I am planning to carve a staff. Well, more of a cane so I can keep it inconspicuous. I tried ordering an ironwood walking stick and infusing it, but it's not working. Clearly, the process of empowerment requires you to work the wood yourself; the work itself would take on a ritualistic significance, like in the forging of rings.
So, my plans:
1. Get something fairly thick. I don't want something which will snap or bend too easily. I might fell s young tree and use the trunk. Still want it to be lean enough ti grasp firmly and not be too heavy though.
2. Cut it to be tall enough that it reaches my upper waist like an actual cane.
3. Sandpaper it until it's smooth.
4. Carve symbols of power into it. I plan on using symbols associated with Jupiter as described by Agrippa, and maybe Mars.
5. Polish it. Not only will it make it nice looking and more comfortable, but it'll prevent it from drying out and becoming brittle.
6. Affix a metal piece at the bottom to prevent wear and tear.
Things I'd like opinions on:
1. What state of mind do you think I should be in while accomplishing the work? Is gnosis necessary?
2. Would you recommend incenses for the work? I'm thinking about using them as they're recommended for the forging of rings.
3. Which metal would you use for the tip?
4. Would you embed a stone in the head? If so, what kind?
5. What kind of wood would you use? I'm probably going to go for maple.
For the unfamiliar, second row are the characters of Jupiter and the third are the characters of Mars.