Earth Element
From spirit down into physicality, the Earth Element is the manifestation point of all the other elements; Without it, nothing would actually exist.
Life would be a fluidic melting pot of boundless flow. Form, stillness, depth, foundations and boundaries are earthen lessons and grounding is key.

From the soil beneath our feet, all life grows.  To fully understand the earth, you just need to sit under an ancient tree and be still.

Earth Element people are loyal, nurturing, solid like a mountain and have strong foundations and beliefs. They have a deep presence but can be rigid in their thoughts and stagnant if they don't move their body.

Cypress - Thuja Occidentalis 
I wanted to talk collectively about the family, as the names can be interchangeable depending on species. For these castings, I've used Thuja Occidentalis (also called White Cedar) because of its intricate leaf shapes which look beautiful translated in silver.
These trees have many teachings and vary depending on the species. They take you on a journey of transformation and purification by igniting the internal fire within.
They give us the magic and wisdom associated with physicality; healing,  money, luck and protection; but also teach us to be adaptable. These trees can live for thousands of years, their roots running deep down into the heart of the earth, growing up to reach the heights of the sky. This teaches us that to reach success, that being within thyself, relationships, business, we need to create strong foundations first; foundations and boundaries.  Because how can we truly grow, stand strong and achieve greatness if we give all of our power away?  Its planetary ruler is Saturn.

Water is Flowing, ever changing. Trust and intuition.  Feeling with every great breath all that is around you. Water is a conduit. It holds information as ancient as the primordial sea itself. Combining Willow tree and Larimar together in this beautiful combination is a reminder to allow yourself to Be.

Whether that is in your emotions, physicality, stillness in the mind or spirit, a gentle reminder to the great wisdom that is held within every cell in your body; That when you trust in YOUR innate wisdom, the emotional intelligence that will shine through will give you the strength and courage to walk your highest path.
Because you are in flow, all that is needed comes, due to the unwavering trust.
Water people are deep. Their sensitivity is magical, and to learn how to be Water gives you the knowledge of the universe.
Without water- the wisdom of the earth cannot be delivered.

Willow - Geijera parviflora
(It was super exciting when I was able to find Geijera parviflora, the Australian native Willow, out in the valley near where I live, for the casting. These trees have always been very special to my heart, and I was so grateful to find one so close to home).

The Willow tree has a long history in myth, lore and magic, no matter what tradition or folklore you follow. The Grandmother; she teaches us the great strength that comes from being adaptable and flexible. To stay calm, centred, and balanced within when the world around you tries to bring you down. This comes from her ability to bend under massive pressure and not break. This holds great symbology to move with life, and not fight it, surrendering to the process. She holds the key to releasing deep emotional pain, letting the waters flow and be released. The trees' ability to root down and grow anew, even in some of the harshest conditions, shows us the potential for renewed life, endurance and faith that you will not only survive but also thrive if you believe in your strength.

Alone with myself,
The trees bend to caress me,
The shade hugs my heart.
– Candy Polgar

Fire is expressive passion. It's action, movement, energy, transformation and transmutation.
Warmth, heat and vitality give life. From the spark of intuitive insight, fire creates the catalyst needed to be birthed into physicality. 

Fire people speak and act straight from the heart. They are fun, spontaneous, with an abundance of energy that flows from them in every direction.
Without heart driven purpose, they can be impulsive or impatient; They may want to skip to the end without going through the process to get there. A gentle reminder that it's the journey, not the destination, that makes joy out of life.

Elder is the teacher in the ways of the forest, medicine, energy of the seasons, the cycles, boundaries and structures that move. A remembrance within our hearts and minds; she grew by the front gate of every home, watching over like a loving mother. She helps us see beyond the physical structures of the world and into the spirit. She is highly protective, teaching us that to be, we must derive power from within; to be of this world is to be in this world.
Elder is nurturing, transformational and cleansing; "with Nature, I transform my world."

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Through healing and protection, the Eucalyptus Tree works quickly to clear a pathway to health. Not only is it fast-acting on the respiratory system and how we breathe, but keywords here are also clearing, and cleansing negative cycles; working when someone is stagnant, scattered or life seems fragmented.
Working with this tree embodies an activation in the heart and throat chakras, bringing unison to deliver balance and wisdom. Old repeating cycles fall away to new pathways, and new wisdom organises thoughts and feelings to bring about realisations. Its planetary ruler is the moon.

Spirit or Aether is the interconnectedness of all things. It is the breath of life, the space between spaces, the bridge between worlds. It is Chi or Prana; the divine wisdom and communication that happens within cells.
Without it we cease to exist.
For this element, the combination of 2 plants was chosen to work alongside Herkimer Diamond: The twig of sage and the leaf from Aya. Together they bridge the higher realm of spirit to physicality, while Herkimer enables a powerful, highly spiritual connection and the ability to remove outer influences so that clear thought can be brought through.
The blending of thoughts and emotions to create one mind while giving you clarity with deeper insight and understanding, bringing your awareness to the higher aspects of Self, gifting you back down into your physical body.

White sage - Salvia Apiana
The White Sage embodies some of the highest wisdom of the plant kingdom. It holds the essence of purity, embodied wisdom, and the practical application of spirituality. .
This sacred path assists with integrating the spiritual and physical worlds, dissolving the boundary between the mundane day to day world, and our spiritual life.
White Sage helps to bring knowledge from the mind down into the heart, where it is embodied and transmuted into wisdom.
It is the plant representation of turquoise, whose simple purpose is the spirit of the earth, which gives you more of an idea of the magic this plant brings into our hearts.
This is an amazing plant to work with in times of meditation, contemplation and ceremony.
Its planetary ruler is Mercury, corresponding to the air element or aether depending on whether you're looking at the 4th element or 5th element philosophy. 


Banisteriopsis caapi (commonly known as Ayahuasca) is considered in Amazonian mythology the Mother of all plant medicines, and the Grandmother.
It is the plant you communicate with to learn the wisdom of all plants. This is why it holds such a special place in the shamanic realms, and why I wanted to work with it for the spirit element.  The indigenous tribes of Peruvian Amazon believed that Ayahuasca was a plant from which humanity emerged. Peruvian shamans call the plant spirit within the vine ‘Abuela Ayahuasca,’ or Grandmother Ayahuasca.
There is a profound history and lore that surrounds Ayahuasca. She is used as a wise teacher and healer, with many communing with her in higher altered states, returning changed with a deeper appreciation and connection to the greater world.

I wanted to share this plant because it is a powerful nootropic plant that works in the realm of spirit. I believe that all plants can be sat with in quiet contemplation, meditation and ceremony without the need to consume or burn them, though that’s okay too if you’re called.
I think we have this belief that only certain plants can open you up, or give insights to the higher realms, but your mint growing on the window sill holds just as much insight and wisdom as the know sacred plants. Different plants growing under different elemental, planetary conditioning will share their wisdom in very different ways. Some more subtle than others.
*I am very lucky to know of an Ayahuasca plant that grows locally, so am able to sit in meditation with her when ever I feel guided. I asked her permission before removing her leaf and asked if I was able to make castings before doing so.