The larger cousin of the magical wand is, as everyone knows, the wizard's staff. From Sparrowhawk in Earthsea to Gandalf in Lord of the Rings, the wizard has walked with a staff and performed magic with it as a badge of office. Examples are shown to demonstrate some of the many possibilities of carving and stone settings.
Staff No. 1
Alferian's own Golden dragon staff in Maple with two quartz crystals set into the head.Spirals and golden dragon carved on the shaft. The shape of this wand overall, including the bird-shaped head is natural. See close-ups below.
Below left is a closer view of the staff's head and dragon. At right is a shot of the back side showing the spirals and the dragon's tail done in a Celtic triple knot. Note also the sigils for protection, manifestation, and transformation carved and inked in red.
Staff No. 2
Rowan staff carved with oak and holly leaves, a tree of life and triple spiral. A serpent of wisdom spirals up its shaft.This piece is also set with three shells from the client's travels in Ireland. It is wrapped with silver wire and nine silver bells. The topstone is rose quartz.
Staff No. 3
A staff of Popple, or possibly Maple (it was provided by the client) carved with a red dragon, oakleaves and branches and a symbol of the three worlds. The Druid's Egg on the top is of onyx.The owner of this staff had it in his possession for many years and asked to have it carved thus. The colors do not show up quite right in these photos and the gold acorns look a bit washed out reflecting the sun.See additional views below to try to get a sense of the wrap-around design. The dragon and oak branches actually form a double helix, a pattern that is historically most evident in the double serpent helix of Mercury's caduceus.
©2006 The Bardic Institute
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