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The elements
in this case refer to the four basic elements of alchemy, Fire, Earth,
Air, and Water, rather than to the elements of chemistry. Historically,
in the west, it was believed that all things were made up of various proportions
of the elements. Each
of the elements was studied to determine it's nature and characteristics
which were set to writing by the early alchemists. Each of the four correspond
to various traits, feelings and purposes. In Wicca each of the cardinal
points is associated with one of the four elements, as is each of the
points of the pentagram, with the addition of spirit for the uppermost
point.
The designations
of the elements are somewhat different in the East, in China they are
Metal, Wood, Fire, Water, and Earth. Wood dominates in spring and the
East, Fire in summer and the South, Metal in the autumn and the West,
Water in the winter and the North. In India the elements are Earth, Water,
Fire, Air and Ether. In Tibet they are La - vitality, Sok - life potential,
Lu - bodily health, Wangthang - personal power, and Lungta - wind horse.
The following
charts outline the nature of each of the elements. Elemental correspondences
may be invoked in ritual by representations or symbols of the elements.
A candle or oil lamp may represent fire, incense may represent air, a
bowl or cup of water may represent water, and sand or a stone may represent
earth. In ritual the elements are also represented by the ritual tools;
the Athame, the Pentacle, the Wand, and the Chalice; the attribution of
these and descriptions of their use is on the Ritual
Tools page. Choose the element that corresponds best to your ritual
intent.
|
| Element |
Symbol/Color |
Character |
Magical
Intents |
Fire
|
Red |
Warm/Dry
Masculine, active, South, Summer, Noon, Wands in Tarot |
| Passion,
energy, impulse, enthusiasm, inspiration, idealism, faith. Success,
sex, banishing illness, the military, law, conflicts, protection,
courts, police, contests, competitions, private detectives,
dowsing, treasure hunts, gambling, athletics, strength, good
health, terrorism |
|
 |
Earth
|
Green |
Cold/Dry
Feminine, passive, North, Winter, Midnight, Pentacles in Tarot |
| Practicality,
stability, materialism, realism. Fertility, jobs, promotions,
money, business, food, investments, material objects, agriculture,
health, ecology, conservation, old age, antiques, stock market,
museums, buildings, construction |
|
 |
Air
|
Yellow |
Warm/Moist
Masculine, active, East, Spring, Sunrise, Swords in Tarot |
| Mental
processes, intellect, reason, communication. Schooling, memory,
intellect, teaching, travel, tests, divination, writing, communications,
organizations, theorizing, organizing, groups of all kinds,
drug addiction |
|
 |
Water
|
Blue |
Cold/Moist
Feminine, passive, West, Fall, Sunset, Cups in Tarot |
| Emotion,
psychism, mysticism, intuition. Love, friendship, partnerships,
unions of all kinds, affection, contract negotiations, beauty,
rest, recuperation, meditation, spirituality, healing wounds,
childbirth, children, the home, receptivity, family, doctors
and nurses, swimming, fishing, ancestors, medicine, hospitals,
compassion, clairvoyance |
|
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from Cunningham
| Element |
Intent |
| Earth |
Healing,
prosperity, money, fertility, employment |
| Air |
Psychic
powers, wisdom, visions, mental powers |
| Fire |
Lust,
protection, exorcism, strength, health, courage |
| Water |
Love,
friendship, fidelity, healing, prophetic dreams, purification, sleep,
meditation |
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