Auras and Chakras

The word Charkra is an old Sanskrit word for “Wheels of Light” they are another system in body much like the circulatory, Nervous, and Respiratory. They interact most closely with the endocrine and lymphatic system.  There are seven major chakras that actually hook directly into the spine and take perceptions from ones aura. They hold information of past pain and trauma and it can impact ones aura. These affect a persons emotional and physical health through their connection to the endocrine glands that regulate human behavior. The human energy field or aura surrounds the body in an egg shape around he body.

Auras
    Their seven layers to a persons aura if one or more auras are out of balances they will dim or brighten and be uneven. A person who is spiritually advanced will have an aura that is the pure white light of Spirit.

    Level 1 ~ Etheric Body (aka Lower etheric): Color: Red; This is associated with tough/feeling. If         this level is strong, you will have a healthy body and enjoy all the pleasures of your         five senses (Taste, tough, sight, sound)
    Level 2 ~ Emotional Body (Lower emotional aspect): Color: Orange; This is either light and bright         or swirling with dirty clouds of energy. Negative issues, such as unresolved         emotional “baggage,” can stagnate here; conversely, if you feel happy at a core level,         your first and second energy bodies will display clear, bright colors.   
    Level 3 ~Mental Body (Lower mental aspect): Color: Yellow; This is concerned with mental         concepts in the rational world.  It pulsates at a very fine level when you have an         active, lively mind.
    Level 4 ~ Higher Mental Body: Color: Green; This is where our auras merge and interact with         other people, plants, animals, surroundings and the cosmos. Here we feel the love of         relationships, since it is strongly associated with the heart chakra.
    Level 5 ~ Causal Body (Celestial Body):  Color: Turquoise; This is associated with Divine Will and         acts as an etheric template for the first level (the Etheric Body)
    Level 6 ~ Ketheric Body/True Self (Higher mental aspect):  This links us to Divine Mind, our         higher truth, our super-consciousness.
Chakras
    Base/ Muladhara ~ 
        Color: Red
        Element: Earth,
        Sense: smell
        Glands: Testes/Ovaries
        Key Issues: Sexuality, Lust, Obsession
        Physical location: Between the anus and the Genitals, opening downward
        Associated Spinal Area: Fourth Sacral Vertebra
        Inner aspect: Grounding spiritual energies
        Physical action: Sexuality
        Mental Action: Stability
        Emotional Action: Sensuality
        Spiritual Action: Security
        Animal: The mole represents our learning to respect our dependence on the             alchemy of the Earth. This chakra represents our first awareness of physical             form, relationship to Earth, honoring the Source, respecting the alchemy of             the soil that supports all life.
        Gemstones:  Emeralds, uncut work best, Carnelian,
        Essential Oils: Cedarwood, Patchouli, Myrrh
    Sacral/ Svadisthana ~ 
        Color:Orange
        Element: Water
        Sense: Taste
        Glands: Adrenals
        Key Issues: Relationships, violence, addictions
        Physical Location: Upper part of sacrum below the navel
        Associated spinal area: First lumbar vertebra
        Inner aspect: Feeling
        Physical Aspect: Reproduction
        Mental Action: Creativity
        Emotional Action: Joy
        Spiritual action: Enthusiasm
        Animal: The badger represents recognition of individual needs, care of self as             separate physical entity. The power and vulnerability of the Life Force             manifest within us, acknowledging its sacredness; healing energy for self             and others.
        Gemstones: Fire Opal, and Carnelian, moonstones, and aquamarine
        Essentials Oils: Sandalwood, Jasmine, Champaca, Ylang-Ylang, Rose oil
    Solar Plexus/ Manipura ~ 
        Color: Yellow
        Element: Fire
        SEnse: Sight
        Glands: Pancreas
        Key Issues: Power, fear, anxiety, introversion
        Physical location: Between the navel and the bottom of the sternum
        Associated Spinal area: Seventh and eighth thoracic vertebrae
        Inner Aspect: Opinion and personal power
        Physical action: Digestion
        Mental Action: Power
        Emotional Action: Expansiveness
        Spiritual action: Growth
        Animal: The bear symbolizes self-knowledge and growth; standing in your own             power; transition and change through the power of introspection;             recognizing the limits of human knowing, power of humanity and             forgiveness.
        Gemstones: Topaz, yellow tourmaline, emerald, Sapphire and citrine
        Essential Oils: Clary Sage, Juniper, and Geranium
    Heart/ Anahata ~
        Color: Green/Pink
        Element: Air
        Sense: Touch
        Gland: Thymus
        Key Issues: Passion, tenderness, inner-child issues and rejection
        Physical location: At the center of the chest on the sternum
        Associated Spinal area: Fourth thoracic vertebra
        Inner Aspect: Unconditional love and compassion
        Physical action: Circulation
        Mental action: Passion
        Spiritual Action: Devotion
        Animal: Wolf: Development of ability to love and care for others; community             awareness and awareness of relationship; joy in nurturing and supporting             others, and receiving the same for yourself to achieve all of the above.
        Gemstones: Peridot, pink topaz, rhodonite, pink or lavender kunzite, Watermelon             Tourmaline, rose quartz, and rhodocrosite,
        Essential Oils: Rose, Melissa, Neroli
    Throat/ Vishuddha ~
        Color: Turquoise
        Element: Ether/Akasha
        Sense: Hearing
        Gland: Thyroid/ Parathyroids
        Key Issues: Self-expression, communication, and will
        Physical Location: Between the collar bone and larynx in the neck
        Associated spinal area: third cervical vertebra
        Inner Aspect: Expression
        Physical action: Communication
        Mental Action: Fluent thought
        Emotional Action: Independence
        Spiritual Action: Security
        Animal: Personal Power animals: Finding your own voice: discovering how to best             use your personal gifts; learning to distinguish between self-power, power             over others, or others‘ power over you. Honoring your gift with courage.
        Gemstones: Blue topaz, Yellow topaz, Quartz, and turquoise
        Essential Oils: Lavender, Chamomile, and Rosemary/Thyme/Sage
    Brow/Ajna ~
        Color: Deep Blue
        Element: Spirit
        Sense: Extra-sensory perception
        Gland: Pituitary
        Key Issues: Balancing the higher/lower selves and trusting inner guidance.
        Physical Location: The center of the brow
        Associated spinal area: First cervival vertebra
        Inner aspect: Intuition
        Emotional action: Clarity
        Spiritual Action: Meditation
        Animal: Mountain Lion: Quest for wisdom (tracking); the mountain lion has the             ability to differentiate between human knowledge and universal truth. The             mountain lion shows openness to the lessons of true elders, recognizing             forces and truths that govern our lives and all others
        Gemstones: Diamonds, Lapis Lazuli
        Essential Oils: Frankincense, Basil and holy basil
    Crown/Sahasrara ~
        Color: Violet/Gold
        Element: Spirit
        Sense:  All the senses
        Glands: Pineal
        Key issues: Inner Wisdom and death of the body
        Physical location: top of head
        Associated spinal area: None
        Inner aspect: Release of Karma
        Physical action: Meditation
        Mental action: Universal consciousness
        Emotional Action: Beingness
        Spiritual Action: Unity through transcendental consciousness.
        Animal: Eagle:The eagle has the ability to see the big picture, the balance between             Earth beings and spirit; awareness of how our journey on Earth is not             separate from our spiritual identity.
        Gemstones: Celestite, Blue Sapphire, Charoite and surgilite, Clear quartz,  and             Amethyst.
        Essential Oils: Ylang-Ylang, Rosewood, Lotus or water lily,  and Linden or lime             blossom   

We made Pentacles!

Rituals and other good stuff

The Circle Goes 'round in our lives and our hearts
As merry we meet and merry we part
Teaching us lessons and doing it right
But giving us stars on the darkest of nights
Granting our wishes and cheering us on
As we follow its path through the days hard and long
Bringing us friends so that we may play
And laugh and converse as we follow the way
Of the lord and the Lady and all that it means
As we work toward out goals and reach our for our dreams
At last, it returns us  to where we began
But we are now different than we were back then
The magical circle has changed us -Each one-
And we are now different than we were back then
And just when we think the trip’s over and done
We find that the circle has only begun.
                        ~Dorothy Morrison~
The Altar
    Because the human factor represents Akasha and is the source from which all magic flows, most people like to work with it in the center of the circle. Yet not everyone has the space to do that, so the altar can be placed where ever is convenient Remember to allow some walking room, though otherwise you may inadvertently knock over a candle and set the room on fire.
Cakes and Wine/ Blessings and Libation
    After preforming ritual magic, cakes and wine/cookies and juice, as case may be-are blessed and consecrated. In a solo setting it common to eat one of the cakes and drink the wine, if  you are in a group it is traditional to kiss the person you are passing it to after taking a sip or a bite. Always leaves something to leave to lord and Lady at the end of the ritual, but split the rest of the “feast” up between the members.
    Once the Ritual is over take out your offering to the Lord and Lady, place the solid food on the ground and pour the wine over top. If you do not do the wine&cakes part in your ritual make sure to leave something to the Deities, sacred water, incense, but be smart, don’t like incense and walk away, or a candle.
Rituals

Call of the Five Winds
    This is a ritual that is actually a follow up to the grandmother meditation. They can be used separately or together.
    Supplies: Your breath, five tubes of glitter (gold, red, blue, green, and silver); five candles (gold, red, blue, green, and silver); a one-foot-by-one-foot flat stone, a pair of soft gloves.
Choose an area where you will not be disturbed, don’t mind glitter on the floor, and will feel at peace.
    Put on the gloves, set the stone in the center of where you will be working,  and place the silver candle in the middle of the stone. Set the candles around the stone in the appropriate quarters: East-Gold, South-red, West-blue,  and north-green
    You may put on the meditation, or gentle music if you like. Relax in the center of the room, beside your stone. This simple sacred space alignment requites that you be seated.
    Sit facing the east, light the gold candle. Tae a small amount of gold glitter in your hand and close your eyes. Concentrate on what the energies of the east represent to you and what your need in your life that coincides with these energies. You also can consider what your would like to honor. What gifts have you recently from the energies of the east? Once you have contemplated long enough, open your eyes and blow the glitter off your gloved hand. Imagine the energies of the east wind blessing you, your sacred area,  and any tasks you with to perform that use that energy. As the glitter descends, remember what the small winds looked like in the meditation and envision them before you, touching you gently and bringing gifts of love and unity.
    Repeat this procedure with each quarter, moving around the stone like the cycle of the seasons. Meditate on the blessings of this and use this time to find solutions to problems, inspire creativity,  etc.
    After you finish, thank the energies you have called and bid them farewell. Extinguish the candles, in a counterclockwise motion.
    Ground and Center.
    Clean up and record your experiences
Esbat Ritual
    Supplies: Three alter candles: one of each color in the left-center-right positions of         altar or candelabra:
        Full Moon: Blue-white-orange:
            Incense:  Sandalwood, frankincense, Night lady, Moon, Ritual, or                 one that is appropriate for any magical workings
    Tools: Bell (can clap hands instead), bowl of salt,  pentacle, Broom, athame,bowl         with water, incense holder, chalice with drink, cauldron, wand, and an Altar         to keep everything on.
Begin Esbat:
    Lay out Circle and at north set altar items [nay use fruit juice, water, tea, instead of     wine]. Ground and center
    Sweep the Circle area deosil starting in the north and return to the altar.
    As I sweep, may the Besom chase away all negativity from with in this circle
That it may be cleared and read for my work.

Light Incense and Altar candles; ring bell or clap hands 3 times
    The Circle is about to be cast and I freely stand within to greet my lady and my Lord

 Take center Altar candle deosil around the Circle, raising at each Quarter [and lighting Elemental Candles if used] returning to the altar when done.
[North] I call upon Light and Earth at the North to illuminate and strengthen the circle
[East] I call upon light and Air at the East to illuminate and enliven the Circle.
[South] I call upon Light and Fire at the south to illuminate and warm the circle
[West] I call upon Light and Water at the west to illuminate and cleanse the circle

    Raise the Athame in power hand in front of the Altar.
                                                                I draw this circle in the Presence of the Lady and the Lord that they may aid and bless me in my work.
     Lower Athame at North; walk deosil around the Circle, envisioning a blue light     shooting out from the [point to form the Circle Boundary:
This is the boundary of the Circle, around me through walls floors, above me and below me as a sphere is the circle cast and consecrated to the lady and Lord that they may work with and  through their child [name]. This Circle is charged by the powers of the Ancient ones! Only they shall enter and leave.
Return to the Altar, and ring bell 3x; touch point of athame in the salt:
Salt is life and purifying. I bless this alt to be used in this sacred Circle by the power of the Goddess and God.
    Using the Tip of athame drop 3 portions of salt into the water; stir 3 times with     blade.
Let the blessed salt purify this water that it may be blessed to use in this sacred circle. Through the power of the Goddess and the God is this water cleansed
    Sprinkle Blessed Water deosil around the circle
            I consecrate this Circle by the lady and the Lord. This Circle is conjured a Circle of Power that is purified and sealed. So mote it be!
    Put water bowl on Altar; take incense deosil around Circle to cense it.
    With the aroma of incense do I  honor and make welcome my visitors and helpers, visible and invisible
    Dab anointing oil with fingertip on forehead in a sigil.
    I, [name] am consecrated in the name of the Goddess and God, in this their circle. [Do this for all for all group members who walked the circle with you.] How do you enter this circle? [The response for each should be in perfect love and perfect trust]
    With wand, invoke the elemental Elements at each quarter starting at the North and         moving deosil, raise and open arms to invoke, then close and lower arms,         turning to the next quarter until all are called.
        [North] I call upon you, Elemental Earth, to attend this rite and guard this Circle for as I have body and strength, we are kith and kin! [Visualize a bull arriving]
[East] I call upon you, Elemental Air, to attend this rite and guard this circle, for as I breath and think, we kith and kin! [Visualize a soaring Eagle]
[South] I call upon you, Elemental fire, to attend this rite and guard this Circle, for as I have energy and drive, and consume life to live, we kith and kin! [Visualize a mighty lion]
[West] I call upon you, Elemental Water, to attend this rite and guard this Circle, for as I have emotions and my heart beats, we are kith and kin! [Visualize a leaping dolphin]
Draw down Cosmic Lemniscate with wand over altar (Infinity symbol)
Set wand  on Altar, raise Athame in both hands straight over head
Hail to the Elements at the Four Quarters! Welcome Lady and Lord to this Circle! I stand between the worlds with love and power all around.
Set down athame; pick up cup; pour some beverage into libation bowl, cauldron, or the ground to honor the Lady and the Lord, then take a sip, ring bell or clap 5 times.
Stand at the Altar with arms open and feet apart;
    Behold the Great Lady, who travels the sky; The stars shine around her and     light up the night
Pick up wand; open arms to the full moon for the drawing down:
    Lovely lady known by so many names, but known to me as [name], with the         Lord, [name] at your side; honor and reverence I give to you and         invite you to join with me on this, your special night. Descend, my         lady, and speak with your child[Name]
Set wand on altar and listen for guidance.
Read from a personal selection be it song, poem, etc.
Conduct any spell work, Drawing down the moon, charging of water, consecrations, meditations, etc. As created for this night or brought from spells rituals, or meditations sections from your book of shadows.
Once you work is done raise your open arms to the sky
    You are the mother of all, maiden, mother, and crone; you are at life’s beginning and at its end. You dwell within us all for you are life and love, and htus do you make me life and love. Love is the law and love is the bond! So mote it be!
Ring bell or clap 3 times
Feet spread and open arms raised;
    I acknowledge my needs and offer my appreciation to that which sustains me! May I ever remember the blessing of the lady and lord.
Feet together, hold cup in left hand and athame in right and slowly lower the point of the athame into the cup:
    As the Divine Male joins the divine female for the benefit of Both, let the fruits of their sacred Union promote life, love, and joy. Let the Earth be fruitful and let her bounty be spread throughout all lands.
Set down athame, pour a second libation into the libation bowl or cauldron.
Now touch point of athame to bread/cake in offering dish
        This food is the blessing of the Lady and Lord given to me, As I have     received, may I offer food for the body, mind, and spirit to those who seek such     of me.
Eat the circle food and finish the beverage, [divide the food and drink among attendees present] When finished;
        As I enjoyed these gifts of the Goddess and God, may I remember that     with them I would have nothing So mote it be!
Hold Athame in power hand level over altar
        Lord and Lady, I have ben blessed by your sharing this time with me;     watching and guiding me; guiding me here and in all things. I came in love     and I depart in love
Raise athame in a salute
        Love is the law and love is the bond. Merry did I meet, merry do I     part, and merry will I meet again. Merry meet, marry part, and merry meet     again. The Circle is cleared. So mote it be!
Kiss the flat of the blade and set the athame on the altar
With wand moving deosil, far welling each elemental with raised arms, then lower and close arms and move to the next Quarter; snuff candles if used;
        [North]Depart in peace, elemental earth. My blessings take with you
        [East] Depart in peace, elemental Air, My blessings take with you
        [South] Depart in peace, elemental fire, my blessings take with you
        {West] Depart in peace, Elemental water, my blessings take with you
Set wand on altar and raise open arms
        Being and powers of the visible  and invisible, depart in peace! You aid     in my work, whisper in my mind, and bless me from otherworld. Let there ever     be harmony between us. My blessings take with you. The circle is cleared!
Take athame and move widdershins around the circle envisioning the blue light drawing back into the athame.
        The circle is open yet the circle remains as its magical power is drawn     back into me. The circle is cleared! So mote it be!
At the altar, touch the tip of the athame to forehead, seeing the blue light swirling and returning inside; then athame in salute
    The ritual is ended!
Set down athame; open arms outward; palms up:
    Blessings have been given,
Draw arms together, crossed over chest and bow;
    And blessing have been received.
Bring arms forward with hands together in front; palms upright, outward:
    May the peace of the Goddess and the God remain in my heart, so mote it be!
Ground excess energy by touching palms to floor; put away all magical tools and clear the Altar; empty libation bowl or cauldron onto the earth [outside or in a potted plant], or rinse out in sink.


   

   


   

Creating Sacred Space

Internal Preparations
    In order to have a successful circle your internal structure must be sound. Safe and Sane, if you are not feeling well, if you are being over whelmed with anger, or being swept away by sadness,  you need to step back and get yourself in check.
    If you’re working with a group the whole group needs to be comfortable, if someone is harboring misgivings, grudges, or is hiding secrets from the group the circle will not work and it can be very dangerous. Everyone needs to be open with each other and not hid things from the group that pertains to the group.
    The next thing you have to do is to familiarize yourself with what is going to be happening within your circle. Do you have all your visualizations ready? Do you know the sequence of events. Yes? Good...time for a bath!
    Within the group this will be a time known as Quiet time or Attunment. This is a brief time of solitary  meditation and reflection.

Ritual Cleansing
    Ok so a bath isn’t always going to be an option, neither is shower, in the group setting you all can’t just jump in a bath together, but pre-ritual purification is a must! Now at it’s most elaborate purification is seclusion from others, special diets or fasting, ritual baths, and meditation. It is the essence, not the form, that matters in purification; therefore, in most cases less elaborate methods will suffice. What you are striving for in your purification is to achieve “Perfect Love and Perfect Trust” or as close to is as humanly possible.
    So what is this purification? In definition it is the removal of undesirable elements, an increase in homogeneity, and/or a greater adherence to a pattern or standard.  You need to put aside all your worries, and anxieties from your life. Your not letting them go , dismissing, or releasing them. You still have to deal with them but this isn’t the time so just push them to the back of your mind. Now you will find it is easier purify yourself if your physical being is being Kept up with proper exercise, diet, sexuality, adequate rest, and the avoidance of toxins.  “if the flesh is weak, the spirit eventually loses its will, and its home.

The Ritual
    Alright you’re prepared, your cleansed, and you are ready to go. So what’s  to keeping your successful ritual going once you get started. Let loose, let go, and roll with the flow. First off forget about how silly, awkward, clumsy, or comical you see yourself or others as you are casting. It will throw off your mind set and your groups. Physically it will make your stiff, the voice will lack force, and your life force will stop it’s flow into the astral plane.
    Vulnerability and intimacy are often linked, and magical work, whether undertaken alone or in a group, Is self-revelatory and intimate. You will learn things about yourself through enacting castings and rituals, and what you learn may not always be comfortable. You will also learn that the things that you shy away from the most such as dancing, singing, or expressing affection are things that we most deeply want to do. Strong desire often encourages vigorous efforts at overcoming or releasing obstacles in our path.
After the Ritual
    Alright you ritual went off great! You are buzzing on the energy you created but now what? You can’t just let it bounce around unattended. You need to ground or Center.  Grounding is connecting with our bodies to affirm their importance before shifting our focus outward to encompass more than the physical, and more then ourselves.
    Centering is finding balance ad true identity within yourself while being open to the flow of energy. When your sense of your will and intent is clear, your actions will be truer to your karma, dharma, and life goals. 

Grandmother Meditation

         

Here is a Meditation I wrote and recorded
Enjoy!

Calling Quarters

Invocation of the Elements
Air, Fire, water, earth, elements of astral birth,
I call you now; attend to me!
In the circle, rightly cast,
Safe from psychic curse or blast,
I call you now; attend to me!
From cave and desert, sea and hill,
By wand, blade, cup, and pentacle,
I call you now; attend to me!
This is my will, so mote it be!

The Elements
Yellow is the color of Air:
Of winds blown strong and winds blown fair.
Red belongs to flames and Fire,
Burning brightly on the pyre.
If water is your quest, use blue
Tides rise and fall in azure hue.
The tint of mother Earth is green…
Clam and peaceful and serene.
In the mind these colors gel:
And they will serve you very well!

The Elements—Air, Fire, Water, and Earth— play a major role in our day-to-day existence. That’s because everything on our planet is either comprised of them singularly, or in one combination or another. And because it’s an Earth-based religion, the Elements also play an integral part in the rituals, magic, and celebratory processes of Wicca.
Each Element has two poles or forces: one active and the other passive. When the Element is in active mode, it works in a positive manner and energy takes shape in a very creative and constructive ways. When the Element is in passive mode, however, its force becomes destructive. This results in negative energy.
Each Element also has specific qualities. These are important because they make the elements pull together as a team. In fact, when all the Elements are used in equal combination, they form static electricity. It’s something we not only use daily in technology, but the exact substance we create when we cast a ritual circle.
Our bodies are also comprised of a combination of the Elements. This means that each element rules particular body regions, vital organs, and human Functions. When we feel out of sorts or get sick, it’s because our life force isn’t flowing properly, and this is a direct result of personal Element imbalance.
Elements Vs. Elementals
    Element: Belonging to the mundane world, in it’s simplest air, fire, water, and earth,         but making up all of the elements on the periodic table. Elements have         energy but not will, desire, or thought. An Element looks the same to all,         dirt is dirt is dirt no mater what color it happens to be.
    Elemental: A personification of the element, yet is invisible to the untrained eye,         does not dwell in the mundane human world but does have will, desire and         thought. Elements are subject to the practitioner’s vision of them and look         different to everyone.
Common Elementals
    Each direction has it’s own element and elementals that belong to it. The details are always different the main idea remains the same.
    Gnomes: Earth, north. Givers of material gain and stability. The rulers of the forest.         Seen as “little People” or green light. Protectors of outdoor circles and         groves
    Sylphs: Air, east. Givers of wishes, knowledge, and dreams. The rulers of the         weather. Envisioned as “faeries” or white light. Delicate beings with         beautiful wings. Protectors of magical applications.
    Salamanders: Fire, south. Givers of passion and creativity. The rulers of fields and         fire or blue flames. Envisioned as dragons or lizards. Protectors of the         hearth, home, or business.
    Undines: Water, west. Givers of love and friendship. The rulers of all water.         Envisioned as merpeople, sires, or pink lights. Protectors of the gates of         death and karma.
Elemental Calls
The east, the sylphs, the knowledge, the wind
Positive forces, I call you in

The south, the drakes, the hearth,  the fire
Aid this night my desire

The west, the mers, the love, the water
I conjure my need into matter

The North, the gnomes, the roots, the grove
Bring your gifts, I make it so

The center, the Spirit, the life, the force
I call you now to open your doors

Releasing the Elementals

The north, the gnomes, the roots, the grove
Fare thee well, I send thee home

The west, the undines, the love, the water
Fare thee well
Back you go to Gaia’s cauldron

The south, the drakes, the hearth, the fire
Fare thee well and never ire

The east, the sylphs, the knowledge, the wind
Fare thee well, with peace I send

The center, the spirit, the life, the force
I ask you now to the shut the doors

In perfect love and perfect trust
Hail ad farewell.

Watchtowers
    The watchtowers can be magical wards/structures to keep the circle safe, or they can just be the structure on which the watcher stays keeping guard. No matter which the practitioner is envisioning it should not be called, summoned, or stirred (based on need and watcher) until after the circle is cast so that it has something to guard. Some other views of the Watchers are of Angels or Angelic like beings, other envision Grigori (Italian Giants born of  extremely tall males and human women), The four most infamous watchers are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel.
    In ancient times (as far back as the records show) four stars were the watchers.
       
        Aldebaran:     East, Vernal Equinox
        Antares:    West, Autumn Equinox
        Fomalhaut:    North, Winter Solstice
        Regulus:    South, Summer Solstice
    Watchers in the most basic of ideals is both stars and angels, beings of light. They have been called Shining Ones, and have even fathered children with these shining characteristics. It is even believed that watchers came from the stars, or represented the stars themselves. To some practitioners the watchers also take on the image of an animal, that is designed and conceptualized but the practitioner.
    All in all Watchers do more then just protect the circle, they are also belived to be the ones that escort the dead to summer land and then on to their next life. Nothing is ever hidden from them, some even go so far to speculate that Watchers are the lords of Karma, and make sure that it is followed and used.

Watchtower Call
Watchtower call
Aldebaran light
East I draw
Come this night

Watchtower call
Regulus might
South I draw
Protect this site

Watchtower call
Witness Antares
West I draw
O work with star faeries

Watchtower call
Fomalhaut aid
North I draw
With my blade

Sining ones
of stellar sight
Assist me please
Throughout this rite.

Release
    Hail and farwell
(Fomalhaut)(Antares)(Regulus)(Aldebaran) bright
Safe journey now
Into the night
Peace and harmony reign supreme
Blessing upon you

Faeries
    Faeries are creatures of many levels of intelligence, ethics, and abilities. Extreme caution should be used when asking for their aid especially with circle casting. Never ask a specific fey to come without doing your research. This is just a starting place and should not be used without further research.
       
    Direction    King        Color        Rule
    East        Paralda        Red        Trees, flowers, winds, mountains
    South        Djin        White        Fire, Volcanos, passions, fields
    West        Nixa        Grey        Lakes, ponds, rivers, oceans
    North        Ghob        Black        Earth, Gems, Minerals
   
    When working with faeires there are two main roads that are followed the first being the interest of historical and archeological correctness of information of the Fey. The latter being those that are more interested in the mythical and creative aspects of working with Faeries.

Airts
    The airts are Gaelic, and are both compass points and wind. Local weather patterns can greatly affect your work and the landscape can greatly affect local weather patterns. Always keep this in mind when doing magic, ground shaking magic on a fault line, or water magic during a wet season.
    Just as with all things that are element in nature the Airts to have color associates.
   
    East        Crimson of dawn        Red
    South        light of high noon        White
    West        brownish-grey of twilight    Grey
    North        Black of midnight        Black

Invocation
    Black spirits and white
Red spirits and grey
Come ye and come ye
Come ye that may!
Around and around
Throughout and about,
The good come in
And ill keep out!
    If you notice this invocation is not a quarter call, why? Because it makes an equilateral cross. Top, Bottom, right left which is used in other customs such as with Thor’s Hammer, other religions such as crossing oneself in the catholic church, or the basic four quarters of the earth, and the four elements.
    Since you are working with winds it is important to keep in mind that they will be moving constantly. Prior to your work set your mind whether they should be moving winddershinns (Negative magic, Banishment, breaking habits, losing weight), or Deosil (Positive magic, gain, increase,)

Angels
    Whatever you have been told or think Angels do not belong exculisivily to christianity. They have been traced back to ancient times and the root of almost all the angels names is -el which is Sumatran mean “shining ones” (Sound familiar? Often the Watchtowers and Angels are confused for one another and indeed can be one another their isn’t much of a difference between them when it comes to calling quarters but other uses with them you need to do your homework(
    Almost all of the branches of religion touch on angels. In judaism they belong within the tree of life. In that  religion the angels are responsible for different spheres and the angels within those spheres.
   
    In Catholicism, angels are split into a hierarchy called the Nine Choirs. Yet in protestant sects, angeles are rarely identified. If you are going to work with Angels it is important to know how they work together and what exactly what it is that you are working with. Here is a starting point as always this is not  all there is make sure you research more. This list is more definitions and any names given need to be thoroughly researched since it possible for angels to be of different ranks. (Michael is a Seraphim and an Archangel) The further down the hierarchy you go the more  human the angels are and the more susceptible to human failings.

    Seraphim: The Highest order, know as the closest to divine energy, and the most         pure beings. There appearance is that of a dragon with six sets of wings, four         heads, and eye covered wings. They are also engulfed in flame. 
    Cherubim: Linked to the Divines Glory and helpers to the gods. They are man like         in appearance with a two sets of wings, and two faces.
    Thrones: Angels of Humility, Peace, Submission, reside where materials take  shape.         They are often seen as huge spinning wheels with lots of eyes.
    Dominions: Angels of leadership, Let the lower levels know of the wishes of the         Divine beings. It is said they a speak fire.
    Virtues: Spirits of motion and control the elements and control of nature including         celestial bodies, and seasons. They are also in charge of miracles and provide         courage, grace, and valor.
    Powers: Warrior angels who are either good or bad creating chaos and destruction         or protecting humankind and the cosmos. The good look like humans and         the bad like leopards
    Archangels: Known as chief messengers to humankind during times of critical         danger or dark times. These angels have intimate knowledge of the divine         and continually praise them.
    Principalities: look like humans, but are angry with the deities and with humans for         hey are primarily evil.
    Angels: The last group of angels have no title and these are the ones who are closest         to the mundane world and take our messages to the divine. These are the         first to come when aid is asked for.

Totems
    Totems are animals, or animal spirits that manifest to aid the practitioner even in their work within a circle. Often they are animals that are native to the land the practitioner knows for example celtic Witches often use horses, bulls, stags, ravens, wolves, bears, and boars (just to name a few) in their work. These are completely up to the discretion of the witch or coven and can mean different things to different people. Take the snake, it can be thought of as a water element for it’s fluid like motions, or a fire element since most are found in hot climates. They can earth since that is what is near and dear to them or air for the distinct sound their hissing makes. One good rule of thumb is don’t use animals you know nothing about or that you have negative vibes from, fear is ok, I know very few people that would not be fearful if faced with a tiger but it still is a powerful totem that is used often.

Archtypes
    These are very common in covens especially ones with specific pantheons. The easiest example of this is a greek one. To cast the circle you could do it as such cast Zeus as Air, Poseidon as Water, Artemis as Earth, and Hephestos as Fire. When the god and goddess are called up could go on to use Diana as the Goddess and Helios as the God. This is just one of many combinations but it very important that with this example you didn’t use Zeus as air and as god since splitting the jobs of the deities can prove disastrous. When you call deities it is also important outline their reasons for being there, be specific.

Mighty Ones/Ancient Ones
    These spirits do not have names, but do favor one of the elements. They are humans who have transcended so far into the spiral that that hold ancient wisdom and knowledge from many an incarnation. They are guides to help us young ones along our paths.



Many Cultures, Many Quarters
    Buddhist
            When the buddha was born, a tremendous eight-petaled lotus         blossom rose from the Earth. Remarkably, the newborn Buddha stepped         into the lotus and turned to look to each of the eight directions (the         quarters and cross-quarters), and then he looked up and down. To begin his         life in balance, he oriented himself to the ten sacred directions.
    Celtic
            In the Gaelic Airts the Directions were associated with the path of         the Sun. The East was Airt, and its color was crimson of dawn. The south         was Deas, and its color was white light of noon. The west was Iar, and it’s         color was the gray-brown of dusk. The North was Tuath, and its color was         the black of midnight. The Children of the goddess Danu, the Tuatha de         Danamn, had four sacred cities with four sacred treasures. In the East were         Gorias and the Spear of Lugh. In the South were Finias and Nuada’s Sword         of Light. In the West were Murias and Dagda’s Cauldron. In the North were         Falias and Fal, the Stone of Destiny.
    Christian
            In Eden there were four rivers and four gates at the Four Directions,         and at each gate stood an Archangel. These Archangels are also present at         the four directions of the cross, and they are Raphael in the East, Michael in         the South, Gabriel in the West, and  Uriel in the North.
    Egyptian
            The God Horus had four sons who were born in the lotus blossom         of synthesis and center. Hawk-headed Qebhsnuf was the son of Air.         Jackal-headed Duamutef was the son of Fire. Human-headed Imsety was the         son of Water. Ape-headed Hâpi was the son of Earth.
    Greek
            It is well-known that the concept of the Four Elements undergirds         much of Greek philosophy. The mythology also repeats this pattern. The         Goddess Nemesis bore four sacred tools: a cup, an apple bough wand, a         wheel, and a sword. The four winds were known as Eurus of the East, Notus         of the South, Zephyrus of the West, and Boreas of the North.
    Hindu
            Before the beginning, at the time of creation, the God Brahma cast         his gaze to each of the Four Directions in preparation for his work. The         Tattvas, the primal qualities of nature in Hinduism, as symbolized by a         yellow square for Earth, a silver crescent for Water, a red triangle for Fire, a         blue Circle (Or Hexagram) for Air, and a black egg for spirit.
   

Japanese
        In Shinto, the “way of the gods” there are four powerful guardians at each of     the four directions. In the East stands Jikoku as a blue dragon. In the South stands     Komoku as a red bird. In the West stands Zocho as a white tiger. In the North     stands Bishamon as a black warrior. Collectively they are known as the Shi Tenno.
Judaic
        The Tetragrammaton, a sacred name of God, is four letters, YHVH. The     letter Yod corresponds to the Element of Fire. The letter He corresponds to the     Element fo Water. The letter Vav corresponds to the element of air. The second He     Corresponds to the Element of Earth. The missing vowels that would the give the     accurate pronunciation of this sacred name correspond to spirit. In it’s elaborate for,     wherein the Elements and Spirit give rise to all things, the Tetragammoaton     becomes the Shem he-meforash: the 72-syllable, 216-letter name of God.
Dineh (Navaho)
        The Dineh, what the Navaho call themselves, honor the Quarters in many     ways. One ritual of purification and integration involves “raising  the sky” on four     wands of shel, turquoise, black, and gold. The colors correspond to the aspects of     changing Woman who is White Shell Woman in the East, Turquoise woman in the     South, Salt Woman in the West and Spider Woman in the North.

Akasha

Since all the elements embody Akasha or Spirt it everything and nothing. When you have all the elements in  unison you automatically get Akasha, at the same time it and is present without any of them.  There are somethings that are purely Akasha

Basic Nature: Unkownable, mystery
Direction: East, South, West, North, above, below, within, without, and lack of direction.
Type of Energy: Projective, receptive
Color: Purple, black, clear
Places: Outer space, inner space, vacuums,  the void
Applications: religious Ceremonies
Deities: All
Season: All
Time: Eternity
Senses: Psychics
Natural Symbols: Dream representations, imagination
Plants: All (or none)
Stones: All (or none)
Metal: Meteorite, any metal not from this planet.
Creatures: Dragons
Mythical Representatives: Spirits, Angels
Spheres of Magic: Religious and Divinatory
Magical Tool: All (Or none)
Ritual Forms of Expression: All (or none)
Musical Instruments: Voice
Astrological Signs: All (or none)
 Tarot Suit: Major Arcana

    Spirit Magic is any and all because Spirit is all magic. The most pure of spirit magic is that which the practitioner  listens, learns and becomes one with Akasha.

Water

    Water is the element of purification, the subconscious mind, love, and the emotions.
    Just as water is fluid, constantly changing, flowing from one level to another, so too are our emotions in a constant state of flux.
    Water  is the element of absorption and germination. The subconscious is symbolized by this element because it is rolling always moving, like the sea that rests neither night or day.
    Water magic involves pleasure, friendship, marriage, fertility, happiness healing, sleep, dreaming,  psychic acts, purification, and so on.
    A ritual of water usually ends with an object being tossed or placed in or on a body of water.
    This is a feminine element, and its color is the blue of deep, deep water. It rules the west and autumn months of the year when rain showers wash the earth.
    The magic of water is wrought with mirrors, the sea, fog, and rain.

Water
Basic Nature: Flowing,purifying, healing, soothing, loving
Type of Energy: Receptive
Active polarity Compassion, Devotion, Forgiveness, Love, Modesty, Nutriment, Serenity, and Tenderness.
Passive Polarity Anger, bitterness, depression, guilt, indifference, selfishness, stagnation, and timidity
Body parts Abdomen and human emotion
House Domain: Bathroom (room) Blue/green (Color) Sandalwood (Scent) Clean (Thought)
Places: Lakes,springs, rivers, beaches, oceans, wells, swimming pools, bathtubs, showers, bedrooms (for sleep), health spas, steam rooms, fountains.
Direction: west
Time: Dusk
Point in life: Maturity
Sense: taste
Color: Blue
Quality: Emotion, Intuition
Natural Symbols:Shells, cup of water
Animals: Crab, duck, fish, seahorse, seal, whale, cat, frog, turtle, dolphin, otter, seal, Dugong (manatee);most fish and shellfish.
Herbs: Aquatic, such as water lilies, and seaweed; fleshy, as in succulents and lettuce, loving, as in rose and gardenia,; generally flowers.
Stones: Transparent or translucent, as in amethyst and aquamarine; blue, as in blue tourmaline.
Metals: Mercury (quicksilver), Silver, Copper
Musical Instruments: Cymbal, bell all resonant metals
Tools: Chalice, cup, bowl, wine, water, juice, silver, coral, stones with holes in their centers, seaweed, and seashells
Riuals: Purification, love, psychic awareness, dreams, sleep,peace, marriage,  friendships
Ritual forms: Dilution, placing into water, washing away, bathing.
Zodiac: Cancer (water at it’s source), Scorpio (Fixed or Deep waters), and Pisces (Water changing direction)
Angel/Guardian:
    Aquatic animals: Manakel
    Baptisms and Wiccanings: Raphael, Barpharanges
    Beauty: Camael
    Birth and conception: Gabriel
    Compassion: Rachmiel, Raphael
    Deep Seas: Tamiel, Rampel, Rahab
    Fish: Gagiel, Arariel, Azareel
    Gratitude: Shemael
    Hail: Bardiel, Nuriel, Yurkami
    Healing: Shekinah
    Intuitive Powers: Sachiel
    Overcome jealousy: Balthial
    Liberation: Colopatiron
    Longevity: Mumiah, Scheiah, Rehail
    Love: Raphael, Rahmiel, Theliel, Donquel, Anael, Liwet, Mihr
    Mercy: Michael, Gabriel, Rhamiel, Rachmiel, Zadkiel
    Peace: Gavreel
    Platonic love and friendship: Mihr
    Positive, loving thoughts: Hahaiah
    Protection for travel over water: Elemiah
    Rain: Matarel, Mathariel Ridia, Matriel, Dara
    Rivers: Trsiel, Rampel, Dara
    Running Streams: Nahaliel
    Science and Medicine: Mumiah
    Sea: Rahab
    Showers: Zaa’fiel
    Snow:  Shalgiel, Michael
    Waters: Phul
    Water insects:  Shakziel
African Deities:  (Female) Abuk, Asase Yaa, Aziri, Dada, NImm, Oshun (Rivers and         streams), Yemaya (Sea)
Egyptian Deities:  (Female) Akhet, Celestial waterer, Hast, Haqet, Meri, Nephthys, Satet,         Sphinx, Uat (Male) Tefnut, Khnum (God who controlled the Nile)
Greek and Roman Deities: (Female) Acantha, Alcyone, Cleone, Dero, Hippo, Hypereia,         Inassa, Therma (Male) Neptune, Poseidon
Germanic/Norse Deities: Atlaq, Holda, Lady Wen Matrona, Norns (Fates who are Skuld,         Verdandi ,and Urd) Wave maidens (Male) Donar, Ull
Celtic Deities: (Female) Bried/Brigid (Considered fire and water goddess) Coann, Danu,         Eona, Lady of the Lake, Tres Mares (Male) Condatism, Manannnan.

To Increase Psychic Awareness
    Go to a flat, slow moving stream, bury a coin at the base of a nearby tree or bush and gently collect three leaves. Thank the plant for its sacrifice as you collect the leaves.
    Next, hold the leaves between your palms, visualize yourself as a psychic person, who can call upon the psychic mind at will. Imagine what it would be like to be psychic. Push your personal power into the leaves with your visualization.
    Set one leaf afloat on top of the water Say these or similar words:

        Leaf afloat,
        Leaf so green,
        Help me to see,
        What’s Unseen

    As the first leaf sails away, launch another, then the third each time saying the same words.
    As each leaf touches the water, it slowly dispels the energy that you’ve given to it. This energy mixes with the psychic-inducing power of the water to bring your need into manifestation.

A Peace Bath
    Draw a bath for yourself, Pour a tablespoon or so of milk into a large bowl of water. Say:
    Water ripples on the breeze…
   
    Add several rose petals (Fresh or dried) to the bol of water and milk. Say:
   
    Thistledown flies through  the air…
Stir the water, milk, and rose petals with the index finger of your right hand. Say:

    Silent as the mighty seas…

Gently pour the mixture you’ve created into the bath and say:

    Peaceful here without a care

Step in, Bathe for as long as you with. Let the water absorb negative thoughts and worries. Allow yourself a few moments of healing peace.

The Water Vow
    Since water is the Element of Love, and marriage, this a special elemental ritual that can be used to tie a couple together on the elemental plane. It works to increase Love and affection toward one another.
    Find a narrow stream or spring. Stand on one side and your loved one on the other. Clasp hands over the water and say together:
   
    Flowing water, witness this act:
    Our hands are bound; we make this pact.

Visualizing the Water
    Proceed to the western point and face outward. Be aware of the soft contemplative hush of eventide, of being surrounded by rich gold of autumn colors and of ripe fruits and nuts, and the gathered corn and all good things of harvest home. See yourself at the border of a still lake, upon which there is scarcely a movement , save for the odd fish rising to form an eddy of ripples, or the buzz of insect  life about its surface. On the horizon before you the sun, a great dull gold disk, sinks toward the horizon in a soft glory of shades of crimson, and  as you watch, it disappears below the ground of the purple mountains in the far west, on the other side of the lake, whence you can see far in the distance a winding path leading up to the heights. As the sun disappears, yet still signals of its presence by the afterglow of flories in the cloudbanks of the western sky, you notice in the greening azure of the upper sky a few first faint stars, and shining predominatly amongst them, as a herald of them all, the great lamp of Venus, the evening star. At the same time be aware of the last flicker of a point of light from it’s master below the horizon, and then be aware of the mistress of the night sky, the crescent moon, with the evening star between it’s horns like a pale lantern in the sky before you.
The darkening clouds of the western horizon almost appear to be like herds of lowing cattle, and you are aware of a great figure of a spotted cow, building over the lake before you. This is Mona, most ancient of sacred symbols.
    Within your hands you find you hold a silver cup, and before you on the ground is a cauldron, simmering over a  slow fire. Sweet savors are rising from it. You raise your cup toward the great beings of the west and you drink a toast to them that is almost a sacrament. Then you contemplate the rising vapors that ascend above your head still air from the cauldron of inspiration, that has images of nine goddesses cunning worked about its rim. Be aware as you do spot the great archangelic figure Gabriel, in blue and silver before you, bearing a great horn of annunciation, he who is the bringer of tidings and visions. With him, in the lower parts of his aura may be discerned the great elemental lord of water, known as Nixsa. And as you become aware of him you also realize the presence of this creatures, beautiful nymphs and sirens  rising from the depths of the lake, some like dolphins, others bearing pearls and sea treasures, and calling on conch horns, and you feel the purifying streams of water flowing through your being.

Fire

    Fire is the element of change, will, and passion. In a sense it contains within it all forms of magic, since magic is process of change.
    Fire magic can be frightening. The results manifest quickly and spectacularly. It is not an element for the faint-hearted. It is the primal, however, and for this reason is much used.
      This is the realm of sexuality and passion. It is not only the “sacred fire” of sex, it is also the spark of divinity that shines within us and in all living things. It is at once the most physical and spiritual of the elements.
    Its magical rituals  usually involve energy, authority, sex, healing, destruction (of negative habits, disease) purification, evolution, and so on.
    A ritual of fire usually involves the fuming, burning, or smouldering of an image, herb, or other flammable object, or the use of candles or small blazes.
    It’s magic is usually practiced near the hearth, or beside fires lit in wilderness clearings, or beside the flame of a single candle.
    Fire is masculine. It rules the south, the place of greatest heat, the color red, the season of summer.
    All candle magic comes under fire’s powers.
   
Here are some of fire’s associations:

Basic Nature:Purifying, destructive, cleansing, energetic, sexual, forceful. Heat is a     manifestation of this element.
Type of Energy: Projective
Active Polarity: Action, Courage, Eagerness, Enthusiasm, Interest, Movement,     Productivity, and Resolution
Passive Polarity: Destruction, Devastation, Gluttony, Hatred, Intolerance, Irritability, and     Jealousy, Overindulgence.
Body:  Head, neck, shoulders, and arms
House Domain: Kitchen (Room), Brown (Color), Baking Bread (Scent), Good Food     (Thought)
Places: Deserts, hot springs, volcanoes, ovens, fireplaces, bed-rooms (for sex), weight     rooms, locker rooms, Saunas, athletic fields
Direction: South
Color: Red
Quality: Passion, initiative, energy
Rituals: Protection, courage,  sex, energy, strength, authority, banishing negativity.
Ritual Forms: Burning or smouldering; heating.
Spell Strengths:  Banishing fear, negativity, Purification, purity, enlightenment, power,     and keen vision.
Animals:  Desert Creatures, Lion, Lizard, scorpion, snake, cricket, praying mantis lady     bug, bee, scorpion, shark.
Herbs: Stinging, thorny, or hot as thistles, chile peppers, and bouganvillea; desert-    dwelling, as cacti, stimulating, as coffee beans; generally seeds.
Stones: Red or fiery, as in jasper; volcanic, as in lava; clear, as in quartz crystal.
Metals: Gold, brass
Tools:  Candle, wand, blade, red or orange stone, pyrite, gold.
Zodiac: Aries (for beginnings with inspirational fire), Leo (Steadfast fire), and Sagittarius     (Changing Fire)
Season: Summer
Direction: South
Time: Noon
Point in life: Youth
Sense: Sight
Natural Symbols: Flame, lava, heated object
Angel Guardian:
Comets: Zikiel, Akhibel
Constellation: Kakabel, Rahtiel
Creativity: Angel Samandriel
Divine Knowledge: Angel ZagZagel
Good Causes: Nemamiah the Warrior
General Fire:  Angels; Nathaniel, Arel, Atuniel, Jehol, Ardarel, Gabriel, Seraph
Flame:  Angel Uriel
Inspiration: Angel Hael
Light:  Angels; Isaac, Gabriel, Mihr, Parvagigar, Raphael (Regent of the Sun) and Uriel
Light of Day:  Angel Shamshiel
Love and Romance:  Angel Anael
North Star: Angels; Abathur, Muzania, Arhum Hii
Song: Angels; Uriel, Radueriel, Israfel, Shemiel, Metatron
Stars: Kakabel, Kohabiel, Star of Love: Anael
Success and Good Fortune: Angel Barakiel
Sun’s Rays: Angel Schachlil
African Deity: Tsetse (female)
Egyptian Deities: Amit, gatekeeping goddesses, Sekhmet, Uatchet. (Female) Ra, Kephra,     Atum, Toth (Male)
Greek and Roman Deities: Aetna, Hestia, Vesta (Female) Hephaestos, Vulcan (Male)
Germanic/Norse Deities:  Girda, Holla, Vana, Mothers (Female)
Celtic Deities: Brigid, Tre Matres (Female)




Visualizing the Fire
Be aware of being bathed in the bright sunlight of noon, the warmth of the life-giving radiation of the of the daystar soaking through you. See the sun, a great incandescent disk with golden rays shooting forth from it in all directions. It may take up the whole of the sky rather like the Tarot trump of Sun, a beaming face upon its disk in token of the fact that it is alive, a warm sentient, and conscious being, that cherishes, nurtures, and loves you and all else upon the planets within its ambit, that circle it in adoration and love. You may see yourself as one of the naked children that dance within a ring in the sun’s rays this side of the wall of form, with the high nodding heads of sunflowers beaming over you, reminders of the complete reliance upon the sun for birth, life and breathing by the world of animal life and vegetation. Or you may be aware of yourself as the variant of the Tarot trump that depicts a naked child upon a white horse carrying a banner.
    That banner is the glorification of life, and may have upon it either a simple heraldic device, a red cross on a pure white ground, or alternatively be richly sewn with embroidered flowers, animals, birds, and fish, a great tapestry of all life created under the sun. These various visions may be evoked either one after the other, or as alternatives on different occasions.
    The horse may also appear before you as Epona, the great white mare of the hills. You may see her, perhaps in the form of one of the great white chalk hill figures carved by the Celts, or those who came after even to the present time. If so, be aware of the chalk figure, coming alive, and galloping over the green hills in sunshine. In the bright sunlight that surrounds you be aware of the points of diamond light…these are the consciousness of the beings of fire, like fireflies of the day, the salamanders, also called “will-o’-the-wisps.” They are capable of giving great spiritual contacts, for they serve the great ones at all levels of being and they are forces of transmutation and transformation behind the fires of life. Now imagine that you have in your hand a long, stripped wand of hazel wood with a hollowed core through which powerful subtle forces play. Something of this may be seen in the raying points of starlight that shine from its endmost tip and can be felt in almost animal warmth of the end that is grasped within your hand…a warmth that seems to stem from deeply banked furnace fires from within the depths of the Earth and of the quality of the deep seated fire that is within the sun. This is the planetary and solar kundalini, the serpent power, and a reflection of which you carry within the core of your aura, in the equivalent of your spinal column. Make a sign in the air in the forum of a five pointed star, commencing at the topmost point and swing down right, up left, across, down left, and up to the top again. This is the symbol of man, solar spirit in balanced command of the four elements. Then see yourself standing foursquare facing the south, holding a great spear, its haft on the ground beside your foot and its flaming point, like shining bronze, above your head. Be aware of the great rod as a tool of control, to point and keep things at bay, or to handle virile forces, as a rod is used to stoke a furnace, or to fend off a violent creature. It may also be held two-handed as a weapon of defense, fending off blows but harming none, or being used as a means of exerting pressure of holding a door as with a bolt across an opening. Be aware of your rod as an organ of control.
    Then see before you, building in the sky, the red and gold fiery figure of the Archangel Michael, also armed with a long and mighty spear with which he quelled the dragon force that is the virile power of all growing life, the fires of creativity, which create destruction if let run riot but which are the fire-springs of creativity and all manifest life when cooperated with and controlled. Then associated with the Archangel, be aware of the great king and lord of the elements of fire, the great heat of the mighty Djinn, lord of all heat and warmth, whether of the animal warmth of the nest, the hearth fire, or the primal fire of the atom. Be aware too of the purifying radiations of heat and fire passing through you from his subjects many of whom form a part of your being and keep your bodies alive.

Wand

The wand in the magical World

    Magic wands have been used in Religion all over the world from Zen masters and Taoists to Celts and Druids. The wand is a tool and it is also a symbolic form or inspiration. Everyone children, adults, and the elderly  all think of magic when someone says the word wand.
    It’s uses in the magical world are many from aiding in the casting of the circle, a tool of directing power and intention.  The wand is used in healing and invoking spirits.

Mundane Uses for the wand

    Since wands and staffs are one in the same they have many many uses in the mundane world. Having been used for marital arts, herding animals, walking sticks. They were often used with royalty and military as a symbol of status and rank.

How to Make a Wand

    Since wands can come in in any size it is up to the individual to dictate the size of the wand they desire. The individual in the master of the design from the wood, the length, to added embellishments, such as stones, shells, feathers, carvings. There is no requirement save one, the stick should be for the most part straight.
    You wand can be made from woods as is traditional but it doesn’t have to it can be made from clay, stone, or metal. Whatever you feel is what works best for you. Since Wood is the most popular here are some things to consider when choosing which type of wood to use:
        Birch, purification, the first month, November
        Rowan, protection against spells, the second month, December
        Alder, protection and prophesy, the third month, January
        Willow, feminine, lunar aspects, the fourth month, February
        Ash, bonding the inner and outer world, the fifth month, March
        Hawthorn, purification and chastity, the sixth month, April
        Oak, protection and entrance into the Mysteries, seventh month, May
        Holly, superiority in struggle, the eighth month, June
        Hazel, intuition, the ninth month, July
        Vine, prophesy, tenth month, August
        Ivy, search for the Ego, the eleventh month, September
        Reed, direct action, twelfth month, October
        Elder, beginnings and endings, the thirteenth month, the last days of October

Broom

The broom is most commonly connected to witches and known to wiccan’s as the besom. It  is a tool used to ritually clens the home or space where a circle will be cast clensing the area of any negative psychic energies.
       In the Old Religion, as in organizations like the Masons, the use of ordinary working items were used as symbolism in many rituals and meetings. Probably, without a doubt, the most least understood, yet most well known, is that of the broom. From ancient times the broom was a symbol of domestic order and domestic bliss. It was a powerful symbol as the woman's preeminence at the time was still in the fore front. It was expected that when women would arrive at their meetings (now called Sabbats or rituals) they would be expected to carry the symbol of their position - the broom.
    When women went to any meeting of any sort, regardless of whether it was a ceremony or not, they were expected to bring their symbol of position - the broom. Upon arrival at a meeting, they would display the "staff of office" (the broom) and turn the broom like a hobby horse and enter the sacred space ridding their brooms. So yes, Pagans and Witches do ride upon brooms - just not as most would think. Even today the hobbyhorse toys are derived from these very rituals.
    But this was only one of the two parts that the simple straw broom played in our origin. The second use of the broom as a symbol was during the "harvest" ritual when the women would hold it over their crops and implore the deities to make the crops grow to the height of the broom.
    Other than those two important symbolic uses, the broom has no other history in Paganism or Wiccan. Although, there is nothing magical about a straw broom, the symbolic meaning remains true with many that follow the Old Religion. In many homes you will find a straw broom of some sort hanging upon a wall representing the domestic bliss they pray for every day.

Athame

Special, sacred knives have a long history of use within magical tradition.  Joseph Peterson, a modern esoteric scholar, attributes the roots of the word “athame” to the Key of Solomon and the use of an “arthame” or consecrated knife can be traced to a 1929 book by Grillot de Givry titled Witchcraft, Magic and Alchemy.  It is possible that Gerald Gardner drew his inspiration for the inclusion of the athame into Wiccan tradition from these or other similar sources.  It is most likely that the use of and inspiration for the word “athame” within modern witchcraft comes from older grimoire traditions such as the previously mentioned Key of Solomon and The Grimoire of Honorius among others.1

The athame is the primary tool of an individual within the Wiccan tradition.  Traditionally it is to be black-handled and double edged, though many within the community have opted for less traditional athames in all kinds of designs.  The athame primarily signifies that any single Witch can cast a circle and work with magic.  It is used to channel energy, extend power and focus will. 
Symbolically the athame is for the individual the equivalent of what a sword would be to a coven.  It is considered a masculine tool due primarily to its phallic nature and is linked with the element of fire.  Most often the athame is made of steel or iron with either a metal or wooden handle, but many varieties that differ from this can be found.2  “In Wicca, both the athame and sword are traditionally double-edged, signifying that a sword ‘cuts both ways’, and keeping us mindful of the dangers and abuses of power, even while we wield it—power must, in the Wiccan view, be accompanied by equal quantities of compassion.”3

The athame is rarely used for actual cutting.  While the athame is used for ritual purpose within a circle it is rarely used to invoke or call upon gods/goddesses, this is because the athame is representative of commanding and power manipulation.4 
There is some controversy over whether the blade should be sharp or if it is acceptable to have a dulled blade.  Some will argue that a dull blade represents a weakening of the will and that the energy raised and directed through the athame will not be as powerful or effective as a true, sharp, double-edged blade.  Others will say that the blade should be dull because an athame is to be used for ritual purpose only, not for cutting or the drawing of blood.  As someone who has used both dull and sharp blades with ritual I can say that personally I have found there to be no difference between the two and have found both to be equally effective, when searching for an athame it is perhaps most important that the blade suits the owner and this requires a certain amount of flexibility and individual consideration.

Air

Air
    Scientists and magicians may have different views concerning the element, but all agree that it’s vital to human survival.
    Without air, we would perish.
    Air is the power of movement-of freshening and of intelligence. It’s the invisible and yet quite real mixture of gases that we breathe in every day. In magical terms air is also the power of the mind; the force of intellect.
    Go to a place with clean air and breathe deeply. Touch a feather. Inhale the fragrance of a heavily scented flower. Study an intricately patterned leaf. Experience the wonders of the manifestations of the this element. Remember too, that we possess air energy within ourselves.
    Here are some air associations

Basic Nature: Flying, moving, fresh, intelligent, suspending. Sound is a manifestation of     this element.
Type of Energy: Projective
Active Polarity: Cheerfulness, Dexterity, Diligence, Gentleness, Inspiration, Joy,     Optimism, Playfulness
Passive Polarity: Contempt, Fickleness, Gossiping, Incapacitation, Indecisiveness,     Ruthlessness, Sneakiness, Weakness
Rituals: Travel, instruction, study, freedom,  knowledge, recovering lost items
Ritual Forms: Tossing objects into the air, suspending tools in high places, fanning light     objects, Visualization, positive thinking.
Body Parts: Chest and Lungs
Senses: hearing, smell
Point in life: Infancy
Places: Mountaintops, wind-swept plains, cloudy skies, high towers, airports, schools,     libraries, office, travel agencies, psychiatrist’s offices.
House Domain: (Room) Studio (Colors) white/green
Direction: East
Time: Dawn
Color: White, Yellow (The color of the sun, the sky at dawn)
Qualities: Expression, Communication
Animals: Bat, most birds, Butterfly, Dragonfly, Ladybug, spiders, winged insects.
Natural symbols: A feather, incense smoke, fragrant flowers
Types of Magic Ruled: Divination, concentration, visualization, wild Magic
Season: Spring
Herbs: Fragrant as many flowers; pungent, as in culinary herbs such as dill, airy, finely     veined, or wind-swept; generally leaves.
Stones: Light stones, such as pumice; transparent stones such as mica.
Metal: Tin, copper.
Musical instrument: flute, all wind instruments
Tools:  Athame, Sword, wand, book, pen, letter opener, feather, pentacle, wood, mortar     and pestle.
Zodiac:  Libra(air in early movement) Aquarius (air as it stalls over the earth), Gemini (Air that changes direction)
Angel/Guardian:
    Air, General: Chasan, Casmaron, Cherub, Iahmel
    Altitude: Barachiel, Gabriel, Gediel
    Announcements: Sirushi
    Birds: Arael, Anpiel
Communication and protection from harmful words and thoughts: Ambriel
    Dawn: Hlm Hml
    Doves: Alphun
    Dreams: Gabriel
    Free Will: Tabris
    Grace: Ananchel
    Hurricanes: Zamiel, Zaafiel
    Intellectual Achievements: Akriel
    Inventions: Liwet
    Memory and Tolerance: Mupiel
    Moderation: Baglis
    Noonday Winds: Nariel
    North wind: Cahiroum
    Pure wisdom, knowledge, and learning: Diana
    Philosophy and Meditation: Iahhel
    Positive thoughts: Vohumanah
    Prayers: Akatriel, Metatron, Raphael, Sandalphon, Michael
Protection for libraries, archives, places of learning and computers: Harahel
Purity: Taharial
Secrets and hidden knowledge: Satarel
Sky: Sahaqiel
Storms: Zakkiel, Zaamael
Thunder: Ramiel, Uriel
Truth: Armait (Also Harmony)
Twilight: Aftiel
Whirlwind: Rashiel, Zavael
Winds: Moriel, Ruhiel, Rujiel, Ben Nez
Writing: Ecanus
General Air Deities:
    Greek: Hermes (Male)
    Roman: Mercury (Male)
    Egyptian: Shu (Male)
Education Deities:
    African: Aja, Minona (Female)
    Egyptian: Selk, Seshat, Tie (Female) Thoth (Male)
    Greek and Roman: Carmentis, Circe, Hecate, and Mystis (Female)
    Germanic/Norse: Eir, Saga, Nath
    Celtic: Cerridwen, Danu, Nath
Intelligence Deities:
    African: Ogboinba (Female)
    Egyptian: Sphinx, Tie (Female) TOth, Horus (Male)
Greek and Roman: Apollonis, Erato, Harmonia, Minerva, Mnmosyne, Muses, Urania (Female)
Germanic/Norse: Nat (Female)
Celtic: Canola, Cerridwen, Sephira (Female)
Weather Deities:
African: All-bringing-forth; Bunzi, oya,
Egyptian: Nebt, Nephthys, Tefnut, Nuit (Sky and Heaven) (Female)
Greek and Roman: Aura, Dais, Dione, Erato, Hera, Tempestates.
Germanic/Norse: Aslog, Frau, Holda, Sjora, Swan Maidens (Female)
Celtic: Becuma, Cesair, Dawen, Nair

Visualizing the Air
    Go to the eastern point and face outward. Be aware of a darkened horizon across a wide plain. In the sky before you is a single light in the darkness of predawn, that of Venus, the morning star. Then see the sky gradually begin to lighten to a light turquoise green. And see a smaller light, just before the sun comes up, of its companion and herald mercury, the messenger of the gods. Then the tip of the golden disk of the sun itself begins to rise above the horizon and all is slowly bathed in red and gold, and long dark purple shadows gradually give way to increasing light. At the same time be aware of  “the voice of the day” the morning chorus of bird song welcoming another dawn. Realize too that it is springtime. See about you on the low bushes and the trees behind you the green buds bursting forth with new life and the spring flowers shooting up sharp shafts of green through the earth at your feet. And then be aware of a gentle but persistent breeze upon your cheeks- for this is the quarter that is dedicated to the air element. Be aware also, with the inner eye, of little winged beings with the appearance of nursery tale fairies, but which have an ancient lordliness that comes from experience since the beginnings of time. Finally, as the sun rises above the horizon, see standing before you a great stag, with branching antlers, if you count them they number twelve and each tine, as it reflects the early morning sunlight, seems to be afire with a point of incandescent light. Imagine you have a great sword before you. See and feel its jeweled , cross-formed hilt. Withdraw it from its scabbard. See its blade shine out brilliantly in the sun’s light and with it salute the mighty stag, Cernunnos, and the beings of the dawn and spring. Replace the sword, and take a longbow from your back and an arrow from a quiver at your side. Fix the arrow into the string of the bow, take a long, strong pull, and try to shoot the arrow over the sun. Hear the arrow buzz through the air as it leaves you and feel the slap of the string and whip of the untautened bow and be aware of the flying arrow, a brief gleam in the sunlight, and then a quivering dark line against the azure sky, before it disappears from sight, to fall you not where, but in the direction of aspiration.
    Be aware also of the two other great figures who build at the bidding of your mind’s eye. One is a great-winged archangelic figure who towers over the whole scene before you, robed in blue and gold, the great Archangel Raphael, bearing a pilgrim’s staff and a scrip or purse containing the elements of healing.
    Also, larger than human stature, see the king and overlord of all the elements of air, mighty Paralda. As you see him be aware of all the peoples of the element air whirling about in a great spiral of force that is as steady as a strong breeze, and be aware of air flowing through your whole body, cleansing and purifying, blowing all dust and cobwebs of stale thoughts, feelings, and conventions away.

The Winds

    Air magic can be done with the use of the winds. Each wind has it’s strengths and it’s weaknesses. Like all the elements it can paired with other elements or used singularly. Each region has different attributes for it’s winds what follows are the attributes from winds from North America and Europe.
    In the age of technology it you can simply google the wind direction in your area or if you can orient yourself to the north use a wind sock to determine direction of the wind.

North Wind
    The north wind is the wind of death- be not necessarily that of physical death. This is the realm of the one eternal universal law-change. “Death” here refers to the elimination of negativity.
    The north wind is cold (Magically speaking), blowing in as it does from the direction of winter when snows lie deep across the lands. It is “dry”, or barren, thus paving the way for spells of destruction.
    How to use it? If you are depressed, anxious, envious, jealous, angry, and the wind is blowing from the north, face full into it and it will free you from these things.
    If you wish to break a bad habit, perform any spell of this nature while the north wind is blowing for added power.
    The north wind, while chilly with night,death, and deep snows, is also the wind of the element of earth, and thus shares in some of it’s qualities. But the wind, being dry, is not a favorable for fertility and prosperity magic, although magic involving healing can be greatly aided by the north wind.
    It’s color is the black of midnight.

East Wind
    The wind blowing from the east is that of freshness , renewed life, strength, power, and intellect. It is a warm, bracing wind that blows from the point at which the sun, moon, and stars making their shining appearances.
    Thusly, it is the wind involved with beginnings, the new phenomena that rise from the work of the north wind. The heat is that of the sun, and the spark of creation.
    Spells best utilized when the wind is sweeping from the east are those concerning dramatic improvements and changes for the better, especailly in behavior. Also east wind spells are those involving the mind and all spells involving the element of air, to which it is magically related.
    Love spells are the best not performed with an easternly wind, unless you want a very intellecual love. But perhaps there is nothing wrong with that!
    Since the east is the direction of sunrise and light, the color is white.

South Wind
     The further south you travel, the hotter it gets-on this side of the equator, at least. For this reason, the souther wind is a hot and fiery one.
    Symbolically it rules noon, when the sun (or moon) is highest in the sky, the time of the greatest light and heat. Because the south wind is related to the element of fire, its magic covers the same ground. The south wind, however, can be used for any type of magic when it’s blowing. It’s  a good time to cast spells.
    Since this wind is strong and hot, spells performed with it are assured an extra jolt of power. It is always exciting and interesting working with the south wind
    Be warned, however, that fire-even the diluted fire of the southern wind-can be dangerous. As we know, fire can burn.
    The color of the south wind? Yellow-the yellow of the sun at noon.

West Wind
    The west wind blows cool and moist; it may carry a hint of rain or mist as it washes over the land. It is a fertile loving force that is gentle and persuasive.
    It symbolically rules twilight, when all is at a standstill; day and night merge into a magical landscape of muted colors and breezees. Sunset, like sunrise, is an excellent time to perform magic-more so if the correct wind is blowing.
    Water magic-love, healing, ferility, and so on- is excellent for the west wind, as it adds it’s own forces and energies from that quarter. Especailly excellent for spells involving cleaning or purely religious rituals, the west wind is welcome relief after the dry, hot breeze from the south.
    The west wind is the blue of the sky just before all lights fades form the sky.

Invoking the Winds
    Previous to working a spell with the winds it as advisable to invoke them but it is not required. When casting a circle an invocation of the four winds can be used to call the corners. A sample invocation follows it may be used in parts or as whole for whatever your purposes may be.

        Winds of the north
        Rushing and mighty
        Aid me in my magical work

        Winds of the east
        Dazzling and bright
        Aid me in my magical work
       
        Winds of the south
        Fiery and radiant
        Aid me in my magical work
       
        Winds of the west
        Gentle and buoyant
        Aid me in my magical work




Tie Up Your Trouble (north wind)
    On a sturdy, preferably dead bush or shrub still planted in the ground, in a place where the winds blow clear and free, tie or push onto the tip of a branch or twig one leaf for every one of the ills that is bothering you. If you tie the leaf, do so loosely and use a natural fiber cord.
    This is all you have to do, for the north wind will rise and perhaps slowly, untie and free the leaves, there by releasing energy and going to work to alleviate the ills besetting you.
    This spell works over a period of days or even weeks, not minutes, so leave the shrub after performing the spell. If you wait and watch the wind might never rise.

A Loving Bell (West Wind)
    Hang up a bell with a  pleasant ring in a window that remains open of a good part of each day, and through which the wind blows (preferably the west wind).
    As you do so  speak these words:

    Little bell of love, I hang you to whisper my need for love on the breezes and winds
    Little bell of love, speak of my need for love to your brothers and sisters.
    Little bell of love, I ask you to speak softly and draw to me someone who listens.
   
    Every time the bells rings, it is “whispering” of your need for love. (the brothers and sisters are other bells who will add their own power to the spell)

To Vanquish Fear (South Wind)
    Light a yellow candle indoors and sit in a quit contemplation for a second. See the candle’s flames drawing in your fear and anxieties; see it and the candle becoming infused with them.
    Take the candle outside and let the wind quench its flame. It is done.

To Communicate with an Absent Friend (East Wind)
    In the open air, face the direction where the person is present. If this is unknown, repeat the steps below in each direction, starting with he north.
    Extend your arms and hands and, in a clear but soft voice, call the person’s name.
    Visualize his or her features. Call the name again, with more force, and then a third time, quite loudly.
    Next, state your message as if speaking to them in person. Keep this short and precise. When you have finished, listen for a reply.
    Don’t imagine one, but listen
    This works best with practice, or with friends whom your are intimately close.


To Stimulate Creativity (General Air Spell)
    For this ritual, you’ll need a flute or air instrument of some kind. Panpipes, a harmonica, pennywistle even a trumpet are all fine, but an insturment made of wood or bamboo is best.
    If you’ve never used such an instrument before, get to know it prior to using it in magic. Be certain that you can mae it create the desired sounds. Then, do the following:
    Light a yellow candle. Hold the flute before it while saying these or similar words.

    Music magic,
    Come to me,
    Music magic,
    Let me see.
    Music wakes the
    Muse in me
    Music magic
    Opens me
    To the music
    Mystery
    Mystic mind
    Awakened be
    Music magic
    Sets me free.

    Visualize yourself writing that letter, composing that speech, finishing that painting, weaving that rug, or beginning to work on the book that you’ve been meaning to write for some time.
    Now play the insrument for a few seconds. You don’t have to play a song; simply let the flute bring forth its energy through its music. Once you’ve accomplished this, set down the instrument and, within sight of it, do your creative work.
    If you conscious mind once again blocks your, play the flute for a few seconds, then go back to your work. Wen your finished snuff our the candle flame and put the taper and instrument in a special place until the next time your need them.

Protective Chimes (General Air Spell)
    Wind chimes are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and designs. They’re also ruled by tehe element of air and can be used to guard your home against unwanted guests and negative energies.
    Find, make, or buy a nes set of wind chimes. They should emi a deinite sound. Before suspending them outside, charge them to their task with the following  (or similar ritual):
    Place the wind chimes on a flat surface in your place of magic. Gaze down at them, realizing that they’re lifeless, still and unmoving.
    Wave your projective hand over them while saying:
   
    Wind chimes
    Spell rhymes
    Spell chimes
    Air primes
    Spell chimes
    Nine times
    Nine.

    Lift the wind chimes by the string from which they will be hung. Hold them before your face. Blow against the dangling noisemakers, visualizing their tones scattering and driving away the negativity.
    Hang them up outside, with visualization, and let the wind chimes do their work.
    For best results, repeat this simple charging spell every nine days.

General Air Spell (General Air Spell)
    This rite can be used for any positive purpose. To perform this spell, you’ll need a large pliable leave and a pen.
    Go to a high place (Atop a mountain, perhaps) or wait until the wind is blowing. Then, visualizing your need, draw the symbol that represents you need onto the leaf.
    Still strongly visualizing toss the leaf into the wind. If the breeze catches it and flings it from you it is done, if the breeze doesn’t transport the leaf, draw the same symbol on another leaf and try it again.