Sacred Grove Coven

Merry Meet! We are a small eclectic coven located in Southeast Arkansas...We're glad you're here!

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Connecting With The Air Element

DO YOUR YOGA: Yoga, while incredible for us in billions of ways, is most transformational for us in the fact that it is the only practice that places its entire attention on the breath. (OK so I am mentioning breath here again…but that is because breath is air energy on tap) This is why at the beginning of most every class I teach, I say, “If all you want to do is lie down in Savasana now, and place your awareness on your breath… well then that is a beautiful choice.” So, yes, do YOUR Yoga.

CONVERSE: Air energy is all about connection through communication. So, choose to be intensely mindful about each conversation you are part of. Be inquisitive, and listen to the other energetic body. LEARN and grow through each word you listen to, and each word you offer.

MAKE SPACE: Trying to trap air is humorously challenging (imagine your hands grasping at air). When trapped in the body for long periods of time, air pockets, cause disease and illness. And these facts are essential to the energy of air. Air needs freedom of movement, freedom of expression. So, another way to stay aligned with the energy of the Third Quarter Moon in Gemini is to make space in the temple of your body, and the temple of your home that holds your body. So, think about deep breathing, clean eating, a colon flush…to declutter your body! For your home, a good scrub and a run to the goodwill with items you no longer need will do the trick!

GO SOMEWHERE HIGH TO FEEL THE WIND: Think mountain top, sea shore, top of the tallest building in your city; wherever you can get to to be close, under the sky, feeling the wind blow around your body. And go on, twirl while you are at it.

LIGHT SOME INCENSE: After that good scrub of your home, decluttering it so that air can move freely… take a moment to light incense and move it around your home. Watch the way the smoke brings shape to the air, and say a prayer to always feel as FREE as air.

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Acacia: Gender – Male Planet – Sun Can be used as an incense, perfume, or charm / talisman. The parts that can be used are the flowers, leaves, stems, root, bark, resin, seeds, and essential oil. Can be used for protection, or to increase psychic powers.

Agaric: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a drug or as a charm / talisman. This mushroom is hallucinogenic, so check local laws and always know your own mind and body before consuming. In Europe this mushroom is related to Wodan’s raven companions, who whisper prophecies in his ear. Tied with fertility as well as death.

Almond: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a charm / talisman. Can be used as an oil or as a scent in your body washes or incense. Almonds leaves and other parts of the tree are often used for money spells. Used for money spells, or to increase wisdom.

Anise: Gender – Male Planet – Jupiter Can be used as a charm / talisman, incense or perfume, or as an oil. Parts used are the seeds and essential oil. Seeds can be taken with milk to help insomnia. Use the essential oil for protection spells and purifying baths. Also helps with divination and overcoming depression.

Aspen: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a charm / talisman. Can be used to deal with thieves, protecting items that are important to you. Bamboo: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a charm / talisman. Good for protection and luck. If you need to break a hex, use bamboo in your spell. This plant is also good to use as a magic wand. The wood can be crushed and burned in protection spells.

Beech: Gender – Female Planet – Saturn Can be used as a charm / talisman. Said to grant wishes. Carve your desire into a beech twig and bury it in the ground forever. Also helps with creativity. This one is also good for writers! Place a beech leaf between the covers of your diary, book of shadows, or whatever book you’re researching from.

Benzoin: Gender – Male Planet – Sun The resin can be used as an incense and is popular in Japanese, Chinese and Indian cultures. Burn this incense to sanctify your ritual space. Combined with Basil, Peony or Cinnamon, this can bring customers to your business. Good for increasing focus and concentration, and useful for traveling the astral world. Helps to overcome depression and promotes generosity. Benzoin incense is traditionally used during Imbolc and the Autumn Equinox. Bodhi: Gender – Male Planet – Jupiter Can be used as an incense or as a talisman / charms Used for fertility, protection, wisdom and meditation.

Bracken: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm. Good for healing and rain magic. Using the root beneath your pillow while you sleep will help you solve problems in your dreams.

Brazil Nut: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm. Used in love magic.

Bromeliad: Gender – Male Planet – Sun Can be used as a talisman / charm. Grow a bromeliad plant in or near your home to attract wealth, protection and luxuries.

Caraway: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm. Works to stop theft, and helps with protection, lust, health and increasing your memory. Prevents a lover from straying. Use in dream pillows to help remember dreams.

Chicory: Gender – Male Planet – Sun Can be used as a talisman / charm or as an incense. Removes obstacles and convinces others to do favors for you. Promotes positive thinking and thus helps with depression and increases your sense of humor. Can be burned as an incense or the fresh flowers can be placed on your altar. Can be used as a hex when burned as an incense with a black candle shaped like a skull. If you’re hiding from someone or something, a chicory talisman helps increase invisibility.

Citron: Gender – Male Planet – Sun Can be used as a talisman / charm. Increases psychic powers and healing.

Clover: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm. Helps with love by increasing fidelity. Carry with you to increase luck and attract money. Sprinkle around your home to remove negative spirits. Two-leaf clovers bring lovers to you. Three-leaf clovers can be worn for protection. Four-leaf clovers bring peace of mind and help with all mental issues. Five-leaf clovers attract money. White clover will break hexes. Red clover can be used in lust potions or to remove negative spirits.

Dandelion: Gender – Male Planet – Jupiter Can be used as a talisman / charm. Its roots can be used as a coffee replacement and its leaves can be used in salad. Useful for promoting psychic powers. The tea calls spirits when it is steaming and placed beside the bed. Blowing the seeds off the head of a dandelion will carry your messages to their recipients. The root is useful for divination. The leaf will call spirits and defeat negativity.

Endive: Gender – Male Planet – Jupiter Can be used as a talisman / charm. Good for love potions and sex magic.

Fern: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm. In Druidry, ferns are sacred trees. The fronds can be dried and carried for good luck, while the root can be added to love potions and the fronds eaten by those seeking love. Protective and can be used to exorcise evil spirits. Brings rain and increases health and mental clarity. Burning a sprig before a test can help with memory. Don’t ingest alcohol with this herb, as it can cause blindness and death.

Goldenrod: Gender – Female Planet – Venus Can be used as a talisman / charm. Good for money magic and divination.

Hazel: Gender – Male Planet – Sun Can be used as a talisman / charm. Brings luck and fertility. Grants wishes and is protective. This is a sacred tree in Druidry, and is seen as a tree of wisdom, inspiration and poetry. The nuts and branches can be used. Eat the nuts before divination, and use the forked branches as divining rods. Good for wands. Hang nuts in the house to bring luck or fertility. Hazel crowns can grant wishes.

Hops: Gender – Male Planet – Mars Can be used as a talisman / charm or as an incense / perfume. Good for healing and to help with sleep / cure insomnia. Use in pillows to help with sleep.

Horehound: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm. Use this in protection spells. It brings mental clarity during rituals and stimulated creativity. Can be used to bless homes and placed near doors to keep trouble out. Protects against those who would seek to control you magically.

Houseleek: Gender – Male Planet – Jupiter Can be used as a talisman / charm. Good for protection, luck and love.

Lavender: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm, incense / perfume, or anywhere else really. This is great for relaxation and can be used in baths. Relaxation, sleep, peace and purification. Promotes healing and wards off depression. Can be used to attract men. Burn during childbirth to ease the pain and bring tranquility to the room.

Lime: Gender – Male Planet – Sun Can be used as a talisman / charm. Used for healing, protection and love. Promotes calmness and strengthens love that has already been formed. The essential oil can be used to cure anxiety, acne, insect bites and much more. Pierce a lime with iron nails, pins, needles and spikes before burying in a deep hole to rid yourself of hexes. The twigs protect against the evil eye.

Mace: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as an incense / perfume. Increases psychic powers. Promotes concentration and self discipline, so it should be used for studying or while working on long projects. Maple: Gender – Male Planet – Jupiter Can be used as a talisman / charm. Love, money, wealth and good luck.

Marjoram: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm. Brings happiness according the the ancient Greeks. Place on graves to bring joy to those who have died. Weave into bridal wreathes to bring joy to the marriage. Place under pillow for prophetic dreams. Used in love spells or added to a lover’s food. Shields from evil energies and can guard against colds. Also helps to treat depression.

Mint: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm. Brings energy, communication and vitality. Good for travel and protection spells. Draws customers to a business. Good for healing. Because they grow so wild in gardens, can be used to help convince someone to agree with you (your ideas grow and take over their mind). Draws good spirits to you.

Mistletoe: Gender – Male Planet – Sun Can be used as a talisman / charm. This plant acts as a gateway, because it represents the time between two seasons and the time between dusk and dawn. Used to draw luck and money to you. Also used as protection, especially hung over cradles to protect babies from fairies. Twigs can be used as wands or as the handle of ritual knives. Sacred to hunters and healers. The berries are poisonous, so handle with care.

Mulberry: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm. Used for protection / strength. The wood can be used as a talisman to ward off evil and can be used for magical wands. It will also protect your property from lightning. Using the fruit in a tea will increase wisdom and your ability to think. Pick just before the sun sets, and then set the fruit on your altar overnight with a candle burning until the first light of the morning.

Papyrus: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm. Used for protection. Parsley: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm or as an essential oil. Be careful when using this herb as food, as it can be bad for the kidneys. Sacred to Persephone, this herb was often used in funerals. Calms and protects the home, drawing in prosperity and luck. Use in baths to stop misfortune or wear as a wreath to avoid intoxication. Increases vitality after illness. This is also an herb that can be used in love potions.

Pecan: Gender – Male Planet – Mercury Can be used as a talisman / charm. Pecans are associated with work, and thus should be used as talismans when searching for a job or a raise. While eating pecans, visualize yourself enjoying your job. Take the shells to work and hide them where they can’t be found.

Pine: Gender – Male Planet – Mars Can be used as a talisman / charm or incense / perfume. Known as the tree of peace by the Native American Iroquois confederacy. Burned, pine can purify the home. When you’re ending a friendship or relationship, pine promotes clean breaks. It removes negative energy either burned or used to brush the ground with a branch. Burned as incense, it can bring in money and healing. Because it is evergreen, it is associated with immortality. The cones are connected to fertility. Gender – Male Planet – Sun Can be used as a talisman / charm. Associated with rain, fertility, money and protection.

Sage: Gender – Male Planet – Jupiter Can be used as a talisman / charm. Helps with dealing with grief and loss. Carry this to improve your mental state and bring wisdom. Connected with immortality and wishes. It absorbs negativity and misfortune.

Slippery Elm: Gender – Female Planet – Saturn Can be used as a talisman / charm. Stops others from gossiping about you.

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The element of Air is generally called from the East.

The element of Air is considered warm and moist and is associated with the sanguine temperament.

Air is generally considered either hermaphrodite or masculine in nature.

The element of air represents the gaseous state of matter.

The element of air corresponds to our spirit body and our breath and rules the infant stage of life.

The element of air rules the lungs and the sense of smell.

The color yellow may be used to represent the element of air.

The element of air rules the springtime and the dawn and the Vernal Equinox.

The Element of Air rules the breath, the voice, speech, eloquence, information, communication, networking, and intellect.

In Tarot, the element of air corresponds to The Fool, The Kings and the suit of Swords

Animals the represent the element of air include songbirds, eagles and hawks.

The elemental spirit associated with air is the sylph.

In astrology, air signs include Aquarius, Gemini and Libra.

The elemental tool of air is the dagger. Other tools that correspond to the element of air in some traditions may include the athame, wand, censer.

Minerals that correspond to the element of air include the metal mercury and holey stone, picture jasper, emerald, jade, malachite, hematite, sapphire, citrine, smoky quartz, tourmaline, topaz, Gold beryl, Rhodonite, blue chalcedony, Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst, Peridot, Carnelian.

Plants the correspond to the element of air include acacia, almond, anise, citron peel, frankincense, gum-arabic, gum benzoin, bergamot, lavender, lemon verbena, lemongrass, mace, marjoram, mastic, myrrh, pansy, parsley, peppermint, primrose, sage, star anise, vervain, violet, yarrow

Incense that corresponds to the element of air include galbanum, sandalwood, mallow.

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Paralda is the King of the Sylphs, the Elemental beings composed solely of the Element of Air. The Elemental Kings or Rulers are the purest and most powerful agents of the Element, a concept of Alchemical magick. I believe that they either are the same entity as the “Guardian of the Watchtower” of the particular direction involved, or that the Guardian is under the rule of the King, with the King being the active agent of the direction and Element and the Guardian being the stationary resident of the Watchtower. King Paralda is therefore king of the Watchtower of the East and ruler of the Air Element and all Elemental beings composed exclusively or primarily of Air. The Sylphs themselves are usually depicted as small winged Faeries, and in fact many say that the Elemental beings are types of Faeries.

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This is how we call on the powers of Air during Circle. It is called second, after Earth and before Fire.

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For the month of April, we will be looking at the Element of Air. Starting with the basics, here is a list of Air correspondences: Cardinal position – East Pentagram position – Upper left. Season – Spring Time – Dawn Star signs – Libra, Gemini, and Aquarius. Charka – Throat and third eye Colors – Yellow, gold, white, light blue, pastels Tarot – Swords Planets – Jupiter and Mercury. Animals – Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, dragonflies, fairies, Pegasus, and sylphs.

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Candle Color Meanings

Candles of different colors are used in magic to represent different things. They can be one of the most effective tools used for spells, meditation, rituals, and other ceremonies. Below is a list of individual candle colors and the meanings and uses traditionally associated with that color:

WHITE

The Goddess

Higher Self

Purity

Peace

Virginity

Substitute for any other color

BLACK

Binding

Shapeshifting

Protection

Banishing

Repels Negativity

BROWN

Special Favors

To Influence Friendships

Grounding

SILVER

The Goddess

Astral Energy

Female Energy

Telepathy

Clairvoyance

Intuition

Dreams

PURPLE

Third Eye

Psychic Ability

Hidden Knowledge

To Influence People in High Places

Spiritual Power

BLUE

Water

Wisdom

Protection

Calm

Good Fortune

Communication

Spiritual Inspiration

GREEN

Earth

Physical Healing

Money

Mother Earth

Tree & Plant Magic

Growth

Personal Goals

PINK

Affection

Romance

Caring

Nurturing

Planetary Good Will

RED

Fire

Passion

Strength

Fast Action

Career Goals

Lust

Driving Force

Survival

Blood of the Moon

ORANGE

General Success

Property Deals

Legal Matters

Justice

Selling Possessions

COPPER

Professional Growth

Business Fertility

Career Maneuvers

Passion

Money Goals

GOLD

The God

Promote Winning

Male Power

Happiness

YELLOW

Air

Intelligence

The Sun

Memory

Logical Imagination

To Accelerate Learning

To Break Mental Blocks

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Astarte is the Greek name of the Assyrian, Akkadian, and Babylonian Semitic goddess Ishtar. Her symbols were the lion, the horse, the sphinx, the dove, and a star within a circle indicating the planet Venus. Pictorial representations often show her naked. She has also been known as the deified evening star.She was worshiped in the Phoenician city states of Sidon, Tyre, and Byblos; as well as Syria and Canaan, beginning in the first millennium BC. She came from the same Semitic origins as the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar. Her worship spread to Cyprus. Greeks in classical, Hellenistic, and Roman times occasionally equated Aphrodite with Astarte, in keeping with their frequent practice of synchronizing other deities with their own. Other faith centers were Cythera, Malta, and Eryx, in Sicily, from which she became known to the Romans as Venus. Astarte arrived in Ancient Egypt during the 18th dynasty. She appeared as daughter of Ra, and was  given in marriage to the god Set.  She was usually depicted full faced and naked, except for some ornamental jewelry. Astarte also appeared holding her breasts in her hands. Her thighs were rounded, which was considered to be extremely feminine in that particular culture, while her legs, from her knees down through her ankles to her feet, were pressed closely together. Easter, the celebration of Jesus's resurrection, is the most sacred day of the Christian year. In ancient Babylon, around the spring solstice, people celebrated the resurrection of their god Tammuz, who was brought back from the underworld by his mother/wife Ishtar (pronounced “Easter” in most Semitic dialects). Flowers, painted eggs, and rabbits were the symbols of the holiday then, as now.

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The Earth has been viewed in a different light across different eras and cultures. Below are a few of the global correspondences of the element. • Aristotle: Considered the Earth the heaviest of the elements. • Aztecs: Symbolized the Earth as a house. This is thought to have been linked to the Goddess Chantico, whose name translates to “She who lives in the house.” • Eastern Asian Tradition: Portrays the Earth in the form of a white tiger. The white tiger is considered the guardian of one of the quarters of creation, specifically the Western quarter. • Confucianism: Regards the Earth as symbolizing integrity. • Feng Shui: Depicts the Earth as a brass or copper square. • Plato: Portrayed the Earth element as a cube. • Indian Mythology: In Indian mythology the Earth goddess bears similarities to Gaia. The Earth element symbolizes grounding and solidifying. When humans are out of balance with the element, it results in earthquakes and famines.

Mari Silva, Earth Magic-Harnessing the Power of Green Witchcraft, Herbs, Plants, Essential Oils, and Natural Spells

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Earth The basis and foundation of all the elements is the Earth. The Earth is the object; subject and receptacle of all celestial rays and influences and in it are the seeds of all things. It is made fruitful by the other elements and the heavens, and brings forth all things of itself. It is the first fountain from whence all things spring; it is the center, foundation and mother of all things. Earth is the element of stability, foundations and of the body. The Earth is the realm of wisdom, knowledge, strength, growth and prosperity. It is also the physical Earth on which we live and the very heart of life. It is essential in spells and rituals of prosperity, business, fertility and stability. Earth is a feminine element and governs stone and knot magic.

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Really good read...Tons of info! Available on Kindle.

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MOON PHASE CORRESPONDENCES NEW MOON Rises at dawn, sets at sunset; for full use of these energies, stick to between this time period. Moon is exact from the new moon until 3 1/2 days after. Workings: beauty, health, self-improvement, farms/gardens, job hunting, love/romance, networking, and creative ventures Purpose: Beginnings Pagan Holiday: Winter Solstice Goddess Name: Rosemerta's Moon Goddess Energy: Goddesses of growth Offering: Milk and Honey Theme: Abundance Tarot Trump: the Fool CRESCENT Rises at mid-morning, sets after sunset; best magickal effects between these times. Moon is 3 1/2 to 7 days after new moon. Purpose: the movement of the thing Pagan Holiday: Imbolc Goddess Name: Brigid's Moon Goddess Energy: water goddesses Offering: Candles Theme: Manifestation Tarot Trump: The Magician FIRST QUARTER Moon rises at noon, sets at midnight; best effects between these times Moon is 7- 10 1/2 days after new moon Workings: courage, elemental magick, friends, luck, and motivation. Purpose: The shape of the thing Pagan Holiday: Spring Equinox Goddess Name: Persephone's Moon Goddess Energy: air goddesses Offering: Feathers Theme: Luck Tarot card: Strength or the Star GIBBOUS Moon rises in mid-afternoon, sets around 3 am; best effects between these times Moon is 10 1/2 -14 days after new moon Workings: courage, patience, peace, and harmony Purpose: details Goddess Name: Nuit's Moon Goddess Energy: star goddesses Offering: Ribbons Theme: Perfection FULL MOON Moon rises at sunset, sets at dawn; best effects between these times Moon is 14-17 1/2 days after the new moon Workings: artistic endeavors, beauty, health, fitness, change, decisions, children, competition, dreams, families, knowledge, legal undertakings, love, romance, money, motivation, protection, psychic power, self-improvement. Purpose: completion of a project Pagan Holiday: Summer Solstice Goddess Name: Sekhmet's Moon Goddess Energy: fire goddesses Offering: flowers Theme: Power Tarot Card: the Sun DISSEMINATING Moon rising at mid-evening, sets at mid-morning; best effects between these times Moon is 3 1/2-7 days after the full moon. Workings: addictions, decisions, divorce, emotions, stress, protection Purpose: initial destruction Pagan Holiday: Lammas Goddess Name: Hecate's Moon Goddess Energy: earth goddesses Offering: grain or rice Theme: reassessment Tarot Trump: The Tower for destruction LAST QUARTER Moon rises at midnight and sets at noon; best effects between these times Moon is 7-10 1/2 days after the full moon. Workings: Addictions, divorce, endings, health and healing (banishing), stress, protection, and ancestors. Purpose: Absolute destruction Pagan Holiday: Fall Equinox Goddess Name: The Morrigan's Moon Goddess Energy: harvest goddesses Offering: Incense Theme: Banishing Tarot Trump: Judgement BALSAMIC (DARK MOON) Moon rises at 3 am and sets at mid-afternoon, best effects between these times. Moon is 10 1/2-14 days after the full moon Workings: addictions, change, divorce, enemies, justice, obstacles, quarrels, removal, separation, stopping stalkers and theft. Purpose: Rest Pagan Holiday: Samhain Goddess Name: Kali's Moon Goddess Energy: Dark goddesses Offering: honesty Theme: Justice Tarot Trump: Justice

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Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna...Each culture throughout history has had their own name for the Goddess. While she may take on various forms and attributes (war, love, magic), these are all forms of the same Goddess, The Lady, the Triple Goddess, the Feminine Divine. 

The 3 aspects of the Goddess are: 

The Maiden-represents enchantment, inception, expansion, the promise of new beginnings, birth, youth and youthful enthusiasm, represented by the waxing moon; 

The Mother- represents ripeness, fertility, sexuality, fulfilment, stability, power and life represented by the full moon; 

The Crone-represents wisdom, repose, death, and endings represented by the waning moon.

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