The Elements

To a Wiccan, all magic is based on four Elements: Air, Fire, Water and Earth Ancient occult philosophers and the Druids stated that all life is made of these four Elements; without them life could not exist. Tan or Teine (Fire in the old Celtic language) was con- sidered the most sacred as it is the closest to pure energy.

These four Elements correspond to the four directions of our physical world, the four quarters of the universe, the four winds, and most importantly to the four quarters of the magical circle. Water and Earth are considered female energies; Fire and Air are male.

The Old Gaelic term for the four points of the compass was the Four Airts or Airs. The general definitions of these Elements were originally based on the prevailing winds in Britain. In Scotland, the Gaelic words for the cardinal points were aiet, east; deas, south; iar, west; and tuath, north.

The four Elements are forces and energies that make up the universe and everything in it. They influence our personalities and magic. They also possess form as well as force. Each Element is known for hav- ing certain qualities, natures, moods and magical pur- poses; each has positive and negative traits. Magical ritual calls to each Elemental kingdom and its ruler to protect its quarter of the circle. Because of this, it is very important to completely understand what each Element is and does.

In Wiccan and ceremonial magic, each Element is associated with a color: east, yellow; south, red; west, blue; north, green. Although the ancient Celts correctly knew the forces and energies of the Elements, the colors for them were different: east, red; south, white; west, gray; north, black. To the Celts, red sym- bolized the rising Sun; \white, noonday; gray, twi- light; black, midnight.

The Element of Air governs the eastern quarter of the circle. Its ruler is Paralda who oversees the Sylphs, Zephyrs, and Nature spirits or fairies. Its color is pure yellow; it is considered warm and moist. The positive associations of Air are: sunrise, Spring, incense, the wand, clouds, breezes, breath, optimism, joy, intelligence, mental quickness, any kind of helpful air. Negative associations are: frivolity, gossip, fickle- ness, inattention, bragging, forgetfulness, wind storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, destructive air in any form.

The Element of Fire governs the southern quarter of the circle. Its ruler is Djin (dee-yin) who over- sees the Salamanders, Firedrakes, and the little ones of the sunbeams. Its color is pure red; it is considered warm and dry. The positive associations of Fire are: noon, Summer,the dagger and sword, candles, any kind of helpful fire, the Sun, the stars, the blood, enthusiasm activity, courage, daring, willpower, leads- ship. Negative associations are: hate, jealousy, fear, anger, war, ego, conflicts, lightning, volcanoes, harm- ful fire of any kind.

The Element of Water governs the western quarter of the circle. Its ruler is Niksa who oversees the Nymphs, Undines, Mer-people, and the little ones of the springs, lakes, ponds, and rivers. Its color is pure blue; it is cold and moist. The positive associations of Water are: sunset, Pall, the chalice and cauldron, any form of helpful water, compassion, peacefulness, forgiveness, love, intuition. Negative associations are: floods, rain storms, whirlpools, any kind of harmful water, laziness, indifference, instability, lack of emo- tional control, insecurity.

The Element of Earth rules the northern quarter of the circle. Its ruler is Ghob, sometimes called Ghom, Who oversees the gnomes and dwarfs and the little ones of the moonbeams. Its color is clear dark green; it is cold and dry. Positive associations are: midnight, Winter, the pentacle, ritual salt, gemstones, moun- tains, caves, soil, respect, endurance, responsibility, stability, thoroughness, purpose in life. Negative associations are: rigidity, unwillingness to change or see another side to a problem, stubbornness, lack of conscience, vacillation, earthquakes, slides.

The fifth Element, Spirit (or nyu to the Druids), dominates the center of the circle, thus balancing all the other Elements. Through invocation of the gods, or Spirit, we are able to blend Elements bringing forth the desired manifestation.

The spirits or beings of the Elements have been known to many cultures, particularly the Greeks and Romans from whom we get our names for them. In Greek gnoma (gnomes) meant knowledge or the know- ing ones. Unda (undine) in Latin meant wave, creatures of the waves. The Greek word silphe (sylph) was a butterfly or being with gauzy wings. Salambe (sala- mander) in Greek described a fireplace; however, the actual being was more like a very small dragon.

The Elemental kingdoms and their rulers are rep- resented in their appropriate quarter of the magical circle by a symbol and/or candle of the correct color. The magician always draws the magical circle sun- wise, beginning and ending in the east. When wel- coming the Elements, he or she begins with Air in the east. When he or she ends the ritual and dismisses the kingdoms, he or she again begins with the eastern position. Before opening the circle, the magician returns to the center and dismisses the Element of Spirit.

Become familiar with the traits of the Elemental kingdoms and their rulers for they will play a very important part in all your magical activities.

Taken from "Celtic Magic" by D.J. Conway