Category: Articles

Perform an Earth Meditation Ritual

Perform an Earth Meditation Ritual

Try this simple meditation to help you attune to the element of Earth. To do this meditation, find a place where you can sit quietly, undisturbed, on a day when the sun is shining. Ideally, it should be in a place where you can really connect with everything that Earth represents. Perhaps it’s a hillside outside of town, or a shady grove in your local park. Maybe it’s somewhere deep in the woods, under a tree, or even your own back yard. Find your spot, and make yourself comfortable.

Sit or lie on the ground, so that as much of your body as possible is in direct contact with the ground. Use all of your senses to attune to Earth. Relax your body and breathe slowly, through your nose, and taking in the scents around you. You may smell freshly cut grass, or damp earth, or flowers and leaves. Close your eyes, and become aware of the earth beneath your body. Feel the cool breeze blowing by, and allow yourself to become in tune to the rhythms of nature.

Author

Paganism/Wicca Expert

Article published on & owned by About.com

Folklore and Legends of the Element of Earth

Earth Folklore and Legends

Each of the four cardinal elements – earth, air, fire and water – can be incorporated into magical practice and ritual. Depending on your needs and intent, you may find yourself drawn to one of these elements more so that the others.

Connected to the North, Earth is considered the ultimate feminine element. The Earth is fertile and stable, associated with the Goddess. The planet itself is a ball of life, and as the Wheel of the Year turns, we can watch all the aspects of life take place in the Earth: birth, life, death, and finally rebirth. The Earth is nurturing and stable, solid and firm, full of endurance and strength. In color correspondences, both green and brown connect to the Earth, for fairly obvious reasons! In Tarot readings, the Earth is related to the suit of Pentacles or Coins.

Let’s look at some of the many magical myths and legends surrounding earth:

Earth Spirits:

In many cultures, earth spirits are beings that are tied to the land and plant kingdom.

Typically, these beings are associated with another realm, the forces of nature that inhabit a particular physical space, and landmarks like rocks and tees.

In Celtic mythology, the realm of the Fae is known to exist in a parallel space with the land of man. The Fae are part of the Tuatha de Danaan, and live underground. It’s important to watch out for them, because they’re known for their ability to trick mortals into joining them.

Gnomes feature prominently in European legend and lore. Although it’s believed that their name was coined by a Swiss alchemist named Paracelsus, these elemental beings have long been associated in one form or another with the ability to move underground.

Likewise, elves often appear in stories about the land. Jacob Grimm collected a number of stories about elves while compiling his book Teutonic Mythology, and says that elves appear in the Eddas as supernatural, magic-using beings. They appear in a number of old English and Norse legends.

The Magic of the Land:

Ley lines were first suggested to the general public by an amateur archaeologist named Alfred Watkins in the early 1920s. Ley lines are believed to be magical, mystical alignments in the earth. One school of thought believes that these lines carry positive or negative energy. It is also believed that where two or more lines converge, you have a place of great power and energy. It is believed that many well-known sacred sites, such as Stonehenge, Glastonbury Tor, Sedona and Machu Picchu sit at the convergence of several lines.

In some countries, spirits associated with various landmarks became minor, localized deities.

 

Today, many modern Pagans honor the spirits of the land by celebrating Earth Day, and use it as a time to reaffirm their roles as stewards of the earth.

Deities Associated with Earth:

  • Brighid (Celtic)
  • Cernunnos (Celtic)
  • Cybele (Roman)
  • Dionysus (Greek)
  • Gaia (Greek)
  • Geb (Egyptian)
  • Pele (Hawaiian)

 

Author

, Paganism/Wicca Expert

Article published on & owned by About.com

 

The Four Classical Elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water

The Four Classical Elements

Earth, Air, Fire and Water

In many modern-day Pagan belief systems, there is a good deal of focus on the four elements – Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. A few traditions of Wicca also include a fifth element, which is Spirit or Self, but that is not universal among all Pagan paths.

The concept is hardly a new one. A Greek philosopher named Empedocles is credited with the cosmogenic theory of these four elements being the root of all existing matter. Unfortunately, much of Empedocles’ writing has been lost, but his ideas remain with us today and are widely accepted by many Pagans.

In some traditions, particularly those that are Wiccan-leaning, the four elements and directions are associated with Watchtowers. These are considered – depending on who you ask – a type of archetype, guardian, or elemental being, and are sometimes invoked for protection when casting a sacred circle.

Each of the elements is associated with traits and meanings, as well as with directions on the compass.

The following directional associations are for the Northern hemisphere; readers in the Southern hemisphere should use the opposite correspondences. Also, if you live in an area that has unique elemental characteristics, it’s okay to include those – for example, if your house is on the Atlantic coast, and there’s a big ocean right there to the east of you, it’s okay to use water for east!

Earth Folklore and Legends

Connected to the North, Earth is considered the ultimate feminine element. The Earth is fertile and stable, associated with the Goddess. The planet itself is a ball of life, and as the Wheel of the Year turns, we can watch all the aspects of life take place in the Earth: birth, life, death, and finally rebirth. The Earth is nurturing and stable, solid and firm, full of endurance and strength. In color correspondences, both green and brown connect to the Earth, for fairly obvious reasons! In Tarot readings, the Earth is related to the suit of Pentacles or Coins.

Air Folklore and Legends

Air is the element of the East, connected to the soul and the breath of life. If you’re doing a working related to communication, wisdom or the powers of the mind, Air is the element to focus on. Air carries away your troubles, blows away strife, and carries positive thoughts to those who are far away. Air is associated with the colors yellow and white, and connects to the Tarot suit of Swords.

Fire Folklore and Legends

Fire is a purifying, masculine energy, associated with the South, and connected to strong will and energy. Fire both creates and destroys, and symbolizes the fertility of the God. Fire can heal or harm, and can bring about new life or destroy the old and worn. In Tarot, Fire is connected to the Wand suit. For color correspondences, use red and orange for Fire associations.

Water Folklore and Legends

Water is a feminine energy and highly connected with the aspects of the Goddess. Used for healing, cleansing, and purification, Water is related to the West, and associated with passion and emotion. In many spiritual paths, including Catholicism, consecrated Water can be found – holy water is just regular water with salt added to it, and usually a blessing or invocation is said above it. In some Wiccan covens, such water is used to consecrate the circle and all the tools within it. As you may expect, water is associated with the color blue, and the Tarot suit of Cup cards.

Do You Have to Use the Elements?

Do you have to work with the elements, at least within the classical context of earth, air, fire and water? Well, no, of course not – but keep in mind that a significant amount of Neopagan reading uses this theory as a basis and foundation. The better you understand it, the better equipped you’ll be to understand magic and ritual.

Author

, Paganism/Wicca Expert

Article published on & owned by About.com

Astronomy Picture of the Day – Milky Way Over the Spanish Peaks

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2016 May 24

Milky Way Over the Spanish Peaks
Image Credit & Copyright: Martin Pugh; Rollover Annotation: Judy Schmidt

 

Explanation: That’s not lightning, and it did not strike between those mountains. The diagonal band is actually the central band of our Milky Way Galaxy, while the twin peaks are actually called the Spanish Peaks — but located in Colorado,USA. Although each Spanish peak is composed of a slightly different type of rock, both are approximately 25 million years old. This serene yet spirited image composite was meticulously created by merging a series of images all taken from the same location on one night and early last month. In the first series of exposures, the background sky was built up, with great detail being revealed in the Milky Way dust lanes as well as the large colorful region surrounding the star Rho Ophiuchus just right of center. One sky image, though, was taken using a fogging filter so that brighter stars would appear more spread out and so more prominent. As a bonus, the planets Mars and Saturn are placed right above peaks and make an orange triangle with the bright star Antares. Later that night, after the moonrise, the Moon itself naturally illuminated the snow covered mountain tops.

Your Earth Sky News for May 24th: Coming to know Corvus the Crow

Coming to know Corvus the Crow

One of my favorite constellations, little squarish Corvus the Crow, can be found in the south after sunset at this time of year. It’s not far from the bright star Spica – brightest light in the constellation Virgo the Maiden.

Once you find Spica in spring 2016, you’ll recognize the constellation Corvus. It’s always near the star Spica on the sky’s dome. It’s recognizable for its compact, boxy shape.

Corvus is an easy constellation to pick out in the sky. In Greek mythology, Corvus was seen as the cupbearer to Apollo, god of the sun. In ancient Israel, Corvus wasn’t a crow. Instead, it was seen as a raven. In China, this grouping of stars had more distinction as an Imperial Chariot, riding on the wind.

Corvus is a friendly sight in the heavens. Along with all the stars, Corvus’s stars will be found a bit farther west at nightfall in the coming weeks and months as Earth moves around the sun. Check it out now and watch for it in the next few months. The bright star Spica – near Corvus on our sky’s dome – will always be there to guide your eye.

Bottom line: Use the star Spica to introduce yourself to the constellation Corvus the Crow.

 

Author

Deborah Byrd

Deborah Byrd

Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded the website EarthSky.org in 1994. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website and blogs frequently about astrophysics, the night sky and other topics related to Earth, space and the human world. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. “Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers,” she says.

Published on EarthSky

Your Daily Influences for May 24th

Your Daily Influences
May 24th, 2016

 

 

The Hanged Man Reversed
The card of false prophecy and time wasted. The reversed Hanged Man represents a preoccupation with the worldly and wasted energy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Othala
Othala reversed represents chaos and homelessness—a general lack of roots. Now is a time for you to take care of that which you have, so as not to lose it.

 

 

 

The Buckle of Isis
Someone who will, or has told a lie about you regarding this aspect will be discovered and the truth will come out. They will suffer for their injustice and you shall prevail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more

Your Daily Charm for May 24th is Taurus The Bull

Your Daily Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:
This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is patient, reliable, warmhearted, loving, persistent, determined, placid and security loving. This is a person you respect.

General Description:
Second sign of the Zodiac, April 21st to May 22nd. Ruling planet Venus; correct metal Copper. Those born under Taurus were thought to be endowed with mental and physical strength, strong minded, clever, fearless and emotional. The correct Taurus gem is the Sapphire. The sapphire is of a deep blue color, and the darker the blue the greater its value. The ancients wore Sapphire charms for protection from poison, plague, fever, diseases of the skin, and to bring peace and happiness upon its wearer. The eyes were rubbed by a Sapphire to preserve them from injury by smallpox. King Solomon’s seal is said to have been a Sapphire

Your Ancient Symbol Card for May 24th is Wisdom

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

Wisdom



A very very few of us are fortunate to be born wise. For most of us our Wisdom evolves, grows as we move through life gathering experience and knowledge. Wisdom denotes your thoughts and feelings derived from the melding of your life experiences with all that you have learned. Our Wisdom can get us through the difficult moments in our lives as well as provide the mental and spiritual tools we need to succeed.

As a daily card, Wisdom indicates a time when you should rely heavily on past experiences and knowledge attained to make important decisions in your life. This is a time where reflection and planning should guide your actions. To act rashly, on impulse at this time may well cost you in the future. Go slow, think things out, weigh all of your options carefully and then proceed.

Your Daily Witches Rune for May 24th is Woman

Today’s Witches Rune

Woman

Meaning: The first meaning of this rune is quite obvious: it represents women. Any woman that is important in the question, whether you know her or not, will be represented by this rune. Mother, sister, aunt, grandma, a female boss, friend, lover or even enemy… all can be symbolized by the appearance of this rune.

In a more general sense, this rune is related to traditional female abilities and characteristics, such as giving birth, nurturing, comforting and healing. When this rune appears, you can count on the sympathy of others towards you or your situation. In its most negative aspects, the Woman rune can show over-protectiveness, a patronizing attitude or co-dependency. It often strives to maintain the status quo, refusing to change even if the situation is bad.

The Woman rune is connected to nurturing – nurturing a relationship, a person or a project. Like the Moon rune, it can be related to finding a safe place to rest and heal, but while the Moon implies a solitary retreat, the Woman often shows that you need to go back to the people you trust, the people you feel safe with.

Healing is another strong aspect of this symbol, as well as teaching. You can be both the patient/student or the healer/teacher when this rune appears. This rune is also connected to creativity, but in a way that is different from the Romance rune. While the latter is about the conception of a project – the initial stages of creation – the Woman is about the birth of this project. When your creation is brought out into the world, fully manifested.

In relationship readings, this rune isn’t bad, but rather weak. While it can indicate subtle ties between people, these are usually so, so subtle that the partners can easily drift away from each other. It can show that one of the partners sees the other as someone who needs to be protected and healed, rather than an equal. Usually, the romance is a bit stagnated when this rune appears, or very close to becoming a friendship.

 

 

Source:

Your Spiritual Journey Australia

Your Daily Pyramid Reading for Tuesday, May 24th

Your Daily Pyramid Reading for Today

 

 

Today’s Theme

Aries Reversed

Aries reversed denotes a lack of energy and will

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Challenge

The Page of Swords

Youth if not in age then in spirit. Adept at diplomacy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Ally

Ten of Cups

Happiness and satisfaction can be had. The spiritual self leads to great loves, friendships and success.

Your Weekly Tarot Card Reading for May 23rd

 

 

 

 

 

Weekly Tarot Card Reading

A one-card reading gives you a glimpse at what’s coming

By Brigit Esselmont, Videos, Tarot Reader, Tarot Cards, Tarot

For the week of May 23, I chose the Ten of Swords!

This week, you may be hurt, betrayed or even back-stabbed by someone you thought you could trust. This is the final straw and you can deal with this person or situation no longer — it has come to an end in a very painful and hurtful way.

While the pain can be devastating, this is what needed to happen so that you can start a new cycle, with new energy. It wasn’t working out and this final “twist of the knife” was essential so you can now release and let go of this negative situation.

Remember, this is the darkest hour before dawn and things can only get better from here.

Ask yourself, “What hurtful situations do I need to release in order to start afresh?”

 

 

 

Part of the Daily Insight Group

Your Daily Tarot Card for Tuesday, May 24th is Wheel of Fortune

 

 

 

 

 

Tarot Card of the Day

Wheel of Fortune

May 24th, 2016
The central theme of The Wheel of Fortune card is cyclical change. The wheel keeps on rolling, churning events in a ceaseless progression of ups and downs, either way freeing us from the past. No one can escape its cyclical action, which can feel somewhat terrifying — no matter whether we are rising or falling. When one is balanced on top of the wheel, there is a moment of crystal clarity. However, the only part of the wheel that’s actually not going up and down is the hub, which represents your eternal self.

Every one of us will occupy all the points on the wheel at one point or another. The cycle of the wheel is its lesson — and we can learn to take comfort in it. If you don’t like the look of things right now, just wait — things will change. Of course, if you do like the look of things right now, enjoy it while it lasts, because that will change too!

Part of the Daily Insight Group

Get A Jump on Tomorrow, Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, May 25th

 

 

 

 

Get A Jump on Tomorrow…..

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, May 25th

by Rick Levine

 

General Horoscope

We want nothing more than to reach the mountain summit now that the calculating Capricorn Moon combines determination with ambition. The Moon’s hookup with potent Pluto drives us hard while a Venus-Pluto alignment takes us past the point of no return. However, the Moon’s square to rebellious Uranus makes it difficult to stay on task. Meanwhile, the Moon trines excessive Jupiter and talkative Mercury, tempting us to take on more than we can deliver.

Aries Horoscope MAR 21 – APR 19

Although everything at work appears to start out innocently enough today, trouble arises when you become so confident that you stop listening to the advice of anyone else. Thankfully, you can improve the direction of your day by taking everything you hear into consideration. Instead of brushing aside others who don’t agree with your strategy, incorporate their ideas into your own even if it means questioning your original plan. As George Bernard Shaw wrote, “Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

Taurus Horoscope APR 20 – MAY 20

A powerful wind is blowing at your back now, filling the sails of your intentions and driving you into the future. Fortunately, your pragmatic approach to life prevents you from getting lost in idle fantasies and unrealistic dreams. But you may run into resistance from someone who thinks you are glossing over potential problems. It might seem less stressful to drop your plan in the name of compromise. However, sticking to your ideas is your best strategy even if you must navigate through troubled waters to reach your destination.

Gemini Horoscope MAY 21 – JUN 20

You’re a champion at stepping around emotional sinkholes because you would rather keep things friendly and lighthearted. However, the Moon’s conjunction with intense Pluto occurs in your 8th House of Deep Sharing, making it difficult to postpone a serious conversation with someone close to you. Don’t worry if the process makes you feel uncomfortable; it’s not all fun and games when a caterpillar evolves into a butterfly. Nevertheless, the wonderful outcome justifies the challenging transformation.

Cancer Horoscope JUN 21 – JUL 22

You’re not afraid to maintain your fixed position today, even if someone tries to exert their authority to change your mind. Normally, you might choose to retreat in order to avoid a power struggle. However, you could surprise others with the fierceness of your reaction now. In fact, people may get more than they bargained for if they attempt to manipulate your feelings. Standing up for yourself can be hard work, but the results are worth the battles you encounter along the way.

Leo Horoscope JUL 23 – AUG 22

It’s futile for your coworkers to argue with you today because you’re determined to stick to your original plan no matter what they say. You are inspired by the simplicity of your strategy and, thankfully, have the words at your disposal to make your point. However, an associate may startle you by taking you to task about something you missed. Instead of covering up your mistake, embrace what you learn and modify your course of action accordingly. Your willingness to change for a good reason is a sign of strength, not a weakness.

Virgo Horoscope AUG 23 – SEP 22

The muse is with you today while the evocative Moon cozies up to evolutionary Pluto in your 5th House of Self-Expression. You feel as if nothing can hold you back or pull you off course. However, a curveball later in the day may shock you into realizing that everything isn’t as transparent as you originally thought. Don’t just throw your hands up in the air in despair. All your previous work will eventually make sense if you stick with your process and see where it takes you. Never second-guess the magic of creativity.

Libra Horoscope SEP 23 – OCT 22

Issues from the past might come back to haunt you today, but they’re only problematic if you’re unwilling to face them. In fact, dancing with the ghosts of your personal history can be surprisingly empowering and oddly liberating. Retelling an old story in a new light enables you to capitalize on the very same things that once restrained you. Dig into the origins of your current feelings, even if they make you feel vulnerable. As the psychologist Carl Jung wrote, “I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.”

Scorpio Horoscope OCT 23 – NOV 21

Your words have a profound impact today on those who hear them. The perceptive Moon-Pluto conjunction Pluto occurs in your 3rd House of Communication, influencing your interactions with others. However, people could be overwhelmed by your current intensity, causing them to withdraw suddenly without notice. Or, they might respond with a verbal attack that seems to come out of nowhere. In either case, the message is to tone down your rhetoric. What you say is as valid as ever; how you say it determines whether or not you make your point.

Sagittarius Horoscope NOV 22 – DEC 21

Working with your peers should be a piece of cake today because they genuinely appreciate your good ideas. However, your uneven progress makes it difficult for people to match your rhythm. Your coworkers are uncertain of your next move because your bursts of energy are mixed with periods of inactivity. Fortunately, you still can accomplish a lot because everyone wants to reach the same goal. If you want to benefit from the collaboration available to you now, slow down and try to maintain a constant pace that others can follow.

Capricorn Horoscope DEC 22 – JAN 19

Your certainty is unflappable today. You know what you’re doing and where you are going; your coworkers must either support you or get out of your way. Your non-negotiable attitude sounds like a good idea in theory, but in practice leaves only a small margin of opportunity for others to volunteer their talents. Soften your approach if you want others to share in your success; your gentleness shows your strength now more than anything else.

Aquarius Horoscope JAN 20 – FEB 18

You are so strongly opinionated now that you might believe it’s wise to keep your feelings to yourself, especially when your changing moods are so extreme. The Moon’s powerful conjunction with passionate Pluto in your 12th House of Secrets enables you to hide your reaction to potentially explosive words. Unfolding your truth gradually is the most reliable path to simplifying complicated dynamics. As Sigmund Freud wrote, “Unexpressed emotions will never die.”

Pisces Horoscope FEB 19 – MAR 20

Your intuition is on fire today and you are driven to make sure that everyone around you shares in your vision. However, explaining yourself in great detail won’t muster the support you seek. In fact, even your most dependable allies may grow weary of your long and rambling monologue. Don’t wait for someone’s eyes to glaze over before you stop talking because by then it will be too late. Be concise; say what you mean and move on.

 

Part of the Daily Insight Group