Green Witch's Guide to Working with the Elements
Green Witch’s Guide to Working with the Elements
Witchcraft is associated with the pentacle, which consists of a five-point star (pentagram) inside of a circle. Each point of the star represents the five elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and spirit. I remember a few times in high school that someone asked if I worshiped the devil after noticing my pentagram necklace. The assumption made me chuckle. While Satanists do use the inverted pentagram and some covens also use it, this isn’t always associated with the devil. Actually, Satanists don’t believe in the devil and are a separate group from devil-worshipers. The most important thing to know is that the pentacle (upright pentagram in a circle) is not a symbol of sinister magick, in general, and that the circle links the four quadrants symbolizing unity and ultimate love of nature.
Even back then, before I thoroughly explored the depths of the craft, I felt the protective properties of the natural elements. But most outsiders assumed a symbol with complex meanings to be a sign of devil-worship. More often than not, witches do not believe in the Christian devil. What most of us do believe in is the powerful magick that can be evoked from the natural elements.
The elements are cleansing, transforming, and capable of recharging energy. Even people who don’t practice witchcraft use elemental work in daily rituals from throwing Epsom salts in the bath, to opening windows to get fresh air, to making tea, and many purification and beauty trends. The elements reflect our own individual strengths, passion, and weakness. The complementary relationship of soil, wind, flame, and stream to Earth is a lesson for the balance needed in our own multi-faceted existence—the spirit.
"Don't dismiss the elements. Water soothes and heals. Air refreshes and revives. Earth grounds and holds. Fire is a burning reminder of our own will and creative power. Swallow their spells. There's a certain sweet comfort in knowing that you belong to them all." ― Victoria Erickson
The Elements: Earth
Symbolism
Direction: North
Color: Green
Alchemy symbol: Upside-down triangle with a line through the center
The element of Earth represents material matters, wealth, career, physical aspects of life, prosperity, and abundance. In tarot, the suit of pentacles is associated with Earth. Call on the Earth's power when manifesting wealth and prosperity, when you need grounding, stability, and for all home matters.
Astrology: The Hustler
Earth corresponds to the zodiacs Taurus, Capricorn, and Virgo and rules the Second, Sixth, and Seventh Houses. Earth signs tend to be beautiful home-makers, decorators, designers, and builders, but struggle with materialism. Earth signs tend to be more cautious and conservative when contemplating ideas. They are dependable, determined, and success-oriented, but should be careful to not focus so hard on the finish line, that they miss the experiences of the journey.
The Elements: Air
Symbolism
Direction: East
Color: Yellow
Alchemy symbol: Triangle with a line through the center
Air symbolizes intellect, mind, creativity, breadth, vision, and psychic abilities. In tarot, the suit of swords is associated with Air. Call on the element of Air when building clairvoyance, meditation, communication, and searching for inspiration.
Astrology: The Intellectual
The element of Air rules the Third, Seventh, and Eleventh Houses and is associated with the signs Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Air signs are the intellectuals of the zodiacs. They are alert, observant, and witty--able to analyze the abstract and handle complex problems--which makes them useful for jobs of public servitude such as a judge. Air signs can be calm and collected but are not patient with nonsense. Never bait an Air sign!
The Elements: Fire
Symbolism
Direction: South
Color: Red
Alchemy symbol: Triangle
Fire stands for energy, passion, willpower, determination, protection, and healing. In tarot, the suit of wands is associated with Fire. Use the fierceness of the flame for times requiring courage, assertion, and recovery. Fire is sensual, hypnotizing, and transformative, but can burn you if you aren’t careful.
Astrology: The Artist
The element of Fire is tied to the zodiacs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius and rules the First, Fifth, and Ninth Houses. Fire signs are creative, spontaneous, passionate, and larger than life--truly the artists of the zodiac. Without shadow work, fire signs can be selfish and egotistical. They can have a temper, spicy love life, and tend to be an inspiration to others. If fire signs aren’t inspiring, they are causing up drama or catalyzing karma.
The Elements: Water
Symbolism
Direction: West
Color: Blue
Alchemy symbol: Upside-down triangle
The element of Water represents emotions, dreams, subconscious, purification, blood, and metaphysical aspects of life. In tarot, the suit of cups is associated with Water. Call on the element of Water for love spells, shadow-work, astral projection, and relationship work.
Astrology: The Sensitive
The element of Water is associated with Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces and rules the Fourth, Eighth, and Twelfth Houses. Water signs are the most intuitive, emotional, and fluid of the zodiacs. Nurturing comes easily to the water sign, and they are natural caregivers. The water signs can be enchanting, but risk having too many mood swings if not aware of their tendencies. People with psychic abilities are often water signs.
The elements have individual strengths but call forth a lesson of complementary relationships and the balance all across nature. Calling on the elements to bring balance and harmony to any unbalance in your life can be beneficial to a mindful individual. Let the magick of the elements boost your magick by increasing the focus of intention. Let the elements remind you to keep your feet grounded, your wit sharp, your soul ignited, and your emotions free.
"Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain." ― Sun Tzu
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