- A Fly On Venus.

(A True Story, Enhanced with Nonsense)

Photo of my Venus Fly Trap photographed by me on 8th October 2016 

© Imogen Cane - missimoinsane 2016

I watch as the ebony body and glossy wings crawls so arrogantly across my screen.

I watch as the common housefly does her rounds, like a roller coaster... loop-de-loop.

I watch as she lands back on my screen.. Twitching and crawling.. ever so annoying.

I watch as she takes off again... One loop. Two loops. Three loops. Hulla Hoops.

I watch as she lands back again on my computer screen.

I yell. "The whole world to play in and you're here annoying me!".

I watch as she mocks me so. Ever inching closer towards the enticing terrarium but a foot away.

I watch as she does more loops, side ways this time... More loops, more loops.

I watch as she lands on the outside of the bowl. I smirk.

I watch as she crawls once, twice.. Around the bowl.. She takes of again with more loops.

I watch as she flies into my face mocking me more as though more intellectual than I.

I watch as she goes back to the bowl. She goes in.

I watch as the housefly lands on Venus. Crawling around she manages to avoid traps 1-5.

I watch as she takes off again. One loop. Two loops. Three loops. Fruit loops.

I watch as she's back on the screen.. Sticking her legs up as though to give me 'the finger'.

I sigh in disbelief.

I watch as she flies some more. More loops. And back in the terrarium she goes.

I watch as she slinks over traps 6-10. She's back out.

I watch as she flies around some more. Back in the terrarium. She avoids all 14 traps.

I watch as she wanders around.. She sets off some traps but they all miss her.

I watch as she flies back out.. Cheekily dancing on the rim of my tea cup.

I can hear her now, hear her laughing!

I watch as I try to attack but she avoids. Dodge, dodge, more dodge.

The fly is laughing. I'm going crazy.

I watch as loop after loop she laughs and back in the terrarium she goes.

I watch as she evades the closing mouths of 1 trap, 2.. 3... ...6.. Shes back out the bowl.

I watch as she proceeds to mock us. Over an hour if not two.. More loops, fruit loops.

I watch as my cat walks in. He sits down calmly.

I watch as the fly flies near him. 

With one swoop he pounces, catches and eats the fly... 

I watch as he walks off casually.

Venus fly trap and I look at each other. Hungry.

Imogen x

 - Exploring what's in my head.
www.missimoinsane.webs.com 

- Toadstools can make you wish you had never been bo-ooo-rn...

...Never been born!  - Ivor Cutler.  

(A blog entry about people and relationships.)

Photo of fungi at Stanley Park Blackpool photographed by me on 1st October 2016 
© Imogen Cane - missimoinsane 2016

By now it should be obvious to most that we do not willy nilly walk along eating any fungus we see regardless of where they may come from, what they may look like, if everyone else is doing it or indeed if they're 'good for us' at all. 

Yet we blindly walk through life befriending strangers and in some cases stuffing our faces and engorging on them like an obsessive compulsion to absorb everything about them; almost like we wish to become one with them!  Some of these we never know until it's too late just how poisonous or even deadly they may be.. despite their deliciousness, sensational aroma, or even plain and simple misleading and/or enchanting appearances. 

Perhaps we should be taught much earlier on about how to tell the good from the bad and not just follow blindly or with pure ignorance to the dangers laid before us.  If only we humans had some form of mycologist, but for people..   Someone who would not only tell us about what we may or may not encounter and where, but the effects and probable outcomes of indulging in such.   Elaborating on where this fungus grows, how it evolved and adapted, how it can be misleading and easily mistaken for something good for us when really it's increasing toxicity becomes what kills us in the end.  Or of course those that flat out poison us from the start.  

I take a step back. 

I look at my surroundings; this concrete jungle that man has created.  As we grow and spread like spores of a black mould destroying or at least corrupting everything in its path, manipulating to survive no longer simply living off the land but destroying it.  I look at what it's grown, what came to be, what grew and evolved, what adapted to the surroundings, what only came to be because of what we did.  I see what was chemically grown, what struggled to survive and what died off.  I see what's endangered, what festered from what we left behind, what is growing like an untreated yeast infection.   I see what is cleverly surviving despite everything, what managed to cling to its ancestors and still be beautiful despite all the change. 

I look at the people, they have no faces, just like mushrooms.. A relatively gathered bunch of the same or similar organisms banded together under a collective name yet still differ in texture, appearance, colour, size, shape, abilities, toxicities... Some addicting making us feel the most magical things.  While others literally rotting us to the chore.  Then as mentioned those that just flat out kill.  

I'm feeling so primitive; blindly trying out all the fungi..  narrowly escaping the inevitable with each new course.  Watching those around us make the wrong choices and die leaving behind a hollow shell.  Watching those around us who make bad choices but find a cure.  Watching those around us make the right choices and living on such a high.  Watching those around us make choices which simply sustain, nourish or at least allow to be well fed even if only temporarily.  Watching those around us as some discover or even create new threads of subspecies..  watching as they grow.. develop..  Some like a cancer.. others blooming as though they're wrapping around us like a cool breeze on a humid summers eve. 

I take a step back. 

I wish there was someone who could identify what would do us good from what would do us harm.  I grow tired of this fungi roulette; it's not fun!!

"Toadstools can make you wish you had never been bo-ooo-rn, never been born" - Ivor Cutler.

Imogen x

 - Exploring what's in my head.
www.missimoinsane.webs.com 

- Writing for the sake of writing. Awkward.

(Introduction & Rambling Tangents.)

Photo of DIY hybrid quill made by me, photographed by me on 6th October 2016
© Imogen Cane - missimoinsane 2016

Merry meet!

Due to recent events, and a blog I heavily indulged myself with, I have been inspired to start writing..  Perhaps writing for the sake of writing..  Although I apologies now for my terrible writing and rambling tangents.  So where am I going with this?  I guess even I'm unsure, which is suppose doesn't give you much confidence!! But I am sure it will be eventful and creative, even if slightly neglected and hypes of over posting at times..  Though I guess only time will tell..  Like a blank canvas lets see what happens this time!

In most ways I'm in a creative block.  Too many ideas, too many creative thoughts, expressions, passions, adventures and too many creative outlets, mediums, tools, supplies, media's..   Just too many!  Or just an abundance of excuses I concocted to make myself feel better regarding wasting my valuable time?  Regardless most of the time I feel like a solitary magpie just flitting from one shiny thing to the next with soul but no purpose, free with no destination but also lost in the chaos. - Which I guess in most ways is more so fitting since it's ironic and true for me as birds, including magpies, actually don't like foreign objects; shiny or otherwise!!  So in that respect maybe I am more so like a magpie with my overwhelming disinterest, fears, anxieties and feeling burdened by not knowing.. The overload in my head that for the most part I struggle to obtain results.  Guilt of hording.  Addiction of having.  And an ever growing dehydration and craving to want more of/from everything..   Old habits die hard.  But not necessarily is all of this negative or bad it's perspective.  - feeling optimistic! 

What am I on about?  Lost?  Yes?  Good!  - Don't worry I'm not off my meds.

Anyways..  I tangent..  So speaking of purpose I feel somewhere along the lines I have wandered far from my path, perhaps even got lost! (I'm assuming by now that you are too, that's assuming you're even still here!)   Nevertheless looking at the bigger picture it doesn't seem like such a bad thing..?!  Opening doors to new exciting adventures, and finding beauty especially off the designated path.   We should probably mention the whole Witch / Pagan / Eclectic Wiccan thing if you didn't already get that - or you'll most likely be baffled (yes more so than you already are, or at least will be) otherwise.  So I guess this is another chapter in my journey and I'm excited for it and I think it's time to meet new people along the way. 

So I suppose all that's left to say is welcome to my head! 

~ Writing for the sake of writing.  Awkward.  



Imogen x
http://missimoinsane.webs.com/

WW. Animal Totems / Spirit Animals & Guides (IMO)

Animal Totems / Spirit Animals & GuidesIn My Opinion

An ongoing & incomplete study!

Part 1.

It is my belief that a Totem usually refers to an animal much like that of a Spirit Guide however I believe that Spirit Guides can also be animal, human, deity, spirit, angels, fairy or fairy like creature, or some other unexplained guide.  Where as a Totem (to me) generally specifically means animal.

Animal Totems / Spirit Animals are more commonly associated with Shamans of old (and new).  But they also play a large role in our lives, even when we don't realise it!!  It is said that they help define and guide who we are in our paths, our journeys and even in ourselves.  They aid towards defining us as people and who are as well as capturing our imaginations.  And also the way we associate with certain animals and/or animal traits.

Shamans believe that these animals guide us in our past, current and next lives as they are a part of our soul and part of the energy that is inside of us.  As well as guiding they can also help us understand ourselves and who/what we were in our pasts not just in this life but the ones before, be it human, animal or other living energy.  Each person has one spirit animal but it is not unheard of for a person to have two or more. 

Native American Ancestors created large totems made from huge great trees and they would carve the heads of animals such as eagle, lion and bear.  Very strong symbols these would represent strength of kinship, honour and pride.  Today we still see these monuments of powerful symbolism and they are still used in religion and décor world wide today.

Typically these Animal guides are presented to us through dream or more commonly through meditation.  Some deep meditation searches may or may not require substance uses which enhance trance divination states to aid in the meditation process and bridge that connection. Some are as simple as a repetitive symbolism throughout one's life / lives; for example every time something good happens you see a Raven.. chances are you have a connection to Ravens and this is something you should investigate.  And it doesn't of course have to be a real live animal photographs, paintings, carvings or other imagery of animals can be just as strong and powerful connections.  Other alternatives are said to be drawing a card from a Shamanic Medicine Card Deck (similar to that of Tarot) or other animal based cards.  Or you may just feel a connection to certain animal(s).  Dreams are often large carriers of animal and their messages.

Here are a few sites which may give you more information about your animal or the meaning and symbolism of your animal should you be luck enough to already know your animal(s).

• http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-totems.html
• http://www.manataka.org/page291.html
• http://www.spiritanimal.info/animal-meanings/

Imogen 

An ongoing & incomplete study!

WW. Hedge Witch - What is one?

What is a "Hedge Witch"?

Hedge Witches.

The name 'Hedge Witch' originates from many many many moons ago when villages were separated by the forests.  The edge of these forests, where they met the village, were known a hedge.  You would often find, in most villages, a herbal practitioner who lived in or near the edge of the forest.  - These practitioners of herbal and/or spiritual practice who lived near the hedge became known as Hedge Witches or a Hedge Witch.

Today's Hedge Witch doesn't necessarily live in or even anywhere near a forest, or Village for that matter.  The term still is used based on the practice, though they do still tend to have a great relationship with nature.  Also most commonly known for always having a remedy, lotion, potion, brew or something for every occurring aliment or requirement.

A Hedge Witch is also known for not only herbal practice for medicinal and spiritual purposes but also for having an understanding of nature and is often seen encouraging spiders, wasps and other unwanted bug killers as a natural way to tend to their plants.

A Hedge Witch is a witch who practices a very eclectic path and is the one you would seek if say you were unable to see a Doctor or Dentist for example.  A Hedge Witch has many herbal remedies in his/her cupboard for many an ailment. For they know many medicinal and spiritual properties of many plants and how they can aid and treat many different symptoms.  This knowledge would usually be passed down through generations and each Hedge Witch takes pride in developing their knowledge and these skills through further reading and practice.

That said a Hedge Witch is a solitary practitioner.  She/He doesn't belong to a coven or follow any organised religion.  But she/he does follow their own craft and is very much a free spirit.  Their knowledge, as mentioned, usually handed down to them by their family.  Though intially through word of mouth and practice.  To this day no two Hedge Witches are alike in fact it is said that you can ask a dozen Hedge Witches what they think a Hedge Witch is like and each of them could come up with a dozen different answers themselves!!  That said while they follow the same general rules, ie properties and uses for various herbs and practice, they each follow their own unique paths.

Not all Hedge Witches follow Deity.  Though most do have just a general belief in The God and Goddess as in Nature.

Hedge witches are also known as shamans, charmers, healers, and, priest/esses, Rea Beth coined a great term Hedge Mystic. A person who studies and practices the Great Mysteries of Nature.

BB - Imogen 

Resources & Good Reading:

• http://www.angelfire.com/folk/greenwitch/sacred.html
• http://hedgewitchforest.com
• http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=caon&c=words&id=11899
• http://www.scottishpf.org/hedgewitch.html
• http://www.sallymorningstar.com/hed.htm

WW. Olde Herb Names!!

Collaboration Blog with Lee-Anne Mann

Back in the day, we would have used terms such as 'Eye of newt', 'Burning Bush' and even 'Dragon's wort' in our cauldrons for various brews, curses, spells, rituals and potions etc..  Until now we always thought that these words were pretend terms which would give Witches the creepy story embellishments for book..  Terms which are still used today in books but also Tv and Film.  These days its very unlikely to hear real witches use these names like our sisters before us...  Yes that's right!! - Low and behold they are just a simile of plants inc herbs we use today!  The old names refer to what 'it' looked like or what 'it' came from!! 

Listed below is a list of those such terms..  Enjoy!

The magical and ancient folklore name is in bold; the common name is in normal everyday modern name. For spell ingredients please check variations of the name, for example: Goose Blood = Blood Of A Goose, Dog = hound, Donkey = Ass = Mule, Pig = Swine etc.

Adders Tongue  or Tongue of Adder/Snake
Dogstooth Violet or Adder’s Tongue Fern

Ass’s Foot
Coltsfoot

Bear’s Foot
Hellbore

Beehive
Snail Plant

Beggar’s Tick
Cockhold

Bird’s Eye
Speedwell

Blood
Elder sap

Bloody Fingers
Foxglove

Blood from a Head
Lupine

Blood of a Goose
A Mulberry Tree’s Milk

Blood of Ares
Purslane

Blood of Hephaistos
Wormwood

Bone of an Ibis
Buckthorn

Bread and Cheese
Hawthorne

Bull’s Eyes
Marigold

Bull’s Foot
Coltsfoot

Burning Bush
White Dittany

Candlemas Maiden
Snowdrop

Candlewick Plan
Mullein

Calf’s Snout
Toadflax

Cat Gut
Hoary Pea

Cat’s Eye
Star Scabious

Cat’s Foot
Snake Root

Cat’s Milk
Wartwort

Cat’s Paw
Ground Ivy

Chicken Toe
Crawley Root

Cock’s Comb
Yellow Rattle

Crow’s Foot
Cranesbill

Crown for a King
Wormwood

Dew of the Sea
Rosemary

Devil’s Milk
Wartwort

Devil’s Scourge
St Johns Wort

Demon’s Scourge
St Johns Wort

Demon’s Curse
St Johns Wort

Donkey’s Eyes
Cowage Plant

Dove’s Foot
Wild Geranium

Dragon’s Claw
Crawley Root

Dragon’s Eye
Nephalium Loganum

Dragon Wort
Bistort

DwaleDeadly Nightshade/Belladonna

Duck’s Foot
American Mandrake

Eagle
Wild Garlic

Earth Smoke
Fumitory

Elf Wort
Elecampane

Enchanter’s Plant
Vervain

Eye of the Star
Horehound

Englishman’s Foot
Common Plantain

Erba Santa Maria
Spearmint

Everlasting Friendship
Goosegrass

Eye of Christ
Speedwell

Eye of the Day
Daisy

Eye of the Star
Horehound

Eye Root
Goldenseal

Eyes
Aster, Daisy, Eyebright

Fairy Fingers
Foxglove

Fairy Gloves
Foxglove

Fairy Smoke
Indian Pipe

Fat from a Head
Spurge

Felon Herb
Mugwort

Five Finger Grass
Cinquefoil

Flesh and Blood
Tormentil

Foal’s Foot
Coltsfoot

Frog’s Foot
Bulbous Buttercup

From the Loins
Camomile

Goat’s Beard
Vegetable Oyster

Goat’s Foot
Ash Weed

Golden Star
Avens

Grace Of God
St Johns Wort

Hare’s Foot
Clover

Hedgehogs
Medicago Intertexta

Hawk’s Heart
Heart of Wormwood

Honey Lotus
Melilot

Horse Tail
Scouring Rush

Horse Tongue
Hart’s Tongue ( Scolopendrium Vulgare )

Joy of the Mountain
Marjoram

Lamb’s Tongue
Ribwort Plantain

Little Dragon
Tarragon

Lion’s Hair
Leaves Of The Taproot or Tongue of Turnip

Lizard’s Tail
Breast Weed

Lizard’s Tongue
Sauroglossum

Love-In-Idleness
Pansy

Love Man
Goosegrass

Love Parsley
Lovage

Love Root
Orris

Lad’s Love
Southernwood

Maiden’s / Mother’s Ruin
Southernwood or you can also add a dash of Gin

Man’s Bile
Turnip Sap

Man’s Health
Ginseng

Master of the Woods
Woodruff

Masterwort
Angelica

May Lily
Lily of the Valley

May Rose
Black Haw or May Blossom

May
Black Haw or May Blossom

Maypops
Passion Flower

Mistress of the Night
Tuberose

Mother’s Heart
Shepherd’s Purse

Mutton Chops
Goosegrass

Nose Bleed
Yarrow

Old Man’s Beard
Fringe Tree

Old Man’s Flannel
Great Mullein

Old Man’s Pepper
Yarrow

Old Maid’s Nightcap
Geranium

Oliver
Olive

Ox Tongue
Bugloss

Pig’s Tail
Leopard’s Bane

Pig’s Snout
Dandelion

Password
Primrose

Queen of the Meadow
Meadowsweet

Rabbit’s Foot
Field Clover

Ram’s Head
Valerian

Seven Year’s Love
Yarrow

Shepherd’s Heart
Shepherds Purse

Sleep Wort
Lettuce

Snake Head
Balmony

Snake Milk
Blooming Spurge

Snake’s Tongue
Adder’s Tongue Fern

Sorcerer’s Violet
Periwinkle

Stag Horn
Club Moss

Star Flower
Borage

Star of the Earth
Avens

Starweed
Chickweed

Starwort
Aster

Swine Snout
Dandelion

Tears of a Hamadryas Baboon
Dill Juice

Thousand Seal
Yarrow

Thunder Plant
Houseleek

Titan’s Blood
Wild Lettuce

Toad
Toadflax

Toe Of Frog
Bulbous Buttercup

Tongue of Dog
Houndstongue

Torches
Mullein

Unicorn Horn
Helonias Dioica

Unicorn Root
Ague Root

Wax Dolls
Fumitory

Weasel Snout
Dead/Dumb Nettles or Yellow Archangel

Weed
Ox-Eye Daisy

White Man’s Foot
Plantain

White Wood
White Cinnamon

White Ox-Eye
Daisy

Witches Aspirin
While Willow Bark

Witches Bells
Foxglove

Witches Briar
Brier Hips

Witch Herb
Mugwort or St Johns Wort (depending on type of spell)

Witch Wood
Rowan

Wolf Claw
Club Moss

Wolf Foot
Bugle Weed

Wolf’s Bane
Arnica

Wolf’s Milk
Euphorbia

We must admit there are some we haven't even heard of before now!!  We hope you found this enjoyable and who knows it might even be helpful someday!! 

By (Guest) Lee-Anne Mann and (me) Imogen Cane
Blessed Be, x

WW. Lesson: Finding 'My' Element.

Hi everyone,

So I got talking with friends about elements or more importantly how to find yours and how to connect..  I thought it might benefit a few people to have a little mini lesson on this.  Please feel free to add more helpful information to the comment section of this xX

What are the Elements? 

(Please note this information is valuable).

• There's a lot on Elements here - http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/the_elements/the_months_of_the_year.asp 
• This is it. I felt there was a lot of useful element information on here - http://wiccansage.hubpages.com/hub/Wicca-for-Beginners-Elemental-Powers-and-Finding-Your-Element (as always take and use what feels right to you).
• Some more element stuff - http://bluemoonwicca.org/solitary.html
• YOUR ELEMENT & Element information http://wiccadreamersmary.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-elements-are-building-blocks-of.html 

What Element am I?

Now each of us is born under a certain sign (birth Sign) and there for each of us already have an element!  For me (Imogen) I'm a Sagittarius which makes me a fire sign.  - BUT I feel more so connected to Earth!  And I don't feel connected to Air and a little bit to water..  For the longest time I actually felt like I was cheating on Fire!!  Like me and Earth were having some secret love affair and it didn't feel good.  Then I learned that my Chinese Element is Earth!!  Woah!!  So I am born under both Fire and Earth!!  But regardless of this.  You can be born under Water and Metal and still feel you're a Child of The Fire Element.  

So first let’s address "what are my signs / elements" - I highly recommend this site:  https://www.myspiritualprofile.com/ simply because it gives you so much information on your stone, tree, number, day, signs, and elements etc...  

Having done that you should now know a little more about yourself.  How did that feel?  What did you learn? Has this affected you in any way?  - So I suggest writing this information down, also make notes if there's anything there you feel connected with prior, that explains a little about you didn't know about..  Perhaps you just made a few personal connections you didn't even realise - and yes I know how tempting it is to now run off and do the same for your boyfriend, girlfriend, hubby, sibling, parents, best friend, boss, your crush... and while that's fun...  for now I suggest save on confusions and just learn about yourself.  - Now while this is 'YOU' don't take this as 'IT' you don't have to be or feel any of these things.  Eg.  Maroon I hate that colour!  Fig? I don't feel connected to this tree and I definitely am not a fan of Tuesdays!!  Just simply use this as a guide.

I know a lot of people who are 'X' sign and are not connected at all, only a little or they're most connected. Some people are indeed equally connected to all. And some people are connected to none. - While both of these are seemingly quite rare traits it does happen.

How do I find my Element?

Exercise Part 1. I personally feel (credit where it's due) and I would suggest a couple of things.  First being a video by YouTuber 'TipToeChick' I honestly feel her lessons on this would help everyone / anyone and even if you already have an element it could still be a fun exercise for you and a learning curve even.  So here's her video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhAJa4w2Rrw I personally feel it 'starts' from Lesson 2 but feel free to watch Lesson 1.  I personally felt that Lesson 3 / there was no real follow up to this I don't know if she deleted that particular video or what.  But she suggests spending a day with each of the elements and obtaining items from that day and well watch her videos.  I personally love all her videos.  So for me she's a must see beautiful person.  - Full credit to TipToeChick.

Exercise Part 2. You can do this for each of the elements. http://www.wikihow.com/Connect-to-Your-Element cast a circle. making sure you call upon the elements and deity. I personally would bring a couple of items representing that specific element into the circle with you and spend a few HOURS with soothing very quiet music and just spend time meditating. Think about that element. How that element feels, smells, looks (I wouldn't suggest taste though lol). Think how that element came into your life. How do you feel about the element? How do you feel connected? Experiences. How often are you affected by this element? Etc etc. I'd take a notebook and make notes on thoughts and feelings. Also very much interact with your items. For example.

Fire. Candle, matches, charcoal (and cauldron) etc... Watch how the flame moves. The heat it radiates, the colours. The smell. The emotions etc. 

Water. Tap water, Sea water, Rain water, Spring Water, Storm.. Moon... Sun... Holy.... Different water temperatures? Is the water cloudy?  Can you feel the waters energy?  - I recently while on a beach trip found a bottle that had got filled with seawater. I brought this home - no idea what I'll use it for but you never know. But I notice this water is tainted with sand and other sea particles. It's cloudy not clear like tap water. Even rain water seems less transparent. Etc. Again feel how water feels on your skin. Does it smell? How do you feel about it etc.

Air. Feathers, incense (smoke), empty vial of 'air'. ...your lungs. Breath. Smell. Interact. I feel air is possibly the hardest yet the one we all do more so than the others.

Earth. Soil, herbs, plants, flowers etc. Feel textures. Smell... touch, other senses. Etc etc...

In the video TipToeChick did she suggests spending a DAY with each. Go out.. go places. Go to the beach, the woods, a field, your garden. Even big cities still have elements. Elements are everywhere.

Exercise Part 3. You do not NEED to cast a circle or spend a full day. You can simply just interact over any space of time. I would try and dedicate time to each element but you can also revisit this at any time or specific elements at any time. Always feel free to call upon the elements and talk to them. I personally use all elements in my rituals, prayer, spells etc etc. Even Tarot Readings and/or Dowsing. Here's another exercise where basically you can write down what you know about each element.. and then research to find out how accurate your knowledge is regarding 'that element' http://www.wiccantogether.com/profiles/blogs/your-personal-element 

I have my element, now what?

Practice! It really is that simple. Learn about it - this is important. Learn how to wield it to aid you in your magical and/or spiritual practices. As mentioned before I typically use all elements. Though I am more so connected to Earth and Fire. For me connecting to Earth and Fire can be something as simple as herbs for earth and an incense burner for fire. And burning these can enhance mood, state of mind, atmosphere etc. Aiding in relaxation, concentration, sleep, energy... and well a lot of uses. Though Air can also be used in this way and indeed an oil burner can represent water too. Fire connections in Candles and Earth connections in Plants. - This is just me personally. For Air you could try wind chimes. For Water you could try a small water fountain. There are many simple ways to connect with deep meaning.

Learn and study more about this element. How is it used? Who uses it? Deities (Gods/Goddesses)? Why is it used? Seasons and Wheel of The Year? Colour and item representations... Prayer, Ritual, Light Spell Work, Blessings... list goes on.

Challenge:

1. Read the information here and browse the links shared.

2. Write down your given element(s) from https://www.myspiritualprofile.com/ (please note that while your Chinese element may NOT be Earth, Air, Fire or Water).

3. Write down your elemental feelings prior to doing the exercise. If you like do this prior to any research at all and see how it compares up at each stage.

4. Pick one or more exercises to do / try.

5. Write about everything - this can be in a spider diagram, notes, pros and con's list, paragraphs - etc. However you feel comfortable writing, be sure you can reread this at a later date and it'll still make sense to YOU.

6. Keep learning and growing. Try different things. Do your own research.

7. Share any additional finds and helpful information, thoughts, suggestions, ideas, your journey and all that good stuff in the comments below (IF YOU WANT). Feel free to add more pictures to our growing galleries (or ask an Admin if they'd mind doing it for you).

REMEMBER THERE IS NO 'RIGHT OR WRONG' IT IS PERSONAL AND WHAT FEELS RIGHT TO _YOU_. I hope that might have helped some of you xX

Imogen xo