I received an ask about how to make a blasting rod a while back, and through a series of events, I delayed answering so I could gather some additional information because this tool has a very powerful mystique, coupled with a relatively simple premise.
I’ll start off with some possible ways to make a Blasting Rod aka Black Rod before I delve deeper into some of the references and my ramblings. One thing that seems clear to me, but seems obvious is that to make a blasting rod, that must be your intent. It isn’t simply a wand made of blackthorn (powerful enough on its own) but one made with the intent to utilize it for both beneficial and malefic magic. In European/Celtic tradition it is made of Blackthorn, though other sources do not specify the wood needed. Designate it as a blasting rod, include iron, thorn, or bone, and connect to it as an extension of yourself. It is called a blasting rod, because of its use as blasting the witch’s power in the direction it is aimed, alternatively named a blasting rod for the fact that it will blast or destroy if that is the witch’s intent. Aside from that, I believe the further fabrication of it should be personal to the one creating it. If that is including an inscription, a symbols or sigil of power, or a glyph that represents the witch or the possible workings. The blasting rod should mirror the witch as an inanimate representation of how the witch works, how they view themselves, and the endless possibilities that encompass the witch’s work.
There are of course specific rituals one can do to make the rod, but their validity is again an issue that one must sort through to find what is someone’s idea of how it was done traditionally, someone’s own creation, or a remnant come to light from times gone by. I’m not going to police you and tell you that it must be done one ritual is more valid than another, especially because I’m not going to share my own ritual for crafting a blasting rod. My goal is to provide some context, food for thought, and to show that it’s not as simple as spouting some universal truth in the matter of crafting it.
Top: Blackthorn and bone blasting rod. Middle: Bone and rosewood wand. Bottom: Bone and rosewood want with fossilized belemnite tip by traditional witch Gemma Gary.
Another blasting rod from the Museum of Witchcraft (Cornwall) Braided blackthorn.
More Below the Break!
The blasting rod is a tool used in witchcraft that can vary greatly depending on the creator. It has a history of being used for multiple purposes, but it is eclipsed by the possible malefic usages. It is known to be able to purify, banish, protect of course, but it also used to wither crops and wombs, cause illness, accident, break up storms and divert lightning. Absorbing clouds and controlling spirits and demons alike, as well as being a tool that can intimidate or offend the Fae.
Most times when it’s described, it’s made of blackthorn. Prunus spinosa, or the blackthorn tree, sloe berry etc is a perennial plant that grows in Europe, notably in Ireland, Scotland, and England, though it is also found in the United States near the coasts. It’s a relative of Rowan and Hawthorn, but unlike the other two, has a notable penchant for more “aggressive” magics. All accounts can agree that whether or not you have a sensitivity to energies, or spirits, care must be taken when working with the plant because on the mundane front, black, vicious thorns sprout from the branches. Left untreated, the wounds have been known to fester and grow septic. For this, and the history of burning witch’s with their rods, canes and walking sticks, as well as tossing additional blackthorn wood, the reasoning that it is a purifying wood may come from that.
I’ve spoken at length with several other witches about the ins and outs of blasting rods and changed my opinion on their creation more than once. The conclusion, I have trouble deciding to this day. While mentioned in traditional witchcraft based on European, especially Celtic traditions, it is almost inexplicably tied with blackthorn. It’s possible that it has that connection because of the common practice of having blackthorn staffs, canes, and shillelagh, but in another famous text (although the origin is a bit dubios), blackthorn is not mentioned.
According to the French text “The Grand Grimoire”, it is described as a hand wand that has two forks, capped with magnetized steel. This text, supposedly written in 1522, but researches place the text as written most likely in the 17th and 18th centuries, also claims that the blasting rod is an ancient tool that harkens back to the Garden of Eden, being the tool that God gave to the Angel when Adam and Eve were driven from paradise. Further account says that the blasting rod was used to smite the rebellious angels and condemn them to the pit.
Whether through this text, other folklore, or individual’s experiences with their own rods, it is known as a tool with an affinity for banishment and control of spirits and demons through intimidation. One could assume that, similar to lore of vampires being afraid of the sign of the cross, demons and spirits fear the replica of the tool originally used to seal their fate…again, simply an extrapolation if you go off The Grand Grimoire.
There is another story that I read ages ago that, apologies, I know I’m missing some details, but included a man who had business to attend with The Good Neighbors, or the Fae. He had a blackthorn cane as many did, but to conclude his business, he had to lessen his terrible weapon, by removing the iron tip. Only then, by lessening the fatal nature of the blasting rod, was he allowed entry under the hill to ask his favor.
From this story, and common practice of having metal at the tip of the cane for stability, another aspect of the blasting rod is revealed that mirrors that of the Grand Grimiore. Rather than a forked wand with magnetized caps, it is a simple cane of blackthorn with an iron tip.
Another supposed traditions from an article, claims that to make a blackthorn anything into a blasting rod or black rod, the rune Thurisaz is inscribed or burned into it. This may be some holdover from viking or Norse interactions with Ireland and the British isles. Speaking with some traditional witches I know of various backgrounds, an iron blade is attached to the rod, preferably from a knife that the witch had used previously. Some say that it is in the harvesting of the plant that the rod gains its power. By communicating with the plant spirits, either an agreement is formed where witch and wielded work together, or by infuriating the plant enough to lend its power to the witch through the gift of a branch. Either are valid depending on your tradition, and this is where I get stuck myself on the creation.
The Blasting rod in Celtic tradition is always made of blackthorn, though in other texts, the blackthorn is not listed specifically. Does that mean that this powerful tool gains its power through any baneful plant, or that blackthorn is the catalyst? Does that make it a blasting rod if you use any thorned plant, or do you follow the tradition of utilizing metal and forked branches. I’m not quite sure, to be honest. It could be a case of creating a powerful tool that has those usages, but referring to it as a “Blasting Rod” is a misnomer. Similar to referring to the magistellus flora of a plant as an “Alraune” when it’s not made of mandrake.
What I can surmise from wand lore, folklore, tradition and locale, is that a branch with some marking, whether metal or burned into it, is ritually consecrated to connect to the witch. It is from a woody plant that has import and history, connected to power, purification, and a connection to the land. If a metal is included, it is of iron, or a metal that is magnetized, and it must be treated with care. Of course, there are variances, as there is with any tool crafted by the witch. Some examples keep the thorns, an outward symbol of its offensive power, others are disguised as simple walking sticks, what is agreed is that it is a powerful tool if it is in fact a blasting rod and not just a wand. If made with the proper intent, it can be your greatest ally, or worst enemy. And after seeing more than one post about someone’s pet being found eating their “blasting rod” I urge you to refrain from trying to make one if you can’t be responsible.
The last thing I will say is that I believe that a tool like this is crafted once, and not created again until broken. Let me clarify, I think that you can have multiple blasting rods of various sizes, and possibly purposes if one seems to meld better to a specific type of magic. I’ve seen people talk about making wands of 12 different woods, and some with crystals, and some with wire, and some with feathers. Don’t make it if you aren’t going to use it. Spend time getting it right the first time, instead of abandoning it as soon as you find a “better” piece of wood. But who am I to tell you what to do? You do you, but this is my answer to a question I received and my rambling opinions.
🦋Cheers, Barberwitch
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