Redwood (also known as Sequoia, which is the genus name), is one of the longest-lived lifeforms on Earth -- it's common for these trees to surpass two millenia, and the oldest (nicknamed "President"), located in California's Sierra Nevada, is estimated to be at least 3,500 years old and is still growing. This incredible lifespan has led Redwood to be associated with strength, endurance and longevity; it is also associated with the kind of wisdom that longevity is supposed to beget. Because Redwoods are also among the tallest trees on the planet (numerous trees are well over 300 feet tall), the wood is also seen as connecting the Earth with the heavens and as being imbued with strong Earth energies. Redwoods are easily capapble of surviving large fires and often take advantage of them to spread while other trees die, and are thus associated with protection (both in general terms as well as specifically against fire) and abundance. Their overwhelming presence in the forest as "parent" trees (one, killed by humans hacking all its bark off in the late 1800s as proof such trees existed, was even named "Mother of the Forest") has led the wood to also be associated with healing and medicinal spellcraft. Several sources noted that a Redwood wand is best adapted to someone with a strong sense of spiritual purpose, someone who makes good decisions, and someone who "lands on their feet" when things go wrong and who is able to take advantage of failure and disaster.
I hope this helps! (And yes, I'm working on a book about wandwoods. <grin>)
Hi, Corvin! "Woods of the World: A Wandmaker's Reference" has got a way to go... I'm trying to be (perhaps overly) inclusive and am trying to decide what to include or not for the 1st edition -- assuming it's also not the only edition. <8-o At the moment the draft covers 569 naming variations of 259 woods, with some entries complete and others very much in progress. I'm thinking of cutting back to something like the 100 most commonly encountered woods... I neither want nor intend to do any actual advertising here but will probably post a note when it's approaching completion... along with another (totally unrelated but witchy-ish) book project. Thanks for your interest!
Redwood (also known as Sequoia, which is the genus name), is one of the longest-lived lifeforms on Earth -- it's common for these trees to surpass two millenia, and the oldest (nicknamed "President"), located in California's Sierra Nevada, is estimated to be at least 3,500 years old and is still growing. This incredible lifespan has led Redwood to be associated with strength, endurance and longevity; it is also associated with the kind of wisdom that longevity is supposed to beget. Because Redwoods are also among the tallest trees on the planet (numerous trees are well over 300 feet tall), the wood is also seen as connecting the Earth with the heavens and as being imbued with strong Earth energies. Redwoods are easily capapble of surviving large fires and often take advantage of them to spread while other trees die, and are thus associated with protection (both in general terms as well as specifically against fire) and abundance. Their overwhelming presence in the forest as "parent" trees (one, killed by humans hacking all its bark off in the late 1800s as proof such trees existed, was even named "Mother of the Forest") has led the wood to also be associated with healing and medicinal spellcraft. Several sources noted that a Redwood wand is best adapted to someone with a strong sense of spiritual purpose, someone who makes good decisions, and someone who "lands on their feet" when things go wrong and who is able to take advantage of failure and disaster.
I hope this helps! (And yes, I'm working on a book about wandwoods. <grin>)
@Brian NobleHeartedLion Hello, could you please keep me updated on your book?
Hi, Corvin! "Woods of the World: A Wandmaker's Reference" has got a way to go... I'm trying to be (perhaps overly) inclusive and am trying to decide what to include or not for the 1st edition -- assuming it's also not the only edition. <8-o At the moment the draft covers 569 naming variations of 259 woods, with some entries complete and others very much in progress. I'm thinking of cutting back to something like the 100 most commonly encountered woods... I neither want nor intend to do any actual advertising here but will probably post a note when it's approaching completion... along with another (totally unrelated but witchy-ish) book project. Thanks for your interest!