earth, air, fire, water, and spirit
The Elements Of Magick.
Each of these creative elements are necessary for human life, the each have both positive and negative aspects The Earth withoutWater to moisten it, without Fire to warm it, and without Air to surround it, would be a lifeless planet. The elements work in harmony, even though at times their contrary aspects may seem in conflict with each other, to create and to sustain life. The elements exist in a physical form, such as a handful of soil, and in an unmanifested, non-physical form or energy. All the elements emerge from Akasha, the source of all energy.
"Attuning and working with these energies in magic not only lends you the power to affect dramatic changes in your life, it also allows you to sense your own place in the larger scheme of Nature."
Scott Cunningham, Earth Power
The Elements of Magick
"Attuning and working with these energies in magic not only lends you the power to affect dramatic changes in your life, it also allows you to sense your own place in the larger scheme of Nature."
Scott Cunningham, Earth Power
The four creative energies of the universe.
Each of these creative elements are necessary for human life, the each have both positive and negative aspectsThe Earth without Water to moisten it, without Fire to warm it, and without Air to surround it, would be a lifeless planet. The elements work in harmony, even though at times their contrary aspects may seem in conflict with each other, to create and to sustain life. The elements exist in a physical form, such as a handful of soil, and in an unmanifested, non-physical form or energy. All the elements emerge from Akasha, the source of all energy.
The Elements and Ritual Magick.
To the ancient civilisations, the universe was divided into four basic principles, energies or elements, these being Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. With the advances in Chemistry, we know that there are more than these four elements, however, these four basic elemental principles are still accepted in Ritual Magick.
These basic principles are more attuned to emotions, the psyche and nature, than with the modern explanations of the world. The elements and their correspondences are also important in Astrology. In the Astral World or Planes, the elements are more forces or qualities of energy rather than manifestations of physical forms. In Western Mystery traditions the elements were each assigned a symbol and colour as shown below.
Earth Water Fire Air Spirit
The Eastern tattvic system uses different symbols and colors for these basic elements. When used within Ceremonial or Ritual Magick, the elements are associated with the directions, North , East, South and West and also with various ritual tools, for example, the Athame is associated with Fire.
Magick sees relationships between emotions, objects, actions, qualities and symbols, these relationships are called 'correspondences'. These magical correspondences are not meant as literal equations to one and other, but it may help if you think of them in that manner, such as Gold = Sun = Fire.
Aleister Crowley's '777', contains many tables of these relationships or 'Correspondence Tables'. Thus, an emotion, object, action, quality or symbol is used to suggest another. When used in Ritual Magick, the Magician surrounds himself with appropriate symbols and correspondences. These sensory correspondences and symbols, affect the senses, in the hope that the Magickal contact with the inner and astral planes become more lucid and powerful.
Of The Four Elements and their Natural Qualities
The Elements are the original base elements of all corporeal things, of which all other things are made, by transmutation and union.
Contrary Elements
Fire - Water Earth - AirThe two heavy elements being Earth and Water and are Passives. The two light elements being Air and Fire are Actives. Plato ascribes the following qualities to the Elements :- Fire, Brightness, Thinness, Motion and Earth Darkness, Thickness, Quietness. These two are likewise contrary.
The other two Elements acquire properties from the other two. So Air receives two qualities from Fire Thinness and Motion and one from Earth Darkness. Water receives two qualities from Earth Darkness and Thickness and one from Fire Motion.
Elemental Cycle.
Fire - Air Air - Water Water - Earth Earth - Water Water - Air Air - Fire
First Order
Pure Elements which are neither compounded, changed or mixed by are incorruptible
Second Order
Elements that are compounded, changeable and impure, yet by art may be reduced to their pure form.
Third Order
These are not elements themselves, but twice compounded, various and changeable into another. These are the infallible medium and are called middle nature.
Elementals
Elementals are usually only visible to those with clairvoyant sight and are more likely to be seen at night in the mountains or country away from cities -- especially if you are tired or sleepy. Although elementals exist naturally, it is also possible to create one which will exist for a limited time -- no elemental has immortality. A created elemental is called an 'artificial elemental'.
To the Ancients, elementals were the physical explanation of the universe. However, some contemporary occultists see them only as symbols for forces and otherwise not 'real' at all. Another word sometimes used for elemental is 'familiar' (usually in medieval witchcraft); the term is ambiguous, as it might merely be an ordinary household pet such as a dog or cat.
The Element Of Earth
Earth
The basis and foundation of all the elements is the Earth. The Earth is the object; subject and receptacle of all celestial rays and influences and in it are the seeds of all things. It is made fruitful by the other elements and the heavens, and brings forth all things of itself. It is the first fountain from whence all things spring; it is the centre, foundation and mother of all things.
Earth is the element of stability, foundations and of the body. The Earth is the realm of wisdom, knowledge, strength, growth and prosperity. It is also the physical Earth on which we live and the very heart of life. It is essential in spells and rituals of prosperity, business, fertility and stability. Earth is a feminine element and governs stone and knot magick.
The Earth can be viewed as our mother, with its fertile and nurturing farmland, providing all Earth's creatures with nourishment and shelter. The earth takes on qualities of the other elements, whether it is the dry, dusty and hot aspects of Fire and Air, as is found in deserts. Or the moist and fluid aspects of Water, in swamps, marshlands and fens. In its physical manifestations, such as stones, rocks, crystals and gems, the element of Earth represents the densest of the elements.
The Earth is the womb from which all things spring, pressing your hand against fresh soil, you can feel its vitality, stability and earthiness. In its fertile soil, we've grown the food that provides life, on its surface we live out our lives, and when the time to return to the Goddess and God comes, we are interred in the earth.
We couldn't exist in this form without the Earth. But our planet is simply a manifestation of this element on the physical plane, each of the elements exist in the astral planes as pure energy. This Earth energy not only exists within ourselves but also throughout the universe at large.
The Element Earth and its Natural Qualities
The elements of Earth is a heavy, passive element and is contrary to air. It is associated with the qualities of darkness, thickness and quietness.
DIRECTION: North - the place of greatest darkness.
TYPE OF ENERGY: Receptive.
BASIC NATURE: Fertile, moist, nurturing, stabilizing, grounding. Gravity is a manifestation of this element.
COLOR: Green - from the color of living plants
PLACES: Caves, canyons, forests, groves, valleys, fields, farms, gardens, parks, plant nurseries, farmer's markets, kitchens, baby nurseries, basements, mines, holes.
RITUALS: Money, prosperity, fertility, stability, grounding, employment.
RITUAL FORMS: Burying, planting, making images in soil or sand.
HERBS: Earth-smelling plants, such as patchouly and vetivert; mosses and lichens; nuts; dry and stiff plants; heavy, low-growing plants; generally roots.
STONES: Heavy or opaque, as in coal; green, as in emerald and peridot.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT: Drum, all percussion instruments.
CREATURES: Dogs, horse, earthworm, gopher, ant, cow, burrowing animals.
SEASON: Winter - the time of darkness.
TIME: Night.
MAGICKAL TOOL: Pentacle.
SENSE: Touch.
NATURAL SYMBOLS: Salt, clay dish of fresh soil, rocks, sheaves of wheat, acorns.
TYPES OF MAGICK RULES: Gardening, magnet, image, stone, tree, knot, binding.
GODDESSES: Ceres, Demeter, Gaea, Mah, Nephthys, Persephone, Prithivi, Rhea, Rhiannon.
GODS: Adonis, Athos, Arawn, Cernunnos, Dionysus, Marduk, Pan, Tammuz.
The Element of Water
WaterWater, is a great necessity, without it nothing can live. Only earth and water can bring forth a living soul. Such is the greatness of water that spiritual regeneration cannot be done without it.
Thales of Miletus concluded that water was the beginning of all things and the first of all elements and most potent because of its mastery over the rest. Pliny said "Water swallow up the earth, extinguishes the flame, ascends on high, and by stretching forth as clouds challenges the heavens for their own, and the same falling down, becomes the cause of all things that grow in the earth.
Water is a cleansing, healing, psychic, and loving element. It is the feeling of friendship and love the pours over us when we are with our family, friends and loved ones. When we swim it is water that supports us, when we are thirsty, it is water the quenches our thirst, another manifestation of this element is the rainstorms that drench us, or the dew formed on plants after the sun has set.
The power of the energy of Water, can be felt by tasting pure spring water, moving you hand through a stream, lake, pool, or bowl full of water. You can feel its cool liquidity; it's soft and loving touch, this motion and fluidity is the quality of Air within Water. This Water energy, is also contained within ourselves, our bodies being mostly composed of Water.
As well as being vital for life, within the energy of this element is contained the essence of love. Love is the underlying reason for all magick. Water is love.
Water is a feminine element, it also the element of emotion and subconscious, of purification, intuition, mysteries of the self, compassion and family. It is psychic ability, water can be used as a means of scrying or as an object for meditation. Water is important in spells and rituals of friendship, marriage, happiness, fertility, healing, pleasure, psychic abilities and spells involving mirrors.
The Element Water and its Natural Qualities
The elements of Water is a heavy, passive element and is contrary to Fire. It is associated with the qualities of darkness, thickness and motion.
Correspondences
DIRECTION: West - the place of the setting sun.
TYPE OF ENERGY: Receptive.
BASIC NATURE: Flowing, purifying, healing, soothing, loving.
COLOR: Blue - from the hue of deep water
PLACES: Lakes, springs, streams, rivers, beaches, oceans, wells, swimming pools, bathtubs, showers, bedrooms (for sleep), health spas, steam rooms, fountains.
RITUALS: Purification, love, psychic awareness, dreams, sleep, peace, marriage, friendships.
RITUAL FORMS: Dilution, placing into water, washing away, bathing.
HERBS: Aquatic, such as water lilies and seaweed; fleshy, as in succulents and lettuce; loving, as in rose and gardenia; generally flowers.
STONES: Transparent or translucent, as in amethyst and aquamarine; blue, as in blue tourmaline.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT: Cymbal, bell, all resonant metals.
CREATURES: Cat, frog, turtle, dolphin, whale, otter, seal, dugong; most fish and shellfish.
SEASON: Autumn - the time of harvest.
TIME: Dusk.
MAGICKAL TOOL: Cup, the cauldron.
SENSE: Taste.
NATURAL SYMBOLS: Shells, a cup of water.
TYPES OF MAGICK RULES: Sea, ice, snow, fog, mirror, magnet.
GODDESSES: Aphrodite, Isis, Mariamne, Mari, Tiamat, Yemaya.
GODS: Dylan, Ea, Manannan, Osiris, Neptune, Poseidon.
The Element of Fire
FireThe element of Fire is both creative and destructive, its qualities are Brightness, Thinness and Motion and its mode is Active. It is fire that we and our ancestors used to warm our homes, we use it to cook our food, we sit around it to ward of the darkness of night, and it fuels our passions. Fire, unlike the other elements, does not exist in a natural state. Its physical form can only take place by consuming some other element. Fire is the transformer, converting the energy of other objects into other forms: heat, light, ash, and smoke.
To feel the manifestations of this power, go out on on sunny day and feel the warmth and light of the Sun, hear the crackling of logs and smell of smoke from a burning fire. As you gaze into the transformational flame of a candle, immerse yourself in the energy of Fire. Fire is the natural element of animals and mankind, and they "have, in their natures, a most fiery force, and also spring from celestial sources."
In order to gain benefit from the energy of this element, we need to control Fire's destructive aspect. When we light a candle, we are not only calling upon the energy of Fire, we are also limiting its power. This destructive aspect should not be seen as negative, forest fires, actually help, clearing away underbrush and encouraging seeds lying dormant within the Earth to burst forth into new life.
Fire is a masculine element, its aspects being change, passion, creativity, motivation, will power, drive and sensuality. It is sexuality, both physical and spiritual. Fire is used in spells, rituals and candle magick for healing, purification, sex, breaking bad habits or destroying illness and disease. Fire is the element of authority and leadership.
The properties of Fire, Heat, Making things fruitful, Celestial light, Giving Life to all things. Its opposite the Infernal Fire are a parching heat, consuming all things and darkness, making all things barren.
The Element Fire and its Natural Qualities
The elements of Fire is a light, active element and is contrary to Water. It is associated with the qualities of brightness, thinness and motion.
Correspondences
DIRECTION: South - the place of heat.
TYPE OF ENERGY: Projective.
BASIC NATURE: Purifying, destructive, cleansing, energetic, sexual, forceful. Heat is a manifestation of this element.
COLOR: Red - from the color of flames.
PLACES: Deserts, hot springs, volcanoes, ovens, fireplaces, bedrooms (for sex), weight rooms, locker rooms, saunas, athletic fields.
RITUALS: Protection, courage, sex, energy, strength, authority, banishing negativity.
RITUAL FORMS: Burning or smouldering; heating.
HERBS: Stinging, thorny or hot, as thistles, chilli peppers and bouganvillia; desert-dwelling, as cacti; stimulating, as coffee beans; generally seeds.
STONES: Red or fiery, as in jasper; volcanic, as in lava; clear, as in quartz crystal.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT: Guitar, all stringed instruments.
CREATURES: Snake, cricket, lizard, praying mantis, ladybug, bee, scorpion, shark.
SEASON: Summer - the time of heat.
TIME: Noon.
MAGICKAL TOOL: Knife/Athame.
SENSE: Sight.
NATURAL SYMBOLS: Flame, lava, a heated object.
TYPES OF MAGICK RULES: Candle, storm, time and star.
GODDESSES: Brigit, Pele, Vesta.
GODS: Agni, Hepaetus, Horus, Promtheus, Vulcan.
The Element of Air
AirThe element of Air is vital to human survival, without it we would all perish, its aspects are Thinness, Motion and Darkness and its quality is Active. Air is the manifestation of movement, freshness, communication and of the intelligence. Sound is another manifestation of this element. As an element, it is invisible, but its reality can be felt in the air that we breathe in every day.
To connect with the power of this element, find a place with clean air and breathe deeply, touch a feather or inhale the fragrance of a heavily scented flower. Let yourself experience the energy of this element, and reflect that we also possess Air energy within ourselves.
In magickal terms, Air is the power of the mind, the force of intellect, inspiration, imagination. It is ideas, knowledge, dreams and wishes. Air is the element of new life and new possibilities and is essential to spells and rituals of travel, instruction, finding lost items, some types of divination, and freedom. Air aids us in visualization, a vital technique in magick.
Air is a masculine element and governs the magick of the four winds. It is the vital spirit passing through all things, giving life to all things, moving and filling all things. Thus Hebrew doctors ascribe it not as an element but as a medium or glue that binds all things together.
The Element Air and its Natural Qualities
The elements of Air is a light, active element and is contrary to Earth. It is associated with the qualities of darkness, thinness and motion.
Correspondences
DIRECTION: East - the place of sunrise.
TYPE OF ENERGY: Projective.
BASIC NATURE: Flying, moving, fresh, intelligent, suspending. Sound is a manifestation of this element.
COLOR: Yellow - the yellow of the sun, the sky at dawn
PLACES: Mountaintops, wind-swept plains, cloudy skies, high towers, airports, schools, libraries, offices, travel agencies, psychiatrist's offices.
RITUALS: Travel, instruction, study, freedom, knowledge, recovering lost items.
RITUAL FORMS: Tossing objects into the air, suspending tools in high places, fanning light objects, visualization, positive thinking.
HERBS: Fragrant, as many flowers; pungent, as in culinary herbs such as dill; airy, finely-veined, or wind-swept; generally leaves.
STONES: Light stones, such as pumice; transparent stones, such as mica.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT: Flute, all wind instruments.
CREATURES: Spider, most birds, winged insects.
SEASON: Spring - the time of freshness.
TIME: Dawn.
MAGICKAL TOOL: Wand.
SENSE: Hearing, smell.
NATURAL SYMBOLS: A feather, incense smoke, fragrant flowers.
TYPES OF MAGICK RULES: Divination, concentration, visualization, wind magick.
GODDESSES: Aradia, Arianrhod, Cardea, Nuit, Urania.
GODS: Enlil, Kheohera, Mercurym, Shu, Thoth.
The Element of Spirit
The Fifth Element - Akasha - SpiritAkasha is a kind of super-element: the binding force between the other elements ( sounds like gluons from particle theory), or demi-goddess or, for that sake: if you want to look at it from a scientific point of view, a kind of black hole that emanates and absorbs energy/matter. Akasha is the fifth element, the binding part that runs through all matter, and it is also the collective unconscious of life-forms. The word itself is Persian/East Indian and means 'inner space'.
There is a thing called the "akashic records" essentially this is an ethereal field of collective knowledge that may be accessed by those who train or have the natural ability to do so. Is it really possible to access the Akashic Records? To access this collective knowledge of all things past, present and future that existed in the divine? Chaos magicians in San Francisco visualize a gigantic quantum computer with access to all information. They can frame a question and wait for the computer to give them an answer.
Akasha and Qualities
The Elements emerge from Akasha, the immutable, changeless source of all energy. This is the realm of potentiality: of promise, of paths not yet taken, of unformed galaxies, of outer space.
Akasha is also present within our bodies. Some say that the spark of life, that unknowable force that is called the "soul," is a bit of Akashic energy housed in the physical body.
Akasha is sometimes thought to be symbolically present on the Earth. More often it's seen as the Mother (Creatrix) of the elements. It's little used in natural magick, but something of its nature should be understood.
Primarily, Akasha is unbeingness. Its energy, which extends everywhere throughout the universe, has not yet achieved form and substance. It's the primal source of energy that creates and fuels the elements.
Because of this, it contains complete, balanced energy: Earth and Air and Fire and Water. The following table of Akashic associations points out its universal nature, and is not meant to be used for magickal purposes.
Correspondences
Basic nature: unknowable;
Type of energy: projective/receptive;
Colour: purple or black;
Places: outer space, vacuums, the Void;
Types of rituals: religious in nature;
Ritual forms: none;
Herbs: none;
Stones: none;
Metal: meteoritic;
Musical instrument: none;
Creatures: none (and yet all);
Direction: north, east south and west, also within and without, up and down, also a complete lack of directions and dimensions
Time: eternal starlight;
Astrological signs: none;
Magical tool: none;
Point in life: pre-conception, soulness;
Sense: none;
Natural symbols: none;
Symbols for: none;
Types of magic ruled: religious.
