| A walking stick is a device used by many people | | | | Celtic ones are still elaborately carved with Celtic |
| throughout history to Dark Ages times and perhaps | | | | symbols, woodburned Celtic symbols, painted or plain. |
| further. the To the Celts, it was of prime importance. | | | | Some would show the hereditary badges or totem |
| In ancient times, they were used as a weapon to | | | | of the tribe or clan! |
| defend against threat or in offense. Some were even | | | | Walking sticks can be used to trek through rugged |
| are made to conceal some sort of blade, like a sword | | | | terrain, used to reach hard places or to clear away |
| or knife. Swords, once an important Celtic symbol, fell | | | | the wilderness foliage make a walkable path and |
| out of use because of the newly developed | | | | avoid injury. They are great to use or leverage in |
| weapons that could reach further distances, like guns | | | | gaining momentum to climb steeper hills, or to break |
| and cannons. Swords, once a Celtic symbol of status | | | | a fall, or go slower going downhill. They are a must, in |
| and wealth, became less and less used and the next | | | | my opinion to bring on any outdoor adventure, as |
| best thing that to replace them was a Celtic Walking | | | | they can save a life when it comes to crossing a |
| stick. In fact, they became so popular that everyone | | | | body of water or avoiding falling in a hole and test |
| strove to purchase one to add to their wardrobe | | | | the ground or ice. |
| accessories. In addition to its value as a decorative | | | | When purchasing one from an online store, it is good |
| accessory, it fulfilled some of the function of the | | | | to put on a hand strap when you get it home. Most |
| sword as a weapon. Many types of wood were used | | | | walking sticks craftsmen will drill this hole, and add a |
| to make them but in more ancient times, the wood | | | | leather tie, for you at no extra charge or very |
| chosen was of great importance! | | | | minimal. You will want this if you are going anywhere |
| The wood along with the Celtic symbol design, on | | | | so it can go around your wrist and you will not lose it |
| the walking stick, depicted the person and who he | | | | in an accident. Also as a handle on the bigger ones |
| she was. For example, some have a compass in the | | | | called Staves, some may have a special grip where |
| handle for the astronomer or seamen, and others | | | | you place your hand for greater comfort. As a |
| may be devoted to a country past time such as | | | | general rule of thumb, buy a walking stick staff of 3" |
| fishing, golfing, breeding animals, merchants, farmers, | | | | shorter than you are. The larger and stronger the |
| Chieftains or riding. Of course the Chieftains, high | | | | man, the larger and stronger the stick. |
| ranking warriors, would have elaborately decorated | | | | What are Nordic walking sticks? This term is used |
| walking sticks. Most likely they were buried with | | | | when telling you that there are two sticks, like ski |
| them. Many are adorned with items that match a | | | | poles. You'll want at least two kinds of walking sticks, |
| persons personality or mood. They can also reflect | | | | one for cold climates, such as winter in Canada, and |
| the season or a person's individual power animal or | | | | one for warmer weather. A winter walking stick will |
| family crest or totem. Later on they still reflected the | | | | have a, a metallic cleat attached to the bottom in lieu |
| profession, like the English Bobby! | | | | of the rubber tip. Some are made so that the |
| Walking sticks, or Staves, were also used by religious | | | | bottom converts into two styles, so you don't ruin |
| men, like the Druids, to show their position originally. | | | | indoor floors. These come in a set! They are winter |
| The type of wood, the Celts used for wand or staff | | | | walking sticks. The Norse people lived in a rugged |
| showed how high a rank the Druid was - 6 yrs of | | | | world, and sometimes the weather was nasty. These |
| school for Vate, 12 for a Bard and 18 for Druid and | | | | Nordic walking sticks are all the rave in Europe today! |
| some 20 years. Later the stick was adopted by the | | | | They are becoming more popular in US and Canada |
| Christian faith and bishops, archimandrites and Abbots | | | | as the world is reawakening to become more |
| used them. They even adopted some of the colors, | | | | conscious of their health. Buying a walking stick and |
| though over the years this was dropped. The | | | | pedometer, and putting them by the door, will remind |
| religious leaders carried a darker wood and the | | | | you that you need to finish your 10,000 steps per |
| walking sticks were straight not curved like a candy | | | | day. Walking with two walking sticks in the correct |
| cane. They used silver as a grip at the top and a | | | | length radically reduces the stress to the knees, hips |
| metal cap at the tip. The walking stick used by the | | | | and back. |
| leading man like the Arch Druid or Christian headmen | | | | The collecting of walking sticks is a great hobby to |
| was of plain wood, and had absolutely no decorations | | | | take up for those searching for something to collect. |
| on it. The walking stick was given only in Initiations of | | | | Their value will never decrease and they are many |
| both Druidism and Bishop rites at the beginning of | | | | types - ancient, modern, and hidden compartment |
| their service. No one else had the right to carry it | | | | ones like - hidden swords, hidden pool cues, hidden |
| until such time one of the same rank you were going | | | | liquids (these are called tipplers!)," or compartments to |
| in to gave it. Any wand or item given for that | | | | hide precious stones, smokes, or matches for the |
| particular sect and service was returned when you | | | | survival campfire, and money. No matter what the |
| were finished that service, or passed on to the new | | | | reason, walking sticks are an investment that can't |
| person taking over. As you can see, walking sticks | | | | go wrong! All walking sticks are a great |
| vary in both size and shape. The artwork and | | | | conversational piece as well as some having |
| sometimes even the beauty of the wood alone, | | | | absolutely stunning - carved, painted or wood burned, |
| have lead to the popular hobby of collecting them! | | | | designs! |