Showing posts with label Elemental Magic Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elemental Magic Series. Show all posts

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Elemental Magic: Tools of Spirit

spirit magic, witchcraft, spirit witch, spirit tools, elemental magic

In today's post, I will discuss some of the few tools associated with Spirit and how you can use them in your practice. Many of these tools were hinted at or discussed when I introduced you to some of the folklore surrounding Spirit. However, this post is more of a correspondences type list that you can use to quickly plan spells. There are not types of Spirit in this post, as I didn't want to discuss actual spirits themselves as that is not what this element is about. For your pleasure, I have also included a free 3-page printable for your Grimoire or Book of Shadows. Enjoy!


Besom: The besom or broom is the quintessential symbol of the witch, especially the hedgewitch, as witches were said to fly by night to the Sabbath. The besom can be used during hedge riding and astral projection, for protection, or to symbolize hearth and home.

Circle: Circles are amongst many of the symbols of Spirits. Use circles in your spells and rituals for protection, raising energy, trapping energy, or encompassing a spell. Circles can also be used to symbolize beginning at the end or what goes around comes around.

Clear Quartz: Clear quartz is an amplifier of magic and can replace just about any crystal in a spell or ritual. Use quartz to strengthen the components of a spell, connect to the spirit world, or amplify your energy during spell work. Clear quartz can also be charged for protection and worn or carried on your person.

Cord: Cords are used to tie or link things together. They are perfect for creating Witch's ladders, love spells, and even binding spells. Often times during a handfasting, individuals have their hands tied together to symbolize their union aka tieing the knot. Cords, both physically and astrally, can be cut to sever the bond between two things, especially between people. 

Familiar: The familiar is a spirit that can take the form of an animal to aid a witch in their magical workings. The vast majority of pets are not familiars (I hate to burst you bubble!). Instead, you are more likely to find familiars in the Otherworld nowadays, much like an animal guide. Familiars can help you cast spells, sever cords, perform shadow work, soul search, mend past traumas, keep an eye on loved ones and enemies, and even aid in cursing and hexing. 

Infinity Symbol: Spirit is infinite, a part of the neverending cycle of birth and rebirth. Use the infinity sign in your magic to have a spell never end. To break the spell, simply break the infinite sign.

Helix: The helix, especially the double helix, represents the instructions for life. All living things contain genetic material in the form of DNA and RNA. Both of these nucleic acids have a helical shape, thus represent the fundamental piece of life itself. Use images of the helix in your magical workings to represent perseverance, change, and everlasting life as our DNA is passed down to our children and grandchildren, ensuring we "live" forever.

Major Arcana in Tarot: Each of the major arcana in tarot is associated with the element Spirit. However, each card represents something different and therefore has different magical associations. For example, Justice can be used in spells to bring about justice and fairness while the Tower can be used to bring about sudden change, upheaval, spiritual awakenings, personal transformation, or general chaos. 

Meteorite: A meteorite is a fragment of rock that originated in space before falling to Earth. As such, they have the capability to channel the energy of the Universe into your magical workings. Use meteorites to clarify your purpose, divine the future, seek inner visions, awaken your Spirit, and even communicate with beings beyond our realm.

Rainbows: Rainbows should up in an earlier elemental post as well, but Spirit is often defined as a rainbow of color, so I felt the need to include rainbows here as well. Rainbows are formed by light passing through a prism, usually water droplets when found naturally. Rainbows have an array of magical symbolism, including hope and joy, and are thought to act as a bridge between our world and that of the Otherworld. Use rainbows to connect with the Otherworld, communicate with the dead, inspire hope, and bring about joy. To read more about rainbow magic, check out A Witch's Guide to Rainbow Magick and Working With Rainbows by Autumn Zenith at Witchcrafed Life.

Spiral: The spiral is the eternal sign of creativity and organization within the universe. The spiral is the symbol of spiritual development, being deeply associated with shamanism, mysticism, magic, and ritual art and dance. The spiral represents the progression to a higher level of consciousness, transcendence if you will. Use the spiral in your magical workings to represent this path of transcendence, rebirth, growth, evolution, release, creativity, or the cosmic dance.

Stang: The stang is a pronged wooden staff commonly used by practitioners of traditional witchcraft, especially hedgecraft and Seidhr. The stang can be naturally forked, or a fork can be created with antlers or other forked objects. The stang can be used to divine water, direct energy, represent masculine energies, or aid in travel to the Otherworld. In some traditions, the stang is used much like the broom or besom for witch's flight.

Wheel: The wheel, much like the circle, represents the everlasting dance of birth and death. Usually viewed as an eight-spoked wheel, we see this imagery appear in the Wheel of the Year. Use the wheel in spell work to represent the endless cycle of life and death, add endlessness to your spell, or have your spell last at least one turning or more of the wheel. If you wish to break the spell before the time is up, simply break the wheel.

World Tree: The World Tree, also known as Yggdrasil, is the tree that connects each of the realms together, including our own with that of the Otherworld. The World Tree is often used by hedgewitches, Seidhr, and other shamanistic practitioners to travel through the different realms and can aid in spirit flight. In Norse mythology, Odin was said to have hung from the World Tree to learn the secrets of the runes. Much like Odin, the World Tree can be used for astral travel and the seeking of knowledge, especially those that pertain to the magical arts. World Tree imagery can also be used in spells to represent longevity, immortality, strength, protection, and steadfastness.  

And there you have it. A complete list of the tools of Spirit! Below is a free 3-page printable for your Grimoire or Book of Shadows.




Interest in the rest of the series? Here's what's to come!

Elemental Magic Series


Looking for more information on the elements? Check out my posts on the topic:




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Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Elemental Magic: Connecting With Spirit Ritual

spirit magic, witchcraft, spirit witch, spirit ritual, spirit altar, elemental magic


Now that we have covered Spirit folklore and correspondences, it's time to dive a little deeper into the element Spirit! Today I share a ritual to help you connect with Spirit more intimately so that you may fully ascend into your new self and prepare for the upcoming year. 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 Spirit task presented last week.


The first task for Spirit was to journal about your experiences over the past year. Obviously, this is a very personal experience and for that reason, I am not going to delve too much into my own journal entry. We all went through a lot this year and the changes that occurred were often difficult to work through. At the beginning of the year, I was put on anti-anxiety medication which I later had to stop taking because I could no longer afford the monthly appointments and prescription. I went through a breakup and later met someone new. I lost my grandmother and missed her funeral because I was unable to board a plane safely. My other grandmother was hospitalized with COVID, has lost the use of her legs, and is still battling for her life in the hospital, alone and out of reach of family. I returned to work as a teacher in person amid increasing COVID cases in my state and watched as coworkers and students gradually disappeared from the school. 

On a brighter note, the antianxiety medication helped me tremendously and despite not taking it for 3 months, I have not had any anxiety attacks. I wrote two articles that were published in Witchology Magazine earlier in the year, wrote articles published in the Book of Spells Wicca Witches' Planner for 2021, and submitted my book to a publisher for review. I maintained the blog and continued to grow my little corner of the world. Water helped me get over the last of my divorce, work through my depression and anxiety, and heal the traumas of losing everything as a child and young adult. Earth helped me ground during the height of the lockdown and find comfort in my home, family, and friends despite being apart. Fire helped me burn bridges that no longer served me and get involved in the BLM movement in ways I hadn't been able to before. It inspired me to reflect on my own practice and reignited my passion for inclusive and intersectional witchcraft. Air helped me release any last regrets and sent my dreams for the future into the Universe to manifest later. Spirit is helping me transition to the next chapter of my life, which I look forward to with gusto. I watched myself go from a hotheaded, stubborn witch, to a more understanding, patient one. I found a part of myself I had been looking for for so long; a part I knew was there but had gone missing in the depths of the tragedy and traumas of my past. I am grateful for the opportunity to grow and to share this growth with all of my readers. I hope you too have grown, despite the trials and tribulations 2020 has sent our way.



Connecting with Spirit often proves more difficult than the other elements, but for most witches, this should be easier than it is for others who are less in tune with the world around them. One of the easiest ways to do this is through tarot by finding your soul card. If you shy away from tarot, you can do something similar with runes, but instead of using 1-22, use 1-24 since there are 24 runes.

Ingredients:
Directions:
Begin by creating sacred space in whatever way you feel most comfortable with. This may include cleansing the area and casting a circle, or simply picking a spot and declaring it scared. Once you have established sacred space, draw your soul card or rune. Even if you have reflected on this card/rune before, do so again. In your journal or BOS write down everything you can about this soul card/rune. What does it mean? Do you feel this is your soul's true purpose? Why or why not? How has this purpose affected your life? Have you forgotten your purpose? What can you do to get back on the right track? Is there anything standing in your way? Does living your purpose come easy to you? Why or why not? 

Once you have exhausted everything you possibly can about the card/rune, place the quartz on top of it or next to it and close your eyes. Open your heart and mind to receive any messages from the Universe and Spirit. These messages can take many forms from flashes of images, feelings, smells, or voices. Quiet your mind and listen. If you are struggling to open to receive messages, hold the card/rune in your dominant hand and the quartz in your non-dominant hand. Your dominant hand is your sending hand, so by holding the card or rune in this hand, you are sending it out into the universe, asking what it means. With your non-dominant hand you are receiving the messages from the Universe. The quartz will amplify any messages. Write everything down. Reflect on the messages you have received and what you can do moving forward to live a more authentic, spiritual life.

When you are finished, take a deep breath, with your eyes closed and breathe out slowly. Relax your body as much as you can. Draw a circle in front of you and imagine it entering into your body through your Third Eye. Feel it fill you up and open any blockages you may still have. 


Once you have established a connection with Spirit 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 Spirit.

Plan to have your altar dedicated to Spirit for the next couple of weeks, to the New Year if you can, or at least through the last couple of posts in the Spirit 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 Spirit. Below are some ideas of items to include:
  • your soul card or rune
  • representation of the World Tree
  • clear quartz, amethyst, opal, or pearls, especially if put into a spiral
  • resurrection fern, oak, or lotus
  • circles, spirals, infinity symbols, or globes
  • images of angels, ghosts, spirits, doves, and otherworldly beings
  • white, silver, black, or purple altar cloth
Once you have set up your altar, spend about 15 minutes a day lightly meditating about Spirit and the ritual experience you had. Enter into a light meditation each time, focusing on your inner self, that spark of life within you. Work with your soul card or rune a little more each day, reflecting on your progress to realign with your goal or maintain it. Draw a circle in the air with your finger or a magical tool and visualize it entering into your body through your Third Eye, the area most deeply associated with the Spirit or soul.

***

And there you have it! Let me know how things went in the comments below.

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Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Elemental Series: A Complete Guide to Spirit Folklore and Correspondences

spirit magic, witchcraft, spirit witch, spirit folklore, spirit correspondences, elemental magic

The final stop in our journey is the element Spirit. Paracelsus, the Swiss alchemist who classified the elements, said referred to this element as Ether. No matter what you call it Spirit or Ether (or Soul!) is the element of self-awareness, wholeness, and transcendence. We have spent the entire year learning about the elements and using them to become all that we are meant to be. Now it is time to transcend into our whole selves and walk the path of the witch with our heads held high. Let's start with the folklore surrounding Spirit, which will include folklore surrounding the ever-illusive soul.


Spirit is one of the most elusive of the elements, but that doesn't mean it's lacking in folklore. In fact, entire religions have been built upon the idea of the Spirit or Soul and what happens to it after death. So, where do we begin? 

Spirit has always existed within folk beliefs, with some of the earliest forms appearing in animistic religions and spiritual practices around the world. Animism, which is derived from the Latin anima which means breath, Spirit, or life, is the idea that all things, living and non-living, have a Spirit within them. It is this Spirit or energy that modern-day witches use when working with magical correspondences, and it's the foundation of nature-based spiritualities around the world. Later, humankind began differentiating living Souls or Spirit from that of non-living objects through the use of blood. Prior to the reign of Psammetichus (664-610 BC), Egyptians equated wine with blood, saying it was the life force of those that had warred against the gods. For this reason, they didn't leave wine as an offering and believed that drunkenness would drive a man mad for the drunkard supposedly had consumed the life-blood of their ancestors. We see modern manifestations of this idea in Christianity with wine being part of the sacrament as the blood of Christ. The idea that the Soul was derived from blood is also found in a number of myths around the world, including a Chaladae myth which says that humans and animals were born from the blood of a decapitated deity when it mixed with clay. 

Later, the Soul became something intangible as the breath of life. In Genesis ii. 7 we see an allusion to this: "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul." In Greece, this breath of life was referred to as stoic pneuma, which originally meant "air in motion" or "breath" and later became religiously known as the Soul or Spirit. It was believed to be a mixture of Air and Fire that when combined created life. Pneuma was adopted by Judaism and Christianity, sometimes being used to describe the Spirit and other times to describe the wind. No matter the religion, however, Spirit is often a central focus, and protecting the Spirit or Soul is believed to be fundamental in ascending into the afterlife.

Soul or Spirit separation was long believed to be the cause of a number of ailments prior to modern medicine, specifically those that affected the brain or wasting disease. Seizures, hysteria, multiple personality disorder, and continued loss of consciousness or fainting were often explained away as the person suffering from Soul loss. Sometimes this was blamed on witches, other times on evil spirits, demons, or even the Devil himself. In some traditions, it was believed these Souls were eaten. According to the Hausa people of Nigeria and Niger, Soul eaters inherited the ability to eat Souls from their parents or could acquire the ability from an existing practitioner. The capacity to eat Souls is rooted in special stones in the person's stomach and these stones allow the person to shapeshift into an animal to pursue potential Souls to eat. In European folklore, Soul eaters were men cursed by witches to eat Souls in order to survive. Furthermore, it is the Spirit or Soul that ascends after death, sometimes to be reborn sometimes to remain in the afterlife. However, not all Spirits or Souls are able to move on which results in restless spirits bound to the Earth, usually in the form of ghosts. Ghosts alone are steeped in folklore, but this folklore digresses from the topic here and will hopefully be covered at a later time. 



Below is a quick correspondence guide for Spirit, including a free printable page for your Book of Shadows!

Gender: Nonbinary
Planet: The Universe
Time: Infinite
Season: The Wheel in Motion
Direction: Central
Tarot Cards: Major Arcana
Zodiac: All
Symbolism: Transcendence, joy, hope, wholeness, self-awareness, unity, selflessness, transformation, ascension, harmony, mystery
Symbols: Infinity, spiral, the universe, light, helix
Deities: All
Nature Spirits: Sphinx, World Tree
Colors: White, silver, purple, black
Food and Drink: wine, liquor, beer, honey, sweets, chocolate, cacao, tea, pound cake, eggs
Herbs: Mistletoe, poplar, oak, chestnut, ash, apple, lotus, resurrection fern, cannabis, tobacco
Crystals and Gemstones: Quartz, pearl, opal, amethyst 
Animals: Dove, deer, cat





How does Spirit work with the other elements?

Spirit works with all the elements in the same manner: Spirit supports each of the elements and each of the elements supports Spirit. Spirit cannot be separated from the other elements as it is infused in all that we do.


Your task for Spirit is to journal about how you have changed and grown this year. 2020 was tough, but we knew this was going to be a year of transformation. Begin with Water. How did Water help you heal past wounds? Were you able to soothe past hurts so you could move forward? Follow with the other elements. How did Earth help you ground and center after healing your past traumas? Did it make you more stubborn or were you able to erode your prickly exterior? How did Fire help you burn away what no-longer served you? Did Fire reignite your passions or bring new ones to you? Finally, how did Air allow you to speak your truth? Were you able to set goals for the future and send your desires out into the Universe? Finally, write about how you are feeling. Even if you don't feel like you have changed that much, write about why or why not. 

2020 wasn't meant to be a year of outward productivity and grand adventures. Your success this year isn't defined by how much 'stuff' you did, but the fact that you will come out of 2020 having grown. Each of us experienced the events of 2020 vastly different. Some of us suffered from crippling anxiety and depression, scared of what the future may hold. Some of us fought oppression, demanding change everywhere we went. Some of us lost so much and were left feeling helpless and hopeless. Others still managed to fight the darkness lurking over their shoulder and made what they could of an awful situation. No matter how you handled 2020, you did it in the best way you knew how or could and for that, I am proud of you. You should be proud of yourself. Get out all your feelings and frustrations onto paper. You'll need this later when we put everything we have done this year together in the final post, just in time for 2021. 

Next week I will dive into how to connect more deeply with Spirit using a simple yet effective ritual.


Interest in the rest of the series? Here's what's to come!

Elemental Magic Series

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Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Elemental Magic: Air Spells and Rituals

air magic, air witchcraft, air spell, air ritual, witchcraft, elemental magic, witch, witchy, occult

As the end of the year approaches and the days continue to shorten, this is the perfect time for Air spells. I know that Air is often associated with the Spring months and Earth with Winter, but Air helps us find our truth, seek out the wisdom we need to be our best selves, and communicate that self with the rest of the world. We've spent the entire year up until this point healing past wounds, grounding our souls, and burning away what no longer serves us. Now it is time to seek our future path so we can continue our growth.



Like all the elements, Air can be used for cleansing. In fact, Air is one of the most commonly used elements to cleanse, usually in the form of smoke. This particular ritual is designed to help you remove any residual energies that no longer serve you so you can move on to bigger and better things.

What You'll Need

  • Dried juniper or rosemary
  • Math/Lighter
  • Charcoal disc
  • Heat safe dish

What to Do

Begin by lighting the charcoal in the heat-safe dish. While the charcoal heats, close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose for 3 seconds, and breathe out through your mouth. As you breathe in, imagine you are breathing in a new life and starting fresh. As you breathe out, feel all your tensions, worries, aches, and past leave your body. Let go of everything you can. Visualize your doubt, mistakes, bad habits, and regrets and breathe them out. Continue to do this until you reach a light trance state and feel completely relaxed.

Add the dried juniper or rosemary to the charcoal. Juniper and rosemary are both powerful cleansing herbs, so either one will work during this ritual although you can substitute another cleansing herb if you don't have juniper or rosemary. Sit the heat-safe dish on the floor in front of you and pass your entire body through the smoke 10 times. Ten is associated with ending cycles and reaching wholeness, which is the purpose of this cleansing. Each time you cross through say "Smoke and ash I release the past" and state when you are getting rid of. It's okay if you repeat items, especially if they are difficult habits to break...like biting your nails. *cough cough* If you cannot physically pass through the smoke, waft it toward you ten times. You can also use juniper or rosemary incense, essential oils in a diffuser, or a scented candle if you are sensitive to smoke. If smoke and flame are not an option, you can try the next spell instead, or do both for more potent work.

Finish the ritual by taking a shower to completely wash away your past and allow your future to rise.



The wind is able to blow away most anything in its path, especially if the winds are strong enough. There is absolutely no reason you can't use the wind to blow away your past self, allowing you to reach your true potential. This spell can be used instead of the previous cleansing spell, or in conjunction with it. This particular spell is not a cleansing spell, but it can remove that which no longer serves you.

What You'll Need

  • Biodegradable paper
  • Pen

What to Do

On a windy day, travel to a high location such as a hilltop or rooftop. Write what you wish to leave behind and have blown away, never to return. Stand tall and allow the wind to blow through you. When you are ready, release the paper into the wind. As you do say, "Winds of change, take my past with thee. I thank you for the lessons that you have taught me." Spend some time meditating, if you can, on what your future holds.



Clarity and wisdom often go hand-in-hand. This spell jar is designed to clear your mind, help you focus, and enhance your ability to communicate. This is especially useful to create prior to a presentation or even when you are attacked by someone who is threatened by your new self. Make sure to carry it with you to communicate effectively.

What You'll Need

  • Ground allspice
  • Whole cloves
  • Flax seeds
  • Small piece of paper
  • Yellow wax
  • Small jar with a cork
  • Pen

What to Do

Cleanse the small jar using your favorite cleansing method. Your breath is particularly potent here because this spell is all about communication and communication often encompasses the breath. Layer your herbs in the jar while saying, "Allspice, cloves, and flax, bring me my voice of wisdom. Strengthen my resolve, clear my mind, and give me the words I need to speak my truth." Allspice is associated with wisdom and compassion, thus allowing you to speak in a manner that is respectful yet clear. Cloves improve mental clarity while flax strengthens the mind (all that omega-3, yo!). On the piece of paper draw the Ansuz rune. Ansuz is the rune of wisdom, communication, and knowledge. It opens your mind to accept new truths while allowing you to freely speak yours. Roll the paper up tightly and place it in the spell bottle. Seal the bottle and cover the lid or cork with yellow wax, which will help increase your ability to communicate. White or black wax are also acceptable here. As you seal the jar say, "With this spell sealed in wax, allow me to communicate effectively to the max." Carry this spell jar on you when you need extra help communicating or just clearing your mind.



After we have shed all we can, sometimes we need a little boost in our creativity. While creativity is often associated with Fire, it also has a deep connection with Air, as Air is of the mind, where creativity often springs from. If you are feeling stuck, and aren't sure what to do next, try this simple spell to give you some direction. 

What You'll Need

  • Dried rosemary
  • Dried basil
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Small dish/bowl

What to Do

Cleanse your bowl using your favorite cleansing method. Next, add your herbs one at a time while saying, "Rosemary to clear my mind. Basil to bring creativity. Cinnamon to bring me the strength I need to complete my creative endeavors. And so it is." Inhale the heady aroma to spark your creativity. And that's it! Give it a sniff whenever you need to feel inspired!



No matter how hard we try, sometimes people just aren't willing to see things our way or how their actions are affecting us. I find this especially true when the person is stuck in the past or has tied up their ego into something outside of them, such as their diet, exercise routine, or political affiliate. Use this spell to help someone see things from your perspective so the conversation can remain open.

What You'll Need

  • Piece of paper
  • Pen
  • A personal item of the person you are working this spell on
  • Dried mint
  • Blue candle
  • Match/lighter

What to Do

Begin by writing a letter to the person giving you trouble. Air out all your feelings, concerns, and frustrations so they know how you truly feel about the situation. Place mint and the personal item inside the letter. The personal item can be hair, nail clippings, a picture, or a piece of their clothing, just make sure it is flammable and can be easily rolled up into the letter. Roll the letter up and light the candle. Hold the letter to the flame and allow it to burn while saying, "Letter turn to smoke and carry my message, so that [insert person's name] may understand my feelings. Open their mind to the truth of it and gain clarity to stop this rift." Allow the letter and candle to burn out completely. A word of caution, this is a spell best performed outside on a windy day, just be sure to keep the flames protected.



You can't have a list of Air spells without a dandelion wish spell! Duh! This spell is probably the simplest on the list, but it's effective! I find folk spells are often overlooked for their simplicity, but it is this simplicity that they are some of the most powerful spells to perform.

What You'll Need

  • Dandelion see head

What to Do

Whisper your wish into the dandelion seed head and then blow the seeds away, to carry your wish with the wind.



Air is the element of truth, so what better way to get someone to tell the truth than to use Air, in this case in the form of smoke. This particular spell is based on a hoodoo spell that uses Command and Compel Oil, so if that is more up your ally, use it to anoint your candle and skip the copal.

What You'll Need

  • Piece of paper
  • Pen
  • Copal resin
  • Charcoal disc
  • Yellow or white candle

What to Do

Light the charcoal disc and when hot, place the copal resin on it. Write the name of the person you are trying to get to tell you the truth nine times, the number of honesty. Cross over their name with your name. Roll the paper up and pass through the smoke of copal, which is said to force liars to speak. Then light the paper on fire in the candle and as it burns say, "I command thee to speak the truth unto me." Snuff out the candle. Repeat this spell, using the same candle, over the course of seven days. Any leftover wax should be disposed of away from the home.

***


These spells are just some of the many uses of Air, some of which you can find elsewhere on my blog. Again, I tried to include several spells to help us navigate the current social and political climate, but there are several spells that can be used whenever you need them. How do you use Air in your practice? Share your spells and ideas in the comments below!

Interest in the rest of the series? Here's what's to come!

Elemental Magic Series


If you liked this post and would like to support future content, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

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Thursday, November 19, 2020

Elemental Magic: Tools of Air

Elemental magic, air magic, tools of air, types of air, air witchcraft, air witch, witchcraft, elements, air

In today's post, I will discuss some of the many tools associated with Air and how you can use them in your practice. Many of these tools were hinted at or discussed when I introduced you to some of the folklore surrounding Air. However, this post is more of a correspondences type list that you can use to quickly plan spells. For your pleasure, I have also included a free 6-page printable for your Grimoire or Book of Shadows. Enjoy!


Breath: Breath is probably one of the most potent forms of Air as it contains a bit of you in it. Breath can be used to inhale positivity and exhale negativity, as your focus during meditation, or to blow away energies from an object while simultaneously infusing it with your own lifeforce. Breath is often associated with life and the soul, and can therefore also represent Spirit. Use it to "breathe life" into an object to charge it with energy and intent. In some practices, the ritual use of breath is called insufflation and exsufflation. Both are ritual acts of blowing, breathing, puffing, or hissing to symbolize the exhalation or inhalation of negative or positive energies or entities. In Christianity, exsufflation is used to remove the devil or evil from one's self.

Breeze: While technically wind, a breeze is usually characterized as a light, gentle wind, one that doesn't do damage or isn't too bothersome. A breeze can be used to send and receive messages, especially between loved ones, to remove negativity from yourself or objects, infuse your body with gentleness and constancy, or in spells that require something to be gently removed from your life. A breeze is also perfect for wish magic, especially if you are using dandelion seeds. Simply whisper your wishes on the wind, and allow it to carry your messages gently to the Universe. 

Hurricane: Hurricanes are strong windstorms that form over the ocean from tropical storms. The only difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane is the wind speeds. Both, however, can be used for the same purpose. Because the winds are particularly strong, they can be used when a much harsher approach is needed for a removal or curse. Hurricane winds are perfect for banishing abusers or those harder to break habits, cursing those who have wronged you, blowing away persistent gossip and ill-will, or to break curses placed upon you and yours. The winds can be captured and used at another time by using a wind bag (as ancient magicians used to do) or using a windsock. To capture the hurricane winds, tie up a wind bag or windsock somewhere it will be able to blow in the wind. As soon as it is safe to do so, retrieve the item and seal it by either tying the bag shut or by tying a knot in both ends of the windsock. When you are ready to use the energy in your spellwork, simply untie the knots. Again, hurricane and tropical storm winds are powerful, destructive, and potentially deadly. Be careful in what way you are using them.

Thermals: Thermals are columns of warm air that are created when there is a difference in the air temperature on the ground versus in the atmosphere. These warm, gentle thermals are often used by birds to conserve energy, and can be harnessed much the same way in witchcraft. Use thermals to carry your messages to the heavens, add strength to your spell, warm up a spell, or to add endurance to a spell.

Tornado: Like hurricanes, tornadoes are destructive winds, and, like hurricanes, their winds can be captured and used for the same purposes as hurricane winds. 

Wind: Winds are generally stronger than a breeze and can be more damaging. However, they can be used for lighter spell work as well as more forceful ones. Use the wind to carry away spell remains, especially spells that are removing something from your life, carry messages to the Universe, cleanse objects and people, speed up spells, or add a more chaotic element to banishing spells. Wind can also be used in cursing to carry the curse to the intended target or to blow away one's fortunes and opportunities. 



Balloons: Balloons are the perfect magical tool for carrying messages, but I don't encourage you to release balloons into the environment. It's incredibly harmful to the environment and the animals that live there. However, that doesn't mean that balloon imagery can't be used for the same purpose. Balloons are also great for charging a spell. Write a sigil on the balloon and blow it up, filling the balloon with your intent. Rub it on yourself to further charge it then pop the balloon to release the spell. Balloons can also be used to raise energy or crush insecurities. 

Bell: Sound is deeply associated with the element Air, making the bell associated with Air as well. Bells are a great way to raise energy, dispel negativity, and cleanse a space or object. Bells are also perfect for raising energy.

Besom/Broom: Brooms are associated with flying, cleansing, and protection. Use brooms to protect your home or magical circle when you cut a door or to sweep away negativity. Brooms can also be used during astral flight or hedge riding.

Bubbles: Ah the bubble! Bubbles are great for releasing what no longer serves you or carry messages. Bubbles are a great, environmentally friendly alternative to balloons. If you are using bubbles to release what no longer serves you simply breathe your intention into the bubbles are you form them and allow them on their merry way. To carry messages, whisper your messages into the bubbles as you blow (the best you can). Bubbles are also a great way to attract faeries as they are shiny.

Censer: A censer or thurible is a heat-proof vessel that holds charcoal and incense. The smoke from incense can be used to infuse your spells with the magic of the herbs, carry your messages to the Universe or deities, cleanse space, for divination, summon spirits, or to reach an altered state of consciousness. 

Dandelion Seeds: Dandelion seeds are perfect for wish making. Whisper your wish over the seeds then blow them away!

Feather: Different feathers have different meanings depending on their color and source. For example, eagle feathers are associated with strength and courage, while owl feathers are associated with wisdom and silence. Black feathers are associated with spiritual action and self-exploration, blue for communication, red for passion, and gray for peace. No matter what the feather, there are some universal uses for them. Use feathers to fan your incense, flames, or spells to move the magic around. Incorporate feathers into communication spells or during astral flight to aid in crossing the hedge. Tie feathers into witches' ladders (a knot magic fetish), place in spells to help them on their way, or use in banishing or travel spells.

Floating Lanterns: Floating lanterns are making a comeback after the Disney film Tangled and for a good reason. Floating Lanterns combine Fire and Air into a powerful wishing spell. The lanterns act as a vessel to light the path of the spell and carry it to its destination. Paper-based lanterns are generally environmentally friendly, but always check what the lantern is made of before releasing it. Nothing will interrupt a spell like harming the environment. 

Flute: The flute is a great way to raise energy during spell work. Create a magical tune prior to the spell or use your intuition to create a song while casting your spell. The flute can also be used to appease deities, summon spirits or faeries, or carry the magic to its destination.

Harp: Harps can be used in the same way as a flute. However, harps are also great for sleep magic, specifically putting something to rest. If you have a spell that you wish to end, you can play a harp to help you break it.

Incense: Incense comes in a variety of scents that can be used for a variety of different purposes. Lavender incense is great for peace, relaxation, and dreams while frankincense is good for cleansing and raising the vibration of a space. When working spells, pick an incense that corresponds to the magic you are creating. Incense can also be left as an offering and to communicate with your ancestors. Use incense to cleanse your space or objects.

Kite: Kites have historically been used to carry messages to the gods. Simply write your messages on a ribbon and tie it to the tail of the kite. As you tie the knot state your intent. You can say something along the lines of "Knot that I tie, Kite that I fly, Please cast my wishes, Into the sky."

Pinwheel: While often viewed as a children's toy, pinwheels can be used to capture and harness the power of the wind. Simply write your intentions for the spell on the flaps of the pinwheel and either blow on it or take it outside to be blown by the wind. Store the pinwheel in a safe place. To release the energy or the spell, simply take the pinwheel apart.

Perfume: Perfumes have been used for magical purposes for centuries, using the scent to attract something or protect against something. Most famously perfumes were used to coat breastplates with the intention of protecting the wearer from harm. Even today we use perfumes in much the same manner, creating a bubble of protection around us. Perfume can also be used to attract good energies, lift energies, invoke good, seduce, and even curse. Use the scent to carry your spell with you all day or as an offering to the gods.

Quill: Quills are highly sought after by many witches wishing to recreate that more authentic, old-world witchcraft feel when writing in their grimoires or Books of Shadows. Quills, being associated with writing, knowledge, and wisdom, are deeply associated with Air. They can be used to direct your energies into a written spell, to sweep away writer's block, or blow in new ideas.

Ribbon: Ribbons can easily be used in chord or knot magic, to tie or bind spells, or to write your intentions on and tie to an object to blow in the wind. Use color magic to help you pick the best ribbon for the job!

Scarf: Like ribbons, scarves can also be used for knot magic, knot magic that you can easily wear! Simply tie your intention into the scarf, such as protection, and wear it all day.

Smoke: Smoke, whether from incense, charcoal, or candles, can be used to carry messages or spell intentions to their target or for divination. If using for divination, look for images in the smoke or ask questions and see the direction the smoke moves. If you ask a question, be sure to ask it in your mind so your breath does not influence the direction of the smoke. Smoke is a wonderful combination of Fire and Air and therefore can be used for knowledge and wisdom of love, passion, and war.

Wand: Depending on the tradition, wands are often associated with Air (swords in other traditions). Use wands much like you would an athame to direct power, cut doors, and transmit and focus energies.

Weathervane: Weathervanes are an instrument for showing the direction of the wind. While the weathervane itself can be a spell, usually protection, it's most useful for helping you decide how to use the wind in your spellwork. South blowing winds are associated with Fire and therefore spells regarding passion, courage, war, and love are best cast in a Southward direction. If the wind is blowing East (which I associate with Water), then spells for healing, emotions, and life are best.

Whirlygig/Wind Spinner: Whirlygigs and wind spinners can be used in the same way as a pinwheel. However, most people don't want to take their whirlygigs and wind spinners apart to release the spell or energy, so instead infuse these objects with protective energies and allow the winds to continuously charge them. These objects are also great in protecting your home against damaging winds. Charge them with collecting the harshest of winds to prevent them from damaging your home. Be sure to shake the winds out away from your home after particularly bad storms to prevent them from being overloaded.

Whistles: Whistles combine both sound and breath in one. Whistles are great for calling to spirits and ancestors to get their attention or to scare off unwanted entities. They can also be used to stir up stagnant energies so they can be removed from the home.

Wind Chime: Wind chimes can be used to clear energies around your home and can act as a proactive sound barrier against unwanted energies and entities. Many spirits dislike the constant sound of chiming bells and if the bells are made of iron, it will protect against many fae creatures that may wish to invoke mischief upon you. You can also write intentions on each of the bells and allow the wind to carry those intentions away with the sound of the bells.

Wings: Wings are associated with flight, but also take on the aspects of the creature from which they were taken. Use wings, especially insect wings, in spells that need to be carried away or in astral travel.


And there you have it. A complete list of types of Air as well as commonly used tools associated with Air! Below is a free 6-page printable for your Grimoire or Book of Shadows.




Interest in the rest of the series? Here's what's to come!

Elemental Magic Series


Looking for more information on the elements? Check out my posts on the topic:




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Monday, November 16, 2020

Elemental Magic: Connecting with Air Ritual

air magic, witchcraft, air witch, air ritual, elemental magic

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.


The first task for Air was to trace the wind patterns around your home. I find wind fascinating and from an environmental scientist's perspective, I understand that these wind patterns have a direct effect on our weather and therefore our magic. Wind can blow our spells to their destination, blow things away from us, or blow things to us. You can use the wind in a variety of ways in your magical practice, and understanding the wind patterns around your home and how they change is incredibly important to utilize it in your work. 

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:
  • Quiet place to sit where you will be undisturbed
  • Blue or yellow candle (optional)
  • Blue Agate, Chrysocolla, or Blue Kyanite (optional)
Directions:
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:
  • 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
Once you have set up your altar, spend about 15 minutes a day lightly meditating about Air and the ritual experience you had. Enter into a light meditation each time, focusing on your breath. Light incense, gaze at the images on your altar, ring the bell, or play the instruments, whatever helps you develop your relationship more completely. Draw a right-side-up triangle in the air utilizing your breath and visualize it entering into your body through your throat, the area most deeply associated with communication.

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And there you have it! Let me know how things went in the comments below.

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