Elemental Correspondences: Fire, Earth, Water, Air, and Spirit

Many ancient practices and philosophies use a set of archetypal classical Elements to explain patterns in nature. The Elements are very important for Wicca. They are Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Aether (Spirit). They represent the realms of the cosmos where all things exist and consist.

Symbols of the Elements are used for protection and spells. The Elements are connected with each and every process in Nature. They are symbolic of physical, spiritual and emotional attributes. Each practitioner must learn and feel the Elements. It takes time to contemplate and understand them. Be personal – read the tables, learn about the Elements and try to see them all around you.

Many Wiccans do meditate on these elements. The knowledge of The Elements is very important in herbal lore and other magick practices.

Classic Greek thinking classified the elements according to temperature and water content with Air being primarily moist and secondarily warm, Fire being primarily warm and secondarily dry, Earth being primarily dry and secondarily cool, and Water being primarily cool and secondarily moist. Hippocrates used the elements to describe the human body with the following associations: yellow bile (Fire), black bile (Earth), blood (Air), and phlegm (Water).The Pythagoreans added idea as the fifth element and Aristotle added aether as the quintessence, both of which today are commonly referred to as the Spirit. The reasoning behind the thoughts Pythagoreans and Aristotle are believed to be that whereas Fire, Earth, Air, and Water were earthly and corruptible, and since no changes were ever perceived in the heavenly regions, then the stars must not be made of any of the four elements, and therefore must be made from a different, unchangeable, heavenly substance, henceforth the idea or aether theories.

Elemental Correspondences: Fire, Earth, Water, Air, and Spirit

AIR ELEMENT:

Air represents the mind and intelligence, communication, telepathy, psychic powers, inspiration, imagination, ideas, knowledge, dreams and wishes. In rituals, Air is represented in the forms of tossing objects into the wind, aromatherapy, songs, and hiding things in high places. It rules spells involving travels, instruction, freedom, knowledge, discovering lost items, and can also be used to develop psychic faculties. Air also rules the visualization.

Gender: Masculine Direction: EastEnergy: ProjectivePentagram Placing: Upper leftSymbols: Sky, wind, breezes, clouds, feathers, breath, vibrations, smoke, plants, herbs, trees, flowers.Goddesses: Aradia, Arianrhod, Cardea, Nuit, UraniaGods: Enlil, Kheoheva, Merawrim, Shu, ThothSpirits:Sylphs, Zephyrs, Fairies of trees, flowers and winds.Time: DawnCycle of life: InfancySeason: SpringColors:Yellow, white, light blueZodiac signs: Gemini, Libra, AquariusSenses: Smell, hearingStones: Topaz, pumice, rainbow stones, crystals, amethyst, alexandriteMagick tools: Censer, wand, swordMetals:Tin, copperHerbs: Clove, myrrh, pansy, primrose, vervain (verbena), dill, lavenderTrees: Acacia, Almond, Aspen, Hazel, Linden, Maple, PineAnimals: Eagle, raven, hawk, butterfly ~ Creatures of the AirCeltic name: airtInstruments: Flute, wind instrumentsType of magick: Divination, concentration, wind magick, prophecy, Karma work. To find an object that has been lost or stolen, magick of the Four Winds, Visualizations.

Elemental Correspondences: Fire, Earth, Water, Air, and Spirit

FIRE ELEMENT:

Fire represents energy, inspiration, love, passion, leadership. In rituals, Fire is represented in the forms of burning objects, love spells, baking, and lighting candles and fires. Fire is also the element of change. Actually it represents magick itself. Fire is the most physical and spiritual of the Elements.

Gender: MasculineDirection: SouthEnergy: ProjectivePlacing on Pentagram:Lower rightSymbols: Flame, lightning, heated objects (stones in particular), volcano, rainbow, sun, stars, lava, heatGoddesses: Brigit, Hestia, Pele, VestaGods: Agni, Horus, Prometheus, VulcanSpirits:Salamanders, FiredrakesTime: NoonCycle of life: YouthSeason: SummerColors:Red, gold, crimson, orangeZodiac signs: Aries, Leo, SagittariusSenses: SightStones: Ruby, fire opal, volcanic lava, agateMagick tools: Dagger, sword, athame, censer, lamp, candles, incense, herb burning, paper requests, knifeMetals:Gold, brass, iron, steelHerbs: Garlic, hibiscus, red peppers, cinnamon, coffee, beans, seeds, chilly peppers, nettle, red poppies, garlic, onions Trees: Alder, Ash, Cashew, Cedar, Chestnut, Fig, Juniper, Mahogany, Oak, Holly, Rowan, WalnutAnimals: Fire-breathing Dragon, lion, horse, snake, cricket, mantis, ladybug, bee, scorpion, phoenix, Celtic name: DeasInstruments: Guitar, string instruments.Type of magick: Tantra, Healing, Candle magick, Energy WorkRitual Action: Burning objects, wood, paper, heating, preparing decoctions, cauldron work

WARNING! PLEASE BE CAREFUL WORKING WITH THE Fire Element. DO YOUR RITUALS PREFERABLY IN AN OPEN SPACE, NOT IN HOUSE!

Elemental Correspondences: Fire, Earth, Water, Air, and Spirit

WATER ELEMENT:

Water represents emotions, absorption, subconscious, purification, eternal movement, wisdom, the soul, emotional aspects of love and femininity. In rituals, it is represented in the forms of pouring water over objects, brew making, healing spells, ritual bathing, and tossing objects into of water.

Gender: FeminineDirection: WestEnergy: ReceptiveSymbols: Ocean, river, shell, spring, lake, well, rain, fog, cupPlacing on Pentagram:Upper rightGoddesses: Aphrodite, Isis, Marianne, Mari, Tiamat, YemahaGods: Dylan, Ea, Manannan, Osiris, Neptune, PoseidonSpirits:Undines, Nymphs, Mermaids, Fairies of ponds, lakes or streams.Time: Twilight, duskCycle of life: MaturitySeason: AutumnColors:Blue, turqoise, Zodiac signs: Cancer, Scorpio, PiscesSenses: TasteStones: Aquamarine, amethyst, blue tourmaline, pearl, coral, blue topaz, fluoriteMagick tools: Cup, gobletMetals:Mercury, silver, copperHerbs: Ferns, lotus, mosses, bushes, water lilies, gardeniaTrees: Apple, Apricot, Birch, Cherry, Elder, Elm, Rose, WillowMusical Instruments: Anything resonant, harmonica, cymbals, also a flute made from real reed or willow barkAnimals: Dragon, water snakes, dolphin, fish, cat, frog, turtle, swan, crabCeltic name: iarType of magick: Mirror divinations, magnet work, love magick, lucid dreaming, cleansing, protection spellsRitual Action: Bathing, swimming, boating, dilution, washing, sprinkling, preparing cold herbal infusions

Elemental Correspondences: Fire, Earth, Water, Air, and Spirit

EARTH ELEMENT:

Earth represents strength, abundance, stability, prosperity, wealth and femininity. In rituals, Earth is represented in the forms of burying objects in the earth, herbalism, and making images out of wood or stone.Gender: FeminineDirection: NorthEnergy: ReceptiveSymbols: Rocks, fields, soil, salt, caves, clayPlacing on Pentagram: Lower leftGoddesses: Ceres, Demeter, Gaea, Mah, Nephtys, Persephone, RheaGods: Adonis, Athos, Arawn, Cernunnos, Dionysus, Mardyk, Pan, TammuzSpirits: Gnomes, Dwarfs, TrollsTime: Midnight, NightCycle of life: AgeSeason:WinterColors:Black, green, yellow, brownZodiac signs: Taurus, Virgo, CapricornSenses: TouchStones: Rock crystal, emerald, onyx, jasper, salt, azurite, amethyst, quartzMagick tools: Pentacle, Pentagram, salt, images, stones, gems, cordsMetals:Iron, leadHerbs: Ivy, grains, oats, rice, patchouliTrees: Cypress, Honeysuckle, Jasmin, Lilac (some say Lilac is Water)Animals: Cow, bull, dog, horse, ant, bears, wolfCeltic name: TuathInstruments: Drums and percussionType of magick: Fertility magick, Tree magick, Herbal Lore, Prosperity, Rune casting, Knot magick 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