The Five Elements
Please keep in mind that:
- This is all based on my own research. I've taken information from multiple sources and compiled it together.
- My research relates to Western interpretations of the elements, and your version of the elements may look different depending on where you live.
- My research relates to the Northern Hemisphere. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, your elements are going to look slightly different than mine.
Other Information About the Elements
- The Elements are typically called upon when casting a circle or asking for protection. Depending on the individual witch/coven, the starting point will vary. Most sources say you should start from the North or the East and move clockwise. This is usually referred to as "Calling the Quarters".
- Depending on where you live, you can tailor your environmental points to the Elements. For example, if you live near a large body of water you may use that for the element of water (even if it isn't in the West).
- The Elements are usually represented by candles or physical objects. Get creative about how you want to represent the Elements on your altar or your circle. The choice is yours!
- You don't have to work with the Elements, but you should have knowledge of them in the case that another witch or a coven you're visiting requests to use them. Most readings, also, make the Elements a crucial point in their works.
- Witches who primarily work with the Elements are referred to as Elemental Witches. If they work with a specific Element, they may be called a Fire/Earth/Water/Air Witch.
- You can connect with the Elements in a variety of ways, especially if you go out into nature and through your magick. The Elements, though, live within and around you. You can find them in everything, even man-made objects.
Earth
Earth is connected to the Northern cardial direction and is traditionally considered to be a feminine element. It is associated with grounding and centering, fertility, empathy, abundance, stability, and strength. In tarot, it is associated with the suit of Pentacles (or in some decks, Coins). Earth is associated with the season of winter, and it's time of day is midnight. Colors typically affiliated with this element are green, brown, black, and gold. Animal associations are nocturnal animals as well as most four-legged, forest dwelling animals (such as deer, coyotes, wolves, bears, etc). Magick surrounding your household is associated with and work most well with this element. Tool associations include the pentacle, salt, crystals, and herbs.
Air
Air is connected to the East, and is traditionally considered a masculine element. It is associated with knowledge, creativity, wisdom, unity, and communication. Colors associated with air are yellow and sky/arid colors (sky blue, for example). In tarot, it is associated with the suit of Swords (in some decks, this may be knives or claws). Animal associations include flying creatures such as hummingbirds and dragonflies. Air is associated with the season of spring, and it's time of day is dawn. Tool associations include bells, incense, and brooms.
Fire
Fire is connected to the South, and traditionally seen as a masculine element. It is associated with anger, authority, destruction, empowerment, passion, sexuality, and protection. In tarot, it is associated with the suit of Wands (in other decks, this may be scepters or any other kind of stick-like object). Animal associations include big cats and salamanders. Tool associations include the athame, burned herbs, dagger, and candles. It's time of day is noon, and it is associated with the season of summer. Color associations include warm toned colors, such as reds, oranges, and yellows/golds. Best types of magick for this element include purification, exorcisims, banishing, sex magick, protection, and success spells.
Water
Water is connected to the Western cardinal direction, and it is a feminine element traditionally. It is associated with transformation, emotions, healing, dreams, psychic ability, and love. Sometimes, it can be associated with death. Animal associations include aquatic creatures, including fish, aquatic mammals, and jellyfish. Tool associations include the cauldron and chalice. In tarot, water is associated with the suit of Cups. Color associations include blue, black, indigo, aquamarine, and seafoam. It's time of day is dusk, and it's season is autumn. Best types of magick for this element include divination, dreamwork, psychic powers, astral travel, healing, and fertility.
Spirit
Spirit is not associated with a cardinal direction, and it is not associated with any gender. It is typically known as the cosmos or aether, and is considered to be a bridge between the spiritual realm and the physical realm. It is associated with unification, magick, consciousness, essence, space-time, spirituality, and transformation. Color associations include indigo, black, and purple. Animal associations include snakes and spiders. In tarot, spirit can be associated with the Major Arcana. Spirit does not have any season or time associations, but can be associated in life as the stages of "before birth" and "after death". Tool associations include the cord.
