Book Review: The Earth Path by Starhawk

Starhawk is a very well known author in the the Wiccan tradition. She's also a very well known environmental activist and spreads her wisdom around the world through her books, her workshops, and her involvement in the Pagan community. Her book, The Earth Path, incorporates her views of the Earth, its energies, and how they connect to the Wiccan tradition.

In her book. she speaks about biodiversity in the the ecosystems and the importance of grounding and using energy to help heal Earth along with the reverence we can show toward the Earth. She speaks of environmental activism and ways for the average person to take part in energy conservation such as converting "gray water" (contaminated water) into a reusable source for gardens. Other ways include creating hydroelectricity from running streams, catching rainwater in tanks as a usable source, and by converting solar energy into electricity for the home.

Starhawk dedicates a good portion of her book to creating lasting connections with nature and the five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Spirit. She equates the Spirit to patterns such as spirals that can be seen throughout nature. She also incorporates exercises with each element and outlines of rituals that can be done with groups or alone.

I found this book to be very insightful and especially detailed when interpreting the elements and their significance to the cycle of life. I would recommend this book to people who wish to learn more about the environment and who wish to become more connected with their home in nature.

To learn more about Starhawk and this book, you may visit http://www.starhawk.org/writings/earth_path.html

Health Benefits of Herbs and Spices

Picture from: http://suhanijain.com/2012/10/29/health-benefits-of-herbs-spices-daily-health-tips/

Aloe

Aloe is notorious for its soothing abilities for burns such as sunburn. It also soothes dry, itchy skin. It helps to sooth inflammation and keep bacteria away from from organs that are vulnerable. Studies show that this little plant can even help heal gastric ulcers. Also, aloe may help those with type 2 diabetes with its blood sugar-lowering effects.

If you'd like to read more about these medical effects and about the research being done you may click on the reference below.

Reference:
The Amazing Healing Properties of Aloe Vera

Crystals to Maintain Health

Uplifting Crystals

Apatite

Apatite comes in multiple colors which include blue, green, gray, and yellow. It is a stone associated with manifestations. It is a stone that aids in psychic development and enhancement. It also balances the physical, spiritual, mental and emotional aspects of the human body by keeping the chakras attuned. It helps to draw off negativity and promotes motivation. It can help with concentration, clear up confusion, and ease negative emotions such as sorrow and anger. Other properties include:

• Increases focus
• Intellectually stimulating
• Increases learning ability
• Promotes acceptance
• Connected to Unconditional Love
• Enhances communication
• Stimulates thoughts and ideas
• Promotes peace
• Promotes harmony and balance
• Helps to fight viruses and infections
• Improves arthritis
• Encourages healthy eating
• Aids in meditation

Reference:

Healing Properties of Apatite

Tree Hugging

This doesn't come as a surprise to people who follow nature-based religions but for those who need more evidence it may be quite a shock. Tree hugging has been around for ages. The benefits have been observed through personal experience but it is also scientifically validated. Matthew Silverstone, author of Blinded by Science, has scientifically approached the conclusion that the vibrations given off from trees and plants prove to be beneficial to health. Some of the affects caused by hugging trees include:

• calming those with ADHD
• improving concentration levels
• healing headaches
• emotionally stabilizing

For more information about these discoveries you can visit the article about tree hugging by clicking here.

I learned through my studies of Wicca that different trees can help heal different ailments. Each tree gives off its own vibration depending on its type of wood. That is why when considering what wand to create or use, you should also consider the type of woods and their magickal properties. For example, lets say you had a wand created of Black Walnut wood. Black walnut is a type of wood that kills all the plants around it because of its toxicity. In that case, black walnut does not have good healing properties and you would not want to use that type of wood for a wand that you intend to use for healing purposes. However, it is good with transitions in life and helping sever ties with the past and looking toward the future.

So basically, think about what vibration the tree or the wood from the wand provides. What are you seeking? Happiness? Love? Relief? Which vibration do you need the most? If you are unsure then common trees are the best choice such as Oak, Willow, Cedar, Ash, Birch, Maple, Elder, and Sycamore.

If you'd like to look at some trees and their meanings, you can check out this article connecting tree meanings to the Celtic Ogham System by clicking here.

Stevia

Picture from: http://ezgrogarden.com/all-about-plants/stevia-the-sweet-herb/

Stevia is a very interesting herb. Native to South America, this herb is known as the "sweet herb". It's been used as a natural sweetener for years. However, it has medicinal properties as well that can prove beneficial  These properties include:

• may aid in weight loss
• an alternative sweetener for diabetics
• may treat high blood pressure and heartburn
• may increase muscle contractions within heart to help pump and circulate blood
• may aid in preventing pregnancy 

Stevia may be able to reduce blood sugar levels after meals which would be ideal for people with type 2 diabetes. More research is currently being done in order to solidify the following medicinal properties above. However, it has been shown that stevia does interact with the body to produce these effects however minor it may be. Stevia may cause nausea, bloating, dizziness, and muscle pain in some people. People may also have allergic reactions to it. Stevia may also interact with diabetic drugs, high blood pressure drugs, and lithium.

As for magickal uses of Stevia, it is unknown. However, it makes a wonderful natural sweetener for herbal teas!

Reference:

Stevia: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings

Pentagram Vs. Pentacle

Image from: https://www.facebook.com/ALLMagick

So, I notice that "pentacle" and "pentagram" get used interchangeably, however, they are different. The main difference as you may notice in the picture is that the pentagram is just the 5 pointed star whereas the pentacle has a circle around the star. That is the noticeable difference. They also have a slightly different meaning because of this.

The Pentagram represents the 5 elements of Wicca: Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and Spirit. The 4 lower points represent the material realm and elements (Earth, Fire, Water, and Air) whereas the upward point represents the Spirit and points toward the Divine. The Spirit point may also represent the mind/spirit over matter.

Picture from: http://www.squidoo.com/blazingstar

The Pentacle is a pentagram which has been encircled. When the pentagram is encircled, this is said to represent the elements bound in harmony with one another. It also creates a center point of energy which is used in rituals to consecrate and energize ritual items.

Both these symbols, when worn, can be used as protection. Although, the pentacle and pentagram are shown upright and are worn upright they also have meanings when the point is down. When the pentagram or pentacle are worn with the point down it is said to represent matter over the mind/spirit. It is also the symbol for a second degree Gardnerian Witch. However, most people (even some Wiccans) consider the inverted pentagram or pentacle to be a symbol of blasphemy and Satanism. 

Here's a link to an interesting website that speaks of a different way to define the pentagram and pentacle.Its always good to look at different points of views to help draw your own conclusions!

http://www.paganspath.com/magik/pentacle.htm

The Elements

Picture from: http://integrationtraining.co.uk/blog/2011/06/types.html

I'm sure everyone has heard of the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. You've seen these 4 elements referenced in books, in myths, everywhere really. In classical thought, they are the basic foundation for life as we know it. In ancient beliefs, these elements were discovered as the basis for life through natural observation of the environment. They represent the states of matter: Earth for solids, Air for gases, Water for liquids, and Fire for plasma. In Wicca, we recognize these four elements as existing in harmony with one another but we also recognize a fifth element that is not from the material world. This fifth element is the Spirit. These elements are not unique to Wicca. They have been recognized by many faiths and peoples such as Hinduism, Buddhism, the Greeks, and Egyptians. 

So, what do these elements represent for Wicca? Well let's take a look.

Air

Air is typically associated with the direction of North or East depending on what tradition of Wicca you're from. Many Neo-Wiccan traditions associate Air in the East where the sun rises. In my tradition, we associate Air with the North for the Northern winds. Also, depending on which hemisphere you live in (I being from the Northern hemisphere) the direction will vary. Air is normally attributed the qualities of wisdom, knowledge, the mind, travelling, uplifting, communication, and a connection with the soul. Air is connected to the masculine. Its corresponding colors are yellow and white and it is connected with the suit of Swords in Tarot.

Earth

Earth can be associated with the direction of East or North depending on the Wiccan tradition. Its qualities include strength, endurance, stability, material possessions, prosperity, the home, wealth, nurture, and the cycle of life (birth, life, death, and rebirth).I consider this element to be very important as it represents our home and the womb the Goddess. Earth is connected to the feminine and is strongly connected to the Goddess. Its corresponding colors are green and brown and it is connected with the suit of Pentacles in Tarot.

Water

Water is associated with the West in most traditions. Its qualities include emotions, compassion, healing, clarity, cleansing, love, empathy, peace, serenity, and purification. Water is connected to the feminine and the Goddess. Water can also be used as a psychic medium and absorbs the psychic energy around it meaning it typically must be cleansed often.  Its corresponding color is blue and it is connected with the suit of Cups in Tarot.

Fire
Fire is typically associated with the South (or North in the Southern Hemisphere). This direction faces the equator which is home to the hottest and driest areas of the world. Fire is associated with purification, strong will, energy, passion, desire, sexuality, and fertility. Most people associate fire with destruction, however, it can also create. When a forest fire sweeps the land it leaves ashes behind. These ashes fertilize the ground and clear the land in order for new seeds to sprout and to create a new, more stable ecosystem. It is an important element in the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Fire is masculine and is often associated with the fertility of the God. Its colors are red and orange and is connected to the suit of Wands in Tarot.

Spirit
The spirit is associated with the center of the Circle. It is not connected to the material world. The Spirit is where all the elements connect. Some say the Spirit represents the essence of the Divine and our Higher Power. However, it can also be associated with the intangible, paths into the unknown, of promise, the soul of life itself. It is the place of great energy. Its color is represented as black or purple.

References:

http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/the_elements/spirit.asp

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/wiccaandpaganismbasics/a/elements.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_element

Beltane Fires

Song: Beltane Fires
Artist: Gaia Consort
Album: Secret Voices