The Elements

The Elements

Air, Fire, Water, and Earth: These are the four basic elements used in many disiplcines, from astrology to Oriental medicine. Within all wiccan tradition, these four essences make up the phsyical and nonphsyical Universe. If you remaind mindful of the forces of the four elemtsn in your life-in any way you feel them- you will become more aware of your surroundings and mroe in control of your own energy. The system of the five elements (the fith being spirit) is just that: a system. It's a way of defining the world. It helps us to keep a balance in our lives, and it helps us to call on a particular part of ourselves when we need it. That's not to say the elements aren't real. They are as eral as you choose to make them. I will outline below their meaning in Wiccan magic and ritual.
Air Associated with the east and the rising sun. Represents thought, intellectual processes, intruitive and psychic work. Wind. The breath and body. The sense of smell. Animals: anything that flies; birds, insects. The athame (dagger) is the tool of air.
Fire Associated with the south and the noonday sun. Represents passion and will, purification, sexuality. The sun. The heat of the body. The sense of sight. Animals: lions, dragons, phoenix. The wand is the tool of fire.
Water Associated with the west and the setting sun. Represents emtion and intuition, love and sorrow. The ocean. The womb and blood. The sense of taste. Animals: anything that swims; fish, dolphins, and whales. The chalice is the tool of water.
Earth Associated with the north and midnight. Represents the physical world, stability, practality, silence. The mountains. The bones of the body, the sense of touch. Animals: anything solid or earth dwelling; bulls, the stag, worms, moles. The pentacle (disk, stone) is the took of earth.
Spirit/Center/Akasha The isn't an element like the others; rather, it's the life energy that extends through and joins all of them. It is associated with the center of the circle, and eternity. It represents transcendence and immanence, the void, the presence of Deity, the spirit of the body, the sense of hearing or intuition. The cauldron is the tool of spirit.

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