Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2016 9:41:06 GMT
While building wood is a very common material and has been completely vague in its representation in Domdaria. However, wood is a very important material, not just a cheaper, easier material than metal. Wood is a material that should have some physical properties which modify the crafting and magical properties that do so as well, especially when used for magic, and interacted with by magic.
The details of the system would need to be hammered out, but here is a preliminary outline of a system of wood.
Below is all contained within the attached text file. Wood crafting is not priority to add at this point, but for building reference this file should be useful. (I often get stuck when trying to determine what type of wood to use when talking about furniture, items, etc.)
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This is to document the types of wood currently in game, and a list of wood types to draw from for future development including expanded wood resources and crafting system.
I. Types of wood already in Domdaria as mentioned in rooms / items.
Oak, Cherrywood, Yew, Willow, Birch, Ironwood
Types of trees (not used for wooden crafts): Apple, Olive, Mulberry,
II. Proposed wood resources / notes about tweaks for crafting staffs/wands other magical items.
Easy Difficulty: Basswood, *Pine, Aspen, *Teak, *Sassafras, *Elder, Hazel,
Moderate Difficulty: Cedar, *Willow, Rosewood, *Cherrywood, *Ash, Walnut, *Maple,
Hard Difficulty: *Rowan, *Elm, Bloodwood, *Ebony, Pearwood, Beech, *Oak,
Extreme Difficulty: *Kingwood, *Yew, *Ironwood
*Highly recommended for initial wood crafting, to give some vague variety, other types of generic: softwood, hardwood, heartwood (with processing)
III. Bibliography of sources examined to prepare this text.
www.spellsofmagic.com/coven_ritual.html?ritual=3300&coven=510
Alder: Known as the wood of witches (along with Yew) or Battle Witch wood. Drawing off the element of fire, but also water and earth; Alder is a fast growing tree with a short life cycle. An excellent wood for resurrection spells and is the best choice for summoning and controlling the four winds, banishing and controlling elements. It has a fiery property lends courageousness and passion in your work. Alder: Pale Yellow to Reddish Brown. It is easy to work and is a soft, relatively low-strength, straight-grained, even-textured wood. Works well with hand and machine tools, but sharp cutting edges need to be maintained to prevent tearing the grain.
Ash: Known as the father of trees. If you seek knowledge, absorbing illness and healing spells, aiding in communication, Ash is your wood. It is often used for protection. Drawing its power from water, ash seeks a healing companion with focus and strength of purpose. ASH: Strong and Tough, Light in Color, Resembles Oak, but coarser grained and easier to work.
Aspen: Used in anti-theft spells, it was also planted in gardens and fields to protect the property from thieves. Place an aspen leaf under your tongue if you wish to become eloquent. Aspen provides protection from unwanted spirits and to help you release old fears. The bark of Aspen contains analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Aspen: The wood has a fine uniform texture and is straight grained. Aspen does not split when nailed, it machines easily with a slightly fuzzy surface, and turns, bores, and sands well. The wood is light and soft, with low bending strength and stiffness, and medium shock resistance.
Beech: A wood of femininity associated with elements of Air and Earth. Used in healing rituals but also love, friendship, peace, and romance spells. This wood is best for spiritual awakening and spiritual practices. Excellent for Binding Magic. Beech links us with past wisdom to provide answers in the present. The answers are already within; Beech can help you discover them. Beech: Typically has a pale cream color, sometimes with a pink or brown hue. With a fine to medium grain texture; Beech has good workability and machines well but has a large amount of shrinkage.
Birch: A sacred wood best used for cleansing rituals and expelling evil spirits. Those interested in the practice of white magic will find this wood is a wonderful companion, exemplary in healing. Excellent for protection spells. The Celtic wood of the New Year and new beginnings, Brooms were traditionally made of Birch twigs. Birch can help you sweep away negative energy, organize and calm the emotions. BIRCH: Heavy, tough and close grained. Very durable.
Black Poisonwood: Draws from the element of earth. A powerful combination of strength and versatility. Seeks a companion of strength and determination, however indifferent to its owner's will. Excellent for defensive spells, curses, or protective magic.
Blood Wood: It is a fierce companion for those of a passionate nature. Draws off the element of fire. Bloodwood is prized for its ability to harness any elemental energy. Recommended for one with experience and discipline. This is a wood of strength and energy. Will produce potent magic out of love or anger. Excellent for increasing magnetism in rituals. Beautiful Red Color
Cedar: Draws off the element of sun and fire. Used for influence and purification. Strengthens psychic power and is often a tool for healing. Seeks a white magic companion. Excellent for protection. Cedar is naturally resistant to pestilence and decay. Aromatic Cedar is associated with wisdom and strength and these qualities aid the user in lifting the veil imposed upon our perception of reality. Cedar: (Aromatic Red): Light, fine texture, nice aroma.
Cherry: A wood of femininity. Draws off the element of earth. Used for healing, romance, and Binding spells. Seeks a harmonic companion. Excellent for Divination. Well grounded, cherry keeps us in the here and now and promotes rationally intuition action rather than emotionally related decisions. CHERRY: Strong, hard, nice grain that finishes well.
Chestnut: Herbalists use Chestnut to help rid the body of toxins. A wand made of Chestnut can aid one to banish negativity and cleanse the home. Chestnut: Has a coarse texture with a beautiful goldish-brown color. Very stable wood that is lighter then normal. Most Chestnut lumber is reclaimed material.
Dogwood: The wood's name "dogwood" also carries associations with the Irish hero Cuchullain, whose name meant "the dog of Chullain" referring to his loyalty. This gives the wood magical links to the warrior heroism and superhuman physical prowess of the hero, and links to domesticated dogs, their healing and protection and their loyalty and affection too. Magical operations especially applicable to Osier include: magick of flowering; evocation of one's Ancestors; renewal of cycles of fertility; consecration of ritual or hearth fires; giving of comfort or healing, and spells of banishment and protection. Wishes, secrets, loyalty and protection. The fire of passion, desire and will. It is associated with fertility and sexual attraction, happiness and comfort. Dogwood: Dense and fine-grained, dogwood timber is highly prized for making loom shuttles, tool handles and other small items that require a very hard and strong wood.
Ebony/Gaboon Ebony: This wood draws from the deeper levels of the mind. A powerful wood used for the defense, reversal, and dispelling of dark magic. Combined with the force of all the elements earth, fire, wind and water, this is a truly diverse tool. Excellent for defensive magic. Ebony is considered to be the most powerful of the magical woods. Gabon Ebony is considered to be the most powerful of the magical woods. It is protective and non-discriminating towards the user. Ebony/Gaboon Ebony: A very dense wood
Elder: A masculine wood. Draws off the elements of earth and water. Elder is a sacred wood, and should only be used for white magic. Seeks a companion for healing and protection. This is a powerful wood for defensive magic. Excellent for Banishment spells.
Elm: A wood of femininity. It draws off the element of earth and is a strong, neutral wood that can be used for protection or hexes. It seeks a companion of strength and is excellent for destructive spells, protection, and defensive magic. Elm is associated with death and rebirth. Elm: Mixtures of green, red, brown and gold blazing wych elm has a chatoyancy that is only surpassed by the finest koa.
Fir: An immortal evergreen, Fir is protective of those who use it wisely. Fir is one of the nine sacred woods burned on the sabbat fire.
Hazel: Hazel was the most common wood used in Celtic traditions for wands and divining rods. It has excellent healing and protective qualities, a bringer of positive change. Hazel can be used for almost all purposes, especially workings that involve seeking the truth and gaining information. It is not very suitable for power-oriented spells.
Hickory: In touch with nature, this wood draws from the elements of earth and wind. It creates balance and nourishment and seeks a companion with good intentions. Excellent for spirituality; Hickory is full of fire energy and useful in finding direction and acquisition. HICKORY: In all the world there is not a wood comparable to hickory for strength, toughness, and elasticity.
Kingwood: 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.
[Ironwood]Lignum Vitae: 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 magic. 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. 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. The hardest, densest wood in the world, 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. Lignum vitae is reddish brown when freshly cut, with pale yellow sapwood. As it oxidizes, the color turns to a deep green, often with black details. The grain is highly interlocked, making it difficult to work with edge tools, but it machines well and takes a high polish. It is a remarkably good wood for turning.
Maple: A peaceful wood used for purity and healing. Seeks a strong, devoted companion who cares for others. Excellent for cleansing spells. Maple reveals the options - even those that are hidden in plain sight - which lay before you. It enables you to make sound choices rather than rely on blind luck. MAPLE (Hard): Very dense, tight grain and strong. Excellent for turning. MAPLE (Soft): Light in color and firm texture.
Mulberry: In ancient Chinese tradition the hermaphroditic Mulberry tree represents the beginning of time, before the separation of male/female ? yin/yang energies. Mulberry can aid in re-establishing this connection.
Oak: Known as Wizard Wood, this wood is perhaps the strongest. Draws off the element of fire, as well as lightning. Seeks a powerful companion, a guardian and liberator. Excellent for protection, defensive, prosperity, sacrifice and power house spells. Robust and true, Oak is strongly rooted in the earth and easily channels natural life energies. Slow and steady growing, Oak helps one intuitively focus on the task at hand. OAK (Red): Very heavy, hard, strong and durable. OAK (White): Tough and durable.
Palm (Black): Strongly related to water, Black Palm is naturally aligned with, and enhances magical energies.
Palm (Red): Palms are excellent conductors of surrounding energies. Red Palm lends the practitioner a touch of intuition as well.
Pear: Pear wood is extremely earth-centric energy, very grounded. Pear wood is also inspiring and creative. 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.
Persimmon: Protection, love, healing and luck. Eating unripened persimmon fruit have been known to cause bezoars. It is believed that one can forecast winter snowfall by cutting open a persimmon and 'reading' it's seeds. Persimmon: Color is creamy white to light yellow or grayish-brown. The grain is fairly straight and dense, and the wood is fine and even-textured and takes an excellent finish. Most famous as the wood used in golf club "woods". AKA: Bara-Bara, Possum Wood
Pine: A diverse wood which draws from all the elements earth, wind, fire and water. Seeks a companion with good intentions, a healer and protector. Excellent for healing, protection, purification and dispel work.
Redwood: Draws from the element of fire. It is used for healing and remedial work. Seeks a companion with a spiritual purpose. Excellent for medicinal spells. One of the largest trees in the world, Redwood connects heaven and earth. It is a symbol of endurance and strength for those seeking to connect the physical and etheric realms.
Rosewood: A feminine wood which draws off the element of fire. It is used for healing, spiritual rituals and love spells. Excellent for Divination and Scrying. Primarily feminine and highly spiritual, Bolivian Rosewood boosts intuition and is an excellent healer for non-physical ailments. Santos Rosewood: Beautiful Grain. Brown Color.
Rowan: Rowan is an ancient magic that opens up the mind of the user to new possibilities and understandings by enhancing you innate psychic abilities. In Celtic mythology the rowan is called the Traveler?s Tree because it prevents those on a journey from getting lost. A rowan tree is commonly found growing by a gate or a front door to ward off witches. Rowan: The wood is dense and used for carving and turning and for tool handles and walking sticks.
Sandalwood: Sandalwood raises your energetic vibrations to a higher and more intense level of spirituality.
Sassafras: Sassafras is a Triple Goddess Tree, symbolized by the three different leaves it produces.Sassafras is useful in bringing about positive change. Native Americans and early settlers considered sassafras to be a cure all for all sorts of ailments. The root bark was once believed to be a curative, capable of treating everything from headaches to malaria, fever, liver problems, stomachaches and colds. In addition, the wand was believed to increase hunger. The wood, which continues to be used in furniture, was often used in flooring and bedsteads because people believed the sassafras fragrance would drive away bedbugs and other pesky insects. Magical properties: Early settlers also believed that beds made from sassafras would drive away evil spirits and give people restful sleep. Eases problems with the digestive system.
Snakewood: Named for its mottled, snakeskin appearance, Snakewood was also used as a remedy for fever and snakebite by native South America peoples. It has a unique healing energy.
Sycamore: Slow growing, but able to thrive in harsh climates, Sycamore evokes patience and an ability to overcome adversity. Sycamore: Gray-Brown-Orange
Teak: Draws off the element of water. A feminine wood used for defensive work. It seeks a creative companion and one in touch with nature. Teak evokes the cleansing energy of the sea. Excellent for protection spells.
Tiger Wood: Draws from the element of earth. Seeks a companion of authority, yet kind and loyal. Excellent for charms, defensive spells and sealing magic.
Walnut: A feminine wood. In touch with the element of earth; Walnut is used for cleansing and protection and is excellent for dispelling work. Used for teleportation, astral travel, weather working, averting lightening. WALNUT: Heavy, hard and strong. Takes fine finish.
Willow: Comes from the tree of enchantment. Willow has a strong feminine energy; this wood harnesses the power of moon and water. It seeks a companion with psychic energy. Excellent for Moon Magic. Willow wands are strong in the cycles of life dealing with death and rebirth, change, the will. It is a very emotional wood. Willow can add vital energy to the sick and elderly. Willow (Black): Willow reacts to the will of the one who is utilizing it, enhancing the energy accordingly. Extremely useful for healing. Willow is much like poplar. It is soft, tough, bendable and easy to cleave. Good to machine.
Yew: Known as 'the witches? wood' and the wood of death, it draws off the element of water. It?s a powerful symbol of death and reincarnation. Often yew is associated with sorcery and dark magic. Yew is excellent for rituals and divination. Yew trees were planted in graveyards to protect the spirits of the dead. Working with Yew can reveal the past, bringing wisdom and renewed spiritual strength. Yew: Yew wood is heavy, very hard and firm, tough and elastic even though it is actually a softwood. It is not susceptible to shrinkage and has good stability. The wood is resistant to weather and not susceptible to fungal or insect infestation.
Zebrawood: A neutral wood which draws from the element of earth. It can be used for healing and repelling spells and seeks an intelligent companion. Excellent for cleansing magic, good for divination and moon related magic. Zebrawood: Light Tan with Streaks of Dark Brown.
www.dragonoak.com/Magical-Wood-Properties.html
www.macfies.com/wood-properties.html
[Great archive of wood images to base future icons on.]
www.artsite.tv/know-the-best-wood-types-for-wood-carving/
[Wood difficulty for carving.]
www.primitivefires.com/wp/wood-selection
[Ranking of wood for firebuilding / crafting.]
www.wood-database.com
[Tons of info and easy search for specific wood / articles about wood.]
The details of the system would need to be hammered out, but here is a preliminary outline of a system of wood.
Below is all contained within the attached text file. Wood crafting is not priority to add at this point, but for building reference this file should be useful. (I often get stuck when trying to determine what type of wood to use when talking about furniture, items, etc.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is to document the types of wood currently in game, and a list of wood types to draw from for future development including expanded wood resources and crafting system.
I. Types of wood already in Domdaria as mentioned in rooms / items.
Oak, Cherrywood, Yew, Willow, Birch, Ironwood
Types of trees (not used for wooden crafts): Apple, Olive, Mulberry,
II. Proposed wood resources / notes about tweaks for crafting staffs/wands other magical items.
Easy Difficulty: Basswood, *Pine, Aspen, *Teak, *Sassafras, *Elder, Hazel,
Moderate Difficulty: Cedar, *Willow, Rosewood, *Cherrywood, *Ash, Walnut, *Maple,
Hard Difficulty: *Rowan, *Elm, Bloodwood, *Ebony, Pearwood, Beech, *Oak,
Extreme Difficulty: *Kingwood, *Yew, *Ironwood
*Highly recommended for initial wood crafting, to give some vague variety, other types of generic: softwood, hardwood, heartwood (with processing)
III. Bibliography of sources examined to prepare this text.
www.spellsofmagic.com/coven_ritual.html?ritual=3300&coven=510
Alder: Known as the wood of witches (along with Yew) or Battle Witch wood. Drawing off the element of fire, but also water and earth; Alder is a fast growing tree with a short life cycle. An excellent wood for resurrection spells and is the best choice for summoning and controlling the four winds, banishing and controlling elements. It has a fiery property lends courageousness and passion in your work. Alder: Pale Yellow to Reddish Brown. It is easy to work and is a soft, relatively low-strength, straight-grained, even-textured wood. Works well with hand and machine tools, but sharp cutting edges need to be maintained to prevent tearing the grain.
Ash: Known as the father of trees. If you seek knowledge, absorbing illness and healing spells, aiding in communication, Ash is your wood. It is often used for protection. Drawing its power from water, ash seeks a healing companion with focus and strength of purpose. ASH: Strong and Tough, Light in Color, Resembles Oak, but coarser grained and easier to work.
Aspen: Used in anti-theft spells, it was also planted in gardens and fields to protect the property from thieves. Place an aspen leaf under your tongue if you wish to become eloquent. Aspen provides protection from unwanted spirits and to help you release old fears. The bark of Aspen contains analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Aspen: The wood has a fine uniform texture and is straight grained. Aspen does not split when nailed, it machines easily with a slightly fuzzy surface, and turns, bores, and sands well. The wood is light and soft, with low bending strength and stiffness, and medium shock resistance.
Beech: A wood of femininity associated with elements of Air and Earth. Used in healing rituals but also love, friendship, peace, and romance spells. This wood is best for spiritual awakening and spiritual practices. Excellent for Binding Magic. Beech links us with past wisdom to provide answers in the present. The answers are already within; Beech can help you discover them. Beech: Typically has a pale cream color, sometimes with a pink or brown hue. With a fine to medium grain texture; Beech has good workability and machines well but has a large amount of shrinkage.
Birch: A sacred wood best used for cleansing rituals and expelling evil spirits. Those interested in the practice of white magic will find this wood is a wonderful companion, exemplary in healing. Excellent for protection spells. The Celtic wood of the New Year and new beginnings, Brooms were traditionally made of Birch twigs. Birch can help you sweep away negative energy, organize and calm the emotions. BIRCH: Heavy, tough and close grained. Very durable.
Black Poisonwood: Draws from the element of earth. A powerful combination of strength and versatility. Seeks a companion of strength and determination, however indifferent to its owner's will. Excellent for defensive spells, curses, or protective magic.
Blood Wood: It is a fierce companion for those of a passionate nature. Draws off the element of fire. Bloodwood is prized for its ability to harness any elemental energy. Recommended for one with experience and discipline. This is a wood of strength and energy. Will produce potent magic out of love or anger. Excellent for increasing magnetism in rituals. Beautiful Red Color
Cedar: Draws off the element of sun and fire. Used for influence and purification. Strengthens psychic power and is often a tool for healing. Seeks a white magic companion. Excellent for protection. Cedar is naturally resistant to pestilence and decay. Aromatic Cedar is associated with wisdom and strength and these qualities aid the user in lifting the veil imposed upon our perception of reality. Cedar: (Aromatic Red): Light, fine texture, nice aroma.
Cherry: A wood of femininity. Draws off the element of earth. Used for healing, romance, and Binding spells. Seeks a harmonic companion. Excellent for Divination. Well grounded, cherry keeps us in the here and now and promotes rationally intuition action rather than emotionally related decisions. CHERRY: Strong, hard, nice grain that finishes well.
Chestnut: Herbalists use Chestnut to help rid the body of toxins. A wand made of Chestnut can aid one to banish negativity and cleanse the home. Chestnut: Has a coarse texture with a beautiful goldish-brown color. Very stable wood that is lighter then normal. Most Chestnut lumber is reclaimed material.
Dogwood: The wood's name "dogwood" also carries associations with the Irish hero Cuchullain, whose name meant "the dog of Chullain" referring to his loyalty. This gives the wood magical links to the warrior heroism and superhuman physical prowess of the hero, and links to domesticated dogs, their healing and protection and their loyalty and affection too. Magical operations especially applicable to Osier include: magick of flowering; evocation of one's Ancestors; renewal of cycles of fertility; consecration of ritual or hearth fires; giving of comfort or healing, and spells of banishment and protection. Wishes, secrets, loyalty and protection. The fire of passion, desire and will. It is associated with fertility and sexual attraction, happiness and comfort. Dogwood: Dense and fine-grained, dogwood timber is highly prized for making loom shuttles, tool handles and other small items that require a very hard and strong wood.
Ebony/Gaboon Ebony: This wood draws from the deeper levels of the mind. A powerful wood used for the defense, reversal, and dispelling of dark magic. Combined with the force of all the elements earth, fire, wind and water, this is a truly diverse tool. Excellent for defensive magic. Ebony is considered to be the most powerful of the magical woods. Gabon Ebony is considered to be the most powerful of the magical woods. It is protective and non-discriminating towards the user. Ebony/Gaboon Ebony: A very dense wood
Elder: A masculine wood. Draws off the elements of earth and water. Elder is a sacred wood, and should only be used for white magic. Seeks a companion for healing and protection. This is a powerful wood for defensive magic. Excellent for Banishment spells.
Elm: A wood of femininity. It draws off the element of earth and is a strong, neutral wood that can be used for protection or hexes. It seeks a companion of strength and is excellent for destructive spells, protection, and defensive magic. Elm is associated with death and rebirth. Elm: Mixtures of green, red, brown and gold blazing wych elm has a chatoyancy that is only surpassed by the finest koa.
Fir: An immortal evergreen, Fir is protective of those who use it wisely. Fir is one of the nine sacred woods burned on the sabbat fire.
Hazel: Hazel was the most common wood used in Celtic traditions for wands and divining rods. It has excellent healing and protective qualities, a bringer of positive change. Hazel can be used for almost all purposes, especially workings that involve seeking the truth and gaining information. It is not very suitable for power-oriented spells.
Hickory: In touch with nature, this wood draws from the elements of earth and wind. It creates balance and nourishment and seeks a companion with good intentions. Excellent for spirituality; Hickory is full of fire energy and useful in finding direction and acquisition. HICKORY: In all the world there is not a wood comparable to hickory for strength, toughness, and elasticity.
Kingwood: 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.
[Ironwood]Lignum Vitae: 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 magic. 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. 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. The hardest, densest wood in the world, 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. Lignum vitae is reddish brown when freshly cut, with pale yellow sapwood. As it oxidizes, the color turns to a deep green, often with black details. The grain is highly interlocked, making it difficult to work with edge tools, but it machines well and takes a high polish. It is a remarkably good wood for turning.
Maple: A peaceful wood used for purity and healing. Seeks a strong, devoted companion who cares for others. Excellent for cleansing spells. Maple reveals the options - even those that are hidden in plain sight - which lay before you. It enables you to make sound choices rather than rely on blind luck. MAPLE (Hard): Very dense, tight grain and strong. Excellent for turning. MAPLE (Soft): Light in color and firm texture.
Mulberry: In ancient Chinese tradition the hermaphroditic Mulberry tree represents the beginning of time, before the separation of male/female ? yin/yang energies. Mulberry can aid in re-establishing this connection.
Oak: Known as Wizard Wood, this wood is perhaps the strongest. Draws off the element of fire, as well as lightning. Seeks a powerful companion, a guardian and liberator. Excellent for protection, defensive, prosperity, sacrifice and power house spells. Robust and true, Oak is strongly rooted in the earth and easily channels natural life energies. Slow and steady growing, Oak helps one intuitively focus on the task at hand. OAK (Red): Very heavy, hard, strong and durable. OAK (White): Tough and durable.
Palm (Black): Strongly related to water, Black Palm is naturally aligned with, and enhances magical energies.
Palm (Red): Palms are excellent conductors of surrounding energies. Red Palm lends the practitioner a touch of intuition as well.
Pear: Pear wood is extremely earth-centric energy, very grounded. Pear wood is also inspiring and creative. 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.
Persimmon: Protection, love, healing and luck. Eating unripened persimmon fruit have been known to cause bezoars. It is believed that one can forecast winter snowfall by cutting open a persimmon and 'reading' it's seeds. Persimmon: Color is creamy white to light yellow or grayish-brown. The grain is fairly straight and dense, and the wood is fine and even-textured and takes an excellent finish. Most famous as the wood used in golf club "woods". AKA: Bara-Bara, Possum Wood
Pine: A diverse wood which draws from all the elements earth, wind, fire and water. Seeks a companion with good intentions, a healer and protector. Excellent for healing, protection, purification and dispel work.
Redwood: Draws from the element of fire. It is used for healing and remedial work. Seeks a companion with a spiritual purpose. Excellent for medicinal spells. One of the largest trees in the world, Redwood connects heaven and earth. It is a symbol of endurance and strength for those seeking to connect the physical and etheric realms.
Rosewood: A feminine wood which draws off the element of fire. It is used for healing, spiritual rituals and love spells. Excellent for Divination and Scrying. Primarily feminine and highly spiritual, Bolivian Rosewood boosts intuition and is an excellent healer for non-physical ailments. Santos Rosewood: Beautiful Grain. Brown Color.
Rowan: Rowan is an ancient magic that opens up the mind of the user to new possibilities and understandings by enhancing you innate psychic abilities. In Celtic mythology the rowan is called the Traveler?s Tree because it prevents those on a journey from getting lost. A rowan tree is commonly found growing by a gate or a front door to ward off witches. Rowan: The wood is dense and used for carving and turning and for tool handles and walking sticks.
Sandalwood: Sandalwood raises your energetic vibrations to a higher and more intense level of spirituality.
Sassafras: Sassafras is a Triple Goddess Tree, symbolized by the three different leaves it produces.Sassafras is useful in bringing about positive change. Native Americans and early settlers considered sassafras to be a cure all for all sorts of ailments. The root bark was once believed to be a curative, capable of treating everything from headaches to malaria, fever, liver problems, stomachaches and colds. In addition, the wand was believed to increase hunger. The wood, which continues to be used in furniture, was often used in flooring and bedsteads because people believed the sassafras fragrance would drive away bedbugs and other pesky insects. Magical properties: Early settlers also believed that beds made from sassafras would drive away evil spirits and give people restful sleep. Eases problems with the digestive system.
Snakewood: Named for its mottled, snakeskin appearance, Snakewood was also used as a remedy for fever and snakebite by native South America peoples. It has a unique healing energy.
Sycamore: Slow growing, but able to thrive in harsh climates, Sycamore evokes patience and an ability to overcome adversity. Sycamore: Gray-Brown-Orange
Teak: Draws off the element of water. A feminine wood used for defensive work. It seeks a creative companion and one in touch with nature. Teak evokes the cleansing energy of the sea. Excellent for protection spells.
Tiger Wood: Draws from the element of earth. Seeks a companion of authority, yet kind and loyal. Excellent for charms, defensive spells and sealing magic.
Walnut: A feminine wood. In touch with the element of earth; Walnut is used for cleansing and protection and is excellent for dispelling work. Used for teleportation, astral travel, weather working, averting lightening. WALNUT: Heavy, hard and strong. Takes fine finish.
Willow: Comes from the tree of enchantment. Willow has a strong feminine energy; this wood harnesses the power of moon and water. It seeks a companion with psychic energy. Excellent for Moon Magic. Willow wands are strong in the cycles of life dealing with death and rebirth, change, the will. It is a very emotional wood. Willow can add vital energy to the sick and elderly. Willow (Black): Willow reacts to the will of the one who is utilizing it, enhancing the energy accordingly. Extremely useful for healing. Willow is much like poplar. It is soft, tough, bendable and easy to cleave. Good to machine.
Yew: Known as 'the witches? wood' and the wood of death, it draws off the element of water. It?s a powerful symbol of death and reincarnation. Often yew is associated with sorcery and dark magic. Yew is excellent for rituals and divination. Yew trees were planted in graveyards to protect the spirits of the dead. Working with Yew can reveal the past, bringing wisdom and renewed spiritual strength. Yew: Yew wood is heavy, very hard and firm, tough and elastic even though it is actually a softwood. It is not susceptible to shrinkage and has good stability. The wood is resistant to weather and not susceptible to fungal or insect infestation.
Zebrawood: A neutral wood which draws from the element of earth. It can be used for healing and repelling spells and seeks an intelligent companion. Excellent for cleansing magic, good for divination and moon related magic. Zebrawood: Light Tan with Streaks of Dark Brown.
www.dragonoak.com/Magical-Wood-Properties.html
www.macfies.com/wood-properties.html
[Great archive of wood images to base future icons on.]
www.artsite.tv/know-the-best-wood-types-for-wood-carving/
[Wood difficulty for carving.]
www.primitivefires.com/wp/wood-selection
[Ranking of wood for firebuilding / crafting.]
www.wood-database.com
[Tons of info and easy search for specific wood / articles about wood.]
