Which way do you face and why? (rituals, experience, spiritual)

[Draka]

You set out your candles, arrange your altar, cast your circle and call the quarters...which direction do you find yourself facing and why? Do you face east because so many books tell you to do so, or for another reason of your own? Do you face a direction other than east and why do you find yourself pulled to face that way?

[Luke Wolf]

I've never seen much significance in facing a particular direction. I will usually end up facing north, north/west, or west for some reason.

[UltraViolet]

Hi Draka,
I'm not Wiccan,
but I do participate in my own personal form(s) of Majik,
so perhaps my response may be of interest to you?

My "style" of majik
is one of spontenaity, improvisation & syncronicity.

in this season...
my exercise step is my altar
unless it's not.
today my sons black gym mats became my altar.

Step it up? or Lay it down?
We shall find out today.

What direction do I face?
Where are there no toys on the floor?
Where do I fit in today?
How do I feel...
is there something in particular I want to face?...
as I actively step up in faith of a NEW vision?

Inspiration & Syncronicity
guide my steps,
and illuminate my ways.....

Sign & Symbol
are the mystery of the day.

[Azakel]

I face east, not because so many books say so, but the way my room is set up it's the best and nicest way to have it in my room. Plus even though I have a basement room I can see the Sun rise(for morning rituals), and the Moon(night rituals) from my window. So I face east.

[Draka]

To answer my own question...I find that the direction I face has to do with how my life is going at the moment. I found myself facing east most of the time I was in college, west when I was going through emotional turmoil and dealing with a failed marriage and divorce, and now I find that I am most comfortable facing north. I have found that focusing towards the elements that are most prominent in my life at the moment it has helped me to make more powerful/spiritual rituals.

[Gentoo]

I usually like to face North so I can sit in the South, but I'll face whatever direction the mood strikes me to sit in.

[UltraViolet]

Originally Posted by Draka

To answer my own question...I find that the direction I face has to do with how my life is going at the moment. I found myself facing east most of the time I was in college, west when I was going through emotional turmoil and dealing with a failed marriage and divorce, and now I find that I am most comfortable facing north. I have found that focusing towards the elements that are most prominent in my life at the moment it has helped me to make more powerful/spiritual rituals.

Would you mind sharing with me Draka (or anyone else as well)
what the "elements" of the different directions are?
I have no knowledge of this kind.

What was the significance of "east" when you were in college?
Why west in your turmoil? Is there some elemental symbolism there?

Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and experience with me!

[Draka]

Originally Posted by theNEWreality

Would you mind sharing with me Draka (or anyone else as well)
what the "elements" of the different directions are?
I have no knowledge of this kind.

What was the significance of "east" when you were in college?
Why west in your turmoil? Is there some elemental symbolism there?

Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and experience with me!

I hope you don't mind, but as I have already written this out in my BOS I'm just going to paste it here to avoid me having to retype it. I hope this helps.


The Elements

In Wicca we recognize that there are five elements. These being: Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Spirit. Spirit is considered to be our and everything’s center. It is symbolized with the altar candle in the center of a cast circle. The altar candle is usually white to symbolize the Goddess and the purity that She stands for. White is the accumulation of all colors and therefore is the center balancing point for all rituals.

Air is symbolized by the color yellow and the compass direction of East. The element of the mind, ideas, inspiration, thoughts, and the many spirit guardians of the East. The Elementals (guardians) of Air are Sylphs, Zephyrs, and certain winged fairies.

Fire is symbolized by the color red and the compass direction of South. The element of energy, spirit, passion, strength, and the associated guardians. The Elementals of Fire are: small fire dragons, Salamanders, and Firedrakes.

Water is symbolized by the color blue and the compass direction of West. The element of emotions, moods, healings, purification, subconscious mind, psyche, sleep, and dreams. The Elementals of Water are: Nymphs, Undines, Mer-folk, and tiny fairies of water plants.

Earth is symbolized by the color green and the compass direction of North. The element of body, healing, growth, fertility, prosperity, stability, and success. The Elementals of Earth are: Gnomes, Dwarves, Trolls, and land fairies (same size as us).

All the elements come into play in not just our ritual work, but in every aspect of our lives. They are the very balance that is needed in all life. Without one, the others would not work the same and your life would become chaotic. Try to remember how important it is to be as balanced with the elements as you can and life will go much smoother for you.