Intro:

Well the easiest way to describe a violet wand is that they are devices that plug into the wall and convert the household electricity into high frequency, high voltage. This voltage may be upwards of 30, 000 Volts! The electricity is transferred to the willing (or not so willing) subject in the form of myriads of small sparks.

I have found that Electrical play, like other forms of extreme play, sometimes involves confronting an instinctive and deep-rooted fear in many individuals. You should always discuss this in-depth with your partner and explain the types of effects you will be performing. If you do no take the time to talk about it, you will likely be spending a great deal more time scraping them off the ceiling and tendering lengthy aftercare.

Suffice to say, as with any form of play, you need to negotiate with your play partner and confirm your expectations and boundaries.

Brief History:

In the late 1800’s with the more widespread use of electricity and a plethora of inventors, electricity was presented as a means to cure many physical or mental ailments. In fact, it was common for individuals to have a shock box as part of their inventory. The newly invented dry cell battery powered these shock boxes.

Nikolas Tesla was the inventor behind the creation of the tesla coil. This coil disrupted electrical flow into small particles. This generation of electrical therapy devices diffused the electric shock into charges of strong static electricity,

In the 1920’s and 30’s as health became a more prevalent concern of the population the Violet Wand was a very popular cure all. There were at home kits for individuals as well as Doctor only kits with a multitude of attachments. The success was fleeting, consumers realized that the cures they were expecting just didn’t happen and stopped buying.

In the 1960’s and 70’s there was a resurgence of interest in the wand, largely due to the fact that Edgar Cayce was using the wand for metaphysical purposes.

Today you can find the Violet Wands in use in alternative medicine therapies. Variations on the wands are used for some skin problems as well as hair loss.

Types of Electricity:

There are four “kinds” of electrical waveforms you may encounter in kinky play:

Ordinary household electricity in North America is a low frequency alternating current (120 Volts, 60 Hz) and is extremely hazardous to come in contact with! The Violet Wand “transforms” the household current by means of what is called a Tesla coil. At the “business” end of the wand is a detachable glass tube filled with Argon gas. When Argon is excited by a high voltage, it glows with a purple color, hence the name Violet Wand.  Today you can also get neon filled tubes that glow a nice orange. The type of gas used in the glass tube will also influence the intensity of the shock as well as design and shape of the tubes.

The reason the electricity from the Violet Wand is relatively safe is due to the resistance the body and the wand has built into it.

1. The electricity is going through the glass and the gas inside the attachment; there is not a direct connection from the sub to your wall outlet. This is a good thing!! We want the eyes to be wide, not popped out of their sockets! *WARNING* where the end of the glass meets the wand is metal and can arc from there to the person with a HOLY SHIT effect from the sub.
    

2. There's the resistance present in the spark.
    

3. And finally there's the resistance of the skin
    

4. So even though you're working with high voltages, all of those high resistances really work to keep the currents going through you very, very low. This helps to keep the electricity from the Violet Wand away from internal organs, etc. where electricity just doesn’t belong. Basically this is the safest form of electrical play that can be used above the waist.  
   If you hear that another reason is due to the “Skin effect” I would suggest reading The Book “Juice Electricity for Pleasure and pain” by Uncle Abdul or visiting his website @ http://www.uncleabdul.com/UAweb111.htm to help dispel this myth.

 Getting Your Own Wand:

 Antique Wands – Antique wands are great if you are into collecting. Some of them have a huge amount of glass attachments that are not made anymore. Some of them look rather vicious. However, take great care if you are buying one for BDSM play. Most of these units are not grounded, have old cords, black wax core, no spark gap isolation and will not put up with prolonged play.

To test an antique or used wand, turn it all the way up, feel the intensity level. Use a dependable timer and let the unit run for 5 minutes. Does the Violet Wand lose most of its strength after a couple of minutes? This is a sign that the Violet Wand that you are looking at has been misused sometime during its life. If somebody has been had by a Violet Wand purchase they usually don’t realize it until it’s way too late. This simple test will let you know if you have purchased a used Violet Wand that’s going to give you some troubles.

            New Wands – New Violet Wands are of a much higher quality than the old ones.

The better-built industrial strength units, depending on their design will run from 30 minutes to 6 hours.

You can purchase two prong units and three prong units in plastic and in Bakelite. Also, you will find that today’s Violet Wands have either wax, ceramic, mylar, poly or resin cores. Each type of core will produce a different feel and come with different attachments. The most common are the black wax and ceramic core. Black wax is FDA approved for use anywhere on the body except the eyes. However they have a short playtime due to the fact that the heat from prolonged use will melt the wax core. The ceramic core is more suited to BDSM play since it will allow for a longer run time.

Wand Attachments – You will find that each type of wand comes with a different set of attachments. There are also places where you can purchase additional attachments for your particular wand. It all depends on what you’re looking to torture your potential victims with. There are floggers made from mylar, beaded chain and lots of other materials.

Health Issues – Playing with the violet wand is not without some risks. One does have to be careful of the skin and not to overdo any one session. The wand can produce a sunburn effect in some people. Sparks generated by the Violet Wand can be very irritating to the skin; this is definitely something to keep an eye on. Things like pace makers and other medical implants should exclude you from playing with the wand since you will be hard pressed to find a doctor that would approve it since there is no good medical data on the current uses of the violet wand.

Safety – Particular care should be paid to the clothing that the subject is wearing. Some clothes have metallic threads in them and can be very flammable.

Cleaning – The glass attachments are not dishwasher safe. I have found that it’s most effective to clean the glass with a cloth and hydrogen peroxide both before and after use.

Basic Play:

Attachments – The intensity of each of the following attachments will vary depending on the size and how they are applied to the subject. I have written down the intensity rating for each of the attachments.

Domestic Light Bulbs – surprise, surprise, you can actually use domestic light bulbs with the Violet Wand. It’s best to test them out on yourself prior to using them on your subject. You will find that the shape and size of the bulb has a lot to do with the intensity off the effect. Chandelier bulbs, which are rather pointy, pack a good zap since all the electricity comes from a very concentrated area.

Contact Pad – this is a handy dandy little pad that you stick under someone that allows him/her to be completely charged. Thus anywhere you touch this person they as well as you will experience the electrical charge. This allows you to use a number of different implements on your subject to produce the desired effect.

Contact Probe – the probe is held by your subject and allows them to be charged. It gives you the advantage of having your hands free. Another bonus to the probe is that if your subject feels that things are getting too intense they can simply let go of the probe and the sensation will stop. Doesn’t mean it will be the end of the session though.

Ozone Smell – a sharp irritating odor is noticed after exposure to very low concentrations of ozone for a very brief time period. After playing with the Violet Wand you will be able to identify the smell of ozone any time after that. Sometimes a day or two after an extensive play session with the wand you will get trace smells of ozone.

Snippet from Material Safety Data Sheet

The current standard for ozone is 0.1 part of ozone per million parts of air (ppm) averaged over an eight-hour work shift. This may also be expressed as 0.2 milligrams of ozone per cubic meter of air (mg/m3). Ozone is an unstable gas, which at normal temperatures decomposes to biatomic oxygen.

Advanced Play:

 Fire Wands – if you and your subject are comfortable with fire play then you can use the Violet Wand to spark trails of isopropyl alcohol on your subject’s body. It is advisable to only draw a single line at a time; it wouldn’t do to have your play partner go up in flames. As in regular fire play ensure that the alcohol you’re using is never over 70%. When applying the alcohol the skin should be wet but should not have pools of alcohol on it. If there is alcohol running all over your subject you have too much on.

Knives/Wheels – these are used in conjunction with the contact pad or probe. This concentrates all of the energy from the metal instrument you’re using to your subject. Other implements made from metal such as a nerve brush, chain whips and even car antennae can provide some interesting play options. The intensity level on these items is very high.

Branding – this type of play with the wand is definitely not for the weak of heart or body, for that matter. It’s a very intense kind of session that basically results in a small, temporary electrical burn. You may experience some pain with it for up to two weeks after having it done if people are poking and prodding it.  I have found that a surgical pen is a great way to draw the design onto the subject. It then wipes off easily with alcohol and doesn’t leave any stains. To do the brand, your subject will need to hold onto the contact probe so that they are charged. This then enables you to trace over the design using a metal dental pick.

Brands will typically last up to approximately two months to a year before fading completely and even then a very hot shower may allow the outline to show up briefly. Designs for the brand should not be closed in completely. There should be some kind of opening left so that you’re not cutting off circulation to the skin.

Conclusion:

A Violet Wand is a very fun toy; it can be used for pleasure and is equally useful for inflicting torture or punishment for those in need of it. I’ve had my wand for about 6 years now and I’m constantly exploring new and wonderful things to do with it.

Above all else use caution when experimenting with new ideas or ways to use your wand. The last thing you want is to damage someone’s skin or worse damage someone unintentionally!
 

SPECIFIC HEALTH NOTES

 BLOCKED MILK DUCT

            Temporary inability to lactate from nipple.  Also swelling and soreness lasting about a week.

            E-Toy Type: Symptoms are associated with use of the Violet Wand in Lightning Hands mode where sparks were allowed to jump to nipple.  Possibly due to the heating effect of the Violet Wand arcs and the close proximity of the woman's milk ducts to the skin surface of the nipple.

            Make this discussion an aspect of pre-play negotiations.  If condition manifests on partner, discontinue spark play on nipples.

BURNS

            Localized reddened skin area (like a sunburn) appearing in area where arc touched skin.

FIRST DEGREE:                  - Localized minute (1-3 mm in diameter) red blisters appearing in area where arc touched skin or with the Violet Wand, use of Mylar floggers.

SECOND DEGREE: - Localized narrow (1-3 mm in width) red welts appearing in area or a path where a metallic implement used in Violet Wand play touched the skin are associated with prolonged use of the Violet Wand where the arc is allowed to dwell over the same skin area.

- The arc of the Violet Wand is a small but effective heat source that can dry out the surrounding skin area if the arc is allowed to dwell over that area.  It is even possible to cause minute first or second degree burns under the same circumstances.  Sometimes this would allow opportunistic infections to start in these areas.

- The second symptom is associated where mylar or other metallic floggers are used in 'lightning hands' Violet Wand play.

- The third symptom is associated where metallic implements such as knife blades, neural wheels, or even medical safety scissors are used in 'lightning hands' Violet Wand play.  Not uncommon amongst the general BDSM population.  Many players have observed these effects.

            These burns can be treated at home, and they heal within a matter of a few days.  Make sure to keep the areas clean to prevent infection.

            Players should be aware of the potential of leaving marks and decide if that is an acceptable aspect of the play.  Make this discussion an aspect of pre-play negotiations.

BURNS ON NIPPLES:         - Scar tissue observed on the nipple after numerous strikes.

- There is sufficient electrical energy in each discharge resulting in a small release of heat energy.  If done repeatedly over a short period of time, there may be a sufficient accumulation of heat energy to cause a burn.  Make this discussion an aspect of pre-play negotiations.  Avoid multiple strikes on the nipple area over short periods of time.

CYSTITIS SYMPTOM

            Inflammation of the external vaginal area around the urethra associated with prolonged use of the Violet Wand where the arc is allowed to dwell over the same area in the vaginal region.  This is even possible with a TENS Unit.  The arc of the Violet Wand is a small but effective heat source that can dry out the surrounding skin area if the arc is allowed to dwell over that area.  It is even possible to cause minute (1-3 mm) second degree burns under the same circumstances.  This would allow opportunistic infections to start in these areas, and thence to migrate into the urethral tract.

            Cystitis must be treated by a doctor.  Do not allow the Violet Wand to dwell on any one area in the pubic region.

            Inflammation of the urethra: Associated with urethral insertable electrodes used with a TENS Unit.  Results from the use of an insertable urethral electrode that has not been properly cleaned before use.  Cystitis must be treated by a doctor.  Clean all insertable electrodes thoroughly.

ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT

            Tiredness or weakness is something to watch out for during prolonged E-Play.  With E-Play/Stim you're dealing with an electrochemical process in the nerves.  It is possible to deplete the body's electrolytes as a result of prolonged play, hence the nerves can fail to work until the electrolytes can be replaced.

            Avoid continuous hours of prolonged play.  Take periodic rests and allow the receiver to replenish electrolytes with such things as bananas or Gatoraid.

            Extreme cases could lead to shock; a life threatening condition that requires immediate medical care.

HYPER-SENSITIVITY

            Severe muscle and nerve soreness at points of electrical contact lasting for a week or more.  Any type of E-Toy;  Must be identified during negotiations and respected by both parties.  Special insulating precautions need to planned and observed for tops so identified.

RASHES

            Mild temporary rash on skin surface after Violet Wand play in that area.  This might be an extreme case of mild first degree burns form of Violet Wand play on especially sensitive skin (see Burns).  Another thought suggested is the possibility of promotion of histamines on especially sensitive skin thereby causing an allergy-like rash.  Be aware of this possibility in your assessment of play risk.  Avoid prolonged stimulation.  If this manifests on partner, topical application of Benadryl may work.

SOURCE  MATERIALS

I wish to give credit and thank “Uncle Abdul” as the Author and source for much of the material contained within the following notes.

I would urge all readers to visit his web site and/or purchase the publications listed for a more complete appreciation of the world of Erotic Electro-stimulation.  The resource is:

JUICE: Electricity for Pleasure and Pain:

Author: Uncle Abdul

Greenery Press 1998.

WWW.UNCLEABDUL.COM