Many magickal practitioners believe that meditation is a necessity for magick to work. Although, it is a basic skill we should all learn, but magick can also be done with little to no knowledge of meditation if given the proper training. However, it can be much more effective when the practitioner is in a meditative state. This state is known as the alpha brain wave state. In the alpha state, you are more open to receive psychic and spiritual information. This information may come in the form of images, impressions, and sometimes words. Alpha brain waves occur when we turn our attention inward, away from the details and problems of our everyday lives. This state is commonly known as the magickal mind or ritual consciousness. It is where we daydream.

A deeper meditative state of mind is known as theta. Theta is the deeper, trance-like, state. Theta brain waves occur during our dreaming sleep. In many indigenous and new age practices this state is often achieved through drumming or chanting. It is the state in which journeying happens and where we can also connect to our various selves and the Divine.

When reaching a state of ritual consciousness, it enables you to be more open and aware of energy. but retain enough consciousness and still be able to speak, light candles, read, and perform gestures.

Waning Moon Guided Meditation

Begin by lighting a candle and incense of your choice. Turn off the lights. Close your eyes, make yourself comfortable and relax. Next begin to prepare for the meditation by breathing in deeply through your nose, filling your belly, hold for a count of three and exhale through your mouth. Do this three times, or until you feel relaxed, centered and open.

Feel the room around you; acknowledge the glow of the candle and the scent of incense.

As you breathe in, begin to visualize the light of the candle growing and surrounding you and begin to create a bubble of light around you. This bubble will protect you on your journey.

Where the light enters you begin to feel a tingling sensation and it starts to encompass your whole body.

The light now begins to enter your body through your skin.

In your mind, begin to stand up and walk toward the door that leaves your home.

As you open the door, you can see that the world outside has changed.

As you walk through the threshold, you notice that it is dark outside.

As you take your first step, you realize there is an endless field of grass.

The air is cool, but still.

Above you, see a sky full of stars with a small sliver of the moon that just gives off enough light to see.

In the far distance, you can see the flickering of what could be a candle on a tree stump.

The light creates a faint outline of a large metal pot. That resembles a cauldron, sitting next to the tree stump.

There is no one around but you feel that you are being called to this place.

As you begin to walk and investigate, there seems to be no sound. Everything is quiet.

As you approach the tree stump, you can see that the light comes from a single lone black candle in a silver holder.

You can see that there is a piece of old parchment and a black feather quill sitting next to it.

You move closer to look into the cauldron, and see that it is filled with water.

All the stars are reflected on the surface, making it look as if the sky had fallen into the cauldron.

Enticed by its endless darkness you move in closer.

You can see your own reflection in its surface now, in an instant it begins to move involuntary of yourself.

You are not taking back by this vision, you strangely feel safe and comfortable.

Your reflection begins to explain that you are to write down all things that you wish to remove, overcome, and let go of and then burn the parchment. Which will allow these things to burn away.

As you turn back to the tree stump and reach for the paper and pen you can already feel lighter and freer than before.

Begin writing down all that you wish…

Once you have finished fold the paper three times and set it on fire with the flame of the candle.

Watch it burn. As the flame burns you can feel all that you wish to be removed has been burned away, these things will no longer return with you to your physical body.

As the paper burns drop the last few remaining pieces into the cauldron.

As the burning paper hits the water’s surface the air around you begins to fill with a vapor mist, that becomes thicker like fog.

It surrounds and engulfs you.

After a few moments the fog lifts.

You notice you are back in the room with your physical self, sitting in a protective bubble, sit down into yourself and allow your consciousness to return to your physical body.

Once you feel you are completely back and ready, open your eyes.

This guided meditation had been originally written to be used around Samhain, but it can be done at anytime of the year. It sends you on a journey to the spirit world, enabling you to communicate and connect with the spirits of the underworld. This may be done at your ancestral altar or somewhere that is comfortable and where you can relax. Choose soft music to play during your mediation to help set the mood.

Journey to the Spirit World Guided Meditation

Begin by lighting a candle and some incense. Turn off the lights. Close your eyes, make yourself comfortable and relax. Next begin to prepare for the meditation by breathing in deeply through your nose, filling your belly, hold for a count of three and exhale through your mouth. Do this three times, or until you feel relaxed, centered and open.

Become aware of your feet on the floor. Feel your energy move through your feet, down through the floor, down through this building directly to the Earth. Feel the Earth’s energy joining with your own energy. Now, draw the energy up through your body. Feel the life-force move through you. As you feel this movement, become aware that you are walking through the woods. Leaves blanket the ground and the air is crisp. You are walking along a path that follows a small ridge overlooking a slow-moving river. Up ahead the path splits to skirt around two trees that have grown in the middle of the path. These trees are about two feet apart. These are the gateway trees. Feel and see the energy of the trees as a doorway. When you are ready, move onward through these trees. The path curves to the left, but you continue forward on the path. You can see that the ground slopes downward into a small valley where a stream trickles down a little stepped waterfall. You move forward down the steep slope where bare rock provides rugged steps. As you descend, You can begin to feel the energy of the land. The only sound you hear is the trickling water farther down the slope. Looking upward at the rock and earth below the path you left before climbing down you can see a few small ferns have taken root and makes a straight right angle that towers twenty feet above you. Not too far ahead within this rock wall there is a narrow alcove. Looking at the alcove, you see a crack like door of a cave. You are drawn to enter this cave. As you reach the opening, you notice there is a path that enters the cave. Looking inside, there is a wall on your right, but the left seems to slope away into darkness. There is a soft light from the rock above; just enough to allow you to see the path. You follow the path which begins to descend further into the earth. Although, you are underground it is not cold. It is as though the earth itself is providing warmth. As you continue on, it begins to get darker and the floor begins to slope downward. Just as feel the darkness overcoming your vision, you begin to see a light up ahead. Feeling safe you enter through the light. The light is the bridge between our world and the spirit world. Here you may encounter its inhabitants and converse with them. Take a few moments to explore and connect with this world.

When you are ready, begin your return journey to the living world. If you have been speaking with one of the beings, thank them for their gift of wisdom. In return, offer them a gift. It may be a piece of jewelry that you wear, something in your pocket, or a piece of your clothing. Give something that has value to you and give it freely. Begin by retracing your steps through the cave, then through the doorway where you find yourself standing next to the wall of rock. Climb up the slope, using the roots of the trees to steady you. Find the path you began your journey on and follow it to the gateway trees. As you walk through them, the forest around you begins to fade and you become aware of the room you are sitting in. Feel your feet on the floor mindful of the earth’s energy that has been holding you. Let excess energy flow into the Earth as you return to your everyday consciousness.

When you are ready, open your eyes.

The kitchen has been the heart and hearth of many homes, past and present. When you have a gathering in your home, where do most of your guests end up? The kitchen, of course! The kitchen is like an old pair of sweat pants. It’s comfortable. It’s warm. It’s where you watched your mom make your favorite meals and ate cake batter off your grandmother’s spoon. It’s a familiar place to be, even if you’re in unfamiliar surroundings. This connection to the kitchen is the same as our ancestors had with the hearth of the house. The hearth was the center of the home, it provided heat on cold winter nights, and it was where the meals of the day were cooked. The hearth was also the focal point for many magickal and spiritual practices. It was and acted much like a household altar. Many of today’s fireplace traditions can be traced back to the days of the hearth’s predominance in the home.

Magick in the kitchen and hearth goes back thousands of years and its practice can found across many cultures. Fire and stone ovens were thought to be magickal because of their transformative powers. As society progressed, a large iron cauldron may have hung regularly over the fire of the hearth. In many households, this is where dinners were cooked and laundry was washed, and medicines were made, all in the same pot. What we consider old world Witchcraft, folk magick, and superstitions today were common practices that could be found in the days of the hearth. Many of which can now be seen in the two modern paths or “traditions”, known as Kitchen and Green Witchcraft.

A few years ago, there was a TV commercial that would show someone drawing a heart in peanut butter before making a sandwich and then presenting it to someone. Could you just see the potential of a spell happening to all the unsuspecting mothers copying this act, if for the moment they unconsciously were in a magickal state of mind.

Kitchen Witchcraft is a unique modern tradition of many solitary practitioners. It is about finding sacredness in everyday simple acts such as cooking and cleaning. Kitchen Witches make the simple chores of everyday life a sacred and magickal act, and for many, this is also how they honor their gods and goddesses.  Kitchen witchery can be seen as one of the oldest forms of a magickal practice in that it follows the traditions of what some see as the wise women of ancient times.  Even if you do not practice any sort of kitchen magick, the power of food and how it sparks emotions and memories is almost magick in itself. Is there a meal or dish that creates a feeling of happiness or love? It is this magick that can be shared with anyone. From cooking a meal for a significant other on Valentine’s Day to making a pot of chicken soup for a sick friend, everyone adds a little magick to their cooking. At its simplest form, it’s about the intent and emotion behind the cooking. For Witches and non-Witches alike, we all add a little magick to what we prepare. Then there is also the concept of using food itself within spell work. Spells that use food or those that are focused within the kitchen are some of the oldest practices of folk magicks. This may be due to the easy access and commonality of food in our lives. Today, the hearth can be seen as a stove and in what has become known as kitchen witchery. From baking bread with bay leaves to egg divination, kitchen-based magick and spells can be found in every tradition and culture.

Bon appetit!

As Witches and magickal practitioners, most understand that the common tools used are just that, tools. They are props to help us focus and create a magickal environment that our subconscious uses to direct our energy and intent. Although, they do hold certain energies within themselves, they are not necessarily needed. The idea is that you have these tools within you. This guided meditation uses items that you create and visualize within your own mind. This was written for a meditation group that met in a place where any sort of fire could not be used. It provided the group a way to do a release ritual without the use of fire and tools. Through this guided meditation they would not only practice visualization, but also understand that one does not always need tools to perform magick.

The Cauldron Guided Meditation

Begin by lighting a candle and some incense. Turn off the lights. Close your eyes, make yourself comfortable and relax. Next begin to prepare for the meditation by breathing in deeply through your nose, filling your belly, hold for a count of three and exhale through your mouth. Do this three times, or until you feel relaxed, centered and open.

Feel the room around you, acknowledge the glow of the candle and scent of incense.
As you breath in, begin to visualize the smoke of the incense circling you, surrounding you.
It begins to create a bubble around you. This bubble will protect your body on your journey.

As you breathe, the smoke now begins to enter your body through your skin.
Where the smoke enters you begin to feel a tingling sensation, that starts to encompass your whole body.
In your mind, look down at your hands, you can see that your spirit self is starting to separate from your body. Allow your conscienceless to leave your physical body and go with your spirit self.
Visualize your spiritual body begin to stand up and walk toward your front door.
Reach for the door knob and open the door.
Upon opening the door you can see that the world outside has changed.
It is not what you normally would see.
Begin to walk through the threshold, taking notice of the new environment.
In the far distance you can see a large metal pot, that resembles a cauldron, sitting next to a tree stump.
There is no one around but you feel that you are being called to this place.
As you begin to walk and investigate further, take notice of any animals, plants or stones that you may come across, they may help you later to determine where you are.

As you approach the tree stump you can see that there is a piece of old parchment, a black feather quill and a few matches sitting on it.
You move closer to look into the cauldron, and see that it is filled with water and that is so dark that it looks endless. You can see your reflection in its mirrored surface.
In an instant your reflection begins to move, involuntary of yourself.
It begins to explain that you are to use the parchment and quill to write down all things that you wish to remove, overcome and let go of in your life.
As you turn back to the tree stump and reach for the paper and quill you already begin to feel lighter and freer than before. Begin writing down all that you wish……..

Once you reach the point that you cannot write down any more, your reflection continues
“ Now fold the paper three times and burn the parchment, allowing these things to burn away.”

You take up and light the matches, the smell of sulfur plums around your hand.
Lighting the folded paper and watching it burn, you can feel all that you wish to be removed is burning away with it. These things will no longer return with you to your physical body.
As the paper burns closer to your fingers, drop the last few remaining paper into the cauldron.
As the burning paper hits the waters surface the air around you begins to fill with a vapor mist that grows into a thick fog.

After a few seconds the fog lifts and you notice that you are back in the room with your physical self sitting in your protective bubble, walk over to your physical self and sit down into yourself, allowing your consciousness to return to your physical body.

Once you feel you are completely back, open your eyes.

“The east wind is my lodge, it is powerful;  The air is my medicine”-Siksikaitsitapi Song

Air is the manifestation of movement, freshness, and communication and of the intellect. Sound is another manifestation of this element. As an element, it is invisible, but its reality can be felt in the air that we breathe. When we invite the energy of air into our lives, we invite change and inspiration. A great way to connect with air  is to express the qualities and correspondences of the element through art. You do not need to be a best-selling author or be able to paint a masterpiece. It is about using the qualities of the element to help us understand its energy and it can be fun too.

If your looking for more of a relaxing way to connect with the element, there are many meditations out there you can follow. The use of air is extremely common in and is an important aspect of meditation, especially with its connection with incense and breath work. When we are balanced with air our minds are clear, precise, focused, and open to new ideas and perspectives.

Speaking about incense, why do we burn incense? What are the reasons why certain herbs are used? Where does the concept of incense hail from? Who else has similar beliefs of its use? When and how do others use incense?  Try to answer these or something similar or create an incense with the herbal correspondences associated with the element of air.

Consider also researching and learning about how other traditions and cultures view and use the element of air. Many of the ancient cultures believed that the wind was influenced by the direction from which it originated from. If the wind blew from the south, it represented fire and was said to generate passion, warmth, or vitality. A wind moving from the west embodied the qualities of water; from the north, earth energies; from the east, it doubled the strength of the air element. Air can be found in almost every tradition and cultural spirituality. You may come to find that what you may have been taught about the elements and the directions they are associated with may not fit into your personal spirituality. Its all on the winds of change.

In contemporary Witchcraft, many Witches often do air element magick to inspire new ideas, improve communication or cooperation between people, or strengthen mental abilities. For instance, if you are taking an important test or taking on a creative project, consider performing an air spell. Air spells tend to take effect quickly, but the results are not usually as long lasting as those of earth spells. The wind direction can also be used in numerous types of air magick. For example, in banishing, always scatter magickal ingredients to the wind moving away from you to take away a problem. In the magickal sense, air holds the energy of the mind, of intellect, inspiration, and imagination. It is ideas, knowledge, dreams, and wishes. These are just some intentions that you might want to focus on while creating and performing spell to help you connect with the element.

Lastly, divination and air can be very rewarding and useful. Air can be used for a variety of divination methods. Whereas, some read clouds, trees, or sand by throwing it to the wind and seeing what patterns it forms. The element of air can also carry messages that can be heard in a multiple of ways. The Aborigines of Australia believe that the winds carry messages from the Divine. In the tarot, air is represented by swords and can reveal the messages from the mind. Use the spread below or choose your own method that uses air as the holder of information.

Place card 1 on the far left and place card 2 under card 1. Then place card 3 on the top center. Place card 4 on the far bottom right and card 5 on top of card 4.

1. Your thoughts. What do you think of yourself?
2. Your wall. What blocks you?
3. Your scale. What keeps you in balance?
4. Your rope. What grounds you?
5. Your creativity. What inspires you?

Cultural appropriation has been a phrase that has been showing up in many areas of social media,‭ ‬especially within the Pagan and now even in the indigenous communities.‭ ‬Just recently there was an interesting conversation in a Facebook group that sparked the idea of this blog entry and we thought we would write about it.‭ ‬We want to express that this post is based on opinions of the information that was found viable on the topic and through the experience of one of our owners own connection to a “Living Culture” and by no means constitutes,‭ ‬as a factual study or anthropological theory.‭

With not mentioning names or personal situations,‭ ‬the above conversation focused on someone asking for help with interrupting a vision they had involving a‭ “‬totem‭”‬.‭ ‬Whereas another member of the group,‭ ‬respectfully but sternly pointed out the use of the word‭ “‬totem‭” ‬is disrespectful to the Native American tribes of the northwest as well as pointing out it’s over use in the Pagan and New-age communities.‭ Agreed! ‭ ‬Although,‭ ‬it is not so much in the actual word being used,‭ as it has become part of our social language, ‬but more so in its improper use and meaning.‭ ‬What made the conversation even more interesting was when an admin for the page joined in,‭ ‬assuming it was to keep the peace before it escalated into an unfruitful debate.‭ ‬The admin’s interjection of a reminder to respect one’s personal beliefs is what really raised an eyebrow.‭ ‬Whereas,‭ ‬what constitutes respect for one’s beliefs and how far does that carry over when it is appropriating a‭ “‬living culture‭” ? ‬and who has the right to correct it? To answer these questions, it is best to first look at what “cultural appropriation” really is,‭ ‬and what the general thoughts are at this time.‭

According to the Oxford Reference site,‭ ‬which‭ ‬states that cultural appropriation is “A term used to describe the taking over of creative or artistic forms, themes, or practices by one cultural group from another.‬” It continues on,‭ ‬but let’s stop here for a moment.‭ ‬If we were to use this definition and apply it to our modern culture,‭ ‬we would all be guilty of‭ “‬cultural appropriation‭”‬.‭ ‬As a modern society we have adopted many cultural ideals and facets from almost every part of the world.‭ ‬This is what is known as cultural globalization or in this case cultural adoption.‭ ‬The fact is,‭ ‬that almost everything we do and say is a result of a mixing of cultures.‭ ‬From what we choose to wear in the morning to being polite when someone sneezes.‭ ‬They all have their cultural origins from somewhere in the world,‭ ‬yet we do these everyday things without a second thought of where they came from.‭ ‬In fact,‭ ‬much of our modern global culture can be attributed to the rise of intercontinental travel,‭ ‬whereas the world got smaller and we began to‭ “‬borrow‭” ‬from different cultures and incorporate them into our culture.‭ ‬This can be seen even more so since the creation of the‭ ‬Internet.‭ We could take this further and get into colonization but that could lead us down a rabbit hole that we choose not to go down.

On a smaller scale,‭ ‬a good example of cultural‭ “‬borrowing‭” ‬can be seen within the United States,‭ ‬where almost everything has been the result the world’s cultures living side by side.‭ ‬We can even go smaller on our scale and find these same patterns within America’s communities.‭ ‬This is just what happens when people come together‭; ‬over time they share and adopt the surrounding traditions,‭ ‬dialects,‭ ‬and even religious beliefs.‭

So,‭ ‬if it is something that has gone on for decades,‭ ‬why is it now a problem‭? ‬Well,‭ ‬that brings us back to Oxford’s explanation of cultural appropriation.‭ ‬It continues on,‭ ‬stating that‭ “It is in general used to describe Western appropriations of non‐Western or non‐white forms, and carries connotations of exploitation and dominance.” ‬Here is where it gets fuzzy for many people,‭ ‬and rightfully so.‭ Mainly because ‬how does one know where cultural integration‭ (‬borrowing‭) ends and cultural exploitation‭ (‬stealing‭) begins,‭ ‬truth is no one knows for sure.‭ ‬Which is why this topic has become so controversial in recent years.‭

A perfect example of the fine lines between the‭ “‬borrowing‭” ‬from or the‭ “‬stealing‭” ‬from a minority culture can be found right on our radios.‭ ‬Today,‭ ‬we can turn on the radio and hear thousands of different genres of music,‭ ‬all of which has progressed from the rock-n-roll and rhythm and blues of the‭ ‬1940‭‘‬s and‭ ‬50‭‘‬s.‭ ‬During this time,‭ ‬African American musicians weren’t widely accepted in American society despite the interest in their musical styling.‭ ‬So to make the music more marketable to white audiences,‭ ‬the record companies would use white musicians to replicate the music and style of the African American community culture with no mention of its origins.‭ ‬Sadly,‭ ‬many of the African American musicians who paved the way for rock-n-roll never saw any compensation for their contribution to the music.‭ ‬Even to this day there is still a debate between music historians as to where it all originated from and if it was integrated‭ (‬borrowed‭) ‬or appropriated‭ (‬stolen‭) and in some cases with good reason, some of the white artists grew up within the African American culture via their neighborhoods.

Okay,‭ ‬so you are probably saying to‭ ‬yourself that was then,‭ ‬we have come so far as a society that things like that don’t happen in that way anymore.‭ ‬Thankfully,‭ ‬now we have laws protecting intellectual rights for all,‭ ‬at least in cases of musical creations.‭ ‬However,‭ ‬it still can be found in other places,‭ ‬especially in our present day pop culture.‭ ‬Again,‭ ‬we can turn to our musical influences to find the topic of cultural appropriation still being an issue,‭ ‬where over the last few years,‭ ‬music artists and celebrities such as‭ ‬Madonna,‭ ‬Justin Beiber, and even Gorden Ramsey have all been accused of cultural appropriation. Which begs the question where does the line get drawn in artistic expression? Sadly, These controversies and concerns are not just found in the music industry and pop culture,‭ ‬but in neo-religious circles of our culture as well.‭ ‬At most,‭ ‬many see it as a form of racism,‭ ‬rather than a matter of respect for a living culture.‭ ‬Depending on the circumstances,‭ ‬it can be a matter of both or just one,‭ ‬which is why there are so many different perspectives on the topic.‭

Now that we have looked into what cultural appropriation is or might be,‭ ‬at least generally speaking.‭ ‬Is it possible that we can answer our preceding questions of‭ “‬what constitutes respect for one’s beliefs and how far does that carry over when it is appropriating a living culture‭” and to whom has the right to correct it? Especially,‭ ‬as in the context of the Facebook conversation.‭

Nope,‭ ‬not yet,‭ ‬there is still one more important part of the conversation that should be addressed.‭ ‬The concept of‭ ‬Pagan and the New-age ideals of respecting one’s spiritual beliefs and choices.‭ ‬This is an agreeable model of having respect for one’s personal beliefs and path.‭ ‬One should be able to have the right to have their own personal experiences, to do as they please,‭ ‬worship whom they please,‭ ‬in any way they please in their own PERSONAL spiritual beliefs.‭ ‬In a way that is what separates us from the dogma of many of conventional religions.‭ ‬However! you have to ask yourself a few questions,‭ ‬is it “‬stealing‭” ‬from a living culture? Are you stating that it is your own practice and do you have the rights to certain practices? This is where it can become disrespectful and may even cross the lines into cultural appropriation.‭ ‬It is rather interesting that one of the biggest things Pagans (a word that comes out of Christian culture) complain about‭; ‬is how Christianity stole from the Pagans,‭ ‬yet,‭ ‬they are guilty of the same exact thing.‭ Whereas, many of the modern pagan practices used today actually have more of a Christian foundation then what is assumed as “the old way”. ‬Many of us‭ “‬Steal‭” ‬from the indigenous and esoteric cultures of the world and make them our own.‭ ‬This is not to say that it is done with a purposeful intent,‭ ‬most often it is done out of ignorance and improper education.‭ ‬You might have noticed that throughout this entry the term‭ “‬living culture‭” has been used ‬in regards to appropriating cultural aspects.‭ ‬There is a reason for this,‭ ‬one cannot‭ “‬steal‭” ‬from what is not truly known.‭ ‬In other words,‭ ‬or rather a better explanation of this is that many of today’s Pagan religions and practices are based on what we know or think we know about ancient cultures.‭ ‬They are a mismatched,‭ ‬botched up,‭ ‬combination of cultural traditions that are in general not practiced anymore or are based on a modern interpretation of them through the founders of modern Witchcraft, such as Gerald Gardner. Even the Re-constructionist religions are only based on theory and limited historical texts.‭ ‬So there can be no cultural appropriation ‬when that original culture no longer exists as it was.‭ ‬It is when we start to incorporate specific teachings and practices of the‭ “‬living cultures‭” ‬that we begin to cross the lines of what we call today as cultural appropriation.‭ ‬We can see this especially in the use of the many indigenous practices within the New-age communities and even in many of the Pagan communities.‭ ‬Where you may find pseudo sweat lodges and ayahuasca ceremonies being offered by non-tribal peoples.‭ ‬This can be considered cultural appropriation‭, however even here there are fine lines. ‬To some these are sacred ceremonies of specific tribal traditions that are often misused,‭ ‬misrepresented,‭ ‬and‭ “‬stolen‭” ‬from their respected‭ “‬living cultures‭”‬, while others see them for all to use to spiritually better humanity.‭ However, it all depends on its origins and the teachings. ‬That is not to say that one cannot have a meaningful spiritual experience in taking part in such activities,‭ ‬it is just that you may be supporting the theft of a sacred ceremony in the process.‭ ‬Many people also view such things as drumming,‭ ‬smudging,‭ ‬and the practice of using sacred fires as cultural appropriation.‭ ‬Although,‭ ‬some of these practices can incorporate the‭ “‬stealing‭” ‬of a particular ceremony the actual practice is more of‭ “‬borrowing‭”‬ as they can also be found in non-living cultures as well.‭ ‬‬In the case of our Facebook conversation,‭ ‬we see the use of the word‭ “‬totem‭”‬,‭ ‬The word‭ “‬totem‭” ‬was and is still used by the Pacific Northwest first nations tribes of America (a living culture). This word along with many others (nameste, shaman etc) are often used inappropriately from it’s original intent or cultural meaning.

The word itself derives from Ojibwe‭ (‬Chippewa‭) ‬word odoodem,‭ ‬which roughly translates to‭ “‬his kinship group‭”‬.‭ ‬Totems are representations of spirit beings or a symbol of a particular group of people,‭ ‬such as a family,‭ ‬clan,‭ ‬lineage,‭ ‬or tribe.‭ ‬They are also considered sacred objects.‭

The term‭ “‬totem‭” ‬has been‭ “‬stolen‭” ‬by many of the New-age and Pagan communities who have either no involvement in it’s tribal practices or uses it’s meaning improperly as a term for their personal spirit or guide.‭ ‬Partly this is due to it being often used in scholarly circles as an umbrella term just as the word shaman is used for anything related to an indigenous practice.‭ ‬The word totem has been commonly used inappropriately to describe the belief in guardian spirits and deities of the indigenous peoples of America,‭ ‬Africa,‭ ‬Asia,‭ ‬Australia,‭ ‬and even Europe.‭ ‬However,‭ ‬these cultures have their own words for guardian spirits in their own languages,‭ ‬and do not call these spirits,‭ “‬totems‭”‬.‭

Because the word is both misused and continues to be a part of a‭ “‬living culture‭” ‬it can be considered cultural appropriation.‭ ‬However,‭ ‬the associated practice of using guardian spirits or certain tribal meanings is not.‭

Another tribal phrase that is often used in the New-age and Pagan communities (although, its become less favorable over the years) is Aho‭! ‬Again,‭ ‬here we see another tribal word misused from a‭ “‬living culture‭”‬.‭ Unfortunately, it is unclear whether or not it has been‭ “‬borrowed‭” ‬or‭ “‬stolen‭” mainly due to the open use of it within the powwow circuits and the open teachings of many Lokata members or if it is a throwback of the 70’s new age movement. ‬The word itself originates from the language of the Lakota people where it means‭ “‬hello‭”‬.‭ ‬It can also be found in the Kiowa and Cherokee tribes,‭ ‬but‭ ‬its use is entirely different.‭ ‬The use of this term has been adopted and wrongly used by many within the New-age and Pagan communities,‭ ‬where it is often used to indicate agreement.‭ ‬

So how far does respecting one’s spiritual beliefs go when there is an apparent appropriation of a living culture and who has the right to challenge that.‭ ‬Honestly,‭ the only people who have a right to challenge that is someone who is of currently or from that living culture itself. Even there it can become tricky because there is disagreement within those cultures as well, especially between the elders and younger generations. Which is why it is best to leave the issue to only those are currently involved in the said culture that may be being appropriated within their own community or better yet, follow the “two wrongs don’t make a right”, and just let it be. If your voice is louder than the voices of a living culture you are just as much as the problem as the appropriator and sometimes just being an ally just means you are a supporter and not a warrior.

In our last post we connected with fire the animal spirit of wolf, in this post we will employ the energy of Bear for the element of water. Bear can have many personalities. Bear can be the two-sided mamma Bear who is loving and nurturing, and yet be the fierce protector. Bear is also the guardian and doorkeeper of the underworld or the land of our ancestors. When working the Wheel, Bear takes over your journey after Wolf/Coyote has led you down your path. He takes you the land of the dead where you find your true self. Bear introduces you to your ancestors and puts you in dangerous situations that rip you apart from the inside out.

Bear resides in the West, he lives at the base of the mountains, where lies certain death (hence his association with the dead).  But lets talk a little about the element of Water.

The element of Water is most often connected with our emotions. Water is life’s necessity without it nothing can live. It is a component in the cells of all living beings; it is our very essence. It is the one common denominator that connects all as one. Water is constantly flowing and changing, which is why it’s associated with our emotions. Both cannot remain in one state for long and are always in constant motion. Our emotions are what define and shape who we are as living beings and as Individuals. In this post we have replaced the word Water with LOVE to help you subconsciously connect with the element. When we focus on increasing the LOVE element in our lives, we begin the process of cleansing and healing our spirit. The element helps us purify and cleanse our spirit of harmful emotions that could be holding us back. Once these emotions are removed or at least acknowledged, we can begin the healing process while working within this element. This is a time to focus on working out those unresolved issues that so many of us hold on to.

Mindful Bathing

When doing mindful bathing, we recommend not using candles, incense, or salts. This will keep your focus on just one element. Prepare by drawing a warm bath. Before stepping in, request the element to physically, mentally and emotionally cleanse, heal and purify you. As you step in, envision the healing LOVE enveloping your body and spirit. Once you are settled and comfortable, breathe slowly and deeply.  Allow the LOVE to help you relax. Imagine becoming one with the LOVE. When you are finished remember to that the element of LOVE.

Devotionals

When creating a devotional routine to a Deity in connection with the element of LOVE and that has some form of linking the element in their mythos or to you personally. You do not have to make it lengthy, just spend a few moments with your deity, asking for blessings, advice, or just thanking them.

Ritual

With the full moon right around the corner you might want to do a full moon cleansing ritual utilizing the cleansing and healing magickal properties of water by washing away the harmful energies that may lay dormant in our mind, words, and heart.

Divination

Many divination practices work well went working with LOVE. From scrying to dreams, this element has a profound effect on our ability to use our intuition. As with any types of magickal practices it is recommended to keep a journal, so why not keep a journal of your dreams. You find that your dreams will be heightened as you work through the element. Although, dreams are most often associated with the element of fire. It is the actual dream and the messages contained within them that can be attributed to the element of LOVE and not the actual act of dreaming.

You can also incorporate the use of tarot in when working with the element of LOVE. Here are a few ways to use tarot:

– Refresh your knowledge of all the cup cards of the deck.

– Pick a card that is associated with the element to mediate on each day.

– Use a spread that focuses on the magickal correspondences of LOVE.

Tarot Spread for the Element of LOVE

Place card 1 on the far left, then place card 2 and card 3 diagonally going down. Then place card 4 and 5 diagonally going up. Place card 6 between card 1 and 5 and above 3.

1. Your tide. What state are your emotions?
2. Your dam. What blocks you?
3. Your depth. Where does my compassion lay?
4. Your swell. What enlightens you?
5. Your crest. What is your breaking point?
6. Your ship. What will make you successful?

Some other things you can do

– Write a Letter to someone who you have something to say too.

– Clean your house, car or office

–Research and learn about how other traditions and cultures view and use the element of LOVE. If we look at the history of our ancestors, there is a direct correlation between LOVE and spirituality. For some Love is the creative life force. Hindu traditions consider LOVE to be a purifier, life giver, and the destroyer of evil. In the more recent western cultures, the Christian church places significant importance on LOVE as well, in their practices of baptism. Research your own tradition and ancestral practices and their uses and beliefs associated with LOVE.

– Attune yourself to the element of LOVE by evaluating your relationships (parents, children, companions, friends). Science states that our bodies are comprised of approximately 60% of LOVE. Metaphysically, then we can only assume that LOVE and its energy can affect us on a spiritual level and vice versa. According to the Japanese author and researcher Dr. Masaru Emoto, he claimed that our thoughts and emotions could influence water’s molecular structure. He analyzed frozen water crystals that were exposed to thoughts and feelings of positive emotions and found them to have beautiful geometric designs and water influenced by negative thoughts and emotions appeared to create jagged and ugly looking shapes. Although, Emoto’s work is widely regarded as pseudoscience and has yet to be proven scientifically, there may still be something in his findings, spiritually. If our thoughts can affect the molecular structure of LOVE, then what effect might our thoughts have on our bodies and our emotions? Because our emotions also affect our relationships these two are both closely related to the energy of LOVE. Evaluate your relationships and the emotions they cause. In doing so, you open yourself up to a better understanding of the energy of LOVE.

– Study the correspondences of herbs, oils, and crystals associated with the element of LOVE. Create your own incense or oil recipe. The belief that unconnected things share a metaphysical connection is not an uncommon belief in many cultures and religions. Correspondences are not limited to just Witchcraft, Pagan, and other magickal traditions. Correspondences can also be found in Chinese and East Indian traditional medicine manuals and in many of the worlds religious teachings. This may be the reason that there are so many connections and yet so many differences among the teachings of Witchcraft. Today, many practitioners create their own correspondences based on their own experiences and personal beliefs. However, the one core concept they all share is that everything in nature has a special meaning and can be used in the magickal world. Use these special meanings to create your own LOVE oil or incense based on what you researched.

– Create and perform a spell using the element of LOVE as its focus. LOVE and its magick are often used for healing and purification. For centuries, believers have journeyed to sacred springs and source of LOVE, and more recently people visit spas and hot springs in the hope of relaxation and of being healed. The practice of ritual bathing to wash away unwanted energies and to shift their consciousness can be seen in Witchcraft and many other religions as well. However, these are not the only purposes. LOVE has many uses in magick. Create a spell using LOVE as its main focus or tool.

The direction of South in many traditions, both cultural and modern corresponds to the element of Fire. The element of fire can bring us both creativity and destruction. It is the only element that forms by consuming another element. Fire, unlike the other elements, does not exist in a natural state and is born of change. The element of fire is the strongest of the four and therefor it is the easiest to connect with. When we focus on increasing the fire element in our lives, we increase our creativity, joy, energy, inspiration, and love. The direction also deals with our spiritual selves and the paths we choose to follow. It is the direction and element that can be used to clear our spiritual selves, remove spiritual blockages and transform. It helps us work on our shadow, doubts, and harmful patterns.

Meditation

For this meditation the direction of south is used in association with the spirit of the wolf

Spirit of the Wolf Guided Meditation

Begin by lighting a candle and some incense. Turn off the lights. Close your eyes, make yourself comfortable and relax. Next begin to prepare for the meditation by breathing in deeply through your nose, filling your belly, hold for a count of three and exhale through your mouth. Do this three times, or until you feel relaxed, centered and open.

Feel the room around you, acknowledge the glow of the candle and scent of incense.
As you breath in, begin to visualize the smoke of the incense circling you, surrounding you.
It begins to create a bubble around you. This bubble will protect your body on your journey.

You find yourself sitting in the dark, outside on a hill.
You can feel the cool grass beneath you, but, the air is warm around you.
Crickets quietly chirp in the distance.
Although, you are sitting in the dark, you are not afraid….
Appearing before you is the spirit of the wolf.
He sits harmlessly before you.
Looking closer you can see that he is in spirit form rather than solid, yet his soft fur sways in the warm breeze.
He will be your guide on this journey and will take you through the phases of the moon.
Begin your journey by feeling and reaching out to wolf’s energy.
Allow it to mix with your own, you will become one with wolf.

Now, as wolf, looking up to the black sky, you notice a tiny sliver of light begin to appear, it is the new moon.
Feel and see yourself going toward the moon.
At the same time the moon also comes to you.
You and the moon meet and join together.. You are the new moon….
Take some time and feel the energy of the new moon.
It is of new beginnings and birth.
Allow yourself to succumb to its energy and let the moon show you what you need to learn at this time…….

After a moment, wolf calls you back and to let go of the new moon’s energy.
As you pull away, you begin to see the sliver of the moon begin to grow into a waxing crescent moon.
Its energies of growth and love begin to surround you.
Allow the knowledge of where you are headed to enter you, let the moon show you what steps you need to take to grow at this time.

Again, the wolf calls you back after a few moments, the images begin to fade and you are now overcome by the bright light of the full moon… The energies and power are almost too overwhelming.
It is time to open yourself up to them and be the full moon.
These powerful energies feel as though they are recharging you, like a battery.
You can feel your own magickal energies reach the highest they have ever been.
You are now glowing with pure positive energy.
The energy pours out of you in all directions and reflects off the clouds above and touches the trees and plants below.
As above, so below you are the full moon…

Just as you feel you are able to expand your energies around the world, the light fades into a waxing crescent moon.
It begins to draw back some of the energies you have just absorbed.
Along with some the full moon energies, the waning moon extracts all the negative thoughts you hide within yourself.
It takes your fears.
Your self-created obstacles.
You can see all this pouring out of you in a long dark plume of black smoke…..

You are now floating in darkness, no sound…Total emptiness.
You are not afraid. You know you are protected by the spirit of the wolf.
This is the time to confront all the negatives that had poured out of you.
Face them, learn from them… This is the dark of the moon……….

After a moment, all the images begin to fade as you hear the cry of the wolf.
You have now returned to the hilltop, looking up, you can see all the moon phases in the sky.
Bid farewell to them, individually and thank them for their wisdom.

Eventually, the darken sky becomes day and before is the wolf.
Thank and honor his spirit.
You may also wish to take a moment to accept any wisdom he gives you.
Say your farewells… Take 3 breaths, and open your eyes….

Devotionals

When creating a devotional routine to a Deity in connection with the element of fire, try to do this with a Deity that has some form of linking to fire in their mythos or to you personally. You do not have to make it lengthy, just spend a few moments with your deity, asking for blessings, advice, or just thanking them. Offer incense and say a few words.

Ritual

With the Summer Solstice right around the corner This may be a perfect time to start working with the element of fire. What a better way to connect with the element than honoring a big ball of fire. Even if there was no major magickal calendar event to happen, set out to also do a ritual during every aspect of the moon. THE MOON!! You may be asking yourself what does the moon have to do with fire. For one, in many cultures, some form of fire has always present or is a focus during any Full Moon ceremony or spiritual event. Even if we think of how the moon is lit in the night sky, we can attribute that to fire, well to that big ball of it in the sky at least. Thinking in the terms of the suns light reflections we can mirror this in our rituals by working on our own spiritual reflected self by using the phases of the moon.

Some other things you can do

–Research and learn about how other traditions and cultures view and use the element of fire. Fire has and probably always will be an important part of human culture. From the Greek myth of Prometheus stealing fire from the gods to the burning bush in the Christian Bible, fire has always been a part of our spirituality and religion. Fire plays an important role in Witchcraft as well. It is one of the building blocks of the universe, a foundation of our magick circle, and a tool in purification rites.

– Attune yourself to the element of fire by making a list of 5 things that get you all fired up, either angry or inspired and take a constructive action to change or invoke these things.

Understanding what attributes of fire, we possess or lack help us maintain a spiritual balance within ourselves and the world around us. When our fire energy is in balance, we are often more joyful and playful, communicate better, and have a true enthusiasm for life. Some symptoms when we lack or are out of balance are depression, insomnia, loss of spark, and a need for control. Know that there are specific compensations for a weak or lacking element that can sometimes also create balance.

-Study the correspondences of herbs, oils, and crystals associated with the element of fire. Create your own incense or oil recipe. Not all Witches use element correspondences however, those who do know there is a great deal of variation between traditions. In most cases, in Witchcraft the elements are involved in one way or another and each offer something unique and special.

– Get a chakra balancing through reiki work or some other practice that you feel comfortable with.

There are so many things you can also do each day to help you connect with the direction, the spirits, and the element. Something as simple as lighting a candle while you are home to setting some time as side to do some shadow work. I will be posting one outline a month if you choose to follow or just dabble in connecting to each element. Balance is key to a healthy spiritual life.