How to make a poultice for wounds

Hey guys!!

so as many of you may know, I stabbed my hand last night whilst making a wand. -_- Next time, I should listen to my inner voice aka my spirit guide, because the whole time I was thinking, "I should put some gloves on."
What can I say, I'm stubborn. And let this be a lesson to all of you, being stubborn=pain.

Anyways, my wound went all the way to/through muscle so I cannot move my thumb very much without being in EXTREME pain.

No worries though, I already got my tetanus shot a few weeks ago (funny how life works huh?) so I'm not at risk for any tetanus, and I'm keeping a close eye out for blood poisoning.

Now lets move on to the tutorial.

Let me start by saying, it is so important you make sure there are no pesticides on  the plants. You are running a HUGE risk of poisoning if pesticides have been sprayed. Its also a good idea to wash the plants before using them.

Also, although it is of the earth, there still is a chance for you to be allergic to the plant. If you know of any plant or pollen allergies, please just use some anti bacterial soap and whatever a doctor gives you.

Continuing, in no way shape or form am I guaranteeing that this will work for you. I've used daisies in the past for a wound and it worked wonderfully. This is my first time using ribwort, so hopefully it will be equally as awesome.

Here is what you need:
A mortar and pestle- I suggest ceramic.
wild daisies-I say wild because the kind you buy in a store are most likely guaranteed to have pesticides.
ribwort
scissors
water
bandage


So take your daisies and ribwort and cut them up. Put the cuttings into the mortar.
drip some water into the mixture-use a little, you can add more later.
use the pestle to grind all the goodness up.
when its to a "paste"like consistency youre done.

Put the mixture on your wound, cover with a bandage. ta-da done.

Leave the mixture on for a little while and afterwards you should see an improvement in the color of the wound (should be less redness). If not, thats ok!! Just keep changing the mixture!

Here are some handy dandy facts about daisies and ribwort.
 Ribwort Plantain  makes an effective treatment for wound bleeding. It contains epidermal growth factor, stimulating the repair of damaged tissue. Leaves extract has antibacterial properties. (plus many many other wonderful things!)

Its external use, as a poultice or addition to bath, can help in cases of wound healing, rashes, wounds and skin inflammations.  
(again, it does so much more than just this!)


here's a video I made if you want to watch and follow along!


http://youtu.be/omn4KhpHdc8

WitchCrafts-Runes

Hey guys!
This WitchCraft will be runes!

There are TONS of ways to make runes, from pieces of cardboard to marbles all the way to the harder handcrafted ways such as wood and stone.

For the easiest you will just need:
Cardboard
scissors
a marker

Cut the cardboard into squares or circles..really any shape you want. Then draw the runes on the cardboard. DONE!!

The second way is to use  glass marbles you can find at the dollar tree.  After that all you need is a marker and again just draw the rune on. DONE!

The third way, which requires a bit more work, is a salt dough recipe. Here it is:
1 cup salt

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup luke warm water

Preheat oven to about 275 and cook for around 20 minutes, or until the dough turns golden. **this is an estimate depending on your oven!** keep an eye on it, you dont want it to burn or you know catch on fire.

Just roll them into little balls, flatten them so they’re..well.. flat. Bake them and when they have cooled draw the runes on. DONE!

The fourth way is great if you are a water sign or you have an affinity for water! Use clam shells or cowry shells. I suggest these because they have two sides, unlike say olive shells.
Anyways, take your shell and on one side draw the rune and DONE!

these last two ways are a little bit more complex.
For the wooden runes you will need:
a branch
a coping saw
a wood burner (you can substitute this for paint or a marker)
wood stain*optional

Cut the branch into pieces-carefully-with the coping saw.
use your wood burner to burn the runes into the wood. OR you can substitute this step and just paint or draw the rune on.
After youre done drawing the runes on, stain them. This is optional. I like the look of them stained as well as the natural look!

This last way is the hardest of all.
You will need:
stones
a dremel tool
diamond coated blades
paint

It is a must to have diamond coated blades, the regular blades are not strong enough to cut through the rock and will simply shatter.
 PLEASE TAKE ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO MAKE SURE YOU DON’T GET HURT!

All you do is cut the runes into the stones-VERY CAREFULLY the diamond blade is EXTREMELY sharp! You don’t want to cut any fingers off!

When you’re done just fill the groves with paint and ta-da DONE!


here is a video where I talk about different types of runes.
in a later video I will discuss how to read the runes.
 

http://youtu.be/id5bsJ29hCg

Familiars

Many witches choose to share their lives with familiars — spiritually attuned creatures to whom the witch turns for insights into nature's lessons, and for help in working magick. Black cats, of course, are commonly associated with witches, but dogs, birds, rabbits, and, yes, even toads can fulfill the role of familiar. In the Harry Potter stories, Harry purchases an owl as his familiar while his poorer friend must be satisfied with a rat. In actuality, the witch doesn't necessarily choose his familiar, so much as the animal and the witch seem to discover and bond with each other.

No matter what kind of creature it might be, the familiar is no mere pet. Rather, the animal is a respected partner and companion, who reveals truths and offers the characteristics inherent to its nature to the witch for magickal purposes. Birds, for instance, often carry messages between humans or between the earth and the spirit world.

According to global lore, nearly any creature can become a familiar. In Lapp, Finnish, and Norwegian stories, for example, flies are familiars. Amphibians — specifically, sea snakes — similarly show up in New He brides stories. And among the Zulu, familiars can be made from reactivated animal corpses.

If a witch seeks a familiar, he usually puts out a call through a spell or ritual. This ritual typically takes place outdoors, near the home. The witch begins by creating sacred space, then he meditates, prays, and places the request in the hands of nature. During the meditation the witch visualizes his own living space, so the right creature can easily find its way to the door.

Cats, for instance, are notorious for showing up unexpectedly. But sometimes you might have to seek out your familiar. One witch tells how her feline familiar called to her psychically — she actually heard the words “Come to the animal shelter.” The command was so clear and insistent that she immediately drove to the local shelter where the cat was waiting for her. Trust your intuition. You'll know your familiar instantly when you encounter him or her.

Because animals tend to be more sensitive than humans in many ways, your familiar can provide signals and guidance, especially regarding other people. Observe your pet's reactions to visitors and friends — Fluffy or Fido could give you information you might not have picked up on your own. Animals are demonstrably good at predicting earth and weather changes, too, and they often sense impending danger long before a human could. They can also see things people can't, including nonphysical beings such as faeries and ghosts.

Candles: color and meaning

This candle color chart is to be used as a guide or a reference ONLY. This list is one of many. No list is more right or wrong than any other. Whatever color guide you choose to use is your personal preference. FOR EXAMPLE: Green may NOT represent money to you, perhaps gold or silver represents money in your opinion. If that is the case then those are the colors you should use in your candle magick. You must always feel comfortable with your magickal workings. DO NOT feel pressured to follow a list or anothers opinion. Follow your heart and what makes you comfortable.White: truth, purityRed: love, health, sex, strengthGreen: money, luck, fertilityBlack: discord, evil, negativity, confusionBrown: neutrality, uncertainty, hesitationPink: love, morality, honorPurple: power, business progress, ambitionOrange: attraction, stimulationGreenish Yellow: jealousy, anger, discordGray: neutrality, stalemate, negativityLight Blue: tranquility, patience, healthDark Blue: depression, changeabilityGreen:Abundance, growth, money, success, wealth, physical healing, health, marriage, fertility, employment, balance, Stimulates growth, healing, financial success, good luck, new job, good harvest, nature appreciation, love.Yellow:Intellect, wisdom and honor, action, inspiration and creativity, studying and intelligence, concentration, memory, logic, learning, attraction, confidence, Mental powers, intellect, inspiration, concentration, retention of memory, energy, cheerfulness, sunny disposition, changes, endurance, stability and security.Yellow strengthens the imagination and concentration in a ritual. Is used in rituals in which the trust of a person is gained or in which one wants to convince someone.Red:Energy, vitality, and strength, health, passion, sex, love, protection, fire, fertility, fast action, strength, potency, lust, blood, Physical love and passion, courage, warmth, energy, attraction, magnetism, desire, action, physical strength, power, willpower.Strengthens magnetism in a ritual, creates Ram and Scorpio energies.White:The Balance of all colors: Spiritual enlightenment, cleansing, clairvoyance, healing, truth-seeking, purity, innocence, clarity and unity, Dawn, purification, peace, truth, protection, spirituality, General work, cleansing, repels negativity; use to bring peace, spiritual strength, truth, purity; heals emotions, and provides protection.Note: White can be used in place of any other candle color and is suitable for any ritual.Pink:Devotion, love, tenderness and faith, friendship, romance, honor, spiritual healing, caring, affection, forming partnerships, peace, emotional healing, Universal love, purest form of love, love that is unconditional, spiritual love without sex connotation, raises vibrations, sensitivity, healing.Designed to attract attention and achieve a purpose in rituals. The color of femininity, Honor, Pleasantness – enhances joyful and lively conversation.Gold:Enlightenment, protection, success, wealth, money, masculinity, playfulness, luck, divination, victory.Enhances communication and attracts the power of cosmic influences; Useful in rituals which are designed to gain fortune or moneyLavender:Mother consciousness, manifestation and selflessness, Spirituality, compassion, understanding, inspiration, make contact with Higher-Self, attract spiritual assistance, very calming.Blue:Communication, truth, peace, calm, loosing weight, wisdom, understanding, protection, harmony, inspiration, truth, patience, health and happiness, luck, communication, loyalty, peaceful, cooling, contentment, healing, idealism, harmony, devotion, meditation,Orange:Cleanses negative attitudes, situations and places, Happiness, business deals, attracting good things, success, career, goals, stimulation, attraction, power, luck, sudden changes, Warmth, energy building, enthusiasm, attracts success and prosperity, emotional healing, attracts friends, courage and ambition.Brown:Earth, a balanced color. Rituals for material gain, eliminates indecisiveness, furthers powers of concentration, learning, telepathy. Expands financial success, finds lost items. Material prosperity, Home, friendships, balance, animal magic, earth magic, concentration and studying, wealth, success, intuition, psychic powers and ESP. Protecting pets, Said to help find lost items.Purple:Use with white candle to neutralize effects of karma and ego. Ancient wisdom, the third eye, psychic powers, meditation, spirituality, success, confidence, hidden knowledge, protection, divination, All forms of expansion, expands what you already have, spiritual protection, power, wisdom, healing, recognition, enhances psychic ability, Recognition in work, contact with spirit world.Rose:Compassion for self and others, higher mystical powers, humor, Love, romance, opening the heart, forgiveness, compassion, healing, joy, creativity, endurance, strength, stability and security.Peach:restoration and rejuvenationViolet:Strength, Success, Idealism, psychic revelation; Ideal for rituals which are designed to secure Ambition, Independence and financial success or to establish contact with the other, spiritual world; Enhances Neptune energy.Ivory:(beige): neutrality, balance and harmlessnessBlack:Burning black with any other color dissolves negative energies! Protection, hex-breaking, reversing, banishing, destroying evil or negativity, binding, and repelling. Also used for healing very powerful illnesses.Silver: (Light Grey)Victory, Stability, meditation, DevelopingPsychic Ability, Removal of Negative Power, Repelling Destruction,Cancellation, Neutrality, Stalemate.Silver is primarily associated with female deities.Colors and Their MeaningsWhite: A balance of all colors; Spiritual enlightenment, cleansing, clairvoyance, healing, truth seeking; Rituals involving lunar energy' May be substituted for any color candle.Yellow: Activity, Creativity, unity; brings power of concentration and imagination to a ritual; use in rituals where you wish to gain another’s confidence or persuade someone, or in rituals that require solar energy.Gold: Fosters understanding and attracts the powers of cosmic influences; beneficial in rituals intended to bring about fast luck or money, or in rituals needing solar energy.Orange: Creativity, ability to speak one's mind, ambition, career matters and the Law, self-confidence. Solar color and also stands for Leo.Pink: Promotes romance, friendship; standard color for rituals to draw affections; a color of femininity, honor, service, brings friendly, lively conversation to the dinner table.Red: Health, passion, love, fertility, strength, courage, will power; increases magnetism in rituals; draws Aries and Scorpio energy.Silver: Removes negativity and encourages stability; helps develop psychic abilities; attracts the influence of the Mother Goddess.Purple: Power, success, idealism, psychic manifestations; ideals for rituals to secure ambitions, independence, financial rewards, or to make contact with the spiritual other world; increases Neptune energy.Magenta: Combination of red and violet that oscillates on a high frequency; energizes rituals where immediate action and high levels of power or spiritual healing are required.Brown: Earthly, balanced color; for rituals of materiel increase; eliminates indecisiveness; improves powers of concentration, study, telepathy; increases financial success; locates objects that have been lost.Indigo: Color of inertia; stops situations or people; use in rituals that require a deep meditational state; or in rituals that demand Saturn energy.Royal Blue: Promotes laughter and joviality; color or loyalty; use to attract Jupiter energy, or whenever an influence needs to be increased.Light Blue: Spiritual color; helpful in devotional or inspirational meditations; brings peace and tranquillity to the home; radiates Aquarius energy; employ where a situation must be synthesized.Blue: Primary spiritual color; for rituals to obtain wisdom, harmony, inner light, or peace; confers truth and guidance.Emerald Green: Important component in Venusian rituals; attracts love, social delights, and fertility.Dark Green: Color of ambition, greed, and jealousy; counteracts these influences in a ritual.Green: Promotes prosperity, fertility, success; stimulates rituals for good luck, money, harmony, and rejuvenation.Grey: Neutral color useful when pondering complex issues during meditation; in magic, this color often sparks confusion; it also negates or neutralizes a negative influence.Black: Opens up the deeper levels of the unconscious; use in rituals to induce a deep meditational state, or to banish evil or negativity as in un-crossing rituals; attracts Saturn energy.COLORS-ELEMENTS-MEANINGSRED-FIRE:Energy, Strength, Passion, Courage, Career Goals, Fast Action, Lust, Blood of the Moon, Vibrancy, Driving Force, Love, Survival,Love, Passion, Emotion, Courage, Sex, Lust, Strength, Power, Anger, Fire, EnergyORANGE:Business Goals, Property Deals, Ambition, Career Goals, General Success, Justice, Legal Matters, Selling, Action, Attraction, Encouragement, Stimulation, Quick manifestation, Fire, CourageCOPPER:Passion, Money Goals, Professional Growth, Fertility in Business, Career ManeuversGOLD-GOD:Wealth, God, Promote Winning, Safety and Power of the Male, Happiness, Playful Humor, The "masculine" Aspects of the Divine, the Sun, Prosperity and AbundanceYELLOW:The Sun, Intelligence, Accelerated Learning, Memory, Logical Imagination, Breaking Mental Blocks, Selling Yourself, Attraction, Charm, Confidence, Happiness, Joy, Abundance, Money, HealthPINK:Romantic Love, Planetary Good Will, Healing of Emotions, Peace, Affection, Romance, Partnerships of Emotional Maturity, Caring, Nurturing, Honor, Love, Romance, Compassion, Femininity, Friendship, Sexual AttractionGREEN-EARTH:Earth Mother, Physical Healing, Monetary Success, Abundance, Fertility, Tree and Plant Magick, Growth, Personal Goals, Fertility, Prosperity, Love, Growth, Luck, Healing, Purifying, HappinessBLUE-WATER:Good Fortune, Opening Blocked Communication, Wisdom, Protection, Spiritual Inspiration, Calm, Reassurance, Gently Moving, Creativity, Success, Material/Earthly Destiny, Patience, Communication, Clarity, WisdomPURPLE:Influencing People in High Places, Third Eye, Psychic Ability, Spiritual Power, Self Assurance, Hidden Knowledge, Spirituality and Spiritual destiny, Power, Peace, Royalty, ConcentrationSILVER-GODDESS:Telepathy, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Psychometry, Intuition, Dreams, Astral Energies, Female Power, Communication, The Goddess or Lady of the Moon, Prosperity and Abundance, Clairvoyance, Astral Traveling.BROWN:Influence Friendships, Special Favors, To Dispel Sorrow, Grounding, For Growing Plants and GardensBLACK:Protection, Repelling Negativity, Binding, Shape shifting, Returning Bad Vibes, The Void, Pure Potential, Protection,Negates All Colors and Energies, InvocationWHITE-AIR:Spirituality, The Goddess, Peace, Higher Self, Purity, Virginity (as in the woman's mind is owned by no man), a substitute for any other color, Purity and Oneness, Contains and reflects All colors, Peace, Purifying, Healing

Incense and meanings

About Incense Meanings

If there is anything that dates back thousands of years and is yet modern and contemporary, it is incense. These versatile biotic substances not only add fragrance to your life, but also heal your mind and body in a delightful manner. Incense meanings can be best understood by studying their history and the effects they have had on people of all ages. Below, we will also describe incense and the different meanings to which it is burned.

History

It is believed that incense was first used in ancient China as long back as the Neolithic times. Its popularity continued as people found out more about incense meanings and their uses. These were produced from plants and herbs like cinnamon, sandalwood or cassia and used during religious ceremonies.

For the ancient Egyptians incense meanings had a new dimension. They found these efficacious to ward off evil spirits and also counter unpleasant odours.

In the Indus valley Civilisation, people used essential oils along with herbs to produce incense.

The Babylonians, Greeks, Romans and many other ancient civilisations had their own incense meanings and purposes. In the medieval churches, incense was used to mask the scent of tired and unwashed pilgrims who congregated during various occasions. Large incense burners were used for this purpose; these were either kept on stands or hung from ceilings.

Materials used

Although the words incense and fragrance are used synonymously, incense actually refers to the material that goes into its production, not the aroma itself.

If you have to understand incense meanings, you need to know about the materials that go into making it. Frankincense, Patchouli, Balsam, Sandalwood, Myrrh and Labdanum are some of the most commonly used materials in incense.

Locally available herbs and roots were mostly used in incense preparation. But with the passage of time and advent of civilisations, sage and cedar from North America or sandalwood and cinnamon from India migrated to all parts of the world and captured the hearts of millions. This popularity led to the emergence of new incense trade routes.

Effects

For different users, incense has differing meanings. This is related to the effects they create on the user and the ambience.

People have been known to burn African violet, chamomile or sandalwood to create an ambience of a sacred sanctuary within their house.

Lavender, lemon, lilac and pine are known for their ability to bring a spiritual well being and inner peace in individuals.

To some individuals, incense is a medium through which courage, strength and confidence is infused in the soul. Rose, peppermint, musk, gardenia and frankincense are some such incense.

Traditionally, allspice, aloes, basil, cedar wood, sage, poppy, oak moss, nutmeg and mint have been believed to be harbingers of prosperity and wealth.

In many of the ancient civilisations, incense had been synonymous with powers to ward off evil spirits and negative forces and create a protective wrap around homes. Bergamot, carnation, eucalyptus, juniper, frankincense and ginseng root are some of them.

One person wrote:

Cleansing: Cedar, Clove, Dragon's Blood, Elmi, Frankincense, Gold Copal, Hyssop, Iris, Juniper, Laurel, Lavender, Pine, Rosemary, Sage, Sweet Grass, White Sage.

Creativity: Benzoin, Cassia, Clove, Dream Herb, Elemi, Frankincense, Gold Copal, Hops, Juniper, Mastic, Star Anise, sweet grass.

Dreams: Aloeswood, Dream Herb, Hops, Laurel, Mastic, Mugwort, Sage.

Meditation and Prayer: Aloe, Aloeswood, Benzoin, Black Copal, Cedar, Dammar, Dragon's Blood, Elemi, Frankincense, Galbanum, Juniper, Laurel, Mastic, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Sandarac, Spikenard, Storax, Balsam.

Relaxation: Aloe, Aloewood, Amber, Anise, Benzoin, Black Copal, Cinnamon, Galbanum, Gold Copal, Marjoram, Sandalwood, Spikenard, Storax Balsam, Sweet Grass, Vetiver.

Sensuality. Balsam, Benzoin, Black Copal, Cassia, Clove, Iris, Musk seeds, Myrrh, Patchouli, Propolis, Rose, Sandalwood, Spikenard, Vanilla, Vetiver.

Sleep. Aloe, Amber, Cinnamon, Dream Herb, Galbanum, Myrrh Saffron, Sandalwood, Spikenard.

Strengthening. Amber, Calamus, Cedar, Clove, Dragon's Blood, Elemi, Frankincense, Galangal, Iris, Juniper, Laurel, Lavendar, Mugwort, Pine, Rose, Rhododendron, Star Anise, Sweet Grass, Tyhme.

Source: http://www.paganspace.net/forum/topics/lists-of-incense-and-their

Like to know more? There's quite a comprehensive list here.

Incense is a rejuvenator and a healer. Incense meanings, as you have already found out, differ from one user to another. Understand your own incense, get it from a reliable store and feel its magical touch on your heart and soul

Common Symbols.

Wiccans Pagans and Witches of all pasts and traditions use symbols for many things such as rituals, spells, ceremonies and in everyday life. There are many different symbols with many different meanings. Each symbol has a basic meaning but they all mean different thins and represent different feelings and actions to different people.

This is not a full list but a list of common symbols.

The five-pointed star within a circle is the most common Pagan symbol, and it is typically used to identify oneself as a Pagan or Wiccan. The five points represent the 4 elements plus the spirit, and the circle connects them all. A five-pointed star without the circle is sometimes called a pentagram, rather than a pentacle. Based on numerology, the five points means the pentacle symbolizes the Earth element and can be used as an Earth symbol on an altar.

The inverted (or upside down) pentacle is a symbol of some reputation. It is typically associated with Satanism, though that is not a completely accurate description. The true emblem of the Church of Satan is the sigil of Baphomet, which is a symbol with a goat's head and an inverted pentacle. Within Wicca, the upside down pentacle stands for the 2nd degree in some traditions.

Yes, this is the symbol from the popular TV show "Charmed". Why they chose the triquetra for their Book of Shadows, I would say for the protection the symbol carries, or possibly because it's exotic without being threatening. Like the triskele, this Celtic symbol embodies the sacred number 3, as seen in the 3 phases of the Goddess (maiden, mother, crone) and the 3 elements of nature (land, sky, sea). During the period of early Christianity, the triquetra took on further meaning as the Holy Trinity. This symbol is also seen with a circle going though it.

The triple moon is a Goddess symbol that represents the Maiden, Mother, and Crone as the waxing, full, and waning moon. It is also associated with feminine energy, mystery and psychic abilities. You often see this symbol on crowns or other head-pieces, particularly worn by High Priestesses.

The short and traditional meaning for the ankh symbol is "everlasting life". This symbol is a hieroglyph seen in countless ancient Egyptian carvings, usually held in hand by Gods and pharaohs to show how they preside over life (in other words, are immortal). In these images, the ankh is held by the loop rather than the base. The ankh is a popular symbol among Pagans, likely due to the similarity to a Christian cross which makes the ankh much less shocking to others, as compared to a pentacle.

The seven pointed star has a few names: septagram, septacle, Elven star or fairy star. The number seven corresponds to the spirit realm, which is why this symbol is associated with elves or fairies. There are no set representations for each of the points, but they are sometimes labeled: earth, air, fire, water, above, below and within. The septagram is also associated with astrology because the classical view of the sky contained seven planets.

The unicursal hexagram is a variation of the 6-pointed star. The more traditional way of drawing a 6-pointed star is in the double triangles of the Star of David. But Aleister Crowley created his own design, to create a symbol that could be drawn in one continuous line. The number 6 represents unity and balance, specifically balance between man and the Divine.

This maze-like symbol is associated with the triple aspect of the Greek goddess Hecate. She is considered a 'dark' goddess by some, and rules over cross-roads and the Underworld. Hecate is also known as the Goddess of the Witches. This isn't a particularly common symbol among Wiccans, but you do see it occasionally.

The Eye of Horus can be a bit of a confusing symbol. It is seen sometimes as the right or sometimes as the left eye. The left eye is Eye of Horus and is connected with the moon. When it's the right eye, it's the Eye of Ra, and associated with the sun. Though some sources say there is no distinction at all. The Eye represents the eye that was lost by Horus when he fought with Seth over the murder of his father, Osiris. The symbol is worn for protection and to ward off evil spirits.

There are many variations on the basic triskele (or triple spiral) symbol. The one illustrated here is very simple to illustrate the basic look of the symbol. The triskele is a Celtic symbol, and symbolizes the power of life and rebirth. It combines the spiral (often used to illustrate the cycle of life) and the number 3 is a sacred number, as seen in the phases of the triple Goddess. This symbol is also referred to as a

the elements

A fundamental aspect of Wiccan belief is the set of Four or Five Elements of Nature. Some hold to the earlier Greek conception of the four classical elements (air, fire, water, earth), while others recognize five elements: earth, air, water, fire, and spirit (akasha). Some see the points of the pentagram symbol as representing the five elements. The elements are commonly invoked at the beginning of rituals or used in their physical forms to symbolically purify the ritual circle. Each element has associated symbols, rituals and meanings, which are outlined in the chart below. (Note: Systems of the elements vary by tradition and the associations below are not used by all Wiccans.)

Element

air

fire

water

earth

spirit/ether

Celtic Name airtdeasiartuathaethyr

Direction

EastSouthWestNorthCenter

Color

yellowredbluegreenviolet, white or black

Tool

wandathamechalicepentaclecircle, cauldron

Time

mornings noon twilightmidnightall times Seasonspringsummerautumnwinter all seasonsGoddessMaidenMother Crone Darkall deities

Symbolizes

mind, intellect, reason, sciences, travel, youthstrength, passion, energy, transformation, will, sex, energyemotions, intuition, daring, wisdom, clarity, healing stability, order, grounding, silence, birth, death, beginnings, endings, fertility immanence and transcendence, everything and nothing Ritual Representations incenseincense, candles watersalt, soil fulfilled by presence of practitioners and deities