Elementals: Earth

From hiking Slide Mountain - highest mountain in the Catskills

 Earth

Direction: North

Time of Day: Midnight

Colors: Green/Brown

Represents: the Goddess, old age, strength, stability, wisdom, business, money, career, wealth, physical form
Sabbat: Yule

Herbal Correspondences: cedar, clove, fern, honeysuckle, jasmine, mandrake, patchouli, pine, sage, slippery elm

Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Tarot Suit: Pentacles

Used for: material matters, fertility rituals, strengthening oneself, prosperity spells

One of my favorite meditations to use to connect with the Earth is the Tree Blending Meditation in Ann Moura's Grimoire for the Green Witch.  It's one of the few pre-written meditations that I use and have  done so several times.  I wanted to use it on our camping trip but I didn't get a chance to.  There's always next time.  It's a lengthy meditation and it's great to use on the night of a full moon or a new moon.  I tend to do meditations of the new moon as it's a more reflective time for me.  There's one tree that I tend to talk to the most in my yard, a Japanese Maple.  I love the way she looks in winter best.

There's just something about those little trees that I love dearly.  I'll often sit in our pool (which is to the right of the tree - not pictured), gaze at it and talk to it quietly.  I helped plant her in 1995 with my Dad and ever since then I've had a very keen connection with the tree.  I'll even admit to hugging her, which I feel is one of the best ways to connect with the earth.  Hug her.  Hug a tree.  Hug a beloved pet.  Lay on the ground with your face towards the earth and just feel her beneath you.  You'll be amazed by the warmth and love you feel back.

Elementals: Fire

Campfire from camping trip to the Catskills, NY

 Fire

Direction: South

Time of Day: Noon

Colors: Red/Orange

Represents: youth, energy, drive, passion, ambition, career, creativity, healing, protection, will, divine within, male fertility, the God
Sabbat: Litha

Herbal Correspondences: alder, basil, bay laurel, carnation, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, garlic, holly, hyssop, marigold, pepper, primrose, rosemary, rowan, rue, saffron, St. Johnswort

Zodiac Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Tarot Suit: Wands

Used for: to heal and/or harm, creation and/or destruction, purification, bring new life, end the life of the worn out and old

One of the many ways I love to work with fire is through cooking.  And what better place?  The kitchen holds the hearth of the home and, of course, plenty of fire energy.  There's something that comes alive within me while I'm cooking and the energy that builds in the house when my fellow witches cook together is amazing.  I cannot wait to make something for the Full Moon tomorrow.  This is a recipe I tried recently and loved.

Fire Spice Pork Chops

You will need:

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (enough to mix herbs and garlic into a paste) - Approx. 2 Tbs.

4 center rib pork chops, about 1/2" thick

4 lemon wedges

1/4 teaspoon of ground pepper

1. In a small bowl, combine herbs, garlic and pepper.  Add olive oil and work into a paste.  Press spice mixture onto both sides of each pork chop.
2. Coat a grill or grill pan with cooking spray and heat to medium-high.
3. Grill pork until there is no pink inside (6-8 minutes per side)
4. Divide and serve with lemon wedges.

Elementals: Air

Video taken by Willow in Western New York

 Air

Direction: East

Time of Day: Sunrise

Colors: Yellow/White

Represents: The God, childhood, intellect, thought, mind, victory, power, conflict, conscious mind
Sabbat: Ostara

Herbal Correspondences: broom, elder, eucalyptus, hazel, lavender, lemon, verbena, marjoram, mistletoe, mugwort, nutmeg, peppermint, sandalwood, spearmint, thyme, wormwood

Zodiac Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Tarot Suit: Swords

Used for: communication, wisdom or the powers of the mind, carries away troubles, blows away strife, and carries positive thoughts

Air is the element I feel least connected with.  Perhaps it's because I'm deeply a water sign in so many ways.  I fall into every Scorpio stereotype imaginable.  I'm in love with being in water, snow, ice, etc.  However, air and its powers escape me.  I'm horrid with conflict.  I'm a bigger dreamer than living in reality.  I'm smart but I'm not always aware of it.  In fact, I'm humble.  I drown myself with guilt.  I surround myself with my troubles.  I brew in my mistakes.  I could use the power of air often but I have not found balance with this element yet.  I hope to work with my coven on expanding my abilities with Air.  I think it would make a much happier and calmer person. 

When I return from camping this weekend I hope to have some great videos for earth and fire.  I'm not sure what I'll do for spirit yet, but I'll think of something.  My school district gave the laptop program teachers - a group of 200 teachers trained on MacBooks and we use them in our daily lessons - Flip Cameras.  I took the 2 videos I've posted with my Flip Camera and edited them on my Macbook.  It's all practice for eventually using it in my classroom and I'm having an awesome time using it for my witchy things.

Elementals: Water

Video taken by Willow at Niagara Falls

Water
Direction: West
Time of Day: Sunset
Colors: Blue/Gray
Represents: The Goddess, maturity, emotion, psychic ability, intuition, love, subconscious mind
Sabbat: Mabon
Herbal Correspondences: apple, ash, burdock, catnip, chamomile, cypress, elecampane, geranium, henbane, hyacinth, ivy, meadowsweet, myrrh, orris root, poppy, rose, star anise, willow and yarrow
Zodiac Signs: Cancer,  Scorpio, Pisces
Tarot Suit: Cups
Used for: healing, cleansing, and purification

Water has always been a source of power for me.  This past weekend the hubby and I visited Niagara Falls and I cannot begin to tell you how much I felt the power of the place within me.  I stood watching the water fall in front of me, mezmorized by its beauty.  If we didn't have an 8 hour drive in front of us, I would of stayed there until the park closed.  I cannot wait to go back so I can see it lit up at night as well as from the Canadian side (we forgot our passports at home).

I'm currently working on a water meditation.  As soon as it is finished I will share it with all of you.  I think I'll complete it on our camping trip this weekend.  I'm going to be making a few posts today to make up for the ones I'll be missing while we're away.  I know it seems like I've been away a lot lately but I'm trying to make up for some lost (fun) time.  I spent almost all of my summer doing work for my Graduate class.  I only have 3 more weeks left before the school year begins and I start writing my thesis.  This little witch needs some Nature time!

Elements Series from The Domestic Witch

 The Domestic Witch is running a series on understanding Elemental Powers and being able to use them in your own craft.  Part of understanding the elements is knowing which element you have a natural affinity for.  Below are 25 questions she has posted to help you understand your natural affinities along with my answers.  I figured I'd post my answers here so I can easily access them as well as sharing them with my readers.

1. Which element do you feel you connect with or understand the most?

Water.

2. What are your hobbies and interests? 

Swimming, Snowboarding, Hiking, Biking, Cooking, Organization, Crafting, Knitting, Reading, Blogging, Teaching, and Pagan-y things.

3. How do you move through activities? For example, do you stay with one activity for a long period of time, restlessly go from one thing to the next, or do several things at once?

I tend to do several things at once and I tend to stay with them all for a long period of time (although blogging took a bit of a break).  I dive into things and I submerge myself in them.

4. Where are your favorite places?

Upstate NY, especially the Adirondacks and Catskills; Vermont; New Hampshire; Texas

5. What is your preferred divination method? Or do you prefer to rely on proven facts only?

Tarot.  I just started working with a pendulum. 

6. What color is your hair, eyes, and skin tone? Do you tan or burn easily? Is your skin oily, dry, or soft?

I have very dark brown hair (almost black) with red highlights, dark brown eyes and light olive skin tone.  During the summer I get pretty tan and I have soft skin.

7. What are your favorite colors?

Black, dark blues, purples and reds.

8. What is the style of your clothes?

I'm pretty eclectic.  I have some "hippie-ish" clothes, goth clothes, punk clothes,  my "teacher clothes" and then just regular t-shirts and jeans.  It depends on the situation I'm in.  I have many different interests and I must change my style of dress to the situation.  

9. Are you sensitive to hot or cold temperatures?

I hate humidity.  I love the winter and I think all my wishing is what caused all the snow this winter.  I'm ok with summer heat as long as there is no humidity.  Summer on Long Island is murder because of the humidity.  I'd rather be in the mountains during the summer.

10. Do you refuse to sit or walk barefoot on rough or uncomfortable textures such as grass or concrete?

I've had issues with sand since I was a baby.  When I was about 9 months old my parents took me to the beach and I would not leave the towel.  I wouldn't play in my sandbox.  I've been getting better as I've gotten older, but I'm not a huge fan of sand beneath my feet.

11. What interests you? Do you have talents in art, music, sports, or science?

I was an opera singer in high school.  I now sing in the car and the shower.  I was also a competitive swimmer.

12. Do you follow you heart or your head when making decisions?

My heart.  I've been learning to think more before I act though and it has benefited me greatly.  Following your heart gets you in trouble.

13. What's you favorite kind of music? Does it have heavy bass, is acoustic, or ethereal?

It really depends on my mood.  I like a lot of different kinds of music.  However, almost all of it, even the piano stuff, has heavy bass.

14. What kinds of things do you use to better your mood? Candles, a warm bath, garden, or a good book?

I love to read or relax in my pool.  I'll also go for walks or take a hot shower.  

15. Do you have any health issues or physical impairments?

 I suffer from depression and anxiety.  

16. What are your biggest fears?

Failure.

17. What types of spells and rituals do you favor? 

Off the cuff.  I also enjoy doing my rituals outside whenever possible.

18. Do you collect anything or have extensive knowledge about a particular subject?

I collect old books and records.  I have an extensive knowledge of Victorian literature and Shakespeare.

19. How old are you? What stage of life are you in?

I'm 26 and I've been married for two years.  I'm not ready for children and have no plans to ever have any.

20. What are your best traits and talents? What are your worst traits and bad habits?

I'm a loyal friend, but I only keep a small group very close.  I always plan for the worst case scenario and am obsessively organized.  I analyze situations and it can be a downer - it plays into my anxiety.  I'm also very stubborn.  I'm sure there are more but I cannot think of it right now. 

21. What is your career or occupation?

I'm a high school English teacher.

22. What do you keep on your altar?

It changes by season but here is a picture of what it looks like for the most part:

24. What's your favorite season?

Winter.

25. What is your Sun Sign, Moon Sign, and Ascendent?
Sun Sign: Scorpio, Moon Sign: Taurus Ascendent: Pisces