- published: 08 Dec 2015
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A wand (also: magic wand) is a thin, straight, hand-held stick of wood, stone, ivory, or metal. Generally, in modern language, wands are ceremonial and/or have associations with magic but there have been other uses, all stemming from the original meaning as a synonym of rod and virge, both of which had a similar development.
In ecclesiastical and formal government ceremonial, special officials may carry a wand of office or staff of office representing their power. Compare in this context the function of the ceremonial mace, the sceptre, and the staff of office. Its age may be even greater, as Stone Age cave paintings show figures holding sticks, which may be symbolic representations of their power.
In Pharaonic Egypt, toilette articles, weapons against possible enemies, amulets against serpents, were also left in the tomb, together with magic texts and a magic wand which enabled the ba (soul) to use them.
In classical Greco-Roman mythology, the god Hermes/Mercury has a special wand called a caduceus.
Jeremy Shafer is a professional entertainer and origamist. He has been folding origami since he was ten, and tends to create overly whimsical and ridiculous models, such as his "Man Swatter" and "BARF Bag". As an entertainer, his stunts include folding a burning origami bird, riding a flaming unicycle, and juggling torches. He taught for 13 summers at Camp Winnarainbow, a circus-arts/activities camp in California. He is an active member of OrigamiUSA and publishes a quarterly newsletter for the San Francisco Bay Area origami group, BARF (Bay Area Rapid Folders, a play on BART, Bay Area Rapid Transit). He lives in Berkeley. He also has a Youtube Channel called [http://www.youtube.com/user/jeremyshaferorigami JeremyShaferorigami
Origami to Astonish and Amuse. St. Martin's Griffin, 2001. ISBN 0-312-25404-0
Origami Ooh La La! CreateSpace, 2010. ISBN 1-4564-3964-2
He rode his wagon into town
A gaudy spectacle
And every gray November brought him there
Always entertaining
Prestidigitating
Pulling rabbits from thin air
He would wave his magic wand
He would say the magic words
Working up a miracle
Puttin' on a show
Changing what I thought to be
Unchangeable reality
Wish I had a magic wand of my own
Now twenty-three Novembers later
The prestidigitator
Still holds a power in my mind
'Cause I'd like a quick and easy way
To look inside and make a change
A magic wand would do me fine
I would wave my magic wand
I would say the magic words
Working up a miracle
Puttin' on a show
Changing what I thought to be
Unchangeable reality
If I had a magic wand of my own
I would wave it over me and over you
And over all this crazy world
And make it right
Oh and there's so much I'd change
If I could take the easy way!
I would wave my magic wand
I would say the magic words
Working up a miracle
Puttin' on a show
Changing what I thought to be
Unchangeable reality
I would wave my magic wand
I would say the magic words
Working up a miracle
Puttin' on a show
Changing what I thought to be
Unchangeable reality
If I had a magic wand of my own
The only way to really change
Is simple choices everyday
Obey the Spirit-whisper in my soul
With the help of God, a little time
Can change a heart, renew a mind
Without a magic wand He'll work a miracle...
Without a magic wand He'll work a miracle...