the five elements

The five elements make up everything in the world around us.

They are not merely earth, air, fire, water and spirit – but are concepts, energy states, states of being, philosophical concepts. It is important to realize how fundamental the elements are to our existence.

Working with the elements enables us to balance ourselves and remain centred, and promotes growth through realization of imbalances in ourselves (be they qualities, emotions, habits, etc) and the means to change the qualities, through working with them and transmuting them.

The aim of any Witch regardless of tradition would include mastering the four elements and bringing them into balance. This can take a lifetime to achieve, but is a goal worth persuing. The elements make up everything and as such is part of the foundations of practical magick.

Correspondences:

AIR : To Know
Direction: East
Tools: Dagger / Athame, Censer, Flute
Time: Dawn
Season: Spring
Colours: Yellow & White
Sense: Smell Concepts: Intellect, Knowledge, Clarity, Discrimination, Mind, Speed, Sound, Intuition
Qualities (+):
Inspiration, Wisdom, Happiness, Hope, Logic, Joy, Analysis, Discernment, Decisiveness
Qualities (-):
Anxiety, Fear, Impulsiveness, Paranoia, Dispersion, Prejudice, Insecurity

FIRE : To Will
Direction: South
Tools: Wand, Rattle, Sistrum
Time: Noon
Season: Summer
Colours: Reds & Oranges
Sense: Sight
Concepts: Energy, Freedom, Success, Drive, Transmutation, Light, Power, Vision
Qualities (+):
Courage, Motivation, Drive, Enthusiasm, Passion, Will, Creativity
Qualities (-):
Fickleness, Vengefulness, Violence, Possessiveness, Fear, Hatred ? Violent, Cruelty. Physical, Anger, Egotism

WATER : To Dare
Direction: West
Tool: Chalice
Time: Dusk
Season: Autumn
Colours: Blues
Sense: Taste
Concepts: Emotions, Dreams, Intuition, Death/Rebirth, Taste, Primal Chaos, Underworld, Unconscious, Blood, Womb
Qualities (+):
Compassion, Sympathy, Empathy, Nurture, Sexuality, Trust, Serenity, Tranquillity, Depth
Qualities (-):
Sadness, Jealousy, Hatred, Insipid, Treachery, Sorrow, Deceit, Spite, Venom

EARTH – To Keep Silent
Direction: North
Tools: Pentacle, Drum
Time: Midnight
Season: Winter
Colours: Greens & Browns Sense: Touch
Concepts: Body, Strength, Stillness, Endurance, Mystery, Power, Healing, Skill, Touch
Qualities (+):
Strength, Steadfastness, Stability, Sensuality, Humility, Selflessness, Patience, Responsibility, Persistence, Realization, Tolerance
Qualities (-):
Laziness, Stubbornness, Greed, Attention? Seeking, Inertia, Domineering, Depression, Melancholy

SPIRIT : To Go
Direction: Centre (Within/Without)
Tools: Cauldron & Sword
Time: Between the Worlds
Season: The Turning Wheel
Colours: Purple, Black, White
Sense: Hearing
Concepts: Will, Harmony, Evolution, Life Force, Transcendence, Sixth Sense, Transformation Continue to Spirit
Spirit is represented by the top point of the upwards pointing pentagram and is said to be present when the four elements are in balance

Exploring the Elements

This is a practical lesson aimed at helping you to gain a deeper understanding of the elements.

Elemental Meditation Exercise
Focus on your body and meditate on how each element is present within it.
You may become aware of how air is present as the oxygen in your lungs and bloodstream, fire as the nerve impulses and digestive process, water as the blood and bulk of the tissues, earth as the bones, teeth, hair, etc.
Contemplate how each element is part of the combination that is you. Write down your experiences for each of the elements on a separate page in your magickal diary.

Elemental Meditation Exercise # 2
Meditate on each element in turn, facing the direction of the element.
Start by considering the element in yourself as you have already done, and then visualize whatever feels right for you (e.g. rivers, rain, waterfalls, the sea, etc for water) and see how it makes you feel.

If you can, go and be near the element, e.g. by the sea or a river for water, or out in a storm. Consider the presence and action of the elements in our lives around us all the time, and add this to your notes.

For example, consider when you have bath – you bathe in water, which cleanses you, then you use a towel (earth) to dry, you may use a dryer on your hair (air, powered by electricity = fire), etc.

When you use this method of perception you will appreciate the elements and their qualities much more, and develop your relationship with them, and see how you can use them to balance yourself. Learning about Magick is very much learning methods of perceiving the world around you in a different way, seeing the little things and gaining a deeper awareness of Nature and of yourself.