If you are familiar with chakras, then you can tell from my logo that I love chakras.  The rainbow-colored spheres within my logo are representative of the chakra system within the body.

If you are unfamiliar, here’s a quick lesson: There are seven energy centers called chakras (literally “wheels”) that store energy/life force/prana. They are along the spinal column and correlate to major nerve ganglia branching forth from the spinal column. Each has a different relationship to a gland in the body’s endocrine system. Each stimulates different organs and systems in the body. Hatha Yoga activates these energy centers releasing the energy that flows through the spine. Yoga helps these energy centers/nerve bundles to function correctly clearing blocks that may be there. Each chakra also is associated with a mental/emotional focus. In each newsletter I’ll highlight how you can work with a particular chakra to correspond with the season.

 

“The Wee Folk” Elementals ~ A Magical Way to Play With Your Chakras

 

In honor of St. Patrick’s day in this month of March, I started this newsletter (for the “full newsletter” click here) with the story of my magical, childhood book on Fairies and Elves finding its way back to me (with  the help of Amazon). In this “Chakrascope” section, let’s touch upon the “Wee Folk” one more time! My regular readers know I believe in the magic and encourage others to be open to it. It’s all energy—Albert Einstein would agree.

Where magic is concerned, there is always an initial decision, an initial willingness to let it enter your life. If that is not there neither is magic. ~ Neil Gaiman

Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. ~ Roald Dahl

That’s the thing with magic. You’ve got to know it’s still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you. ~ Charles de Lint

“If you do not believe in magic, your life will not be magical.  Magic, like the power of Stonehenge, is part of the unknowable—that which you cannot describe, but which exists and makes your life extraordinary.” –The Power Deck, The Cards of Wisdom, by Lynn V. Andrews.

When our ancestors encountered or experienced magical energies, they gave it their own “name” as an identifier. In Yoga, the Chakras are energy centers in the body storing life force / prana / chi / energy.  Re-read the opening paragraphs to this section for more details. I repeat this section every newsletter as a touch-base reminder reference.

Your energy centers / chakras have a corresponding element in nature, as do your Ayurvedic Doshas. In the Vedic sciences, Jyotish (astrology) is given special importance. This science also corresponds to the elements. Sometimes Archangels take on this role:  for instance Michael, Archangel of the Sun, is linked with Fire, and Gabriel, the Archangel of the Moon, with Water. Each direction has a corresponding element. One system connects the North with Earth, East with Air, South with Fire and West with Water. Feng Shui also uses the elements. The list goes on. The elements are considered to be the building blocks of life. Throughout history we have continually referenced the elements as a way to make sense of our world.

Did you know that the elements correspond to the faerie realm? In Ireland, the “Wee Folk” are part of their historical heritage:

“The Irish Folklore Commission (Coimisiún Béaloideasa Éireann in Irish) was set up in 1935 by the Irish Government to study and collect information on the folklore and traditions of Ireland.

Originally founded and directed by James Hamilton Delargy, it eventually finished in 1971. Its roles were superseded by the Department of Irish Folklore in University College, Dublin which has since served as a repository of the data collected, including the Irish Folklore Collection.”

It is said those that can see the “Wee Ones” are those that stay “close to the elements” of nature—who relate to the landscape. Perhaps if we all made it a point to connect with nature on a daily basis, like our bodies are meant to, understanding the energies of the elements would not be such a foreign subject.

Can you open yourself up to the possibility that when our ancestors encountered the “Wee Folk”, they were experiencing energy? Your crystal watch runs on the energy of that crystal. You don’t consider that woo-woo, do you? Your microwave uses energy to heat your food. It’s scientifically proven that everything is energy. Nothing is really solid. Some research speculates that the energy of computers, cell phones, and microwaves may affect our bodies.

The elements of nature are considered the building force of the Universe. Now there’s some energy! The elements also make their appearance in the world of the “Little People” as “Elementals”: There’s an elemental spirit of the Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.

“Rather than being creatures with a permanent form, the elementals are the forces or energies that in nature and magic give shape to living things and bring thoughts and desires into actuality, for example seeds into flowers and trees…They take on a particular form for a particular task…The elemental beings, as manifestations of these forces, are believed to occupy a kingdom between the material and spiritual plane and so act as a bridge between the two dimensions. The four elements can be regarded as one of the focused energy sources that for centuries were believed to be the building blocks of life.” A Complete Guide to Faeires & Magical Beings, by Cassandra Eason.

I’ve offered many ways to “work with” your chakras in this Chakascope section. How about “playing with” your chakras instead? Maybe channeling your inner child / playful side will manifest the energy you’re looking for? It’s worth a try. Don’t you think? Just let it be fun! Remember fun?  Just for today, try summoning the energy of the Little People / Wee Folk / Faerie to awaken your chakras.

First chakra—earth element—Gnomes are considered to be the spirit of the earth, as well as leprechauns, dwarves and the sidhe. I have a friend who collects gnomes and likes to imagine them coming to life in the evening much like the movie, Gnomeo and Juliet. Point being—get outside and connect with nature, plant a garden and decorate it with gnomes. If you’re feeling more playful, meditate near your gnome collection outside, or perhaps near your favorite tree envisioning the roots below (tree roots are often considered home to the earth elementals) to connect to earth energy.

Second chakra—water element—Mermaids, undines, selkies, among others, are considered the spirit of water. Mermaids and water fairies appear across several cultures. Why is that? They can’t all be wrong! Do you like the ocean? Do you love to swim? Do you consider the “energy” of the water to be magical? Then play in your magic. Swim, go boating, run through the sprinklers, drink lots and lots of water. Go with the flow of life and let go of your worries. Hey, it’s Easter soon—celebrate Dyngus day! This is Easter Monday and in the Polish tradition (have you checked my last name?), this is the day to sprinkle each other with water—use squirt guns, buckets—whatever inspires you. In my hometown of South Bend, IN, Dyngus Day is celebrated much like a Polish St. Patrick’s day.

Third chakra—fire element—salamanders and fire sprites are considered fire element “Wee Folk”. This is the element of heat and light. Energetically this connects you to your desire in life. What is your passion? Take one small step toward it. What’s holding you back? Build a fire, write what’s “blocking you” on a piece of paper, and burn it. Not sure what your passion is? Stare into a flame and dwell on the question. Your answer is within.

Four chakra—air element—Sylphs and flying sprites are known as the spirit of air / wind. They may appear as butterflies or dragonflies (but those of us in the know know better, don’t we?). Notice them in your environment and connect to them mentally. They are associated with transformation. What is your transformation plan? This is your breath of life chakra, your heart chakra. It’s spring! How can you transform yourself into the butterfly of your choice? Move through your world in a new way—drive a new way to work, use your non-dominant hand once a day, notice which foot you lead with and switch, shake it up! Practice deep breaths. There are many breathwork practices you can try. (If breathwork interests you, please see the meditation/breathwork class I offer.)

Fifth chakra—ether or space element—some say “mineral” element as well. Since historically there is no element in the world of the “Wee Folk” associated with “ether, space, or mineral”, connect to your fifth / throat chakra by expression. The “Little People” love joyful dance and song. They understand the importance of celebration! Sing and dance daily! Use your throat chakra to sing as you dance to your favorite tunes. An uplifted spirit attracts the “Little People’s” energy.

Sixth chakra—nature element. The “elementals” are all about nature! Go outside! Enliven your body by connecting to nature! Embrace the outside! This is your “third eye” chakra. Using your intuition uses all of your senses and zones you into what feels right. Our circadian rhythms are balanced when you spend time outside. What feels right when you feel balanced? Everything!

Seventh chakra—spirit element—“Spirit is the energy that connects all the elements. Everything in this and other worlds has a spirit that makes it magical. As a result, spirit is often considered the fifth element or the union of all the other elements. This union forms the divine quintessence. Within fairy ritual, spirit is a key component and dwells in the center of the circle, symbolizing its role as the connector of all things.” The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Elves and Fairies by Sirona Knight.

In the chakra system, the seventh chakra is considered “enlightenment”—connection to the Universe / Spirit / God. I can think of no better way than to work with all of the elementals, oh so briefly described above, to connect to your Universe. Enlighten yourself through daily ritual with the “Little People”.

This was a brief, playful list of suggestions. Use your imagination!

The following Irish blessing incorporates the elements and is one of my absolute favorite blessings. If I weren’t Polish, I’d want to be Irish. Enjoy!

May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And, until we meet again
may God hold you in the palm of His hand. ~ Traditional Gaelic blessing.