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 Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:24 pm
I was reading my "Sunday paper" (a.k.a new weekly articles on witchvox), and found something interesting that made me contemplate further on an idea that I have tried to teach in the past (aside from that, I'm not sure how many know but Pagan author, teacher, and advocate Issac Bonewits passed away recently. A lovely obit was written and heads the site right now if you wish to read it).
Ahem, Balance.
I take this idea from an article written to help pagans decide which lord or lady they may serve based upon colors. All colors have certain aspects, all portrayed positively, and one would decide their path in a way that is reminiscent of choosing a Hogwarts house. This isnt the first time I have seen generalizations amongst our community, nor do i suspect it will be my last.
On one hand, I can support common theories like this, which are very similar to zodiac signs or determining your "personal element". Figuring these sorts of things out for yourself can sometimes bring insight about yourself that you might not have already considered. Its also easy to draw power from that knowledge, much the same way a person with an abundance of Air in them might use that to study for a test or hash out a problem with someone else. I have only one impeding problem with these sorts of "systems", and that is balance.
Take me for example. I was born on a cusp between a very fiery sign and a considerably wet water sign (Scorpio and Sagittarius). Without having to dig deep in my natal chart (which I used to do on boring days at school...), its easy to see in my life where the two elements rule. Imagine, however, if I just spent my days breathing all that fire onto people that pissed me off, or drowning them with watery emotions? While every element has its ups, they also have their equal and opposite downs.
Now, does that mean I am completely devoid of Earthy or Airy qualities? Of course not! The sad thing now, however, is that little emphasis is placed upon the elements that are not strong in your sign. Ive seen people dwell on the fact that they are so immersed in Watery energies that they become stagnant, blocked by what is supposedly there to strengthen them. This is where that "b" word comes back into play, and is essentially a parallel to, if not the spiritual path we are working on.
The pentacle is a balance of the five elements, each with an equal line meeting at an angle that connects them to the others. It is a symbol for us not just because it represents the world in which we live, but us as whole human beings. In order to live peaceful, productive lives, those lines need to be in order, with the angles all meeting where they should. Now, I won't say we all have to be models of perfection every day, of course our lines will blur here and there, or will barely ever connect. Its human. Its how we learn.
So rather than figure out what element I am, I choose to focus on what might be not so strong, like Earth. I have hardly any Earth energies in my natal chart (I feel bad bringing that up all the time. I'm usually so blase about those sorts of pre-ordained sorts of things...). So, I focus on boosting that connection I have with the Mother. When under a ton of stress, I try to breathe rythmically (Air?), tell myself to let it slide. While I won't let others push me around, I've learned not to sweat the small stuff, and just learn to let go. Sounds marginally down to Earth, right?
Now thats just an example, but I do encourage all of you to explore that which you dont know. It's almost like clockwork that I see newer Pagans absorb themselves in their "element" right after discovering they want to be Pagans in the first place. I ask that you strive to be a balance, to be all of the elements, all of the colors, and don't worry too hard if you're not all of them yet. Its what life is about, and life is what Paganism is about.
Blessings ~_~
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 2:35 pm
I agree on the part of focusing on what elements are lacking in your life.
When it comes to being balanced, I don't think of the elements astrologically, but more as a complete cycle within a circle. Thats one thing I always make sure of before I perform a ritual is that Im balanced with the elements, which is probably why Im neutral in most situations because I try to keep myself so balanced.
There's many things I notice too in my physical body when I start to get off balance too. If I am lacking in my water element, then Id have symptoms of mild dehydration, then I'd take the usual steps to make sure that I am getting a sufficient water intake, and spiritually focus on getting my water up to par. If I'm lacking in Earth, I know I'd usually feel clumsy and unsteady in everyday activities, so I have to take a moment and clear my head a bit so I can coordinate with my bodily functions. :3 Lacking in air, I'd feel heavy and drained, so I'd eat some fruit or meditate. And lacking in fire,I'd start feeling sick and drowsy, sometimes queasy.
If one of my elements are more active than the others I usually have to meditate and take other steps to get myself physically balanced.
And yeah I totally see what you mean about a lot of Pagans getting wrapped up in their element, usually my astrological sign is the last thing I personally would bring up in a conversation, where it's been many times where a good piece of a decent conversation would focus on what my sun sign is and its ascendant, which sometimes gets a bit unnerving. Though I do notice that I get along very well with Capricorns. XD
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