History
The fabled five blasting wands (or rods) of Ímar Ua Donnubáin were arcane devices of purported divine inspiration, first crafted by famed 13th century petty king, navigator, trader, and reputed necromancer Ímar Ua Donnubáin. Based on legend, the goddess Clíodhna whispered the secrets of their making in a dream to Ímar one storm-ridden night.
They were named the Méara na nOileán Glas (Fingers of the Green Isles). The five fingers were:
- Méar ar na Cúig Gaoithe (Finger of the Five Winds)
- Méar Dóiteáin (Flame Finger)
- Méar an Aigne (Finger of the Mind)
- Méar an Domhain (Finger of the Earth)
- Méar Dorcha (Finger of Darkness)
Each of the five wands were made of rare materials that only a navigator like Ímar would have been able to gather from various regions, often hundreds of miles away from his home in Ireland. The dream revealed the locations and images of the required materials, which Ímar hastily wrote down after he awoke. The week after the dream, he began his journeys to gather the materials.
Crafting the Five Fingers
According to legend, each of the five wands were created from several rare materials:
- Fallen Star Iron: Ímar first had to gather meteor pig iron, or metal from the sky. During a raid to Rosscarbery on the southwest coast of Munster in Ireland, Ímar witnessed a “bright fireball that flashed across the sky and fell to earth with a resounding boom that was hurtful to the ears”. Tracking the bright light, Ímar and his crew found a burning chunk of rock glowing in a gully about 10 miles east of Rosscarbery. Over the next several days, he and his crew hand-carried buckets of water to pour on the meteorite to cool it. Upon making it back to his home port with the sky prize, Ímar found five fist-sized chunks of iron in the rock, which was used in fashioning part of the wand handle.
- Red Wood of the Tree of the Black Thorns: The next component of the wands, according to legend. After searching for several months, Ímar tracked down rare crimson blackthorn trees in Leicestershire, England. Forging deep into Charnwood Forest north of the town, Ímar came across a small grove of Crimson Blackthorns surrounding an ancient grandfather tree. On the lowest branches, he found five identical knobby turns of wood perfect as the core of the wands.
- First Metal of the Peoples: The third component was copper wire. Forged from copper ore mined from Tonderghie, Scotland, near Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway. Based on analysis of the site Ímar is reported to retrieve the wire from, the copper has trace amounts of baryte, along with high concentrations of zinc and chalcopyrite. According to superstitions, copper stimulates energy flow, conducts energy, amplifies thoughts, and moves a wide array of vibrational frequencies from the spiritual realm to the physical realm.
- Stone of Transformation and Focus (Malachite): Ímar found blackish-green gems of malachite in Betzdorf and Siegerland, Germany. It is reported to have many metaphysical properties, including transforming emotions and thought into energy and focusing the need and desire of the holder. According to superstitions, the copper content of malachite makes it the perfect crystal for amplifying energy and intention. Malachite has long been used in amulets for protection, namely against the evil eye.
- Stone of Power (Rhodochrosite): The Rhodochrosite is a stone of storing energy, especially extra energy generated through physical activity, movement, and emotion (specifically stress). Ímar found the required pinkish-red stones in Sainte-Marie-Aux-Mines, France.
- Stone of Manifestation (Citrine): Ímar reportedly found the final handful of pale yellow crystals in Dauphiné, France, though little is known about how he did so.
- Skin of the White Stag: The final component of the wands was the hide of a white stag (deer) slain during the full harvest moon. According to the legends, Ímar led a hunt across Baden-Württemberg in Germany for three days, tracking a large herd of deer. On the third night, under the full moon, they tracked the herd to a large valley just outside of Langenenslingen. There, at the center of the herd, was a large albino buck, the leader of the herd. Through subterfuge and a huge helping of patience and luck, Ímar made his way to within 30 yards of the animal where he was able to put an arrow directly through it’s heart, killing it instantly. After eating the still-warm heart, he then took the hide and tanned it into leather, which he then used in the fabrication of the wands.
It is said that Ímar crafted the five rods, with the help of devout followers of Clíodhna, on a moonless night at the Giant’s Ring is a henge monument at Ballynahatty, near Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast, Northern Ireland, infusing them with arcane powers.
Where Are They Now?
Of the five wands, one is said to be lost to antiquity, potentially destroyed during a violent battle Ímar had with rivals off the coast of Ireland. Another is suspected to be in the possession of a private collector, perhaps in Ireland or England (name unknown). The third was reported stolen by Hitler’s paranormal researchers during World War II. The final two were in the archives of the National Museum in Ireland and are on loan indefinitely to the Behn institute.
Reported Powers of the Five Fingers
Each wand, according to legends, have similar powers, though the potency varies due to irregularities and impurities in the materials, along with potential differences during the rituals that created them. It is also said that each wand, due to the same differences in manufacturing, may have different additional capabilities.
Each wand is covered in runes of power, though the exact meaning of each rune is lost to most of the world. In order to utilize the powers of the wand, it is said the user must be familiar with the runes of activation in order to be able to focus the powers and manifest them.
Based on the scant legends available, each wand reportedly was able to do the following:
- Create a ball of fire: Ímar used this power against the Serpent of Lough Cluhir, though the creature escaped.
- Create a blast of energy: During the battle of Ard na Caithne, Ímar used the power of the wand to fill his sails with wind and escape an armada sent against him.
- Create a shield of deflection: In a very dubious story, Ímar was said to use the wand to create a protective barrier during an encounter with a bánánach.
- Create an electrical blast: The final known ability of the wand, according to legend, is to create a blast of electricity similar to a bolt of lightning. Ímar used it against a sluagh.
Blasting Wand/Rods of Ímar Ua Donnubáin
