I've heard from people who say they aren't always comfortable with the traditional element/direction correspondences. Some make adjustments to suit their own locations, such as a person who lives on the east coast of the United States may chose to associate east with water rather than with the more traditional air. It's hard to ignore a huge ocean to the east.

The most commonly used set of correspondences is: North - Earth, South - Fire, West - Water and East - Air. Why are these elements linked to these directions? It does seem rather arbitrary, even though many Wiccans and Pagans today use and accept them.

If you're anything like me, over time you have accumulated a mixed collection of herbs, oils and incenses. What do you do with it all? Stuff everything into a shoebox, still in their original packages? Or display it on an altar? Whatever your storage method, you might want to think about what is best for the items, rather than what is best for you. Herbs can go stale, oils can go rancid and incense can go bland, if left in the wrong conditions for any length of time.

Herbs

A book of guided meditations for Pagans.

• Written by Yasmine Galenorn
• Published by Crossing Press
• Softcover, 200 pages
• ISBN: 1-58091-155-2
• Previously published as "Trancing the Witch's Wheel"

I've been waiting for a book like this for a long time. The first section is about how to meditate and how to best use the book, but the rest of it is made up of guided meditation scripts.

What You'll Need:

• Black cloth
• Spring water
• 1 white candle
• Sandalwood incense
• Bowl

Instructions:
Cast your circle in your usual manner. Drape the black cloth over the altar, or wherever you are doing this spell. Place the bowl of spring water on the cloth. Light the candle, and place it to one side of the bowl. No other lights should be on. Light the incense and place it on the other side. Chant the words below:

All times are in the Eastern Standard timezone (EST)

December 23rd, 2007 8:16pm

January 22nd, 8:35am

February 20th, 10:31pm

March 21st, 2:40pm

April 20th, 6:25am

Bide you the Wiccan laws you must, in perfect love and perfect trust.
Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the circle thrice about, to keep the unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch, speak little and listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the Wiccan rune.
Widdershins go by the waning moon, chanting out the baleful tune.

Raising children along a Pagan path can be difficult, especially in today's world. These books can give some guiding advice to Pagan parents who don't have any role models to turn to.

Pentacle
The five-pointed star within a circle is the most common Pagan symbol, and it is typically used to identify oneself as a Pagan or Wiccan. The five points represent the 4 elements plus the spirit, and the circle connects them all. A five-pointed star without the circle is sometimes called a pentagram, rather than a pentacle. Based on numerology, the five points means the pentacle symbolizes the Earth element and can be used as an Earth symbol on an altar.