how does aweken work?

[TundraBuccaneer]

I'm wondering if: when you cast the spell you make a agate with which you can awaken a beast or plant, or do you need to apply the rock on the sensitive area at the end of the 8hrs of casting?

[Ninja_Prawn]

The text of the spell seems to imply that you need to spend all 8 hours sitting with the agate, tracing lines in it. Then it is consumed and the creature is awakened.