Earth, Air, Fire & Water

In magick we work with four main elements - Earth, Air, Fire & Water (along with a fifth, Spirit/Ether). We call upon the elements when casting a circle and when casting certain types of spells.

The elements make up everything around us, they are within us and all around us in nature and even in man-made objects.

Earth:

The element of Earth represents grounding and keeping our feet on the ground. It is the element closest to the physical world as it is linked to our own physical planet. Earth governs responsibility, money, security, loyalty, business, stability and growth. Earth is considered by many to be the foundation for each of the other elements as without it they would not exist.

Earth is represented in the North (or South for those in the Southern Hemisphere), it rules the season of Winter and is represented by forests, gardens, caves, valleys and fields.

Those born under the Astrological signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are considered Earth personalities. Earth personalities tend to be very family orientated, are grounded and very practical people. Earth personalities need to grow continuously and may feel confined if they are not allowed to do so – they love to be doing something at all times and are often natural gardeners or find work within natural therapies working with herbs and oils.

Within magick, Earth is represented by the Pentacle, earth (dirt) or salt. It is generally associated with Thursdays and the Winter Solstice. The element of Earth is called upon for spells and rituals involving money and finances, growth, gardening, business, horticulture, male fertility, career and work, happiness and family stability.

Correspondences of Earth:
Sabbats/Season: Winter Solstice, Yule.
Day/Times: Thursdays, Night/evening – particularly midnight.
Zodiac /Tarot: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. The suit of pentacles, The Devil.
Planets: Saturn, Earth
Animals/Elementals: Bull, Cow, Stag, Deer, Bison, (all horned animals), dog, bear, snake, wolf, ant, horse. Gnomes, Dwarves, Brownies, Trolls.
Colour: Earthy tones, browns, black, white, gold and dark green.
Chakra: Root Chakra
Deities: Adonis, Athos, Arawyn, Gaia, Diana, Persephone, Cernunnos, Pan, Thor, Herne, Marduk, Demeter, Epona, Rhiannon.
Symbols: Upside down triangle with horizontal line across. Circle with a cross in the centre marking four quarters. Caves, Valleys, dirt, salt, grounding, farmland, pentacles, rocks & stones, hag stones.
Tools: Pentacle, Earth (dirt), salt, stones, cord.
Gemstones: Raw stones and crystals, rocks in general, quartz, bedrock, jet, emerald, tourmaline, granite, peridot, onyx, jasper – all rocks and stones particularly brown or black
Herbs: Cedar, Cypress, Comfrey, Ivy, Grains and Seeds, Honeysuckle, Patchouli, Motherwort, Primrose, Sage, Vetivert, Nuts, Oak, Mugwort, Nutmeg, Salt.

Air:

The element of Air represents our intellect, thought, mentality and memory. Air is the most ethereal of the four main elements as it helps create balance between them.

Air is represented by the East and the season of Spring (like all elements, those practicing in the Southern hemisphere may be drawn to reverse the direction and/or season). Air is associated with change, travel, thoughts and ideas, creativity and study.

Personalities of those born under the influence of Air, or Astrological signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, tend to be more analytical in their way of doing things. Air types are rational thinkers who like to plan ahead and have every piece of information available before making their decisions. They enjoy intelligent conversations as well as a good debate! The shadow aspect of this element and personality trait is that they can become too critical and potentially paranoid leading them to live in their own fantasy world.

In magick, Air is represented by the wand, feathers, censer and incense (some paths also include Athame or Sword). It is associated with the time of Dawn and any spells or rituals involving study, memory, practical and creative endeavors along with psychic work and manifestations. Air is also connected to communication.

Correspondences of Air:
Sabbats/Season: Ostara, Spring
Day/Times: Zodiac /Tarot: Dawn/Day break, Aquarius, Gemini and Libra. Suit of Air or Swords (traditionally), The Fool and the Kings.
Planets: Mercury
Animals/Elementals: Birds, particularly Hawk, Eagle and Falcon. Insects and Spiders. Fairies and Sylphs, Dragons.
Colour: White, light blue, lavender, grey (light grey), yellow – colours of dawn, pastels.
Chakra: Third Eye
Deities: Mercury, Hermes, Thoth, Shu, Arianrhod, Ostara, Aradia, Athena, Urania, Nuit, Iris
Symbols: Upright triangle with horizontal line through it, circle with a dot in the centre. Tornados and whirlwinds, leaves blowing.
Tools: Wand/Athame (depending on personal preferences), Feathers, Incense, Censer
Gemstones: Amber, Citron, Blue Quartz, Blue Chalcedony, Blue Lace Agate, Topaz, Fluorite, Amethyst, Howlite, yellow and blue stones – gems in general.
Herbs: Acacia, Almond, Apple, Anise, Benzoin, Comfrey, Cypress, Citrus peel and fruits, Clover, Fern, Frankincense, Gum Arabic, Bergamot, Honeysuckle, Horehound, Ivy, Lavender, Lemongrass (most lemon herbs), Mugwort, Myrrh, Oakmoss, Pansy, Parsley, Peppermint, Primrose, Sage, Vervain, Violet, Yarrow, Vanilla.

Fire:

The Element of Fire is associated with the Sun and rules passion, desire, imagination and creativity. Fire not only cleanses and purifies, but it also causes destruction and is often seen to represent death and rebirth most commonly in the aspect of the birth of the God. 

Traditionally, Fire rules the South, however many in the Southern Hemisphere reverse this when casting a circle to be called in the North quarter - toward the equator where the Earth is at its’ hottest.

Fire is the only element which can not naturally exist without another, it needs to consume another element in order to physically exist. This does not make it “scary” or dark, it simply means it needs a spark to ignite it’s fiery passion. We too need that spark or an idea or feeling in order to use our own fire within to create and give birth to our ideas and aspirations. 

In witchcraft, fire is commonly used in spells to increase energy, passion, love and lust, courage, new beginnings, strength and protection, power, purification, transformation and destruction or releasing (generally by writing on parchment what you wish to release before burning it to ash). It is also used in kitchen magick, infusing ingredient as cooked.

Athames, swords and candles are placed on altars to represent the element of fire and it relates to Summer, Sundays, the waxing moon and 12 noon. 

Correspondences of Fire: 

Sabbats/Season: Beltane, Samhain and Litha (Summer Solstice)

Day/Times: Sunday, Waxing moon, 12 noon

Zodiac /Tarot: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. Judgment (major arcana), Wands (traditional minor suit)

Planets: Sun, Mars, Pluto

Animals/Elementals: Lion, Dragon, Snake, Scorpion, Phoenix, Ram, Coyote, Fox. Salamander, Sprites, Djinn

Colour: All shades of Red, Orange, Gold, White

Chakra: Solar Plexus

Deities: Ra, Apollo, Mars, Ares, Vulcan, Horus, Brigit, Freya, Vesta, Durga, Themis (and more)

Symbols: Flame, Triangle with point up (Alchemical symbol), Sun, Stars, Volcanoes, Lightning bolts, Double-edged Axe.

Tools: Athame, Fire, Wand, Candles, Burned items (herbs, parchment)

Gemstones: Red Jasper, Blood Stone, Fire Opal, Garnet, Ruby, Carnelian, Tiger Eye, Obsidian, Lava Stones, Gold, Steel & Brass. (Plus most red, orange, gold or yellow stones & any formed from fire or volcanoes)

Herbs: Dragons Blood, Patchouli, Bay, Marigold, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Clove, Mustard, Tobacco, Allspice, Basil, Garlic, Juniper, Onion, Almond, Chilli Peppers.

(Fire herbs tend to be spicy or “warm”)

Water:

The Element of water is associated with Venus and the Moon and rules our emotions, both conscious and subconscious, along with our dreams. Water as an element heals, cleanses and purifies, revitalizes and offers emotional release. 

In Tarot, Water is represented by the suit of Cups – an easy way to remember this is that water is often drunk from a cup, to connect with emotions think of tears. 

Typically, Water is represented in the West and by the season of Autumn – however in the Southern Hemisphere, some prefer to align Water to the East and with the Season of Spring. There is no real right or wrong way, just remember that your magick is as unique as you are and trust your intuition. 

Water personalities, those born under the Astrological signs of Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio, are generally very connected on a Spiritual level. Water types can often be more emotional and sensitive to other signs. They are also often very aware and possess high intuition, psychic and even mediumship abilities. Water personalities tend to live their lives based on feelings rather than using their head, they follow their hearts, often leading them to acting quite spontaneously. These personalities need to be near water and will find that spending time in watering holes or on the beach keeps them grounded and balanced.

Within Magick, Water is represented by the Chalice, Cauldron and often mirrors. It is ruled by Mondays, the Twilight hour and the Moon Cycles. Water is often used in spells of love, forgiveness, clarity, healing and compassion as well as seeking visions or in meditation.

Correspondences of Water: 

Sabbats/Season: Autumn (not a Sabbat, but used in cleansing rituals) 

Day/Times: Zodiac /Tarot: Twilight (sunset), Monday, Pisces, Cancer & Scorpio, Queens and The Hanged Man (Tarot) and the suit of Cups.

Planets: Venus, the Moon (feminine)

Animals/Elementals: All creatures of the Ocean, lakes, rivers and watering holes; cat, frog, turtle, swans, bear, dragons, sea serpents, mermaids and undines. 

Colour: Blue, white, all shades of blue-green-black, watery colours.

Chakra: Heart Chakra

Deities: Aphrodite, Isis, Yemaya, Kupala, Tiamat, Ran, Ea, Osiris, Neptune, Poseidon, Varuna, Manannan, all Water Gods and Goddesses from all traditions and beliefs.

Symbols: upside down triangle (point facing downward), circle with single line through the middle (horizontal) 

Tools: Cauldron, Chalice, Mirrors

Gemstones: Aquamarine, Atlantisite, Amethyst, Blue Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, (all blue stones), Beryl, Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Pearl, Silver, Sodalite.

Herbs: Aloe vera, apple, catnip, chamomile, ferns, gardenia, lemon, lettuce, lilac, lily of the valley, lotus, mosses, orris, passionflower, rose, seaweeds, thyme, valerian, water lilies, willow, all water plants and all plants associated with the Moon and Venus.

(Originally written for and published as individual articles for Mystic Tribe Magazine, 2017-2018 as a four-part series on the Elements, visit the magazine online: https://www.facebook.com/mystictribemagazine/)

Easy Spells to Banish Negativity

Do you have some negative people in your circle? Perhaps a co-worker who constantly drains your energy or a pesky ex who just can't get over it. Maybe your own emotions aren't as positive as you'd like them to be and they are causing anxiety and distress.

There are several things you can do to help block negativity from other people (and yourself!), but there are also a couple of quick and easy and super effective spells you can also do to help. 

Now, the first thing I always suggest is self cleansing and shielding. It is pointless putting up your spiritual wall or protection bubble without cleansing yourself first, otherwise there's the chance you'll "trap" the negativity inside with you. 

Start by taking a shower or bath, you might like to add some salts, cleansing herbs such as Bay Leaves, Rosemary, White Sage, Lavender or even Rose Petals to your bathing water. If showering, you can always pop some herbs into a muslin or organza bag or if you're lucky enough to have some in your garden, attach a sprig to the shower head. The steam from your shower will help extract the properties from the herbs and induce a cleansing and refreshing aroma at the same time.

Whilst cleansing yourself, imagine all negative thoughts and feelings being cleansed from your physical body, allow the thoughts to pass through your mind and release them. Ask the water to cleanse your body, mind and soul. 

If you are unable to shower or bathe, give yourself a smudge with some white sage. 

  

Once you've finished cleansing yourself, visualise your choice of spiritual protection forming around you. Whether this is a spiritual shield of light, a bubble, suit or armour or whatever method you feel comfortable with. I have written an article on shielding as well, which you can find here. 

Now, before we get into the spells it is important to remember the following:

• Ensure your intentions are pure (not wishing harm to another person)
• If performing a spell using a persons' name, make sure you are absolutely certain this person is the right person.
• Remember, if the source of negativity is your own self you may need some inner work such as energy healing rather than a spell of this sort.

The spells....

The Freezer Spell ~ Freeze pesky people out of your life

This is one of the most simple, yet effective spells and anyone can do it. 

All you need to do is write the persons' name and date of birth on a small piece of paper. Focus your intention onto the paper - such as wanting this person to leave you alone, stop spreading rumours about you, move away from your neighbourhood, or whatever else it may be. Make sure your intention is to send them off on their way with love and kindness. 

Then, simply fold the paper up and place it into the back of your kitchen freezer. Leave it there undisturbed and forget about it allowing the spell to take affect. 

Optional: Some people like to put the name in a little ziplock bag of water, you can also add a little honey or sugar to the water to "sweeten them up" You could also get creative and add some herbs, such as lavender or white sage.

The Mirror Spell ~ Return negative energy back to the source.

This little spell takes a little more work than the freezer spell, but you don't need to know exactly who is sending negative vibes your way to perform it. 

You will need a black candle, a mirror (preferably one you will only use for this spell) and a little time.

If you'd like to, carve some protection or healing symbols into your candle. You may also like to annoint your candle with some oils such as Rosemary, Black Pepper or Frankincense. 

You might also wish to burn some purification incense while performing your spell. 

Sit yourself down in front of the mirror, place your candle between yourself and the mirror so you can see it and your own reflection in the mirror.

Set your intentions, such as wanting to send any negative energy back to it's source - do so with love and kindness. 

Light the candle and focus on the flame, concentrate on your desire to be free of negativity and when ready shift your focus onto the reflection of the flame in the mirror. Ask that the negative emotions, thoughts or situation be returned to their source. 

You might like to ask that they are not bounced back to you, and that no harm will come to another - whatever you like to say during spellwork. 

Once you feel ready, take a few moments to close your eyes and visualise yourself happy, free from any bad luck, ill health, negative thoughts or emotions. Feel how good it is to be free and positive and thank the Universe for helping you feel that way again long term.

Allow your candle to finish burning on it's own, whether it goes out or burns all the way down. You don't have to stay seated in front of it, but be sure to thank any guides or Deities you may have called in for help before you leave it to work it's magick.

Other simple things you can do to help reduce or absorb negative energies are:

• Using Salt Lamps
• Placing cleansing crystals such as Selenite around the home
• Keeping protective stones on you, in your pocket or mojo bag
• Slicing and onion or lemon into quarters and allowing it to absorb negativity (be sure to remove it and either bury or burn them afterwards.
• Keeping a glass of tap water beside the bed overnight, if it has bubbles in the morning tip the water out, outside (not down the drain)
• Practice meditation, yoga or other calming and balancing techniques.
• Aromatherapy, Energy Healings such as Reiki.

Blessings, Lyllith Xx

Help! My Book of Shadows is messy :(

I often get asked what to write in a Book of Shadows, along with other questions like "Should it be hand written?" and people worried that their writing is too messy for a Book of Shadows.

So I wrote this little article for my other blog a while ago and thought I'd better include it here...

Firstly, there are no right or wrong ways to create your own Book of Shadows so please never feel as though you are "doing it wrong" because quite frankly your Book of Shadows is YOUR Book of Shadows and you can write it however you wish.

Traditionally, a Book of Shadows is a book which contains religious texts, rituals, spells and herbal, crystal and other lore. In early Wicca there was only one Book of Shadows within a coven, which was kept safe by the High Priestess. Of course anyone can have their own Book of Shadows, especially nowadays as most of us are Solitary witches.

Modern day witches may like to keep a digital Book of Shadows, in a Word-type document on their computer, OneNote is a wonderful little program which also incorporates colour-coded categories and multiple pages which is perfect for the techno-witch! Others, myself included prefer a handwritten book with sketches and drawings to help describe things such as plants or crystals and even for spells and rituals. It is completely up to you how you choose to write your own Book of Shadows.

Many people are worried that their writing isn't clear enough, too messy or they make errors and don't want to "ruin" their book. Personally I think it adds character and makes the Book even more special! Take this photograph below for example. This is a photograph of the pages of one of Gardners' first Book of Shadows' let's be honest, his writing isn't perfect and if you look closely you can see he has crossed out lines, yet he is still highly regarded today in Wicca and Paganism.

Some people also prefer to keep their Book of Shadows purely for Spells and Rituals and have separate Grimoires for Herbs, Crystals and other information. This too is completely up to you.

Our daughter, Saige is currently writing her very first Book of Shadows as well, she currently has drawings of her own crystals with their properties, her favourite rituals and the Sabbats and I'm not entirely sure what else she has written as that's all she has asked my help with so far ;) 

At the moment I am in the process of transferring notes from my old Book of Shadows into a beautiful leather covered journal. My old Book of Shadows was started when I was 11 years old and I have added to it over the years. It literally consists of pieces of paper in 4 black folders and a box of loose notes I have made over the years. A big task but I can't wait until my beautiful book is "complete" - a Book of Shadows may never truly be "complete" as we are always learning and creating new spells etc. as we continue on our Pagan Paths! 

So.... basically what I am trying to say, is that you can create your Book of Shadows however you like! It can be hand written, typed, kept in digital format, spread into several books or folders - which ever way you feel is right for you!

Blessings! Lyllith Xx

Main Photo: Me!!! This photo was taken during a photoshoot I did for the 2016 Kooralbyn Calendar. In our backyard, with my actual Book of Shadows! (the new one) Photo by Renee Barlow, edited with butterflies by me ;) 
Gardners Book of Shadows, sourced from the Internet - Photos of Books/Journals, our stock available to purchase.

What is a Witch? ~ An educational rant ;)

I know this article may stir the cauldron and cause some arguments, but I feel the need to write it. Please respect my opinions and beliefs as well as those of anyone who decides to provide a comment. Of course nasty, ignorant and unnecessary or abusive comments will not be tolerated and will result in being deleted or I may just decide to turn you into a toad ;)

Witches have long been accused of all kinds of horrendous deeds from worshipping Satan, to killing and eating babies and casting spells on people to make them do things they wouldn’t normally have done.

Unfortunately, this is still the assumption of many people in todays’ modern world. Hollywood is largely to blame as depictions of green skinned, pointy nosed women wearing black hats and riding broomsticks are the main image conjured when muggles think of a witch.

Wicked Witch from "The Wizard of Oz"

Of course none of these things are true! For starters, most witches don’t even believe in the Devil as he is, after all, a creation of Christianity & other mainstream religions. Witches do believe in light and dark and the need for balance between the two. You can’t have day without night can you?!?  Religion also plays a large part (possibly the largest) in peoples’ misunderstanding of what a witch is and does, by claiming that witches are conspiring with the Devil and are evil people who mean to harm others.

The hanging of Bridget Bishop during the Salem Witch Trials

Of course there are some “bad” witches, but there are “bad” people in all cultures, traditions, faiths and religions as well – perhaps many more than there are bad witches. (I believe so)

So what is a witch? Quite simply witches are everyday people who use ritual and magic to connect, heal and create a better life for themselves and their loved ones. Witches generally care deeply for the Environment and work with nature to help heal the Earth; witches are caring people who wish to do no harm to others. One may argue that anyone who delves into Tarot, psychic or divination workings, mediumship and even energy healing such as Reiki means you are a witch. This could be quite an acceptable assumption when you think about it.

Witchcraft itself is not a religion, witches can be of any faith there are even Christian witches (I’m not entirely sure exactly how that works, but there are many self-proclaimed Christian Witches!) To be a witch simply means using rituals and spells to create a better environment and to heal.

Many modern-day witches are of Wiccan faith. Wicca is a recognized religion which honours the horned God and the Goddess in her three phases of Maiden, Mother & Crone. The Wheel of the Year turns through the Seasons and Sabbats and Esbats are celebrated to honour the God and Goddess on these 8 days of power. Wiccans follow a Rede of harming none and often include the "three-fold" lore in their beliefs. Not all witches are Wiccan, not all Pagans are Wiccan.

When in church, does the priest not burn incense for ritual and prayer? Does he not allow his God to speak through him to deliver a message to his followers? How is this any different to a Witch burning herbs as incense for rituals and spell work or speaking to his or her Deity for guidance? Just because witches don’t believe in the same God as most faiths do, does not make them evil now does it?

If our faiths and rituals are so evil, then why did the church claim them as their own, change a few things around and have them accepted as “normal” Don’t believe me? Where do you think Christmas began? How about Halloween or Easter? Perhaps you should take a look into the history of Yule, Samhain and Ostara! (and many others)

In mainstream religion one must generally be a male, sacrifice himself and his daily life to his God and follow the rules set out from those before him. In Witchcraft anyone is free to perform rituals and cast spells, anyone is free to speak directly with their Deities and you are free to choose and follow the path that feels right for you and your own spiritual journey.

How does that make witchcraft evil? Because witches don’t comply with the “rules” of religion? Because we are not all about greed and power? Or because we are simply misunderstood and misrepresented?

The burning of Sage and other cleansing herbs to clear negative energy – a tradition throughout history in many different cultures. Using crystals to heal, having your cards read to tell the future – all tools of witchcraft that many people are now using and doing yet no one blinks an eye so long as you go to church on Sunday.

There are many different types of witches, the path of witchcraft is open to all and you can take from it what you connect to and follow what you believe is right for you. Witches don’t judge others for being different, they embrace it and respect it - if you come across those who don't, walk away.

Blessings!

Lyllith Xx