Introduction to Spiritual Ecology by Marian Green

Author:Marian Green
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Crowood Press

8

THE ELEMENT OF AIR

The fourth element used in terrestrial magic is that of Air. It is essential for our life, is invisible and is all around us. It contains various gases including nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide. It is our breath and is often symbolized in magical work by burning incense, whose upward-drifting smoke carries prayers and incantations towards heaven. We mostly become aware of air, not when it is still, but when there is a breeze or wind. Many ancient peoples had a deity or spiritual being associated with wind, for example the Greeks had four, Boreas, Notus, Eurus and Zephyrus, blowing from the North, South, East and West. There was a God of the winds called Aeolus, to whom Aeolian harps, with strings that vibrated when the wind blew, were dedicated.

Air can power instruments other than those used in music. For example, windmills have been used for many hundreds of years for grinding corn into flour or crushing coloured stones for paint. Today wind turbines are used to generate electricity by harnessing air currents to turn huge sails. Often these enormous structures are set in the sea in groups or on open countryside, called windfarms. It is expected that this new source of energy, which is considered carbon neutral, will become even more widely used around the world. Unfortunately, changes in the world’s climate will also make gales and tornados more frequent, and these can blow away whole houses.

Sounds are transmitted through the air when we hear them and when we speak or sing, for example, we are using our breath to project the message, so air is associated with communication. Many kinds of vocal sound have been part of the magical tradition for centuries, from the singing of hymns and invocations to call for divine help, to rhythmic chanting which can cause changes in human consciousness leading to oracular or healing effects. Learning different techniques of singing can be very helpful as being with a choir or sharing incantations in a ritual is empowering and brings a sense of community. Many kinds of music have magical or spiritually uplifting effects on people, and are sometimes used in esoteric rituals as well as church services.

The Importance of Breathing Properly

Breathing is used in many traditions as an aid to meditation, sometimes combined with physical postures, or as a means of slowing down and concentrating. Counting slowly to inhale, holding your breath for a few pulse beats, and exhaling slowly often helps if you feel stressed. Choose a pattern of eight breathing in, hold for four, breathe out for eight and hold out for four. Repeat this pattern for several minutes for the best effect. You can pick longer or shorter patterns to suit your own abilities. Often the slower you can do this the more calming benefit you will achieve. Always concentrate on being relaxed in body but inwardly focused in mind.

An Exercise in Hand Breathing

This is a simple exercise in breathing which can be very calming and energizing.

Hold your left hand in front of you, palm facing you and fingers spread out.

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