The Complete Idiot's Guide to the World of Harry Potter (10 page)
Read The Complete Idiot's Guide to the World of Harry Potter Online
Authors: Tere Stouffer
A wizard’s basic tools are simple: a wand; a robe (and, if it’s chilly, a cloak); and perhaps a pointed hat. All are discussed in this chapter. In addition, various optional equipment is available to wizards: writing materials; Dark Detectors; and other cool gadgets. You get the lowdown here.
A Wizard’s Most Important Tool: The WandA wizard without a wand simply isn’t a wizard, because he’ll have a tough time whipping up potions (discussed in Chapter 11) or conjuring spells, charms, hexes, or curses (all in Chapter 12). However, a wand acts only as a channeler of magic from the wizard; the lesser the wizard, the lesser the power of whatever comes from his or her wand. This is why, if provoked, a wandless wizard can make “funny” things happen (funny strange, not funny ha-ha). But for the most part, a wizard without a wand is a wizard without magical powers, because the wand focuses all a wizard’s magical power into a small, but potent, space.
MAGIC TALE
Historically, nearly all wizards have employed a magical wand of some sort—whether a short rod or long staff—to cook up potions and weave spells. Circe (in Homer’s
The Odyssey
) uses a wand to bewitch Odysseus’s men; Gandalf and Saruman (in J.R.R. Tolkien’s
The Lord of the Rings
) both carry staffs; the White Witch (in C.S. Lewis’s
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
) carries a long golden wand; and Merlyn (in T.H. White’s
The Once and Future King
) carries a wand made from
lignum vitae
(reportedly the hardest wood in the world; the name is Latin for "long life”).
The Odyssey
) uses a wand to bewitch Odysseus’s men; Gandalf and Saruman (in J.R.R. Tolkien’s
The Lord of the Rings
) both carry staffs; the White Witch (in C.S. Lewis’s
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
) carries a long golden wand; and Merlyn (in T.H. White’s
The Once and Future King
) carries a wand made from
lignum vitae
(reportedly the hardest wood in the world; the name is Latin for "long life”).
A wand or staff not only acts to channel a wizard’s power, but also serves as a symbol of authority, drawing from its origins as a shepherd’s staff. As a shepherd has authority over his flock, so do wizards carry authority over nonmagic folk. In the same way, gods and kings have power over their people, thus the ancient tradition of kings carrying a scepter (a highly ornamental rod or staff). Likewise, a caduceus (a staff with wings at the top and two snakes coiled around the rod; the caduceus is now the worldwide symbol of physicians) established the authority of Greek god Hermes/Roman god Mercury/Celtic god Lugus, who aided, acted as messenger for, and rescued many gods and goddesses. Ancient priests carried short rods; carrying on the tradition, Catholic bishops, cardinals, and the pope still carry scepters as a symbol of their wisdom and authority. Leaders of musical groups, whether a conductor or a drum major, carry batons, which can be small rods (as in the case of a conductor) or a large staff (as with a drum major).
One wizard can use another’s wand in a pinch (or, for that matter, any nonhuman creature can “borrow” a wizard’s wand, although that is expressly forbidden by the Ministry), but that wand will not perform as well as the wizard’s own. Ultimately, there is one wand that’s exactly right for each wizard. As the story goes, the wand chooses the wizard, not the other way around.
Wood Species and SizesWands range in size from 7 inches to 16 inches, but could, technically, be any length. Wands are crafted from any of the following species, and based on the propensities of that species, may range from rigid to downright springy:
•
Ash:
Ash is from the genus
Fraxinus
and is a member of the olive family. The wood is hard and springy, which is why it’s also used to make broomsticks (see Chapter 5). Greek mythological nymphs (young, beautiful nature goddesses) of the ash trees, called meliae, were born when the god Uranus was castrated by his son, and the blood spilled onto the ground. In Norse mythology, an ash tree called Yggdrasil is considered the axis of the universe, not only providing protection and nourishment for all the creatures in the world but also bearing the wounds of the damage done by its inhabitants. Life literally could not have existed without this great ash tree. Also according to Norse mythology, the first man and woman were formed from trees, and the man, named Ask, came from an ash tree.
Ash:Ash is from the genus
Fraxinus
and is a member of the olive family. The wood is hard and springy, which is why it’s also used to make broomsticks (see Chapter 5). Greek mythological nymphs (young, beautiful nature goddesses) of the ash trees, called meliae, were born when the god Uranus was castrated by his son, and the blood spilled onto the ground. In Norse mythology, an ash tree called Yggdrasil is considered the axis of the universe, not only providing protection and nourishment for all the creatures in the world but also bearing the wounds of the damage done by its inhabitants. Life literally could not have existed without this great ash tree. Also according to Norse mythology, the first man and woman were formed from trees, and the man, named Ask, came from an ash tree.
•
Beech (or beechwood):
Beech trees, tall and gray-barked, tend to grow near lakes and oceans, because of their propensity for sandy soil. From the genus
Fagus
, this hardwood is light yellow in color. Beech is relatively inexpensive, and woodworkers find it easy to work with; thus, it’s an economical choice for wand-making.
Beech (or beechwood):Beech trees, tall and gray-barked, tend to grow near lakes and oceans, because of their propensity for sandy soil. From the genus
Fagus
, this hardwood is light yellow in color. Beech is relatively inexpensive, and woodworkers find it easy to work with; thus, it’s an economical choice for wand-making.
•
Cherry:
This is, of course, the tree from which cherry fruit comes; cherry wood is a golden hardwood (from the genus
Prunus
) that darkens to a deep red over time and is highly valued. Magically, it has been thought of as an excellent wood for divination (see also “Willow”). Long associated with earthiness and environmentalism, cherry is the subject of Chekhov’s play
The Cherry Orchard,
which tells of the demise of a beautiful cherry orchard, cut down to make way for a housing development.
Cherry:This is, of course, the tree from which cherry fruit comes; cherry wood is a golden hardwood (from the genus
Prunus
) that darkens to a deep red over time and is highly valued. Magically, it has been thought of as an excellent wood for divination (see also “Willow”). Long associated with earthiness and environmentalism, cherry is the subject of Chekhov’s play
The Cherry Orchard,
which tells of the demise of a beautiful cherry orchard, cut down to make way for a housing development.
•
Ebony:
A tropical hardwood (from the genus
Diospyros
) that is especially heavy and usually almost black in color, which may explain its reputation as the most magical of all woods. It is related to the persimmon.
Ebony:A tropical hardwood (from the genus
Diospyros
) that is especially heavy and usually almost black in color, which may explain its reputation as the most magical of all woods. It is related to the persimmon.
•
Holly:
Holly wood (from the genus
Ilex
) is a white hardwood that comes from tall trees, a variety related to the small evergreen shrubs used to celebrate Christmas (the name comes from the word “holy”). Long used in Celtic regions, holly is known to have the magical powers of protection, purity, and strength, making it a good fit for Harry Potter’s wand, which was made from holly.
Holly:Holly wood (from the genus
Ilex
) is a white hardwood that comes from tall trees, a variety related to the small evergreen shrubs used to celebrate Christmas (the name comes from the word “holy”). Long used in Celtic regions, holly is known to have the magical powers of protection, purity, and strength, making it a good fit for Harry Potter’s wand, which was made from holly.
•
Hornbeam:
From the genus
Carpinus
of the birch family, hornbeam is a very hard, almost white wood that is often used when strength is a necessity as with the handles of fine tools. In fact, hornbeam is so hard that it’s difficult to work with, so crafting a wand of hornbeam is no easy task.
Hornbeam:From the genus
Carpinus
of the birch family, hornbeam is a very hard, almost white wood that is often used when strength is a necessity as with the handles of fine tools. In fact, hornbeam is so hard that it’s difficult to work with, so crafting a wand of hornbeam is no easy task.
•
Mahogany:
Mahogany is a tropical tree of the genus
Swietenia
that is characterized by its dark, reddish-brown color. It is an expensive wood that is used when durability is called for, such as in furniture and boat-making. The wand of James Potter, Harry’s father, was made of mahogany.
Mahogany:Mahogany is a tropical tree of the genus
Swietenia
that is characterized by its dark, reddish-brown color. It is an expensive wood that is used when durability is called for, such as in furniture and boat-making. The wand of James Potter, Harry’s father, was made of mahogany.
•
Maple:
A tree from the genus
Acer
, this light-colored hardwood has distinctive leaves that can vary from golden to deep red in autumn; the sap is used to make maple syrup. Although most people think of maple wood as a blond—sometimes almost peach—color, maple woods can be plain and light or wildly marked and darker golden.
Maple:A tree from the genus
Acer
, this light-colored hardwood has distinctive leaves that can vary from golden to deep red in autumn; the sap is used to make maple syrup. Although most people think of maple wood as a blond—sometimes almost peach—color, maple woods can be plain and light or wildly marked and darker golden.
•
Oak:
Oak trees, which bear acorns, are from the genus
Quercus
and produce a hardwood that yields a dark, golden wood. Mythological stories associate the oak tree with strength (oak trees were sacred to Zeus); it is no wonder that the half-giant Hagrid used a wand made of oak. The Celts revered oak trees and considered oak groves to be sacred places; in fact, the word
druid,
which refers to the poets, priests, fortunetellers, divinators, and other magicians of the Celtic world, literally means “oak-wise.” Folktales from Wales also feature oak trees, which are considered extremely magical.
Oak:Oak trees, which bear acorns, are from the genus
Quercus
and produce a hardwood that yields a dark, golden wood. Mythological stories associate the oak tree with strength (oak trees were sacred to Zeus); it is no wonder that the half-giant Hagrid used a wand made of oak. The Celts revered oak trees and considered oak groves to be sacred places; in fact, the word
druid,
which refers to the poets, priests, fortunetellers, divinators, and other magicians of the Celtic world, literally means “oak-wise.” Folktales from Wales also feature oak trees, which are considered extremely magical.
•
Rosewood:
Rosewood (from the genus
Dalbergia
) is a tropical hardwood that sometimes smells just like a rose; its dark reddish-black wood can be almost purple. Pianos are often made of rosewood, which has a feminine quality that’s often associated with beauty.
Rosewood:Rosewood (from the genus
Dalbergia
) is a tropical hardwood that sometimes smells just like a rose; its dark reddish-black wood can be almost purple. Pianos are often made of rosewood, which has a feminine quality that’s often associated with beauty.
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