Wicca Dreamers: Elemental Rituals of Magick

The Four Elements

The Elements are the building blocks of nature.They are Beings of True Energy & Consciousness. Each Elemental Being reflects a basic energy pattern. They interweave to create & sustain all matter on Earth. All Elements exist in every aspect of nature and in every person. In Wicca we call upon the Elementals to Stand Guard at the Four Corners of our Circles.

In classical thought, the four elements earth (γῆ), water (ὕδωρ), air (ἀήρ), and fire (πῦρ) frequently occur; sometimes including a fifth element or quintessence (after "quint" meaning "fifth") called aether (αἰθήρ) in ancient Greece and akasha in India.The system of five elements are found in Vedas, especially Ayurveda, the pancha mahabhuta, or "five great elements"of Hinduism arebhūmi (earth), ap or jala (water), tejas or agni (fire), marut or pavan (air or wind), vyom; or shunya or akasha (aether or void). They further suggest that all of creation, including the human body, is made up of these five essential elements and that upon death, the human body dissolves into these five elements of nature, thereby balancing the cycle of nature.

Why are the five elements so important? They give us a way of thinking about the world. They give us a structured approach to knowing the unknowable. They provide us with a system of interrelations, and magick is all about interrelations. One of the basic principles of magick is sympathy, which means that anything similar to a thing has sympathy with that thing, and can be used to represent that thing.
One of the basic principles of magick is sympathy, which means that anything similar to a thing has sympathy with that thing, and can be used to represent that thing... Take a voodoo doll for example, it is a sympathetic object, made to represent a certain person.
As we see the interrelatedness, the sympathy, of all creation... it deepens our magick, but more than that, it enhances our lives. Our sense of connection with all life is deepened.

In almost all sabbats, most esbats, and a variety of working rituals, most witches cast the circle and then call the four quarters. The one thing all witches are taught is to respect the beings/energies that they call upon. When we call the four elemental quarters we are drawing the energy of these elements into our circle. We are also asking that while the drawing occurs, we are protected and that the opening allows only what we desire to enter the circle. As each quarter is called, you should feel the energy patterns of that element.

The Qualities of the Elements

Elemental Air:

In the natural world, we associate Air with the sky, wind & clouds. All Birds are thought of as creatures of the Air Element. Eagles & Hawks are especially thought of as associated with Elemental Air, because they fly very high and make their homes at high altitudes. A stork or a duck, in contrast, is a much less powerful symbol of Elemental Air, because they live in or near Water...

Air is often seen as a universal power or pure substance. Its supposed fundamental importance to life can be seen in words such aspire, inspire, perspire and spirit, all derived from the Latin spirare.

The Air Element Personality

Air is very dynamic in itself. Likewise people, who are born with this element, are distinct due to their dynamism and their detachment from all their immediate surroundings. They form an interesting personality as on one hand they are extremely enthusiastic to attain whatever they wish or desire on the other hand, they are not passionately attached to their objectives or desires. It is rather an intriguing fact that air itself is all encompassing as well as detached from everything that is in it vicinity.

People who are born with this air element have a hyperactive mind. Ideas and thoughts rumble after one another and these individuals actually emphasize on this particular faculty of theirs with great zeal.They find the concept of the abstract as particularly appealing. This can be explained by the fact that just as air is formless, it does not have any determinable physical form; similarly, these people have their thoughts and ideas floating around in waves of fantasy, desire and an avid curiosity. Air personalities are extroverted, read allot, their conversations are frequent, fluid & charming...
In a person, the Air Element is associated with thought and with the intellect, (corresponding in the Witches' Pyramid to To Know) Ideas are said to come from Air, as is inspiration which also means to breathe in.
Air represents the mind and intelligence, communication, telepathy, psychic powers, inspiration, imagination, ideas, knowledge, dreams and wishes.
People with the Air Element predominate within their lives need mental stimulation and social involvement. They require channels that offer a free expression of ideas and intellectual freedom to keep their link to the elemental force of their personal sylph strong. If they do not have it, their sylph connection weakens and imbalances begin to manifest. To recharge their primal elemental force and to strengthen their link to their personal sylph, these individuals require clean, thin, electric air on a regular basis. Going to the mountains, away from humidity, where the air is dry and crisp is essential for them in connecting with those of the air element.

Air Elementals

The Element of Air as an Elemental is New, Fresh, quick in movement, Verbal & expressive. Air needs to move, change, express itself. When it is stifled, nothing will happen. Air seeks stimulation, if it doesn't find stimulation ~ It will create its own.

From the softest sigh to the strongest gale, beings of the element or air can be found. They work to maintain the atmosphere and the formation of clouds. They function wherever the mind is being employed, especially the creative, educational and communication processes. They work closely with those beings we often call angels. Often Sylphs, Faeries and other air spirits serve as temporary guardians.
Air is essential to life as is water. It is an active, creative element. It is symbolic of thought, memory and even freedom. It is the Air Element that connects the earth with the heavens, and thus it also symbolizes higher mind and inspiration. Air is the creative breath.
Through breathe & air, we assimilate power. The coming and going of air in the breathing process reflects the involution and evolution of life. Proper breathing is essential to our health. Learning to breathe with definite thought and meditation is a means of calling all the beautiful things into being.

Air makes possible the power of sound and music. Learning to speak with greater life force is part of what those beings of air can can help us to do. They assist us in understanding this element and in liberating our own expression of divine breath so that we can use it to succeed in life.

Through learning to connect with Air Elementals we gain many benefits...

They enhance the power of speech & music
They help us use the power of thought
They teach us the harmony of all things and all people and they help create a desire for greater harmony.
They can help us develop telepathy and clairaudience
They stimulate intuitiveness and inventiveness
They are always drawn to those who write and read poetry, for poetry is the music of words
They awaken greater intellect and strength of will
They are essential in connecting with our genius
They help us in developing a more mystical attitude towards life
They assist us in recognizing and using the winds of change in every aspect of our life - from determining the weather to everything that can occur within our lives.

Correspondences of the Air Element

For Wicca and magick, we need to understand the Element Air's associations.

Direction: East
Time: Dawn
Energy: Projective
Gender: Masculine
Placing on Pentagram: Upper left
Symbols: Sky, wind, breezes, clouds, feathers, breath, vibrations, smoke, plants, herbs, trees, flowers.
Goddesses: Aradia, Arianrhod, Cardea, Nuit, Urania
Gods: Enlil, Kheoh eva, Merawrim, Shu, Thoth
Elemental Ruler: Sylphs
Cycle of life: Infancy
Season: Spring
Colors: Yellow, white, crimson
Zodiac signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Sense: Smell, hearing
Stones and jewels: Topaz, pumice, rainbow stones, crystals, amethyst, alexandrite
Magick tools: Censer, wand, sword
Metals: Tin, copper
Herbs: Clove, myrrh, pansy, primrose, vervain, dill, lavender
Trees: Acacia, Almond, Aspen, Hazel, Linden, Maple, Pine
Animals: Birds- especially Eagle, Hawk & Crow
Instruments: Flute, all wind instruments
Types of magick: Divination, concentration, wind magick, prophecy, Karma work
Ritual Action: Playing a flute, tossing objects in the air (over the shoulder), burning incense, hanging objects in trees
Spirits: Zephyrs, Fairies of trees, flowers and winds.

Using the Element Air in Magickal Workings

Like the other elements, Air has three manifestations; Mental, Astral & Physical when used in magick and ritual. We can visualize (mental) request the use of the energy (astral) or request a physical presence.

Mental visualization techniques include wind, the movement of clouds, a summer breeze, or even more powerful, such as tornadoes, hurricanes...
Astrally we can use the sylphs to pull things towards us, or push things away from us.
Physically we have use all sorts of techniques, such as blowing onto spellwork to fill it with the sacred breathe, creating banners for protection and hanging them around our homes, working with bells, singing bowls, wind instruments, or even wind chimes that clear and energize the air around us. Incantations,, Invocations, and even singing exercise the magick of the element air.

Many witches prefer to work during storms to increase the power of their spells.
In rituals, Air is represented in the forms of tossing objects into the wind, aromatherapy, songs, and hiding things in high places.
The Elemental Air rules spells involving travels, instruction, freedom, knowledge, discovering lost items, and can also be used to develop psychic faculties.
Air also rules the visualization.

Elemental Fire

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.

When we invite Fire into our circle we are visualizing the eternal flame of Spirit. It never dies. Fire is the sizzle of creativity and the eruption of passion. Fire is also difficult to control, so you must always be extra cautious when working with living flame.

Where Water consumes, Fire bites and gnaws. Don't ever forget that.

The element of Fire is both creative and destructive, its qualities are Brightness, Thinness and Motion and its mode is Active.

Element Fire is Strength, Power, Protection, and the ability to change from one state to another. It is Enlightenment and extremely potent, but, like Air, it can represent Truth and Knowledge through purification. The kindling of a Fire in many cultures relates to birth and death - the cycle of life - which is why witches call the cross-quarters Fire Festivals.

In almost every culture Fire is the representation of manifested Deity.

Fire is also the Great Destroyer.

The Fire Element Personality

Those people with the Fire Element as the predominant element within their lives need lots of sun and vigorous activity to recharge and strengthen their links to the primal force of their personal salamander. Work that is physically demanding and active is beneficial for this. These individuals need the outdoors, especially in the summer, so they can store their fire charge to carry them through the winter when the sun's energy is not as strong or accessible. Any place where the sun is strong and hot is essential to their health and their ability to connect with their personal salamander and other beings of the fire element.

Fire people are impassioned, they are "on fire," whether with ideas, goals, or causes. They are natural leaders, as they convey their passions with an intensity that compels others to pay attention. Fire people can be as fascinating, as hypnotic, as watching a campfire.

Fire represents all kinds of passion, energy, ego, willpower, creativity, strength and anger.

Fire is that physical passion so burning that it can consume. It is enthusiasm so powerful that it is what drives you to succeed. Fire is that fiery will that doesn't allow you to give up in the face of adversity. It is what draws lovers together across insurmountable odds and provokes the passion that fights endlessly for justice.

Fire Elementals

The Salamanders are the Rulers of the Fire Element. Without these beings, fire cannot exist. There are many families of salamanders, differing in size, appearance, and dignity. Some people have seen them as small balls of light, but most commonly they are perceived as being lizard-like in shape and about a foot or more in length.

The salamanders are considered the strongest and most powerful of all the elementals. Their ruler is a magnificent flaming being called Djinn. Those who have seen him say that he is terrible, yet awe-inspiring in appearance.

It has also been said that salamanders can be mischievous at times. For example, a fiery temper and inharmonious conditions in a person's home can cause these beings to make trouble. They are like children in that they don't fully understand the results of their actions. Caution is always called for when working with the Fire Elemental, as it can be extremely hard to work with and control.

The Beings of the Fire Realm permeate all aspects of our life. They are much more varied than what we often imagine. They are found wherever there is fire or heat. The flames of fireplaces and candles can be wonderful places to introduce yourself to the Fire Elementals.

Fire brings much more than just warmth. It also brings light. It enables us to see. As we learn to connect with the Fire Elemental, we also learn how Spiritual and Physical Fire is operating within our lives and consciousness. Out perceptions extend, and we begin to see the infinite possibilities for new growth created by the fires of life's experiences.

Through learning to connect with the Fire Elementals we gain many benefits;

They enhance our passions, both physical & spiritual
They can become agents of transmutation, transformation and regeneration
They stimulate greater understanding of the primal love of spirit and our own life force
They assist us in awakening, developing and controlling kundalini energy
They assist us in seeing that which needs to be torn down and that which can help us re-create in our lives
They teach us the physical and spiritual aspects of alchemy
They stimulate creativity, courage, higher vision and idealism
They can help us to bring forth our own spiritual fires, so that matter becomes obedient to the will. The force or our spiritual fire is the primal force of creative expression
They help us recognize the laws of cause and effect as they are manifesting within our own life or the lives of others. They can assist us in making the laws of cause and effect work for us in every avenue of life
They assist us in developing great catalytic healing energies.
They can teach us the true significance, power and applications of sexual energy - physical and spiritually

Correspondences of the Fire Element

Direction: South

Gender: Masculine

Energy: Projective

Placing on Pentagram: Lower right

Symbols: Flame, lightning, heated objects (stones in particular), volcano, rainbow, sun, stars, lava, heat

Goddesses: Brigit, Hestia, Pele, Vesta

Gods: Agni, Horus, Prometheus, Vulcan

Spirits: Salamanders, Firedrakes

Time: Noon

Cycle of life: Youth

Season: Summer

Colors: Red, gold, crimson, orange, white

Zodiac signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Sense: Sight

Stones and Gems: Ruby, fire opal, volcanic lava, agathe

Magick tools: Dagger, sword, athame, censer, lamp, candles, incense, herb burning, paper requests, knife

Metals: Gold, brass

Herbs: Garlic, hibiscus, red peppers, cinnamon, coffee, beans, seeds, chilly peppers

Trees: Alder, Ash, Cashew, Cedar, Chestnut, Fig, Juniper, Mahogany, Oak, Holly, Rowan, Walnut

Animals: Dragon, cat, lion, horse, snake, cricket, mantis, ladybug, bee, scorpion, phoenix, coyote, fox

Instruments: Guitar, string instruments.

Type of magick: Candle, healing, love spells, energy work

Ritual Action: Burning objects, wood, paper, heating, preparing decoctions, cauldron work

Using the Element Fire in Magickal Workings

In magick, witches use fire to stir the passions and ignite creativity in oneself, to purify, to celebrate an event, to actively release a magickal operation (such as burning a paper petition) or to find solace and comfort in meditation by concentrating on a single flame. Like any magickal energy, each element has two sides, creation and destruction. Fire magick is used to destroy bad habits, consume negativity, and burn away those things that we no longer need in our lives.

Witches draw upon the Fire Element when they wish to initiate new projects, break up stagnant situations, or add zest to any endeavor. If you lack initiative, fire magic can help you get started. If you're doing a spell to launch a business venture or stimulate passion in a lackluster relationship, you'll want to include a hefty dose of the fire element.

Element Water

The natural forms of Water are many and varied. Not just the Oceans, but every body of water from a small creek to the Great Lakes. Water makes up a large portion of the human body as well... Water, 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. Water corresponds on the witches pyramid to "To Dare"

Water is a cleansing, healing, psychic, and loving element. It is the feeling of friendship and love that 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.

Water represents emotions, absorption, subconscious, purification, eternal movement, wisdom, the soul, emotional aspects of love and femininity.

The Water Element Personality

Those with the Water Element predominant within their lives need emotional involvement, often on an intense level. If they do not have opportunity to experience the full scope of emotion, the link that ties them with the elemental force of their personal undine will weaken. This in turn will cause health problems on some level. These people need the presence of water and the opportunity to immerse themselves in it to recharge their personal undine and to keep their primal link with it strong. Water is a balancing force.

Water people are over-full of feeling. They are often dramatic and sensual and otherworldly. At their best they can be a pleasure to be around, joyful and full of love... at their worst they can be draining to be around.

The Water person feels first and foremost. "Thinking never solved anything-only our hearts should be our guides!" They have a great facility with feeling; they are compassionate, caring, and a great listener.

Water people can be wonderful therapists. They "go with the flow," but don't flit about like Air people. Their movements have a definite path, albeit an often unexpected one.

Water Elementals

Water is the creative element of life. Water is both creative and destructive, a source of life & of death.

The Ruler of the Water Element are the Undines;

Undines are Water Elementals, and as such, spirits of the water world. We could say an Undine is a personification of water. There are many different types of Water Spirits; sprites, nymphs and mermaids... The Ruler of the Undines is a being called Necksa. The undines love, serve, and honor her unceasingly. They are emotional beings, very friendly and open to being of service to human beings.

Anything of the Water implies connection to fluidness, emotions and the feminine aspects of life. Through the Water Elementals we can open more fully to the water initiation, this means we learn to use our emotional forces more appropriately. Through them we can learn to develop intuition and creative imagination. We open ourselves to healing and the development of our psychic natures. All Water Elementals can teach us about our inner feelings. In learning to connect with them, we can gain many benefits;

We develop our psychic nature through contact with them
We learn to be more nurturing
They show us how to develop greater resourcefulness
They teach us about healing
They help us overcome fear of confinement
They assist us in developing flexibility
They stimulate our romantic nature
They awaken compassion and sensitivity
They stimulate artistic inspiration
They help us to deal with exaggerated emotions
They help us develop greater sensuality
They awaken the creative imagination

Correspondences of the Water Element

Direction: West

Gender: Feminine

Energy: Receptive

Symbols: Ocean, river, shell, spring, lake, well, rain, fog, cup

Placing on Pentagram: Upper right

Goddesses: Aphrodite, Isis, Marianne, Mari, Tiamat, Yemaha

Gods: Dylan, Ea, Manannan, Osiris, Neptune, Poseidon

Spirits: Undines, Nymphs, Mermaids, Fairies of ponds, lakes or streams.

Time: Twilight, dusk

Cycle of life: Maturity

Season: Autumn

Colors: Blue, turquoise, green, grey, indigo, black

Zodiac signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Sense: Taste

Stones and Gems: Aquamarine, amethyst, blue tourmaline, pearl, coral, blue topaz, fluorite

Magick tools: Cup, cauldron, goblet, mirror

Metals: Mercury, silver, copper

Herbs: Ferns, lotus, mosses, bushes, water lilies, gardenia

Trees: Apple, Apricot, Birch, Cherry, Elder, Elm, Rose, Willow

Musical Instruments: Anything resonant, harmonica, cymbals, also a flute made from real reed or willow bark

Animals: Dragon, water snakes, dolphin, fish, cat, frog, turtle, swan, crab

Type of magick: Mirror divinations, magnet work, love magick, lucid dreaming, cleansing, protection spells

Ritual Action: Bathing, dilution, washing, sprinkling, preparing cold herbal infusions

Using the Water Element in Magickal Workings

You will find many different types of magickal waters used in craft practices. Although the ingredients may be different, all magickal waters are purified, blessed, and empowered within a magick circle, sacred space, or ritual environment. The water is used for many different things.

Elemental Earth

In the natural world, Earth is Nature. Earth is the substance of the body of our Mother, Gaia, the Earth Herself. The Element Earth is manifest in all things that are solid or fertile, green fields, rolling hills, and soil. From the magickal, as well as the esoteric alchemical, viewpoint, the Element Earth has the lowest vibration or the four elements. Because it is solidly manifest in our world.

The Earth Element Personality

Those people with the Earth Element most predominant in their life have the challenge of coping with the stimulating energies or the world. Meeting their material obligations can drain and break links with the basic elemental earth force of their personal gnome. This causes imbalance. Thus it is important for these individuals to regularly recharge and strengthen their connection to the gnome energy by getting their bare feet into the mud and grass. Finding time to be out in nature, around plants and trees is very effective to keep this people grounded and charged.

Earth personality traits are stable, practical, reliable, industrious, empathetic, honest, kind, prudent. Earth types value friendship. Earth individuals do well to meditate and nourish themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

People who align most easily with the Earth Element tend to be practical, useful, structure, productivity, tangible, grounded, sensual, tactile, dependable.

Earth Elementals

Nature Spirits of Earth include Beings other than just the Elementals. In includes tree and wood elves, flower and field faeries, dwarfs who inhabit rocks and caves and mounds and all of those of the faerie realm who live close to the earth.

Gnomes are the Rulers of the Earth Element.

Subgroups:

Brownies

Dryads

Dorsalis

Earth Spirits

Elves

Hamadryads

Pans

Pygmies

Sylvestres

Satyrs

The Nature Spirits of the Earth can teach us practicality and caution. They can teach us the proper expression of ambition and a how proper form of it can be a dynamic force in the Universe. There are many benefits to learning to connect with the Faeries and Elves of the Element Earth;

We develop greater circumspection
We awaken determination to succeed, along with various means to do so
They help open opportunities for success
They help us to balance greed and manipulation
They can help us to overcome coarse and base expressions of life
They assist us in our timing, helping to bring us back within nature's rhythms where everything can work more easily
They can reveal the treasures of the Earth
They can restore a joy in the experience of mundane activities
They hold the knowledge to using the Earth's resources to cure disease and to instill prosperity
They awaken a renewed reverence for all expressions of life
They can teach us how to control and use the Earth's forces
They can help us in tapping and using the forces inherent in the human body.
They hold the keys to magick
They stimulate artistic energies and craftsmanship
They can teach us to overcome the influences of time

Correspondences of the Earth Element

Direction: North

Gender: Feminine

Energy: Receptive

Symbols: Rocks, fields, soil, salt, caves, clay

Placing on Pentagram: Lower left

Goddesses: Ceres, Demeter, Gaea, Mah, Nephtys, Persephone, Rhea

Gods: Adonis, Athos, Arawn, Cernunnos, Dionysus, Mardyk, Pan, Tammuz

Earth Spirits: Gnomes, Dwarfs, Trolls

Time: Midnight, Night

Cycle of life: Age

Season: Winter

Colors: Black, green, yellow, brown

Zodiac signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Sense: Touch

Stones and Gems: Rock crystal, emerald, onyx, jasper, salt, azurite, amethyst, quartz

Magick tools: Pentacle, Pentagram, salt, images, stones, gems, cords

Metals: Iron, lead

Herbs: Ivy, grains, oats, rice, patchouli, lichens

Trees: Cypress, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Lilac (some say Lilac is Water)

Animals: Cow, bull, dog, horse, ant, bears, wolf

Instruments: Drums and percussion

Type of magick: Hedgecraft/Green Witchery, Gardening, magnet images, stone (jewel divination, work with crystals), knot, Binding, money spells, grounding, finding treasures, runes,

Ritual Action: Burying, making clay effigies, planting trees or herbs

Using the Element Earth in Magickal Workings

Spellwork involving any element often uses all three manifestations of that element (mental, astral & physical) Many witches bury spell items for the following reasons;

As a gestation period... Seeds can be planted with an associated wish. As the plant grows, so the wish moves to completion
As a dispelling action. Empower an egg to 'take on' a physical illness or problem, then bury it off of your property. As the egg rots, so the problem disintegrates.
As a binding action.

Burying things on your property is used to keep things, and burying something off your property sends something away. Both applications stem from folk magickal operations and can be found throughout the world in various cultures.

Wicca Dreamers Elemental Air on Pinterest

Sources:
Wikipedia
Deborah Lipp
Silver RavenWolf
Ted Andrews

Wicca Dreamers

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Elemental Rituals of Magick