Post by Isabella O'Malley on Nov 14, 2011 12:31:38 GMT -5
WANDS OF THE WIZARDING WORLD
WOOD
BY BIRTH
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO BY THIS, but wands may choose wizards based on the correspondence of the Celtic Tree Calendar, which is as follows:
• Birch (December 24 to January 20)
• Rowan (January 21 to February 17)
• Ash (February 18 to March 17)
• Alder (March 18 to April 14)
• Willow (April 15 to May 12)
• Hawthorn (May 13 to June 9)
• Oak (June 10 to July 7)
• Holly (July 8 to August 4)
• Hazel (August 5 to September 1)
• Vine (September 2 to September 29)
• Ivy (September 30 to October 27)
• Reed (October 28 to November 24)
• Elder (November 25 to December 22)
• December 23 is not ruled by any tree for it is the traditional day of the proverbial "Year and a Day" in the earliest courts of law.
COMMON VARIETIES IN WAND-MAKING
African Blackwood- Dense lush wood ranges in hue from deep red to black. Normal used in the creation of musical instruments so it is generally used by those who are creative singers and performers
Alder- Good for Divination, or "fortune telling".Self-protection/defense.
Apple Tree- Love and beauty magic. Spell writing. Powerful healing magic.dealing with serious wounds. Also a celebration tree. These people tend to be overly interested in the affairs of love and romance. They are great poets and write many of our spells.
Almond - The almond tree is the first to bloom each spring, and is therefore considered a representation of life and rebirth. Almond wands often draw from and enhance their bearer's creativity, and their owner is often blessed with happiness and prosperity.
Ash - Ash wands are valued most for their charm work, and proficiency in security and protective spells. Used most effectively by a wizard who is strong of purpose.
Aspen – Those with aspen wands tend to be defiant and talkative. This wand boosts power in Charms, but detracts from Healing magic.
Beech - Beech wands are known to be helpful in the individual pursuit of their owners' desires, and the research necessary to achieve them. They are also well suited for divination and binding magic.
Birch- A satin like sheen, the wand is usually very thin and elegant and a reflection of its owner. Usually a female gravitated wood as it is the national tree if Russia and used to honor the goddess.
Blackthorn- Creative magic as in the creation of new things such as people and creatures. This includes plant magic and growing gardens and crops. Cleansing magic getting rid of dark magic. These people are very good parents and great gardeners.
Blue Spruce – Like spruce, a strong wood that excels in everything except the Dark Arts. However, a witch or wizard with a strong personality can coax more out of a blue spruce wand than a spruce one.
Butternut- Lightweight wood native to North America. The nuts are used in baking and candy so it is good for those adept in magical cooking and who have a sweet disposition.
Cedar– Cedar is a rather docile wandwood with particular skill in protective spells. Cedar wand wielders often become potent Occlumens.
Cherrywood - Associated with love and compassion, it is a very earthy, grounded wood which enhances levelheadedness in its owner. Well suited to divination and verbal spells, but not as powerful at producing non-verbal spells.
Chestnut- A wood native to both Europe and Asia, strong and very durable. This wood is a favorite of those with strong moral fiber as well as those who posses and take pride in physical strength.
Cypress- Associated in Greek Mythology with the god of the underworld, Hades. A favorite of dark wizards.
Elder– Although it is rumored that the most powerful wand in existence was made of elder, it is not a particularly common wandwood, if only because when elder wands backfire, they often kills the wandmaker or wielder. **No students may have a wand made of Elder.**
Elm- Magic relating to animals and magical creatures. These people are talented with animals, and love camping
Fir- Aromatic wood found in both America and Asia in colder climates. Mostly this wood denotes those who have a strong bond with family and friends, enjoy being the host of many parties and making others smile. The owner of a Fir wand generally enjoys the outdoors and winter sports.
Hawthorn- Traditionally only cut during festivals at Beltane, hawthorn has an association with protection and is therefore an excellent defensive wand.
Hazel – Hazel is quiet and versatile, giving subtle boosts to Charms and Transfiguration. It is another wand that denotes skill in Divination.
Hemlock- In ancient Greece, poison was brewed from the Hemlock and therefore this makes a wonderful wood for those who are a fan of potion making or even those involved in the dark arts.
Hickory- Hickory wands are conducive to the expansion of power in their owner's abilities, and expand their bearer's discipline. A sturdy, reliable wand wood.
Holly - The strongest of all wands for creating spells of protection, holly is also known for its strength. It is uniquely strong in varieties of mental probing, and most useful for the guiding of dream magic. Best matched with a wizard of strength and good intentions.
Hornbeam - Has a reputation as the most stubborn variety of wand. If it can be mastered and bonded with the possessor's will, it can be quite powerful.
Ivy– An uncommon wandwood due to the difficulty of harvesting thick enough pieces, it is often worth the trouble, as it is deceptively strong.
Kaya - A lovely yellow wandwood of Japanese origin, it is extremely rare in British wandmaking. However, those bonded to Kaya wands will find their abilities in logical arts, such as Potions, Astronomy, Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy, boosted.
Laurel- Prophecy in visions. Victories at the expense of others. Old ways fading and lost in time. Reoccurring events. Use of history for making decisions. Very good for cooking and household magics.
Mahogany - Mahogany wands vary in shade, as the wood may range from golden to deep reddish-brown. These wands are excellent for transfiguration and the deflection of dark magic.
Maple - Maple wands are very sturdy and hold up well over a wizard's lifetime. They are ideal for charm work and transfiguration.
Myrtle - The myrtle tree is valued for is strength and endurance, and wands made of its wood are said to give its bearer these same qualities. It is known for attracting and inspiring wisdom and illumination, and works best for wizards who value peace and mental precision. Myrtle wands are commonly longer--between 12 and 15 inches.
Oak - Long admired by many cultures for its strength and endurance, oak is an ideal wood for a balanced wand.
Olive- A Giving tree. Generosity even to the point of self sacrifice. Accepting a lonely lifestyle without bitterness. The sentry, the scout, the shepherd. This wood is often associated with diplomacy and peace.
Pine – A quiet wood, not powerful, not weak. It is a softwood, and thus has a bit more yield, making it more inclined to a quick-learning but less powerful wand. It is, however, excellent for Divination.
Poplar – Although poplar is a light wood, it is sometimes found in the wands of Dark Wizards, who find its properties of being extremely similar to human bone desirable.
Redwood- Known to intensify the mental focus and discipline of its bearer, this wand will enable a cool head in the chaotic heat of a duel. Well-suited for casting protection spells.
Reed– Reed is always delicate, and a difficult wand to work with. However, its wisdom and intelligence make it sought-after by some.
Rosewood - Known for its medicinal properties, rosewood makes a wand excellent for healing and love charms.
Rowan - Famous for its protective qualities, it is said to avert stormy weather and situations, bringing peace to its owner.
Silver Birch- Magic relating to friendship and other relationships. Inspiration and new ideas. Good for evolving old ideas. Also good for healing magic. These people are always trying to improve things
Spruce– Spruce is a good, reliable, standard wandwood. You can’t go wrong with it.
Sycamore – A relatively new wandwood, many of sycamore’s properties are as yet unknown. However, it excels at divining, and would help with Divination, Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes.
Vine- Wands carved with vines often bring increased peace and tranquility to the bearer. They are formidable in the casting of love charms, and are often associated with joy and happy hearts.
Walnut - Walnut wands are often found in the hands of magical innovators and inventors; this is a handsome wood possessed of unusual versatility and adaptability. A note of caution, however: while some woods are difficult to dominate, and may resist the performance of spells that are foreign to their natures, the walnut wand will, once subjugated, perform any task its owner desires, provided that the user is of sufficient brilliance.
Willow- Willows are known as trees of mystery and enchantment. Wands of this type can be used well for divination, and are lauded for their ability with healing magic.
Yew- Uniquely associated with both new growth and death. It is therefore suited for transfiguration work, and is known to enhance the magic prowess of its bearer. It can be associated with dark magic due to its dualistic nature.
RARE VARIETIES
Black Palm - Regarded as one of the most powerful wandwoods, it is therefore very rare. It is uncommonly durable, and well suited for guiding and performing dream magic.
Bloodwood - Identifiable by its rich red color, it is said to have power in revealing matters of the past and future, and is therefore a strong aid in divination.
Ebony - Known for providing almost limitless magical power and strong protection abilities. Can also produce powerful curses.
Kingwood- An exotic variety of rosewood, kingwood is valued for its strength in spells and charms of protection. It is an excellent wand for healing, works best for a witch or wizard whose willpower is strong. It has also been known to increase luck and prowess in divination. Also strong in producing curses, and therefore not a wand that should be used by a beginner or untrustworthy individual.
WAND CORES
COMMON
Acromantula Silk
Ashwinder Eggshell - Common in wands that excel at Potions or find themselves attracted to people who are true lovers at heart.
Banshee Blood
Crup Tail - Taken off with a painless severing charm when the pups are six weeks old, wands made with Crup tails are loyal to their owner.
Dragon Heartstring - Taken only after the (unforced) death of a dragon, these cores are generally well suited for transfiguration. These wands are most common among slytherins, and least common among hufflepuffs. They are also a common core among the wands of Dark wizards, though their qualities are not inherently dark. **One of the three cores available at Ollivander's.**
Elf Hair
Fairy Dust - Wands with this core are great for Transfiguration or Divination.
Fairy Hair
Fairy Wing
Fox Fur- The fur of a fox used in the core makes this wand a useful tool for transfiguration. The most powerful users can use this wand for invisibility
Gnome Toetail
Gnome Saliva - Said to have healing properties. Best suited for Healers or for witches and wizards who are do-gooders.
Griffin Claw- Originating from Greece, this half lion half eagle creature is used by wizards for protecting valuables. This makes it ideal for those interested in self protection and wisdom.
Helix Phoenix Feather
Hippogriff feather- Hippogriff feathers make powerful wand cores and can perform almost all kinds of magic well. They excel in transfiguration and levitation especially, and are very common in European wands.
Hippogriff Tailhair- skeptics love this one. Nobility and truth are held as a desirable trait with this beast and are passed thus onto the wand and user. Will cause spells to backfire on a user of poor moral fiber.
Irish Phoenix Feather
Leprechaun Hair - Mischievous to a fault, wands made with leprechaun hair can be tricky and temperamental, but once mastered, will preform any task asked by it's owner. Most commonly connected with dark witches or wizards, or Aurors/Hit Wizards (the extremists.)
Lobalug Venom Sac
Manticore Stinger - Taken from a Manticore that has died of natural causes. Wands made with this core are very good at defensive charms and and defending oneself and others from the Dark Arts.
Mereperson Scale
Niffler Fur - Gentle creatures, wands made with Niffler fur are generally easy to master and control. Good for Charms.
Owl Feather- the intelligence, speed and dedication of the owl causes the core to gravitate to those of a dutiful nature. Strong willed and a constant friend.
Phoenix Feather - Wands are made only from the feathers that are not essential for flight (often the tail), they are potent nonetheless. Wands with phoenix feather cores are typically strong in defensive and combat magic. However phoenix's are rare so not many wands are made with this feather. A very typical core among gryffindors, and rare for slytherins. **Three of the three cores available at Ollivander's.**
Pixie Dust
Streeler Slime - A good core for Aurors. Very protective properties.
Troll spittle- another favorite of aurors for the sheer strength and power of the trolls. Three varieties are available: Mountain, Forest and River. This will only be for Aurors.
Unicorn Hair - removed from the mane or tail of a unicorn without harming the beast, these cores typically make for wands adept at charmwork and healing, as they retain some of the healing properties of uncorn's blood. Unicorn hair wands typically bond to more subtle and gentle bearers. **Two of the three cores available at Ollivander's.**
Werewolf hair- A werewolf hair is best used in transfigurations and transformations, given the transforming nature of the werewolf. Only for werewolves.
Winged-horse Feather - Gentle creatures, they willing give up their feathers. Healing and protective properties.
RARE
Veela Hair- Sometimes handed down through families of veela descent or made from the hair of parents, these are not marketed for the general public. Have to be full veela or half veela to have this core. This wand is useful for things related to love and/or beauty. It's also good for transfiguration and charms. However it can be a bit temperamental.
Thestral Hair - The Thestral is a mysterious creature, and no modern wands are known to have come from this beast. The only known wand in existence made with a thestral hair core is the mythical Elder Wand. It's fast flying and posseses a wonderful sense of direction, these creatures have the misfortune of being associated with death and bad luck though this core lends speed and accuracy to all spells and charms cast. Only for adults. NO students.
Basilisk Scale/Skin or Tongue- These wands are extremely rare--they may be handed down through pureblood families, and have strong Dark leanings. They have been known to bond strongly with parselmouths. Only for adults. NO students.
Demiguise Hair - Typically not strong enough to provide the power necessary in a wand, they may be combined with other wand cores to add a little extra strength. They often add strong capabilities in transfiguration.
LENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY
LENGTH: Between 7 and 15 inches. Length is mostly a matter of preference, although you will rarely see a 7-inch wand bond to someone who will grow to a large stature.
Copyright (C) to Dark Times Lie Ahead. Edited by me.
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