Question about magickal properties of wood...

[arcanedancer]

I am researching the magickal properties of dogwood and magnolia - if anyone out there would have insight on those things. I grew up in a home firmly wedged between a massive dogwood on the right and a huge magnolia on the left, so those trees have special resonance with me.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Christopher

[jcrowfoot]

Um, well, dogwood, at least from what I've read is that it's attached with.. well... dogs, and the associations with dogs. Loyalty, pack mentality, joy, perkiness.

I know the flowers are used in incense to get in touch with dogs. About the wood? Make a wand and record what you find out! I have a few dogwoods as well, and I'll do the same and we can compare notes!


Magnolia hmm. I'll go break out my Cunningham encyclopedia of herbs and see what he has to say. I seem to recall that it's a bisexual flower or something.

[arcanedancer]

...for any help you might be able to track down. The only real legendary info on the dogwood is all about the Christian doctrine. It's nice, but not what I'm looking for, specifically.

I love your avatar as well. Is that a raven also, and what is the totem's significance?

Have a great Saturday,
Christopher

[jcrowfoot]

Um, Crow actually. The energies are related, but different. Ravens are more loners, and crows ultimately like hanging out in big groups, talking too much, and snagging any pretty shinies that happen to come to view. Ravens are tricksters like Hermetic mages (think Robert Anton Wilson: grand gestures and high weirdness) and crows are like sacred clowns (Don't always leave the whoopee cushion at home) Some of my best friends work with Raven, so I know both pretty well.

Edit: Oops, I forgot to tell you about Raven. Raven is frequently associated with the Sun, not just by the Celts. The Native people of the NW Territories also felt Raven was associated with the Sun, by eating it, or giving it so a girl to eat, and she gets pregnant, and yet Raven is considered the father!
Raven is about the Cosmic Mystery of Change. Not just death, though that is a common association. To quote Depeche Mode: "God has a sick sense of humor."
Crow is more... earthy than that. Crow is about how Spirit is *everywhere*, especially where and in voices you don't expect. The sacred garbageman, so to speak.

Finally, I do my homework!

Ok. Here's what Cunningham has to say about Dogwood:
Sap is for wishes,(sap? my dogwoods don't seem that sappy, FWIW) the leaves and wood are used for protective amulets. So, I would guess that it would also be good for things like protective and warding magic. I would bet that if you mixed dogwood sawdust with dragon's blood or pepper (or both!) you could make a kick-ass shielding powder for one's property.

Magnolia is used for fidelity spells. (placed near or under the bed) He doesn't say much about Magnolia, unfortunately. I would guess it also symbolizes purity and the south in general. I would further assert that it could be used for gathering strength of character and resolve. Maybe a more feminine oak-like vibe? Hey, I bet Artemis would like Magnolias.

I drove down 65 once all the way to the end and I picked a beautiful magnolia flower and carried it for most of the trip. It stayed fresh for a very very long time. Several days... without water! It had a powerful energy, but I wasn't sure what to make of it at the time.