Elemental Placements… so much arguing

It seems everyone likes to force their way of doing things upon the entire coven, mine included. It always seems when we get a new person visit or join, the first thing they do is question everything and not in the good way rather; “why are you doing it like that? ‘Golden Monkey Claw Flying Heathen Rose Bud’ says…”  As though the one over priced book they read (or partially read) is the Holy Law passed down by the most high deities to the New Age book store from which they purchased it… sorry, its not.

In Wicca

Hemispheres

When opening the Circle in Wicca in the Northern Hemisphere most covens would agree upon:
East = Air, South = Fire, West = Water and North = Earth
In the Southern Hemisphere some covens use the Northern approach, while other invert North and South:
East = Air, South = Earth, West = Water and North = Fire
In the Southern Hemisphere most who use this Inverted south and north method move Widdershins (anti-clockwise) rather than Deosil (clockwise).

The Theory behind the Southern Method:

1. Why Widdershins:  You move in the direction the water goes down the drain (the Earths magnetic field)
2. Why invert North and South:  If you stop at the Equator for North and South at the pole.  The Northern most part of the Southern Hemisphere is Hottest and the Southern most part of the Hemisphere is Coldest.  While reversed in the North, south being the Equator and North being the pole.

All of these are based on symbolism.  I personally have found both methods work, regardless of Hemisphere.  Practical experience has shown me, you make energy move in one direction – it moves in that direction.  You move energy in the opposite direction – it stops its movement (dissipates).
Most rituals are rich in symbolism and I believe the Southern approach has a nice mix of modern (magnetic fields) and more earthly ideas (equators).

However, it does not mean it is the only way to do it in the South, nor does it mean the Northern approach can not be used.

Symbolism

I have used the Northern approach in Australia and was told quite bluntly; “its a negative movement to move deosil in the Southern Hemisphere”… Really? (Side note: a successful ritual).  It is all about symbolism, as I mention earlier, you move energy in one direction – it will move.

Three bits of symbolism (there is a lot more):

1. Moving Clockwise you are moving “Righteously” or to the “Right” or “Sinister” to the “Left”.
2. Moving “righteously” following the course of the Sun, from rising in the East and setting in the West.
3. The stabilising of “Force” with “Form”:  The masculine elements are considered Active (Force) and the feminine elements are considered Passive (Form).  By having the two masculine elements first, their active energies are stabilised and given foundation in the Feminine elements.

Other Ritual Uses

The Hexagram Ritual

In this ritual we have:
East = Fire, South = Earth, West = Air and North = Water
Rather than following the placements in the pentagram rituals, this ritual follows the elemental associations with the Zodiac (listed in an earlier blog past: Astrology Basics) starting with Fire (some associate with Aries being he most common “First” sign, others Leo… both fire, so it is of no real concern as the elemental associations are still the same.  Other than Leo becomes the Kerubic sign of the group, rather than Taurus) and ending with Water.
This, as anyone who have studied the systems of Crowley, the Golden Dawn, and so on will say that this ritual is “Higher” than the pentagram ritual.  The pentagram having the four lower points in Malkuth (the kingdom: “in our Elemental Kingdom”) and the upper point in Yesod (the foundation: The Astral), the base point of the Hexagram associated with the Moon (which is also associated with the Astral light and Yesod) sits in Yesod and the upper point in Daath (not considered by all a Sephiroth, the system I used saw it as the “shell” left when Tiphareth fell during the fall from the Garden of Eden.  11 Sephiroth of the Fallen tree and correcting by managed to place Tiphareth back in the place of Daath… but this is another topic).  Without going to deep, in that system there are four “worlds” Malkuth being “Assiah” and the Hexagram sits in “Higher” ones.

The Cross

The Simple “Cross” ritual is based upon “Equilibration” of forces, keeping “Air” in the East.
East = Air, South = Fire, West = Earth and North = Water
Fire is invoked First in the South, then Water is invoked in the North.  Fires masculine Force to its counter part in Waters Feminine Form.  Air is considered in some systems to be the “Child of Fire and Water”, it then follows.  Air is invoked third in the East, and then Earth is invoked fourth in the West, once again “Force to Form” for stability.

This is also the method employed in the Enochian system.  Invoking Fire first, then Water, then Air and then Earth (most likely where the Cross ritual was drawn from).  Examples of this can be found in Regardie’s “Opening by the Watchtower”.

The Triquetra Ritual of the Pentagram

This is a ritual I wrote as an Elder to create your own ritual and explained the symbolism.  To sum it up simply:
North East = Spirit
North East is where the top point of the pentagram is placed and the other points then represent their respective elements.  This throws off all the quarters in tradition.  Quick summary why North East is chosen for “Spirit” is: 1. In the Golden Dawn system you stand in the North East and announce “Hekas Hekas Este Bebeloi!” and spirit in this ritual is the start point in both Banishing and Invoking. 2. In the Tattwa system, North East is associated with Spirit/Akasha. 3. North in the Pentagram is the most dense of the Elements and Air the least (minus fire the catalyst).  Between the binding these two extremes (and all the other elements of cause) is “Spirit”.
Rather than the concept of “Force and Form” which is most commonly employed, the movements around the pentagram are based on “Science” in a sense.  Following Density rather than the principle of Gender.
Summerised:
Earth = Solid, Water = Liquid, Air = Gas and Fire = Heat (the catalyst).
To Invoke – Bring spirit down into the circle:
Spirit, Fire, Air, Water, Earth and finish at Spirit.  (Moving Clockwise)
To Banish – Returning spirit:
Spirit, Earth, Water, Air, Fire and finish at Spirit.  (Moving Anti-clockwise)
As you will see however, the Masculine is “Invoked” first again and stablised in the Feminine (I neglected to mention that to the new comer, who was enthralled in the idea of not genderising the elements. I’m sure if she is still practising, she would relise what I did there).

The Triquetras are used as the symbol for the Invoking.  Top point associated with the All, the lower left with the “Goddess” and the lower right with the “God” (an issue was raised again, why is the Goddess on the left and not the right. So I will explain the same thing I said to her, “I face you and draw the Goddess on the left, what side do you see it on?  Your right.  Good.  Now you understand within each gender principle are more principles which balance: left and right, light and dark, life and death.  You understand?  The Goddess is on both the Right and the Left, the God is on both the right and the left.  It is just a matter of perspective”).  When, for example on the point of Fire for invoking, you would drive the triquetra from the top point of the all, down the edge of the right most circle (the three intersecting circles which create the triquetra) to the lower right point, then complete the diagram returning to the top point.  Finally drawing the elemental symbol of fire (the triangle).  Moving down the line of the pentagram to the next element air, then moving down the next line to Water.  At Water you would draw the Triquetra starting at the top point of “the All” and moving down the edge of the left most circle to the lower left point, then complete the diagram returning to the top point.  Finally drawing the elemental symbol of water (the triangle).
You will also notice with the drawing of the triquetras that the forces join, as with any continuous shape.  Invoking a masculine principle is followed by the feminine (lower right to lower left) and invoking the feminine principle is followed by the masculine (lower left to lower right).  Coming from the originating source and returning to it “I am divided for love’s sake, for the chance of union”.

Conclusion

As I said earlier… “Practical experience trumps any theory work”.  Read up, study, understand the principles behind the ideas.  Practice them and find what works.  You will be amazed.  You can quickly discern which authors are actually practicing magicians/witches/occultists from those who are just trying to make a quick buck.
The other thing you will notice, is that results follow.  Positive or Negative – Results.  As long as you know how to correct errors, you will be fine with experimentation.  I was a bit concerned when first making so many modifications in the construction of the above ritual: Using triquetras and completely repositioning the quarters.  There was only one way to find out what would happen, and it was to put my theory to practice.

Keywords – Important underlying principles

Imagination -> Will -> Energy

Thought and Thought

Imagination -> Will -> Energy: Are three key aspects in Ritual working. Thought and Thought: Are two key aspects when working with other intelligences.

Imagination -> Will -> Energy

Take the banishing ritual of the pentagram for an example. Imagination: You visualise the pentagram.  This gives use a outline, a template, a point of focus.  Our mental creation. Will: We give this creation purpose, direction, intent.  Force.  The purpose of “Banishing”. Energy: Whether directing energy, vibrating, etc. Energy gives it form.  While penetrable on our physical plane, noticeable only by those sensitive enough, the energy gives it form on other planes. Two principles formed from these three actions are:  Force and Form. Visualisation is our Imagination.  The working with the intent of banishing is our Will.  And the vibration or raising and releasing of energy into the visualised image is our Energy.

Thought and Thought

In a simplified sense we have two layers of thought, thus the title “Thought and Thought”. Questions: What language do people who speak Spanish think in?  What language do people who speak English think in?  What language to bi-lingual people think in? Bi-lingual people can think in either language for the exact same thought.  This is the first Thought, the thought they can think in either language.  The second thought isn’t actually a thought, but is rather what we consider the thought: The expression in language.  Before we had language, how would we understand our thoughts?  Did we just not think, because we did not have language? The point of this is based on understanding why spirit communication can be confusing or not make sense.  The spirits know the first thought, the thought before we put it into words.  When they communicate, it is on the layer of the first thought, and we then interrupt that into something we can understand: Language, images, etc. Though this is definitely not the only form of communication.  Hearing a voice completely foreign to your own, or seeing an image or form before you are different.  This “Thought and Thought” is a way of understanding the mind for both communicating with spirits and other mental workings, for nested within this concept are some ideas around “Telepathy”. I was planning on writing on these further down the track, and expanding on them dramatically.  However, I have decided to share now (don’t know why I changed my mind, just felt the impulse to blog).  They are not “secret” but seem to be little known, forgotten or misunderstood aspects of Magick.  And in my opinion are very important principles to know.

A Structured Kind of Wicca: The Pentagram in the Pentagon

Another part of the coven work we are working on, attempting to give a bit of structure to the covens magick.  Eliminating gaps in knowledge, and giving a foundations of basics so they can venture down and advance in their own chosen areas.  Yet retaining the ability to understand others when speaking of there area of magickal expertise.  The structure also allows for mentoring and High Priest/ess roles being obtainable to all members with the same foundation of knowledge.

Again, it is not my coven (mines more like a group of friends who cast a circle (each having a turn, no Priest/ess) eight times a year and doing some applicable ritual work, then what ever others or myself have planned) I have just been asked to assist with the structuring.

This part is probably the most interesting part, kind of like pathworking on the Tree of Life, but on a Pentagram.  At first it is mostly symbolic, and scry/travel the realms applicable as part of psychic development.The Pentagram in the Pentagon
This is the diagram presented to the Fledgling during initiation into the First Degree (from Fledgling to Apprentice).  It not only is the most widely recognised symbol for Wicca, the pentagram, but it is also the symbol of the system of Magick and teachings applicable to this coven.

Elemental Distribution on the Diagram
The five elements are placed upon the pentagram in the pentagon in their respective places.  On the left we have the Feminine element of Earth with the masculine Air: the Earth Mother below and the Sky Father above.  On the right we have the Masculine element of Fire with the Feminine Water: The Fire of the Sun God, who was once believed to rise from the Earth and the Water of the Moon Goddess who’s power controls the tides.  The examples of the joining points continue from upper left to lower right, and bottom row, etc.  However, I believe the first examples are sufficient enough to move onto Spirit.

As with the Cross of Five Squares (https://wiccanwitchcraft.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/a-structured-kind-of-wicca-well-just-for-magick/) presented to the Fledgling, showing Spirit as part of each of the elements and each of the Elements composing spirit The above image shows spirits direct connection with each of the four lower elements.  The pentagram with the point upward shows “Spirit over Matter”, spirits rule over the physical universe.  The Pentagram in the Pentagon demonstrates this with descending paths from Spirit, the four rays emanating from it.

The Pentagram in the Pentagon and the Paths
As mentioned earlier there are symbolic paths between each of the elements on the diagram.  To understand this, I will demonstrate it.

The Fledgling has yet to enter the system, they are spending a time in the “outer” visiting coven meetings, and participating wherever applicable.
When the Fledgling becomes an Apprentice, they start with the Element of Earth, the lower left portion is now open to them.  Having completed their 6months and proven their knowledge in the Element of Earth, they receive initiation into the Element of Air.  During this initiation a symbolic example of the path between Earth and Air is ceremonially presented.
In the first degree therefore, the Element of Earth, the 10th path and the Element of Air are opened to them.
When the Apprentice (First degree) has spent their 6months in the Element of Air and has proven their knowledge on the subject, they are initiated into the Second Degree (Wica) where they are introduced to the Element of Water.  During this initiation, the Apprentice starts in Earth, symbolically travelling the 9th Path between Earth and Water, is stopped, then returns to Earth.  Symbolically travels the 10th path, Enters Air, and symbolically travels the 8th Path, then enters the element of Water.  Thus opening to the Wica, the 9th and 8th paths and the Element of Water.
This continues for the second part of the Wica, with fire, moving from earth and its links to fire, air and its links to Fire, water and its links to fire, then entering fire.

In the initiatory representation there are five elements and ten paths, this gives us the number 15.
The symbolic paths, become practical paths when applied to the Tattwa.  Earth is the Tattwa of “Earth of Earth”, the singular tattwa of Earth.  When practicing this psychic development the symbolic paths, the “entering and moving down the path, being stopped and returning” show the dual nature of the paths.  From Earth to Air, you would scry the tattwa “Earth of Air” showing Air’s dominance yet Earths presence as a transition to “Air of Air”.  Returning down the 10th path, would be the Air of Earth, for the same reason.  Each of the paths work like this, though the tattwa travel is a practical application for the purpose of psychic development, it does not literally mean this connection as symbolically presented in the initiation rituals.
The duality of the Paths in the practical application gives us the number 20 and the 5 elements.  The number 25.
In Numerology, 15 becomes 6 and 25 becomes 7, both with numerous representations in the system (which I will omit as this is already become cumbersome), the 6 and 7 are then added to give 13, the number of full moons in the Year, the general number of Coven members, etc.  Further numerological working 1+3=4.  We return to the 4 elements the basis of the first and second degrees, and so on.

Conclusion

There are two versions of this diagram:

1. For the symbolic use during initiation
2. For the practical application of the Tattwa.

It is also very close to the symbol of the Pentacle, which it could be exchanged for as the outer circle would still connect the paths.  However, in this system the Pentacle has another specific purpose and representation (which is not one of my works, so I can not expand on here), so the Pentagram in the Pentagon has been used.

This is another one of my contributions to my friends magick system for their coven, so I am not stepping on anyone’s toes by sharing my own work.  As well has having discussed it with them prior: “It’s your work, do what you want. Just don’t share private information or the work of others in our Coven”.  Which is fair enough.