The Element - Earth:
The elements are the four building
blocks of everything that has physical existence. Each one is associated with
a certain direction, and various other things. None of the elements exists in
a pure form as we know it - Fire needs fuel (Earth) and oxygen (Air) to burn,
there is Air within the water, otherwise the seaweed and fish would die, the
Earth is filled with Air and Water.
These elements being so closely connected, shows us the
inter-connecttion of all things, for as above (the BIG picture/Universe) so
below (in miniature, on a size we can relate to!)
Having said all that, there is a Fifth element that binds
the physical to the astral/spiritual - Spirit. This element is consciousness,
Soul, Ka, essence, call it what you will, it too permeates all things in
differing degrees and ways. For instance the healing energies in a crystal or
stone are Spirit, the stone is Earth, but they are intermingled and
inseparable (at least for the purposes of our discussions!)
Getting to know these elements and their energies is an
important step in knowing your environment, and in magickal workings. While
you could look up the associations in a book or on the 'net, I recommend
making your own. They will be considerably easier to remember! Keep in mind
that these elements are in you as well - (that ol' Know Thyself thing again!)
Earth:
The Greeks considered Earth to be a symbol of the physical
state of being we call "Solid". Since pagans tend to take a more literal view,
it is a handful of soil from the garden (potting soil if you live in an
apartment!), it is the entire planet. Earth doesn't necessarily represent the
physical Earth, but that part of it which is stable, solid, dependable. Earth
is the foundation of the Elements, the base. It is in this realm that most of
us live a good part of our lives. When we walk, sit, stand, crawl, eat, sleep,
work our jobs, tend our plants, balance our checkbooks or taste salt we are
working within the Element of Earth.
Earth is the realm of abundance, prosperity, and wealth.
It's the most physical of the Elements - it's upon Earth that the other three
rest. Without Earth, life as we know it could not exist. Earth is calm and
understanding, it holds great wisdom and knowledge and whenever you need to
find an answer earth will be of help.
The Element - Air
Air is the element of thought, mind, the intangibles
which we know exist but cannot prove. Air is the breath that we take in. Air
is with us every day of our lives, from birth till death. Air rules psychic
abilites, especially telepathy and divination/prophecy. Air is the gentle
breeze on our cheeks in the spring, the cooling whisper on hot summer days.
Air is hurricanes and tornados, and the driving icy blast of winter. Earth is
an Air purifier, clean Air supports life. We begin to see the
inter-connectedness of things. Air takes the stability of Earth and sends it
soaring. If your element is air (try them all, then if this one responds more
or fits you then it probably is your working element) then you will work best
in the areas of astrology, empaths, seerers (future), coven working, and
astral planes.
The Element - Fire
Fire is the element of power, strength,
determination, courage, change, will, and passion. It is the father of all
energy, creativity and sensuality. It is the Sun, the stars, the heat in the
earth, it is the flame and it is the fire in your heart. This is the realm of
sexuality and passion. It is not only the "sacred fire" of sex, it is also the
spark of divinity which shines within us and all living things. It is at once
the most physical and spiritual of the elements.
Fire is quicksliver, lightning. It is the cookfire that
feeds, the furnace that warms. It is the forest fires and house fires that
destroy. Fire is the two edged sword that offers life or death, but never the
middle ground. Fire magick can be frightening. The results manifest quickly
and spectacularly. It is not an element for the faint-hearted. However, it is
the most primal and for this reason is much used.
The Element - Water
Water is easy to see as an essential to life - we
must drink water to survive, water eliminates toxins from our bodies, when we
sorrow we give up our most precious water - tears. The saltiness of our tears,
blood and other bodily fluids is said to be a reminder that all life began in
the Sea; for many of the Ancients, the Great Mother was the Sea. In Babylon
the source of all life was Tiamat the Sea Serpent. The Greeks and Romans put a
God in charge of the Sea, but I've always seen Neptune and Posiedon as
consorts for Stella Maris (Star of the Sea).
The Moon rules the element of Water, it moves the tides
and for women who follow the Moon closely, it rules their menses as well. The
word Lunatic comes from 'Luna' for moon and was believed to be caused by the
Moons influence on the blood. Water is the Semen of the God when it falls as
nurturing rain, it is the waters of the womb of the Goddess. Many of the
ancients associated Water with the direction of West - the Atlantic Ocean was
west of them and many supposed it was Ocean all the way out. "Sailing West"
was a euphemism for dying (for one would surely die sailing west as the Ocean
went on forever, or dropped off the edge of the world!), and the Sun "died"
each day in the West.
In this way, Water, the Element of Life, became
associated with Death. This is not entirely inappropriate for Death is only a
way to be Reborn from the Watery womb. Water has come to be associated with
memory, ancestors (family tree), and past lives, it is also the element of
emotions (most of our memories are triggered by how we feel/felt about them!)
Finally, it is interesting to note that Venus (the
planet), called both Morning Star and Evening Star, depending on the season,
was also called Stella Maris, and Venus (the Goddess of Love) was said to have
been born of the foam of the Sea.
The Element - Spirit
Spirit is the animating force, everywhere
present, and everywhere abundant. Spirit is energy, and it is eternal in
essence. We live in a physical world, and often are unconscious of the spirit
world, which is often co-existent with our own, but we are not able to
perceive it because it runs on a different frequency than we do. It is
invisible, intangible, and affable. We travel to that realm in our dreams, at
times, and some do it by mote of will, as in astral travel.
This is the element that binds all the others into one
form, to make them one. It is the Mother and the Father of everything, and all
magick. The element of spirit is very strong in your blood, it is the
impetuous behind Blood Magick*. Spirit is used in all magick, change, fore
seeing the future, creation, and dream magick.
On a personal note, Spirit for me is not so much an
Element as the Deity - It/ Themselves. For instance in Circle, I call the
Quarters (Spirit's place is the Center of the Circle) and I stand in the
Center to Invite/Invoke Deity.
Note:
Blood Magick was originally the domain of women - Women used
their menstrual blood and no-one was harmed or unwilling. There was no "blood
sacrifice." Many ancient fertility goddess are associated with blood flow. As
society shifted towards a Patriarchal mien, men wanted Blood magick, and the
Goddesses of "the River of Blood".
Fertility Goddesses became War Goddess, for men make war
to make rivers of blood, men bleed not of nature, so must puncture themselves
(or preferably others) to get blood. From this arose the so-called "black
magick" and "blood sacrifice". True Blood Magick, in accordance with the Rede,
is Women's Magick.
