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Magic Wands

The first wands were actually not magic wands at all. They were much longer than what would be considered a wand now, closer to the yard stick. Their first use was probably as a measuring tool, using the sun and stars to accurately predict long distances, survey land, and study and predict astronomical phenomenon. The first people to use these rods or wands, called the grooved ware people because of the grooved pottery and architectural flourishes they left, probably originated in what is now Norway, and traveled to the British Isles by boat. They predate most written records, but are believed to have jump started many civilizations including ancient Egypt.

As this surprisingly advanced culture spread around ancient Europe it slowly lost its true meaning and the rods real use was also lost, but its mythology was there and people still believed them to be magic wands. The grooved ware people were excellent sea navigators and could predict distances and create accurate maps of areas as well as predict astrological phenomenon based on past records. Because they were such skilled seamen, they travelled to many areas in Europe, especially in the Mediterranean Sea, and taught local culture their skills which surely must have felt like magic to them.

Knowing how to use these magic wands was limited to the rulers or heads of religion which also allowed wands to be mythologized into fantasy. Slowly over time the wands became only magic, and limited to fiction or supernatural beliefs. Freemasons, who claim to have a written history since the time of Solomon, still use long rods with metal tips in their ceremonies, although they use them out of tradition, many not knowing their original use as measuring devices.

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