“The rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.” -Numbers 17:8b KJV
Within your home temple is an altar. When we went over dedicating the altar, we mentioned tools one may place upon their altar:
- The Rod of Aaron in the eastern spot to represent Air and God the Father
- The Panticle to the North to represent Earth and Heavenly Mother
- The Chalice, with water in it, to the West to represent Water and Jesus Christ/YHVH
- The Athame to the South to represent the Fire and the Holy Spirit
All tools should be made of natural substances; wood, stone, pure metals (as pure as possible). The Lord has commanded us that no iron should be placed upon our altars (Deuteronomy 27:5). Based on this, the Fellowship recommends avoiding plastic as well, as it too is a man-made substance.
Rod of Aaron
In a revelation to Oliver Cowdery, the Lord told him, through the seer stone, to use his “sprout” to translate. God was speaking of Oliver’s divining rod. This terminology was later changed to rod of nature, and then rod of Aaron. However, Joseph and Oliver had not yet received the Aaronic Priesthood at the time of this revelation. One should not think they must have be ordained to the ministry to use this tool. If God has given someone the gift, they should use that spiritual gift, and if they are ordained they may use it in their ministry.
For one’s rod or wand, let the Lord guide by the Holy Spirit to find the right one. One will know when they’ve found the right piece of wood. Try to find one that’s fallen naturally from a tree, rather than forcibly breaking a branch. There should be no reason to cut from a live tree. Clean the stick, and one may leave it as is, or stain it, carve Christian symbols into it, etc. as the Spirit directs. A sculptor was once asked how he made his creations, he stated the rock told him what was trapped in the stone, he just let it out. This is a creative way of expressing the process. Likewise, let the wood “speak” when creating and using the rod, just remember it’s not really the wood, it’s the Spirit of God speaking through it (Avahr 18).
Dedication
Once the rod is ready, hold it in the right hand, the tip pressed against the palm of the left. The left hand should be cupped to accept the energy flowing from the rod. In prayerful meditation, one should then move their energy, combining it with the power of the Holy Spirit, letting it flow through the divining rod to charge it. Once the energy is flowing comfortably the ritual may begin.
Read the following from 23rd Psalm from the Old Testament:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” -Psalms 23: 1-4, 6 KJV
Then say a prayer dedicating the stick as a holy rod, as mentioned in the 4th verse, to God. Elohim (God the Father, Air, and God the Mother, Earth), Jesus Christ (Water), and the Holy Spirit (Fire) should all be invoked in the prayer. After this, continue to meditate with the rod, keep charging it, and continue to meditate and charge it at least once a week.
If one wishes they may use a wing to represent air (some believe that this tool is what is meant in the scriptures when it says an angel has a certain number of wings). Take seven feathers, they must be found, they cannot be plucked. Tie them together at the tips and use the same method above to dedicate it, except calling the tool a wing rather than a rod. It is recommended that if this is done, a Rod of Aaron is used in place of the athame for fire.
Conclusion
One may prepare their tools before or after the altar has been prepared. When not in use, be sure to properly store them. They may be placed on the altar as a reminder of the sacred nature of one’s home temple, or placed somewhere else to keep them clean and safe. Some put a white cloth over them to keep dust and dirt off of them. These are personal choices that should be made prayerfully and practically. Other tools may be placed on the altar as well, such as an incense burner, a vial of oil for blessing the sick, etc. It is recommended that open scriptures be laid on the altar when not in use.
“Now this is not all, for thou hast another gift, which is the gift of working with the sprout or divining rod; behold it has told you things. Behold there is no other power save God, that can cause this thing of nature to work in your hands, for it is the work of God; and therefore, whatsoever ye shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, that ye shall know.” –Avahr 16:13-16
