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The Magick Wand

This article was written by Carl Llewellyn Weschcke on October 20, 2011
posted under Wand

The extended right thumb between clenched fingers as the Magick Wand may be unique to the GBG. Other common substitutes for this tool are the right, or even the "power" index finger if left-handed, and the thumb and first two fingers clenched together and pointed.

The non-use of traditional magickal tools—like daggers, swords, chalices—is also fairly unique to the GBG and is intended to keep the emphasis on the person and the Great Work and not on accessories. In some groups, the equipment can become quite expensive, sometimes with individuals trying to outdo each other with gold and jewels, fancy robes and crowns, etc. Or, at another extreme, the tradition may require that each person make their equipment: forging a sword, carving a wand in particular wood, and so on.

There is empowering magical validity to this, but again it is a distraction from the Great Work itself—the integration of personality with the Higher Self.

The question is the role of Magick in your life: If your goal is the Great Work of Self-Initiation, then focus on the "end" suggests simplicity of the tools and accessories: If the goal is to become a "professional" magician, then the focus on the "means" suggests great tools and accessories.

See: The Complete Magick Curriculum of the Secret Order G∴B∴G∴ by Louis T. Culling and Carl Llewellyn Weschcke