top of the wand for use in necromantic operations. (p. 1106) |
| Stork | Bird associated with Mercury (MC). |
| Swan | Bird associated with the Sun and Pisces(MC). |
| Tin | Metal associated with Jupiter (MC). |
| Topaz | Stone associated with Jupiter and with Gemini(MC). |
| Tuthia | Gem stone associated with Jupiter (Agrippa). |
| Vervain (Bending) | Sacred plant associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Gemini (MC). Vervain was sacred and carried in religious processions according
to several ancient writers (cf. Meyer & Smith, Ancient Christian Magic, p. 63.) |
| Vervain (Upright) | Sacred plant associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Taurus (MC). |
| Vulture | Bird associated with Mars (MC). |
| Woodpecker | Sacred bird associated with the
zodiacal sign of Scorpio (MC). |
| Wormwood | Sacred plant associated with the Zodiacal
sign of Scorpio (MC). |
Other elements
| Bark | Half of the wand is left covered with bark in the
method cited by de Givry. |
| Letters |
Trithemius specifies that the wand should have certain Hebrew
characters written in gold. |
| Magical symbols |
The Greek Magical Papyri directs the magician to write the sacred or
mystical names of gods or angels on the wand (for example see Betz p. 14).
See Key of Solomon for magical symbols for the wand. |
How to use the magic wand
Most magic texts agree that the wand should be held in the right hand while praying, or while
calling or addressing spirits.
Christopher A. Faraone gives an ancient Greek spell wherein the divinity
or spirit is invoked while holding a branch of laurel in the right hand, and an ebony staff in the
left. When dismissing the spirits, the hands are switched. (Compare Meyer, p. 272.)
This also has a parallel in PGM I.335 (Betz p. 12).
In this use it is primarily used as a defensive weapon.
It is used to strike the bowl in some divination methods.
In Zoroastrian ritual the gaze and the ritual power ('amal) is focussed on the barsom.
It is also held in the right hand.
References
| Abognazar, |
Les Véritables Clavicules de Salomon,
traduites de l'Hebreux en langue Latine par le Rabin Abognazar.
London, British Library, Lansdowne Mss. 1203. |
| Abramelin |
Abraham of Worms,
The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, edited by S. L. Mathers
(London, J.M. Watkins, 1900.) |
| Agrippa |
Occult Philosophy (London, Moule, 1651).
|
| Bardon, Franz, |
Practice of Magical Evocation (Merkur, 2001) |
| Betz, Hans Dieter |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation, including the Demotic Spells,
Second Edition (Chicago, Univ of Chicago Press, 1992)
|
| Budge, |
Amulets and Talismans, (New York, Macmillan, 1930, p. 488; EM, p. 92.) |
| Budge, |
Egyptian Magic (London, 1901/reprint New York, Dover, 1971,
p. 92): ebony rod. |
| Butler, E. M., |
Ritual Magic (Cambridge, 1949, reprint Hollywood, Newcastle, 1971.)
She cites (p. 122) Cellini's account of ritual magic (circa 1533) along the lines of the grimoires,
including the use of a wand. |
| Ellis, Peter Berresford |
A Brief History of the Druids (New York, 2002) |
|
Faraone, Christopher A., |
Magika Hiera: Ancient Greek Magic and Religion (New York, Oxford, 1991,
p. 177.) |
| Gale, Fred, |
Hollies: The Genus Ilex (Portland, Timber Press, 1997) |
| De Givry, Emile Grillot |
Witchcraft, Magic, and Alchemy
|
| Grand Grimoire |
Le Grand Grimoire (Paris, B. RENAULT, 1845)
|
| Grimorium Verum |
Grimorium Verum
(Ed. Peterson, 2007)
|
| Herpentil, Joseph Anton |
Inbegriff der übernatürlichen Magie
("Epitome of supernatural magic") (1519)
reprinted in J. Scheible, Das Kloster, Bd. 3, pp. 626-633.
|
| Honorius, Sworn Book of |
Ed. Peterson, Lake Worth, Fl : Ibis Press, 2016.
|
| Iamblichus |
On the Mysteries,
part 2, and part 3.
|
| Key of Solomon |
See Mathers. Also ad36674.htm.
|
|
Levi, Eliphas, |
Transcendental Magic (Dogma et Rituel de la Haute Magie). |
|
Mathers, S. L., | The Key of Solomon the King,
Book 2, chapter 8 and passim.
(London, George Redway. 1889.) |
|
MC: |
Magical Calendar, ed. Adam McLean (Grand Rapids MI, Phanes, 1994). |
|
Meyer, Marvin, |
Ancient Christian Magic (1999). |
|
Modi, Jivanji Jamshedji. |
The Religious Ceremonies and Customs of the Parsees. Bombay: British Indian Press, 1922.
|
| Mora, Pierre, |
Les Véritables Clavicules de Salomon,
tr. par Pierre Mora, contenant un grand nombre de figures cabalistes, avec la manière de les faire suivant les principes de la science occulte des plus fameux nécromanciens qui ont
vécu après Salomon, et où l'on trouvera les plus rares secrets.
153 pages. Paris, H. Daragon, 1914.
|
| Peterson, J. (editor, translator), |
Secrets of Solomon: A Witch's Handbook from the trial records of the Venetian Inquisition (2018).
|
| Peterson, J. (editor), |
Sixth and Seenth Books of Moses (2008)
|
| Scot, Reginald, |
Discoverie of Witchcraft (London, 1584) |
|
Sibly, Ebenezer, | A New and Complete Illustration of the
Occult Sciences, Book 4. (Bristol, 1704.) |
|
Sl. 3847: | London, British Library, Sloane manuscript 3847. |
|
Trithemius | (or pseudo-trithemius) his treatise on invoking angels
into a crystal in F. Barrett, The Magus. |
| Véronèse, Julien, |
L'Almandal et l'Almadel latins au Moyen Âge, Firenze, Sismel: 2012
|
| Waite, A.E. |
Book of Ceremonial Magic |
|
Yates, William Butler, |
Treasury of Irish Myth, Legend & Folklore (New York, Gramercy Books,
1986, p. 147.)
|
