Basic Elemental Exercises

Basic exercises for the elements:

Your mind is your most powerful ally. With it you can experience many and varied things. If you have ever indulged in “daydreaming” you will immediately understand these simple exercises.

 Wicca is an Earth centered spiritual practice. Imagine if you will how the ancient peoples viewed their world.. All of the necessities of life came from the land. It was of a vital importance to know the hunting times and trails. To understand the cycle of the seasons to know when to plant food crops. To discover what herbs would heal. When animals would reproduce. Living closely to the land these things were learned through observation and passed on through the generations.

Elders in a community were revered because they were a wealth of this information. This was then passed on to the young through the simple art of example. Instead of formal classrooms there were the traditions learned around the campfire. Within the community it was necessary to work together in cooperation.

 We are going to explore some of these simple lessons as it forms the base of circle work for the Wiccan. We believe that there was a loss of personal power in the removal of ourselves from the natural world.

 Wherever you stand you find yourself in the center of a circle. Stretching your awareness to the horizon you become aware of the cardinal points, the directions of the compass. It was taught that the four major directions of East, West, North and South held all the elements of creation. Each direction has a particular symbolic energy.

 East: Air, springtime, dawn, the mind, inspiration, poetry, music, new beginnings, hope.

South: Fire, summer, high noon, the will, passion, courage, vibrant energy, action.

West, autumn, evening, the emotions, healing, intuition, cleansing, release, subconscious.

North, winter, night time, the material body, stability, grounding, fertility, resources, 

 As you can see these are the conditions of life and this system was used as a way of understanding them. If we begin to touch into these elements we can begin to recognize these expressions in our lives.   

Elemental exercises:

1.   Air:      Close your eyes and imagine that you are walking along a ridge overlooking the ocean or a beautiful lake. It is dawn and the gentle light of early morning is just beginning to shine in the eastern sky. There is a gentle wind blowing. All around you the grasses are swaying to its touch. You feel them caress your legs as you walk down the long trail to the beach. Suddenly there is a great gust of wind. You feel it flowing through your hair. It brings you the scent of the sea and the scent of the grasses. If you were a bird you could spread your wings in this wind and lift high into the dawn sky. Here you would feel a sense of hope and of peace within. You are aware that you can let your mind and your imagination fly free. Perhaps you remember a song that you love. Perhaps you can create a poem in your mind. Everything seems possible to you.

2.   Fire:      Close your eyes and imagine that you are seated before a beautiful hearth fire. Outside may be cold and damp but within all is warm and glowing. You gaze deeply into the fire and watch the patterns of the flames begin to dance. There is a growing resonance in you as you watch the flames. A part of your spirit is also rising. You feel a sense of passion in you. Passion for you life, for your friendships, for your own special gifts. It is as though you feel more truly alive than you ever have before. The fires warmth spreads through you and energizes you. You feel adventurous, you feel powerful. You know that the essence of the fire is speaking to your will. The resonance you feel is your willpower igniting giving you the ultimate control of your destiny. As the fire shifts into coals you are aware of a long sustaining energy alive in you. An endurance that can survive any test. You are filled with appreciation for the fires gift of awareness.

3. Water:     Close your eyes and imagine a sensation of coolness on your face. The world around you is softened by the presence of fog. In the distance you are aware of the sound of the surf gently caressing the beach far below. You begin to walk toward the sound. Beads of moisture gather around you even as the fog begins to lift. The world shimmers into a new cleansed existence as you watch. Every branch glistens with dew; every spider web is a work of art. The sand beneath your feet is cool and damp. As you draw closer to the water you are aware how each foot print draws in the essence of the water and creates an image uniquely yours. As you reach the waters edge the waves gently lap against your feet inviting you to enter. This is the time to release all negativity that you feel. Step by step you enter the water. It climbs up around you knees, hips, belly, heart. shoulders. Now when a wave recedes you feel the waters pull you deeper. You float forward into the wave. You release all fear and give yourself over to this cleansing experience. You flow free and dive.

4 Earth:     Close your eyes and imagine the solid cool sensation of stone beneath you. Around you are the sounds of the forest. The gentle sounds of the bending branches, the scurrying of nocturnal feet on hidden paths. The air is filled with the scents of life; rich and fertile. Last years leaves lying deep beneath the trees, the tang of green life growing. The Earth is speaking to you and you are slowing yourself to listen. Like a heartbeat the roots reach deep within the earth. The stones share each ancient memory like the gem s they are. You notice a path before you. It winds its way through ferns and forest. You rise to follow. Your steps are silent as they sink into the mulch of the forest floor. Deeper and deeper into the green cathedral you travel. As you turn around a bend you find yourself standing before a great stone wall. Looking closely you see a natural doorway, a cleft fringed with moss. You enter into the darkness. As you eyes adjust you notice that the walls have been decorated by a primal and beautiful art. High above images of reindeer and horses gallop in freedom forever. You can almost hear the sounds of their hooves traveling down into the darkness. You hear you heart like a drum, you hear the Drum of the Earths Heart. You are sure of yourself and the sense of home within.

  This is an exercise of the minds creativity. You may find different images within you to explore. You may actually seek out those places in Nature that will share their stories with you. As you connect on a deeper level to these experiences they will begin to reveal their gifts to you. When you need the censing of water on a difficult day you will be able to imagine it and call it forth. When you need energy you will remember the natural gift of fire. When you are tired you may call on air to inspire you and when anxious remembering the earth will help you to center and ground.

  As you begin the practice of magic you will call these four energies, these directions into the sacred circle you create. It will become a natural experience to create a balance with these four elementals.

  Like learning any new skill work at the understanding of this basic tool. It will serve you well on your magical journey.