Post by SOLSTICE on Jun 4, 2017 5:49:18 GMT
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wands
wands
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a history of disparity
a history of disparity
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Wands are often regarded as symbolic of being a witch, especially in historical texts and fables where wands are ever-present and hailed as a witch's sword and shield. [break][break]
Yet, at present, wands are thought of as nothing more than an aesthetic. Witches may choose to use wands or perform wandless magic. Generally, witches agree that they are able to exercise more control over their magic and it feels more elegant when compared to wandless magic, but at the same time witches also agree that wandless magic feels a little more liberating. Some witches say that using a wand does absolutely nothing, and some say that wands can increase and decrease a witch's strength and dexterity. It's as controversial as professional wine-tasting; while the rich, affluent, and otherwise passionate believe "true wandmaking" exists and is simply hard to find, most would like to believe it's a load of rubbish.
[break][break]
The truth is that wands were once thought integral to magic- no one knows why exactly (wouldn't wandless magic have been practiced first, considering it is very possible?) or how they originated, but wands were symbols of magic. And they, judging from history books, were extremely expensive and difficult to create.
[break][break]
In the past, it was a prerogative of the rich to practice magic because it was believed that the capacity to be a good witch involved proper ancestry, wealth and connection to the king or God. Those without wands were unworthy. Since wandless individuals were not given opportunities to grow or learn about magic, this turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
[break][break]
Wandless witches were finally allowed to practice magic during the reformative period of Duchess Ferrina's reign-- but this magic was considered 'low-class' for many decades to come.
[break][break]
Then came the rise of what is known as the M.A.G.I. foundation (often regarded as a coven, though never officialized as such). Currently disbanded, there are several debates as to what the original acronym stood for. Regardless, this group of people came forth with what is now called your standard Wandmaker:Auto-- a sort of glowing and magical platform or furnace of sorts, one on which you may place an ideal length of wood of your choosing and the maker does the rest of the work, enabling the flow of mana and usage of the wood as a catalyst and the creation of a fully functional wand.
[break][break]
M.A.G.I. foundation's new technology swept over the land-- they created viable wands at a cheap as dirt rate and made wands wildly available to practically anyone. The value of wands disappeared and the ancient art of wandmaking was swallowed whole in a social war of change. Several middle-class witches who had fought for high-ranking positions during the novel reign of Duchess Ferrina began what is known as the "Wandless Movement"-- they began tossing away their expensive wands for M.A.G.I.'s novel wands. Supporters of the poor and the less magically inclined picked up on this, and soon in every corner of society the value of "true" wands were nonexistant. What was the point, after all?
[break][break]
Over more years of struggle, great change emerged in the wizarding society.
[break][break]
Everyone had the same wands and no skill, battle or achievement could be blamed on wandmaking whether faulty or excellent. M.A.G.I.'s wands still exist today and are widely used, although other brands and shops have been giving wands their own names.
[break][break]
Wandmakers were driven out of their positions as the in between of merchants and the aristocracy and they practically disappeared from society. Wands themselves only managed to stay relevant because the SCDS (Salem Council for Duelling and Other Sports) made wands a mandatory aspect of dueling and a few other sports. While originally it had been the last resort of wandermakers and the upperclass to preserve the importance of their wands, currently it is regarded as 'paying homage to our cultural roots.' Many have forgotten the true meaning behind wands, and most regard the history as no longer culturally relevant.
[break][break]
The discrimination and lies that were once ties so heavily to wands have now become irrelevant to modern society. However, certain wandmakers still claim that there is a magic to wands, one that was driven out along with the discrimination and the violence. One that still lingers. Certain heirloom wands still exist, and some wands are apparently over two thousand years old-- comparing with modern wands that break after a handful of duels, its likely that at least 'true wands' offer more durability...but is that really all there is to them?
[break][break]
How much of our history have we forgotten, and how much of it can we continue to forget?
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wandmaking: the forgotten art
wandmaking: the forgotten art
Wands are often regarded as symbolic of being a witch, especially in historical texts and fables where wands are ever-present and hailed as a witch's sword and shield. [break][break]
Yet, at present, wands are thought of as nothing more than an aesthetic. Witches may choose to use wands or perform wandless magic. Generally, witches agree that they are able to exercise more control over their magic and it feels more elegant when compared to wandless magic, but at the same time witches also agree that wandless magic feels a little more liberating. Some witches say that using a wand does absolutely nothing, and some say that wands can increase and decrease a witch's strength and dexterity. It's as controversial as professional wine-tasting; while the rich, affluent, and otherwise passionate believe "true wandmaking" exists and is simply hard to find, most would like to believe it's a load of rubbish.
[break][break]
The truth is that wands were once thought integral to magic- no one knows why exactly (wouldn't wandless magic have been practiced first, considering it is very possible?) or how they originated, but wands were symbols of magic. And they, judging from history books, were extremely expensive and difficult to create.
[break][break]
In the past, it was a prerogative of the rich to practice magic because it was believed that the capacity to be a good witch involved proper ancestry, wealth and connection to the king or God. Those without wands were unworthy. Since wandless individuals were not given opportunities to grow or learn about magic, this turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
[break][break]
Wandless witches were finally allowed to practice magic during the reformative period of Duchess Ferrina's reign-- but this magic was considered 'low-class' for many decades to come.
[break][break]
Then came the rise of what is known as the M.A.G.I. foundation (often regarded as a coven, though never officialized as such). Currently disbanded, there are several debates as to what the original acronym stood for. Regardless, this group of people came forth with what is now called your standard Wandmaker:Auto-- a sort of glowing and magical platform or furnace of sorts, one on which you may place an ideal length of wood of your choosing and the maker does the rest of the work, enabling the flow of mana and usage of the wood as a catalyst and the creation of a fully functional wand.
[break][break]
M.A.G.I. foundation's new technology swept over the land-- they created viable wands at a cheap as dirt rate and made wands wildly available to practically anyone. The value of wands disappeared and the ancient art of wandmaking was swallowed whole in a social war of change. Several middle-class witches who had fought for high-ranking positions during the novel reign of Duchess Ferrina began what is known as the "Wandless Movement"-- they began tossing away their expensive wands for M.A.G.I.'s novel wands. Supporters of the poor and the less magically inclined picked up on this, and soon in every corner of society the value of "true" wands were nonexistant. What was the point, after all?
[break][break]
Over more years of struggle, great change emerged in the wizarding society.
[break][break]
Everyone had the same wands and no skill, battle or achievement could be blamed on wandmaking whether faulty or excellent. M.A.G.I.'s wands still exist today and are widely used, although other brands and shops have been giving wands their own names.
[break][break]
Wandmakers were driven out of their positions as the in between of merchants and the aristocracy and they practically disappeared from society. Wands themselves only managed to stay relevant because the SCDS (Salem Council for Duelling and Other Sports) made wands a mandatory aspect of dueling and a few other sports. While originally it had been the last resort of wandermakers and the upperclass to preserve the importance of their wands, currently it is regarded as 'paying homage to our cultural roots.' Many have forgotten the true meaning behind wands, and most regard the history as no longer culturally relevant.
[break][break]
The discrimination and lies that were once ties so heavily to wands have now become irrelevant to modern society. However, certain wandmakers still claim that there is a magic to wands, one that was driven out along with the discrimination and the violence. One that still lingers. Certain heirloom wands still exist, and some wands are apparently over two thousand years old-- comparing with modern wands that break after a handful of duels, its likely that at least 'true wands' offer more durability...but is that really all there is to them?
[break][break]
How much of our history have we forgotten, and how much of it can we continue to forget?
