Witchcraft Magic For Children

Among the most famous children's book writer today is a British woman named Joanna Kathleen Rowling. This lady, in my opinion, is one of the greatest storytellers of our time. She was the one who brought us the amazing wizarding world of the wizard kid extraordinaire named Harry Potter, the boy who lived.
Quite aptly, I first got wind of the "Boy Who Loved" from a kid. I just finished college and was tutoring some brats when one of the said brats excitedly told me about a boy who have these amazing adventures in a school where magic was always the order of the day. Back then, I just smiled at the brat, nodded my head condescendingly, and told her to continue studying for her spelling test the next day. Well, what was I supposed to do? I was still an unenlightened muggle back then that I know Hermione would have forgiven me for my snobbery. A few months after that, one of my childhood friends excitedly handed me a book that looked suspiciously like it belonged to an encyclopedia collection. She was animatedly mumbling things like "wizard", "orphan", "spells", and "witchcraft magic" all in the same breath that I accepted the book just so she would stop babbling. And since I have never been picky when it comes to reading materials, I gladly promised her that I would check the book. So, I read the book that very night. And boy, was I surprised! Stunned! Astounded! Taken aback! The minute I opened the book and read the first page, I was hooked. I gobbled the book in just one day. (What about sleep, you ask? What "sleep"? The concept flew right out of my head when I read the word "wizard".) And by the time I got to the last page, I was grinning like I was under a laughing spell or something. I loved both the quirky and scary teachers of Hogwarts, I so wanted to hug Hagrid, and I was absolutely awed by their headmaster. And I felt so involved in the story that I really thought I would be seeing a real fire-breathing dragon flying by my window that night.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the first book in the series that I got to read was the fourth book. Well, never you mind that. Not being able to read the series in the correct sequence did not diminish any of its greatness for me. And years after I have had that first glimpse of Harry's world, the memory of it still has the power to make me giggle like a little kid. Witchcraft magic, spells, dragons, goblins, ghouls, dark wizards, magic wands, and flying broomsticks...what more could anybody wish for? And now, in between 'The Journey to Trad Witchcraft by Adrian Eglinton'wi and The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice, I still find myself browsing through Ms. Rowling's brilliant masterpiece sometimes. Well, real or not, I'm glad I got acquainted with Harry Potter's magical world where pictures are like movies without sound and people could travel by just touching a smelly old boot.

Choosing Between Straight and Crooked Magick Wands

Magick wands come in all shapes and sizes and are made from a variety of materials. Ritual tools made from Pewter, Crystal and Wood are all very popular. For the purposes of this article, we will talk about the Magick wands that are handcrafted from wood. There is much debate about which type of wood wand is more effective. There are some practitioners who insist that wands must be straight. Others instantly dismiss the significance of such an argument and instead swear by the use of curved wands.
When it comes to choosing between straight or crooked magick wands the person using the tool will find a preference. You can have a perfectly straight wand which is sometimes turned on a lathe. This design is more in keeping with Harry Potter style magick wands. The thinking behind this theory is the magick is cast in an accurate way. This is because these wands are almost perfectly straight and the spell hits the intended target.
Or you can decide to go with a bent, curved or twisted wand. These wands may not have a uniform appearance yet they are highly individual pieces. Many people have no problem in choosing such a unique tool. The critics believe that crooked, bent or twisted wands do not deliver accurate results from spell casting. The supporters of crooked wands dispute this belief.
On a personal level, I have used both types of wands for over 12 years with excellent results. Like any experienced witch or warlock I have a number of wands at my disposal. I like to use certain wands for a particular kind of spell or ritual. I have never been unduly concerned with slight bends, kinks or twists in a magick wand. If the tip is straight then the magick is delivered as intended and there has never been any adverse effect.
I must admit to having a fondness for unusual shapes where my magick wands are concerned. Make no mistake I have a good number of straight wands which serve a purpose. However, the crooked and bent wands have a certain character in abundance that is seldom found in similar quantities in the conventionally shaped wand.
There is no wrong or right answer where the shape of your magick wand is concerned. And there is no rule that says you must possess only the one. It all comes down to personal preference. The best course of action is to try several and find which type works best for you. Of course, you may end up like me and many other practitioners with a sizeable collection of highly charged magick wands to call upon.

Wands in Harry Potter's World

In Harry Potter's world, no wizard or witch is truly complete without a wand. Wizards use wands to channel their magic powers so that they can cast spells, although as it happens, some are able to work magic without wands. However, it's apparently very difficult to do powerful and focused spells without a wand.
While it would seem that a wand increases a person's magical ability, it is more correct to say that the wand serves as a focus for magic. Think of magic as sunlight and wands as magnifying glasses: Sunlight can burn a leaf when focused through a glass.
Mr. Ollivander is said to be the best wand maker alive, although many favor the European wands made by Gregorovitch. Ollivander comes from a long line of wandmakers who have been working their craft since 382 B.C.
Wands are made of wood, and each one has some item or substance as its magical core. Ollivander typically used one of three items as a magical core: Unicorn hair, dragon heartstring, or a phoenix feather. Other wandmakers might use different materials, such as veela hair.
Wands are peculiar things that seem to have personalities and rules of their own. According to Ollivander, the wand chooses the wizard-- not the other way around. A wand remains loyal to its chosen wizard. Although it's possible for a wizard to use another's wand, it won't feel quite natural; the wizard will have the most success with the wand that chose him.
A wand will often reflect the qualities of the wizard. For example, Hagrid's wand was made from sturdy oak. Dolores Umbridge's wand is short, just like her.
Often it seems that the wood used to make the wand corresponds with the wizard's date of birth according to the Celtic calendar; a tree is associated with each month in the Celtic year, and each tree has its own symbolic meaning. It works rather like the zodiac. Harry's wand is made from holly, which corresponds with his birthday (July 31st). Incidentally, holly symbolizes luck, protection, as well as death and rebirth.
If there isn't a Hogwarts class on wand lore, there ought to be!

The Must Have Accessory This Halloween!

The Harry Potter movies and books captured the imagination of children and adults alike. Who wouldn't want to live the exciting, magical life of this young wizard? The good news is that you can, for one night, on Halloween! Or you can even have a themed party at just about any time of the year! The question is, how are you going to top off your outfit?
Harry Potter Wands - Getting The Right Look
A wand is absolutely essential for any wizard. It's what they use to perform all kinds of tricks. They can be a bit difficult at first, but with a little practice you'll be a master at casting all the spells you want! This is why the wand is absolutely essential to complete your look and costume.
One of the easiest ways to go about it is to pick a stick and pretend it's a wand. Yes this is easy, and good for those who are putting together a costume at the last minute. But does it really look good? If you want the real deal then there are a number of perfect Harry Potter wands just waiting for you to snap them up and start making your magic!
Where To Buy
This is such a specialist item that the best place for you to look is on the internet. This means you'll get a great selection of different kinds of wand, where you can pick one that suits your tastes and your style of outfit.
The best thing to do is go to review websites, checking past customer comments on the Harry Potter wands. The great thing is that by taking your time to search, you will probably also come across some costume ideas to make sure that you really look unique amongst all of your friends!

Where to Find One

If you're thinking about getting yourself a Harry Potter costume, you'll definitely need convincing Hogwarts robes, or perhaps a fashionable pointy hat. But there's just one more very important thing you need: A good wand. How and where do you find one?
You could always pick out a decent stick and pretend that's your wand. It's cheap-- can't get much better than free. You could even stain and varnish it. It'll get the idea across either way. Even so, you would still be waving around a stick. Wouldn't it be cool to wield a beautiful wand that looks like it was truly made by Ollivander himself?
If you don't mind shopping online, and you're willing to shell out some money for a decent wand, you have plenty of options. Amazon, for example, has a fair number of wands for sale. But if you want a quality wand, be careful: Most of the Harry Potter wands available on Amazon are cheap toys.
Now, if you want an accurate reproduction of a Harry Potter wand and can afford to spend at least $35, look into what Noble Collection has to offer. Noble Collection is known for recreating jewelry, swords, props, and other items you see in fantasy movies. The company sells wands modeled after the ones wielded by Harry, Ron, Hermione, and even Dolores Umbridge.
Unfortunately, the wands by Noble Collection aren't the most durable. Since each wand is made either partly or entirely from resin, they are quite fragile; they're for display only. If you want a beautiful wand that you wouldn't be afraid to take with you to a Halloween party, consider the wooden ones made by Whirlwood or Alivan's.
The Whirlwood wands are all handcrafted by Gary Hall, who's been creating fine art for over 30 years. Almost all his wands are made from solid maple wood. They are elegant and very strong-- even if you WANTED to break one, you'd have a hard time of it. You don't want to scuff them up, of course, but you don't have to be afraid to use one of these wands to complete your Harry Potter costume. They tend to start at $50, but they are high quality and worth the price.
Your other option is to buy a wooden wand from Alivan's. Although they don't look quite as nice as the Whirlwood wands, they are definitely worth looking into. They're cheaper, and Alivan's offers a wide variety.
Doubtless there are more options, but Noble Collection, Whirlwood, and Alivan's appear to offer the best.

The Potter Wand

Since the publication of the first Harry Potter book, magic wands have been making a comeback. With the popularity of the movies, people of all ages find themselves wishing they too, had a Potter Wand of their own.
There is something intriguing about the thought of being able to have a tool that focuses your will and creates magic. A wand is just such a tool. Proper wands are made of hardwoods or other natural materials. Plastic wands are okay for playing, but a true Potter Wand should be as real as possible. Some are decorative, some are plain. There is a design of wand for each individual. As Mr. Ollivander told Harry, "The wand chooses the wizard." In a way, they do. Even if you think you're the one making the conscious choice, the design of that particular wand spoke to you in some way. Maybe they really are magic.
Today, most wands are collectors' items. Perhaps we are indulging that longing for more magic in our lives. Some are used in ritualistic ceremonies, and others are playthings for children. No matter what the reason is for wanting a Potter Wand, the desire is to own one and hold it in your very own hand is strong.
Is it Harry's holly wand that you like best? Perhaps you prefer Ron's wand made of ash wood? Each type of wood has its own distinctive meanings that can serve you well in a potter wand, even if it will only be a collectors' item. Oak stands for strength and protection while willow stands for nurturing. Yew, which was the wood used for Voldemort's wand, stands for knowledge, yet it is known for its toxic qualities. Harry's holly stands for protection, yet it also has known toxic qualities, rather like Harry having to deal with the dark residues in his life from Voldemort. The meanings behind the wood can be a very good reason to choose the wand you like.
A wand can also make a terrific gift. Many people are enchanted by the world of Harry Potter. A gift of a real Potter Wand can be very meaningful to them. It doesn't matter if they are a child or an adult; the magic of Harry Potter and his world touches a lot of people. Children can use them as they play. Having such a realistic toy makes their imaginative play more exciting. Adults can cherish them for the workmanship and whatever meanings they give to them.
We all like to believe there is magic in our lives. Owning a Harry Potter Wand can make us all feel like we have a little of that magic that belongs solely to us. It makes it seem a little more probable that if we believe hard enough, we can make that magic real. For children, it makes all those fairytales seem true. For adults, it is a way to return to some of the carefree days of childhood, when faeries, magic spells and mystical creatures were a daily part of our lives.

Harry Potter Gift Ideas

Wands, Brooms, Books, and More
If you've got a young Harry Potter fanatic in the family, then Christmas and Birthday shopping just got a little easier. Thanks to the popularity of the stories and movies, there are many book sets, themed gifts, and even tasty candies for fans. Let's take a look at what's out there to give you some ideas:
Books and Book Sets
If the kids you're shopping for are already fans, they probably have all the books on their shelves, but if you're trying to get new readers interested in the series, giving them the books is a great way. You can start out with Book 1 (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, also called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the US) or you might also get one of the nice gift sets that includes all seven novels.
A box set costs about $60 for the series in paperback or about $120 for hardbacks.
If you're trying to fill gaps in a partial collection, here is a list of all the books in the correct reading order:
Book Reading Order
Harry Potter and the...
1. Philosopher's Stone/Sorcerer's Stone
2. Chamber of Secrets
3. Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Goblet of Fire
5. Order of the Phoenix
6. Half-Blood Prince
7. Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter Wands, Brooms, and Other Toys and Gifts
If your young reader already has the books, then you may try other Harry Potter items as gifts. Just look online, and you can find all sorts of children's toys based on items from the series. Some of these are mass-produced gifts available at Amazon, Walmart, and the like, while others are lovingly crafted one-of-a-kinds (look for these on sites such as Etsy, which feature only handmade items).
Here are some ideas:
Harry's Wand
"Magic" Broom (replicas of the Nimbus 2000)
Sorting Hats
Movies on DVD
T-shirts and Caps
Stationary and Envelopes
Action Figures
Legos (The Durmstrang Ship is cool!)
Board Games (original games as well as JK Rowling versions of classics)
Pillows and Bedding
Robes and Halloween Costumes
Edible Harry Potter Gifts
While toys are always fun, it's hard to go wrong with gifts that kids can eat. In this category, you can find everything from Bertie Botts Every Flavor Jelly Beans (ketchup and pepper, anyone?) to custom cakes from the bakery (you'll have to order ahead of time, but many bakeries can do themed goodies).
If you fancy yourself a bit of a chef, you can also find recipes online that are inspired by the books. Try a Google search for "Harry Pottery recipes" if you long to make Cauldron Cakes, Jelly Slugs, or Pumpkin Juice.
There you have it: plenty of gift ideas for the young fantasy fans in your family. Christmas and birthday shopping should be a piece of cake this year!