The four basic elements: EARTH, AIR, FIRE, WATER are considered as the four basic components that make up life itself. They play an enormous role in the natural magick that most Wiccans use. Something to represent each of them is present in the Circle when a spell is cast. This usually is earth--salt, air--incense, fire--candles, and water--water.
They are more than physical, spiritual and emotional attributes. These elements all have different vibrations which, when properly aligned, can help to produce the desired results in your magick.
Consider these elements in their physical form first, then see what spiritual and emotional aspects you give them. All the elements have certain characteristics:
AIR is a masculine element and governs the magick of the four winds. Though magicians have different views concerning this elements, all agree that its vital for survivial. Without it, we die. It is the element and power of the mind. It is intellect, inspiration, imagination and has ideas, knowledge, dreams and wishes. It is the power of movement, of freshening.
It is the element of new life and is essential to spells and rituals of instruction, finding lost items, freedom, travel and some types of divination. It aids us in visualization, a vital technique in magick.
Direction: East (the place of sunrise)
Colors: Blue, Yellow, Green
Point in Life: Infancy
Season: Spring (the time of new life)
Ritual Symbol: Wand or Sword
Metals: Tin, Copper
Favored Moon Phase: 1st Quarters
Favored Time: Dawn
Natural Symbols: incense, smoke, fragrant flowers
Elemental Spirit: Sprites
Herbs: Fragrant as flowers, Pungent as in culinary herbs
Astrological Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
EARTH is a feminine element and governs stone and knot magick. In its physical manifestations, Earth represents the densest of the elements. It is the element of stability and of the body. It is the physical earth and the very heart of life. We couldn't exist in this form without the earth. It is wisdom, strength, growth, prosperity and is essential in spells and rituals of prosperity, business, fertility and stability. True earth energy also exists within ourselves and within the universe at large.
Direction: North(the place of Great Darkness)
Colors: Brown, Black, Purple, Green
Point in Life: Advanced Age
Season: Winter (the time of Darkness
Ritual Symbol: Pentacle, Stone, Pentagram
Metals: Iron, Lead
Favored Moon Phase: 4th Quarter
Favored Time: Midnight
Natural Symbols: salt, rocks, acorns, sheaves of wheat
Elemental Spirit: Gnomes
Herbs: Earth smelling plants, such as patchouly, mosses and lichens
Astrological Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
FIRE is a masculine element and governs all candle magick. It is the element of change and passion. It is the creator and the destroyer. It cannot exist in physical form without consuming something else. It is creativity, motivation, will power, drive and sensuality. It is sexuality, both physical and spiritual and is essential to spells and rituals of healing, purification, sex, breaking bad habits or destroying illness and disease. It is also the element of authority and leadership.
Direction: South (the place of heat)
Colors: Red, Orange, Gold
Point in Life: Youth
Season: Summer (the time of heat)
Rityal Symbol: Athame or Sword
Metals: Gold, Brass
Favored Moon Phase: 2nd Quarter
Favored Time: Noon
Natural Symbols: Flame, Lave
Elemental Spirits: Salamanders
Herbs: Thistles, stinging, thorny or hot such as chili peppers, desert dwelling plants
Astrological Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
WATER is a feminine element and governs spells involving mirrors. It is a cleansing, healing, psychic, loving element. It is the element of emotion and subconscious. The energy of this element is vital to us as humans, for it contains within it the essence of love. Love is the underlying reason for all magic. Water is love. It is love, purification, intuition, mysteries of the self, compassion and family. It is pyschic ability and is essential in spells and rituals of friendship, marriage, happiness, fertility, healing, pleasure and psychic abilities.
Direction: West (the place of the setting sun)
Colors: Blue, White, Light Grays, Pinks, Light Green
Point in Life: Maturity
Season: Fall (the time of harvest)
Ritual Symbol: Chalice, Cauldron
Metals: Mercury, Silver, Copper
Favored Moon Phase: Full Moon
Natural Symbols: Shells, a cup of water
Favored Time: Dusk
Elemental Spirit: Merfolk, Undines
Herbs: Aquatic, such as seaweed, loving as in roses & gardenias. Generally flowers.
Astrological Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Piscus
Elements are found wherever an element makes itself known. Some people have a natural affinity for a particular element, natural abilities to make contact there. This can relate to one's astrological sign.
Elementals, except Earth are dangerous to work with. They are very powerful but unpredictable. Once summoned, they can be hard to banish.
For this reason most witches and pagans work with Gods and Goddesses. They are not as powerful but much safer. They do get the job done though. Work with Elementals at your own risk is a very good statement.
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