A Short Meditation on the Elements
By Tiger's Eye

The Elements - earth, air, fire, water - are a significant part of magical life. They are present in circles, rituals, and around us at all times. While it is ideal to know the elements well we often become "out of tune" with them. The following are short meditations on the four elements. Read them, and let yourself experience the elements more regularly.

Earth

For a meditation on the element of earth, walk outside and let your eyes fall upon a sea of greens and browns. Imagine the buildings disappearing - you are at the edge of a meadow surrounded by a thick forest of trees. Turn and walk towards the forest, feeling the stable earth beneath you. Reach out and put your palm on the trunk of a tree. Examine the bark, and feel a leaf between your fingertips. Kneel down and brush the grass with your hand. Dig your fingers into the soft soil. Pause to let the textures, smells, and sounds sink into your subconscious mind; then get up slowly. Look around you and see the buildings returning. Brush the soil from your hands, and return inside.

Air

To experience the element of air, walk over to a window and open it to let in some fresh air. A gentle breeze flows in, carrying the sound of birds chirping and the scent of wild flowers. Close your eyes, and inhale the sweet fragrance. You can hear trees rustling, whispering the secrets of the universe. Listen. A sudden gust of wind brings you a scent of pine trees. The wind brushes your arms and face, and you feel your skin tingling. Smile as the breeze delivers its songs to you. Breathe in, and expand your stomach slowly. Let your breath out naturally. Gradually, you open your eyes. The wind has died down. Close the window gently and walk away.

Fire

To meditate on fire, strike a match and watch the flame dance before toughing it to the wick of the candle before you. Put out the match, and look back at the candle. It has grown into a bonfire, burning safely in a circle of stones. Take a few steps back, and sit on a log to enjoy the fire as it glows orange and red, radiating warmth in all directions. It crackles and snaps, climbing up towards the sky. Tiny sparks, like glowing particles of dust, escape into the air and disappear. Feel the warmth on your cheeks. Then, as quickly and silently as the fire has grown, it falls and sinks into the wood. You watch as a thin line of smoke rises up from a small pool of wax in a candleholder.

Water

For a meditation on the element of water, wait for a rainy day. Go into your living room and sit on the couch. Close your eyes, and drift into a slumber to the sound of rain falling outside. Open your eyes again, and find yourself sitting at the bottom of a waterfall. The water gives off low, continuous roar as it rushes over the top of the falls and tumbles into the river below. The uneven and rhythmic sound allows you to forget all of your worries. Step a bit closer, and let the soft mist of the water cool your cheeks. Slowly walk down the river. Listen as the roar of the waterfall becomes a gurgling song as the water rolls over rock and stones. A little further down, the rocks have spread out. Bend down, cup your hands, and have a taste of the water. It is fresh and clean, cool and nourishing. Dip your hands into the water again and feel it running over your skin. Splash the water over your face, then open your eyes to find yourself back at home, awakened by the rain outside.