Violet Wands


Part 1 Safety:

All electrical play is edge play. Electricity can cause serious injuries or death. Electricity travels faster than human reflexes, if something goes wrong during electrical play it will probably happen too fast for you to stop it.

Violet wands are unlikely to cause death in that they have been in use for over 70 years and I have been unable to find any record of human fatality that can be directly attributed to their use. This doesn't mean that this  hasn'toccurred; it simply means that I have not been able to find any reference to such an event, (yet).

Violet wands can cause burns, rashes, welts and adverse skin reactions. They can damage eyes and eardrums and spark flammable materials. They produce toxic ozone gasses and can interfere with other electronic devices. Wiggly recipients may jump, squirm and bang themselves up in the process. Glass electrodes are fragile and can shatter into sharp shards.

Do not use a violet wand on anyone who has heart disease or a pacemaker. Caution is advised before administering to those who are on medications, have experienced nerve damage or have a seizure disorder. (It is recommended everyone should know CPR and first aid, especially those involved with BDSM play). Do not use a violet wand on or near cuts, imbedded needles, open sores or piercing. Do not use electrodes internally.  Make sure the recipient of a violet wand is not connected to a direct path to ground, (metal handcuffs to a metal water pipe or standing in a pool of water as examples).

Part 2 Equipment:

There are many vintage violet wands out there and many people collect these.  They may have frayed cords, rusted or shorted magnets and may not come with a 3 prong grounded plug. Additionally the older units typically have a wax rather than a ceramic core. Wax cores can melt after only five or ten minutes of continuous use.
It is recommended to have older units inspected and tested prior to use. Your local appliance repair shop is not likely to have a familiarity with high frequency generators. You might try Electro Jack, Uncle Abdul or one of the other references on the resource page for this service.

Violet wands have no user serviceable parts. Always make sure that electrodes are firmly seated. Check before using for frayed wires or damage. Glass electrodes are non-porous and clean up easily with alcohol.

Only use electrodes or attachments that have spark gap isolators, in the event that something should go terribly wrong in the wands core this eliminates the remote possibility of the line current passing through the gap.

There are many different types of electrodes and attachments still being manufactured today. They include a variety of glass electrodes, light bulb ,adapters switches and body contacts. These can be purchased from the vendors listed on the resource page or from many other sources.

Part 3 Techniques:

Negotiations are a category that one might consider as falling under technique.  Ideally there will be a balance of fear, fascination and trust in ratios that work well for all the parties involved.  Safewords should be established and used when needed while playing.  This is also an opportunity to discuss experiences, expectations and concerns. (Be honest in your negotiations. Use extreme caution when playing with anyone who has ever been nonconsensual tortured with electricity). A good reference book to learn more is SM 101 by Jay Wiseman from Greenery Press. Also the Wet Spot hosts a number of excellent workshops that include information regarding negotiations.

Stay well hydrated and offer water frequently. This can be done with-in the context of the scene, “Drink this it will help you to be more conductive”.

If bondage is to be utilized in conjunction with violet wand play, consider the conductivity of the restraints that are used and the paths to ground. Leather and rope are resistant materials while metal and chains are conductive.

All newly manufactured violet wands have a rheostat, (a dimmer switch); this will allow the intensity of the output to be adjusted. The physical position of the wand’s base will also affect the intensity of the output. Wands will produce a higher output with the base in a “tip up” vertical position.

One popular technique is to use a body contact; this can be placed against the bottom or the top, (make sure there is solid connection and no metal near the point of contact). Now the entire body of the person connected with the contact is electrified, (with 25,000 volts or more). The individual who is charged will probably feel nothing at all. (Though some will report a feeling like ants crawling on their skin). Now if another persons finger, (or other body part), should come with-in close enough proximity, ZAP, a spark will jump the gap. Metal implements are much better conductors than skin they will cause a more intense sensation. Dental picks, wartenburg wheels, ball chain floggers, knifes, finger talons and banjo picks are a few of the metal items that can be used with a body contact.

If you do not yet own a body contact one could hold a glass mushroom or other electrode to produce a similar effect.

One of my favorite attachments is the light bulb adapter. This allows you to use any light bulb, (Edison or candelabra base), as an electrode. Different bulbs will glow different colors and will produce different sensations depending on the size and shape of the bulb, the metal content of the filament and the proximity of the metal filament to the outer glass of the bulb. These light bulb adapters can be purchased for about forty dollars. Considering that glass electrodes range in price from about thirty dollars each up to a couple of hundred dollars each, these adapters are an economical alternative.

Part 4 Advanced Play:

Mind fucks:
You can play with the balance between fear, fascination and trust. Hoods, blindfolds and sensory depravations can be incorporated. Fears can be played upon, “Yes this is incredibly dangerous, but I've always wanted to try it.  Don'tworry too much, I know CPR and if things should turn catastrophic I will not hesitate to call 911 and will release you immediately”   


Fireplay:
Violet wands can ignite flammable materials. This can be a good thing if it is planned upon. The sparks from a violet wand can be used to set fire to a small patch of 70% alcohol on a persons skin.  Make sure that there  isn'tenough alcohol to pool or drip and that there are no other flammable materials nearby, (including the bottle of alcohol). You should be able to quickly extinguish the flames with your free hand. Remember that alcohol flames can be invisible. Keep a wet cotton towel and a fire extinguisher handy in order to smoother out flames should this need arise.

Combining sensations:
Violet wands can be used in conjunction with other sensation play, from mild to intense. One could stroke the skin with soft rabbit fur, leather or buttery kisses in between zaps. You could include various forms of impact play; this can sensitize the skin very nicely.  Cupping and vacuum play tends to bring a lot of blood to an area and can leave the nerves in that spot deliciously hypersensitive. Remeber that after using cupping or vacuum or impact play there will be more blood closer to the skins surface and this salty fluid will make for a less resistant current path. Genital applications, (external), of a violet wand can produce some satisfying reactions. Using more than one wand or multiple tops in a scene is also feasible. The possibilities are almost limitless.

Winding down:
Tops can mention that they are easing up now. This might be a good time for talking and light touches, hugs and reassurances. Asking real world questions to help bring the bottom back is useful. How do you feel? Are you cold? Let the bottom know that someone is there to welcome them back.

Aftercare:
Violet wands can desiccate (dry out) skin, having some nice lotion will help to rehydrate the skin and ease the discomfort of any surface burns or irritation.  Have a snack, a beverage and a blanket handy, (what kind of food and drink can be covered BEFORE the scene starts in the negotiation phase). Stay with the bottom until they regain most of their equanimity. Then help guide them to a chair or couch away from the playspace.  Try asking open ended questions and engaging the rational mind: “What did you like most and least about that scene”? Recovery times can vary depending upon the individuals and the intensity of the scene. Do not allow anyone to drive while still under the influence of an endorphin high. A follow up and feedback chat the next day is a good idea as well.

Part 4 History:

Violet ray generators were undoubtedly the most popular of the electrotherapy devices at the turn of the last century. They were initially used in hospitals but by 1910 manufacturers started to introduce portable units for home use.

These units were touted as cure all devices and some ridiculous claims were made for them. Those who wished to treat problems that could be a source of embarrassment fueled the home use market. (Now at last female troubles and sexual problems could be treated in the privacy of ones own home).

The idea of one device that could be used at home to cure all did not go over well with doctors. By the 1930’s most, (but not all), manufacturers had dropped the cure all claims. (Eventually some of these claims did result in court cases). They started being marketed as beauty products; this is still how they are sold today.  

The metaphysicist Edgar Cayce mentioned violet wands in most of his lectures. Many believe that violet wands resonate at a frequency that helps to open the crown chakra like a tuning fork.  This chakra is associated with violet light and its opening leads to spiritual awareness, divine enlightenment and universal oneness.

The earliest documented erotic use of violet ray generators was in a series of short black and white films produced in Germany in the early 1970s.  In the USA this idea didn't catch on until almost twenty years later in the late 1980s. This was primarily due to a failed multi level marketing scheme based out of Las Vegas. They had been marketing violet ray generators as medical devices. A warning from the FDA prompted distributors to cease using this approach. Taking their hint from the Europeans who were already using violet wand for the sensations they produced; the remaining distributors began offering their inventory for use as erotic devices.

Violet Wand Web Resources:

http://www.uncleabdul.com/
Uncle Abdul’s (Author of Juice) page

http://www.violetwand.org/
Sponsored by Rupert Huse and Son manufacturers of violet wands.

http://home.earthlink.net/~violetwanda/wands.html
Wands for sale and some good FAQ pages

http://www.sexuality.org/l/bdsm/vw101.html
Violet Wands 101 by Ken
Also read
http://www.sexuality.org/l/bdsm/elecplay.html

http://www.violetwands.com/
Tell Electro Jack that Snakeman sent you.

http://www.extremerestraints.com/
A good source for purchasing Violet Wands and other toys

Here are some members only e-mail lists and a members only web page that may be of interest:
Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/  and search for  electroBDSM, electro4boys (in german), and violet ray. There are no fees but to view files, messages and more you will need to join.
 www.eroticelectrostim.com A site primarily relates to inducing orgasm by electrostimulation. To view postings, files you need to join. There are no fees.

Information regarding history and quack medical uses:

http://www.electrotherapymuseum.com/

http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze3cw3z/uses.html

http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/beacoqui/main/electrod.htm

Books and reading Materials:

http://www.greenerypress.com

http://www.kinkybooks.com

http://www.diversifiedservices.biz/home.htm

Medic II Program: Free CPR Classes:

The Seattle Fire Department's Medic II Program provides free Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) classes to the general public. Call (206) 684-7274 for more information on class dates, times and locations.