Why wands? (and what to do with one) (Patreon)

So folks who are keeping up with my Instagram might have noticed that I've been making a lot of wands lately. I imagine this has stirred up some confusion so here is a brief explanation. I wouldn't mind turning the story into a comic so that's why the details might be a bit sparse.

2017 has been a rough year. For everyone, really, but for me personally it has been one of the hardest years of my life. In December of 2016 I had my first bought of chronic insomnia, and every month after was marked by similar episodes. On a good month I was up for only three days, on a bad month it'd be a solid week. Not being able to sleep is bad for your brain, and even worse if you already have depression.

Around February I I went back into therapy, but wasn't helped by it. I went on to see three other therapists to no avail. I went the route of medicine after seeing this compelling video with Will Wheaton. I don't doubt that the people I was seeing weren't trying to help me. I just know it wasn't working.

My lowest low was in September when I had committed myself to leaving my job and every part of me was resisting that transition. For me it was a life or death decision and I chose life. Not actually an easy choice for me.

September was spent in a haze of trying to calm down. I don't denounce the importance of professional help, but it was clear that I had to help myself. In October I started doing what felt right, which was pursuing my humble dabbling in witchcraft.  Amid the chaos of my mind and turmoil of my daily life I found a form of clarity that - all year - I thought was either out of reach or that I didn't deserve.

And so my form of meditation and ritual has become the art of wand making. It's solitary, quiet, and requires physical acts that release me from the mundane confines of our society.

And while - yes - my intention is to sell these wands, there are also some that I can't sell and others I intend to give away. I don't want this new pursuit to take away from my comics, or my publishing ambitions. But it was made very clear this year that I needed to take a step back and breath out the things I was keeping inside.

What is a wand?

A wand can be anything. You can make or find your own wand easily. It could be a pencil, a chopstick, a dowel, or any random branch you find on the ground. 

What you do with a wand is also entirely up to you. They can be purely decorative, fashion accessories, part of a costume, a gift for a friend, a toy to distract yourself with, something to mediate a group conversation, or perhaps they're a waste of time and money.

Your attitude regarding wands is what determines your relationship to them. Intention is everything.

This is why I don't call them "magic wands." Magic is something defined in a unique way by every person. What you put into it is what you get out of it.

So I will never make the claim that, simply owning one of my wands, is enough to lift the curtain to whatever world you wish to go to. For those who would use their wand as a focus, that focus is yours and yours alone.

I've been hesitant to write all this because the truth is not necessarily good for sales. But it's important to acknowledge nevertheless.

Thanks for reading!

And especially, thank you for pledging!