Four directions

[cheddarsox]

I am teaching a class about pagan spirituality. Calling directions is not in my trad, but I know that it is very commonly used, and I would like to learn more about the symbols, spirits, elements etc associated with the different directions and pass this info on to students.

Thank you,

cheddar

[equinox2]

Hey Chedder-
And thanks for the nice post on my Naturalistic Pagan thread a while ago!

I’ve put some of them on this site – click on the separate topics on the left menu, then click on the little red circles. http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~leta/TREATISE/TJPSUM/woverv/wovervhome.htm

There are like 9 different “wheels”, so about 9 different ways to use the directions to symbolize things.

A short example of a quarter call is here: http://www.paganforums.org/showthread.php?t=66613&page=1&pp=10

Love and light-

[powder_tears]

I could probably help you out some.
Fire is red, and generally south. One symbol for it is a red triangle. The most common elemental is a salamander. A wand, candle and staff are all representative of the fire element. Fire energy is very hot, and is the force of most intense emotions. Anger, love, lust, authority, rebirth, leadershio, courage, fertility, spines, hearts, travel, sports, truth, and horses. Fire is the most difficult element to contain, and most people symbolize fire in a ritual with a red candle.

Water is blue, and is usually the western element. A symbol for the water element is an inverted (upside-down) blue triangle. The water elemental are undines, sort of faeries of the water. Cauldrons and Chalice are two tools used in the trade associated with water. Water energy is calm, and peaceful, useful and easy to work with. Water energy is not physically detructive, and it is easy to obtain. Water is most valuable for reflection and psycic powers, like progpecy and divination. It can also be used for cleansing the spirit. Water has attributes like the home and honoring the god/goddess, sex, music, art, tlepathy, and dreams. Water is represented in a ritual with a bowl of water and/or a blue candle. (I use both)

Earth is the Northern associated element, with the color green attatcched. You can also use brown. A pentacle is an earth respecting tool, and their elementals are gnomes. Earth energy can be derived from any earth based source, like stones, crystals, sand, clay and salt. Earth enerty is strong and cool, and often used in healing magic. It represents goals, love and money. A stone or crystal can be held for protection or strength. It is also a way for us to feel more close to our creator. A symbol for earth energy is an upside down green triangle with a line through the middle. Earth energy represents aquisition, employment, health, dieting, organization, ambiton, careers, politics, persuasion, bones teeth and skin. In a ritual use a bowl of salt or a green candle or both to represent Earth.

The final element is Air, in the East. Yellow belongs to Air, and its symbol is an upright yellow triangle with a line through the middle. Sprites or Sylphs are the Air elementals, and the athame, sword and censor are Air tools of the trade. Air is the most calm and abundunt element of the four. It is intellect, wisdom, undserstanding, communication, friendship, writng, travel, justice, unions, balance, artistry, science, freedom, clarity, breaking bad habits or addictions and blood. In a ritual Air is represented by burning incence, or a yellow candle.

The final "element" is Akasha, the element of spirit itself. Akasha is a purple star of david symbol, and Akasha is the spirit and magic inside you.

Hope that helped.... :vanish:
Powder_

[BlackMadonna]

I am teaching a class about pagan spirituality. Calling directions is not in my trad, but I know that it is very commonly used, and I would like to learn more about the symbols, spirits, elements etc associated with the different directions and pass this info on to students.

Thank you,

cheddar


No offense mean't, but how can you teach something you know nothing about? Wouldn't it be better to bring in a guest speaker, one who has experience working with the Elementals, rather than try to gather info off the cuff and pass it along?

[cheddarsox]

No offense mean't, but how can you teach something you know nothing about? Wouldn't it be better to bring in a guest speaker, one who has experience working with the Elementals, rather than try to gather info off the cuff and pass it along?

Yes, it would. But unfortunately that is not an option at this point. I am not passing myself off as an expert on EVERYTHING pagan, just a facilitator for this class. I think I do have something to offer, and information and contacts that many of the class participants do not have, so I offer that.

One of my jobs (as in employment) is as a teacher, and one thing I have learned is that a good way to learn something is to have to teach about it. So, yes, I am learning as I go.


Thanks all for the links and info!

cheddar

[BlackMadonna]

May I inquired as to what Trad you practice?

[cheddarsox]

May I inquired as to what Trad you practice?
I do not follow a recognized trad. I am a pantheist, probably sci-pan would be more specific. I celebrate natural events that move me viscerally. Sex, death, the solar quarters, my birthday, major meteor showers.

cheddar

[equinox2]

Cheddarsox wrote:


I do not follow a recognized trad. I am a pantheist, probably sci-pan would be more specific. I celebrate natural events that move me viscerally. Sex, death, the solar quarters, my birthday, major meteor showers.

Ah, Cheddar, we are kindred spirits (but I think we were already aware of that).

I am really attached to the idea of the elements – to me they so nicely represent common themes (or ways of looking at things) that humans have used throughout history. They speak to us because they always have. Also, they fit onto the wheel, which is the main focus of my spirituality.

I see them as the four states of matter – solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. Many people don’t know about plasma – it is when electrons are stripped, such as on the sun. There is no fire (chemical oxidation) on the sun – it is much too hot for fire to exist!

Namaste-

[cheddarsox]

Equinox,

I've not been around here much lately. I am out of this world busy teaching the pagan spirituality class, my science classes and preparing for the Days of the Dead. All good stuff, but I miss the community here. Hope to get to know you better.

cheddar