[魔杖介紹] 魔杖芯、木頭、長度與彈性

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這帖就拿來貼關於魔杖的翻譯囉~

本文譯自Pottermore


Wand Cores

魔杖芯


The following description of the powers and properties of the three main wand cores used by Mr Garrick Ollivander are taken from his own notes.

下列對於三種蓋瑞克‧奧立凡德先生主要使用的魔杖芯的能量和特性的描述來自於奧立凡德先生的筆記。



Early in my career, as I watched my wandmaker father wrestling with substandard wand core materials such as kelpie hair, I conceived the ambition to discover the finest cores and to work only with those when my time came to take over the family business. This I have done. After much experimentation and research, I concluded that only three substances produce wands of the quality to which I am happy to give the illustrious name of Ollivander: unicorn hair, dragon heartstring and phoenix feather. Each of these costly and rare materials has its own distinct properties. The following represents a short summary of my researches into each of the three Supreme Cores. Readers should bear in mind that each wand is the composite of its wood, its core and the experience and nature of its owner; that tendencies of each may counterbalance or outweigh the other; so this can only be a very general overview of an immensely complex subject.

在我職業生涯的早期,當我看著我同為魔杖製造師父親和例如水怪鬃毛這種低於標準的魔杖芯材料掙扎時,我就開始醞釀在當我接下家族企業之後去探索並只用最好的芯來做魔杖的理想。這點我已經完成了。在不斷的實驗和研究之下,我推斷只有三種物質能夠用來做出符合奧立凡德卓越名聲和品質的魔杖:獨角獸毛、龍心弦、和鳳凰羽。這三種珍貴而稀有的材質各有特殊的屬性。下面列出的是我對於這三種至上材質研究的簡短摘要。讀者應該注意到每根魔杖都是魔杖木、芯、還有持有者本身的經驗和本質的組成;每一個因素都有可能抵消或勝於其他因素;所以這只能當做一篇對於一門非常複雜的學問的簡略綜觀。

Unicorn 獨角獸

Unicorn hair generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard.

獨角獸毛通常能夠使出最一致的魔法,而最不會受到波動或者是封鎖。有著獨角獸毛芯的魔杖通常是最困難變成使用黑魔法的。他們對於持有者是所有魔杖中最忠誠的,而且通常會和第一位持有者一直有著強烈的連結,不管他或她是不是一位傑出的巫師或女巫。

Minor disadvantages of unicorn hair are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing.

獨角獸毛稍微不利的地方在於他們通常不是最強力的魔杖(但是魔杖的木頭可能可以補償這點),而且他們在被強烈粗暴對待時會傾於憂鬱或沮喪,獸毛可能會「死亡」而需要替換。

Dragon 龍

As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner.

標準來說,用龍的心弦做出的魔杖有著最強的能量,也能使用出最艷麗的咒語。龍心弦魔杖通常學習的比其他種魔杖快。它們在被贏走時會改變它們的忠誠,但是它們總是和現任的持有者有著最強烈的連結。

The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.

龍心弦魔杖比較容易被拿去使用黑魔法,但它本身並不會傾向黑魔法。它也是三種芯裡面最容易發生意外的,基於它有時候很有個性而捉摸不定。

Phoenix 鳳凰

This is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike.

這是最稀有的魔杖芯。鳳凰羽毛能夠使用出最大範圍種類的魔法,但它們可能比獨角獸毛和龍芯弦需要更長的時間來顯現這種特性。它們最主動,有時候會依照自己的想法行事,很多巫師和女巫並不喜歡這種特質。

Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.

鳳凰羽毛魔杖在選擇可能的持有者的時候是最挑剔的,因為鳳凰本身就是最獨立和與世隔絕的。要駕馭和個人化這些魔杖是最困難的,而它們的忠誠通常極為來之不易。
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柳竹 @ericchu15

20

Wand Lengths & Flexibility

魔杖長度&彈性


The following notes on wand length and flexibility are taken from notes on the subject by Mr Garrick Ollivander, wandmaker.

下列對於魔杖長度和彈性的描述來自於魔杖製造師蓋瑞克‧奧立凡德先生的筆記。

Many wandmakers simply match the wand length to the size of the witch or wizard who will use it, but this is a crude measure, and fails to take into account many other, important considerations. In my experience, longer wands might suit taller wizards, but they tend to be drawn to bigger personalities, and those of a more spacious and dramatic style of magic. Neater wands favour more elegant and refined spell-casting. However, no single aspect of wand composition should be considered in isolation of all the others, and the type of wood, the core and the flexibility may either counterbalance or enhance the attributes of the wand's length.

很多魔杖製造師依巫師或女巫的身高大小來配對魔杖的長度,但這是一個非常粗糙的測量,而沒有考慮到其他許多重要的因素。以我的經驗來說,長一點的魔杖和高一點的巫師可能配得起來,但它們比較容易被非常有個性或有著廣闊而戲劇性的施法風格的巫師或女巫吸引。比較勻稱的魔杖偏好雅致而精確的咒語施展。然而,魔杖的任何組成都不應該不和其他特性一併討論。魔杖的木頭、芯、和彈性都有可能抵消或者是提高魔杖長度所帶來的特性。

Most wands will be in the range of between nine and fourteen inches. While I have sold extremely short wands (eight inches and under) and very long wands (over fifteen inches), these are exceptionally rare. In the latter case, a physical peculiarity demanded the excessive wand length. However, abnormally short wands usually select those in whose character something is lacking, rather than because they are physically undersized (many small witches and wizards are chosen by longer wands).

大部分的魔杖會是九吋到十四吋長。雖然我也有賣出過極短(八吋或更短) 和極長 (十五吋以上) 的魔杖,那些都是異常的少見。在後者,是因為特殊的體型需要特別長的魔杖。然而,反常的短的魔杖通常會選擇在性格上有缺陷的人,而不是體型特別小的巫師女巫 (許多體型小的巫師女巫有被較長的魔杖選上)。

Wand flexibility or rigidity denotes the degree of adaptability and willingness to change possessed by the wand-and-owner pair - although, again, this factor ought not to be considered separately from the wand wood, core and length, nor of the owner’s life experience and style of magic, all of which will combine to make the wand in question unique.

魔杖的彈性或硬度代表著持有著和魔杖的組合的順應性和願意改變的程度,但,我必須要再一次強調,這個特性不應該不和魔杖的木頭、芯和長度、或持有者本身的經驗和施法的風格一併討論,這些全部的組合使得討論中的魔杖獨一無二。

本文譯自Pottermore
*****
柳竹這裡只整理真的描述魔杖的那個詞(?),其實有很多是類似的
以下是目前有聽說的魔杖彈性(依英文字母順序排列):
Bendy 柔軟可彎曲
Brittle 脆而易碎
Flexible 柔韌有彈性
Hard 堅固
Pliant 易曲折
Rigid 堅硬不易彎曲
Solid 結實
Springy 輕快有彈性
Stiff 堅硬
Supple 柔順易彎曲
Swishy 揮起來有颼颼聲
Unbending 不易彎曲
Unyielding 不易彎曲
Whippy 富有彈性的
Yielding 易彎曲
依個人的魔杖的不同,有些人的魔杖的彈性前面可能還有個形容詞(像是slightly 有些, surprisingly 令人驚奇的, quite 非常, reasonably 相當等等)。

柳竹 @ericchu15

16

Wand Woods

魔杖木頭


The following description of the powers and properties of various wand woods are taken from notes made, over a long career, by Mr Garrick Ollivander, widely considered the best wandmaker in the world. As will be seen, Mr Ollivander believes that wand wood has almost human powers of perception and preferences.

下列對於各種不同的魔杖木頭的能量和特性的描述來自於經驗豐富的蓋瑞克‧奧立凡德先生,廣泛被各界視為世界上最傑出的魔杖製造家,的筆記。我們將看到,奧立凡德先生相信魔杖的木頭有著類似人類能力的察知和偏好。

Mr Ollivander introduces his notes on wand woods thus:

奧立凡德先生在對於魔杖的木頭的介紹做出了下列的開頭:

Every single wand is unique and will depend for its character on the particular tree and magical creature from which it derives its materials. Moreover, each wand, from the moment it finds its ideal owner, will begin to learn from and teach its human partner. Therefore, the following must be seen as general notes on each of the wood types I like to work with best, and ought not to be taken to describe any individual wand.

每一根魔杖都是獨一無二的,它們木頭來自的那棵樹和芯來自的生物的個性將會決定魔杖本身的性格。更進一步來說,每一根魔杖,在找到理想的持有者的那刻開始,就會開始從它的人類夥伴學習,也會教導它的人類夥伴。因此,下列的筆記應該被視於我喜歡使用的每種木頭的一般筆記,而不是用來描述任何特別一根魔杖。

Only a minority of trees can produce wand quality wood (just as a minority of humans can produce magic). It takes years of experience to tell which ones have the gift, although the job is made easier if Bowtruckles are found nesting in the leaves, as they never inhabit mundane trees. The following notes on various wand woods should be regarded very much as a starting point, for this is the study of a lifetime, and I continue to learn with every wand I make and match.

只有少部分的樹能夠產出足以用來當魔杖品質的木頭(正如同只有少部分的人類能夠使用魔法)。 多年的經驗才能告訴你哪些樹有天賦,但如果有小樹精在樹葉上建巢的話,你的工作將簡單許多:小樹精從來都不在世俗的樹上居住。下列關於不同的魔杖木頭的筆記應該只能當做一個開始點,因為這是一門一生都在探索的學問,而我不斷的從每一根我做的和配對的魔杖中學習。

本文及下列各木頭介紹譯自Pottermore

柳竹 @ericchu15

8
Acacia 金合歡木

A very unusual wand wood, which I have found creates tricky wands that often refuse to produce magic for any but their owner, and also withhold their best effects from all but those most gifted. This sensitivity renders them difficult to place, and I keep only a small stock for those witches or wizards of sufficient subtlety, for acacia is not suited to what is commonly known as 'bangs-and-smells' magic. When well-matched, an acacia wand matches any for power, though it is often underrated due to the peculiarity of its temperament.

一種非常不尋常的木頭,我發現這種木頭做出來的魔杖通常很難處理甚至常常拒絕為持有者以外的人使用出魔法。它們也會對除了最有天賦的巫師以外的人保留自己的最佳效果。這種敏感度讓金合歡木魔杖非常困難的配對,我自己本身也只留著少量的庫存來給敏銳度夠高的巫師或女巫,因為金合歡木魔杖並不適合用來施展所謂的「聲響及氣味」魔法。當配對的好的時候,金合歡魔杖可以和其他任何魔杖的能量不分上下,但它常常因為古怪的性格而受到輕視。

(譯註:Acacia 為一屬名,中文為金合歡屬,屬下包括約1300種的物種,包括台灣相思樹、黑荊、兒茶等。由於這裡並沒有詳細指出是金合歡屬下的哪一種,翻譯乃直接用屬名來稱呼。要注意的是金合歡屬下並不包括刺槐(學名Robinia pseudoacacia)。)

Alder 赤楊木

Alder is an unyielding wood, yet I have discovered that its ideal owner is not stubborn or obstinate, but often helpful, considerate and most likeable. Whereas most wand woods seek similarity in the characters of those they will best serve, alder is unusual in that it seems to desire a nature that is, if not precisely opposite to its own, then certainly of a markedly different type. When an alder wand is happily placed, it becomes a magnificent, loyal helpmate. Of all wand types, alder is best suited to non-verbal spell work, whence comes its reputation for being suitable only for the most advanced witches and wizards.

赤楊木是一種頑固而堅硬的木頭,但我發覺它的理想持有者並不會是固執或頑強的,反而會是易於助人、善解人意、和討人喜歡的。雖然大部分的魔杖木頭在他們可能的持有者中尋找類似的性格,赤楊木很不尋常的會去尋找本質不是完全相反就是顯著的不同的持有者。當赤楊木魔杖被配對給適合的持有者時,它會是一個極好而忠心的幫手。在所有的魔杖種類中,赤楊木魔杖是最適合用來施展無聲咒的,帶給它只適合給最進階的巫師女巫使用的名聲。

Apple 蘋果木

Applewood wands are not made in great numbers. They are powerful and best suited to an owner of high aims and ideals, as this wood mixes poorly with Dark magic. It is said that the possessor of an apple wand will be well-loved and long-lived, and I have often noticed that customers of great personal charm find their perfect match in an applewood wand. An unusual ability to converse with other magical beings in their native tongues is often found among apple wand owners, who include the celebrated author of Merpeople: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Language and Customs, Dylan Marwood.

蘋果木魔杖沒有被量產。它們非常的有能量而且適合有高目標和理想的持有者,因為這種木頭和黑魔法的相容性較低。有一說是蘋果木魔杖的持有者將會被疼愛而且長命,而我也常常發現有著魅力的客戶被蘋果木魔杖選中。蘋果木魔杖的持有者常常有著能夠和其他魔法生物用牠們的語言溝通的不尋常能力,這其中包括了人魚:一本關於他們的語言及習俗的綜合指南的著名作者,迪倫‧馬伍德。

柳竹 @ericchu15

10
Ash 梣木

The ash wand cleaves to its one true master and ought not to be passed on or gifted from the original owner, because it will lose power and skill. This tendency is extreme if the core is of unicorn. Old superstitions regarding wands rarely bear close examination, but I find that the old rhyme regarding rowan, chestnut, ash and hazel wands (rowan gossips, chestnut drones, ash is stubborn, hazel moans) contains a small nugget of truth. Those witches and wizards best suited to ash wands are not, in my experience, lightly swayed from their beliefs or purposes. However, the brash or over-confident witch or wizard, who often insists on trying wands of this prestigious wood, will be disappointed by its effects. The ideal owner may be stubborn, and will certainly be courageous, but never crass or arrogant.

梣木魔杖附著於它唯一真正的主人,而且不應該從原本的持有者拿來被轉讓或者是當做禮物,因為它會失去它的能量和熟練度。這種傾向尤其在魔杖芯是獨角獸毛的時候特別嚴重。老的關於魔杖的迷信很少能夠進過仔細的驗證,但我發現關於花楸木、栗木、梣木、和榛木魔杖的古老韻文 (花楸八卦,栗木嗡響,梣木固執,榛木呻吟) 有著小部分的事實。最適合使用梣木魔杖的女巫巫師們不會,在我的經驗裡,輕易的從他們的看法和目標動搖。然而,性急或過度自信的巫師或女巫,雖然常常堅持要嘗試使用這種有名望的木頭做的魔杖,會對於它產生的效果非常失望。理想的持有者有可能是固執的,也一定是有勇氣的,但絕對不會是粗魯而自大的。

Aspen 楊木

Wand-quality aspen wood is white and fine-grained, and highly prized by all wand-makers for its stylish resemblance to ivory and its usually outstanding charmwork. The proper owner of the aspen wand is often an accomplished duellist, or destined to be so, for the aspen wand is one of those particularly suited to martial magic. An infamous and secretive eighteenth-century duelling club, which called itself The Silver Spears, was reputed to admit only those who owned aspen wands. In my experience, aspen wand owners are generally strong-minded and determined, more likely than most to be attracted by quests and new orders; this is a wand for revolutionaries.

魔杖品質的楊木是白色而有細密紋理的,而且因為其美麗如同象牙的外表和極高的符咒施展能力而被所有的魔杖製造師視為極有價值。楊木魔杖的適當持有者通常是有造詣的決鬥者,或者是命中注定會成為如此,因為楊木魔杖是最適合使用決鬥魔法的魔杖之一。十八世紀聲名狼藉的秘密決鬥社,他們稱呼自己為銀矛,有著只讓擁有楊木魔杖的巫師女巫入會的名聲。以我的經驗來看,楊木魔杖持有者通常有強烈的性格而且非常的果斷,比起其他人更容易受到冒險和新的結社的吸引;這是一根適合革命家的魔杖。

Beech 山毛櫸木

The true match for a beech wand will be, if young, wise beyond his or her years, and if full-grown, rich in understanding and experience. Beech wands perform very weakly for the narrow-minded and intolerant. Such wizards and witches, having obtained a beech wand without having been suitably matched (yet coveting this most desirable, richly hued and highly prized wand wood), have often presented themselves at the homes of learned wandmakers such as myself, demanding to know the reason for their handsome wand’s lack of power. When properly matched, the beech wand is capable of a subtlety and artistry rarely seen in any other wood, hence its lustrous reputation.

真正和一根山毛櫸木魔杖相配的人,如果還年輕的話,會是有著超越同年者的智慧,或者如果是成年人的話,擁有豐富的知識與經驗。山毛櫸木魔杖在思想偏執狹隘的人的手中不會有好的表現。這種巫師和女巫,如果得到了一根山毛櫸木魔杖而沒有被適當的相配 (但渴望這種最令人嚮往而富有色彩及價值的魔杖木頭),通常會來到學有專精的魔杖製造師 (譬如我自己) 家中,質問我們為什麼他們的魔杖如此的無力。當適當的配對時,山毛櫸木魔杖有著用其他木頭所做成的魔杖所沒有或少見的敏銳度及藝術效果,因而有著如此光亮的名聲。

柳竹 @ericchu15

7
Blackthorn 黑刺李木

Blackthorn, which is a very unusual wand wood, has the reputation, in my view well-merited, of being best suited to a warrior. This does not necessarily mean that its owner practises the Dark Arts (although it is undeniable that those who do so will enjoy the blackthorn wand’s prodigious power); one finds blackthorn wands among the Aurors as well as among the denizens of Azkaban. It is a curious feature of the blackthorn bush, which sports wicked thorns, that it produces its sweetest berries after the hardest frosts, and the wands made from this wood appear to need to pass through danger or hardship with their owners to become truly bonded. Given this condition, the blackthorn wand will become as loyal and faithful a servant as one could wish.

黑刺李,一種非常不尋常的魔杖木頭,以我的有經驗的看法來說,它有著最適合戰士的名聲。這並不必然代表說它的持有者會使用黑魔法(雖然說會使用黑魔法的巫師都對黑刺李木魔杖龐大的力量非常喜歡是不可否認的事實);黑刺李木魔杖的使用者廣泛於正氣師到許多阿茲卡班的居住者。黑刺李樹叢令人好奇的特徵在於,雖然樹叢本生長滿了刺,但它的莓果卻是在寒霜之後最甜美的。用此種木頭做成的魔杖顯然都和需要它們的持有者一起經過危險或艱苦才能真正的產生連結。有這種特性為前提,持有者可以期待黑刺李木魔杖的忠誠度永遠都達到每個人的期望。

Black Walnut 黑胡桃木

Less common than the standard walnut wand, that of black walnut seeks a master of good instincts and powerful insight. Black walnut is a very handsome wood, but not the easiest to master. It has one pronounced quirk, which is that it is abnormally attuned to inner conflict, and loses power dramatically if its possessor practises any form of self-deception. If the witch or wizard is unable or unwilling to be honest with themselves or others, the wand often fails to perform adequately and must be matched with a new owner if it is to regain its former prowess. Paired with a sincere, self-aware owner, however, it becomes one of the most loyal and impressive wands of all, with a particular flair in all kinds of charmwork.

比標準的胡桃木魔杖少見,黑胡桃木魔杖尋找有著良好天性和強烈洞察力的主人。黑胡桃木是一種非常美麗的木頭,但並不是最容易駕馭的。它有種明顯的轉變:因為這種木頭有著能夠通達持有者內心掙扎與衝突的不尋常能力,它在持有者有任何自欺欺人的傾向的時候就會戲劇性的失去力量。如果持有它的巫師或女巫無法或是不願意對他們自己或別人誠實的話,黑胡桃木魔杖常常會無法充分的表現而需要被配對給一位新的主人來重新恢復原有的非凡能力。然而,如果配對給了一位誠實正直而有自知之明的持有者,黑胡桃木魔杖將會是最忠心和令人欽佩的魔杖之一,尤其在施展任何符咒的時候特別強力。

Cedar 雪松木

Whenever I meet one who carries a cedar wand, I find strength of character and unusual loyalty. My father, Gervaise Ollivander, used always to say, 'you will never fool the cedar carrier,' and I agree: the cedar wand finds its perfect home where there is perspicacity and perception. I would go further than my father, however, in saying that I have never yet met the owner of a cedar wand whom I would care to cross, especially if harm is done to those of whom they are fond. The witch or wizard who is well-matched with cedar carries the potential to be a frightening adversary, which often comes as a shock to those who have thoughtlessly challenged them.

每當我碰到一位雪松木魔杖持有者的時候,我常常會發現他們有著強烈的性格和非凡的忠誠。我的父親,葛維斯‧奧立凡德,曾經總是說:「你永遠不可能欺愚有著雪松木魔杖的人。」而我同意:雪松木魔杖最完美的持有者有著洞察力和感知能力。我甚至願意比我父親下更多的結論說我還沒有碰過任何我願意和他們起衝突的雪松木魔杖持有者,尤其如果他們喜愛的人有受到傷害。和雪松木魔杖相配的巫師或女巫有著變成令人生畏的敵人的可能性,這常常讓沒經過思考而挑戰他們的人大感驚訝。

柳竹 @ericchu15

6
Cherry 櫻木

This very rare wand wood creates a wand of strange power, most highly prized by the wizarding students of the school of Mahoutokoro in Japan, where those who own cherry wands have special prestige. The Western wand-purchaser should dispel from their minds any notion that the pink blossom of the living tree makes for a frivolous or merely ornamental wand, for cherry wood often makes a wand that possesses truly lethal power, whatever the core, but if teamed with dragon heartstring, the wand ought never to be teamed with a wizard without exceptional self-control and strength of mind.

這種非常稀有的木頭做出來的魔杖有著奇異的能力,尤其被日本的魔法學校,魔法所,的學生視為極有價值,因為在日本有著櫻木魔杖的人特別有威望。西方的魔杖購買者應該將因為這種木頭的樹有著粉紅色的花,所以做出來的魔杖非常輕薄或只能裝飾用的這種觀念從他們的腦袋中消除。櫻木做出來的魔杖常常有著真正能致人於死地的能力,不管裡面的芯是什麼。但如果和龍的心弦配在一起,做出來的魔杖絕對不應該和一位沒有卓越自制力和強壯心智的巫師配在一起。

Chestnut 栗木

This is a most curious, multi-faceted wood, which varies greatly in its character depending on the wand core, and takes a great deal of colour from the personality that possesses it. The wand of chestnut is attracted to witches and wizards who are skilled tamers of magical beasts, those who possess great gifts in Herbology, and those who are natural fliers. However, when paired with dragon heartstring, it may find its best match among those who are overfond of luxury and material things, and less scrupulous than they should be about how they are obtained. Conversely, three successive heads of the Wizengamot have possessed chestnut and unicorn wands, for this combination shows a predilection for those concerned with all manner of justice.

這是一種最難以理解而有著多重刻面的木頭。它的性格和包含在其中的芯息息相關,而且也會吸取許多它的持有者的人格。栗木魔杖被有著熟練的馴服魔獸能力、有著藥草學天賦、或是天生的飛行家的巫師或女巫吸引。然後,如果它包含的芯是龍的心弦,它最好的配對可能會是對於奢華或物質方面的東西過於喜愛而對於如何得到物質東西不是那麼謹慎的巫師女巫。相反的,連續三任巫審加碼的首席都有著包含獨角獸毛的栗木魔杖,因為這種組合對於那些特別關注於正義的人多有偏愛。

Cypress 柏木

Cypress wands are associated with nobility. The great medieval wandmaker, Geraint Ollivander, wrote that he was always honoured to match a cypress wand, for he knew he was meeting a witch or wizard who would die a heroic death. Fortunately, in these less blood-thirsty times, the possessors of cypress wands are rarely called upon to lay down their lives, though doubtless many of them would do so if required. Wands of cypress find their soul mates among the brave, the bold and the self-sacrificing: those who are unafraid to confront the shadows in their own and others' natures.

柏木魔杖和高貴的出身有著關聯。偉大的中古世紀魔杖製造師,傑蘭特‧奧立凡德,曾經寫到他每當配出一根柏木魔杖時總是感到非常光榮,因為他知道他面前的巫師女巫願意如同英雄般的死去。幸運的是,在那個稍微不血腥一點的年代,有著柏木魔杖的持有者很少會被徵召去為國捐驅,儘管其中的許多毋庸置疑的會在必要的時候如此去做。和柏木魔杖性情相投的人非常的勇敢而有著大膽和自我犧牲的精神:他們總是不害怕去對抗他們自己本身和別人本質的黑暗面。

柳竹 @ericchu15

6
Dogwood 山茱萸木

Dogwood is one of my own personal favourites, and I have found that matching a dogwood wand with its ideal owner is always entertaining. Dogwood wands are quirky and mischievous; they have playful natures and insist upon partners who can provide them with scope for excitement and fun. It would be quite wrong, however, to deduce from this that dogwood wands are not capable of serious magic when called upon to do so; they have been known to perform outstanding spells under difficult conditions, and when paired with a suitably clever and ingenious witch or wizard, can produce dazzling enchantments. An interesting foible of many dogwood wands is that they refuse to perform non-verbal spells and they are often rather noisy.

山茱萸是我個人最偏愛的木頭之一,而我總是覺得幫山茱萸木魔杖尋找理想的主人非常的有娛樂性。山茱萸木魔杖是古怪靈精而淘氣的;它們有著愛玩耍的特性,而且會堅持要有能夠提供它們刺激和娛樂的夥伴。但是如果因為這樣而推論說山茱萸木魔杖在需要的時候無法施展出認真而非娛樂性的魔法,那真是大錯特錯。它們在困難的情況之下常常能夠施展出傑出的咒語;而當和一位適當的聰明與靈巧的巫師或女巫配在一起時,能夠施展出耀眼的魔法。山茱萸木魔杖一個有趣的怪癖在於它們拒絕使出無聲咒,而且它們往往比較吵雜。

Ebony 黑檀木

This jet-black wand wood has an impressive appearance and reputation, being highly suited to all manner of combative magic, and to Transfiguration. Ebony is happiest in the hand of those with the courage to be themselves. Frequently non-conformist, highly individual or comfortable with the status of outsider, ebony wand owners have been found both among the ranks of the Order of the Phoenix and among the Death Eaters. In my experience the ebony wand’s perfect match is one who will hold fast to his or her beliefs, no matter what the external pressure, and will not be swayed lightly from their purpose.

這種烏黑的魔杖木頭有著令人驚艷的外表和名聲,高度適合來使用任何種類的決鬥魔法和變形術。黑檀木魔杖在有勇氣做他們自己的人的手中是最快樂的。這些人經常包括非循規蹈矩的人、高度個人主義者、或是對於身為局外者感到舒適的人。黑檀木魔杖的持有者能在鳳凰會和食死人的成員兩者的行列中找到。在我的經驗裡,黑檀木魔杖的絕配會是一個將會堅守自己的信念,而無論有什麼外部壓力,都不會輕易動搖他們的目的的人。

Elder 接骨木

The rarest wand wood of all, and reputed to be deeply unlucky, the elder wand is trickier to master than any other. It contains powerful magic, but scorns to remain with any owner who is not the superior of his or her company; it takes a remarkable wizard to keep the elder wand for any length of time. The old superstition, ‘wand of elder, never prosper,’ has its basis in this fear of the wand, but in fact, the superstition is baseless, and those foolish wandmakers who refuse to work with elder do so more because they doubt they will be able to sell their products than from fear of working with this wood. The truth is that only a highly unusual person will find their perfect match in elder, and on the rare occasion when such a pairing occurs, I take it as certain that the witch or wizard in question is marked out for a special destiny. An additional fact that I have unearthed during my long years of study is that the owners of elder wands almost always feel a powerful affinity with those chosen by rowan.

所有魔杖中最稀有而被譽為極度不幸運的,接骨木魔杖比任何其他魔杖還難駕馭。它有著強大的魔法,但藐視和一位在同輩之中並不出眾的持有者留在一起;不管想要擁有接骨木魔杖多長時間,持有者都需要是一位卓越的巫師。古老的迷信:「接骨木魔杖,絕不會興旺。」的來源在於對於該魔杖的恐懼,但事實上這種迷信是毫無根據的,而那些愚蠢的而不願意用接骨木來做魔杖的製造師們卻更加相信他們將會因為使用了這種木頭來做魔杖而無法賣出他們其他的產品。但實際上,只有極不尋常的人才會發現自己的完美匹配是接骨木魔杖,而當如此罕見的配對發生的時候,我的解讀是那位巫師或女巫將注定有著不凡的命運。另一個在我漫長歲月的研究中發現的現象是接骨木魔杖的持有者幾乎總是深受被花楸木魔杖選上的人吸引。

柳竹 @ericchu15

7
Elm 榆木

The unfounded belief that only pure-bloods can produce magic from elm wands was undoubtedly started by some elm wand owner seeking to prove his own blood credentials, for I have known perfect matches of elm wands who are Muggle-borns. The truth is that elm wands prefer owners with presence, magical dexterity and a certain native dignity. Of all wand woods, elm, in my experience, produces the fewest accidents, the least foolish errors, and the most elegant charms and spells; these are sophisticated wands, capable of highly advanced magic in the right hands (which, again, makes it highly desirable to those who espouse the pure-blood philosophy).

認為只有純種巫師能夠用榆木魔杖施展出魔法這種毫無根據的信念毫無疑問的是由一些有著榆木魔杖而想要證明自己血緣憑據的巫師開頭的,因為許多麻瓜出身的巫師和榆木魔杖是完美的絕配。事實上榆木魔杖偏好有風采、靈巧的魔法、和天生有尊嚴的持有者。在所有的魔杖木頭裡面,榆木魔杖在我的經驗裡最不容易發生意外或愚蠢的錯誤,而能夠施展出最優雅的符咒和法術。它們是精密而複雜的魔杖,能夠在對的人的手中施展出極度高等的魔法 (這再次使得那些擁護純種哲學的人對這種魔杖有的極高的慾望)。

English Oak 夏櫟木

A wand for good times and bad, this is a friend as loyal as the wizard who deserves it. Wands of English oak demand partners of strength, courage and fidelity. Less well-known is the propensity for owners of English oak wands to have powerful intuition, and, often, an affinity with the magic of the natural world, with the creatures and plants that are necessary to wizardkind for both magic and pleasure. The oak tree is called King of the Forest from the winter solstice up until the summer solstice, and its wood should only be collected during that time (holly becomes King as the days begin to shorten again, and so holly should only be gathered as the year wanes. This divide is believed to be the origin of the old superstition, “when his wand’s oak and hers is holly, then to marry would be folly,” a superstition that I have found baseless). It is said that Merlin’s wand was of English oak (though his grave has never been found, so this cannot be proven).

不管在順境或逆境,夏櫟木魔杖都是持有它的巫師應得的忠誠朋友。夏櫟木魔杖要求有力量、勇氣、和忠誠的夥伴。比較少人知道的是夏櫟木魔杖的持有者常常有著強而有力的直覺,而且常常受到自然世界中不管是在魔法的應用上或娛樂都需要的動植物的魔法吸引。這種櫟屬 (俗名橡樹) 的樹從冬至到夏至有著森林之王的稱號,而它的木頭也只應該在那段時間中收集 (冬青樹在日照開始縮短的時候取代成為森林之王,因此冬青木只應該在一年開始接近尾聲的時候收集。這種劃分出自於老一代的迷信:「當他的魔杖是櫟而她的是冬青,兩人的聯姻是無可救藥的愚行。」這個迷信我認為是毫無根據的)。相傳梅林的魔杖是夏櫟木做的 (但由於梅林的墓從來沒有被找到過,我們無法證實這點) 。

(譯註:English Oak 若按照字面上直譯的確是譯為英國橡樹。此物種的學名為Quercus roburQuercus在生物分類上稱為櫟屬俗名橡樹,所以如果口語的來說English Oak稱為英國橡樹沒有問題。但由於中國新疆、北京、山東等地有引進栽種,因此這裡採用的中文譯名為中國所使用的,亦即夏櫟。其他別名還包括英國櫟、夏橡等,請見維基百科介紹)

Fir 樅木

My august grandfather, Gerbold Octavius Ollivander, always called wands of this wood ‘the survivor’s wand,’ because he had sold it to three wizards who subsequently passed through mortal peril unscathed. There is no doubt that this wood, coming as it does from the most resilient of trees, produces wands that demand staying power and strength of purpose in their true owners, and that they are poor tools in the hands of the changeable and indecisive. Fir wands are particularly suited to Transfiguration, and favour owners of focused, strong-minded and, occasionally, intimidating demeanour.

我那令人敬畏的祖父,葛柏‧屋大維‧奧立凡德,總是稱呼這種木頭做成的魔杖為「倖存者的魔杖」,因為他把這種魔杖賣給了三位後來都遭逢致命危機而毫髮無損的巫師。毫無疑問的這種來自最堅韌的樹的木頭能夠做出要求保持著實力和強勁的目標的持有者。它們在善變而優柔寡斷的人的手中會是粗劣的工具。樅木魔杖特別適合施展變形術,而且偏好專注、有主見、還有有些時候,有著令人生畏的風範的持有者。

柳竹 @ericchu15

5
Hawthorn 山楂木

The wandmaker Gregorovitch wrote that hawthorn 'makes a strange, contradictory wand, as full of paradoxes as the tree that gave it birth, whose leaves and blossoms heal, and yet whose cut branches smell of death.' While I disagree with many of Gregorovitch's conclusions, we concur about hawthorn wands, which are complex and intriguing in their natures, just like the owners who best suit them. Hawthorn wands may be particularly suited to healing magic, but they are also adept at curses, and I have generally observed that the hawthorn wand seems most at home with a conflicted nature, or with a witch or wizard passing through a period of turmoil. Hawthorn is not easy to master, however, and I would only ever consider placing a hawthorn wand in the hands of a witch or wizard of proven talent, or the consequences might be dangerous. Hawthorn wands have a notable peculiarity: their spells can, when badly handled, backfire.

魔杖製造師葛果羅威曾寫到說使用山楂木會「做出奇怪而矛盾的魔杖,就如同提供了木頭的山楂樹一樣。當它的葉子和花有著療效,砍下來的枝條卻有著死亡的氣味。」雖然我並不同意很多葛果羅威所下的推論,我們對於山楂木魔杖有一致的看法:這種魔杖的本質複雜而令人困惑,正如同適合它們的主人一般。山楂木魔杖可能特別適合來施展治療魔法,但它們對於下詛咒也非常的熟練,而我普遍認為山楂木魔杖在有著矛盾天性或生命中有過一段動盪期的巫師女巫的手中最能表現出才華。然而,山楂木魔杖並不容易駕馭,而我也只會考慮把山楂木魔杖配對給有著成熟才華的女巫或巫師,不這樣做的結果可能相當危險。山楂木魔杖有一個顯著的特點:當施展不當的時候,它們發的咒語會逆火反彈。

Hazel 榛木

A sensitive wand, hazel often reflects its owner’s emotional state, and works best for a master who understands and can manage their own feelings. Others should be very careful handling a hazel wand if its owner has recently lost their temper, or suffered a serious disappointment, because the wand will absorb such energy and discharge it unpredictably. The positive aspect of a hazel wand more than makes up for such minor discomforts, however, for it is capable of outstanding magic in the hands of the skillful, and is so devoted to its owner that it often 'wilts' (which is to say, it expels all its magic and refuses to perform, often necessitating the extraction of the core and its insertion into another casing, if the wand is still required) at the end of its master's life (if the core is unicorn hair, however, there is no hope; the wand will almost certainly have 'died'). Hazel wands also have the unique ability to detect water underground, and will emit silvery, tear-shaped puffs of smoke if passing over concealed springs and wells.

一種敏感的魔杖,榛木通常會反映出它的持有者的感情狀態,而在一位能夠控制自己情感的主人的手中表現最好。其他人在使用榛木魔杖的時候應該要非常小心,尤其當持有者在不久前才有過脾氣失去控制或嚴重的失望,因為這種魔杖會吸收如此的能量而在不預期的時候將其釋放出來。榛木魔杖正面的特點大多彌補了這種小缺點。然而,因為它在熟練的巫師手中有著卓越的能力,而且它對於持有者相當的虔誠,它在持有者生命的句點通常會「枯萎」(也就是它會逐出自己所有的魔法而拒絕施展咒語,這通常在魔杖還是被需要的時候只能把它的芯抽取出來再放到另一根魔杖木頭中。但如果它的芯是獨角獸毛的話,那根魔杖幾乎很肯定的就是無藥可救的「死」了。)。榛木魔杖有著能夠偵測地底下的水的獨特能力,它在經過隱藏起來的泉水或井的時候會噴出銀色光澤而眼淚形狀的煙霧。

Holly 冬青木

Holly is one of the rarer kinds of wand woods; traditionally considered protective, it works most happily for those who may need help overcoming a tendency to anger and impetuosity. At the same time, holly wands often choose owners who are engaged in some dangerous and often spiritual quest. Holly is one of those woods that varies most dramatically in performance depending on the wand core, and it is a notoriously difficult wood to team with phoenix feather, as the wood's volatility conflicts strangely with the phoenix's detachment. In the unusual event of such a pairing finding its ideal match, however, nothing and nobody should stand in their way.

冬青木是比較稀有的魔杖木頭之一;傳統上認為它保護性較強,它在需要克服憤怒和急躁傾向的人的手中能夠有最好的表現。同時,冬青木魔杖常常選擇從事危險而往往是心靈上的追求的主人。冬青木是依照魔杖芯的不同而有最顯著不同的表現的木頭之一,而它是出了名的困難和鳳凰羽毛配在一起,因為木頭本身的揮發性和鳳凰容易抽離的個性有著強烈的衝突。但在這種組合找到它們的絕配主人這種不尋常事情發生的時候,任何東西和任何人都不應該阻擋它們。

柳竹 @ericchu15

6
Hornbeam 角木

My own wand is made of hornbeam, and so it is with all due modesty that I state that hornbeam selects for its life mate the talented witch or wizard with a single, pure passion, which some might call obsession (though I prefer the term ‘vision’), which will almost always be realised. Hornbeam wands adapt more quickly than almost any other to their owner’s style of magic, and will become so personalised, so quickly, that other people will find them extremely difficult to use even for the most simple of spells. Hornbeam wands likewise absorb their owner’s code of honour, whatever that might be, and will refuse to perform acts - whether for good or ill - that do not tally with their master’s principles. A particularly fine-tuned and sentient wand.

我自己的魔杖是角木做的,所以恕我冒昧地說角木魔杖選擇的終身夥伴都有著單一而純粹的熱情去追求夢想,雖然有些人會稱呼這種熱情為狂熱 (我個人比較喜歡「憧憬」這個詞)。這種夢想往往都會被實現。角木魔杖能比幾乎任何其他魔杖快適應它們持有者的施法風格,而且它們個人化的速度極快,快到其他人想要用它們來施出最簡單的咒語都很困難的地步。角木魔杖同樣的會吸收它們主人的名譽守則,不管是什麼,而且在想要施展的魔法──不管好或壞──違反主人的原則的時候會拒絕執行命令。這是一種特別優良而有知覺的魔杖。

Larch 落葉松木

Strong, durable and warm in colour, larch has long been valued as an attractive and powerful wand wood. Its reputation for instilling courage and confidence in the user has ensured that demand has always outstripped supply. This much sought-after wand is, however, hard to please in the matter of ideal owners, and trickier to handle than many imagine. I find that it always creates wands of hidden talents and unexpected effects, which likewise describes the master who deserves it. It is often the case that the witch or wizard who belongs to the larch wand may never realise the full extent of their considerable talents until paired with it, but that they will then make an exceptional match.

強韌、耐用、而有著溫暖的顏色,落葉松長久以來一直被視為非常吸引人而力量強大的魔杖木頭。它能夠為使用者注入勇氣和自信的名聲確保了需求永遠大於供給。然而,這種搶手的魔杖是非常難找到理想的持有者的,而且使用上也比很多人想像的來得棘手。我發現這種木頭總是會做出有著隱藏的才華和出乎意料效果的魔杖,這同時也描述了應得這種魔杖的主人。常見的情況下通常是屬於使用落葉松魔杖的女巫或巫師可能在和這種魔杖配對之前從沒有發覺過自己完全而充分的潛能,但在這正好使得兩者成為優秀的搭檔。

Laurel 月桂木

It is said that a laurel wand cannot perform a dishonourable act, although in the quest for glory (a not uncommon goal for those best suited to these wands), I have known laurel wands perform powerful and sometimes lethal magic. Laurel wands are sometimes called fickle, but this is unfair. The laurel wand seems unable to tolerate laziness in a possessor, and it is in such conditions that it is most easily and willingly won away. Otherwise, it will cleave happily to its first match forever, and indeed has the unusual and engaging attribute of issuing a spontaneous lightning strike if another witch or wizard attempts to steal it.

有人說月桂木魔杖無法執行不榮譽的行為,但在追求榮耀的時候(一個對於那些最適合這種魔杖的人並不是不尋常的目標),我也知道過施展出強大而有時候致命魔法的月桂木魔杖。月桂木魔杖有時候被稱為善變,但這是不公平的。月桂木魔杖似乎無法忍受持有者的懶散,而也是在這種情況發生的時候最容易心甘情願的被贏走。否則,它將會高興的永遠緊黏著它的第一個主人,而且在另一位巫師或女巫試圖竊取它的時候會自發性的發出一道雷擊,一個不尋常但充滿魅力的特點。

柳竹 @ericchu15

5
Maple 楓木

I have often found that those chosen by maple wands are by nature travellers and explorers; they are not stay-at-home wands, and prefer ambition in their witch or wizard, otherwise their magic grows heavy and lacklustre. Fresh challenges and regular changes of scene cause this wand to literally shine, burnishing itself as it grows, with its partner, in ability and status. This is a beautiful and desirable wood, and wand quality maple has been among the most costly for centuries. Possession of a maple wand has long been a mark of status, because of its reputation as the wand of high achievers.

我常常發現被楓木魔杖選中的通常是天生的旅行家和探索家;它們不是待在家裡用的魔杖,而且喜歡它們的巫師或女巫主人有的雄心,不如此的話它們的魔法會變得沉重而沒有生氣。新鮮的挑戰和經常的改變會使得這種魔杖在和它的夥伴一起在能力和身分成長的同時發光和磨亮自己。這是一種美麗而令人渴望的木頭,而能夠做魔杖品質的楓木在幾個世紀以來一直都是最昂貴的。有著楓木魔杖長久以來一直都是身分地位的象徵,因為它有著作為高度追求成功者的魔杖的名聲。

Pear 梨木

This golden-toned wood produces wands of splendid magical powers, which give of their best in the hands of the warm-hearted, the generous and the wise. Possessors of pear wands are, in my experience, usually popular and well-respected. I do not know of a single instance where a pear wand has been discovered in the possession of a Dark witch or wizard. Pear wands are among the most resilient, and I have often observed that they may still present a remarkable appearance of newness, even after many years of hard use.

這種有著金色色調的木頭做出來的魔杖有著燦爛的魔法能量,而且會在熱心、慷慨、和有智慧的人的手中盡全力表現。在我的經驗裡,梨木魔杖的持有者通常都是受歡迎而令人尊重的。我還沒有聽過任何一根梨木魔杖被一位黑巫師或女巫持有。梨木魔杖是最有彈力的,而我常常觀察到它們就算是在多年的使用之後還是有著看起來煥然一新的外表。

Pine 松木

The straight-grained pine wand always chooses an independent, individual master who may be perceived as a loner, intriguing and perhaps mysterious. Pine wands enjoy being used creatively, and unlike some others, will adapt unprotestingly to new methods and spells. Many wandmakers insist that pine wands are able to detect, and perform best for, owners who are destined for long lives, and I can confirm this in as much as I have never personally known the master of a pine wand to die young. The pine wand is one of those that is most sensitive to non-verbal magic.

有著平直紋理的松木魔杖總是選擇一位獨立而是獨特個體的主人,就算他們可能會被別人認為是有著孤僻、令人好奇的、和或許有著神秘感。松木魔杖享受被有創意的使用,而且和其他魔杖不同的一點在於它會一點都不抗議的去適應新的施法方式和咒語。許多魔杖製造師堅持松木魔杖能夠探測到注定會長命的主人,而且在他們的手中表現最好,而這我可以證實,因為我個人本身還沒有碰到過一位有著松木魔杖而短命的巫師或女巫。松木魔杖是對於無聲咒最敏感的一種魔杖。

柳竹 @ericchu15

5
Poplar 白楊木

"If you seek integrity, search first among the poplars," was a great maxim of my grandfather, Gerbold Ollivander, and my own experience of poplar wands and their owners tallies exactly with his. Here is a wand to rely upon, of consistency, strength and uniform power, always happiest when working with a witch or wizard of clear moral vision. There is a tired old joke among lesser wandmakers that no poplar wand has ever chosen a politician, but here they show their lamentable ignorance: two of the Ministry's most accomplished Ministers for Magic, Eldritch Diggory and Evangeline Orpington, were the possessors of fine, Ollivander-made poplar wands.

「如果你要尋找誠實正直,總是從有著白楊木魔杖的人開始。」是我的祖父,葛柏‧奧立凡德,的偉大座右銘,而我個人和白楊木魔杖及它們的持有者接觸的經驗完全和我祖父的說法符合。這是一根可以倚賴的魔杖,它施法非常一貫、有著強而一致的能量、而且在有著清楚的道德觀的人的手中表現的最好。在比較次要的魔杖製造師之間有個老掉牙的笑話,說的是白楊木魔杖從來沒有選過任何一位政治人物當主人,但這也顯露出了他們可悲的無知:兩位魔法部史上最有造詣的魔法部長,愛德理奇‧迪哥里和伊凡傑琳‧奧平頓,都是奧立凡德製造的白楊木魔杖的持有者。

Red Oak 紅橡木

You will often hear the ignorant say that red oak is an infallible sign of its owner's hot temper. In fact, the true match for a red oak wand is possessed of unusually fast reactions, making it a perfect duelling wand. Less common than English oak, I have found that its ideal master is light of touch, quick-witted and adaptable, often the creator of distinctive, trademark spells, and a good man or woman to have beside one in a fight. Red oak wands are, in my opinion, among the most handsome.

你常常會聽到無知的人說紅橡木魔杖是其所有者有著火爆脾氣最不會錯的象徵。事實上,紅橡木魔杖真正的絕配有著異常快的反應,導致於它是一根絕佳的決鬥魔杖。比夏櫟木少見,我發現紅橡木的理想主人有著輕盈的觸感、機智而適應能力強、常常是他們本身特殊的招牌咒語的創造者、而且在一場決鬥中有在身邊會極有益處的人。紅橡木魔杖在我看來是所有魔杖中最美觀的。

Redwood 紅杉木

Wand-quality redwood is in short supply, yet constant demand, due to its reputation for bringing good fortune to its owner. As is usually the case with wandlore, the general populace have the truth back to front: redwood wands are not themselves lucky, but are strongly attracted to witches and wizards who already possess the admirable ability to fall on their feet, to make the right choice, to snatch advantage from catastrophe. The combination of such a witch or wizard with a redwood wand is always intriguing, and I generally expect to hear of exciting exploits when I send this special pairing out from my workshop.

能拿來做魔杖品質的紅杉木目前供不應求,但因為它會替主人帶來好運的名聲使得它一直都很搶手。正如同製造魔杖的知識一樣,社會大眾對於真相總是本末倒置:紅杉木魔杖本身並不是特別幸運,它們只是很容易受到原本就有著令人欽慕的的穩重、做出正確決定、和在災難中取得優勢的能力的巫師女巫吸引。這些女巫或巫師和紅杉木魔杖的主人總是令人好奇,而我通常在我鞠躬感謝這種組合離開我的商店的時候就知道我將來會聽到非常令人興奮的豐功偉業。

柳竹 @ericchu15

7
Rowan 花楸木

Rowan wood has always been much-favoured for wands, because it is reputed to be more protective than any other, and in my experience renders all manner of defensive charms especially strong and difficult to break. It is commonly stated that no Dark witch or wizard ever owned a rowan wand, and I cannot recall a single instance where one of my own rowan wands has gone on to do evil in the world. Rowan is most happily placed with the clear-headed and the pure-hearted, but this reputation for virtue ought not to fool anyone - these wands are the equal of any, often the better, and frequently out-perform others in duels.

花楸木製作成的魔杖一直一來都很受到青睞,因為它有著比其他任何魔杖更有保護性的名聲,而在我的經驗裡拿來施展各種防禦性符咒特別的強力而難以破解。普遍的說法是從來沒有一位黑巫師或女巫持有過花楸木魔杖,而我也無法想起我賣出的任何一根花楸木魔杖被拿去使用惡行。花楸木魔杖被配對給腦子清楚而心靈純潔的人時是最快樂的,但這種要求美德的名聲不應該被誤以為有比較劣等的能力──這種魔杖和其他種魔杖是一樣好的,通常還優於別種,而且在決鬥中經常超越對手的表現。

Silver lime 銀毛椴木

This unusual and highly attractive wand wood was greatly in vogue in the nineteenth century. Demand outstripped supply, and unscrupulous wandmakers dyed substandard woods in an effort to fool purchasers into believing that they had purchased silver lime. The reasons for these wands' desirability lay not only in their unusually handsome appearance, but also because they had a reputation for performing best for Seers and those skilled in Legilimency, mysterious arts both, which consequently gave the possessor of a silver lime wand considerable status. When demand was at its height, wandmaker Arturo Cephalopos claimed that the association between silver lime and clairvoyance was 'a falsehood circulated by merchants like Gerbold Ollivander (my own grandfather), who have overstocked their workshops with silver lime and hope to shift their surplus.' But Cephalopos was a slipshod wandmaker and an ignoramus, and nobody, Seer or not, was surprised when he went out of business.

這種不尋常而高度吸引人的魔杖木頭在十九世紀時大為流行。這種魔杖總是供不應求,導致許多沒有道德的魔杖製造師將低於水準的木頭染色,以此來欺騙客戶,使他們以為自己買了銀毛椴木製作的魔杖。這種魔杖令人渴望的原因不只是它們美觀的外表,還有因為他們有著在預言家或先知和精通於破心術的人的手中會表現最好的名聲。銀毛椴木魔杖的持有者因為有著能夠預言的能力和使用破心術,兩種都是神秘的技法,而被賦予相當的地位。在這種魔杖需求的最高峰的時期,魔杖製造師阿圖羅‧斯佛羅波斯聲稱銀毛椴木魔杖和異常洞察力的連結是「一個由像是葛柏‧奧立凡德(我的祖父)的商人開始流傳的謊言,因為他們的店裡進了太多銀毛椴木魔杖,所以希望藉此來銷售掉多餘的存貨。」但斯佛羅波斯是一位衣衫不整而懶散的魔杖製造師,他同時也相當的無知,所以沒有人,不管他是不是先知,在他歇業的時候有一丁點的驚訝。

Spruce 雲杉木

Unskilled wandmakers call spruce a difficult wood, but in doing so they reveal their own ineptitude. It is quite true that it requires particular deftness to work with spruce, which produces wands that are ill-matched with cautious or nervous natures, and become positively dangerous in fumbling fingers. The spruce wand requires a firm hand, because it often appears to have its own ideas about what magic it ought to be called upon to produce. However, when a spruce wand meets its match - which, in my experience, is a bold spell-caster with a good sense of humour - it becomes a superb helper, intensely loyal to their owners and capable of producing particularly flamboyant and dramatic effects.

技術不精的的魔杖製造師稱呼雲杉木為一種困難的木頭,但如此的舉動正顯露了他們自己的笨拙。雖然說要雕琢雲杉木的確需要某種特殊而熟練的靈巧度,而用它做出來的魔杖不適當配給過於謹慎或容易緊張的人,尤其因為它在無法下定決心的人的手中極度危險。雲杉木魔杖需要是在一隻穩定的手中,因為它常常似乎對於要施展出什麼樣的魔法有自己的想法。然而,當一根雲杉木魔杖碰上了它的絕配時──這在我的經驗中通常是一位有幽默感而大膽的施咒者──它變成高超的幫手,強烈的忠於主人而能夠施展出特別龍飛鳳舞而戲劇性的效果。

柳竹 @ericchu15

5
Sycamore 洋桐楓木

The sycamore makes a questing wand, eager for new experience and losing brilliance if engaged in mundane activities. It is a quirk of these handsome wands that they may combust if allowed to become ‘bored,’ and many witches and wizards, settling down into middle age, are disconcerted to find their trusty wand bursting into flame in their hand as they ask it, one more time, to fetch their slippers. As may be deduced, the sycamore’s ideal owner is curious, vital and adventurous, and when paired with such an owner, it demonstrates a capacity to learn and adapt that earns it a rightful place among the world's most highly-prized wand woods.

洋桐楓木做出來的魔杖有著追尋冒險的性格,它們渴望新的經驗而在世俗活動中失去光彩。這種美麗的魔杖有著在「無聊」的時候可能會燃燒起來的怪癖,而許多女巫和巫師在邁入中年安定下來的時候,對於他們那令人信任的魔杖在手中突然燃燒起來的時候不知所措,只因為他們又一次的使用它來召喚自己的拖鞋。可以推論的是,洋桐楓木魔杖理想的主人是好奇、有活力、而喜愛冒險的,當這種配對發生的時候,它表現出足以讓它列於世界上最令人嚮往的魔杖木頭之列的學習和適應能力。

(譯註:Sycamore可以指為很多種植物,其中的三大類包括 (1)懸鈴木屬(Platanus)的植物,包括美國梧桐(Platanus occidentalis),要注意的是雖然美桐名中有「梧桐」兩字,但實際上和真正的梧桐(Firmiana simplex)是完全不同的植物物種;(2)西克莫無花果,學名Ficus sycomorus,原生地為中東及北非東非一帶;及(3)洋桐楓,學名Acer pseudoplatanus,英文名為Sycamore Maple,為楓屬(Acer)的植物,原生地為中歐及東南亞。
這裡要特別指出在英國及愛爾蘭,Sycamore一字指的都是上述(3)的洋桐楓,由於羅琳媽媽是位土生土長的英國女士,這裡也就推斷Sycamore指的是洋桐楓。洋桐楓由於台灣並沒有生長,因此並沒有統一的譯名,英文的別名還包括假桐樹(false plane-tree、mock-plane)、大楓(great maple)、蘇格蘭楓(Scottish maple)、凱爾特楓(Celtic maple)等。其他看到的譯名還包括岩楓、大槭,中國則有譯為歐亞槭、假桐槭、桐葉槭、洋桐槭等。這些名字在生物上都是指同一種植物 - Acer pseudoplatanus。這裡使用洋桐楓這個名字除了是忠於植物為楓屬的一種以外,也描述該植物有類似懸鈴木和桐樹的特徵。)

Vine 藤木

The druids considered anything with a woody stem as a tree, and vine makes wands of such a special nature that I have been happy to continue their ancient tradition. Vine wands are among the less common types, and I have been intrigued to notice that their owners are nearly always those witches or wizards who seek a greater purpose, who have a vision beyond the ordinary and who frequently astound those who think they know them best. Vine wands seem strongly attracted by personalities with hidden depths, and I have found them more sensitive than any other when it comes to instantly detecting a prospective match. Reliable sources claim that these wands can emit magical effects upon the mere entrance into their room of a suitable owner, and I have twice observed the phenomenon in my own shop.

德魯伊人把任何有著木質軀幹的東西都當作樹,而藤木做出的魔杖有著如此特殊的性質,使得我極為高興能夠繼續用這種植物來做魔杖的古老傳統。藤木魔杖是比較少見的種類之一,而我總是好奇的看到它們的持有者幾乎總是那些追尋更大的目標、視野超越平凡、而經常使得自以為最了解他們的人非常驚訝的巫師女巫。藤木魔杖似乎強烈的被有著隱藏的深度的人格吸引,而我發現它們在立即測探可能的配對的時候比其他任何魔杖更為敏感。可靠的來源宣稱這種魔杖能夠在僅僅剛到它們適合的主人的手中的那刻發出神奇的魔法效果,而我在我自己的店裡觀察過這種現象兩次。

柳竹 @ericchu15

5
Walnut 胡桃木

Highly intelligent witches and wizards ought to be offered a walnut wand for trial first, because in nine cases out of ten, the two will find in each other their ideal mate. Walnut wands are often found in the hands of magical innovators and inventors; this is a handsome wood possessed of unusual versatility and adaptability. A note of caution, however: while some woods are difficult to dominate, and may resist the performance of spells that are foreign to their natures, the walnut wand will, once subjugated, perform any task its owner desires, provided that the user is of sufficient brilliance. This makes for a truly lethal weapon in the hands of a witch or wizard of no conscience, for the wand and the wizard may feed from each other in a particularly unhealthy manner.

聰明有才智的巫師和女巫在試驗魔杖的時候應該最先試用胡桃木魔杖,因為兩者在十次裡面有九次會找到自己的理想配對。胡桃木魔杖常常屬於魔法創新和發明者的手中;這是一種美麗而有著不尋常多種用途和適應能力的木頭。然而,我必須在此警告:當其他種的木頭非常困難駕馭,而可能抗拒施展出和本性不合的咒語的時候,胡桃木魔杖在屈服主人以後會執行任何其主人想要完成的任務,只要它的持有者有足夠的才華。這使得這種魔杖在沒有良心的女巫或巫師手中是真正的致命武器,尤其當魔杖和巫師會用特別不健康的方式相互灌輸的時候。

Willow 柳木

Willow is an uncommon wand wood with healing power, and I have noted that the ideal owner for a willow wand often has some (usually unwarranted) insecurity, however well they may try and hide it. While many confident customers insist on trying a willow wand (attracted by their handsome appearance and well-founded reputation for enabling advanced, non-verbal magic) my willow wands have consistently selected those of greatest potential, rather than those who feel they have little to learn. It has always been a proverb in my family that he who has furthest to travel will go fastest with willow.

柳木是一種不常見而有著治癒能力的魔杖木頭,而我注意到柳木魔杖的理想主人通常有些(經常是莫須有的)不安,不管他們可能試著隱藏的多麼好。當許多有自信的客戶堅持要試一根柳木魔杖的時候 (被它們美觀的外表和能夠使用高等和無聲魔法的有憑據名聲吸引),我做的柳木魔杖總是選擇那些有最大潛能,而不是那些覺得自己沒有什麼東西能學的巫師女巫。「有最長遠的路要走的人有著柳杖能夠最快速的前進」一直以來都是我家族的格言。

Yew 紫杉木

Yew wands are among the rarer kinds, and their ideal matches are likewise unusual, and occasionally notorious. The wand of yew is reputed to endow its possessor with the power of life and death, which might, of course, be said of all wands; and yet yew retains a particularly dark and fearsome reputation in the spheres of duelling and all curses. However, it is untrue to say (as those unlearned in wandlore often do) that those who use yew wands are more likely to be attracted to the Dark Arts than another. The witch or wizard best suited to a yew wand might equally prove a fierce protector of others. Wands hewn from these most long-lived trees have been found in the possession of heroes quite as often as of villains. Where wizards have been buried with wands of yew, the wand generally sprouts into a tree guarding the dead owner’s grave. What is certain, in my experience, is that the yew wand never chooses either a mediocre or a timid owner.

紫杉木魔杖是比較稀有的種類之一,而它們理想的配對會是同樣的不尋常,而且有時候還是惡名昭彰。紫杉木製的魔杖被譽為能夠賦予它的持有者生死大權,雖然說這當然能夠描述所有的魔杖;但紫杉木魔杖在決鬥和所有詛咒的領域裡保留著特別黑暗而可怕的名聲。然而,不能因此就說(雖然那些對於魔杖一無所知的人常常說)使用紫杉木魔杖的人比較容易受到黑魔法吸引。最適合使用紫杉木魔杖的女巫或巫師可能有著同樣強烈的傾向去保護別人。從這種最長壽的樹劈下來的木頭做成的魔杖在英雄和惡人的手中一樣常見。當巫師和他的紫杉木魔杖被葬在一起的時候,那根魔杖通常會發芽成樹來捍衛它死去的主人的墓。以我的經驗來說最能確定的是,紫杉木魔杖絕對不會選擇平凡二流或者膽小的主人。
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