Now that we have covered Air folklore and correspondences, it's time to actually start working with Air! Today I share a ritual to help you connect with Air more intimately to aid you in finding your voice and inner wisdom and communicating with others. There are several tasks in this post and I encourage you to perform each of them with fidelity. Before we get started, however, I'd like to discuss what I put together for the first Air task presented last month.
In case you were not aware, we are currently in an El Nina year. This means that the trade winds are blowing harder this year, which has resulted in stronger hurricanes and tropical storms on the Eastern coasts of countries, while the western sides have experienced increased droughts and wildfires. This means that the winds in your area have likely been stronger as well and have come from a northeasterly direction (should you live in the northern hemisphere between 0 and 30 degrees North). After spending some time monitoring the winds around my house, I found that while I am slight above 30 degrees North, much of the wind I was experience was coming from the northeast or from the west (Pacific Jet Stream), depending on the day. During an El Nino year, wind patterns will slow and shift directions, with the winds coming from the northwest instead of the northeast.
When I closed my eyes and listened to the wind, I found that more storms were on their way, that an ancestor was trying to communicate with me, and that money was on the way. Since completing this ritual, all of those things have come to pass. The wind always has so much to say; you just need to take the time to listen to it.
What did you learn about the movement of the Air around your home? Is it following this pattern?
There are a number of ways you can connect with the element Air, but one of the best ways is to use your own breath. No matter where you are in the world, you have access to your own breath. It's a powerful tool of Air and focusing on it is a great way to connect with Air.
Ingredients:
Begin by sitting somewhere you will not be disturbed. If you are working indoors, this is best performed on your altar, especially if you have already dedicated your altar to Air (see below).
Ingredients:
- Quiet place to sit where you will be undisturbed
- Blue or yellow candle (optional)
- Blue Agate, Chrysocolla, or Blue Kyanite (optional)
Begin by sitting somewhere you will not be disturbed. If you are working indoors, this is best performed on your altar, especially if you have already dedicated your altar to Air (see below).
If you are choosing to use the candle, light it. Blue is the color of communication, truth, and peace while yellow is the color of knowledge, concentration, and Air. You can pick one, use both, or neither. It's completely up to you. Envision your intent to connect with Air through your breath flowing through the candles, aiding you in your connection.
If you are using crystals for this ritual, such as blue agate or kyanite for communication or chrysocolla for listening, blow on the crystal to cleanse it of other energies and infuse it with your own. Hold the crystal in your hand and close your eyes. Breathe in for 2 seconds and breath out for two seconds. Then breathe in for 3 seconds and out for 3 seconds. Continue this until you get to 10. Once to 10, continued this monitored breathing, feeling the Air around you being pulled into you, filling you with peace, wellness, and life. As you blow out, feel your stress, ailments, and fears leave you. Continue this breathing exercise for at least 5 minutes, but 10 minutes is best. Allow your mind to clear and be open to any messages Air wishes to communicate with you. After 5 to 10 minutes, gently open your eyes, and slowly begin breathing as normal. You should feel completely relaxed and connected with Air. It's not uncommon to fall asleep during such a ritual or be sleepy when finished. This is entirely okay. If you fall asleep during the ritual, it's a sign you need rest. Try the ritual again later once you are well-rested. Snuff out the candle(s) and thank the crystal for its help, should you have used either in your ritual.
No matter how you perform your ritual, it's meant to accomplish the same thing, connecting you more deeply with Air. As always, jot down your experiences in your BOS, Grimoire, or journal. You may experience visions, hear voices, or be overcome with certain emotions. These are important messages, likely in regards to your relationship with Air, and should be analyzed for deeper understanding.
Once you have established a connection with Air through the ritual above, you need to continue to nurture it so it may grow and one of the best ways to do that is with an altar dedicated just to Air.
Plan to have your altar dedicated to fire for the next couple of weeks, to December 1st if you can, or at least through the last couple of posts in the Air series. How you set up your altar is completely up to you, but I encourage you to place at least one candle on your altar as well as other symbols associated with Air. Below are some ideas of items to include:
And there you have it! Let me know how things went in the comments below.
Plan to have your altar dedicated to fire for the next couple of weeks, to December 1st if you can, or at least through the last couple of posts in the Air series. How you set up your altar is completely up to you, but I encourage you to place at least one candle on your altar as well as other symbols associated with Air. Below are some ideas of items to include:
- feathers, fan, incense, censor, bells, or chimes
- blue kyanite, blue agate, chrysocolla, amber, or pumice
- lavender, peppermint, pine, dandelion seeds, or yarrow
- wand, staff, or athame (depending on your personal correspondences)
- woodwind instruments such as the flute
- images of or parts of birds, dragonflies, butterflies, faeries, or angels
- white, silver, yellow, or blue altar cloth
***
And there you have it! Let me know how things went in the comments below.
Interest in the rest of the series? Here's what's to come!
Elemental Magic Series
Introduction to the Elements
Water
Water Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Water Ritual
Tools of Water
Water Spells and Rituals
Earth
Earth Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Earth Ritual
Tools of Earth
Earth Spells and Rituals
Fire
Fire Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Fire Ritual
Tools of Fire
Fire Spells and Rituals
Air
Air Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Air Ritual
Tools of Air
Air Spells and Rituals
Spirit
Spirit Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting with Spirit Ritual
Tools of Spirit
Putting It All Together
Water
Water Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Water Ritual
Tools of Water
Water Spells and Rituals
Earth
Earth Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Earth Ritual
Tools of Earth
Earth Spells and Rituals
Fire
Fire Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Fire Ritual
Tools of Fire
Fire Spells and Rituals
Air
Air Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting With Air Ritual
Tools of Air
Air Spells and Rituals
Spirit
Spirit Folklore & Correspondences
Connecting with Spirit Ritual
Tools of Spirit
Putting It All Together
Looking for more information on the elements? Check out my posts on the topic:
Representing the Elements with Crystals
Infograph: Water
Infograph: Earth
Infograph: Fire
Infograph: Air
Infograph: Water
Infograph: Earth
Infograph: Fire
Infograph: Air
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I must say, I -love- that you bring a scientific viewpoint to all things magical. I always enjoy these kind of posts, and learning about other areas of environmental science makes this horticulturist super happy.
ReplyDeleteYour air connection ritual is timely for me, as I've been making an effort to dedicate more time to mediation. I've never done it before, but I've been thinking more and more about giving hedge riding a try. This week I'll be rereading your series on the topic.