The Ladder Of Learning
East Water Cup compassion, love, healing
South Fire Wand personal will
West Air Sword thoughts, communication
North Earth Pentacle material, physical
Aether Ether Akasha the void
The Void - represents those things beyond our everyday experience, particularly those things composed of pure energy.
( In Aristotle's system aether had no qualities (was neither hot, cold, wet, or dry), was incapable of change (with the exception of change of place), and by its nature moved in circles, and had no contrary, or unnatural, motion.)
According to Aristotle in his On Generation and Corruption:
Air is primarily wet and secondarily hot. ( primarily, compassion/love/healing - secondarily, personal will )
Fire is primarily hot and secondarily dry. ( primarily, personal will - secondarily, material/physical )
Earth is primarily dry and secondarily cold. ( primarily material/physical - secondarily, thoughts/communication
Water is primarily cold and secondarily wet. ( primarily, thoughts/communication - secondarily, compassion/love/healing )
Aristotle added aether as the quintessence, reasoning that whereas fire, earth, air, and water were earthly and corruptible, since no changes had been perceived in the heavenly regions, the stars cannot be made out of any of the four elements but must be made of a different, unchangeable, heavenly substance.
The five elements are associated with the five senses, and act as the gross medium for the experience of sensations. The basest element, earth, created using all the other elements, can be perceived by all five senses - hearing, touch, sight, taste, and smell. The next higher element, water, has no odor but can be heard, felt, seen and tasted. Next comes fire, which can be heard, felt and seen. Air can be heard and felt. "Akasha" (ether) is the medium of sound but is inaccessible to all other senses.
*** Spirit the transcendent fifth element which unities and governs the other four elements. The vital principle or animating force within living beings. Also, a sentient, incorporeal entity.
STEP INSIDE BEYOND THE MAGICAL DOOR,
FIND THE POWER WITHIN THE CORE.
Of all trees, the oak tree is one of the most powerful and sacred reputation. The mighty and sacred oak is known as the Grandfather tree and a great place for magic making. (open the door go down into the earth). In a romote location find an oak tree of immense age and room to sit in the core. Light jasmine incense for good psychic atmosphere.
Sitting within sacred space talk to your guide to discover confidence, conquer fear and to become more secure with self and the direction you would like your life to take.
(Druids were Witches. What they practiced was Witchcraft...Laurie Cabot)
Trees are sacred. Trees link heaven and earth together. The leaves and branches reach and stretch up to the sun. The potent energy of life lives in the trunk and roots.
Trees are the very core of a wise woman's philosophy. The branches represent grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, sisters, brothers, any outside experiences and influences that enter our lives. The trunk, strength, attitude, and individual personality. The roots, beliefs, foundations and subconscious. The roots support the trunk, the branches reach out and have effect on all they come in contact with.
Trees of all types possess their own personality and Spirit. The trees magical properties may be utilized. Each tree has a particular significance and symbolism to release information, one's purpose. The sacred trees of the Celtic calendar and the twenty-one Major Arcana Tarot cards are connected. Both give the gift of prophecy to gain confidence and one's purpose. Tarot doesn't have the power to change future events, but it can help you
anticipate them.
The trees on the Celtic calendar, and Tarot equivalent is as follows:
CHIEFTON GODFORM TAROT QUIVALENT
OAK BELINUS EMPEROR
APPLE CERRIDWEN EMPRESS
ALDER BRAN STRENGTH
WILLOW EPONA MOON
BIRCH MABON STAR
PEASANTS
ASPEN LLYR TOWER
ASH GWYDION WORLD
PINE KERNUNNOS DEVIL
YEW SAMHAN DEATH
SHRUBS
BLACKTHORN TALLIESIN TEMPERANCE
ROWEN MATH HEIROPHANT
ELDER MORRIGAN HANGED MAN
HAZEL BRANWEN HIGH PRIESTESS
HOLLY CU CHULAN CHARIOT
BRAMBLE
IVY OGMIOS JUSTICE
VINE BRIGANTIA LOVERS
REED ARIANRHOD WHEEL OF FORTUNE
HEATHER BLOODWEDD FOOL
FURZE LLEW SUN
© 2008 Angie Skelhorn
