Elemental Magick
By: Tytus Lionheart
The four elements,
Earth, Fire, Water and Air, are believed to be the building blocks of creation
and all that exists are believed to be composed of the four elements within
them. This should not be taken literally but rather it has always been
understood that elements refer not to the physical substance of Air, Fire,
Water and Earth, but to the qualities represented by them. When our ancestors
claimed that all of creation is made of the four elements, they were using them
as a way of describing the different states of matter, like in physics: air is
gas, water is liquid, earth is solids and fire representing the only other
thing something can be besides matter which is energy. Magickally the qualities
of the elements have numerous correspondences:
Elements:
|
Direction:
|
Color:
|
Items:
|
Spiritual Context:
|
Air
|
East
|
Yellow
|
incense, feathers, fans
|
Thought, logic, speech,
|
Fire
|
South
|
Red
|
candles, matches, charcoal
|
Motivation, activity, aggression
|
Water
|
West
|
Blue
|
water, shells, coral
|
Feelings, sensitivity, visionary reflection
|
Earth
|
North
|
Green/Brown
|
soil, salt, stones
|
Fixed form, tenacity, perseverance.
Everything described as solid and tangible.
|
The elements
represent or describe fundamental principles but it’s important to always
remember that within magickal tradition, they always interact with one another
in close conjunction. This meaning that no single phenomenon in the entire
universe is the embodiment of one single element. Everything is composed of a
combination of all elements together in varying amounts.
The correspondences chart is a useful tool for magick, the
philosophy behind these ideas is the theory and practice of “sympathetic
magick”. Sympathetic magick can be summarized as “like attracts like”, which
also ties into the ancient axiom, “As Above, So Below”, that is, the Universe
is reflected in each of its smaller parts and vice versa. So then using an object
that corresponds to air, taps into the powers of air and attunes your spell to
the qualities of air energy.
Attuning to these energies is a large part of the teachings
of Wicca. The idea is that each of the elements has a quality that can be
absorbed into your being bringing you into balance with the elements and thus
with Nature and the Universe, a main goal for many Wiccans.
We connect to the elements by opening our senses to them:
Elemental Meditations:
These meditations
will help you open your being to the spiritual essence of the elements, these
meditations act, a) as a way to connect to the energy of each element so that
you can utilize the powers of the elements in your magick b) as a means of
forming a bond with the elements absorbing their teachings and attuning
ourselves to their energy and thus to Nature or the Universe.
Air Meditation:
Sit in a comfortable position, it is best to be outside, try
choosing a space where you will not be disturbed. Ground your energy. Close your eyes and take three
big slow breathes on your third breath visualize the air your are breathing in
to be yellow, filling you with yellow light, when you blow out, you blow out
negativity seen as black smoke leaving your body through your breath. Continue
to do this until you’re completely filled with yellow light. Now slow your
beathing and see the yellow light shine within you, know that the air you
breathe is the same air that was in Ancient Egypt, Greece, the Neolithic age
and in modern France as well as the whole world. Air connects us all and gives
all things life. It is through sound waves in the air that we are able to
communicate be it through speech or electronics such as computers and cell
phones. Ponder on all of this then when you have finished connecting to the
element of air ground the yellow energy into the earth and release any excess
energy. Be sure to record your experiences in a journal used for spells and
meditations.
Fire Meditation:
Sit in a comfortable position, it is best to be in side
during this ritual, choose a space where you will not be disturbed. Light a red
candle and Ground your energy. Gaze
at the flame (you may have to look past the flame if your eyes are sensitive)
See the flame expanding outwards all around you, the fire in surrounding you
and you begin to glow a red light. See your whole self as surrounded in a
sphere of fire and you are absorbing its energy into a red light glowing from
within you until you are filled with the red light from head to toe. Feel the
heat of the fire all around you, Fire is the spark of life, the energy force
that animates life. Fire is our Will, our desire, our energy it is a strong
force of change burning away the old to make room for the new, bring this
quality into you. Once you have connected with the element of fire, ground the
red light into the earth, dissipate the fire sphere visualization and release
all excess energy. Snuff out the flame of the candle, DO NOT BLOW IT OUT! This
is an affront to the element of fire, only snuff out the candle. Be sure to
record your experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.
Water Meditation:
Sit comfortable in a space where you will not be disturbed.
Have a glass of fresh water with you. Ground
your energy. Visualize the water is shining a bright blue
light, the light surrounds the glass of water in a sphere of blue. Lift the
glass and drink the water, all of it, seeing yourself being filled with the
blue light from head to toe. The water you drink is the same water that the
ancients drank, that our ancestors cross over to come to a new world, that sustains
life all over the world. The Earth is mostly made of water, water is within our
bodies, it is within every part of life. It cleanses us, washes away all the
filth allowing use to be refreshed and clean. Ponder on this and once you have
connected to the element of water ground the blue energy into the earth and
release all excess energy. Wash the glass, seeing white light washing over the
glass, say “I cleanse you”. Be sure to record your experiences in a journal
used for spells and meditations.
Earth Meditation:
This is best done outside on a path of green or dirt. Choose
a space where you will not be disturbed. Ground you energy. Take three deep breathes and then focus on the
ground beneath you, feel its stability, its solidity, this is the world to
which you were born. Visualize green energy coming up from the earth and
entering into you from toes to head. Once filled with the green energy, feel
the strength of your muscle, visualize the bones beneath them, your bones will
be here long after your flesh has rotted away, push this green light into your
bones. You are now filled with the strength of the earth. The earth is
persistent, strong and wise, take in those qualities within yourself. Once you
have connected with the element of earth, ground your energy. Be sure to record
your experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.
Elemental Spells:
Once we understand the energy of each element we can
implement their power into our magick by calling onto the element during the
spell. Thus Elemental magick utilizes…well…the elements of course!
Air Spell:
A General Air Spell
Ground your energy. Take a Sharpie or
marker and go for a walk, preferably and most desirably on a windy day. During
this walk acquire a large fallen leaf, the drier the better as it will fly
easier. Draw a symbol or write a phrase that represents your desire for example
a spell to help in quitting smoking might have a picture of a cigarette with a
slash through it in red ink or the phrase “I Will smoking out of my life” or
even “Banish Smoking”, be sure to be focusing on your goal while your write the
symbol or phrase. At this point I would
like to give a tip when it comes to the wording of incantations or magical
phrases, you should not use negative connotations in your formula such as, “It
is my Will to NOT…” because very often the unconscious tends neither to
recognize nor understand this “not”, and you might end up getting the opposite
result than that which you originally desired. So that said lets move on, with
your leaf and its symbol/phrase drawn on it visualize the leaf surrounded by
yellow light. Focus on you desire while envisioning this yellow light around
the leaf and shape it into a sphere surrounding the leaf. Now find a hill in a
windy spot and look towards the sky at the edge of the hill still visualizing
your leaf surrounded by a yellow sphere and focusing on your intent say aloud:
“To the powers of Air I summon you, be here with me! I call upon your aid in my
work, grant me your power!” See the leaf turning a brighter yellow and hold it
up to the sky say aloud your desire, in keeping with our example you may say
something like, “I Will smoking out of my life!” Now release the leaf to the
winds, the spell is done. You can take a moment to ground then go about your
business confident your spell has been cast and is already beginning to
manifest. Be sure to record your
experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.
Fire Spell:
A General Fire Spell
Ground your
energy. Have a source of fire ready and available such as a bonfire, fire place
or candle. As in the Air Spell we shall write down our desire as a symbol or
phrase but this time using paper. The charging should this time have red light
visualized as a sphere around the paper focusing hard on your intent. Now while
visualizing the red light and focusing on your intent say your desire out loud
then throw the paper into the flames, release the energy. If you are using a
candle be sure to have a heat proof container ready for the burning paper. The
spell is done. End the session and ground your energy. Be sure to record your
experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.
Water Spell:
A Water Divination
This is best performed on a full to new moon; the moon
itself corresponds to the element of water. Ground your energy. On a clear night take a bowl of
fresh water to a place where it can reflect the moons light, concentrate hard
and see the middle of your forehead, where your Third Eye Chakra is, as glowing
purple or dark blue sphere in the center of your forehead, know your psychic
self is open and become aware. Gaze into the bowl and let your intuition flow.
Focus on your question, if you have one you will have an answer. Or just be
open to things to come, some inner path workings. Pictures or thoughts may
enter, write them down and interpret what you saw. You are the best judge of
what symbols or thoughts came to you since they are your thoughts. So trust your
own intuition first before that of others. Whatever your psychic endeavors are,
the element of water can assist and even boost your practice. When done ground
your energy. Be sure to record your experiences in a journal used for spells
and meditations.
Earth Spell:
A Stone Spell
Stones have long been used in magick as they are a direct
link to the powers of the earth. Stones, and indeed all things, have a
vibrational frequency that can be read and used in magick. In order to read the
vibrational frequency of a stone hold it in your writing hand, feel its
texture, its temperature, its weight. Hold the stone tightly then loosely in
the middle of your palm, you should feel a slightly pulsating in your palm and
fingers. If the pulse is strong and fast this is a “high” vibrational stone. If
it is subtle and slow this is a “low” vibrational stone. Now you can use them
in magick, High vibration stones distribute energy quickly and should be used
in magick that either send out a need or bring them to you. Low vibrational
stones are great for grounding and protection as they distribute energy slowly
and over time. Charge the stone with your magickal intent seeing the stone
surrounded by a sphere of green light, say a loud your intent and visualize it
strongly while holding the stone in your writing hand and staring intently at
it. Once charged you can add the stone
to a mojo bag and carry it with you, or you can bury it near your home (this is
especially useful for protection spells). Ground your energy afterwards. Be
sure to record your experiences in a journal used for spells and meditations.
So then these are the
elements used in Wicca and magick. You can see how the elemental system is
useful to magickal workings and spiritual betterment, opening ourselves to the
magick and power of the elements can be rewarding on many levels. I urge
readers to look more into Elemental Magick, for new seekers I usually refer
them to the works of Scott Cunningham. His elemental spell books are very
helpful and easy to follow, “Earth Power” and its sequel “Earth, Air, Fire and
Water”. Keep practicing and studying, “the journey is the goal” as the Taoists
say.
Blessed Be,
T.LH
Sources:
·
“Money Magic” , “Practical Sigil Magick” by
Frater UD
·
“Witch school: First Degree” by Rev. Don Lewis
·
“The Urban Primitive” By Raven Kaldera, Tannin
Schwartzstein
·
“Earth Power”, “Earth, Air, Fire and Water” by
Scott Cunningham
“I am the strength of the righteous, who gives the gift of strength unto the heart of men who would be righteous. But know that unlike the Goddess I do demand sacrifice, for behold, the price of freedom is often high and yours was purchased by the sacrifices of those who came before you. Hear the words of our forgotten Father, he who stands against injustice and beckons men to come forth into his service. I call upon your soul to rise and come unto Me. For I am the soul of nature that preserves and protects life in this Universe. Let my worship be in the hearts of the just, for behold all acts of justice are my rituals.” — Charge of the God (the Horned One; The Father)”
