Wicca is a modern pagan witchcraft tradition that believes in the power and connection of the natural elements. These elements, air, fire, water, and earth, are seen as the building blocks of the universe and are associated with different qualities and energies. Discovering which element is associated with you can help deepen your understanding of yourself and how you relate to the world around you. **Air** is the element of communication, intellect, and thought. People who are associated with air tend to be curious, adaptable, and good at problem-solving. They are often insightful, quick-witted, and enjoy mental stimulation.
Moonflower was intentionally planted in gardens. It grows from both seeds and stem fragments which can be spread by water or dumped garden waste.
The name means Beautiful Woman, and in the Victorian era, when the look of death was popular young women would use small bits of the plant to create dark circles around the eyes and to achieve pale skin. Datura, Belladonna, Henbane and mandrake contain Atropine, Scopolamine, and Hyoscyamine which has been used in modern medicine for several different reasons.
They are often insightful, quick-witted, and enjoy mental stimulation. **Fire** is the element of passion, creativity, and transformation. Those who resonate with fire are often energetic, enthusiastic, and have a strong sense of self.
Moon
Since ancient times, the moon has been associated with woman and her fertility, monthly cycle, powers of nurturing and powers of darkness. The moon, ruler of the night and the mysteries of the dark, represents wetness, moisture, intuition, emotion, tides, the psychic, moods and madness. It embodies time, for its phases provided humankind with the first calendar. In contemporary Witchcraft, the moon is the source of Witches’ power, drawn down from the sky; it is the worker of Magic. The Great Goddess, the mother Goddess, the AllDewy-One, is at her most formidable and potent as lunar deity.
In the earliest primitive times, the moon was viewed as the source of fertility of all things. Its light was considered indispensable for abundant harvests, large flocks and herds and human fecundity. It was believed that women were made pregnant by moonbeams. Women who desired children slept under the light of the moon; those who did not resorted to crude charms, such as rubbing their bellies with spittle to avoid swelling like the waxing of the moon.
Since antiquity, lunar phases have governed all facets of life. The waxing moon is auspicious for crop planting and new endeavors, for luck and increasing; the waning moon is a time of diminishing and destruction. Lunar phases have governed magical rituals for the creation and consecration of magical tools, the summoning of spirits, the preparations of remedies and charms and the castings of spells. One cut one’s Hair and Nails, entered into marriages and business arrangements, let blood and traveled according to the phases of the moon. The moon was believed to govern the humors, the moisture in the body and brain. In 1660 one English astrologer declared that children born at the full moon would never be healthy but ran the risk of moonstruck madness, or lunacy. Folklore beliefs about the moon persist to the present day. The moon still influences magic rites.
The cycle of woman’s menstruation is tied to the lunar phases. In many cultures, the words for “moon” and “menstruation” are the same or very similar (see blood).
The Moon as person and deity.
The moon was primarily a power and a force until about 2600 b.C.e., when it became personified in middle Eastern civilizations as the man in the moon or the Great man. During his waning, the man in the moon was eaten by a dragon and went down into the underworld. He rose anew as his son. The moon also was believed to incarnate on Earth as a king; some lines of kings claimed to be the representatives of the moon and wore horned headdresses. Eventually, the man in the moon was replaced by the deity of the moon, who was first a god, then a goddess. The lunar goddess was the Great Goddess, the giver of all things in her waxing phase and the destroyer of all things in her waning phase. She took on the fertilizing power of the moon and was the protector of women. As destroyer, she could bring storms, particularly heavy rains, and floods.
The lunar gods and goddesses were portrayed with crescent moons, the auspicious symbol of the waxing and lucky moon. The Great Goddess was associated with the Cow, goat and bull, whose horns represented the crescent or horned moon.
To the Greeks, the goddess Selene once was the sole lunar goddess. Selene was replaced by Artemis (Diana) and Hecate. The true power of the moon resided in Hecate, who ruled the waning and dark moon, the time when the moon slipped into the underworld and ghosts and spirits walked the earth. Hecate became known as the Three-Headed Hecate, whose triple aspects combined Selene, Artemis and Hecate. The witches of Thessaly were said to be able to draw down the power of the moon from the sky. In myth, Aphrodite taught her son, Jason, “how to draw down the dark moon” whenever he needed magic.
The Moon in Witchcraft.
In contemporary Witchcraft, worship of the Goddess is associated with the moon. The consort of the Goddess is the Horned God, the god of the woodlands, whose horns represent both the beasts of nature and the horned moon. The activities and magic workings of a Witch or Coven are timed according to the phases of the moon. most covens meet at the full moon; some also meet at the new moon. The moon is personified by a triple aspect of the Goddess, usually Diana (the roman name is more common than the Greek name, Artemis), the Virgin, who rules the new and waxing moon; Selene, the matron, who rules the full moon; and Hecate, the Crone, who rules the waning and dark moon. magic for healing, gain, luck and increase is done during the waxing moon. magical power is greatest on nights of the full moon, particularly at midnight. magic for binding, banishing and eliminating is done during the waning phase.
The power of the moon also is drawn down for a trance ritual called DrAwIng Down the moon, in which the high priestess invokes the spirit of the Goddess into her so that She may speak to her followers.
Some feminist witches have a ritual of howling at the moon in order to connect with the primitive power of the Goddess within.
The moon is associated with the metal Silver, favoured by Witches for its properties as an amulet (see Amulets) and as an enhancer of psychic powers.
SEE ALSO:
- Witchcraft Glossary
- Witchcraft
FURTHER READING:
- Crowley, Vivianne. Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Millennium. revised ed. London: Thorsons/Harper Collins, 1996.
- Guiley, roseMary Ellen. Moonscapes: A Celebration of Lunar Astronomy, Magic, Legend and Lore. New York: PrenticeHall, 1991.
- Green, Marian. A Witch Alone: Thirteen Moons to Master Natural Magic. London: Thorsons/Harper Collins, 1991.
- Starhawk. The Spiral Dance. revised ed. San Francisco: HarperSan Francisco, 1989.
Datura comes in many variety of species. Of these I have personally worked with, D. stramonium commonly called Jimsom weed. D. inoxia, which is commonly called Moonflower (see blog about confusing Moonflowers here) D. metele, which have beautiful white and purple blooms, and D. Wrightii which is often called Sacred Datura. Datura contains several alkaloids classified as tropanes. Many Solanaceae plants contain Solanine which is a glycoside. This causes symptoms such as headache, vomiting, and coma if ingested. Datura, Belladonna, Henbane and mandrake contain Atropine, Scopolamine, and Hyoscyamine which has been used in modern medicine for several different reasons. However this does not mean that you can also just use the plant for medicine. It is incredibly more complicated than that. These alkaloids are contained in the seeds and blooms of the Datura plant. Datura is a sacred plant and should be treated as such. Though used in Witches flying ointments they should be prepared with knowledge. Witches such as Sarah Lawless have brought the popularity of Traditional Flying ointments to the world of witchcraft. It has encouraged people like myself to come out of the closet and share their work with poison plants. Datura boasts beautiful purple or white flowers among rich green colored leaves and purple shaded stems. It has been sacred to witches, Mayans, and is still revered in modern day mexico and around the world. Personally I use Datura in my ointments and with magic. She is incredibly powerful, magically speaking and has a strong will, she does what she wants when she wants. However with respect she can be very powerful ally.
They are often driven, ambitious, and natural leaders, thriving in dynamic and fast-paced environments. **Water** is the element of emotions, intuition, and healing. Individuals connected to water are often sensitive, empathetic, and deeply in tune with their feelings and the emotions of others. They are compassionate, nurturing, and excellent at offering support and guidance. **Earth** is the element of stability, grounding, and practicality. Those aligned with earth tend to be reliable, responsible, and practical in their approach. They have strong connections to nature, value tradition, and enjoy physical activities and working with their hands. Finding your elemental association in Wicca can be done through self-reflection, meditation, and paying attention to your natural inclinations and preferences. Once you have identified your dominant element, you can actively work with it to harness its energy and enhance your spiritual practice. Remember, while the elemental associations can provide guidance and insight, it is essential to recognize that everyone is made up of all the elements in varying degrees. The unique combination of these elements within each person contributes to their individuality and strengths. Embracing all the elements can create a sense of balance and harmony within oneself and the world..
Reviews for "Connecting with the Elements: Revealing Your Wiccan Elemental Presence"
1. Matthew - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "What element is associated with me in Wicca". The book promised to provide insight into your personal connection with the elements in Wiccan practice, but it fell short. The explanations were vague and lacked depth, leaving me with more questions than answers. I was hoping for a more comprehensive exploration of each element and how it relates to individuals, but this book merely scratched the surface. Overall, it was a letdown and did not offer the guidance I was seeking.
2. Emily - 2 stars
I found "What element is associated with me in Wicca" to be quite underwhelming. The content felt repetitive, and the author seemed to rely heavily on generalizations rather than providing personal anecdotes or examples. The book lacked originality and failed to offer any new perspectives on the topic. Additionally, the writing style was dry and unengaging, making it difficult to stay focused while reading. I was expecting a more insightful and engaging exploration of the subject matter, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver.
3. Liam - 1 star
I regret purchasing "What element is associated with me in Wicca". The information provided was extremely basic and did not expand on the topic in any meaningful way. It felt like reading a watered-down summary, rather than a comprehensive guide. The lack of depth and substance made it difficult to connect with the material. If you are looking for an in-depth exploration of the elements in Wicca, I would recommend looking elsewhere. This book barely scratches the surface and does not offer much value to those seeking a deeper understanding.