Lillie's Enchanted Garden: Handmade Wind Chime

I am currently working through the Correllian Shaman course and had an assignment to make an item to represent air. I meditated and thought for days about how I wanted to accomplish this project and I was guided to build a wind chime.

The materials were selected using Wiccan beliefs and construction was guided by Goddess as I cleansed, grounded and asked for her assistance throughout the entire process. Copper was chosen due to its link with Venus, its ability to conduct energy and its inspiration for health and balance. I am quite dedicated with working with energy and I am always striving for balance in my life.

Then came choosing the wood. Sure, I could have just picked up wood while I was at the hardware store but I knew that I could find something more fitting in our stash. I went home and went through my husbands collection of wood. I was drawn to a piece of termite infested barn wood that was super heavy. I am inclined to think it is oak, but I cannot be totally certain. If you knew me, personally, you'd know that wood is my thing. I thought the termite damage appropriate for my assignment as the termite is a wondrous bug. It is an industrious being that completes its purpose with teamwork and strength. I took time to bless the wood to ensure that its destructive energy was appreciated, but not negatively incorporated to my purpose... I only want good destruction in my work, such as illness, negativity or strife.

Then came the choice of string to hold my items together. I chose hemp due to its magickal properties. It amplifies magic, removes negative influence, and influences: healing, love, protection, psychic vision, peace and meditation.

Now, onto the construction of this beauty. Keep in mind that I invoked the goddess and god throughout the entire process to ensure that my creation was favored as its use is for magickal purposes.

Hardware store:

5' length of 3/4" Type M copper tubing ($15)

Small Eyehooks ($1.50)

1 1/4" Cup Hook ($.55)

#6 Sheet Metal Screws - 1.5" long ($1.50)

Things around the house:

2 different pieces of antique barnwood - 1 piece was 1" thick, the other 2" thick.

1 piece of driftwood

Hemp String

We then began the cutting process. (My husband helped me with this part.)

1. Cut the 2" thick barn wood into a 6"x 6" square

2. Cut 2 squares in the 1" barn wood. 1 - 4.5" square the other a 3" square.

3. Cut a 2.5" circle out of the 2" barn wood (for the striker)

4. Cut the driftwood to create a wind scoop. We chose to cut at a branching point for more character and to ensure there was a space for the wind to grab. I LOVE wood and wanted the character to shine through.

Now, on to the pipe. This was cut exactly as the directions on this website indicated.

Cut Pythagoras

Cut five pieces of tubing to the lengths in the table below and deburr. The chime's five notes, which correspond to a piano's black keys, make up the minor pentatonic scale. The notes are pleasing in any order. The ancient Greeks such as Pythagoras were the first to study the link between the length of a vibrating body and the notes of a musical scale.

The topper, bottom board is 6", center is 4.5" and the top 3". The intent was to work in threes as much as possible for Mother, Maiden and Crone representation. The pipes were placed at the points of a pentacle that is drawn on the bottom of the lowest board.