The following talk was given by a member of our moot.

The Elements

According to magical thought, the whole universe and everything in it including ourselves, are made up of the 4 elements: EARTH, AIR, FIRE and WATER. According to the ancient occult philosiphers and the Druids, without these elemets there could be no life, as all life is made from these elements. In addition to these 4, there is a fifth one, which we call Spirit. This is the energy which all living things possess e.g our soul. Today, our knowledge of science (particulary DNA), does not disagree with this, rather their view is simply a more refined version of what the Ancients knew.

In magic, the 4 elements correspond to the 4 directions of our world and our Magical Circle, they are also given certain characteristics e.g. Earth and Water are considered to have energies which are female, whilst Fire and Air are masculine.

The Elements have many other attributes and should not be thought of as in purley physical terms. Earth is not only our home, but also refers to stability and foundation, Fire is more than purley a flame, Water is more than just liquid and Air is more than just a Wind.

The old Gaelic term for the 4 points of the compass was the 4 Airts (Air) and the general definitions of these elements were based on the prevailing winds in Britain. In Scotland the Gaelic words for the cardinal points were Aiet, Deas (East), Iar (West) and Tuath (North).

The Elements influence our personalities and Magic and they also possess form as well as force, both negative and positive.

In Wiccan ceremonial Magic each Element is represented by a colour:

Earth/North - Green
Air/East - Yellow
Water/West - Blue
Fire/South - Red

The Ancient Celts knew of these energies but the colours associated with them differ. North is Black, East is Red, West is Grey and South is White i.e Red symbolised the rising Sun, White the Noon, Grey the Twilight and Black the Night.

I have included a list of my own correspondances:

AIR

Direction - East Colour - Yellow Time of day - Dawn Season - Spring
Elemental Spirits - Slyphs or Sprites
Magical Tool - Athame or Sword
Nature symbols - Feathers or Wind

AIR : aid visualisation, its masculine in energy and governs the 4 winds. It also is the element of the mind, intellect, inspiration, imagination, ideas, knowledge, dreams and wishes.

WATER

Direction - West Colour - Blue Time of Day - Twilight Season - Autumn
Elemental Spirits - Undines or Merfolk
Magical Tool - Chalice or Cauldron
Nature Symbols - Water or Shells

Water: The element of emotion and the subconscious, love, purification, intuition, mysteries of the self, compassion, family, fertility, healing, pleasure and psychic abilities. it is a female energy and governs spells involving mirrors, friendship, marriage and happiness.

FIRE

Direction - South Colour - Red Time of Day - Mid-day Season - Summer
Elemental Spirits - Salamanders or Firedrakes
Magical Tool - Wand or Staff
Nature Symbols - Fire or Sun

Fire: is the element of authority and leadership, masculine in nature and governs all candle magic. It is the element of change, passion, sexuality, used in healing, purification, breaking bad habits or destroying illness or disease.

EARTH

Direction - North Colour - Green Time of Day - Midnight Season - Winter
Elemental Spirits - Gnomes
Magical Tool - Pentagram or Stones
Nature Symbols - Soil, Stones or Crystals

Earth: the element of stability and the body, it is wisdom, strength, growth and prosperity, it is also the Earth itself and the heart of all life. Earth is a feminine element and is used in spells involving business, prosperity, fertility and stability.

The fifth element is Spirit, your Spirit or Soul, it is you, who you are, who you have been and who you will be. You are the heart of all magical workings and you are Magic!!!!!