Abstract: A rotary wand construction for use with vertical slat Venetian blinds, the vanes of which pivot about a vertical axis under the influence of a horizontally oriented ball chain which engages individual vane elements and passes about a vertically positioned rotating shaft at one end of the blind header. The shaft supports a pivotal joint supporting the upper end of the wand, and includes a slipping clutch preventing damage to the blind structure in the event an obstruction is met or the wand is rotated in either direction past the permissible limit of travel of the ball chain.