Alchemical Air

If earth is the pillar of all possibilities, then air is the pillar of interconnected conscious recognition. Air is seeing. Air is knowing. Air is understanding. Air is learning.

The element of air is often simplified to knowledge, language, and the mental space. And while the energy of air does represent such communication and mental processes, especially on an individual level, it extends further, making up the collective consciousness of all life, as air is the communal breath of sentience. The elements are present in all of us but their truth is greater than any one individual.

The ability to receive or express information through multiple channels of possibilities is a learned skill dictated by the energy of air. These channels include speech through all spoken and sign languages, body languages and micro movements, noise and general sounds, smells, written words, imagery and expressive arts. These channels also branch into inter-species communication. The relationships we develop with pets or an unspoken energetic understanding between a human and a wild animal passing by is related to the shared space of existence between air.

I believe the energy of air, this collective consciousness and the practicum of such, includes psychic abilities. Because what are these abilities except the skills of receiving and expressing oneself? Psychic abilities are a natural extension of the senses we already utilize. Clairvoyance for clear seeing. Clairaudience for clear hearing. Claircognizance for clear knowing. And so on. The discipline of engaging with unseen energies is the act of engaging not only with the watery elements of the unknown but with the energy of air as a tool and means.

We reside in the realm of earth, Unknown/soul/divinity resides in the realm of water, and air bridges these two worlds together. Air then becomes the horse of movement, a container for travel, a conductor of reactionary activity. Air has the ability to carry all elements across its currents. The clouds are made of water, fire spreads wild, and plant seeds drift to new homes.

Air energy is really alchemy. Its energy moves at the speed of thought. It bends light to formulate perception. It contains different chemical particles, seeds, debris, and acts as a messenger and initiator for transmission. Air is a vessel for all wavelengths—sounds, UV, radio, micro, gamma— and energy or magic. Air can be illusive and illusionary, crisp and healing, or dangerous and deadly. Knowledge truly is power and freedom. Our voice is a strength. Our opinions shape our realities. Our essence flows in the winds.

Perception is a vital necessity of life that makes up the rules for how we engage with the world. If our fundamental understanding of the world begins to crumble our sense of inner Truth crumbles as well. Perception is simply belief. And with the energy of air, belief is a powerful tool. If you believe in something strong enough it becomes a cornerstone for how you interact with the world, affecting areas of life from self-confidence to physical health—the placebo effect.

Belief, perception, and air energy can be used towards our own benefit to create positive impacts on our life. This can look like the use of affirmations, glamor magic, breath work, music and songs, working with the winds of change, traveling, perusing a sense of freedom, studying, and fully expressing yourself.

Air teaches us that life is breath. Living is experienced knowledge and the freedom that results from authenticity. Air shows us how to be adaptable. To erode, flow, and drift. To be cold and dreary or warm and comforting. To lift our eyes and ride along the winds. Air is subtle and compassionate. Air is unforgiving and unrelenting. To be wildly unconventional and free. It encourages the entanglement of disorderly release and provides a push towards the leap of faith.

The misuse of air energy becomes like a tornado destroying all in its path. Our tongue acts as sharp as a knife, reactive and defensive. Our mind scattered and directionless. The dangers of misinformation and intellectual manipulation can be apparent— either being utilized maliciously for one’s own gain or used as fuel for the internal tornado of self-destruction. The breath turns rigid and harsh, detaching what ropes and roots that were once grounding us. This imbalance of excessive air energy can lash out at those around you or take its dangers internally, driving you to ruminate restlessly or have difficulty calming the thoughts building a pressure that demands release.

Compacted air is a hazard because air finds stability in expansive spaciousness. This is ultimately a lesson of control and inner Truth. Trying to wrangle an energy we can’t see is futile. Trying to control things we have no business controlling is vain. Our inner Truth is comprised of our perceptions and beliefs but the inability to be adaptable or let things go completely undermines the foundation of our own expansiveness.

When air energy shows up in our lives, head the call, whether it be warning or clarity. Acknowledgement and awareness are the tools for transformation. Nothing is so permanent it cannot be eroded. But we can stand tall on this cliff, knowing that the cycles of change are ever in motion. Bad days come and go. So take flight, just as a butterfly, and let the cool breeze carry you along.

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Alyssa

Connecting to Air Energy

Meditation: Breath work, belly breathing, nostril breathing, meditations for mental clarity, meditate on the guardians of air energy, mindfulness practices for awareness

Journaling: poetry, word vomiting, affirmations, vlogs, write what air energy feels like to you, automatic writing, whisper your pains/dreams to the wind

Exploration: rock climbing, embracing the wind, dance, sing, sound baths, explore what freedom means to you, aromatherapy, talk to plants, cloud scrying

Knowledge: ornithology, bird watching, aviation/aerodynamics, science of wind energy, debate or improv classes, music, glamor magic, transformation or movement magic, communication/Truth magic

Crafts: bird feeders, wind chimes, incense making, use feathers or bells for art, craft wings, paint butterflies or insects of flight, use seeds or plants that thrive in wind