Welcome to Gaia! ::

*Earth*

Earth is our mother. It's as fertile and nurturing as farmland; as moist as soil and as dry as sand. In its physical manifestations (such as stones), Earth represents the densest of the elements.
Press your hand against fresh dirt. Feel its stability, its earthiness. Know that within its fertile surface we've raised our food; on it we live our lives; within it we bury our deceased.
We couldn't exist in this form without the Earth. But our planet is simply a manifestation of this element. True Earth-energy also exists within ourselves and within the universe at large.
Here are some symbolic associations of Earth. Think about these aspects of this most basic element.

Basic nature: Fertile, moist, nurturing, stabilizing; grounding. Gravity is a manifestation of this element.
Type of energy: Receptive
Color: Green (from the color of living plants)
Places: Caves, canyons, chasms, forests, groves, valleys, fields, farms, gardens, arboretums, parks, plant nurseries, farmer's markets, kitchens, baby nurseries, basments, mines, holes.
Rituals: Money, prosperity, fertility, stability, grounding, employment.
Ritual forms: Burying, planting, making images in soil or sand.
Herbs: Earth-smelling plants, such as patchouly and vetivert; mosses and lichens; nuts; dry and stiff plants; heavy, love-growing plants; generally roots.
Stones: Heavy or opaque, as in coal; green, as in emerald and peridot.
Metals: Iron, lead.
Musical instruments: Drum, all percussion instruments.
Creatures: Dog, horse, earthworm, gopher, ant, cow, burrowing animals.
Season: Winter (the time of darkness).
Direction: North (the place of greatest darkness).
Time: Night.
Magical tool: Pentacle (a wooden, metal, or clay disc inscribed with a five-pointed star).
Point in life: Advanced age.
Astrological signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.
Sense: Touch.
Natural symbols: Salt, clay dish of fresh soil, rocks, sheaves of wheat, acorns.
Types of magic ruled: Gardening, magnet, image, stone, tree, knot, binding.

*Fire*

Fire is the creator and the destroyer. It warms our homes, cooks our food, and fuels our passions. Unlike the other elements, Fire cannot exist in physical form without consuming something else. Thus, fire transforms objects into new forms, heat, light, ash, and smoke.
On a sunny day, go outside at noon and press your receptive hand against a warm rock. Smell the smoke from a burning fire. Gaze into a candle's flame. Immerse yourself in Fire energy, and realize that it also exists within ourselves.
Fire must be controlled to be of benefit to us. When we light a candle, we call upon its powers-but also limit them. This is necessary if its physical forms are to be of use. But even a raging forest fire actually helps the Earth, clearing away underbrush and encouraging dormant seeds to burst into new life!
Here are some of the magical associations of Fire:

Basic nature: Purifying, destructive, cleansing, energetic, sexual, forceful. Heat is a manifestation of this element.
Type of energy: Projective.
Color: Red (from the color of flames).
Places: Deserts, hot springs, volcanoes, ovens, fireplaces, bedrooms (for sex), weight rooms, locker rooms, saunas, athletic fields.
Rituals: Protection, courage, sex, energy, strength, authority, banishing negativity.
Ritual forms: Burning or smouldering; heating.
Herbs: Stinging, thorny or hot, as thistles, chile peppers and bouganvillea; desert-dwelling, as cacti; stimulating, as coffee beans; generally seeds.
Stones: Red or fiery, as in jasper; volcanic, as in lave; clear, as in crystal quartz.
Metals: Gold, brass.
Musical instruments: Guitar, all stringed instruments.
Creatures: Snake, cricket, lizard, praying mantis, ladybug, bee, scorpion, shark.
Season: Summer (the time of heat).
Direction: South (the place of heat).
Time: Noon.
Magical tool: Knife.
Point in life: Youth.
Astrological signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.
Sense: Sight.
Natural symbols: Flame, lava, a heated object.
Types of magic ruled: Candle, storm, time and star.

*Akasha*

The Elements emerge from Akasha, the immutable, changeless source of all energy. This is the realm of potentiality: of promise, of paths not yet taken, or unformed galaxies, or outer space.
Akasha is also present within our bodies. Some say that the spark of life, that unknowable force that is called the "soul," is a bit of Akashic energy housed in the physical body.
Akasha is sometimes thought to be symbolically present on the Earth. More often it's seen as the Mother (Creatrix) or the elements. It's little used in natural magic, but something of its nature should be understood.
Primarily, Akasha is unbeingness. Its energy, which extends everywhere throughout the universe, has not yet achieved form and substance. It's the primal source of energy that creates and fuels the elements.
Because of this, it contains complete, balanced energy: Earth and Air and Fire and Water. The following table of Akashic associations points out its universal nature, and is not meant to be used for magical purposes.

Basic nature: Unknowable.
Type of energy: Projective/Receptive.
Color: Purple or black.
Places: Outer space; vacuums; the Void.
Rituals: Religious in nature.
Ritual forms: None.
Herbs: None.
Stones: None.
Metals: Meteoritic.
Musical instruments: None.
Creatures: None (and yet, all).
Season: All (and yet, none).
Direction: North, East, South, and West; also within and without; up and down; also, a complete lack of directions and dimensions.
Time: Eternal starlight.
Magical tool: None.
Point in life: Pre-Conception; soulness.
Astrological signs: None.
Sense: None.
Natural symbols: None.
Types of magic ruled: Religious.

*Zodiac Signs and Their Elements*

The Zodiacs
Aries: March 21 - April 20
Taurus: April 21 - May 21
Gemini: May 22 - June 22
Cancer: June 23 - July 23
Leo: July 24 - August 23
Virgo: August 24 - September 23
Libra: September 24 - October 23
Scorpio: October 24 - November 22
Sagittarius: November 23 - December 21
Capricorn: December 22 - January 20
Aquarius: January 21 - February 19
Pisces: February 20 - March 20'

Their Elements

Earth-Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Air- Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Fire- Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Water- Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces


But, what if I was born on the cusp of a Zodiac? What is a cusp you ask? Well, take me for example... I was born on March 21; the first day of Aries. The first day and the last day of a Zodiac is the cusp. Well, since I was born on the cusp of Aries and Pisces, I get both of their elements, thus, making me Fire and Water!

*Numerology and Its Elements*

You can also determine your element by your birth number.

1- Fire
2- Water
3- Fire
4- Air
5- Air
6- Earth
7- Water
8- Earth
9- Fire

If you don't know how to find your birth number all you have to do is add up the numbers of the day you were born.

For example, say you were born on April 15, 1987...

You would add the number of your month (4) to the day you were born (1 and 5, not together) and then add that to the year you were born (1, 9, 8, and 7, not all together). So it would look like this;

4+1+5+1+9+8+7

Add all of those numbers together to get 35. Then add 3+5 so that you get a single digit number, 8.

Thus, your birth number is 8 which would possibly make your element Earth.

*Elemental Magic*

House Plant Blessing
Plants grown in the house are entirely dependentupon their caretakers for their lives. This blessing, when properly performed, will ensure that the plant thrives. Be certain that the plant receives the proper amount of light, water and fertilizer at the recommended times. You will need:

One potted houseplant.
One pencil or green pen.
One 1-inch square piece of paper.
A small amount of water (if the plant is a cactus, you'll need the "House Cactus Blessing, pm me if needed).

Place the houseplant and all other items on a flat suface near or in the place where you'll grow the plant. Using the pencil or green pen, draw a simple, small picture of the plant in vibrant health on the small piece of paper. Draw lines or energy streaming out from it. Visualize the plant's future health as you're doing this.
Next, gently brush the paper (picture side down) against the plant, giving it love and energy, and possibly saying the following words:

Shoots unfurl; flowers bloom;
Leaves uncurl in this room.
Plant of green, Forever strong,
Grow now here where you belong.
Roots push deep and branches climb.
By the power of this rhyme.
Grow now, plant; this is the time!

As you say these words, block out all thoughts of past failures that you may have had with house plants. This will only negate the power of the ritual.
Next, fold the paper with two creases into a small square. Push this into the soil, close to the pot's wall, as you do this, say:

I give you power!

Move the plant to its new home. Water it while saying:

I give you life!

Set down the empty water container. Hold your hands palms downward about the plant and say:

I give you love!
It should grow beautifully.


A General Air Spell
This rite can be used for any positive purpose. To perform this spell, you'll need a large, pliable leaf and a pen.
Go to a high place (atop a mountain, perhaps) or wait until the wind is blowing. Then, visualizing your need, draw the symbol that represents your need onto the leaf.
Still strongly visualizing, toss the leaf into the wind. If the breeze catches it and flings it from you, the power has gone forth and it is done. If the breeze doesn't transport the leaf, draw the same symbol on another leaf and try it again.


A Fire Scrying Chant
When you wish to contact your psychic mind: sit before a fire, well out of range from flying sparks. Close your eyes for a moment or so. Relax. Still your consciousness. Then open your eyes.
Look directly into the flames. Don't strain your eyes; blink normally. Breathe deeply. When you're at peace, say these or similar words in a whispered voice:

Blazing fire as you dance,
Give me now the secrest glance.
Call upon my Second Sight;
Make me psychic with your lige.
Blazing fire shining bright,
Give me now the Second Sight.

Repeat until your eyelids grow heavy. Divine the future within the fire's restless flames.


A Peace Bath
Draw a bath for yourself. Pour a tablespoon or so of milk into a large bowl of water. Say:

Water ripples on the breeze...

Add several rose petals (fresh or dried) to the bowl of water and milk. Say:

Thistledown flies through the air...

Stir the water, milk, and rose petals with the index finger of your right hand. Say:

Silent as the mighty seas...

Gently pour the mixture that you've created into the bath. Say:

Peaceful here without a care.

Step in. Bathe for as long as you wish. Let the water absorb negative thoughts and worries. Allow yourself a few moments of healing peace.


Do you have a certain type of spell you'd like to see here? Post it in this thread and I'll get one up for you!

If you wouldn't mind, would you please share your element with the guild and tell us what makes you feel most connected to it?