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RubySlippers
August 9th, 2012, 04:43 AM
(Please redirect me if this thread is not as original as I think it is. It is entirely possible that this ought has been done to death but I can't find it under any of the terms I thought to search)

So, I'm a big ol' nerd and I was wondering what my choice of hair toys says about me, specifically with regard to the woods that I have been drawn to. I tend to chose things very instinctively, so I wondered if that 'meant' something.

Then, being the nerd that I am, and as pottermore is one of the easiest ways to find a whole bunch of wood types categorised and given meanings, I had a wee look. If you know of other sites that describe the meanings and significance of wood types I'd love to compare.

Here are my first three hair fork wood types and what they mean:

Cedar

Whenever I meet one who carries a cedar wand, I find strength of character and unusual loyalty. My father, Gervaise Ollivander, used always to say, ‘you will never fool the cedar carrier,’ and I agree: the cedar wand finds its perfect home where there is perspicacity and perception. I would go further than my father, however, in saying that I have never yet met the owner of a cedar wand whom I would care to cross, especially if harm is done to those of whom they are fond. The witch or wizard who is well-matched with cedar carries the potential to be a frightening adversary, which often comes as a shock to those who have thoughtlessly challenged them.

Ebony

This jet-black wand wood has an impressive appearance and reputation, being highly suited to all manner of combative magic, and to Transfiguration. Ebony is happiest in the hand of those with the courage to be themselves. Frequently non-conformist, highly individual or comfortable with the status of outsider, ebony wand owners have been found both among the ranks of the Order of the Phoenix and among the Death Eaters. In my experience the ebony wand’s perfect match is one who will hold fast to his or her beliefs, no matter what the external pressure, and will not be swayed lightly from their purpose.

Teak and Turquoise

No pottermore entry, but: http://www.giantchess.com/manufacturer/about_teak_wood.html
So I'm not sure what that reflects about me, but that one also has a turquoise in it.

Turquoise Gemstone meaning
Turquoise is one of the oldest protection amulets, and was also known as a symbol of wealth in many ancient cultures.

Strength, protection from harm, psychic sensitivity and connection to the spirit world
If given a turquoise by a loving friend, that stone would protect the wearer from negative energy and bring good fortune. The turquoise is the symbol of friendship. It also brings peace to the home.

This stone is a very personal and meaningful stone to one who wears it. Turquoise takes on the characteristics of the owner.

Turquoise carries great wisdom of basic truth within it. It is one of the oldest stones known. This is a stone that a person must learn to attune to instead of the stone attuning to the person. It is important that the owner of a Turquoise give it the proper attention.

If anyone would like to provide a suggestion of the combined significance of the two I'd love that.

What are yours?

RubySlippers
August 9th, 2012, 04:56 AM
P.s here is a link to wand wood meanings, but it is a pottermore spoiler. You have been warned!

http://pottermorespoilers.tumblr.com/post/9770067306/wand-woods

Wildcat Diva
August 9th, 2012, 05:44 AM
I think this is a very neat idea for a thread! I have been collecting different woods and grains, would love to hear more.

RubySlippers
August 9th, 2012, 06:03 AM
What is your favourite wood, or the one you have the most of, or maybe the one you feel is the most 'you'?

millyaulait
August 9th, 2012, 06:06 AM
I love this idea! I love HP.. :crush:

I always gravitate towards dark woods, so I guess mine would be ebony too.

RubySlippers
August 9th, 2012, 06:10 AM
So would you say this fits you Millyaulait?

Ebony is happiest in the hand of those with the courage to be themselves. Frequently non-conformist, highly individual or comfortable with the status of outsider... one who will hold fast to his or her beliefs, no matter what the external pressure, and will not be swayed lightly from their purpose.

Because that is me to a tee. I find that pretty interesting that it fits me so well!

Wildcat Diva
August 9th, 2012, 06:46 AM
I like interesting grains, it's hard to pick. I seem to really like walnut.

Loviatar
August 9th, 2012, 07:02 AM
Much as I love Harry Potter, I would take my meanings from either my own pagan books, or from sites like this one:

http://www.valleywands.com/thepropertiesofwood.htm

Or here:

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/celtic-meaning-of-symbolic-trees.html (scroll down to find the Ogham)

This is an interesting site as well: http://www.touchwoodrings.com/qualitiesofwood.html

RubySlippers
August 9th, 2012, 07:12 AM
Much as I love Harry Potter, I would take my meanings from either my own pagan books, or from sites like this one:

http://www.valleywands.com/thepropertiesofwood.htm

Or here:

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/celtic-meaning-of-symbolic-trees.html (scroll down to find the Ogham)

This is an interesting site as well: http://www.touchwoodrings.com/qualitiesofwood.html

Thank you so much, those are exactly the kinds of sites that I knew someone here would be able to provide!
Sadly none of my woods are featured though, so I'm gonna have to stick to my HP. I would love a more olde interpretation though!

Maybe those sites will be good references for other though :)

RubySlippers
August 9th, 2012, 07:14 AM
I like interesting grains, it's hard to pick. I seem to really like walnut.

For you, from one of Loviatars sites:


Walnut*holds the powers of the breath, teleportation, astral travel, and inspiration. Symbolic of confidence and mental wisdom. *Black Walnut wood has medicinal properties that are useful in the prevention and treatment of disease.*

ApatheticFairy
August 9th, 2012, 09:30 AM
I only have pink ivory, tulip wood, and peach wood. I guess I should go with Pear from the Pottermore site for the peach wood one?

I guess my hairtoys would make poor magical tools.

RubySlippers
August 9th, 2012, 09:40 AM
I only have pink ivory, tulip wood, and peach wood. I guess I should go with Pear from the Pottermore site for the peach wood one?

I guess my hairtoys would make poor magical tools.

No! I'm sure they are quite magical. Just because they're not classified yet doesn't mean they have no special qualities.

I'm sure someone clever can find / create some magical meaning for those woods.

I would, but I'm supposed to be at work right now!:eek:

DarkCurls
August 9th, 2012, 09:47 AM
^^ I joined Pottermore just to find out my "real" house and wand wood... I got ebony. :p Which is awesome because I think it looks beautiful (though it wouldn't show up that much against my hair).
Nice idea for a thread.

Wildcat Diva
August 9th, 2012, 10:07 AM
For you, from one of Loviatars sites:


Walnut*holds the powers of the breath, teleportation, astral travel, and inspiration. Symbolic of confidence and mental wisdom. *Black Walnut wood has medicinal properties that are useful in the prevention and treatment of disease.*

Thank you so much for looking that up for me. I will never look at my huge walnut fork the same. I am already entranced with the beauty of the grain. (plus I need all the 'mental wisdom' I can conjure up).

MeganE
August 9th, 2012, 10:35 AM
This is a little thread jack, but I've always wondered why, if Harry's wand was made of Holly and Phoenix feather, why wasn't it WHITE in the movies???

RubySlippers
August 9th, 2012, 11:48 AM
Is holly wood always white?

PolarCathy
August 9th, 2012, 11:59 AM
My favorites are walnut, cedar, and mun ebony for me. Also osage orange & padauk.

Don't know much of their esoteric meanings, just intuitively what I feel is that

walnut is "grounding",
cedar is "sacred" and "sacral" if that makes sense, also very uplifting;
mun ebony - I just admire it for the color, I also feel that it's "grounding" and "protective"; and
osage prange & padauk are powerful, "active", "masculine", ecourage action. I hope I make sense.

DaniVerde
August 9th, 2012, 12:38 PM
This site has lots of our favorite hairtoy woods! : http://paganwiccaforum.com/node/19

RubySlippers
August 9th, 2012, 12:45 PM
I only have pink ivory, tulip wood, and peach wood. I guess I should go with Pear from the Pottermore site for the peach wood one?

I guess my hairtoys would make poor magical tools.

Pink ivory is the Royal wood of the Zulus.
Pink is feminine, ivory is precious, rare and from a matriarchal animal, known for it's community and gentle strength. And the wood is royal?!

Well I say you have a very special significance when you put all that together!

RubySlippers
August 9th, 2012, 12:50 PM
This site has lots of our favorite hairtoy woods! : http://paganwiccaforum.com/node/19

Better yet ^^^

MeganE
August 9th, 2012, 09:00 PM
Is holly wood always white?

I don't know, but I'm finding that impossible to answer via Google, who doesn't seem to realize I'm not talking about a city in CA!!

ETA: Found this:

The wood of the Holly is hard, compact and close-grained. Its colour is of beautiful white ivory that can be buffed to a very high polish. When freshly cut the wood has a slightly greenish hue but soon becomes perfectly white, and its hardness makes it superior to any other white wood. As such it is much prized for ornamental ware and the evenness of its grain makes it very valuable to the turner.

From: http://www.controverscial.com/Holly.htm

RubySlippers
August 10th, 2012, 02:35 AM
I did have a bit of a giggle as I asked about Hollywood being white (internal monologue: well yes it is, predominantly)

Well in that case I don't know why his wand wasn't white.

Email Rowling and ask her. :)

Tisiloves
August 10th, 2012, 03:21 AM
I did have a bit of a giggle as I asked about Hollywood being white (internal monologue: well yes it is, predominantly)

Well in that case I don't know why his wand wasn't white.

Email Rowling and ask her. :)


Maybe it's the stain/varnish/preservative lacquer, most of the methods for protecting wood from wear make them a little darker.

RubySlippers
August 10th, 2012, 04:51 AM
Mmm, perhaps, but it seems if she's gone to such trouble to choose a white wood for him, then if should be white. Oh, and another thing! Surely they can magically varnish it with no darkening, I mean it's a HP wand!

irishlady
August 10th, 2012, 04:56 AM
I like Alder, Oak and Birch woods. I'll get back to you later with their meanings :)