The elements make up everything around us, they are within us and all around us in nature and even in man-made objects.
Earth:
The element of Earth represents grounding and keeping our feet on the ground. It is the element closest to the physical world as it is linked to our own physical planet. Earth governs responsibility, money, security, loyalty, business, stability and growth. Earth is considered by many to be the foundation for each of the other elements as without it they would not exist.Earth is represented in the North (or South for those in the Southern Hemisphere), it rules the season of Winter and is represented by forests, gardens, caves, valleys and fields.
Those born under the Astrological signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are considered Earth personalities. Earth personalities tend to be very family orientated, are grounded and very practical people. Earth personalities need to grow continuously and may feel confined if they are not allowed to do so – they love to be doing something at all times and are often natural gardeners or find work within natural therapies working with herbs and oils.
Within magick, Earth is represented by the Pentacle, earth (dirt) or salt. It is generally associated with Thursdays and the Winter Solstice. The element of Earth is called upon for spells and rituals involving money and finances, growth, gardening, business, horticulture, male fertility, career and work, happiness and family stability.
Correspondences of Earth:
Sabbats/Season: Winter Solstice, Yule.
Day/Times: Thursdays, Night/evening – particularly midnight.
Zodiac /Tarot: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. The suit of pentacles, The Devil.
Planets: Saturn, Earth
Animals/Elementals: Bull, Cow, Stag, Deer, Bison, (all horned animals), dog, bear, snake, wolf, ant, horse. Gnomes, Dwarves, Brownies, Trolls.
Colour: Earthy tones, browns, black, white, gold and dark green.
Chakra: Root Chakra
Deities: Adonis, Athos, Arawyn, Gaia, Diana, Persephone, Cernunnos, Pan, Thor, Herne, Marduk, Demeter, Epona, Rhiannon.
Symbols: Upside down triangle with horizontal line across. Circle with a cross in the centre marking four quarters. Caves, Valleys, dirt, salt, grounding, farmland, pentacles, rocks & stones, hag stones.
Tools: Pentacle, Earth (dirt), salt, stones, cord.
Gemstones: Raw stones and crystals, rocks in general, quartz, bedrock, jet, emerald, tourmaline, granite, peridot, onyx, jasper – all rocks and stones particularly brown or black
Herbs: Cedar, Cypress, Comfrey, Ivy, Grains and Seeds, Honeysuckle, Patchouli, Motherwort, Primrose, Sage, Vetivert, Nuts, Oak, Mugwort, Nutmeg, Salt.
Air:
The element of Air represents our intellect, thought, mentality and memory. Air is the most ethereal of the four main elements as it helps create balance between them.Air is represented by the East and the season of Spring (like all elements, those practicing in the Southern hemisphere may be drawn to reverse the direction and/or season). Air is associated with change, travel, thoughts and ideas, creativity and study.
Personalities of those born under the influence of Air, or Astrological signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, tend to be more analytical in their way of doing things. Air types are rational thinkers who like to plan ahead and have every piece of information available before making their decisions. They enjoy intelligent conversations as well as a good debate! The shadow aspect of this element and personality trait is that they can become too critical and potentially paranoid leading them to live in their own fantasy world.
In magick, Air is represented by the wand, feathers, censer and incense (some paths also include Athame or Sword). It is associated with the time of Dawn and any spells or rituals involving study, memory, practical and creative endeavors along with psychic work and manifestations. Air is also connected to communication.
Correspondences of Air:
Sabbats/Season: Ostara, Spring
Day/Times: Zodiac /Tarot: Dawn/Day break, Aquarius, Gemini and Libra. Suit of Air or Swords (traditionally), The Fool and the Kings.
Planets: Mercury
Animals/Elementals: Birds, particularly Hawk, Eagle and Falcon. Insects and Spiders. Fairies and Sylphs, Dragons.
Colour: White, light blue, lavender, grey (light grey), yellow – colours of dawn, pastels.
Chakra: Third Eye
Deities: Mercury, Hermes, Thoth, Shu, Arianrhod, Ostara, Aradia, Athena, Urania, Nuit, Iris
Symbols: Upright triangle with horizontal line through it, circle with a dot in the centre. Tornados and whirlwinds, leaves blowing.
Tools: Wand/Athame (depending on personal preferences), Feathers, Incense, Censer
Gemstones: Amber, Citron, Blue Quartz, Blue Chalcedony, Blue Lace Agate, Topaz, Fluorite, Amethyst, Howlite, yellow and blue stones – gems in general.
Herbs: Acacia, Almond, Apple, Anise, Benzoin, Comfrey, Cypress, Citrus peel and fruits, Clover, Fern, Frankincense, Gum Arabic, Bergamot, Honeysuckle, Horehound, Ivy, Lavender, Lemongrass (most lemon herbs), Mugwort, Myrrh, Oakmoss, Pansy, Parsley, Peppermint, Primrose, Sage, Vervain, Violet, Yarrow, Vanilla.
Fire:
The Element of Fire is associated with the Sun and rules passion, desire, imagination and creativity. Fire not only cleanses and purifies, but it also causes destruction and is often seen to represent death and rebirth most commonly in the aspect of the birth of the God.
Traditionally, Fire rules the South, however many in the Southern Hemisphere reverse this when casting a circle to be called in the North quarter - toward the equator where the Earth is at its’ hottest.
Fire is the only element which can not naturally exist without another, it needs to consume another element in order to physically exist. This does not make it “scary” or dark, it simply means it needs a spark to ignite it’s fiery passion. We too need that spark or an idea or feeling in order to use our own fire within to create and give birth to our ideas and aspirations.
In witchcraft, fire is commonly used in spells to increase energy, passion, love and lust, courage, new beginnings, strength and protection, power, purification, transformation and destruction or releasing (generally by writing on parchment what you wish to release before burning it to ash). It is also used in kitchen magick, infusing ingredient as cooked.
Athames, swords and candles are placed on altars to represent the element of fire and it relates to Summer, Sundays, the waxing moon and 12 noon.
Correspondences of Fire:
Sabbats/Season: Beltane, Samhain and Litha (Summer Solstice)
Day/Times: Sunday, Waxing moon, 12 noon
Zodiac /Tarot: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. Judgment (major arcana), Wands (traditional minor suit)
Planets: Sun, Mars, Pluto
Animals/Elementals: Lion, Dragon, Snake, Scorpion, Phoenix, Ram, Coyote, Fox. Salamander, Sprites, Djinn
Colour: All shades of Red, Orange, Gold, White
Chakra: Solar Plexus
Deities: Ra, Apollo, Mars, Ares, Vulcan, Horus, Brigit, Freya, Vesta, Durga, Themis (and more)
Symbols: Flame, Triangle with point up (Alchemical symbol), Sun, Stars, Volcanoes, Lightning bolts, Double-edged Axe.
Tools: Athame, Fire, Wand, Candles, Burned items (herbs, parchment)
Gemstones: Red Jasper, Blood Stone, Fire Opal, Garnet, Ruby, Carnelian, Tiger Eye, Obsidian, Lava Stones, Gold, Steel & Brass. (Plus most red, orange, gold or yellow stones & any formed from fire or volcanoes)
Herbs: Dragons Blood, Patchouli, Bay, Marigold, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Clove, Mustard, Tobacco, Allspice, Basil, Garlic, Juniper, Onion, Almond, Chilli Peppers.
(Fire herbs tend to be spicy or “warm”)
Water:
The Element of water is associated with Venus and the Moon and rules our emotions, both conscious and subconscious, along with our dreams. Water as an element heals, cleanses and purifies, revitalizes and offers emotional release.
In Tarot, Water is represented by the suit of Cups – an easy way to remember this is that water is often drunk from a cup, to connect with emotions think of tears.
Typically, Water is represented in the West and by the season of Autumn – however in the Southern Hemisphere, some prefer to align Water to the East and with the Season of Spring. There is no real right or wrong way, just remember that your magick is as unique as you are and trust your intuition.
Water personalities, those born under the Astrological signs of Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio, are generally very connected on a Spiritual level. Water types can often be more emotional and sensitive to other signs. They are also often very aware and possess high intuition, psychic and even mediumship abilities. Water personalities tend to live their lives based on feelings rather than using their head, they follow their hearts, often leading them to acting quite spontaneously. These personalities need to be near water and will find that spending time in watering holes or on the beach keeps them grounded and balanced.
Within Magick, Water is represented by the Chalice, Cauldron and often mirrors. It is ruled by Mondays, the Twilight hour and the Moon Cycles. Water is often used in spells of love, forgiveness, clarity, healing and compassion as well as seeking visions or in meditation.
Correspondences of Water:
Sabbats/Season: Autumn (not a Sabbat, but used in cleansing rituals)
Day/Times: Zodiac /Tarot: Twilight (sunset), Monday, Pisces, Cancer & Scorpio, Queens and The Hanged Man (Tarot) and the suit of Cups.
Planets: Venus, the Moon (feminine)
Animals/Elementals: All creatures of the Ocean, lakes, rivers and watering holes; cat, frog, turtle, swans, bear, dragons, sea serpents, mermaids and undines.
Colour: Blue, white, all shades of blue-green-black, watery colours.
Chakra: Heart Chakra
Deities: Aphrodite, Isis, Yemaya, Kupala, Tiamat, Ran, Ea, Osiris, Neptune, Poseidon, Varuna, Manannan, all Water Gods and Goddesses from all traditions and beliefs.
Symbols: upside down triangle (point facing downward), circle with single line through the middle (horizontal)
Tools: Cauldron, Chalice, Mirrors
Gemstones: Aquamarine, Atlantisite, Amethyst, Blue Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, (all blue stones), Beryl, Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Pearl, Silver, Sodalite.
Herbs: Aloe vera, apple, catnip, chamomile, ferns, gardenia, lemon, lettuce, lilac, lily of the valley, lotus, mosses, orris, passionflower, rose, seaweeds, thyme, valerian, water lilies, willow, all water plants and all plants associated with the Moon and Venus.
(Originally written for and published as individual articles for Mystic Tribe Magazine, 2017-2018 as a four-part series on the Elements, visit the magazine online: https://www.facebook.com/mystictribemagazine/)
(Originally written for and published as individual articles for Mystic Tribe Magazine, 2017-2018 as a four-part series on the Elements, visit the magazine online: https://www.facebook.com/mystictribemagazine/)