The Element of Water

'Water is in us and around us. We physically comprise of up to 70% water, whilst two thirds of the earth's surface is covered in this miraculous substance. W cannot live more than a few days without it and yet most of us do not avail ourselves of this magical liquid. Water heals and purifies, cleanses and soothes. Cared for by the elemental ondines, our oceans and rivers house a myriad of fish and mooluscs, plants and mammals, from the microscopic to the largest in the world. Beautiful clouds form from the oceanic waters and the falling rains quench our thirst. In our inner world water symbolises our emotions, whether calm and peaceful or turbulent and chaotic. This element enables us to feel on many levels, from empathising with others to experiencing the wonder of love and the bitter depths of despair.'

From Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements by Carole Carlton

The Element of Fire

'Fire is housed within the sun, without which the earth would not be able to sustain life in its present form. It manifests in erupting volcanoes, in lightning strikes and is necessary in order for a rainbow to be seen. It is the abode of the elemental salamander and brings us the comfort of the domestic fire and the flicker of the candle flame, bringing both warmth and light into our lives. We are warm blooded creatures and need fuel with which to produce energy and heat to survive, too little and we become weak and cold, too much and we can experience skin eruptions and fever. Inwardly and symbolically fire manifests as anger, passion, determination and intuition, encouraging us to blaze our own trail and set the world alight with the essence of who we are'

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements' by Carole Carlton

The Element of Air

'Air is essential to life; it is our very breath, it gives us space in which to move, it is the wind that kisses our cheek, it is Nike; the winged Goddess of Victory, it is the abode of the bird, the bee, the moth and the bat. It carries words of love, songs of joy and the sounds of nature. It brings us light from the sun and the first smell of sumer, whilst in the depths of our subconscious it symbolises the realm of thought, inspiration and imaginings. It is purified by the sylph elementals and carries the seeds of our dearest hopes and wildest dreams.'

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements' by Carole Carlton. See http://www.arcanus.co.uk/ for more details.

Exploring the Elements

Over the next few weeks my blogs will explore the four elements of air, fire, water and earth without which, life here on earth would not survive in its presernt form.
Each element has, throughout the ages become associated with Gods , Goddesses, elementals, legendary creatures, life, death, astrology, magic, alchemy and the psyche all of which offer a rich tapestry to unravel and explore.

Tread Softly

Sail lightly on the wind my love
Sail lightly on the wind
For here the Goddess breathes my love
Sail lightly on the wind
Dance wildly in the fire my love
Dance wildly in the fire
For here the Goddess lives my love
Dance wildly in the fire
Drink deeply of the lake my love
Drink deeply of the lake
For here the Goddess bathes my love
Drink deeply of the lake
Tread softly on the earth my love
Tread softly on the earth
For here the Goddess sleeps my love
Tread softly on the earth

From Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements by Carole Carlton available from Amazon or any good book shop

Perseids Meteors & Harvest Moon

Today sees the birth of the new Moon in Leo, often referred to by the ancients as the 'harvest moon' so called because this was the time of the harvesting of the first fruits and the gathering of the grain.

It was also a time for practising magic, especially that which would protect throughout the dark months to come. Coupled with this was the gaining of wisdom and knowledge usually by some means of divination. Healing too was practised in order that the tribe and their animals would journey into the dark time in as healthy state as possible.

The new moon however is not the only event taking place in the heavens this week, for between the 12th and 14th August the Perseids Meteor Shower peaks and on a clear night we can expect to see approximately 60 meteors per hour shooting across the sky as long as there is little light pollution. It might be worth driving into the countryside for.

Enjoy the show!

Superstitions of the Corn

In Pagan times the spirit of the Corn God or Lugh was thought to be housed in the last sheaf of wheat left standing in the field and when cut the God's life would be sacrificed, spilling his symbollic blood upon the earth to ensure fertility in the year to come.
Understandably therefore plenty of superstition built up around the cutting of this final sheaf and the reaper responsible for throwing his sickle at it was seen as taking the life of the deity. To avoid this somewhat inauspicious task, the Irish Celts came up with a solution which involved everyone standing around the sheaf blindfolded in a semi circle and hurling their sickles at the wheat. In this way no one would know who was ultimately responsible for the Corn God's demise.
Once cut however, the last sheaf took on a more positive aspect and was taken home by one of the reapers where it was 'dressed' either with a simple red ribbon to represent the blood of the God, or fashioned far more elaborately into a person or shape which became known by a myriad of names according to the region. The name that stuck however was 'kern baby', from which derives the more popular name of 'corn dolly' and has since become a modern day symbol of fertility.
Enjoy this Lammas season and may the year ahead be a fertile and happy one!

The Festival of Lughnasadh or Lammas

Today at sunset (1st Aug) the festival of Lughnasadh (its Celtic name) or the festival of Lammas (its Saxon name) begins and lasts until sunset on the 2nd.

The word Lughnasadh is thought to be named after the Irish Celtic God 'Lugh the Light Bearer' as the word actually means 'the funeral feast of Lugh'. This refers to the fact that the male principal or God in the continuing cycle of the Pagan wheel, lays down his life and spills his blood upon the corn in order that the earth's fertility will be assured over the coming year.

Lammas on the other hand comes from the Saxon word, 'hlaefmass', meaning loaf festival and refers to the fact that the Saxons made a loaf from the gathering of the first grains with which to celebrate the harvest of the first fruits and honour their Gods. With the coming of Christianity this name was adopted by the church. Much folklore and legend abounds with regards to the harvesting of the corn and this will be outlined in further blogs as the week progresses. Meanwhile it may be time to make our own personal sacrifices by perhaps giving up a bad habit, or making donations of goods or time to a needy charity. It is however a time for celebration also, for out of every ending new beginnings always spring and this one heralds future fertility and abundance. So this week, make a corn dolly, bake a loaf or simply invite family and friends to celebrate the good things we all have in our lives. Enjoy!