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Staff 
The staff is the symbol of the centre of your circle and represents the Element of Spirit. It is a wooden or metal rod, typically head-height, variously decorated and used by some to assist in walking, as a means of directing energy and for self-defense. It is also symbolic of the phallus. In same paths, the staff is to men the equivalent of the besom for women. This is not a sexist thing but rather a shape thing.... staff being phallic. But this does not mean that either gender can not use both.
For those who wish to practice Dragon Magick, the staff represents the bridge between the two planes in which we reside. It is the symbol of your magickal authority, your right to call upon and work with dragons.
Staffs are also used for talking sticks. (See Shamanic Tools)
To make your own (I would advise this as all the staffs and staves I have ever come across are commercial walking sticks) you can either use dowling or approach a tree with the properties you want and ask for a gift. You could also use a recently fallen branch that is the right height and weight but don't use dead wood as this will be brittle and the energy within will have long gone. It should be no longer than head height. I would suggest shoulder height as bigger makes it cumbersome to use in the ritual area. How you prepare it is up to you. I left the bark on mine but I know of staffs that have had the bark removed and are polished to a sheen. This is something you will only determine after sitting with your staff for a while and communing with the energies of the wood.
Crystals and cords and beads can be attached to your
staff. I have a blue calcite crystal ball in a dragon's claw on mine. I finished
it by polishing it with bees wax to bring out the hues of the wood.
These are just ideas of what you can do to make your staff your own. You may want to attach cords or ribbons to represent the elemental colours to symbolize the inter-relationship between the elements and spirit. Alternately, you might want to carve or paint symbols, scripts, sigils or runes on it. The choice is endless and is between you and the spirit of the wood.
My staff
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Chalice |
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Athame |
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Altar Tile |
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Wand |
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Censor |
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Shaman |
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Cauldron |
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Bell |
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Besom |
