#ostrya

[theearlofmelancholy]

[astra-ravana]

Forging A Blasting Rod

-My personal blasting rod.

A blasting rod is a specialized magickal tool used in witchcraft and ceremonial magick, primarily for baneful workings, commanding spirits, protection, and energy projection. Unlike a traditional wand, which channels and directs energy gently, a blasting rod forcefully projects power, making it a tool of will, authority, and raw energy manipulation. This guide will walk you through selecting materials, crafting, and charging your blasting rod.

Understanding the Purpose of a Blasting Rod

A blasting rod is used in high-energy workings, including:

• Commanding spirits in ceremonial or necromantic magick.

• Cursing and hexing with focused intent.

• Banishing unwanted energies with force.

• Defensive and protective magick, repelling negativity.

• Directing raw power in aggressive spellwork.

It is a tool of action, unlike a regular wand, which can be more neutral or passive in nature.

Choosing Materials

Wood Selection (Powerful & Commanding Woods)

The rod should be strong, sturdy, and hold commanding energy. Some of the best choices include:

• Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) – The traditional wood for blasting rods, used in baneful magick and spirit work.

• Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) - Another favorite for blasting rods, used in attack/defense magick, blood magick, and baneful magick.

• Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana) - Formidable and strong when dealing with unwanted forces.

• Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) – Protective and potent against unwanted spirits.

• Oak (Quercus spp.) – A wood of strength and dominance.

• Yew (Taxus baccata) - Symbolic of death and doom, ideal for baneful magick and interacting with the spirits of the dead.

• Holly (Ilex aquifolium) – Often used in aggressive and defensive magick.

• Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) – Excellent for curses, hexes, and protection against harmful forces.

If possible, gather the wood ethically—from naturally fallen branches rather than cutting from a living tree. Some traditions believe the wood should be taken from a tree struck by lightning for added potency.

Length & Shape

• A blasting rod is usually longer and thicker than a traditional wand, about 12-18 inches.

• It should feel balanced in your hand, not too lightweight or delicate.

Crystal & Metal Enhancements

To amplify its power, consider embedding:

• Opal (especially black) - Amplifies malefic energy.

• Obsidian or black tourmaline – For protection, banishment, and absorbing negativity.

• Quartz (Clear, smoky, or black) – Strengthens and amplifies energy projection.

• Ruby – Focuses your intention onto the target.

• Amethyst - Self destruction, nightmares, paranoia.

• Garnet - Drains energy from the target.

• Sardonyx - Returns negative energy to sender.

• Malachite - Illicits fear and anxiety.

• Meteorite - Used as an amplifier in baneful magick.

• Iron – Binding, commanding, often used in defensive magick.

• Copper - Amplifier, increases power and effect.

Crafting the Blasting Rod

Cleansing – Before crafting, cleanse the wood by smudging it with mugwort, dragon’s blood, or wormwood smoke. Washing it with saltwater or an herbal infusion (rosemary and rue work well).

Shaping – Strip off excess bark (optional) but keep some texture for a rough, commanding grip.

Symbology – Carve runic symbols, sigils, or glyphs into the shaft. Leave one end pointed or tapered for directing energy.

Adding Power Enhancements - Wrap the handle with black leather, red twine, or iron/copper wire to contain and direct energy. Affix a crystal or iron nail at the tip for added force.

Anoint with ritual oils like:

• Dragon’s Blood – Amplifies power, brings destruction.

• Wormwood & Mugwort – Strengthens spiritual command.

• Black Pepper & Sulfur – Adds potency in baneful work.

• Myrrh - Boosts malevolent power.

Charging & Consecrating the Blasting Rod

A blasting rod should be charged under intense conditions to match its purpose. Some methods include:

Consecration Ritual

• Set Sacred Space – Cast a circle or work at a crossroad, cemetery, or dark moon ritual setting.

• Elemental Charging:

• Fire: Pass the rod through flame (candles or bonfire) to awaken its force.

• Earth: Bury it overnight in graveyard dirt, sulfur, or black salt.

• Water: Dip it in storm water, ocean water, or an infusion of baneful herbs.

• Air: Hold it in thick incense smoke (dragon’s blood, myrrh, or mugwort).

• Invocation of Power:

Hold the rod and speak,

"Rod of might, tool of command,

Through storm and flame, by my hand,

Channel power, force of will,

Let no spirit act against my skill."

Charging Under Planetary & Lunar Energy

• Dark Moon – Best for baneful, binding, or spirit work.

• Full Moon – Enhances overall energy projection.

• Tuesday (Mars' Day) – Ideal for charging aggressive or commanding tools.

• Saturn’s Hour – Adds banishing and protective strength.

Using the Blasting Rod in Magick

Now that your glorious rod of blasting is complete, it's time to unleash its power.

Baneful Work (Hexes, Curses, & Banishing)

• Point the rod at a poppet, target’s name paper, or spell jar while chanting.

• Direct energy into curse sigils or spellwork for amplified power.

• Break curses by striking the ground or altar with the rod.

Commanding Spirits & Evocation

• Used in ceremonial magick to bind, summon, or dismiss spirits.

• Strike the ground or altar three times when calling a spirit.

• Use it to trace sigils in the air when working with the dead or the astral.

Protection & Warding

• Point at a door or window while chanting to seal a space.

• Use it to break hexes or disrupt malevolent energy fields.

• Bury near your home’s entrance to create a protective ward.

Final Thoughts & Maintenance

• Recharge it under powerful celestial events (eclipses, storms, or planetary transits).

• Store it separately from gentler tools, preferably wrapped in black cloth.

• Never use it casually – a blasting rod is for intense, serious magick only.

A properly crafted and consecrated blasting rod is a tool of great power and responsibility. It should be treated with respect, as it embodies raw will, force, and command.

[twinflameauwof]

Princess Fig is the eldest niece of Queen Sycamore, daughter of Prince Ostrya, her only brother. She has two siblings, Princess Rubra and Prince Briar.

I think this is my first drawing of my LeafWing designs on here so ima talk about that a bit. Their scales can be shades spanning from reds, greens, yellows, and browns. The scales above their eyes are loosely inspired by vipers. I added more leaves to their spines and they don’t have webbing on their tails anymore (more akin to sandwing sails.

(sorry for not posting for a while, I’ve been focusing on other stuff lately, but I’ll post periodically when I have time/inspiration)

[francescointoppa]

Ancora Alberi. 914. Carpino nero (Ostrya carpinifolia Scop., Betulaceae)

[smytherines]

hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

[rock-cedar-mosquito]

Ostrya virginiana, ironwood, eastern hop hornbeam. It would be my favourite tree, if I didn't have so many favourites that I've given up trying to choose.

[n4svein]

Árboles mediterráneos o de regiones próximas

- Abies alba ( Centro y Sur de de Europa )

- Abies cephalonica ( Sur de Grecia )

- Abies nordmanniana ( Grecia, Cáucaso, Asia Menor )

- Abies pinsapo ( Sierras de Cádiz y Málaga )

- Acer campestre ( Europa, Asia Occidental, Norte de África )

- Acer monspessulanum ( Sur de Europa, Norte de África )

- Aesculus hippocastanum ( Norte de Grecia y Albania )

- Alnus cordata ( Sur de Italia, Córcega e Ischia )

- Alnus glutinosa ( Gran parte de Europa, Asia y Noroeste África )

- Alnus incana ( Europa, llegando hasta el Cáucaso )

- Betula pendula ( Casi toda Europa, Este Asia y Norte de África )

- Carpinus betulus ( Europa y Sureste Asia )

- Castanea sativa ( Parece que su área puede ser en Balcanes, Asia Menor y Cáucaso )

- Cedrus atlantica ( Montañas Norte de África: Marruecos y Argelia )

- Cedrus brevifolia ( Montañas de Chipre )

- Cedrus libani ( Líbano, Siria yTurquía )

- Celtis australis ( Paises del ámbito mediterráneo )

- Ceratonia siliqua ( Difícil origen, parece que en Arabia y Siria )

- Cercis siliquastrum ( Mediterráneo Oriental )

- Crataegus laevigata ( Europa, Norte de África, Oeste de Asia )

- Crataegus monogyna ( Europa, Asia y Norte de África )

- Cupressus sempervirens ( Se supone nativo del Mediterráneo Oriental: Irán, Chipre, Siria )

- Eleagnus angustifolia ( Oeste de Asia y naturalizado en el Sur Europa )

- Fagus sylvatica ( Área extensa del Centro y Oeste de Europa desde Penín. Ibérica a Polonia )

- Ficus carica ( Este del Mediterráneo, hasta el Oeste de Asia )

- Fraxinus angustifolia ( Mediterráneo Occidental y Norte de África )

- Fraxinus excelsior ( Toda Europa y llega a Asia Menor )

- Fraxinus ornus ( Sur de Europa y Asia Menor )

- Juglans regia ( Al parecer procede del Sureste Europa y Oeste Asia )

- Laburnum anagyroides ( Centro y Sur de Europa )

- Olea europaea ( Mediterráneo Oriental y Asia Menor, probablemente )

- Ostrya carpinifolia ( Sureste Europa, hasta el Cáucaso y Asia Menor )

- Phoenix canariensis ( Islas Canarias )

- Phoenix dactylifera ( Norte de África y Oeste Asia )

- Phoenix theophrasti ( Creta y en algunas zonas de Turquía )

- Pinus halepensis ( Región Mediterránea )

- Pinus nigra ( Área muy extensa Europa llegando Turquía )

- Pinus pinaster ( Paises del Mediterráneo Occidental y costas atlánticas Francia y Portugal )

- Pinus pinea ( Región Mediterránea )

- Pinus sylvestris ( Área muy extensa por Europa y Asia )

- Platanus orientalis ( Sureste Europa y próximo Oriente )

- Populus alba ( Europa, Oeste de Asia y Norte de África )

- Populus nigra ( Casi toda Europa y Suroeste de Asia )

- Populus tremula ( Amplia Europa, Norte de África, Norte de Asia )

- Prunus avium ( Casi toda Europa, Asia Menor y Norte de África )

- Prunus domestica ( Europa y Oeste de Asia )

- Prunus dulcis ( Oeste de Asia, asilvestrado en Cáucaso y Grecia )

- Prunus laurocerasus ( Europa, Este de Persia )

- Prunus lusitanica ( Península Ibérica )

- Quercus canariensis ( Mediterráneo Occidental, Sur de Portugal, Suroeste y Noroeste España y Norte de África )

- Quercus coccifera ( Región Mediterránea )

- Quercus faginea ( Península Ibérica y Norte de África )

- Quercus ilex ( Región Mediterránea )

- Quercus robur ( Casi toda Europa )

- Quercus suber ( Mediterráneo Occidental )

- Salix alba ( Casi toda Europa, Norte de África y Norte y Centro de Asia )

- Salix pedicellata ( Ámbito Mediterráneo )

- Taxus baccata ( Casi toda Europa, Área Mediterráneo y Asia Menor )

- Tetraclinis articulata ( Norte de África y Malta. En Cartagena y Murcia hay una pequeña población autóctona )

- Ulmus glabra (oriunda de casi toda Europa y parte de Asia )

- Ulmus minor ( nativa Europa, Norte de África y Sureste Asia )

- Ziziphus jujuba ( nativa del Sureste Europa hasta China )

[mbsposts]

20230626 Spoon River Rest Area -I74 Illinois

HORNBEAM Ostrya

[leedsomics]

Comparative transcriptomics reveals divergence in pathogen response gene families amongst twenty forest tree species

Forest trees provide critical ecosystem services for humanity that are under threat due to ongoing global change. Measuring and characterizing genetic diversity is key to understanding adaptive potential and developing strategies to mitigate negative consequences arising from climate change. In the area of forest genetic diversity, genetic divergence caused by large-scale changes at the chromosomal level have been largely understudied. In this study, we used the RNA-seq data of twenty co-occurring forest trees species from genera including Acer, Alnus, Amelanchier, Betula, Cornus, Corylus, Dirca, Fraxinus, Ostrya, Populus, Prunus, Quercus, Ribes, Tilia, and Ulmus sampled from Upper Peninsula of Michigan. These data were used to infer the origin and maintenance of gene family variation, species divergence time, as well as gene family expansion and contraction. We identified a signal of common whole genome duplication events shared by core eudicots, and a signal of recent duplication events specific to particular species. We also found rapid evolution, namely fast expansion or fast contraction of gene families, in plant-pathogen interaction genes amongst the diploid species studied. Finally, the results lay the foundation for further research on the genetic diversity and adaptive capacity of forest trees, which will inform forest management and conservation policies. http://dlvr.it/SkXsqD

[corkgrips]

[continent-of-wild-endeavor]

One of these days I'm gonna figure out what's going on with these odd growths. Mostly I see them in hop hornbeams (Ostrya virginiana) and I've been calling them witch's brooms, but that may be something else.

[wildflowers-of-southern-ontario]

Eastern Hop-Hornbeam Ostrya virginiana Betulaceae

Photograph taken on October 10, 2021, along the Etobicoke Creek, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Monday 12 April 2021

The branches Ostrya carpinifolia (hop hornbeam) were covered with the long male catkins and once I looked carefully there were the small female flowers, once fertilised the latter turn into fruit resembling a hop. This deciduous tree grows well in a warm and sheltered site in most soil types.

Jill Raggett

[alexblouinmtl]

Denali Parka by Ostrya Equipment, made in Montreal, 2021 shot by me

[padawan-rattail]

oc doodles

[orangetruckercap]

Ostrya