Me, once again with questions =( bleh

[Tranquility]

Sorry everyone, i like to read these books so much that i always have things that pop up in my head, sorry for bothering you every day with a question. Anyway, i have a few questions.

1) What are the symbols for the 5 elements? Earth, Fire, Air, Water, Spirit?

2) As far as names go, if you have a private name, when your casting a spell do you say, I, then your private name, your real name, or your public name?

3) My last question is, Im ready the book Wicca, the complete craft by D.J. Conway and where he talks about the first part of initiation with the ritual, you need lotus or frankinsence insence. There are no stores near me or anywhere remotely close to me that sells them, can i instead use cone astrological sign incense? They actually might be lotus, i can't recall the scent off hand of lotus though, or frankinsense...
Thanks!!

[Tammy Sullivan]

1) yes
2) that is up to you whichever you feel most comfortable with
3) Ray Buckland quote"any insence is better than no insence". So I would use what you have on hand.

MHO

[Tranquility]

for number one i meant what are the symbols for earth water air fire spirit =) Like, square.. triangle, etc

[Radocs]

Turned this (http://www.angelfire.com/co2/ArtiaRedOak/esym.html) up with a quick search for elemental symbols.

[Flar's Freyja]

Both Silver RavenWolf and Scott Cunningham show the symbols in many of their books. I don't own the one you are reading.

Whether or not to use your magickal or mundane name is a matter of personal opinion or preference. I personally feel that you need to use whichever one you're comfortable with during ritual to let the deities know just who is making all that ruckus down here :T Some feel you shouldn't use your magickal name until you have initiated or dedicated yourself.

Regarding incense, the coolest thing about our craft is that when specifics are not available, you can use whatever you can get your hands on. If jasmine incense from the grocery store is all you can find, go for it :)

[Tranquility]

Thanks alot
Also, what are some good books that you would recommend? It seems i haven't seen those two authors and they seem to be great.

[Flar's Freyja]

I like the Silver RavenWolf's series of [list=1]
To Ride A Silver Broomstick
To Stir A Magick Cauldron
To Light A Sacred Flame
[/list=1]

Anything by Scott Cunningham, Dorothy Morrison or Starhawk, especially The Spiral Dance.

And Book of Shadows by Phyllis Curott

You might also check out the Book forum for more recommendations. I have tons of other books by other favorite authors but these are the ones I'd recommend for a beginner.

[Raevyn]

I think Conway is a she.

As to the elements they traditionally appear as triangles.

Fire - upright triangle
Air - upright triangle with a horizontal line through it
Water - inverse triangle
Earth - inverse triangle with a horizontal line through it

In an Eastern system the elements are called Tattvas and;

Fire (tejas) - red triangle
Air (vayu) - blue circle
Water (apas) - silver crescent
Earth (prithivi) - yellow square
Spirit (akasha) - black oval

Are you just interested in their graphical symbols or other associations as well?

Lotus is particularily used probably because of it's association with new beginnings and spirituality - the frankincense I'm not sure of. Anyway, try to find an incense that makes sense here; personally if you use the incense to "set the mood" I'd use anything, but if you're doing it for the association (and preferably if I could help it) I'd make an effort to only use incense with that proper association.

[Tranquility]

Arg, something was telling me the whole time DJ conway was a female..sorry heheh

[Raevyn]

Doesn't matter, it was just a side thought I had. Anyway, don't feel like a pain for asking questions here, we all like to help out and don't mind at all (I mean obviously you're doing your own research and learning and asking people for help, not just sitting there expecting to be given all answers!)

[Tranquility]

I just feel wierd, because yes, im gettin my questions answered which helps a ton but i don't see anyone asking half as many questions, even if they are new
well, i have a few more question too lol, im putting them under magic and divination though, because its in the steps of castinga spell

[Phoenix Blue]

Quoth Tranquility:
I just feel wierd, because yes, im gettin my questions answered which helps a ton but i don't see anyone asking half as many questions, even if they are new
well, i have a few more question too lol, im putting them under magic and divination though, because its in the steps of castinga spell
**Smiles** You know what that means, Tranquility?

It means you're getting your questions answered, and they're not. ;) Well, except for when you're asking the same questions they're not-asking. . .