Guided Imagery Exercise To Connect To The Elements

Guided imagery exercise to connect to the elements

Shake your limbs to relax yourself. Settle down with your spine straight and take our time taking three breaths with your surroundings, then allow your mind to linger on the words: earth, air, fire, water.

Earth. You have imagined the earth beneath your feet. Now think of the many manifestations of earth on the planet. Feel your feet on the earth of your choice… marshland, desert, forest, mountains, hills and valleys, sandstone, granite, chalk. Feel, with the pressure of your feet against the earth, the pull of gravity, keeping you anchored. Feel the current of energy from the earth throbbing upwards. You are a creature of earth. Relax into this feeling, and then open your awareness out and find yourself in a high place…

Air. Feel the air as a tangible presence as you gaze out to the vast horizon, laid out below the huge arching dome of the azure sky. In this high place, your awareness expands: the great winds of the earth, swirling round, think and pure, sharpen your wits and blow the cobwebs away. You breathe in air that sparkles like wine and are intoxicated, feeling yourself light and buoyant, You extend your arms above you as if you could float on the thermals that support the birds in their flight, feeling at one with the wind that carries messages all over the world. Stand firm, as your awareness is pulled high into the sky…

Fire. High in the vast expanse of blue, feel the blaze of the sun, striking down, warming the thin grass and bursting the buds of the alpine flowers, drying up the atmosphere. With your eyes shut, stretch in an attitude of ecstasy, fed by the warmth that pours down in golden rays. The water is pulled up into the upper atmosphere and you open your eyes to see a large cloud on the horizon. Watch it travelling with speed, and whilst it is in the middle distance in that huge vista, you see it disgorging its rain as a hazy mist over the landscape…

Water. In your imagination, see the rain from that cloud sinking into the soil, percolating through the ground to a deep subterranean spring that makes its gradual way to the surface. There is a tiny trickle of crystal water emerging from the ground, and you see it in your mind’s eye gaining strength as it tumbles downhill, changing eventually from stream to river, and making its way to join the massive depth of the sea.

Allow the scene to fade as you come back to everyday reality. Stretch, yawn, and wriggle to feel fully back in the present here and now.

Source: The Path of Druidry by Penny Billington

Tips For Those Who Are Considering Witchcraft

Deciding to practice witchcraft and magick can be equally daunting and exciting.  Here are some tips about what to do if you are thinking about becoming a witch!

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First, a few things that you should NOT do:

1.    Do not do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, period.  Trust your intuition, and always stay true to yourself.

2.    Do not do anything that puts you in danger.  This includes casting a spell without protection, or opening yourself to spirits before you know what you are doing.  This also includes running out in the middle of a storm to collect rain water, or agreeing to meet a witch that you met online, alone.  Use common sense in all matters of your craft; your safety and health, both physical and mental, must come first.

3.    Do not do anything that contradicts your own personal, spiritual, moral, ethical, or other beliefs.  Unless you plan on changing what you believe, just don’t do it.  It doesn’t matter if everybody and their familiar is doing something; if it doesn’t agree with you, walk away from it.

4.    Do not start actually practicing anything witchcraft-related until you have researched it.  Do not do a spell until you have a working understanding of magick, as well as all of the ingredients involved in the spell – even ones you intend to substitute (especially the ingredients that you intent to substitute, actually).

5.    Don’t take witchcraft lightly. Your craft doesn’t need to be all serious spells and spiderwebs, but you do need to have a healthy respect for the energies and powers that you will be working with.  You shouldn’t fear them - never work with anything that makes you afraid - but you should respect them.

6.    Don’t take your studies lightly. Put yourself through witch school. Research everything; ask yourself questions and give yourself homework.  Ask others questions and ask them to give you homework!  Be creative in your studies, but still take them seriously.  You don’t have to be hunched over spellbooks all day, but you should make an effort to at least mentally review your existing knowledge, on days that you can’t find the time for more.  

7.    Do not be afraid to ask questions or for help – but do not automatically assume that everybody actually knows the answer.  Most witches around here will do their best to answer your questions, but they’ll also usually straight tell you if they don’t know something themselves; you should respect that, whether or not they point you in the direction of somebody else.  On the other hand, if something sounds wrong, trust yourself and double check.  Get a second opinion, if need be.  

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Next, a few things that you should know before you enter the world of witchcraft:

1.    Witchcraft is real, and magick is real.  Whether or not you believe in it, it believes in you (as the saying goes).  Approaching magick as if you were cosplaying Harry Potter is an attractive but ultimately unwise idea.  Approaching magick as if you were learning to operate a highly beneficial but potentially dangerous piece of machinery – now, that is a wise idea.

2.    Witchcraft isn’t inherently evil, but neither is it inherently pure good.  Witchcraft is power, plain and simple.  It is what one chooses to do with that power that gives it such meaning, and even then, the concept of good and evil is an ethical and spiritual one, and thereby tends to vary from person to person, and from witch to witch.  You have to use your own morals to guide you.  The only type of magick that should be in your witchcraft is the magick you intentionally choose to put there.  On a related note: I personally don’t agree with classifying magick as ‘black magick’ or ‘white magick’, period – not because magick can’t have precise descriptors, but because there’s no need to use terms that have such negative racial undertones.  Light can be harmful and ‘evil’, while darkness can be protective and ‘good’. Your intentions aren’t “to do dark” or “to do light”, anyway.  Your intentions are “to do harm” or “to do healing”; your intentions are “to take away” or “to give”.

3.    Witchcraft is a personal practice. You do not need to follow any one specific path, spiritual or otherwise, in order to practice witchcraft.  There are many different types of witches, and many different types of magick.  If there is not one specific path that you feel is absolutely perfect for you, don’t choose one that feels ‘close enough’ – walk your own path and mold your witchcraft into something that is uniquely yours.  

4.    Witches worship in varying ways.  Some do not worship at all, and are purely secular witches.  Some are simply spiritual and do not follow one set path. Some are polytheists and worship many gods; some are monotheists and worship one.  Some are atheists and worship none!   Some are Wiccan.  Some are Christian.  Some are Satanists.  Some worship ancestors.  Some worship the stars.  Witchcraft is a personal practice, and should co-exist with all other aspects of your life.

5.    You don’t need a whole lot to get started.  Twigs can be used as wands; rock quartz can be used as a crystal.  Tea mixes contain herbs, and your spice cabinet is basically a magick cabinet.  Most of what is in your house can be used for magick, for that matter.  While it is definitely helpful to have the proper tools and ingredients when performing magick, it is possible to DIY your way through witchcraft until you can afford otherwise.  Also, it is probably smarter to wait a second before you run out and purchase anything, anyway.  As you learn more, you’ll start to see which tools you really need, which ingredients you’ll likely be using the most, which items really call out to you.  If you run out and buy everything that you see right away, you risk wasting money on things that just don’t work for you, or that you don’t even need.

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Lastly, here are the things that you DO need to do, no matter what:

o    Be true to yourself.  Do not compromise yourself or your beliefs.

o    Be safe.  Don’t do or use anything that you do not have a working knowledge of.

o    Be educated.  Never stop seeking out new knowledge; try to learn something new daily.

o    Use common sense.  Don’t get caught up in things; think before you take action.

o    Trust your intuition and instinct.  We often know more than we consciously realize.

o    Be creative.  Write the spell that you’ve been looking for.  See what is laying around the house that you can use for your witchcraft.  Be inventive!

o    Have patience.  Learning takes time; magick takes time; developing your craft takes time.

That’s it for the moment!  Tune in tomorrow for a post regarding more tips and information on what to do when you do decide to go ahead enter the world of witchcraft ^_^

~Tari

Dear people who are considering buying plants:

There is no such thing as a “no care” plant. They ALL require at least SOME effort on your part to make sure they don’t die.

Air plants do not survive on air. They survive on humidity. Your house is likely not humid enough for them. You’re gonna need to help a plant out sometimes.

“Drought tolerant” plants and “low water” plants are not “NO water” plants. Water them deeply and space the waterings out to encourage deep root growth. That’s right, you’re gonna need to help a plant out sometimes.

Any plant can develop disease or pest problems. Check ‘em out from time to time and make note of anything unusual. The fixes for plant problems are usually pretty inexpensive if you catch them early (or do your research on how to care for them in the first place, but yes, you’re gonna need to help a plant out sometimes.

More chakras, different sources, their names, and their colors.

Aries: Exoteric Description: Pioneer, discovering an identity, socially undeveloped, impulsive, spontaneous, childlike Esoteric Description: Lower concrete mind becomes illuminated by soul, bridge from unconscious to conscious, a point of light in the mind of God

Taurus: Exoteric Description: Romantic, material, creative, inflexible, traditional, grounded, desiring   Esoteric Description: The eye of illumination, victorious, nurturer of light, aspiration, lover, visionary, intelligent desire 

Gemini: Exoteric Description: Talkative, messenger, teacher, multiple, unstable, changeable, clever, dynamic, childish Esoteric Description: Revered energy that lies behind every sign, resolution of opposites, dissolver of boundaries between consciousness 

Cancer: Exoteric Description: Moody, unstable, hysterical, maternal, withdrawing, homely, comforting, fearful, dependent Esoteric Description: Master of the emotional realm, magnetising soul into form, Mother of All Forms, sensitized to spirit 

Leo: Exoteric Description: Expressive, dramatic, theatrical, self indulgent, egoistical, childish, demanding, invalidated  Esoteric Description: Soul quality, self realization, heart radiated leadership, God’s will, Festival of Heart and Soul

Virgo Exoteric Description: Assisting, logical, nervous, mentally active, problem solver, critical, virtuous  Esoteric Description: Womb of Time, nurturing mother of hidden reality, Guardian of the Christ Principle, Founder of Matriarch, synthesis of feminine aspects 

Libra Exoteric Description: Lover, idealistic, dependent, social, charming, projecting, harmonizer, self conscious  Esoteric Description: Pristine balance of matter and spirit, spiritual energy on lower levels, Sign of Intuitive Perception, ‘Super Mind’ the mind responsive to the voice of God

Scorpio Exoteric Description: Intense, confronting, compulsive, private, possessive, confrontational, moody, transformative, sign of death, desiring  Esoteric Description: Magnetic energy, Divine Sacrifice, illumination of intellect through soul light, Dweller on the Threshold, transmutation of material desire into spiritual desire

Sagittarius  Exoteric Description: Adventurous, searching, spontaneous, reactive, active, intelligent, comedic, unpredictable, blunt, optimistic  Esoteric Description: The Coming One, controls the negative dweller, early stages of soul consciousness, flies on the wings of the soul 

Capricorn Exoteric Description: Reticent, disciplined, workaholic, obsessive, unrelenting, committed, reliable, mature, old soul Esoteric Description: Sign of mystery, "doorway into life of those who know not death.“, birth of individual Christ, an intuitive sign, soul consciousness in later stages

Aquarius Exoteric Description: Outlandish, shocking, intelligent, unstable, detached, humanitarian, isolated, misunderstood, charismatic  Esoteric Description: Intuitive consciousness, sign of world service, lost in light supernal, Spiritual Soul

Pisces Exoteric Description: Idealistic, imaginative, spiritual, frail, martyred, moody, vague, responsive, empathetic, artistic  Esoteric Description: World Saviour, blending of soul and form, releaser of imprisoned life into the spirit, instrument of divine love

urban witch 101: house & home

hey, guys! so I don’t know if there is actually a demand for this, but I know that as a newly-minted urban witch, I have been wanting more informational resources about urban witchcraft and tips for practicing in a city setting, so I’m starting up this “series”, if you will, called urban witch 101. I’ll cover some of the things that I think are important and useful to urban witches, and the things that I have noticed in my own life.

this first part of the series is going to focus on your home base – your apartment, room, wherever it is that you live, because that’s probably going to be an important place in your practice, and it’s important that you get your good vibes going there!

i just moved to the city about a month ago, and here’s some “home base” tips I have for newly-urban witches, or new witches who live in the city.

regular cleansing. cities are full of people, which is cool, and can provide some pretty cool energy for you and your practice, if you’re into that. but the sheer volume of energy means that it can get a little overwhelming today, so I would recommend making home cleansing a regular part of your witchy routine. I live over a nightclub, and like to cleanse about once a month or so, just to clear out any of the weird energy that gets built up from living in such a highly-trafficked space. you may want to do it less frequently or more frequently, depending on your living situation. if you’re just starting out, there are a billion posts out there that can give you some primers on how to cleanse; my personal favorite is sage, but make sure you open a window so your fire alarm doesn’t go off.

protect yourself. like I said, cities have a lot of energy, and not all of it’s good. I’m not talking the practical “have a baseball bat/cast iron pan/blunt object of your choice to defend yourself from home invaders here”, for the record; I’m talking energy protection. there’s a lot of stuff swirling around from everyone who lives on your block and even in your apartment building, and you might not want all of it in your home. a bowl of salt placed by your door or protective stones like black tourmaline at the corners of your house are solid starters.

fit your practice to your space. if you are like most city dwellers, your apartment isn’t very big, or you live with roommates and have a relatively small amount of space to yourself. (I feel you; my fiancee and my familiar and I live in a 250-square-foot studio.) and no matter how important your practice is to you, you’ve also got to fit it into that little apartment with the entire rest of your life. by all means, keep your altar space! but if you’re pressed for room, consider keeping it in a small, travel-friendly box or tin so you can take it out when you need it, or using the top of a flat surface that you might not get other use out of, like the top of a short bookshelf or something similar.

make sure your home is a safe, calm place. as urban witches (and you know, as people in general) we’re often on the go – to work, to school, to pick up takeout, for yet another trip to the bookstore/metaphysical store/local coffee shop where you hang out on the weekends. at the end of the day, you want a calm place with good energy to return to. put up your creature comforts. make your bed in the mornings. leave your space feeling happy, clean, and full of the things that bring you comfort, and allows you to recharge your own energy when the day’s taken it out of you. 

if you need plants to say sane or aid in your practice, don’t be afraid to grow them. you have some options for growing things, even if you live in a tiny apartment. balconies, fire escapes, or windowsills can be the location of your tiny garden, or you can get a neat device that grows your plants inside for you, no sunlight required. 

I’m planning on doing a few more installments of these, so if anyone has suggestions about topics they’d like to see, let me know! my inbox, and the post replies, are always open. happy witching!