Magical Properties of Wood

Magic Properties of Wood

Wood is a remarkable substance, a gift from nature itself. Nearly every culture throughout

history has attributed magic properties to wood. Some hold one type of wood to be sacred, while

others believe that all wood has magic properties. We at Goldentree Wands believe that all

wood has specific magic properties, unique to each species and variety. In an effort to aid the

magic community, we have compiled a listing of the magic properties of a variety of wood

types. Some of these types of wood have been known for many years to have certain properties

(Celtic woods for instance), while others have never before been categorized.

This listing will be broken up into two parts. Because the Celtic woods are the most

commonly known of the magic woods, the first part of this listing will consist only of these wood

types. The second part of the listing will be woods that were never classified by the Celts, due to

the fact that these are not European woods. The properties of the woods in the second section

were obtained using a method of divination known as the "Witchstone.

All woods will be arranged alphabetically within their respective sections

Celtic Woods

The druids believed that humanity descended from the trees, that we are in affect one in

the same. As such, they went to great lengths to discern all of the magic properties of the wood

around them. They also had a different system of astrology than we use today, known today as

the Celtic Tree Calendar. The following information was compiled from this calendar and

several other sources.

Alder

Gender Association: Masculine

Date Association: March 18 - April 14

Planetary Ruler: Mars

Animal Association: Fox

Ruling Deity: Bran

Magical Properties:

Courage, evolving spirituality, self-reliance,

adventurism, charm and leadership skills

Ash

Gender Association: Feminine, Effeminate Male

Date Association: February 18 - March 17

Planetary Ruler: Neptune, Mercury

Animal Association: Adder

Elemental Association: Air, Spirit, Water

Ruling Deity: Gwydion

Magical Properties: Intelligence, wit, communication, knowledge,

curiosity

Aids in communication and learning, removing

blockages that prevent the flow of words and

knowledge. It is the wood of the poet and the

scholar.

Promotes spiritual love and health. Protects against

unwanted change.

Birch


Date Association: December 24 - January 20

Planetary Ruler: Sun

Animal Association: The White Stag

Elemental Association: Fire

Ruling Deity: Lugh

Magical Properties: Rebirth, patience, organization, leadership skills,

diligence, loyalty, the calming of emotions

A very fire-oriented wood, the energy is very

cleansing and purifying, burning away that which is

not desired. It allows one to create, to exert their

willpower and achieve positive results. For this

reason, it is an excellent tool for magic involving

wealth, luck, and goals.

An unrestrained, fiery energy, this wood lacks

grounding. Those who get carried away easily and

are not grounded themselves may wish to avoid this

wood. But it can help others release their baggage,

be more impulsive, and see beyond that which is

right in front of them.

Elder


Date Association: November 25 - December 23

Planetary Ruler: Saturn

Animal Association: Raven

Ruling Deity: Cailleach Beara

Magical Properties:

Faerie Magic, protection from evil, imagination,

change

Hawthorn


Date Association: May 13 - June 9

Planetary Ruler: Vulcan

Animal Association: Owl

Ruling Deity: Olwen

Magical Properties:

Wisdom, psychic protection, patience, creativity,

confidence, charm

Hazel Gender Association: Feminine

Date Association: August 5 - September 1

Planetary Ruler: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter

Animal Association: Salmon

Elemental Association: Fire, Air, Water

Ruling Deity: Manannan Mac Lir

Magical Properties:

Artistic ability, magical knowledge, optimism

The energy of hazel wood promoted love and

creativity. It allows a person to shed their baggage,

opening themselves up to their full potential. This

wood is the bringer of change. Sometimes this

change can lead to conflict, but sometimes conflict is

needed to change a situation. This wood also

promotes creative expression, eloquence, and art of

all types.

This was the most common wood used to create

wands in the ancient Celtic traditions.

Holly

Gender Association: Feminine

Date Association: July 8 - August 4

Planetary Ruler: Earth

Animal Association: Unicorn

Ruling Deity: Govannon

Magical Properties: Purity, strength, logic, power transfer, protection.

American Holly (the variety of holly that we use) is the

whitest wood in the world. But all holly woods are

known for their creamy to white coloring. Perhaps this

is on of the reasons this wood has always represented

purity and goodness. The energy of holly is very pure,

so much so that it is linked to the mythological unicorn,

the purest of all animals. The wood will not tolerate

dark forces or energies, and will best be used to

channel positive energy for the betterment of the

world. Healing work, blessings, exorcisms, psychic

shielding, and astral guidance are all activities that

would be excellent for this type of wood.

Ivy


Date Association: September 30 - October 27

Planetary Ruler: Persephone

Animal Association: Butterfly

Ruling Deity: Guinevere

Magical Properties:

Determination, strength, optimism, spiritual growth

Oak


Date Association: June 10 - July 7

Planetary Ruler: Jupiter

Animal Association: Wren

Elemental

Association: Earth, Water, Spirit

Ruling Deity: Dagda

Magical Properties: Truth, steadfast knowledge, protection

To the ancient Celtic people, oak was the protector,

provider, benevolent king of the trees. Oak provided

the people shelter in the form of building material,

protection by providing material for weapons, and

nourishment through its edible acorns.

Oak is an excellent healing wood. Connected strongly

to the Earth, it can easily channel natural life energies,

and help sense where healing might be needed. This

wood helps center the mind, allowing it to focus on the

task at hand and ignore distractions. It can also help

bring about desirable change in love matters. Oak help

promote both observation and intuition.

Oak provides a very balanced energy, skewed neither

toward the light or the darkness.

Reed


Date Association: October 28 - November 24

Planetary Ruler: Pluto

Animal Association: Hound

Ruling Deity: Pwyll

Magical Properties:

Wisdom, scholarship, fearlessness, destiny

Rowan


Date Association: January 21 - February 17

Planetary Ruler: Uranus

Animal Association: Dragon

Ruling Deity: Brigid

Magical Properties:

Originality, free-thinking, psychic ability, love and

understanding

Vine

Gender Association: Masculine and feminine

Date Association: September 2 - September 29

Planetary Ruler: Venus

Animal Association: Swan

Ruling Deity: Tuatha De Danaan

Magical Properties: Spiritual initiation, sacred knowledge, authority

Willow


Date Association: April 15 - May 12

Planetary Ruler: Moon, Mars

Animal Association: Hare

Ruling Deity: Ceridwen

Elemental Association: Earth, Spirit

Magical Properties: Death and rebirth, cyclical energy, change, emotion,

will

Willow is an amazing wood for magickal tools

because it is already perfectly aligned to magick

(the movement of energy guided by will ). This

wood reacts to the will of the one who is utilizing it,

enhancing it accordingly. The stronger the will, the

more effective the wood.

Willow is extremely useful in healing. It is also

good for love spells and rituals involving emotion.

It also increases psychism, and is a great tool for

divination as well (especially concerning luck

matters).

Non-Celtic and Exotic Wood

Below is a listing of woods not ever classified by the Druids. Why did they never classify

these woods? Is it because they do not contain any magical properties? No, we think the answer

is more likely that they just never got down to Africa, South America, the Hawaiian Islands, etc.

We imagine that if they had, they would have had a great deal to say about these types of trees.

The properties of the following woods were obtained by a method of divination known as

the Witchstone (a very versatile form of divination similar in many respects to the Tarot).

African Blackwood

Wood Origin: Africa, Parts of Asia


Planetary Association: Saturn

Elemental Association: Water, Air, Spirit

Magical properties: This wood is often mistaken for ebony, since it is

such a uniform black color. However, African

Blackwood is not part of the ebony family. Rather, it

is a part of the rosewood family, and the black color

is actually an extremely deep purple. Despite this, it

is unlike the other members of the rosewood family in

nearly every aspect.

This wood is strongly aligned with the energy of

Saturn. Saturn is known to block other energies,

represents the end of cycles, and the energy of the

underworld. This would be an excellent wood for

blocking the energy of other magick, and

communication with the dead. And magick related to

death would be highly effective with this wood. It

acts as a conduit between the physical and spiritual

realms.

African Blackwood is also useful for exacting

creative and intellectual changes in life, and removing

communication barriers.

Apricot

Wood Origin: Many, a fruit wood


Planetary Association: Moon, and Mars to a minor degree

Elemental Association: Spirit

Magical properties: A very powerful spiritual wood, apricot's energy

follows closely that of the moon. Its energy is

cyclical in nature. This wood strengthens feminine

intuition and strength. It would be a perfect tool for

divination. It strengthens spiritual energy and the

psychic mind.

This wood is also good for strengthening psychic

love and non-romantic relationships, especially those

within blood relatives. The wood carries with it a

very strong, positive spiritual energy.

Black Palm

Wood Origin: Southeast Asia


Planetary Association: Jupiter, Sun

Elemental Association: Water

Magical properties: The most remarkable thing about this wood is that its

primary property is that of magic. The wood is

naturally aligned with magic, and enhances magical

energy. Obviously this is a good choice as a material

for sacred objects.

This wood is strongly aligned to water energy. It

rejects all fire-related energies, and it would also not

be useful for healing. It brings about positive

changes, creates opportunities, and opens spiritual

pathways. Good words to associate with this wood

are: feeling, changing, growing, love, and art. This

wood is excellent for gaining power and knowledge

from nature (which is what magic is).

Black Walnut

Wood Origin: North America and Europe

Gender Association: Feminine and Masculine

Planetary Association: Moon, Saturn


Magical properties: The best word to describe the energy of this wood is

"introspective." It is not for those with flights of

fancy, but rather for those who seek to explore their

own personal energy and the "here and now." It is

good for blocking out emotional energy so that one

may focus upon the task at hand.

This wood couples reason with intuition to help a

person grow spiritually and to heal themselves from

within. A quiet, unassuming wood, black walnut can

help us to get in touch with ourselves and the Earth.

Bloodwood

Wood Origin: Bolivia (South America)

Gender Association: Masculine and Feminine

Planetary Association: Mars and Venus

Elemental Association: All 4 physical elements, fire, earth, air, and water

Magical properties: Bloodwood is a remarkable wood mainly for its

ability to utilize elemental energies. The wood itself

can channel and enhance the affect of all elemental

energies, but the degree to which it can do so seems

to depend upon the person utilizing the wood. This

can be determined by your astrological sign.

Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.

Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.

Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

Bloodwood would enhance your ability to utilize

water energy if you are a Pisces far more greatly than

if you were an Aries, for instance. Likewise, a Pisces

may find bloodwood nearly useless when working

with the element of fire, because that element is the

opposite of the primary element of the Pisces.

Bocote

Wood Origin: Mexico


Planetary Association: Sun, Jupiter, Mars

Elemental Association: All but air

Magical properties: Bocote represents the end of an old cycle and the

beginning of a new one. The extremely peaceful and

positive energy of this wood can be utilized in a

number of ways. It is excellent when used as tool to

diagnose illness, chakras, or other health-related

issues. It has a very powerful spiritual energy,

which may bring with it either peace or inner

turmoil. However, if it does bring turmoil, it is only

to bring about the correct way of thinking or balance

of energy in the end.

Bocote has strong fire energy, related mostly to

passionate love. It is also an inspiration for the

artistic and creative mind, focusing on beauty and

the Earth.

Bubinga

Wood Origin: Equatorial Africa


Planetary Association: (in order of importance) Moon, Venus, Mars,

Jupiter

Elemental Association: Earth, Fire

Magical properties: Love is the most prevalent energy within this

wood. This means that it would be best used for

love magick or any matters related to emotional

energy. It is a very spiritual wood, emotionally

healing. It has very strong feminine aspects,

emphasizing intuition, creativity, and nurturing.

This is a wood with not one single negative

attribute, which is extremely rare. It would be

useful for any type of magick. But, the energies

within the wood would be especially powerful if

utilized for love magick, divination, and emotional

healing. The power of this wood will be strongest

at the full moon, weakest at the new moon.

Butternut

Wood Origin: North America


Planetary Association: Jupiter, Venus


Magical properties: This wood brings wisdom and creativity to any

situation. It will aid in finding the truths that others

miss, often resulting in good fortune and wealth.

An excellent gambler's wood, or a tool for

promoting luck and affluence.

Butternut will help make one's home and self image

perfect, matching one's drive and passion. It will

allow a person to shape their life as an artist shapes

clay.

Canarywood

Wood Origin: Africa


Planetary Association: Mars, Jupiter, and Venus

Elemental Association: Spirit and Air

Magical properties: Canarywood is a wonderful wood for healing the

body and the soul. It offers strength, both spiritual

and physical. Vigor, health, rejuvenation of the

mind and body. It is a wood of spiritual

inspiration, and would be excellent for spurring

creativity and artistic expression.

Being a spiritual wood, canarywood is an excellent

tool for exploring the non-physical world. It

would aid in astral projection and scrying. It also

strengthens emotional bonds within the home.

Cedar, Aromatic Red

Wood Origin: North America, mostly Virginia, USA


Planetary Association: Venus, Mercury


Magical properties: Named Aromatic Red Cedar due to its intoxicating scent, this wood

is often used for its pest controlling properties. The scent of the

wood acts in much the same manner as moth balls, repelling

insects. This wood can be found used in everything from bird

houses to decorative mulch for this reason. Once finished, however,

the scent is no longer detectable and the pest repellant properties

likewise vanish.

The energetic properties of this wood are mostly focused upon

communication and information. It is an excellent wood for use in

any divination, and will help a person obtain information from afar

(either spiritual or physical in nature). It grants the ability to see

what is happening, to know the truth behind any given situation.

For knowledge-gaining endeavors, such as schooling of the start of

a new enterprise, Aromatic Red Cedar in an invaluable tool. It will

bring luck in any pursuit that requires the acquisition of new

knowledge.

In addition, this wood will aid a person in feeling at home with their

spirituality, to love oneself. Often people struggle with feelings of

inadequacy or guilt over their spiritual choices, and this wood can

help a person to work those feelings out and know which decisions

are right for their life. It can help us bring about an overall balance

to our lives, a harmony between our spiritual beliefs and our

outward expressions.

Finally, this wood will help a person with healthy communication in

all forms.

Chechen

Wood Origin: Central America, Mexico


Planetary Association: Mars, Mercury

Elemental Association: Spirit

Magical properties: Spiritual matters can often be conflicted or unclear.

Chechen brings one the ability to gain spiritual

strength, to overcome spiritual conflict. It will

allow a person to question their own beliefs

honestly, and come to needed and truthful

conclusions.

This wood is all about bringing beauty into life. It

can help create a better outlook, improving both

physical and mental health in the process. It is an

amazing tool for those who have a difficult time

breaking free from outmoded beliefs or ways of

thinking, or who dwell upon negativity too much.

Cherry

Wood Origin: Many, a fruit wood

Gender Association: Feminine and Masculine

Planetary Association: Moon, Mars

Elemental Association: Earth

Magical properties: An extremely earth-centric wood, cherry has very

grounded energy. Earth energy is very level-

headed, non-impulsive. It helps us to see the here

and now, think clearly, and act upon rationality

rather than emotion.

Aligned with the Moon and Mars, cherry is highly

useful for intuitive magic and conquering conflict.

This would be an excellent wood for divination or

medium work, as well as healing and love magic.

As a magical tool, it is highly recommended for

those who identify well with earth energy.

Cocobolo

Wood Origin: South America

Gender Association: Very strongly Masculine

Planetary Association: Mercury, Jupiter


Magical properties: Cocobolo is the wood of passion. Within it courses

the energy of the flame, burning hot with desire,

sexuality, ambition, adventure, even rage. A purely

masculine energy radiates from the wood.

This wood's energy would be a good tool for goal-

oriented people. It will encourage ambition and

achievement, and a thirst for knowledge and

understanding in whatever the matter is at hand.

Cocobolo boosts intuitive luck, but can lead to rash

or hasty decisions. It's energy is adventurous, and

may lead a person into danger or travel far from

their level of usual comfort. This is not always a

bad thing.

Desert Ironwood



Planetary Association: Venus, Mercury, Moon

Elemental Association: Spirit, Water, Some Earth

Magical properties: Desert Ironwood is not the hardest wood in the world, but it is the

hardest wood that does not contain a large amount of gum or resin

content, meaning that it is bone dry. And as the name implies, it is

extremely hard and heavy, maybe the third hardest wood on the

planet. This makes it the most stable wood in the world, never

cracking or warping and very resistant to climactic change.

The energy of this wood is simply amazing. The image that comes to

mind is that of an elderly tribal wise woman. She is never afraid,

because she knows that life is a cycle ending in death. The mysteries

and wonders of life are at her fingertips, because she is experienced

enough to know a great deal, and wise enough to accept that which cannot be known.

This wood has a very dark, feminine energy. It brings a feeling of

protection, steadfast knowledge that the darkness is no more

threatening than the light. It brings the ability to explore the

mysteries of life unafraid and to gain the knowledge there-in. Only then can one truly know all of the beauty of life.

This wood will enhance artistic expression, bringing a fresh look to

life. It will change one's mode of thinking, and allow one to accept

life changes gracefully and with a calm wisdom.

Ebony (Gabon)

Wood Origin: Africa, the Gabon region

Gender Association: Masculine and Feminine, equality

Planetary Association: Venus

Elemental Association: All 5 (fire, water, earth, air, spirit)

Magical properties: Positive luck, balance of energy

Ebony is well-known as the most powerful magical

wood. Scott Cunningham, trusted writer of over 30

books about magic and the occult, writes about

ebony, "Ebony wood is protective and so is used in

making amulets. Ebony wands give the magician

pure, unadulterated power."

The power of ebony is non-discriminating. It is

useful for any magical practice and with any

element. It is especially useful in spells dealing with

the home, love, and Venus.

Ebony (Macassar)

Wood Origin: Celebes Islands, Maluku and Borneo (Asia)

Gender Association: Masculine and Feminine, equality

Planetary Association: Venus, Jupiter

Elemental Association: All 5 (fire, water, earth, air, spirit), emphasis on

Water

Magical properties: Power to change, positive luck, balance of energy,

breaks down social barriers.

Ebony is well-known as the most powerful magical

wood. Scott Cunningham, trusted writer of over 30

books about magic and the occult, writes about

ebony, "Ebony wood is protective and so is used in

making amulets. Ebony wands give the magician

pure, unadulterated power."

The power of ebony is non-discriminating. It is

useful for any magical practice and with any

element. Macassar ebony differs slightly from the

energy of Gaboon ebony, in that it is more centered

around emotions and intuition. This wood would be

especially useful in the seeking of spiritual

knowledge and exploring intuition and emotion. It

would not be especially useful for healing.

Historically, this wood was used in the handles of

Samurai swords.

Eucalyptus

Wood Origin: Australia, Various


Planetary Association: Mars


Magical properties: One of the strongest healing woods known,

eucalyptus trees have been used for medicines for

centuries as well as for ritual items pertaining to

healing. The energy of this wood is good and pure,

clean like the earth from which it is born. This wood

is highly recommended for any purpose combating

illness or promoting good health.

Eucalyptus is also primarily associated with positive

luck, especially if related to knowledge. For

instance, using eucalyptus in a ritual seeking a

positive result to pending news (tests, interviews)

would prove beneficial. Worn as a charm, this wood

would promote positive luck for the wearer. It is also

an excellent tool in divination.

Katalox

Wood Origin: Central America


Planetary Association: Saturn, Jupiter

Elemental Association: Earth, Water

Magical properties: Katalox is primarily a wood of balance, especially the balance

between light and darkness. It helps one achieve self-knowledge, the

ability to see one's own life as others might, and to decide which

aspects may be out of balance or in need of correction. It allows one

to feel "at home" in their own skin, complete by acknowledgement of

the whole self and seeing the whole of reality, not just the parts people

often wish to see. Useful both for those who dwell too much in the

light, having a difficulty coping with death, sorrow, or mysterious

subject-matter, or those who constantly dwell in darkness, refusing to

let the light in. Balance is the key. This wood brings about

acceptance on many levels.

For those who have anger issues, Katalox is an excellent tool for

overcoming them. The wood is introspective and grounding, slowing

anger and allowing one to think clearly and see situations in a more

logical and understanding manner.

This wood is a wonderful tool for change. Those who have a difficult

time coping with change will find that they are able to accept and learn

from change better. Those who have a difficult time bringing about change in their life will find it easier to do so.

This is also an excellent tool for exploring divination, mysteries, and

other forms of "dark" spirituality.

Kingwood

Wood Origin: Brazil


Planetary Association: Saturn, Moon, Jupiter

Elemental Association: Spirit, Water

Magical properties: The primary energies of this wood are strength and

protection. It is associated with the very assertive masculine

and the warrior-feminine. It will block out unwanted energy,

forming an impenetrable protective barrier. This wood brings

with it the ability to exert one's will upon the world, creating

needed or desired change.

The power of this wood blasts away all ambiguity. It will

allow one to discover their true spiritual path, locking in only

the most sincere beliefs, allowing the rest to fall away. It

clarifies confusion.

This wood is an excellent healing wood, closely tied with

willpower. It would also be excellent for luck magic or

divination. Also excellent for curses or other offensive magic,

this is not a wood for novices or the untrustworthy.

Koa

Wood Origin: The Hawaiian Islands

Gender Association: Split between masculine and feminine, different

associations for each

Planetary Association: Masculine: Jupiter, Saturn, Sun, Mercury

Feminine: Moon, Venus, Sun, Mercury

Elemental Association: Masculine: Water

Feminine: Fire

Magical properties: Koa is one of the most curious of woods we have had the

pleasure of working with. It has both a masculine and a

feminine side, almost completely separate.

Masculine properties: The energy associated with the masculine

aspects of this wood are duality and balance, like the tides. This

energy is deeply connected with the ocean, which is alternately

giving and destructive. To truly utilize the masculine properties

of this wood, one must be able to recognize and become

comfortable with the ebb and flow of its energy. Deity:

Kanaloa, Hawaiian God of the Sea

Feminine properties: Centered around the element of fire, Koa

in its feminine aspect brings creativity, beauty, and wisdom, and

strength. It also brings a fiery energy, capable of destructive

power or the power to overcome strife. Deity: Pele, Hawaiian

Fire Goddess

Leopardwood (Lacewood)

Wood Origin: Australia

Gender Association: Both masculine and feminine

Planetary Association: Mars and Venus


Magical properties: Leopardwood is very useful in divination, especially

obtaining news from afar. It is also associated with

positive luck, a gambler's wood. The energy of this

wood is overall very positive, and it would be an

excellent wood for use in almost any ritual or spell,

but especially those dealing with luck or divination.

Lignum Vitae

Wood Origin: South America and parts of Europe


Planetary Association: Sun, Jupiter, Venus


Magical properties: The hardest, densest wood in the word, Lignum Vitae means

"long life" in Latin. This tree is also called the "Tree of Life" as

well as "Iron Wood." The wood is so dense and heavy that it will

not even float in water. It comes with a long history and legend.

This naturally green wood has been used for time untold in

construction due to the fact that it is so hard and dense. Because

it has a large amount of resin within it as well as its density, it is

naturally lubricated and was thus used as ball bearings on ships.

The greatest legend about this wood is that Merlin the Wizard

carried a staff and/or wand made from Lignum Vitae. This

legend appears in both literature and ancient writings about the

legend of Camelot. If true, it is hardly surprising. The energy

within the wood is perfectly suited to a great man such as Merlin.

This wood has a profoundly positive energy. The overall energy

of the wood can be summed up as "the power and strength of

goodness." Its strong connections with the sun, Jupiter, and luck

energy make the wood an ideal tool for any worker of positive

magick. The energy about the wood is very healing, in both

physical and spiritual matters. The energies within the wood

would also be excellent for divining information from far away as

well as close to home.

This wood represents the end of strife and the beginning of a new,

positive, cycle.

Mahogany (Genuine)

Wood Origin: Honduras


Planetary Association: Earth, Mars, Mercury, Moon

Elemental Association: Primary: Earth, Secondary: Fire

Magical properties: Mahogany is an interesting wood mainly because,

while most woods have a variety of differing uses,

this one is very specialized. This wood is very

focused on fertility, growing. It has a very powerful

bond with the Earth, and will channel Earth energy

better than any other.

Secondary to fertility, this wood has other uses as

well. Enhancing intuition, strengthening bonds with

blood relatives (especially the mother/son

relationship), and exploring and clarifying goals are

all possible uses for Mahogany. This wood would

not be good for divination.

Mahogany (African)

Wood Origin: Africa


Planetary Association: Moon

Elemental Association: Primary: Spirit, Secondary: Fire

Magical properties: This is one of the most spiritually focused of all

woods, and would be best used in magic dealing with

anything non-physical. Divination and spiritual

growth and guidance are its primary properties. It is

also an excellent wood for healing spells, though

mostly for emotional and spiritual healing.

Maple

Wood Origin: Various


Planetary Association: Moon, Jupiter


Magical properties: Maple is a fascinating a beautiful wood due largely to the great

deal of variation in its appearance. Some maple wood is without

any interesting grain, while some has an amazing wavy (called

"curly") appearance with remarkable translucence. And some

maple is known as "Bird's Eye" maple because it has tiny little

spots in the grain, like miniature knotholes, throughout the

wood. And still other maple is "spalted," or crossed with very

dark lines within the grain. It is sometimes hard to tell that all of

these woods come from the same type of tree.

Maple is one of the most spiritual woods in existence. Because

of this, the primary use of the wood is that of spiritual healing.

It is also amazing when working with moon magick.

Maple is a traveler's wood. Those who are always on the move

and changing will feel right at home with this type of energy. It

allows a person to focus in on the choices in any situation,

eliminating luck and chance. It enhances intellectual pursuits

and learning.

Marblewood

Wood Origin: South America




Magical properties: This wood has an extremely grounded energy, while at the same

time being very intense. It will react strongly to the passion of

the individual using it, helping to achieve goals and remove

conflict through strong and decisive action.

It is a VERY strong healing tool, drawing energy up from the

Earth itself for this purpose. It would be useful for all types of

healing, from animals to plants, physical healing to emotional

healing. It encourages empathy and compassion, enhancing

feelings of love and affection.

Marblewood enhances positive luck, helping to bring situations

that are out of the control of the individual to a positive end.

A wood that will aid a person in all areas of learning and artistry,

it removes blockages that prevent forward movement in life.

This will enhance creativity for artistic pursuits as well as

removing the obstacles that might interfere with academic

achievement.

Mopane

Wood Origin: Zimbabwe


Planetary Association: Mars, Saturn

Elemental Association: Air

Magical properties: Communication and awareness are the two main

energies present in this wood. It has the ability to add

or remove blockages from communication. This

makes it excellent for treating communication

disorders, such as speech impediments or autism. It

is also a good tool for blocking out unwanted

communication, both physical and spiritual in nature.

This wood helps one let go of past pains and move

forward in life. It brings a general positive energy,

making past hurts seem not as important. It will aid

in planning out and attaining future goals.

Myrtlewood


Gender Association: Balanced masculinity and femininity

Planetary Association: Venus, Jupiter, Mars

Elemental Association: Primary: Earth, Secondary: Fire

Magical properties: This wood is all about balanced energy. Oftentimes,

people will focus only on one or two details of their

lives, neglecting the rest. This wood's energy helps

us to step back and see the big picture, not getting

overwhelmed by the details. It helps to balance the

energies within us or a situation. Myrtlewood will

aid in decision making, but not luck.

This wood is very versatile. It is good for healing,

creating abundance, and for nurturing passionate

love. However, it has a very honest energy and will

not tolerate deception or "creative truth" in any of

your workings with it.

Olivewood, Bethlehem

Wood Origin: Israel

Gender Association: Masculine Primarily, Feminine Secondary

Planetary Association: Sun Primary, Moon Secondary

Elemental Association: Air, Spirit, Water (In order of strength)

Magical properties: Bethlehem Olive Wood is obtained from tree

trimmings in the holy olive orchards in and around

the holy city of Bethlehem in Israel. This wood

obviously has a very strong symbolism for Christians,

as it is mentioned repeatedly in the Bible. Like all

woods, this beautiful wood also has many unique

energetic properties.

This wood is foremost an amazing aid in

communication of any type. It opens the mind to

intuitive and empathetic energy, allowing you to truly

gain insight into other's thoughts and actions. This

wood is also remarkable in its ability to aid in

communication with spirits and the dead.

With powerful spiritual energy, having this wood in

your possession will help bring about the situations

that create spiritual growth. It attracts such situations

into your life. It will create a "holy" atmosphere in

the home, helping in all aspects of spiritual life.

This wood will aid in learning and finding the true

path of knowledge. It will do this by creating positive

change in life, keeping a person from falling into

stagnant patterns of thought and action. For this

reason, it is an excellent tool for those who are trying

to find their path in life, or those who find their

learning halted by habit.

Finally, this wood is an amazing tool for healing.

However, it relies almost entirely upon the will and

passion of the healer themselves. A person who is

truly committed to healing would find this wood will

boost their abilities wonderfully.

Olivewood, Italian

Wood Origin: Italy


Planetary Association: Saturn, Sun


Magical properties: Balance between the spiritual and physical aspects of

life is often difficult to attain. The central energy

within this wood bring about this balance. It will

allow a person to travel between the spiritual and

physical words at ease, and thus is an excellent tool

for astral projection or communication with spirits or

the dead. This energy is somewhat chaotic due to its

extremely powerful connection with the spiritual

realm, and may bring unwanted communication as

well.

The spiritual journeys brought on by this wood can

bring about self-love and a balance of energies, as

well as a greater understanding of life and death.

Rebirth.

Osage Orange

Wood Origin: USA, Great Plains


Planetary Association: Sun, Jupiter

Elemental Association: Spirit, Earth, Fire

Magical properties: Named after the Osage tribe of the Great Plains

region, this wood was used by those people to make

bows and other items. An extremely strong and

straight-grained wood, it is still the preferred wood to

use for a recurve hunting bow or crossbow. This

wood is famous for its ability to repel household

pests and resist rot.

This wood is extremely spiritual in nature, especially

related to matters that also coincide with earth

energy. It would be ideal for communicating with

spirit animals or guides. It is perfect for spiritual

healing, such as astral healing. This wood aides in

the pursuit of goals and passions.

Padauk

Wood Origin: Africa, Gabon region




Magical properties: A powerful yet chaotic wood, Padauk is not at all

recommended for those new to The Craft. The

energy of this wood is constantly changing, randomly

fluctuating. It would, however, be an amazing wood

for healing magic if one could learn to harness the

chaotic energy within. In the hands of the

inexperienced, it would likely do more harm than

good.

Pear

Wood Origin: Various, fruit wood


Planetary Association: Mercury, Sun


Magical properties: Extremely earth-centric energy, very grounded. This

type of wood is best used for healing, and will appeal

mostly to those who have a passion to heal. This

wood would not be useful for spiritual exploration,

such as astral projection, divination, etc, but is

extremely useful in earth-centric matters. It brings a

creative, inspiring energy to the home. This wood is

excellent for use with money and prosperity spells.

Pink Ivory

Wood Origin: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique


Planetary Association: Sun, Mars


Magical properties: Pink Ivory was the royal wood of the Zulu people of

Africa. Legend states that the Zulu king would carry a

staff crafted from this wood, as well as ornamental

jewelry, and any others caught possessing the wood of

the Pink Ivory tree were to be punished by beheading.

This included foreigners in their own country and

abroad. Many have said that this legend was simply

invented by the Africans to drive up the price of the

wood as an export item, but that is unclear. It is a

protected tree in South Africa, and only cut down by

limited permit, making it one of the most rare and

expensive crafting woods in the world. The tree itself

is a fruit-bearing tree, and the fruit is traded in

marketplaces across southern Africa.

Energetically, this wood is strongly associated with the

sun, spiritual healing, and strength. "Change" and

"growth" are the key words for this wood. It gives the

power to bring about needed change in one's own life,

to learn and grow toward healthy goals. It grants the

ability to leave the past behind, and look to the future,

a brighter future not marred by the baggage of our

past. This is especially true in home situations, where

home life is a burden. It allows one to see and feel

their home anew, leaving behind past hurts, or to seek

a new home if that is desired.

Spiritually, this wood is not a good tool for

communication with otherworldly spirits, but an

excellent tool for healing one's own spirit or the spirits

of other living people or animals. It will aid in magic

that seeks to heal emotional hurts, or cure inhibitions

that cripple social behavior. It will aid in opening

channels of communication between people (or

between people and animals).

This wood is also an excellent tool for love magic, or

magic having to do with luck or wealth.

Poplar

Wood Origin: Europe and North America


Planetary Association: Sun, Mercury, Saturn, Venus

Elemental Association: Spirit, Water, Fire

Magical properties: This wood has incredibly diverse energy, allowing

it to be an all-purpose wood for magickal

workings. While containing almost entirely

masculine energy, it is also influenced by the power

of Venus, bringing a softer, intuitive, feminine

energy as well.

Spiritual energy is strongest within this wood,

followed by the power of water. Water and spirit

combined make this wood excellent for any

working dealing with change, acts of will, or

evocation (this is the wood we use to create our

athames). This is also an excellent healing wood.

The diversity of the energy in this wood makes it

useful for evocation as well as banishment rituals.

Purpleheart

Wood Origin: Central and South America


Planetary Association: Venus and Mercury

Elemental Association: Spirit, Air

Magical properties:

A spiritual wood, purpleheart is excellent for use in

divination magic. It also enhances energy dealing

with creativity and knowledge. One of the best

woods when dealing with spiritual healing and

health issues, purpleheart would be especially

useful in eradicating the negative energies that

create strife in the home.

Redheart

Wood Origin: South America, various


Planetary Association: Jupiter, Sun, Moon


Magical properties: Containing an overall bright and carefree energy, redheart

is an excellent wood for those seeking to be able to focus

more on the "here and now" rather than dwelling on past

or possible future events. It allows one to follow their

whims, set aside their fears, and move their life in an

overall positive direction. It does not distract one from

real threats, but rather removes the fear and doubt that

can cloud our judgment and make us imagine things

worse than they may actually be. This wood will aid a

person in finding their personal truth, free of self-

deception.

Self-esteem is not to be underrated. Most of us live under

certain assumptions about how people view us or our

beliefs that may not be entirely accurate. The power of

this wood will help a person set aside those assumptions,

to feel free to speak their mind and express their views

without fear of what others may think. It is a freeing

energy, without self consciousness or darkness and

doubt. It allows us to see this life for what it is, not what

we imagine it to be, and to love it.

Rosewood (Bolivian)

Wood Origin: Bolivia


Planetary Association: Mars, Moon, Venus

Elemental Association: Spirit, Fire

Magical properties: This wood's energy is primarily feminine, and

focused on spiritual, intuitive health and beauty.

Bolivian Rosewood is motherly, spiritual, and

nourishing. It lends a boost to intuitive thought and

feeling, and is thus excellent in divination and

scrying. A healing wood, rosewood can be used in

all healing rituals but is especially effective in

spiritual healing. In matters dealing with beauty,

rosewood can be very effective. Carried or worn as a

charm, this wood will enhance female beauty and

feminine grace. It would be good for love spells as

well, but only those conducted with maturity and

wisdom. Frivolous energies will not be enhanced by

this wood.

Rosewood (East Indian)

Wood Origin: India


Planetary Association: Moon, Venus, Saturn

Elemental Association: Fire, Earth, Some Water

Magical properties: East Indian Rosewood has a very magical energy, but that

of dark magic, mystery. Darkness is not a negative thing,

but it is that which is not usually focused upon, the hidden

things in life that escape the notice of most people. This

wood will help a person work with these energies. For

this reason, this wood is highly recommended for all

magic involving divination, communication with the dead,

and internal truth.

In addition, this wood is excellent for magic involving

health and beauty, physical things that you can see and

touch. Physical healing or the clearing up of cosmetic

flaws would be good uses for this wood.

A very grounded wood, it can also help bring about

positive change, even if that change does include some

conflict. It can help bring about a feeling of being at

home.

Rosewood (Honduran)

Wood Origin: Honduras


Planetary Association: Venus, Saturn, Moon

Elemental Association: Spirit, Water, Fire, Air (in order of strength)

Magical properties: Being a member of the rosewood family, this wood shares

many properties with other rosewoods while also having a

distinctly different energy all its own.

Unlike some other rosewoods, Honduran Rosewood is not

purely feminine, allowing a small amount of masculine

energy to also come through. The most powerful energy

within the wood is spiritually focused. It would best be

used for creative therapy and healing. This is a life-

changing, positive, feminine energy.

Like most rosewoods, this wood is excellent for love

magick and bringing passion into life. Also like most

rosewoods, it is good for bringing about change and for

boosting intuitive or psychic abilities. But unlike other

rosewoods, the energy of Saturn allows this wood to also

block out unwanted energies in magickal workings. This

can be excellent for isolating only the desired aspect of the

wood.

Sagebrush

Wood Origin: Western United States


Planetary Association: Sun

Elemental Association: Fire, Spirit

Magical properties: Though considered an unsightly desert weed by most people, the

Native American people held the sagebrush plant in particular

reverence. It was the only wood they used to burn in their sweat

lodges, creating a greasy dark smoke that helped them achieve a

higher state of consciousness. In their culture, this wood could

not be collected until the collector was spiritually purified.

Not surprisingly, the primary energy of this wood is cleansing

and purifying itself. It helps to clear away negativity and doubt,

helping a person to focus on their true passions and to gain

valuable insights. It reveals needed goals, and creates drive. It

can help a person remove the obstacles they have found placed

between themselves and the things they seek in life, by

removing blockages within oneself.

This would also be an excellent tool for divination, but not with

dark energy. It would not help with scrying, but would be an aid

in meditative divination or spiritual journeys.

Tulipwood

Wood Origin: Brazil


Planetary Association: The Moon and Venus


Magical properties: Tulipwood is part of the rosewood family. It carries with it

many of the traits of other rosewoods, with a few unique traits as

well. A very powerful feminine energy radiates from this

wood. It would be extraordinary if used in moon magic, and

anything having to do with creativity, intuitions, and beauty, and

natural cycles. This would be an excellent wood for divination.

The primary element of this wood is water. Water usually

brings with it a calm and peaceful effect. However, the energy

of this wood contains the full spectrum of water energy, both

peaceful and destructive. It is as though the very energy of the

Goddess rests within the wood; beautiful and serene, yet

powerful and proud.

The wood carries an overall positive energy, and also may be

used to bring about affluence and wealth. One of the most

powerful woods we have ever encountered, with a very diverse

and potent energy.

Wenge

Wood Origin: Tropical West Africa


Planetary Association: Saturn, Venus

Elemental Association: Fire, Air, Spirit

Magical properties: Wenge is not only a beautiful wood to look at, but

also a wonderful magical tool. It possesses a very

relaxed energy, encouraging slow, even thought. It is

the perfect tool for meditation, especially for those

who have trouble slowing their thoughts. It is also a

healing wood, useful for a variety of physical as well

and emotional healing applications. Worn as a

charm, this wood would create a more even mood

and centered thought. It would also calm the temper

and encourage learning. This wood is not for the

impatient, if they hope to utilize it for quick power.

Whitewood

Wood Origin: Romania


Planetary Association: Saturn, Moon, Sun


Magical properties: Anyone who has purchased cheap lumber at a

hardware store that is not specifically labeled pine

has probably purchased whitewood, usually

imported from Romania. It is a very fast growing

tree related to the pine tree, but without the aroma or

prevalence of sap.

This wood contains a very dark energy. Darkness is

that which is mysterious and often frightening to

people. It is extremely useful for many types of

magic, including divination, communication with the

spirit world, death, and exploring the mysteries of

life. This wood is protective, allowing one to

explore their dark side without getting lost within it.

Overall, this wood helps one understand things that

most people choose to ignore or may not even know

exist.

It can bring healing through communication, and a

general comfort through knowledge. It is a very

grounded wood, despite the prevalence of air energy.

Yellowheart (also known as Satinwood)

Wood Origin: Various, from Florida USA to Brazil


Planetary Association: Mars, Saturn, Moon

Elemental Association: Water is strongest, but exhibits energy in all elements

but fire

Magical properties: This wood contains a very powerful, and often strange, energy.

Though it is overall positive, it is a wood highly influenced by

luck and the energies which surround it. The results may be

unpredictable, though usually not dangerous (unlike African

Padauk).

The wood is highly in tune with the planet Mars. Mars brings

both strife and war, or the energy to overcome these things. In

this case, the energy is very tied up with life energy as well,

possibly indicating that the wood could be used to influence

health issues, both spiritual and physical.

Water energy is the strongest elemental force within this wood,

and with it the cyclical energy of the moon. Water brings a

peaceful energy, a stillness. This energy will be strongest on the

full moon, and nearly nonexistent during a new moon.

The most interesting aspect of this wood is the prevalence of the

planet Saturn. Saturn blocks Venus and the element of Fire in

this wood's energy, keeping creative thought, desires, and

ambitions at a minimum. This would be highly useful for

meditation, though may be a hindrance in other endeavors.

Yew, Pacific

Wood Origin: North America, Pacific Northwest


Planetary Association: Mercury, Jupiter, Moon


Magical properties: Though not European Yew, the Pacific Yew is nearly

identical to the species of tree that was used to create the

infamous English Longbow. This species of Yew was

instead used by the native people of North America to

make spears and bows of great power and sacred history.

The main property of the Pacific Yew is focus. It grants

the ability to block out the things that do not matter and

concentrate on the matters at hand. It is an amazing aid in

the pursuit of knowledge and goals. It brings a balance of

the physical and spiritual worlds, the ability to

concentrate on either with equal clarity.

Not a recommended wood for divination or luck, but

highly recommended for use with the pursuit of goals,

including love.

Zebrawood

Wood Origin: Africa, Gabon region


Planetary Association: Moon


Magical properties: The primary associations of this wood are the moon, love, luck,

wisdom, creativity, and beauty. It is the only wood we have

encountered that has absolutely no masculine energy.

Though there is a very positive energy about this wood, it is not

recommended for healing magic. It would, however, be an

excellent tool in dealing with love magic, and anything relating

to feminine energy or the moon. It would also be a good tool

for divination.

Ziricote

Wood Origin: Central and South America


Planetary Association: Sun, Saturn, Moon


Magical properties: A somewhat peculiar wood in that, despite its very strong

masculine energy, it is primarily a nurturing energy. Often we

associate masculinity with aggressive behavior or violence, but

this is not always the case. When describing the energy of this

wood, the best analogy is that of the protective and nurturing

father.

This wood is extremely protective in nature, and would be an

excellent tool for those doing shielding spells or who are in need

of added defensive energy. It will bring about a peaceful feeling

in the home, free of danger.

Ziricote is an excellent tool for bringing love into one's life. It

does this by helping a person to love themselves, encouraging a

positive self image. For those with self esteem issues that keep

others at bay, this would be an invaluable resource.

An assertive wood, it will help a person take strong and decisive

action. Not a boost in luck energy, this wood relies instead on

making choices, cause and effect. It would be a great aid to

those who find that they are unable to make up their minds

about things, or who are easily distracted.

Finally, this wood is an excellent healing tool. Like the flame

cleanses, this wood can burn away illness and negativity. It also

encourages clear communication between people.

All information and pictures copyright 2003-2009 goldentreewands.com

Magical Properties of Wood

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