The Four Elements of Magic and Nature

In magical terms there are four main elements that make up this realm. Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, these are the elements of nature. Each one has energy and a spirit of its own. Each has its likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. The first step in your spiritual journey is to get to know these elements. Know them as individuals, feel them, taste them, hear them, and see them everyday. Get to know them for who they are, and learn their personalities well. Most of all respect them like you would your grandmother or grandfather, respect them like you would a pastor or president, they are the rulers and leaders of the natural world. They will come to know you as you come to know them, and will soon become powerful allies. Welcome to the magical world that has been there all along.

Earth; its nature is fertile, nurturing, stable, working, moist, grounding and gravitational. Rituals associated with it are; prosperity, money, wealth, employment, fertility, growth, and grounding. Some of the herbs that are associated with this element are; patchouli, mosses, nuts, vetivert, roots, ferns, Evergreens, and sage. Related places are; gardens, canyons, caves, forests, parks, kitchens, basements, holes, valleys, and mines. The many stones that relate to Earth are; green stones such as emerald and peridot, or heavy stones such as coal or load stones. There are also animals that share Earth energies they are; horses, earthworms, ants, beavers, cows, dogs, and burrowing animals such as moles and gophers. Metals related to this element are; mostly lead and iron, being from the Earth, all metals relate somewhat to the element. Earth has receptive energy, gathering up and storing as much energy as possible, much like a battery. Other things that relate to this element are; the colors green and brown, the direction of north, the sense of touch, and its' natural symbols are rocks, wheat, salt, soil and acorns. Astrological signs related to Earth are; Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Finally; the ritual forms associated with Earth are; burying, images in sand or earth, and planting; types of magic are magnet, image, knot, binding, stone, and gardening.

The next element we are going to explore is Air. Airs nature is moving, fresh, suspension, sound, flying, and intelligence. Rituals for Air include instruction, freedom, recovering lost items, travel, study and knowledge. Related herbs include flowers, dill, leaves, broom, caraway, eucalyptus, majoram, nutmeg, peppermint, and thyme. Places that are associated with this element are; plains, schools, towers, airports, offices, libraries, mountain tops, and psychiatrists offices. Some other things related to Air are; stones such as mica and pumice, animals such as birds, winged insects, spiders; and the metals copper and tin. Yellow is the color most likened to Air, and its' direction is east. This element is associated with the senses of smell and hearing and its' astrological signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Ritual forms include suspending, fanning, tossing, positive thinking, and visualization; natural symbols are incense smoke, flowers, and feathers and relate to the following types of magic; concentration, wind magic, and divination; Airs' time of day is dawn.

Fire is the next element in the list. Its' nature is destructive, purifying, energetic, cleansing, forceful and sexual. Rituals usually consist of sex, courage, energy, authority, protection, and strength. The many herbs associated with Fire are; thistles, chilies, cacti, coffee, acacia, bay, carnation, cinnamon, clove, coriander, garlic, holly, lavender, marigold, onion, pepper, rosemary, sunflower, tobacco, vanilla and walnut. Good places to do Fire magic are; hot springs, deserts, locker rooms, bedrooms, volcanoes, ovens, and athletic fields. Other things related to this element are; the stones jasper, quartz, and lava; the metals brass and gold; the colors red and gold, and the direction south. Animals that are used in Fire magic are lizards, bees, scorpions, sharks, and snakes. Fires' direction is south and its' ritual forms are smoldering, heating, and burning. Its' astrological signs are Aires, Leo, and Sagittarius and its' natural symbols are lava, heated objects, and flame. Finally it has a time of day of noon, and its' most powerful types of magic are storm, time, star, and candle.

Water is the final element we will be exploring; with its' purifying, soothing, loving, flowing and healing nature. Rituals pertaining to this element are love, psychic, sleep, dreams, marriage, friendships, purification, and peace. The herbs that are most closely associated with Water are water lilies, seaweed, lettuce, rose, apple, chamomile, catnip, cucumber, gardenia, geranium, sweet orange, poppy, valerian, vanilla, violet and willow. Places one would perform Water magic would be; springs, lakes, rivers, ponds, oceans, wells, fountains and streams. Other things related to Water magic are the stones aquamarine, amethyst, and blue tourmaline, the metals silver, mercury, and copper; and the color blue. Its' energy is receptive, its' direction west, and its' sense is taste. Ritual forms include dowsing, washing, bathing, and dilution, and its' astrological signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Finally its' natural symbols are a cup of water and seashells, and its' related types of magic are ice, sea, snow, mirror and fog, and its' time of day is dusk.