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Eight Tides of Elemental Witchcraft for a Magickal Life, by Heron Michelle

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

The "Wheel of the Year" is what Modern Witches call our cycle of yearly celebrations, both religious and magickal. Our solar sabbat rituals are timed by the turning of the seasons, marked by the sun's movement through the zodiac of outer stars as we perceive them from earth. The Wheel resets anew with the sabbat of Yule celebrated on the winter solstice as the Sun enters the earthy sign of Capricorn. Lunar esbats flow with the tides of the moon as she sails her 12-13 revolutions around the earth during that same solar year. Unique to "The Pentacle Path of Modern Witchcraft" that I practice is an additional mapping of the eight elemental mysteries to the Wheel of the Year framework. These elemental mysteries include four projective lessons, and four receptive lessons taught by the powers of earth, air, fire, and water.¹ This framework becomes the energetic map of ebbing and flowing energies on multiple levels of reality. From these tides of power, a Witch's Great Work of Magick is actualized throughout each turning of the Wheel.

As with all occult mysteries, the truth begins in the darkness, during the transmuting pause just before the dawning of a new cycle. So, while the solar year may reset at Yule, The Great Work actually concludes at the Samhain beforehand, in the dark dusk felt at the peak of Autumn and 15 degrees of watery Scorpio. Following is a brief exploration of how the eight tides of elemental witchcraft flow through the seasons, and practical ideas about how we can engage with those mysteries to live a magickal life upon The Pentacle Path of Modern Witchcraft.

Samhain Until Yule: Earth's Silence
Along the Witch's Wheel of the Year, from Samhain to Yule is a time of rest and reflection. During this time, check in with the earth's projective mysteries of silence, when we hold open space for the incoming bounty we've been cultivating all year. This period of waning into the darkness is when the lessons of the previous harvest are integrated and concluded. Read your old journals and reflect on what you've learned. Nurture your body with plenty of rest, sit quietly by a fireside and dream into the deeps, dine on delicious foods, and pamper yourself. Practice active silence by listening carefully to what people around you have to say without interruption or judgment. Pray in open dialogue with your guides, then pay attention to signs and synchronicities in your daily life, following the intuitive breadcrumbs as they land.

Yule Until Imbolc: Earth's Resonance
From Yule until Imbolc, switch into elemental earth's receptive lessons of resonance. Look to the birth of the new cycle and ask the cosmos, "What's next?" Seek guidance with tarot or another form of divination, seeking which Great Work intention you should dedicate to achieving during the new Wheel of the Year. Then strike that cosmic gong of possibility and tune yourself to the new frequency of your choosing. Prepare the magickal goodies you'll need for the coming dedications to that goal at Imbolc: write intention statements, dress the candles, blend the incense, etc. Physically clean and then spiritually purify your house with a thorough hallowing. (You can read more about this process here. Clean all the altar tools, wash the altar cloth, and polish the furniture. Set a fresh tableau for the new magick to come.

Imbolc to Ostara: Air's Knowing
From Imbolc to Ostara, shift into the airy mental investigation of your dedication for this Great Work. Explore the intellectual world and air's projective mysteries of knowing. This is a good time to dive deeply into existing texts on the subject of your dedication. As the winter season wanes, curl up with a hot cup of your favorite brew and enjoy reading. Research to discover what is already known, or assumed to be true, about the subject. This would be a good time to take a class from a reputable source. Ask a lot of questions and seek out established answers from experts in that subject.

Ostara to Beltane: Air's Wonderment
From Ostara until Beltane, throw open the mental windows and let in the receptive breeze of airy wonderment. All those facts and opinions you just researched? Don't accept everything at face value! The very definition of "occult" is that there are hidden meanings beneath the surface of the obvious. Question the way things have always been—your beliefs, practices, and life in general. Seek a fresh perspective based on all that you've learned so far. This is the time for experimentation.

As the season of spring waxes, plant both your intellectual and physical gardens and generously fertilize them with the compost from last year's refuse—including the outmoded ideas or preconceived expectations that no longer aid your growth. As you weed the physical garden a practical bit of magick is to grasp the unwanted plant near the roots in your projective hand, center your mind, breathe in the power of nature around you, and visualize any unwelcomed thought or condition that hinders your spiritual progress. Name the weed that thing out loud, then yank it from the ground with vigor! Shake it off, and compost it with a hearty, "Be gone! So mote it be!"

Beltane to Litha: Fire's Will
As spring wanes, kindle your elemental fires of will by taking action upon your Great Work dedication. Apply what you've learned so far in some tangible spell work. As the season of spring wanes, and the days lengthen and heat up, this is the time to roll up your sleeves and dig into the "doing things" portion of life. Apply your fires to the practical projects around your home: tend your garden and finish that ever-lingering home repair project. Get into nature and enjoy some necessary physical exercise. Go and do magickal things that further your witching sovereignty (earth) and strive toward your highest ideals (air). See an issue that needs improvement at work, home, or out in the community? Take the lead, rally others to help, and work together to change it (fire).

Litha to Lammas: Fire's Surrender
As waxing summer tides heat up, shift into the fiery receptive mysteries of surrender by feeding the forge fires of your will. Let go of any old forms that are hindering your progress, like the snake shedding a skin that is too small. For some practical magick, each day clear out one area of congestion in your life. Take out the literal or metaphorical trash. Cull possessions for donation and unsubscribe from unwanted email lists. Prune back the excesses in your household budget. Prove to yourself that you're in charge of your life, not your addictions or obsessions. Give up an undesirable habit or overindulgence until Lammas just to exert your will to live the healthier lifestyle you choose. Unplug and go camping, take a social media vacation, or try a dietary cleanse of some kind (under the guidance of your physician) to balance your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Lammas to Mabon: Water's Daring
From Lammas to Mabon, apply the watery mysteries of daring and ask which emotional barriers need to be smashed in order to make way for the fulfillment of your Great Work. As the summer wanes, consider which impediments need to be overcome in order to regain emotional balance? Which societal impediments, taboos, or outmoded restrictions about love and relationships need to be redefined in order to advance your sacred mission in the world?

In regards to romantic love and sexual intimacy, know that however and whomever you love, so long as it is shared consensually, responsibly, and authentically among adults, that love is sacred worship to our God/dess. Be daring in your love and express your feelings to someone special without expectation of where that may lead. Make plans for a fun adventure and invite friends or potential lovers to come make some memories with you.

Mabon to Samhain: Water's Acceptance
As the autumn waxes, shift into water's receptive mysteries of acceptance. Take stock of all you've harvested so far this year and notice which new mold is coming into form around you. This mold will shape your improved self and the witching life you've been building. As you approach the third harvest of Samhain, cease striving and settle in. Consider the wounds of the heart and whatever you are grieving, then do spell work for emotional acceptance and healing. Drink plenty of pure water to stay hydrated, and enjoy a hot soaking bath with plenty of Epsom salts and yummy herbs of healing and purification as you envision all your heartbreaks dissolving into the bath and flowing away.

Conclusion
As the dusks of Samhain fall once more, the cycle of the Great Work of Magick conclude again with the lessons of earth's silence. The Wheel ends with Samhain, but does not truly begin again until Yule, after that necessary the pause of transmutation in-between. So, Earth's mysteries bookend the process. With each turning of the Wheel of the Year, Witches spiral into deeper understanding of themselves and their sacred place within the God/dess. With each turning we become healthier, more independent and authentic, more internally controlled and cooperative, and more emotionally balanced and trustworthy in our relationships. The ultimate goal of all this Witchery is a happy abundant life full of fun, fulfillment and adventure…and whatever other dreams you choose of your own free-will.

For an in-depth exploration of the history, thealogy and elemental mysteries of The Pentacle Path described above, check out my book, Elemental Witchcraft: A Guide to Living a Magickal Life Through the Elements. In those pages you'll find many illustrations and exercises, with complete instructions for the formulary craftings, Hermetic witchcraft rituals with guided journeys, and planetary magick spells for balancing each element and the Goddess and God within and without.

¹The four projective lessons are traditionally called The Four Powers of the Sphinx and originated with Levi, Eliphas. Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrine and Ritual. Translated by A. E. Waite. York, ME: RedWheel/Weiser, 1972. Page 30. The four receptive lessons were originally presented as "Widdershins Spirals" by Roderick, Timothy. Dark Moon Mysteries: Wisdom, Power, and Magic of the Shadow World. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1996. Page 79.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2021. All rights reserved.

My mom passed away about four months ago. It was very sudden. Since then, I have developed an obsessive fear of dying. Every day, I think I'm going to die. I'm only 22 years old but I think I'm going to have a heart attack or seizure. I fear that I'm going to suffocate and die a painful death or suddenly just stop breathing. Maybe my heart will suddenly stop beating. Sometimes I wonder if I am already dead and I have to shake myself to make sure I can still function. I have been put on anxiety and depression medication to help me cope. I'm writing to you in hopes that you can somehow help me. Thank you.

Yolie

Susyn:

When we experience the loss of a loved one, especially a parent, it touches us on every level of our existence. Because the passing of your mother was very sudden, you ran smack into the reality that we are powerless over when, where, and under what circumstance our time on earth will end. The type of shock you are in can defy all attempts at reason; even people who are young and healthy often suffer from an immobilizing fear of dying.

One thing to note is that as we grieve, we go through certain stages. Many of them can be tracked by time, which makes it easier to know what to expect next. For example, when a loved one dies or we lose someone in our life we cared deeply for through something like divorce or the breakup of a relationship, the cycles we move through typically last about three months each. It appears that you entered the second cycle of this transition about a month ago, which may be when your fear and feelings of depression began to grow.

The first three months of a loss are about managing. As we walk through the shock, trying to bring the deceased's affairs into order and awaken each day surprised to realize they are gone, we are in a state of animated suspension. About the time we arrive at the three-month mark, the reality of our loss sinks in, which can make it difficult to concentrate, keep up with daily obligations, and feel anything but sadness or despair.

At the six-month mark of a loss, the pain becomes more manageable. The loss does not diminish but we should be able to return to a sense of normalcy. Also note that between the three and six-month cycle, an urge to create typically arises. Because we have been reminded that our lives here on earth are short and could be over at any time, projects and ideas we've put on the back burner will start to demand expression.

As you near this stage of your grieving cycle, I encourage you to find a creative project you can immerse yourself in. If nothing comes to mind, you may want to start gathering pictures and memories of your mother and work to create a DVD or album that somehow honors her life. This is one of the most healing activities you can take up.

On a final note, your concerns about dying have nothing to do with reality. They are centered in the fact that the experience with your mother has naturally traumatized you on a deep level. If you still feel you need professional help, I recommend finding a therapist who specializes in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, which is ideal for clearing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), which is essentially what you are experiencing.

*****

Oceania:

I'm so sorry for the unexpected loss of your mom. Your obsession about dying a horrible death is your way of staying close to her and avoiding grief. Grieving can be intensely painful, but it's temporary. Time heals emotional wounds just as it heals physical wounds! There's no stopping the healing process, though we CAN manage to slow it down.

When we avoid grief, we sentence ourselves to chronic low-grade unhappiness. Anxiety and depression are two ways of NOT feeling. During depression, we shut down our emotions; with anxiety, we transform them into general nervousness. We worry about everything and anything, especially hypotheticals, to avoid experiencing emotions like anger or sadness over a specific event that has occurred.

Your fears about the future have a common theme: loss of control. I think your mother's death caught you unaware, and that this led you to dread unexpected change. Of course, we would all be wise to remember to expect the unexpected in life.

Once you allow yourself to wail and sob over the loss of your mom, you'll begin to heal. Allowing yourself to feel angry over your powerlessness will help you feel stronger. Survivors sometimes feel guilty about living life to the fullest when their loved one can't do the same, but you will honor your mother's memory by embracing your ongoing gift of life and making the most of it.

In my experience, the first three months of grieving are the hardest. Once you turn that corner, things should begin to lighten up. Waves of grief come less frequently and with less intensity then. The first year without a loved one is particularly poignant as you face each season and holiday without them. Since you're still in the thick of this, I recommend you find a grief support group, for it's helpful to be with people who understand how you are feeling.

In the documentary The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, the following metaphor for life is presented: Picture a river becoming a waterfall, then continuing as a river when it hits bottom. As the river tumbles over the edge of the cliff, it separates into a spray of tiny droplets. These drops of water are like our individual egos, feeling separate as we pass through life. Death is ONLY the death of our ego as we rejoin the river and become something greater again.

You have lost your mother in the physical realm, but she's waiting just around the corner and remains alive and well in your heart and mind. One quality of grief is that it feels like it will never end, but I assure you it will. One day you'll feel good as new again - perhaps even better.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.