Saturday, March 30, 2013

Wiccan Inspiration: Work Prayer

“My Lord and Lady, Grant me the strength and energy I need to fulfill my responsibilities at work with passion and honor. Let me be a shining example to others and may my service be as though I am serving you my Lord and Lady. So mote it be!” — Work Prayer (I say every time I am about to start my shift)
 
 
image borrowed www.iso.org 

Friday, March 29, 2013

Wiccan Inspiration: Morning Prayer

       
O gracious Goddess, O gracious God,
Lend me health, strength and love
During thus coming day.
Assist me in all challenges ahead.
Share your divine wisdom.
Teach me to repect all things.
Remind me that the greatest power of all is love.
Blessed be.
 

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Wiccan Inspiration: We Don't Worship

“As Wiccans, we do not worship Deity. We love them, we honor and respect them, we pray to them and ask for their help as needed. Deity does not need or want our worship.”— Correllian teachings



Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Wiccan Inspiration: Hekate


 
“When faced, fear becomes power” —Lady Hekate

                                              

Monday, March 25, 2013

Book of Interest: Witch School First Degree by Rev. Don Lewis


 

Experience has taught me that doing “book of the week” articles was strenuous, so then I started “book of the month”, which also turned out to be shamefully hard to keep up with. I noticed that many people want reviews on books of magickal studies because said books can be rather pricey. In this observation I am bring back book reviews but I am making no promises as to when I will be posting a new review. The new title of this posting series is then “Book of Interest”, books I find to be worth mentioning. Much of my magickal knowledge comes from mentors and books, the books I will be posting will be judged by my own experimentations and opinions. They do not reflect my feeling towards the author or any who enjoy their work the reviews are merely my opinion.

Here is how its going to be set up: I will explain the book briefly (for further detail on each book buy one and read it), then I will give my notes on the books, the books level of study (Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert), I will rate the quality of the book using a point system from 1-5; 5 being the highest score. For courtesy sake I will also rank the necessity of the tome (Don't need, Must have, Great for Covens, Great for Solitaries, Workbook, Grimoire). For ease of use there will be a summary of the books rating/ranking to be used as a quick reference.

To kick off the Book of Interest posting series I would like to mention the works of my traditions First Degree workbooks. First Degree is a level of initiation within Wiccan groups, it is typically the first level of priesthood within the Wiccan religion. Now I am not trying to ‘convert’ anyone to my tradition or claim that the tradition I follow is the only way. A large part of my current workings and practices is based around the teachings of this book which is a manual for attaining magickal and spiritual development. The book itself says it is merely a workbook through the wiccan system and one can take the teachings and go on their own path or they can continue within the traditions system. The tradition is called the Correllian Natavist Tradition and the book is part of their Witch School (at www.witchschool.com) written by the head of the tradition, Rev. Don Lewis-Highorrell.

 Witch School: First Degree by Rev. Don Lewis     
  

  When I first got the book it was after I had taken a couple online classes at Witchschool.com. I wanted to further my magickal training and after getting the book and going through the lessons, that’s exactly what I’ve done. From simple grounding meditations to powerful chakra workouts, magickal and psychic development is a main focus. There are many Wiccan aspects to this book because it is a workbook for a wiccan tradition, but those can easily be augmented for those that don’t vibe with the wiccan system. Overall the book compels one to add their own individuality to the practices, making the rituals and meditations much more personal and enriching. Each lesson has a magickal exercise, a spell and god/dess information. The book is definitely great for beginners, especially those interested in Wicca and paganism. I give the text 4/5 for ease of use and enriching material.

Summary: Level-Beginner Topic-Wicca, Magickal Developement Star-4/5 Necessity- Work Book

Book of Shadows: Candle Colors and their Magickal Purposes

      


Candle Color Correspondences

Pink: Love, compassion, calm, peace, attraction, friendship, happiness, relaxation. Pink can be burned to for rituals designed to improve self-love. Ideal for weddings, hand-fastenings and all forms of union.

Yellow: Critical Thinking, study, purification, luck, confidence, divination, communication, eloquence, travel, Money*. Yellow is the color of the element Air. Yellow be burned during rituals to heighten visualization abilities. Program a yellow candle to stimulate your conscious mind and burn it before studying for any purpose, let it burn during your studies. *Money is here associated with yellow because of the association with Air and Lord Hermes/Mercury, god of merchants and trade.

Red: Courage, strength of will, power, passion, lust, passionate love, anger, maintaining health, bodily strength, physical energy, sex, protection and defensive magick. This is the color of the element Fire. Red is associated with life/death since it is the color of blood.

Green: money, wealth, prosperity, healing, luck, joy, employment, fertility, growth (not only spiritual growth but the growth of plants/crops). Green is the color of the element Earth.

Blue: calm, meditation, blessings, healing, psychic, peace, patience, happiness. Blue is the color of the element Water. Blue is associated with the ocean, all water, the realms of sleep including dreams.

Purple: purification, blessings, extreme psychic and spiritual energy, protection, justice, power, extreme healing energy used for severe illnesses and injury, meditation. Purple candles can be burned to enhance spiritual activities and to increase your magickal power. Purple is associated with the Higher Self and is the color of the element Spirit.

Orange: attraction (to attract things, people, ideas,etc.), courage, energy (adds energy), interviews, social events. Burn to attract specific influences or objects.

White: protection, purification, all purposes. White contains all colors. It’s linked to the Moon. White candles are usually specifically burned for purification and protection rituals, but white candles can be used to substitute any color and can be used for any magickal purpose.

Black: Banishing negativity, absorbing negativity, protection. Black is the absence of color, in magick, its representative of the night and of outer space. Black candles can be burned for casting out baneful energies or to absorb illness and nasty habits.

Higher Self and Spirit Allies: The Ritual of the Genius/Juno



"The Higher Self is the part of you that lies above your conscious mind. It has access to knowledge and abilities that your conscious self does not, and it is not troubled by the fears and anxieties of the material world. Higher Self is an aspect of your soul, which is immortal and experiences many lifetimes. Higher Self is not a separate part of yourself, but rather a different level. The Higher Self is the part of you that becomes an Ancestor or a Spirit Guide after death, and it has that same ability now. It has knowledge and ability far beyond the conscious self, and it works always for the good -that is its nature and it cannot do otherwise, not because it is prevented from doing so but simply because it would never occur it the Higher Self to do ill." (from Witch School First Degree)

"The ancient Romans called the Higher Self the GENIUS (masculine.) or JUNO (feminine.). They considered the Genius-Juno to be the Divine part of each individual. Every person was encouraged to be in touch with the Genius-Juno and to move in sync with it." (from Witch School First Degree)




RITUAL FOR THE GENIUS OR JUNO

You will need:

 *some incense (any kind that you particularly like)

*a candle or candles. Your favorite color or any color   you like.

*a glass of water, juice, wine, or other beverage.

*a picture to represent your Higher Self. It can be a      photograph or drawing of your self, or a drawing             representing the qualities of your Higher Self.

 

            Set up an ALTAR using these elements. The altar can be anywhere that you would like, and will be

taken down when you are done (or left up to use again, if you wish). You can set it up any way that seems good to you.

 

            Begin by Releasing. Let all of the tensions and anxieties of your day flow out of you, as is discussed in the EXERCISES section of this lesson.

 

            Now light the candle(s). Focus on the flame and concentrate. Make your mind still, so that you are not thinking of anything else but what you are doing here and now.

 

            Light the incense.

 

            Now say;

 

          I invoke You, O Higher Self.”

 

            Now try to imagine the image of your Higher Self before you. You can imagine It looking just as you look in the flesh, or as you would like to look, or might see It as a cloud of beautiful white light. Or some other image may come to you -one that you haven’t thought of yourself, but which the Higher Self Itself has chosen. It doesn’t really matter because the Higher Self doesn’t have a physical form, and the image is only to help you communicate with It better, by giving you something to focus on.

 

            Speak to the Higher Self. These words are only to give you a basic form; you should speak from the heart.

 

          I attune to my Higher Self. I move in harmony with my Higher Self. I am at one with my Higher Self. Oh Higher Self, I ask You to help me to see and understand the lessons of my life, give me clarity and courage to learn them, and help me to learn them with ease and joy. I rededicate my self to the purposes for which I entered this life and ask You to guide me through them.*”

 

            Lift up the glass. Imagine a bright white light shining from it, as though it were glowing.

 

          O Higher Self, I offer You this glass in token of the love I bear You.”

 

            Now drink the liquid. Imagine the white light entering you along with the liquid -spreading out through your chest and giving you a pleasant warmth.

            Put the glass back on the altar.

 

            Now take a few minutes and meditate while the candles and incense burn, and the offering stands. Imagine your Higher Self strong and healthy and happy. Concentrate on It. In this way you are sending the Higher Self energy and strengthening your bond to your It.

            When you have finished, say;

 

          O Higher Self, I pray that You have enjoyed this offering. I give you my thanks and my love.”

 

            Now put out the incense and extinguish the candle. It is an ancient belief that you should never extinguish a candle by blowing on it -Rather you should use a candle snuffer, pinch it out with your fingers, or extinguish it with the side of a blade. This is because blowing on the flame is considered disrespectful.

            You should also wash the glass under cold running water and imagine white light flowing through it along with the water. Say;

 

          I cleanse you,”

 

            Concentrate on the water and white light removing all excess energy from the glass.

 

*You can also use this invocation by itself, anytime you feel a need to attune to the Higher Self. --- (From Witch School First Degree)
                                                                                                                                                    
Lately I have been working a lot with my Higher self, I didn't use to do things like this but it was a part of a training lesson for my first degree priesthood. I made contact with my Higher self through an invocation ritual where my Higher self presented itself to me. I always had a familiar bond with cats and I have been fascinated by lions specifically, since I was a child. I always knew my spirit ally would be a lion, but I was not expecting this: my Higher self appeared to me as a lion with a mane of fire, two long horns and large angelic wings. I was not afraid when the lion roared, I knew it was only displaying its power. I held up a medallion of a lions head and told my Higher self that this was to be my link to it. Every time I wear the medallion I feel the presence of my Higher self. We've been working together for about 2 months now. I have discovered that I don't need the medallion to communicate with my Higher self, I can contact him through my solar chakra. I also discovered what my Higher self wants to be called, he told me telepathically he wants the name Lyon (LEE-on), We both thought the spelling with the "y" was fancy. He is friendly and likes to play, he is also very powerful as he has shown me more than once. When I call on Lyon he appears to me usually on my right side and we have merged effortlessly during my "shamanic walks" or journeys through out the city practicing my auric and astral viewing powers, with Lyon my astral and auric viewing are intensified, my sense of smell increases when we merge and my actions become quick, strong and very catlike. Lyon protects me, I know that's why he made contact with me was to start protecting me, I think from other spiritual entities.we haven't been working with one another long but I already feel like we've been together my whole life. We are great friends now, I call on Lyon for help in magical training and workings, I call on him for protection and I call on him just to have a friendly presence by me when I get those feelings of loneliness. Lyons presence in my life is a message from Spirit, this I know, but for what I still haven't Figured out.Lyon and I are still discovering each other, or more Like I am discovering him.

Drawing of my Higher self used in ritual


As I started working with Lyon I started wondering about other spirits and consulted my divination stones to see if there were other spirit allies willing to work with me, I asked for an animal totem to make a sign, that night I saw a neighborhood cat my fiancé and I call O'maley the alley cat, right outside my door, O'maley has never come to this part of the hood, he walked right up to me, put a paw on my leg and stared into my eyes, I then said "ok, I get it." And that's how I understood that Cat spirit is one of my guides. I haven't worked with Cat much. I mostly work with Lyon but cat does help me in many ways too.
 
 
 
Through the ritual of the Genius/Juno, you can meet an important magickal ally in your pursuit for self transformation, power and enlightenment. The Higher Self will always be there to aid us and protect us and some believe it will be there long after we are dead to continue our souls journey to the Goddess.

The Horned God

I am the strength of the righteous, who gives the gift of strength unto the heart of men who would be righteous. But know that unlike the Goddess I do demand sacrifice, for behold, the price of freedom is often high and yours was purchased by the sacrifices of those who came before you. Hear the words of our forgotten Father, he who stands against injustice and beckons men to come forth into his service. I call upon your soul to rise and come unto Me. For I am the soul of nature that preserves and protects life in this Universe. Let my worship be in the hearts of the just, for behold all acts of justice are my rituals.” — Charge of the God (the Horned One; The Father)



Wiccan Inspiration: Highest Ideal

      
“Keep pure your highest ideals; strive ever towards them, let nothing stop you or turn you aside." ---  The Charge of the Goddess

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Queen of Heaven

      
Hail to the pale moon light, whose love shines down on all us wretched beings. The Moon Lady looks down to us tortured creatures and is unconditional in her compassion. Raise your filthy hands to her and watch as they become clean by her Grace. For she is the Mother, how could she not but care for her children? No matter where are bodies may be or in what form or condition, she will put us aright. She will shine through us and set our hearts a glow. Send all woes and fears to her and she will transmute them to joy and courage if you let her. Behold! The goddess of the Night Sky, her glory is our happiness, her purpose is our well being. For she is the Queen of Magick and her power can be found within every living being. You are loved, you are protected, you are blessed.
—Tytus Lionheart




Wiccan Inspiration: All is Alive

      

“A Wiccan experiences all that is as alive and conscious of itself as itself, not with our consciousness, necessarily, but self-aware. Everything, including the chair you sit in, the pictures on your wall, the sidewalk outside your house, everything, literally, that is, is aware. Everything that exists is also able to be aware of you, and can respond to your attention.
Everything, every object, plant, flower, microbe, and star, seeks value fulfillment. Everything, whether natural or created, has a purpose for being, and wants to express that purpose. Brooms want to sweep, beds want to be slept in, houses want to shelter and protect”
—-Correllian Teachings


alexgrey.com


Saturday, March 23, 2013

Wiccan Inspiration: Journey

This is a fun little thing that has got a lot of attention on my tumblr (http://www.tumblr.com/blog/tytus-lionheart), basically I will be posting inspirational material geared towards the beliefs of Wiccans. Since I am a Correllian Wiccan, a lot of my inspirational posting will probably be teachings from my tradition, or they could be teachings that reflect the beliefs of my path. If anything I hope that these posts ignite inspiration with in you and awaken your heart to magick while opening your mind to wonder.

Wiccan Inspiration
“It is the quality of the seeker’s desire to find truth, not the road chosen, that leads the seeker to God.”
—-Correllian Philosophy

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image borrowed from www.mscareergirl.com


Friday, March 22, 2013

Magick 101: Beginners


 Magick 101: Beginners

“There is no such thing as coincidence only inevitability.”--- XXXholic

Aleister Crowley was one of the first to popularize the modern spelling for magick, he did this to create a grammatical difference between the arts of spiritual magick and that of stage magic. Magick as prescribed in the spiritual sense is defined as “The art and science of creating change through the force of will, or desire by means not yet fully understood by western thought and knowledge.”  So then we know that magick is an art form and a spiritual science that creates needed change through acts that modern science has yet to understand. Yet it has been a secret practice through many hundreds and thousands of years by mystics, witches, magicians, priests, and wise ones. Magick is no longer such a secret; it is a readily available tool for anyone who wishes to use it, a tool that is said to have been given to us by God to better our stances in the different realms of existence.

The first step in starting your magickal practice is to learn what Christopher Penczak in “City Magick” calls “the Three R’s: Reality, Rapture, and Ritual.”

Reality: There are different levels of reality, not just the physical, immutable, perceived reality that we have been trained to accept. “Perception is the key. Perception is 9/10ths of reality. The other portion of reality is affecting us, but we are unaware of it…We are multidimensional by nature, existing in this world and many others [simultaneously].” “Once you understand that there is more to reality than meets the eye, then you can start experiencing the other realms through meditation, magick and [spiritual] journeying,” (quotes from “City Magick”).

Rapture: Everybody has a different key to unlock their magickal abilities. Everybody has a different path to walk, different intentions for magick and spirituality. Some traditions share techniques while others are completely different and varied as the number of devotees and practitioners. “Forms of trance can be the key to personal magickal work. Light meditative trances lowers your brainwaves from beta level, your normal waking consciousness, to between  seven and fourteen cycles per second, or alpha level. While in this altered state, you can activate your psychic senses, perceive energy as color, light or sound and make changes in the physical world by shifting these newly perceived energies. You enter a new relationship with reality by altering your perception. “Gnosis” is another term for this phenomenon. Meditation is a simple and effective way to alter your perception of reality.” Meditation trains you to quiet your conscious mind and allow your subconscious to transcend normal reality and make a connection or Union with the divine forces. (Quotes from “City Magick”)

 

Ritual: All forms of magick; be they religious, ceremonial, witchcraft, folk, or city magick, consists of making something happen, a change that needs to occur. By causing change though will power on the subtle levels of reality, you make change occur here in the physical world. “Ritual is a tool to accomplish change. Some rituals are pretty powerful in themselves, but in essence, any ritual is simply a way for you to contact and raise energy. You then program this energy with an intention (or will, desire,etc) and the energy fulfills the intention you give it”, so briefly speaking, casting a spell is simply programming energy with an intent and then releasing this energy to cause the needed change to occur. (quotes from “City Magick”)

To summarize, Magick is an ancient tool used to bring necessary change into a person’s life. Magick is used by incorporating what Christopher Penczak calls “The Three R’s: Reality, Rapture and Ritual.” In order to use these concepts and conduct magick you must be open to altered states of being (reality), you must have energetic catharsis or energy generation (rapture), and you must have a way of directing the built up energy (ritual).

Honestly after your first couple of spells you start to understand the manipulation of energy a lot easier and you begin to realize how all of life is just a flow of different energies. Magick is our tool to manipulate the natural energies of life to better ourselves, through healing, protection, luck, love and self transformation. There are no limits to what can be accomplished through the arts of magick.

Now remember it doesn’t matter how elaborate or simple your ritual or spell casting is, what does matter is the focus of your intent and the release of built up energy. With that in mind let’s talk about a basic type of spell I use all the time:
Candle Magick
 
“With a spark of fire, I awaken my desire!”
The most popular form of magick is candle magick; it’s practical, visually stimulating and has infinite uses. The best types of candles to use are unscented, traditionally only beeswax candles were used but this is not necessary, as long as the candle is unscented and practical (in size, shape and color) then it’s perfect.  The candles I use have the nick name “Spell Candles”, they are four inch candles that are the perfect size for candle magick. Most metaphysical and occult sites and stores carry them along with the proper size candle holders. Candles are perfect for magick because they can hold energy and won’t release it until they are lit. They are also great for focusing on your intent while the candle burns; this adds energy and direction to your spell. As with the cords used in knot magick, candles of different color can add to specific magickal goals. There are four steps to performing an effective candle spell. One, choose the appropriate candle(s) for the spell at hand. Make sure you have the correct colors, quantity,etc. Two, anoint or “dress” the candles, this prepares them for the magickal working at hand, you can use an essential oil that suits your magickal purpose (like patchouli for money) or for general purposes olive oil works for any spell.
(Image from Buckland’s “Practical Candle Burning Rituals”)
To anoint a candle you rub it with oil, rubbing it into the candle from the center to the end.
 While dressing the candle you should be focusing on your magickal intent, concentrating hard on the subject. Three, say your affirmation. Affirmations are a great way to stay focused on your magickal goal. An affirmation is a solid statement about the purpose of the spell for example a candle spell for love would have an affirmation that’s something like “I am open to loving energies, loving energies are attracted to me. Love has found me!” such is an affirmation which is used to help one stay focused on the magickal intent. The fourth and final step to effective candle magick is to enchant the candle (that is infuse it with programmed energy) and then light the candle. The magick will do its work sending your desired need into the universe.
This is just a basic spell for you to practice. Once you get the hang of the Three R’s and see how those concepts fit into every magickal act, you can start to make spells of your own. This brings us to the most important tool you can have in your magickal studies, a journal. Yes, write about every meditation, the date, the time, the moon phase, the weather, what ritual you did, the performance of the spell, the results, etc. I promise you the journal will become your most prized magickal possession. Fill it with poetry, art, spells, and dreams. The Journal will become a spell book and later a written record of your magickal pursuits. You will see what phases of the moon aids your personal power, what times are better for certain spells. The journal is a must have for every student of the magickal arts.


Short Color Chart for Candle Magick

Red
Power, Strength, Lust, Fire
Orange
Energy, Attraction, Luck
Yellow
Divination, Success, Concentration, Mind
Green
Money, Healing, Love, Happiness
Blue
Dreams, Healing, Meditation, Water
Purple
Spirit, Healing, Psychic, Magick
This ends this article on Magick 101: Beginners, I hope it was informative and helpful, especially to new seekers. I will be posting more material on Natural Magick so be sure to give me some great feed back and let me know what you, the readers, like and want to read.


 
Beatus Esse,
T.LH

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Elemental Magick


Elemental Magick
By: Tytus Lionheart
 

  The four elements, Earth, Fire, Water and Air, are believed to be the building blocks of creation and all that exists are believed to be composed of the four elements within them. This should not be taken literally but rather it has always been understood that elements refer not to the physical substance of Air, Fire, Water and Earth, but to the qualities represented by them. When our ancestors claimed that all of creation is made of the four elements, they were using them as a way of describing the different states of matter, like in physics: air is gas, water is liquid, earth is solids and fire representing the only other thing something can be besides matter which is energy. Magickally the qualities of the elements have numerous correspondences:

Elements:
Direction:
Color:
Items:                           
Spiritual Context:                        
Air
East
Yellow
incense, feathers, fans
Thought, logic, speech,
Fire
South
Red
candles, matches, charcoal
Motivation, activity, aggression
Water
West
Blue
water, shells, coral
Feelings, sensitivity, visionary reflection
Earth
North
Green/Brown
soil, salt, stones
Fixed form, tenacity, perseverance. Everything described as solid and tangible.

  

 
 
 
 
 
 
The elements represent or describe fundamental principles but it’s important to always remember that within magickal tradition, they always interact with one another in close conjunction. This meaning that no single phenomenon in the entire universe is the embodiment of one single element. Everything is composed of a combination of all elements together in varying amounts.

The correspondences chart is a useful tool for magick, the philosophy behind these ideas is the theory and practice of “sympathetic magick”. Sympathetic magick can be summarized as “like attracts like”, which also ties into the ancient axiom, “As Above, So Below”, that is, the Universe is reflected in each of its smaller parts and vice versa. So then using an object that corresponds to air, taps into the powers of air and attunes your spell to the qualities of air energy.

Attuning to these energies is a large part of the teachings of Wicca. The idea is that each of the elements has a quality that can be absorbed into your being bringing you into balance with the elements and thus with Nature and the Universe, a main goal for many Wiccans.

We connect to the elements by opening our senses to them:


Elemental Meditations:

 These meditations will help you open your being to the spiritual essence of the elements, these meditations act, a) as a way to connect to the energy of each element so that you can utilize the powers of the elements in your magick b) as a means of forming a bond with the elements absorbing their teachings and attuning ourselves to their energy and thus to Nature or the Universe.

Air Meditation:

Sit in a comfortable position, it is best to be outside, try choosing a space where you will not be disturbed. Ground your energy. Close your eyes and take three big slow breathes on your third breath visualize the air your are breathing in to be yellow, filling you with yellow light, when you blow out, you blow out negativity seen as black smoke leaving your body through your breath. Continue to do this until you’re completely filled with yellow light. Now slow your beathing and see the yellow light shine within you, know that the air you breathe is the same air that was in Ancient Egypt, Greece, the Neolithic age and in modern France as well as the whole world. Air connects us all and gives all things life. It is through sound waves in the air that we are able to communicate be it through speech or electronics such as computers and cell phones. Ponder on all of this then when you have finished connecting to the element of air ground the yellow energy into the earth and release any excess energy. Be sure to record your experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.

 

Fire Meditation:

Sit in a comfortable position, it is best to be in side during this ritual, choose a space where you will not be disturbed. Light a red candle and Ground your energy. Gaze at the flame (you may have to look past the flame if your eyes are sensitive) See the flame expanding outwards all around you, the fire in surrounding you and you begin to glow a red light. See your whole self as surrounded in a sphere of fire and you are absorbing its energy into a red light glowing from within you until you are filled with the red light from head to toe. Feel the heat of the fire all around you, Fire is the spark of life, the energy force that animates life. Fire is our Will, our desire, our energy it is a strong force of change burning away the old to make room for the new, bring this quality into you. Once you have connected with the element of fire, ground the red light into the earth, dissipate the fire sphere visualization and release all excess energy. Snuff out the flame of the candle, DO NOT BLOW IT OUT! This is an affront to the element of fire, only snuff out the candle. Be sure to record your experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.

Water Meditation:

Sit comfortable in a space where you will not be disturbed. Have a glass of fresh water with you.  Ground your energy. Visualize the water is shining a bright blue light, the light surrounds the glass of water in a sphere of blue. Lift the glass and drink the water, all of it, seeing yourself being filled with the blue light from head to toe. The water you drink is the same water that the ancients drank, that our ancestors cross over to come to a new world, that sustains life all over the world. The Earth is mostly made of water, water is within our bodies, it is within every part of life. It cleanses us, washes away all the filth allowing use to be refreshed and clean. Ponder on this and once you have connected to the element of water ground the blue energy into the earth and release all excess energy. Wash the glass, seeing white light washing over the glass, say “I cleanse you”. Be sure to record your experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.

 

Earth Meditation:

This is best done outside on a path of green or dirt. Choose a space where you will not be disturbed.  Ground you energy. Take three deep breathes and then focus on the ground beneath you, feel its stability, its solidity, this is the world to which you were born. Visualize green energy coming up from the earth and entering into you from toes to head. Once filled with the green energy, feel the strength of your muscle, visualize the bones beneath them, your bones will be here long after your flesh has rotted away, push this green light into your bones. You are now filled with the strength of the earth. The earth is persistent, strong and wise, take in those qualities within yourself. Once you have connected with the element of earth, ground your energy. Be sure to record your experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.

 Elemental Spells:

Once we understand the energy of each element we can implement their power into our magick by calling onto the element during the spell. Thus Elemental magick utilizes…well…the elements of course!

Air Spell:

A General Air Spell

 Ground your energy.  Take a Sharpie or marker and go for a walk, preferably and most desirably on a windy day. During this walk acquire a large fallen leaf, the drier the better as it will fly easier. Draw a symbol or write a phrase that represents your desire for example a spell to help in quitting smoking might have a picture of a cigarette with a slash through it in red ink or the phrase “I Will smoking out of my life” or even “Banish Smoking”, be sure to be focusing on your goal while your write the symbol or phrase.  At this point I would like to give a tip when it comes to the wording of incantations or magical phrases, you should not use negative connotations in your formula such as, “It is my Will to NOT…” because very often the unconscious tends neither to recognize nor understand this “not”, and you might end up getting the opposite result than that which you originally desired. So that said lets move on, with your leaf and its symbol/phrase drawn on it visualize the leaf surrounded by yellow light. Focus on you desire while envisioning this yellow light around the leaf and shape it into a sphere surrounding the leaf. Now find a hill in a windy spot and look towards the sky at the edge of the hill still visualizing your leaf surrounded by a yellow sphere and focusing on your intent say aloud: “To the powers of Air I summon you, be here with me! I call upon your aid in my work, grant me your power!” See the leaf turning a brighter yellow and hold it up to the sky say aloud your desire, in keeping with our example you may say something like, “I Will smoking out of my life!” Now release the leaf to the winds, the spell is done. You can take a moment to ground then go about your business confident your spell has been cast and is already beginning to manifest.  Be sure to record your experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.

Fire Spell:

A General Fire Spell

 Ground your energy. Have a source of fire ready and available such as a bonfire, fire place or candle. As in the Air Spell we shall write down our desire as a symbol or phrase but this time using paper. The charging should this time have red light visualized as a sphere around the paper focusing hard on your intent. Now while visualizing the red light and focusing on your intent say your desire out loud then throw the paper into the flames, release the energy. If you are using a candle be sure to have a heat proof container ready for the burning paper. The spell is done. End the session and ground your energy. Be sure to record your experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.

Water Spell:

A Water Divination

This is best performed on a full to new moon; the moon itself corresponds to the element of water. Ground your energy. On a clear night take a bowl of fresh water to a place where it can reflect the moons light, concentrate hard and see the middle of your forehead, where your Third Eye Chakra is, as glowing purple or dark blue sphere in the center of your forehead, know your psychic self is open and become aware. Gaze into the bowl and let your intuition flow. Focus on your question, if you have one you will have an answer. Or just be open to things to come, some inner path workings. Pictures or thoughts may enter, write them down and interpret what you saw. You are the best judge of what symbols or thoughts came to you since they are your thoughts. So trust your own intuition first before that of others. Whatever your psychic endeavors are, the element of water can assist and even boost your practice. When done ground your energy. Be sure to record your experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.

 
 

Earth Spell:

A Stone Spell
Stones have long been used in magick as they are a direct link to the powers of the earth. Stones, and indeed all things, have a vibrational frequency that can be read and used in magick. In order to read the vibrational frequency of a stone hold it in your writing hand, feel its texture, its temperature, its weight. Hold the stone tightly then loosely in the middle of your palm, you should feel a slightly pulsating in your palm and fingers. If the pulse is strong and fast this is a “high” vibrational stone. If it is subtle and slow this is a “low” vibrational stone. Now you can use them in magick, High vibration stones distribute energy quickly and should be used in magick that either send out a need or bring them to you. Low vibrational stones are great for grounding and protection as they distribute energy slowly and over time. Charge the stone with your magickal intent seeing the stone surrounded by a sphere of green light, say a loud your intent and visualize it strongly while holding the stone in your writing hand and staring intently at it.  Once charged you can add the stone to a mojo bag and carry it with you, or you can bury it near your home (this is especially useful for protection spells). Ground your energy afterwards. Be sure to record your experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.

 
 So then these are the elements used in Wicca and magick. You can see how the elemental system is useful to magickal workings and spiritual betterment, opening ourselves to the magick and power of the elements can be rewarding on many levels. I urge readers to look more into Elemental Magick, for new seekers I usually refer them to the works of Scott Cunningham. His elemental spell books are very helpful and easy to follow, “Earth Power” and its sequel “Earth, Air, Fire and Water”. Keep practicing and studying, “the journey is the goal” as the Taoists say.

Blessed Be,

T.LH

Sources:

·         “Money Magic” , “Practical Sigil Magick” by Frater UD

·         “Witch school: First Degree” by Rev. Don Lewis

·         “The Urban Primitive” By Raven Kaldera, Tannin Schwartzstein

·         “Earth Power”, “Earth, Air, Fire and Water” by Scott Cunningham