ofwoodandbone:

Throughout time, the wand, staff, and scepter have become a part of the magician’s image. As kings held a scepter to symbolize their power, so a magician would hold a rod to symbolize their own. This symbol has existed from the ancient days of Moses into modern times where we have Harry Potter. 

There were different kinds of wands owned and employed by sorcerers over the years, but none so terrible and harrowing as the blasting rod. This mystical stick could cause destruction in both the spirit world and mortal world alike. Because of that, both spirit and human feared this tool in the hands of magicians. 

Just as many other magical tools, it can be found in both ceremonial magic and folk magic. However, unlike other tools, this is one that has two different interpretations for the two sections of magic. Both are used for ‘blasting’ and damning, but the methods of use and creation are different. It it originated with one or the other, simply that is a tool of magic useful to both folk magicians and ceremonial magicians. 

Most of the time, when someone hears ‘blasting rod’, they hear it in the context of low magic. Blasting was something done by witches and cunning folk as a method of sharp, acute cursing. It caused illness, blights, storms, impotence, sterility, barrenness, and misfortune. One of the most common methods of blasting was when a witch would employ their trusty blackthorn rod. The stick was pointed, tapped, and shaken at its intended victims. In some lore, the same rod that placed the curse would be able to undo it. Witches with crooked blackthorn canes are the image tied to this lore. Blackthorn is the most commonly used wood for a blasting rod, so much so that the term has become semi-synonymous with ‘the blackthorn stick’. The thorns of the blackthorn are sharp and cause infection. It was thought to also take revenge on humans that cut it. Just as with other faery trees, the blackthorn was harnessed by witches and magicians as a tool of power. Though blackthorn is the traditional wood for a blasting rod, other thorny branches have been known to be used for it. I’ve seen sticks of blackberry, locust, and even old rose bush branches being employed for similar purposes. The thorns are sometimes left along the stick, and sometimes are taken off and fixed on the end. Sometimes a combination of the two is used. The rod is usually longer than other wands, but shorter than most staffs, making it just the right length for a cane. 

In ceremonial arts, the blasting rod differs in creation and methods, but its purpose remains similar to the one used in folk magic. The blasting rod used in ceremonial magic serves a similar purpose to a black handled knife. It is used to command, compel, and threaten spirits or demons. The Grand Grimoire gives both uses and directions to make such a rod. The ritual process of making the rod is arduous, but the requirements of the wand are quite clear. Unlike the folk magic variant, a ceremonial blasting rod is to be made from a forked branch of wild hazel, measuring 19 1/2″ long. The tree it is to be cut from must have never borne fruit. The sharpened tips of the fork are capped with steel from a blade used to make a sacrifice and magnetized with a lodestone. When used in ritual, if the magician wishes to smite a spirit for noncompliance, the forked prongs are held over a flame while uttering a curse to the spirits. The Grimoire claims that this tool has come directly from God, as He used it to smite traitorous angels and throw them down. The Grimoire also accounts for its power over storms and its ability to both call them down and push them away. 

Whether it be bloodied steel or piercing thorn, the blasting rod not only sends forth attacks, but it also protects the magician. It is, of course, offense which serves as the best defense. The rod can be used to place protection curses (I swear, it’s not an oxymoron) on places, people, and things. Should the protection spell be broken or compromised, the curse is activated and attacks the attacker. The rod itself might be charmed to spectrally attack those who seek to harm its owner, whether spirit or living being. In ceremonial magic, the blasting rod can be used as retaliation against a spirit or demon who seeks harm on the magician. In folk magic, the blasting rod might be used to blast someone who wishes ill on the magician. In addition, just as the blackthorn has the power to conjure frightful storms, it also has the power to wash them away. Though defense and offense are thought to be opposites, they are the same face wearing different masks. 

I have no doubt that the blasting rod as described in the Grand Grimoire could also be employed as the thorny variation. A forked branch, capped with steel used to make a sacrifice, magnetized with lodestone, could very well prove to make nasty curses on the living, especially so in keeping mind of the damage it causes to spirits. 
It is also interesting that the rod is tethered to the powers of lightning and storms. I suppose this keeps in line with its title and primary use. Lightning blasts things. It is quick, but it can cause untold destruction. Just as a single thorn prick can cause terrible infection (especially so for blackthorn), a single lightning strike can light the forest ablaze. As for the ceremonial one, God is known for striking and speaking through lightning and storms. His wrath is often thought to be called down through the sky. The blasting rod is His tool, according the to Grand Grimoire, so why would it not exemplify his ire and fury?

The blasting rod is a true symbol of the terrible power that magicians hold over the world, as in direct symmetry with the power that God does. Both spirits and townsfolk remember that power.