#elemental experiments

[witchcraftingboop]

Elemental Experiment: Fire

Associated Tool: Wand

Methodology: DSIC & Cultus Sabbati works

Crystal Ball Used: Orange citrine

Timing Used: Tuesday, waning moon

Direction: South

Spirit: Salamander

Goddess Aspects: Crone, Hag, Witch Queen

Archangel, if applicable: Michael

Candles: Red, 9

Oil: Dragon's blood, cedar, & cinnamon

Incense: Oil ingredients & trace amounts of sulphur

Tea: Wormwood, mugwort, lavender, cardamom, & star anise

Preliminary Word

Prior to the start of this evocation, not invocation, to be clear, I might suggest practicing the typical purity/cleansing steps: ritual bathing, fasting, etc. Though as this method does not fully rely on its inspirations found in DSIC and instead was practiced with reformed bits of Azoëtia, I'm not wholly convinced at this time that it's necessary.

The First Rite

Primary work: candles, incense, tea, circle (if you'd like)

Secondary work: Evocation of the Higher Spirits being relied upon - Suggestion: Personalized prayers written as closely as possible to DSIC will work if unable to source elsewhere. No, you cannot have mine.

Tertiary work: Address to the Spirit - Mention: Reliance on Higher to bring about what is sought, the compliance of the spirit to them in forming readily, understandably, etc. in the crystal ball within the triangle, and what it is you seek from them (be concrete, firm, sure, etc.) - Repeat as necessary. In my experiments, I sought elemental familiars/allies of sorts, a partnership in the eye of She who was summoned.

Quaternary work: Meat of the rite. Interact, gain confidence that the spirit called has come, and learn the name by which they must answer you by, and, if time permits or if you're interested, learn their sigil that you can later threaten (if needed) them with.

Quinary work: Dismissal.

Final work: Banish and cleanse space.

Note: Even if you think this was a failed attempt, do not skip the last two steps.

Record in detail all that occurred and was learnt and felt during the rite, going as in depth as you are able.

Seek confirmation of the success/failure of the ritual through communion with the Higher Spirits relied upon.

The Later Rite

My suggestion is to repeat the above ritual until you become very familiar with the spirit summoned, and only when you're comfortable, proceed to this next proposed stage.

To prepare for this section, ask your spirits for guidance and for an open road to the tool you seek; in this example, it is a wand suited for being the elemental weapon of Fire in your arsenal. Once the medium has been found and crafted to your liking, simply adjust the first rite accordingly:

Place the wand within (or as much as possible) the triangle, touching the scrying medium or its stand.

During the 3rd and 4th stage, pronounce your intent for the spirits to imbue the wand with the essence of Fire. Suggestion: Mention the positive aspects and associations your wand should hold and carry into your every touch, interaction, and working.

During the 5th stage, give thanks before the dismissal.

Final Note: If you use this, you should tell me (even vaguely) about your results and findings. I am a curious being by nature, and diverse currents of input are always welcome.

[witchcraftingboop]

Seek The Elements: Earth Example

When it comes to earth, there are plenty of spirits to seek communion with. The easiest, in regards to accessibility, are houseplants, trees, and (based on my region) mountains. Crystals I consider less normative, because not everyone has or can afford to have them. Therefore, this is not included on the list. Everyone has grass; we can and should go out and touch the grass.

Rather than seek to hold a cup of dirt in one hand and try to perceive the energy of the earth through that, though it may be an option, I find it much more impactful to seek guidance and knowledge from the land spirits themselves. For my more necromantic practitioners, this has reminded me that, if you are able, bringing cemetery dirt back from the grave of a loved one or relative is both a terrific opportunity/resource and addition to their place on your ancestor altar.

From my experience, I can say that approaching a tree and projecting a ball of energy at it would not do much for me. Calling on the Watcher of a given direction and building up their vessel to house an elemental egregore, however, is something I have done, and it worked wonders. Similarly, I have befriended genii locorum and learned much through their tutelage about the natural resources to be found on and around my hometown's mountain.

In an effort not to take this too many steps ahead, I propose a simple, easy way to begin building your alignment and awareness towards the element of earth.

Proposed Method: Animism Based

Address the spirit, as in talk to the intelligence that dwells within its area of influence herein reflected/held in the presence of a potted plant, a tree, etc.

Use your discernment to determine: a) attention/presence, b) "vibe", and c) receptivity as the interaction proceeds.

You can give offerings and express interest, or just start sans offerings, in bettering or deepening your connections with and understanding of earth - careful to not accidentally talk to the mafia and wind up 6ft under. It is best, in my opinion, to be clear about your intentions prior to the next proposed step.

Meditate. We'll not get too involved here, so to start just focus your attention outwards, going from your body to awareness of the spirit before you. Try to center yourself in what is perceived from there rather than from within your self.

The above is one way of many of introducing yourself to a local spirit and can be expanded to seek a tutelary or guiding spirit.

A perhaps more universally applicable - given the diverse forms witchcraft can take - and equally simple adaptation of this would be simply to enter a quiet part of nature and meditate, consciously growing your awareness and opening your senses to the element you seek.

This post - like the previous elemental one - is intended as a rubric of sorts to be used for the remaining foundational elements of air, water, and fire.