So Saturday was the meeting about the next topic - working with the elements!!
This is a topic I have been looking forward to as I didn't really think I had much of a relationship or particular connection with any of the elements, but it turns out that I may have an affinity for air (also the element for my Sun sign). I'll cover this in another post as today I wanted to tell you about a meditation that we did.
It started with a journey through a tree, which could be any type of tree but I was drawn to picture it as an Oak. This tree had a door in it that reminded me of Alice's journey down the rabbit hole, but instead of just falling, there were gently lit stairs that led down to an underground gallery that didn't have pictures - just more doors.
I went through one of the doors but it didn't look particularly special, just a regular door that led me to a clearing in a forest with a circle of standing stones within it. Rather like a well-known English landmark but surrounded by trees. The sun was setting in the west while the moon rose in the east.
I turned to the east and encountered the physical embodiment of air - a gentle breeze that was cleansing but also energising with just the right amount of strength to it. There were also red kites wheeling playfully in the sky above with some perching in the trees. The breeze gently moved my hair and the whole place felt like a kind of home.
Next, I turned to the south, where a fire was burning between two of the stones. It wasn't out of control, although there were no visible signs of it being an outdoor fire pit (not the metal bowls, but the ones archaeologists find as evidence of those who came before us). The fire was giving out plenty of light and warmth and felt cleansing. Not like forest fires but in a gentle way that removes what is no longer necessary and leaves everything else as it is. There was a salamander curled up happily within the flames that embodied exactly how I felt the fire itself was.
Then followed west, with a gently bubbling spring that burbled its way into becoming a small waterfall. It held a strong flow of water that was also cleansing (cleansing seems to be a theme with all of the elements - something to think about over the next few weeks) and held salmon and frogs. Salmon are sacred to Druids as they are believed to have a deep wisdom to teach us. I'm unsure of the meaning of the frogs though and will be looking into this to deepen my connection with this element.
North was next, where the standing stones stood tall, proud and peaceful, lasting and strong but through them I felt and saw the presence of a herd of deer with a White Hart as the leader of them. The Hart himself was very clearly visible while the rest of the herd was more hidden within the treeline. I felt as if the Hart was blessing my journey and connection with the elements today.
Turning to the centre of the clearing, it was time to think about the element of spirit. I was called to turn my gaze upwards to the sky above which was filled with a myriad of colours due to the sun's setting, colours that could all be used to represent each of the elements (blues, greens, purples, orangey-reds and touches of gold). As well as the beauty of the colours, I could also see and feel the stars which are innumerable but oh-so present and all-encompassing. There was also the presence of a wyvern, which can be associated with all of the elements which was a really interesting being to encounter.
From within this entire space, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and calm, with all beings present in harmony - no discord between them at all.
During the part of the meditation where I left this space, it felt as if I was leaving home and peace behind, almost like I can't be at peace almost all the time without becoming more at one and connected with all of the elements.
After this, we all spent some time making notes about our experiences and I was struck by another concept - that of a bell and its connection to the elements. The metal for the bell is found in the earth (regardless of what metal it is); it is tempered and formed using fire and water, while the sound it creates is carried by the air and can be used to cleanse the spirit of a person or place. This was really interesting because a lot of people associate bells with air purely because of their sounds whereas I associate bells with all elements.
Using our journey to the elements, we then wrote an "Elemental Bio" about ourselves. It was interesting and rather scary because it was so personal and, for me, really opened my eyes to how I see myself within the elements but also as a whole.
This whole exercise is something that I hope to revisit again in a few months to see how my relationships and connections with the elements as well as with myself. So, here's what I wrote for my first Elemental Bio:
"I'm Amethyst Runewitch, driven by a cleansing fire that brings to light all things, follower of the White Hart that stands strong and rare in peace. I go where the gentle breeze takes me, to inspire and energise others. I allow my emotions to flow, to receive wisdom from the Sacred Salmon. I dream of the stars that are always present and all-encompassing."
I realised that I have a stronger affinity with air, which is all about inspiration and communication - basically what I hope to achieve with this blog. Right now, the weakest connection I have, I think, is with fire, although I can be very passionate about things. I try to go with the flow instead of fighting against it so my water connection may be on the stronger side. I've known I need to work on my earth connection (through my own personal grounding but also to cultivate my own miniature witchy garden on a balcony) so this might actually be my weakest element.
This exercise certainly taught me that there are elements I could be working with more (like the grounding and my mini garden area) but also what I am already connected with and how those connections have been strengthened recently.
I hope you enjoyed my thoughts and this exercise - I will be doing it again in the future and if you'd like to read about it, I'll do a post about the next time I do it.
Love and peace to you all!!
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