The Wood Spirit is a European legend originating from villagers who made long journeys through the forest.  On calm days when the wind lays low, there is a sense of peace and tranquility in the forest.  On days when storms are brewing and winds are blowing, the trees of the forest make sounds of moaning and sighing as though voices can be heard from spirits within.  For centuries people believed the forests to be filled with mystical spirits and that those who dared to enter would earn the spirit’s wrath.

During the 15th century they believed that when the men went into the woods to hunt and didn't return, that they had been taken by the evil spirits. They also believed that the tree spirits were the most powerful of all spirits and were good and wise. They believed that the tree spirits would protect them from evil. So before they would venture into the woods to hunt, they would knock on the tree to awaken the sleeping spirit to protect them. This is where we get the saying 'Knock on Wood' or 'Touch Wood'.

Wise travelers assured their safety by carving wood spirit images on walking sticks or pieces of wood and bark.  These carvings appeased the spirits, thus the traveler was allowed to enter and leave the forest without difficulty.

Catching a glimpse of one of these elusive creatures is said to be a lucky thing, for if you are fortunate enough to actually see one, your health, happiness and good fortune are guaranteed.

Wood spirits are still being carved into pieces of wood and are often given as gifts.  The wood spirit should be given a special place within the home in order for it’s presence to bring wisdom, prosperity, humor, good health and good luck to all that live there.
Any house which is home to a wood spirit will stand protected and be blessed.

14 May 2008 I was hit with a rare disorder called Transverse Myelitis....basically my own immune system attacked itself and attacked the covering of the nerve along my spine in my tailbone area. This happened at 1:00 am and woke me from a sleep with burning pain. Within a couple of hours I was paralyzed from the waist down.
Now, through a year of physical therapy and some recovery I can now walk with a cane and that kind of brings me to this..I can no longer work a typical normal job because of certain physical and mental limitations as well as some of the medications I'm on for pain. So that brings me to this...when I started walking with a cane I went to the drug store to try and find something that was somewhat "stylish" as I don't typically like your normal run of the mill things...I'm pretty eccentric when it comes to my tastes in many things.

Well, that cane lasted about a month before I decided that it was too boring and I had to do something about it....
One day I was at the store and saw a wood carving magazine with an article about wood spirit carving. I got the magazine and read through it and then went on the internet and found some more info and as luck may have it, I had a set of wood carving tools from long ago. So, I broke out the tools and dug around in the back yard for some acceptable wood and went to work.

I've always had a knack for working with my hands but it has always been on mechanical things...although I've always enjoyed and appreciated the beauty of carved wood. Well, here's my chance to give it a go. Things are still a work in progress but I must be doing something right because I have had very positive remarks from everyone that has seen my canes and carvings. I even had some very positive comments..comments that my carvings are "handsome and strong" from an artist that I know in New York that also has TM.

So, take a look....all the canes and carvings that I have pictures of on here, are either already sold or have been given away as gifts. If you would like one, I take orders. I typically don't maintain a stock of ones pre-made because I would rather know that I am making one specifically for someone.
Contact me and we'll go over all the details as far as sizing for the canes and such...
Thanks for stopping by.....