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The Four Elements
A Centering Meditation
(Similar to the Two Powers
Meditation of ADF, or the Light Body Meditation of OBOD)
(This meditation may be done as part of the Tuatha de Brighid Basic Clanfolk Ritual
outline, “Ash, Oak, and Fir”; as part of any other Druid rite; or alone, as a
rite in itself. It is shown here as a full rite. If used as part of another rite, use only
the Oak or Offering phase.)
Ash - Arriving Phase
 | Light candles and incense as you wish,
but there should be an unlit candle in the Center, as well as the Incense, some stones or
earth, and a bowl of water. These symbolize the Four Elements.
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| Enter from the East. Circle sunwise to
the West, and sit facing Eastward toward the Center. Be silent.
Light the Candle in the Center, sound a musical note, and say a prayer of Beginnings.
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| Go to the East and say, “May
there be Peace in the East.”
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| Go to the South and say, “May
there be Peace in the South.”
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| Go to the West and say, “May
there be Peace in the West.”
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| Go to the North and say, “Mat
there be Peace in the North.”
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| Draw a Circle with your finger or wand
or staff, sunwise, from the North back around to the North again.
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| Go to the Center, visualize Peace
throughout the Earth, and the Circle within which you stand. Say, “May there be Peace
in this Circle, and throughout the whole Earth.”
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| Sit where you are comfortable within
the Circle, and be silent.
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When you are ready . . .
Oak - The Offering Phase
The Four Elements Meditation
(In all cases, the wording is a suggestion. Say something like . . . )
“Earth beneath me, Sustainer of
Life;
Air around me, Inspiring all Life;
Fire of Stars above me, Empowerment of Life;
Water within me, Refreshing of Life.”
(Adepts will be able to enter into
Centering on the Elements with these words alone.A fuller meditation follows for those who
desire it.)
Earth
Take the stones or dirt in your hand if
you wish, or picture it with your Otherworld sight. Sit quietly, become aware of your
breathing, and your body. Become aware of your Grove around you. Feel the ground under
you, and become aware of the Earth. Image a tap root extending from your body down into
the ground, into the rich, fertile Earth, through stones and roots, through Earth
creatures and bedrock. Feel your rootedness in the Earth. Be one with the Earth.
Say something like: “May the stability, richness, and fertility of the Earth be
always a part of my being.”
When you are ready . . .
Air
Take the incense holder in your hand, if
you wish, or picture it with your Otherworld sight. Smell the incense smoke rising around
you. Breathe deeply and feel the Air enter your body. If you are outdoors, feel the breeze
blowing across your skin. (If you are inside, you may wish to use a small fan so that you
can feel the Air moving about you.) Let your awareness begin in your lungs, and emerge
from your nose and mouth to spread outward from your body in a dome. Sense the Air all
around you. Extend your awareness farther, through clouds, through flying birds, and be
aware of the Air that envelopes you and all the Earth. Be one with the Air.
Say something like: “May the Life-giving purity of the Air inspire me, enrich my
blood, and be always a part of my being.”
When you are ready . . .
Fire
Take the candle in your hand, if you
wish, or picture it with your Otherworld sight. Feel the warmth of the flame as it glows
before you. Imagine the Stars overhead, or, if you prefer, the Sun. Imagine Sun or Star
directly overhead, beaming light and warmth through the Heavens toward Earth, toward you
where you
sit. Down, down through the atmosphere, the beam travels, the energy-giving, living power
of Fire. Imagine it entering your head and illuminating the brain cavity. Your brow begins
to glow, as your head is filled with Light. Fire in your eyes is a sign to the World of
your inspiration. Imagine the Light traveling down further, to
your heart, Fire of Love; to your stomach, Fire of Metabolism; to your loins, Fire of
Creation. Feel your oneness with Fire.
Say something like: “May the empowering energy of the Fires of the Universe ever be a
part of my being.”
When you are ready . . .
Water
Take the bowl of Water in your hands, if
you wish, or picture it with your Otherworld sight. Dip your fingers in it. Feel the cool
wetness. Raise it to your lips and drink, a deep drink. Feel the cool wetness as it goes
down your throat and enters your stomach. If you are carefully aware, you can feel it
begin to radiate out
through you body’s tissues. Feel the coolness as it spreads through your cells. Be
aware of the water that makes up most of your body. Let your memory go back to the
womb-water from whence these waters came, and further back to the sea water from which
your ancestors emerged. Feel the currents and tides your bodily fluids. Be at one with
Water.
Say something like: “May the cleansing and refreshing power of Water ever be a part
of my being.”
Resolution:
Sit in silence. Feel the Elements surrounding you. Be in balance between and among them.
When you are ready, if you wish, perhaps repeat the opening prayer, or other words . . .
“Earth beneath me, Sustainer of
Life;
Air around me, Inspiring all Life;
Fire of Stars above me, Empowerment of Life;
Water within me, Refreshing of Life.”
Fir -
Farewelling Phase
| Open your eyes, and return to your
natural sight
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| Thank the Elements
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| Beginning with the North and going
counter-Sunwise to each Direction, say “Light and Life to the North”
(“West, South, East”)
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| Undo the Circle, going counter-Sunwise
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| Sound a musical signal
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| The Rite is concluded
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TdB
Copyright 1998
May be reproduced without alteration, with this notice
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