You must understand the elements completely before you can effectively work with them for magical purposes.
Becoming the Element of Earth
First, some basic information…
Earth is symbolized by the colors green and brown, or sometimes blue. Plants [especially grains], salt, crystals, food and money are also symbols of the element. Bovine animals, and horned or antlered beasts are Earth creatures, too. Some snakes are considered Earth creatures, but others are more Water creatures. The goddesses Ceres, Demeter, Gaia, Persephone or Proserpina, and Rhiannon are Earth deities, as are the gods Adonis, Cernunnos, Dionsus, Marduk and Pan.
If you have ever experienced a light-headedness, and determined that you wanted something to eat to feel better, you have seen the power of Earth as it ‘grounds’ you. The consumption of food is one of the sure ways to accomplish this, although the quickest way is to sit upon the bare Earth. We use the word ‘ground’ to show instruction, as when we say a person is well-grounded. We also use it to demonstrate beginnings, like in the phrases, ‘in on the ground floor’ and ‘groundwork’. ‘Groundless’ is used to show that something has no basis in reality. We will go deeply into Earth, on many levels today, and become Earth itself. In this way, you will have a deeper insight into the element, and be more able to use, control or manipulate it for your magical work.
Before we begin the exercises to assume the element of Earth, choose for yourself a symbol to represent it, which you can comfortable hold in your hand. Although the word ‘earthly’ appears to be in direct opposition to the word ‘spiritual’, these exercises will allow you to see that experiencing the element in this manner is a truly spiritual matter.
[Read through each exercise completely before beginning, or have a companion read as you meditate.]
Sit, but do no lie down. Relax. Empty your mind of all noises and thoughts, creating an empty space in which to receive the element.
Imagine a cave, and see yourself entering it. Feel the damp air as you go deeper into the cave. Hear the faint trickle of water from an underground spring. Notice the walls of the cave, and how being there makes you feel. Have no fear. Breathe deeply and know the moist Earth-scented air enters your body, becoming part of your being. Feel the strength of Earth rise in you. Touch the walls. Listen to the scurrying of Earth’s denizens.
Slowly turn and begin to travel back to the entrance of the cave. Watch for all the things you saw on the way in, and see them welcome you, bid you adieu. Smile at every living thing - creatures, insects, mosses, crystals, water, rocks – every thing. Know that you have been within the heart of Earth. See the light begin to brighten as you approach the entrance. Breathe deeply and return to the world you know.
Your first exercise is complete.
After you have mastered the first exercise, proceed to the second…
Sit comfortably, facing a northern direction. [If you are in the southern hemisphere, face a southern direction.] Relax. Clear out all mind noises and thoughts. Be aware of the bones, the skeleton within your body. Know that they are firm, solid. Consider the softness of your flesh. Think of the two together – bone and flesh – just as you saw rock and moss within the cave.
Feel the pull of gravity on your body, holding you to Earth, rooting you to it, for you are one with it – just as a mountain is, or a tree. Feel the life force within yourself, your blood rushing through your veins and arteries, notice your heartbeat. Identify this life force with that which resides in blades of grass, flowers, beasts, stones. Be the life force that drives each of them.
You are dust, swirling in the breeze. You are rock, sharp and substantial. You are mud, heavy and sluggish. Feel the weight of it. See yourself arise from this oozing pool and become once more a human. Feel your bones and flesh re-form.
Your exercises are complete.
Repeat these exercises as often as you need to, until you can REALLY feel, hear, smell, taste and see each one; until you KNOW you have become the element.
Be sure to record every exercise and your experience in it, in your Book of Shadows.
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