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You will find in many books and many witchcraft websites references to the Four Elements. The Four elements are invoked in rituals, spells and other magical activities. The ancients believed that the four elements in some way made up the world and the entire universe. As we know today this is not entirely true what we now know is that universe is made up of hundreds of "elements" that are shown on the Periodic Table.

Every now and then you hear somebody referring to the four elements when they are talking about nature. For example "See how the elements have worn away that rock formation". What they are saying is that the Wind, Rain, Fire (or sun) and Dirt over the years has shaped the rocks.

Hence we can deduce that in some way the Water, Air, Fire and Earth has shaped the world that we live in. This is something the ancient people realised and started revering and probably fearing. The winds could blow your village down, the rain could flood your house, similarly fire could sweep through town and burn everything down, or the earth could open up and swallow you whole. Therefore we can see the Four Elements were seen as a strong force of nature and as deities that needed appeasing.

With a little contemplation we can see why the elements were introduced in to the magical system. If a deity could be so strong that it could literally move the earth it must be a very powerful deity indeed.

The Four Elements are used in many systems of magic and you will find with a little study that the four elements can apply to Stones, Herbs, Tarot cards, Days of the week, Astrology and many other associations. Huge tables of correspondences have been drawn up by magicians regarding the four elements what what they correspond to. And quite frankly the table of correspondences is a fantastic idea. For any spell or ritual you want to perform you can do a quick check of the ingredients or items that you can use for your working.

My definitions of the four elements:

Earth is the ground under your feet it is the trees, the animals, the dirt , the rocks, the pebbles. It is the stabilizing aspect. It is the strength of a mountain and the fertility of the soil that gives life.

Magical Properties: Prosperity, Merchants, Physical, Sensory, Fraud, Provider, Senses

Direction: South in the South, North in the North

Sun Signs: Capricorn, Virgo, Taurus

Tarot: Pentacles

Air is the breath that gives you life, is the wind that cleanses the forests. The refreshing, revitalizing breeze that flows through your open windows.

Magical Properties: Knowledge, Priests, Mental, Self Appraisal, Trickery, Seer, Intellect.

Direction: East

Sun Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Tarot: Swords

Fire is the destructive yet revitalizing force. Fire can destroy our homes our forests. But within its destruction is it's transmutative properties. The bush fire can clean the forest canopy and floor giving way to new growth and rejuvenation. Fire is also beneficial it warms our winter homes and cooks our food. In Australia without fire many native plant seeds cannot germinate.

Magical Properties: Righteousness, Warriors, Spiritual, Goal Orientated, Deceit, Leader, Ego, Fortitude.

Direction: South in the North, North in the South.

Sun Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Tarot: Wands

Water is life without water life would not exist and would not have evolved. Water is the flooding rains, the raging river and the crashing surf. Water provides moisture to our crops and hydrates our bodies.

Magical Properties: Benevolence, Servants, Emotional, Other people, Falsehood, Server, Mind.

Direction: West

Sun Signs: Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio

Tarot: Cups

How do we use the elements in magic is hear you ask, meditate on each of the descriptions above and then decide which element can help you in your current situation.

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