When invoking the Goddess and God, the hands can be held uplifted with the fingers spread to receive their power.
The Goddess can be individually invoked with the left hand, the thumb and first finger held up and curled into a half circle, while the rest of the fingers are tucked against the palm. This represents the crescent Moon.
The God is invoked with the first and middle fingers of the right hand raised or with the first and fourth fingers up, the thumb holding down the others against the palm, to represent horns.
The elements can be invoked with individual gestures when approaching the four directions:
a flat hand held paralleled with the ground to invoke Earth at the North;
an upraised hand, fingers spread wide apart, to invoke Air to the East;
an upraised fist for the South to invoke Fire,
and a cupped hand to the West to invoke Water.
The Goddess position is assumed by placing the feet about two feet apart on the ground, holding the hands out palms away from you, elbows bent slightly. This position can be used to call the Goddess or to attune with her energies.
The God position consists of the feet together on the floor, body help rigidly upright, arms crossed on the chest (Right over Left) hands held in fists.
Gestures are also used in magic.
Each of the fingers relates to a specific planet as well as an ancient deity. Since pointing is a magical act and is a part of many spells, the finger can be chosen by its symbolism.
The thumb relates to Venus and to the planet Earth.
The forefinger relates to Jupiter.
The middle finger relates to the God and planet Saturn,
The fourth finger relates to the Sun and Apollo,
And the little finger relates to the planet Mercury as well as the God after which it is named.
Many spells involve pointing with the Jupiter and Saturn fingers, usually at an object to be charged or imbued with magical energy. The power is visualized as traveling straight out throughout the fingers and into the object.
Other ritual gestures used in Wiccan rites include the "Cutting" of pentagrams at the four quarters by drawing them in the air with the magick knife, wand or index finger.
This is done to alternately banish or invoke elemental powers. It is, of course, performed with visualization.
The hand can be seen as a cauldron, since it can cup and contain water; an athame, since it is used to direct magical energy, and a wand since it can also invoke.
wand
dagger
cup
pentacle
magic sword
little finger extended
ring finger extended
middle finger curled
index finger & thumb curled together ("OK" sign)
thumb extended
Fire
Air
Water
Earth
Spirit
little finger
ring finger
middle finger
index finger
thumb