The Elemental
Forces
We enhance sacred space for the purposes of magick by bringing in the energies of the elemental forces to assist us in creating an area that is beyond time and space. The elemental powers are the energetic building blocks of creation, so the witch summons those elemental forces through portals within the sacred space. If we think of sacred space as a container of energy, the elemental portals are what hold and empower this space and bring in that raw energy that the Universe is composed of.
However, the elemental energy coming through those portals may be too intense or too mild for the space we are trying to create. The witch bypasses this by calling upon a guardian of each elemental force. The guardian of each element is considered a master of that type of energy, and as such is called upon to control the flow of elemental energy entering so that it is sufficient for the working that we are doing. The elemental guardian also serves as a guardian of that portal to ensure nothing but raw elemental energy enters the space.
One of the first concepts one usually encounters within witchcraft is the concept of the four elements along with the fifth. I often find that books that discuss the true heart of the four elements don’t do a thorough job for the beginner. The four elements are earth, air, fire, and water, and the fifth element is spirit. These elements were defined by ancient Greek philosophers and alchemists by that name, though similar ideas were also used in ancient Indian and Egyptian theology. Later, medieval alchemists expanded upon these four elements by subdividing them into further elements, such as Suflur, Mercury, Lead, Phosophorus, etc. Alchemy was the forbearer of chemistry and as such gave birth to the elemental periodic table.
What is important to understand about these elements is that their names are symbolic and metaphorical. They are not literally earth, air, fire, or water—nor are they the spirit that rules these things. Instead, they are names for the different types of energy. The periodic table took the further defined and articulated metaphors of the four elements and looked at the purely chemical composition of these ideas. The metaphorical became literal. This has caused a lot of confusion surrounding the concept of elements in modern times. Because it can be confusing when talking about the elemental force versus its physical symbol, I will capitalize the first letter of an elemental force when talking about it.
Elemental Building Blocks
The word element denotes the building blocks which compose all things and exist within all things inside this Universe. Therefore, if you were to pick up a clump of soil, it is not purely earth. Instead, the soil contains all four of the elements within it. The same is true for water, wind, and fire. These qualities of energy that compose all things were described by ancients with these four names because the energy acts and moves in a very similar manner energetically to their physical counterpart.
As I mentioned earlier, we as humans do not have an exact way to describe energy as we perceive it, as our vocabulary for it is very underdeveloped for such things. With the Hermetic idea of “As above, so below,” we can get an idea of how the unseen forces work by observing the forces we can experience with our five senses. So by pointing at the metaphorical counterpart of the element, we can begin to understand its nature and quality a bit easier and describe and discuss it with other people and have them know what we’re talking about.
Understanding that the elemental names are symbolic is hard to grasp unless one can psychically experience them. For example, Water is a relatively lighter and colder energy that is very wet and fluid-feeling in nature and tends to have a flowing quality to it. It is usually perceived as being a cool temperature. Therefore, water is an excellent metaphor for the element of Water. The element of Earth has a very slow and stable energy to it; is perceived as cool temperature-wise; is dry; and is very dense. The element of Fire, on the other hand, is lighter energy of constant fluctuation, instability, and rapid shifting. It is perceived as having a very hot temperature to it; it is dry, and usually has a bit of a tingling sensation about it. The element of Air is a quicker energy that is perceived as warmer, wet, and has a flowing energy to it, similar to a gust of a steady wind.
We could easily call Water “cold and wet energy,” Earth could be called “cool and dry energy,” Fire can be named “hot and dry energy,” and Air could be called “hot and wet energy.” However, this is a mouthful and also doesn’t fully denote what the energy’s essential, inherent nature is, but rather how it acts and feels when experienced. The problem also arises that the “coolness” of Water and the “coolness” of Earth are also different experiences. This is also true with the stability of Air and the stability of Earth, two very different sensations. This is why elements are so much easier to use as descriptors for these energies. Also, by having a metaphor for these types of energy we have a much easier way of discerning, interacting, and summoning them. By working with symbolism, we are consciously working with the subconscious and the universal language of the Collective Unconscious.
Quintessence
Spirit, the fifth element, is a bit of a paradox in itself and is also fractal. Spirit is the finest element which composes all of the four elements but also contains within it all four elements. Each element contains Spirit, and each of the four elements are held within Spirit and in a state of perfected balance. This is the quintessence of the elements. It is the quintessential raw energy that binds all things together and the thing that includes all things, yet the thing which all things are composed of. For this reason, Spirit, just like the magick circle or the Ouroboros, is often symbolized by the paradoxical circle.
The elements also have qualities to them that correspond to states of physical existence. Water has an emotional quality to it. Earth has a growing quality to it and, as the slowest vibration element, is the most solid or tangible. Air has a mental and intellectual condition to it and Fire has an animating quality to it, most often likened to that inner divine spark. The elemental system gives us the best way to begin categorizing energy and, as the energy composes all things, it is the building blocks of reality. Therefore, if we are reenacting a creation myth within our magick circle, the next thing that we are going to want to do is have a palette of these magickal building blocks of energy to work with.
Since the elements represent the most basic energetic components of reality, it also tends to be a popular categorization system for various concepts, virtues, challenges, and attributes. It tends to be one of the primary systems of correspondences that witches use. Correspondence, in its most basic definition, is when something has a distinctly strong energetic resonance with a specific archetypal energy signature such as an element or a planet. We will explore both correspondences and planets in more detail shortly, but for now, it’s sufficient to explain that certain things seem to have a stronger energetic resonance with one element than others despite containing all of the elemental building blocks of energy within them. This is not just limited to physical things or physical forces but also to more abstract concepts, states of being, and experiences. Each element also corresponds to one of the three worlds. As we explore or talk about elements, try to think less literally and more symbolically. This will help you to unlock the mysteries of the elemental forces.
Earth
The element of Earth is that of form, stability, stillness, and growth. It is closely tied to physical things, being the slowest and densest of the four elemental energies. Just like the namesake of this element, the qualities of Earth as a whole are that of rootedness, stability, abundance, strength, growth, structure, birth, and detail. It is an energy of structure, formation, geometry, and crystallization.
Earth is the element tied to the mysteries of “tomb and womb,” that of creation and return. This is understood through its symbol of soil. Plants grow and feast upon the soil, taking up nutrients. Animals, people, and insects eat those plants. However, all things placed within the ground of the earth will eventually be consumed through decomposition and return to it, including us, until the cycle starts again. We know the element of Earth within us as our physical bodies and physical health. We connect with Earth through growth, exercise, physical and financial security, structure, organization, and groundedness. Earth provides the ability for things to be experienced as physical. Earth is related to the sense of touch and the psychic experience of clairtangency (clear feeling).
As a state of matter, it is represented by the solid state, with slowly vibrating molecules creating a crystallization of form. It is almost universally associated with the direction of the north. The types of intelligence connected with Earth are called gnomes, which are envisioned as short and stout humanoid figures that are associated with both gardening and growing plants as well as digging and mining precious minerals and gemstones from within the earth. The glyph of Earth is a downward triangle indicating it’s passive energy with a negative charge, and a line running through it to denote that it’s a generative force.
Water
The element of Water is that of expression, responsiveness, synthesis, and magnetism. It is closely tied to things of an emotional and intuitive nature. Water expresses itself in many ways and many forms, from the still pond, to the gently moving stream, to the raging tidal waves crashing against each other. It takes on the shape of whatever container that it is placed in and it synthesizes and mixes with any additional water or liquid that it comes across. It can be as subtle as a mist or as intense as a waterfall.
We know the element of Water within us as our emotional, dreaming, and intuitive nature. We connect with Water through dreaming, honoring our emotions, adaptability, psychic visions, astral projection, nurturing relationships, and self-care. We experience Water as nourishment, healing, flow, empathy, sensitivity, intensity, mysticism, and depth. Water moves in cycles, like the ebb and flow of tides, or the moon which moves those tides and has its own cycle of waxing and waning. Water is related to the sense of taste and the psychic experience of clairgustance (clear taste) as well as clairempathy (clear emotion), both of which are acts of taking energy in and absorbing it.
As a state of matter, it is represented by the liquid state, whose molecules are vibrating at a steady state making it too slow to be gas and too fast to be solid. It is almost universally associated with the direction of the west. The forms of intelligence connected with Water are called undines, which are portrayed as little merfolk composed of water. The glyph of Water is a downward triangle indicating it’s passive energy with a negative charge. There’s no line running through it as with the glyph for Earth, because it is a generated force, just as water bubbles up from underground wells or emerges through the liquefaction of a solid.
Air
The element of Air is that of space and movement. We know the element of Air the best not by seeing it, but rather experiencing what it’s distributing. We know Air by the scents that travel through the breezes, and the sounds being transported through it; we feel the temperatures that the wind moves and carries; we see the leaves and dust that spin and dance around within its whirlwinds.
We know the element of Air within us as our mental and intellectual nature. Air is the expanse of stillness from which intelligence, intellect, analysis, communication, sound, creativity, awareness, and movement emerge and move. We connect with Air through intellectual endeavors, meditation, visualization, concentration, imagination, speaking, singing, and listening. Air is related to the sense of smell and hearing and the psychic experiences of clairalience (clear smelling) and clairaudience (clear hearing).
The natural symbolic representations of Air are wind, breezes, tornadoes, smoke, and thunder. As a state of matter, it is expressed as gas, which is also formless, light, and warm. It is most commonly associated with the direction of the east. The forms of intelligence connected with Air are called sylphs, which are portrayed as wispy sprite-like creatures. The glyph of Air is an upward triangle indicating it’s active energy with a positive charge and a line running through it to denote that it’s a generative force.
Fire
The element of Fire is closely tied to things of a passionate and transformative nature. It is a kinetic force that exists through movement and action. If it were to stop moving it would lose its power, just like a wildfire—and just like a wildfire, it seems to have a determined, aggressive willpower of its own. Fire is transformational, an energy that transmutes anything that comes across it, just as fire turns to char and ash anything it comes across.
The qualities of Fire as a whole are that of passion, drive, willpower, transformation, warmth, and power. We know Fire as our own spirit. We connect with Fire within ourselves through sexuality, ambition, intensity, determination, and courage. It is the spark of potential that creates a fully animated fire. It is the power of magma erupting and overcoming anything that comes across it. It is the seemingly eternal light and glow from the sun and of the stars, imposing their own will upon our planet and our life. Fire is related to the sense of vision and the psychic experience of clairvoyance (clear vision).
As a state of matter, it is expressed as plasma, which is unstable, ever-shifting, lightweight, and dangerous, just like its earthly symbol of fire. Lightning is plasma, as are stars. Plasma occurs when gas has absorbed so much energy that the electrons become separated from their nuclei. These electrons become ionized and electrical, creating light and electromagnetic radiation. In fact, in some cases if a fire is hot enough the gases it emits will become plasma.
It is most commonly associated with the direction of the south. The forms of intelligence connected with Fire are called salamanders, which are portrayed as small lizards composed of fire. The glyph of Fire is an upward triangle indicating it’s active energy with a positive charge. There’s no line running through it as with the glyph for Air because it is a generated force. Fire is sustained with Air just as plasma is generated from gas.
The Pentagram
There are no other symbols more closely tied to witchcraft than the pentagram and pentacle. The word pentagram comes from the Greek word pentagrammon meaning “five-lined.” Thus, pentagrams are five-pointed geometric stars, and pentacles are pentagrams with a circle around them. Neither symbol is a sign of evil or devil-worship whether it is right side up or upside down. The pentagram has a history that is hard to pinpoint, but we find it in almost every religious and mystical tradition, including those of the Greek, Babylonian, Celtic, Egyptian, Druid, Kabbalistic, Christian, and Chinese.
Witches view pentagrams as a symbol of balance, protection, and divinity. The pentagram represents the four elements with the top point being the fifth element of quintessence or divinity. An upright pentagram represents the material ascending to the spiritual, while a reversed pentagram represents spirit descending into matter. If a pentagram is upright, going clockwise from the top point of quintessence Spirit, we have the element of Water in the upper right-hand point, Fire in the lower right-hand point, Earth in the lower left-hand point, and Air in the upper left-hand point.
Witches and ceremonial magicians often use pentagrams drawn in the air with directed energy as keys to open and close elemental portals of energy. When the pentagram is being used to open a portal of elemental energy, it’s called an “invoking pentagram,” and when it’s being used to close down a portal of elemental energy, it’s called a “banishing pentagram.”
The invoking and banishing pentagrams come from the ceremonial traditions to bring an elemental force into the circle or working. In the witchcraft traditions we wouldn’t call this invoking; rather we would call this evoking, because we are not calling this energy into our body but rather into our magick circle. In witchcraft, the word invoking is usually in reference to calling something into your body or into an object, whereas the word evoking is used to call something into your space. But in the ceremonial traditions they view the circle as an extension of their body, so when they’re calling something into the circle, they’re invoking it. Likewise, since some witches see the magickal circle as an extension of their aura, it could definitely be seen as invoking. The invoking and banishing pentagrams can be seen as “keys,” but I see them more as portals. The invoking pentagrams open up a portal for a specific elemental energy to come through, and the banishing pentagrams close a portal’s flow of a specific elemental energy.
In ritual, these pentagrams are drawn when calling upon elemental guardians who will be in charge of the portals and controlling via their discernment how much energy to allow through that portal, based on their expertise of that element and the working itself. These pentagrams can also be used without calling upon a guardian if you aren’t performing a ritual to control the elemental energies of a place or object.
Before invoking a pentagram, it’s essential to connect with each element first on a deep level and understand how that energy feels. Once you’re appropriately attuned to that element you can then summon that feeling from within you and channel it by focusing on it while painting the energy into the air. You paint the energy in the air in the same manner as you would casting a circle, but with the focus of the elemental energy.
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Attuning to the Elements
Begin by tuning in. Take a deep breath and state:
“I intend to vibrate in resonance with the element
of Earth, so that I may know you.”
In the air before you, draw the invoking pentagram of Earth in blue Witch Fire. Feel the energy of Earth emanating from your pentagram portal. Feel the energy of the element of Earth surround you. Perform the Elemental Breathing exercise, except focus only on Earth with each count, repeating Earth to four counts of every part of the breathing process. Take in the energy of Earth, let it charge and fill you. Bring your breath and awareness to fill each cauldron one by one with this energy. Fill it in the lower cauldron, the middle cauldron, and the upper cauldron. What does it feel like? What does it look like? What does it smell like? What does it sound like? What does it taste like? When you are done, perform the banishing pentagram of the Earth.
Continue this with the other elements (Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit) with their appropriate invoking pentagrams and banishing pentagrams.
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Conjuring Elemental Energy for
Charging and Sending
Begin by tuning in. Activate your palm energy centers. Decide which element you want to conjure. Draw the invoking pentagram of that element with the fingers of your projective hand on the palm of your receptive hand. Begin focusing on what the specific element feels like, based on your experiences from the previous exercise. Hold your hands apart. Fill each of your internal cauldrons with the elemental energy and then visualize them streaming out into each hand, creating an orb of energy formed purely of that element. Visualize the elemental symbol on your orb.
You can use this energy to charge objects with a specific element. For example, if I wanted to charge a candle with the element of Air, I would take the Air elemental energy in my hands and place it around the candle, visualizing all of that elemental energy filling and activating the candle. You can also send this orb of energy to another person over distance. Solely focus on the energy orb inside of your hands, think of the recipient, and take a deep breath. Exhale forcefully, visualizing that you are blowing the sphere of elemental energy to its destination.
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Calling the Quarters
The quarters are the four directional spots within a circle where the guardian spirits of the four elements preside.
Begin by tuning in and performing a soul alignment. Starting in the north draw the invoking pentagram of its corresponding element before you in blue Witch Fire light. Call forth the guardian of that element while visualizing the guardian coming forward, and raising your receptive hand. Start at the north and move clockwise in your circle:
“Hail to the Guardian of the Watchtower of the [Direction],
By the power of [Element] and Astral Light,
I [ your name] summon, stir, and call you forth in this circle,
To witness, guard, and join in this rite,
Ancient One come and take your place,
Bring forth your power and open your gates,
Stationing your quarter in this sacred space.
Hail and welcome!”
Wait until you feel their presence. Then, starting from the center of your pentagram trace a line in blue Witch Fire light to your next quarter point moving from north/Earth to east/Air to south/Fire to west/Water and finishing by connecting your trail of light from the western pentacle to the northern pentacle.
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Dismissing the Quarters
This process is similar to Calling the Quarters but done in reverse. To dismiss the quarters, you move counterclockwise from the west to the north, draw the banishing pentagram of the appropriate element before you in blue Witch Fire light. Call to the guardian of the element while visualizing the guardian leaving the space, while raising your projective hand:
“Hail to the Guardian of the Watchtower of the [Direction],
By the power of [Element] and Astral Light,
I thank you for your presence and assistance,
In guarding, and protecting this rite,
Stay if you will and leave if you must,
May there always be peace between us,
In perfect love and in perfect trust.
Hail and farewell!”
Walk counterclockwise repeating this process to dismiss each quarter with its guardian.