The four Elements, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, represent the basic building blocks of nature, or more accurately, of our perception of nature. We place them in the quarters of the circle to represent successive stages in the cycle of creation:

AIR: (masculine) represents the conception or perception of a new idea, the seed of knowledge, and the freedom to choose which direction to move. The element of Air is associated with the East in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the where the Sun rises, so this thinnest and most ethereal of the elements is associated with Sunrise. It is associated with Springtime and the wonder and curiosity of childhood. Air is, of course, associated with the sense of smell. And the scents we use for cleaning the air...lavender, lemongrass, and pine. Incense is the magical tool of the East and the Air.

Air is also associated with music. Of course, sound is transmitted through airwaves. But Air provides the songs of the wind rustling in the trees. Of all the songbirds. Of flutes and whistles. Of our own voices raised in song. Certainly, one can associate certain types of instruments with each of the elements, and we will, but Air is the element of that first creative urge to create beautiful sounds...

Creatures Associated with Air

Birds: Eagles, Hawks, Nightingales, Larks, Hummingbirds, Wrens, Chickadees, Sparrows, etc.
Insects: Butterflies, Dragonflies, Bees, Ladybugs
Flying Creatures from Myth: Air Dragons, Fairies, flying horses

Angels are also associated with Air, although there are angels specifically associated with each of the elements. The Archangel often called as Guardian of the Air is Raphael.

Raphael's name means "Healer of God." He is robed in gold, yellow, and blue. He carries a caduceus, the wand entwined by two serpents used as a symbol of healing. He rules science, knowledge, compassion, and healing.

Another Being who carries a caduceus, of course, is Mercury, messenger of the Gods, who rules intellect, verbal expression, science, synthesis, and research. Mercury is another Guardian of the Air.

The realm of Air is the mind and mental activity. Air rules the ideas that come "out of the blue." It offers the gift of clarity...the ability to perceive what is relevant and useful in a given situation. It rules the process of synthesizing ideas and concepts from many different sources or disciplines into something that is cohesive and comprehensive. It rules the communication of these ideas... writing and verbal expression. It rules teaching. And it rules poetry.

The elementals associated with Air are called Sylphs. These are among the easiest elementals to see, especially as a flash from the corner of your eye. They look like small winged creatures in pastel colors who ride the airwaves...often they are called fairies. They tend to be attracted to those who are quick thinking and quick moving. They can be mischievous...blowing things about...rustling through your hair...making sounds that distract you.

Magical Goals Aided By Air:

communications, educations, group work , intellectual skills, organization, overcoming addictions , speaking, teaching, tests and examinations, theorizing, travel, writing...prose, poetry, or music.

Psychological Qualities Associated with Air

Balanced Air Clarity Creativity Diligence Discernment Flexibility Independence Joy Optimism Teaching Ability

Imbalanced Air Arrogance Boastfullness Contempt Dishonesty Emotional Coldness Frivolity Gossip Paranoia Slyness

Herbs Associated with the Element of Air

Acacia	Agaric	Agrimony	Almond
Anise	Aspen	Bean	Benzoin
Bergamot	Bistort	Bittersweet	Borage
Bracken	Broom	Caraway	Celery
Chicory	Clover	Dandelion	Dill
Dock	Elecampagne	Eyebright	Fennel
Goldenrod	Hops	Lavender	Lemongrass
Lemon Verbena	Lily of the Valley	Linden	Mace
Male Fern	Maple	Marjoram	Mastic
Meadowsweet	Mint	Mistletoe	Mulberry
Parsley	Pecan	Pimpernel	Pine
Pistachio	Rice	Summer Savory	Senna
Slippery Elm	Southernwood	Star Anise

Gems and Stones Associated with the Element of Air

Aventurine	Angelite	Azurite	Celestite
Kyanite	Mica	Pumice	Sphene

Air Incense (from Cunningham) 4 parts Benzoin 2 parts Gum Mastic 1 part Lavender 1 part Wormwood 1 pinch Mistletoe (mistletoe is toxic, if used, burn outdoors)

Air Oil 5 drops Lavender 1 drop Lemongrass 1 ounce carrier oil

Other correspondences include the astrological signs of Libra, Gemini, and Aquarius, and the Planets Mercury and Uranus.

Air rules the suit of Swords and is associated with the Magician, Justice, the Wheel of Fortune, Temperance, and the Star in the Tarot.

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FIRE: (masculine) is the desire or Will to manifest the idea, the driving life force, the principle of change and transformation. Perhaps the greatest source of Fire we know is our Sun. Energy is the currency of life. As above, so below. The Sun burns above us...and its energy supports life. Fire is associated with the South in this hemisphere. Even on the shortest days, the Sun rises in the South and shines upon us from this direction. Fire is associated with noon, when the sun is at its zenith in the sky. It is associated with Summer, that time when the Sun is with us for long days that ripen produce. It is associated with young adulthood, that time of life when we expend huge amounts of energy training and making careers for ourselves...the time of life when we expend large amounts of sexual energy to find the mates we wish to have children with...and to produce those children.

Sex and passion are definitely associated with Fire.

Magical techniques associated with fire are candle magic, burning of anything, scrying in flames, and dancing around fires.

Fire heals by getting things moving. It can help one overcome the stagnation of apathy, the heaviness of depression, or the distant coldness of intellectualization. It also heals by transforming one form of energy to another.

Fire corresponds to Will, that force within us that keeps us selecting goals and moving toward them, dealing with the obstacles and challenges we find in our path. It's the spiritual quality of strength of purpose, and it helps us deal with obstacles and challenges.

The magical tool associated with the South and Fire is the Wand, which conducts and aims the energy of the practitioner out to his/her goals. Actually, the athame and sword are often used in much the same way, and sometimes the assignments of these tools are reversed, with the wand in the East and the athame in the South. I prefer to place the Wand in the South because the Tarot suit of Wands corresponds to Fire, the suit of creative work, energy, and overcoming obstacles... Major Arcana associated with Fire are the Emperor, Strength, the Devil, the Tower, and the Sun.

One of the magical functions of Fire is protection. It is the energy that sets boundaries and rings alarms when those boundaries are crossed. Many techniques for self-protection involve surrounding oneself with light. That light might absorb any negative energy that comes toward you, or it might transform it, burning it in the way of fire to create a neutral energy.

This light of Will that burns at our core is sometimes called Spirit. Many esoteric traditions put this quality or aspect of being called Spirit in the South with Fire. Some place Spirit in the Center of the circle, where all the elements come together.

The angel associated with Fire is Michael, chief of the archangels, known as the Warrior of God. He is an arm of the God/dess and his flaming sword dispenses justice, balance, and protection to all the children of the One. He is often depicted in armor, like the ideal chevalier of the Middle Ages, protector of the weak and helpless. Like a true warrior, he would rather settle disputes peaceably than with violence. He is dressed in red and scarlet, the colors of Fire, courage, and honor.

Certainly the virtues of this element...transformation, protection, and fighting spirit...need to be carefully contained and directed or they can also be destructive. Certainly the warrior spirit has gone completely out of control many times in human history.

The fire elementals are called Salamanders. They are brilliant, ephemeral creatures that dance in flames. They will help you overcome obstacles, and they like people who have the courage to act on their truth. They will help you protect yourself when you must...and have little patience for willing victims. While they enjoy playing in flames and will come when you light candles or fires, the gift they appreciate most is an act of courage

Magical Goals Aided By Fire:

athletics, banishing illness, competitions and contests, courage, creativity, defense, loyalty, protection, sex, strength, success

Psychological Qualities Associated with Fire

Balanced Fire Courage Creativity Idealism Independence Intuition Loyalty Passion Power Strength

Imbalanced Fire Aggressiveness Destructive Tendencies Hatred Intemperance Jealousy Rebellion Resentment Vindictiveness

Creatures Associated with Fire

Cats: Lions, Tigers, Cougars, Panthers, Housecats
Desert Dwellers: Snakes, Lizards, Scorpions
Fiery Creatures from Myth: Fire Dragons, the Phoenix

Herbs Associated with Fire

Alder	Allspice	Amaranth	Angelica
Asafoetida	Ash	Basil	Bay
Wood Betony	Blood Root	Cactus	Carnation
Carrot	Cashew	Cat Tail	Cedar
Centaury	Chili	Crysanthemum	Cinnamon
Cinquefoil	Clove	Copal	Coriander
Cubeb	Cumin	Curry	Damiana
Dragon's Blood	Frankincense	Galangal	Garlic
Gentian	Ginger	Ginseng	Goldenseal
Gorse	Hawthorn	High John the Conqueror	Holly
Horse Chestnut	Houndstongue	Juniper	Leek
Lovage	Mandrake	Marigold	Masterwort
May Apple	Mullein	Mustard	Nutmeg
Oak	Olive	Onion	Orange
Pennyroyal	Pepper	Peppermint	Pimento
Pineapple	Poke Root	Pomegranate	Prickly Ash
Radish	Rosemary	Rowan	Rue/
Saffron	St John's Wort	Sarasparilla	Sassafras
Sesame	Shallot	Snapdragon	Sunflower
Tangerine	Tea	Thistle	Milk Thistle
Holy Thistle	Ti	Toadflax	Tobacco
Tormentil	Venus Flytrap	Walnut	Witch Hazel
Woodruff	Wormwood	Yarrow	Yucca

Gems and Stones Associated with Fire

Agate, fire	Agate, red	Amber	Apache Tear
Asbestos	Bloodstone	Carnelian	Citrine
Flint	Garnet	Hematite	Iron
Jaspar, red	Lava	Red Calcite	Ruby
Sardonyx	Sulfur	Sunstone	Tiger's Eye
Topaz	Zircon

Fire Incense (from Cunningham) 3 parts Frankincense 2 parts Dragon's Blood 1 part Red Sandalwood 1 pinch Saffron a few drops of musk oil

Fire Oil 3 drops Ginger 2 drops Rosemary 1 drop Clove 1 drop Petitgrain 1 ounce carrier oil

Other correspondences include the astrological signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, and the Sun and Mars.

 

WATER: (Feminine) is the perseverance and courage needed to endure the long gestation, the nurturing and supporting role. Water is the element generally associated with West in circle. Because I live where the ocean lies to the west of me, this is an easy association to make. It is the place where the sun sets...so a place associated with earned rest. It is, naturally enough, associated with dusk...that hazy time between true day and true night...between work and sleep. It is associated with middle age, that time when we have settled to enjoy some peace...in relationships, in constructive work, in the raising of our children.

And the shadowy in-between time, when light and shadow are so hard to distinguish is also a metaphor for another association of water...that of dreams, visions, and illusions. Just as, in dreams, the connections between scenes and events are murky and might not make sense...water can seep in unexpected ways through the ground or through walls. Just as mist can make both vision and hearing inaccurate...just as water can magnify anything seen through it... just as a watery surface can act as a mirror that distorts, so can our emotions render our perceptions inaccurate....and create illusion. And a classic way to scry for visions is to use a bowl of water.

The heart, of course, is another association of Water. Love, considered by some the queen of emotions, is a strong association of Water. The heart pumps the blood through our arteries, and collects it from the veins...which in turn collect water from the tissues and lymph. It pumps blood through the kidneys, which regulate the balance of water and electrolytes in the body. Our bodies are 90% water, and that water creates the intracellular and extra cellular fluids, the brew in which electrolytes, nutrients, and enzymes are able to carry on the functions of life.

Water is central to the mystery of how life first came to be; the chemicals that first came together into self-replicating forms could not have done so in any medium but water... The Christians took this image and made it into their Holy Grail, which has become a symbol of the healing possible through Divine Love... Again, love emerges as a theme for Water.

The Tarot suit associated with Water is, of course, the Cups...the suit of emotions and matters of the heart. Major Arcana associated with Water are the High Priestess, the Lovers, the Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, and The Moon.

The Moon, of course, has a deep association with Water because it rules the tides of the oceans. And again, we see here the theme of the uterus, watery container where life begins, with its tides and cycles synchronized with those of the moon. The other "planet," associated with Water is Neptune. The astrological signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

One of the major functions of water in magic is its role as a cleanser. Of course, all the elements cleanse in their own way, but water of course is the medium in which we bathe, shower, wash our clothes, and scrub our homes. Of course, one of the more wonderful gifts of Water, which combines both its cleansing action and it's Love, is forgiveness. Cleanse the old resentments, fill those spaces up with love, and see how much better you feel. Some ways of using water in magic include bathing and showering, as above, and charging water to drink, sprinkle about, anoint with, and evaporate by your bed or on your altar. As already mentioned, one can scry using a bowl of water, or look for visions in the steam rising from a pot, kettle, or cauldron.

The elementals of Water are the Undines. These are filmy, translucent beings rather like little mer-people who swim in the waves. They are sentimental, and romantic, and love people who are in touch with their emotions. Tears, love poetry and songs, and scented oils or perfumes make gifts for these beings.

The Archangel associated with Water and the West is Gabriel. Some sources see this angel as masculine, others feminine; in general, angels are considered beyond gender. S/he rules birth, death, and transformation. S/he is the angel of mercy and justice in balance. S/he is considered the angel of the Moon, and guardian of women's cycles and childbirth. S/he can be seen with a cup or a horn, and is usually dressed in blue with orange highlights.

After such an act of love and cleansing with Water, you should be able to make contact with the Undines, and with Gabriel. Ask them to help you with your goals related to emotional healing. Ask them to help you with matters of love and forgiveness. Ask them to help you with any healing you wish to do for the waters of the Earth. Ask them to help you work with dreams or visions.

Magical Goals Aided By Water: communicating with ancestors, beauty, childbearing and rearing, family issues, friendships, healing, home...comfort and beauty, letting go, love, meditation, partnerships, psychism, purification.

Psychological Qualities Associated with Water

Balanced Water Compassion Comprehension Conscience Devotion Forgiveness Receptivity Tranquility

Imbalanced Water Apathy Depression Frigidity Laziness Indifference Insolence Instability

Creatures Associated with Water

All creatures that live in or on the water: Fish, Whales, Dolphins, Sharks, Otters, Beavers, Seals, Walrus
Starfish, Anemones, Shellfish, Abalone, Sea Snails, Crabs, Lobsters, Scorpions, Sea Horses, Barnacles, Sea Urchins, Sand Dollars, One-Celled Organisms, Seagulls, Ducks, Swans, Herons, Albatross, Puffins, Cormorants, Alligators, Crocodiles, Eels, Water Snakes, Frogs, Leeches
Water Creatures from Myth: Water Dragons, Mermaids

Herbs Associated with the Element of Water

African Violet	Aloe	Apple	Apricot
Aster	Avocado	Balm of Gilead	Banana
Bedstraw	Belladonna	Birch	Blackberry
Bladderwrack	Bleeding Heart	Blue Flag (Iris)	Boneset
Buchu	Buckthorn	Burdock	Cabbage
Camellia	Camphor	Cardamon	Catnip
Chamomile	Cherry	Chickweed	Coconut
Coltsfoot	Columbine	Comfrey	Cowslip
Crocus	Cucumber	Cyclamen	Daffodil
Daisy	Datura	Dittany of Crete	Dulse
Elder	Elm	Eucalyptus	Feverfew
Foxglove	Gardenia	Gourd	Grape
Heather	Hellebore	Heliotrope	Hemlock
Hemp	Henbane	Hibiscus
Huckleberry	Hyacinth	Hyssop	Indian Paintbrush
Jasmine	Kava-Kava	Lady's Mantle	Lady's Slipper
Larkspur	Lemon	Lemonbalm	Lettuce
Licorice	Lilac	Lily	Lobelia
Lotus	Maidenhair	Mallow	Mimosa
Moonwort	Morning Glory	Mosses, all	Myrrh
Myrtle	Orchid	Pansy	Papaya
Passion Flower	Peach	Pear	Periwinkle
Persimmon	Plum	Poplar	Poppy
Purslane	Ragwort	Raspberry	Rose
Sandalwood	Scullcap	Skunk Cabbage	Spearmint
Spikenard	Strawberry	Sugar Cane	Sweetpea
Tamarind	Tansy	Thyme	Tomato
Tonka	Trillium	Valerian	Vanilla
Violet	Willow	Wintergreen	Yew

Gems and Stones Associated with the Element of Water

Agate, Blue Lace	Amethyst	Aquamarine	Azurite
Beryl	Calcite (blue, green, pink)	Chalcedony	Chrysocolla
Coral	Holey stones	Jade	Kunzite
Lapis	Lepidolite	Malachite	Moonstone
Mother of Pearl	Pearl	Rhodocrosite	Sapphire
Selenite	Sugilite	Tourmaline (blue, green, pink)

Water Incense 2 parts Benzoin 1 part Myrrh 1 part Sandalwood 1 part Rose petals 1 drop Ylang Ylang oil

Water Oil From Cunningham 3 drops Palmarosa 2 drops Ylang Ylang 1 drop Jasmine 1 ounce carrier oil

 

EARTH: (Feminine) is the element of birth, where the original Idea crystallizes and manifests in a material form, building a solid foundation for the next idea. The element of Earth represents our Mother, the planet Earth itself. It represents body and solidness. It represents permanence, stability, and security. All the things of Earth are things you can see and hold. If Earth is Matter, it's also the Mother, or Mater. It represents nourishment on all levels. So Earth encompasses the soil which nourishes the plants and the insects and worms that process the decayed matter in the Earth to turn it into food. It represents the plants and all creatures that eat the plants. So it represents all the animals that run on four legs ...or two...or many...

Creatures Associated with Earth

Hoofed Animals: Cows and Bulls, Stags and Does, Buffalo, Moose, Antelope, Goats, Sheep
Forest Dwellers: Boars, Wolves
Diggers in the Earth: Rabbits, Squirrels and Chipmunks, Gophers, Groundhogs, Badgers
Insects that live in the Earth: Centipedes, Termites, Worms, Woodbugs
Earth Creatures from Myth: Earth Dragons, Gnomes, Dwarves

While all of the elements offer their own types of healing, Earth is the element that rules the healing of our bodies. It is the element of the plants...so the healing herbs... although each herb will have a unique balance of the elements within it. And of course, it is the element of the crystals, used for healing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.

The Earth Elementals are called Gnomes. Gnomes come in many sizes, from the little guys who nurture each blade of grass to the large ones who work with the trees, to the huge ones who work with whole mountains. They are the elementals we can contact and communicate with most easily because they are the densest, the most like us. They like to live in the earth, and don't care for exposure or sunlight. They work hard and tend to be quite serious. The "Seven Dwarves" who befriend Snow White and go each day to dig in the earth for precious stones are very typical Gnomes. They can be good friends to those who love the earth. (We call people who are loyal and practical "the salt of the earth") They respect wealth and they respect those who are thrifty and recycle.

They appreciate coins and stones as gifts...they also appreciate any work you do to heal the Earth, to recycle, or to plant and maintain gardens.

The Gnomes will help you with work to heal the body, or to heal the Earth itself. They will work with you to break habits that aren't healthy. They will work with you for prosperity and abundance. They will assist you with fertility issues and with any work you do for your family.

Types of magic ruled by Earth and the Gnomes include crystal or stone magic, herb magic, magic that plants seeds or buries things, and magic with sand or salt. Any of these things can represent Earth on your altar...stones and crystals, pots of earth, growing plants, salt, or cast-off gifts of creatures of earth...like antlers or hooves.

Magical Goals Aided By Earth:
abundance, agriculture, archeology, buildings and houses, construction and fabrication, family, fertility, healing, job and career matters, money, nutrition, old age, weight problems.

The magical tool associated with Earth is the pentagram. This magical symbol, the five pointed star, represents the four elements pulled together and under spirit. It is a powerful symbol of protection. Earth is associated with the Discs or Pentagrams in the Tarot, and with the Empress, the Chariot, the Wheel of Fortune, the Hermit, Judgement, and the World.

Other correspondences include the astrological signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, and the Planets Venus and Jupiter.

The Archangel of the North and the Earth is Uriel. Dressed in greens, browns, and black, he is a fearsome, quiet figure who offers justice. He is the patron of psychics and an initiator into the mysteries.

Psychological Qualities Associated with Earth

Balanced Earth Concentration Connectedness Endurance Industry Nutrition Responsibility Self-assurance Thoroughness

Imbalanced Earth Dullness Hoards posessions Laziness Misanthropy Obsessiveness Tardiness

Herbs Associated with the Element Earth

Alfalfa	Barley	Beet	Bistort
Buckwheat	Corn	Cotton	Cypress
Fern	Fumitory	Honeysuckle	Horehound
Horsetail	Loosestrife	Magnolia	Mugwort
Oats	Oleander	Patchouly	Pea
Potato	Primrose	Quince	Rhubarb
Rye	Sage	Sagebrush	Sorrel, Wood
Tulip	Turnip	Vervain	Vetivert
Wheat

Gems and Stones Associated with the Element of Earth

Aventurine	Angelite	Azurite	Celestite
Agate, green	Agate, moss	Alum	Aventurine
Cat's Eye	Crysophase	Coal	Emerald
Geodes	Jaspar	Jet	Obsidian
Olivine	Onyx	Peridot	Stalagmite
Stalactite	Tourmaline, black and green	Turquoise

Earth Incense (from Cunningham) 1 part Pine Needles 1 part Thyme a few drops of Patchouli oil

Earth Oil 4 drops Patchouli 4 drops Cypress 1 ounce carrier oil