Raevyn
November 28th, 2002, 01:08 PM
I remember when I was younger and my teacher told the class how people used to believe everything was made up of only 4 substances, and thinking how silly that was. How could the world be made up of earth, air, fire, and water, when we now knew all the elements on the periodic table?
When I started studying Wicca this idea of four (or five) elements was reintroduced. What do these elements mean to you?
First, one must understand that these elements we use are not meant to be literal physical elements that we believe to make up the entire universe, but abstract concepts. Each element reminds you of things it corresponds with, and helps you relate your spirituality and beliefs to the physical world. They remind you of qualities, essences, and concepts.
Most people start with Air, because it is associated with east and that is where the sun rises. Air is also thought to bring with it new ideas and thoughts. Most people associate it with yellow, which reminds me of the desert with the wind blowing the sand up. You might also think of yellow because of air's association with east and the sun. Air and east are also associated with dawn, since that's when the sun rises, and it is cold and dry. Finally air is associated with winged creatures (since they fly on air!) and the athame most often, though sometimes it is associated with the wand instead. I personally associate it with the wand because I move the wand through the air and use it to direct things much as the wind does, though some people associate it with the athame because the athame cuts through the air and symbolicly through the plains to open us up to the spiritual world when you create a circle. Decide for yourself what makes sense.
The second element to think of is Fire. Fire is associated with south, which here makes sense since warmer climates exist far south of us :) It is associated with noon since that's when the sun is highest and hottest (most fiery), and with orange or red since that's the colour of fire, and it is warm and dry. It is associated with passion, hate, war, and lust, as it is so strong and burning like these things. It is associated with salamanders and fire breathing creatures - not salamanders like those in your fish tank, but fairy/mystical creatures that are like lizards of fire. This reminds me of watching a fire's flames licking the air and the colours moving and flashing, like a lizard. Finally, fire is associated with the wand or athame. I associate it with the athame because the athame cuts the air like a fire cuts through air etc. Again, use what makes sense to you.
The next element to look at is Water. It is associated with west, and the sunset. Water reminds us of emotions,changing and flowing much like water itself does, and is warm and wet. It also reminds us of the waters of the Goddess' womb, and the colour blue (reminds you of water, doesn't it?). Water is associated with animals that live in it, like dolphins and whales, and also undines which are fairies that look somewhat like mermaids. Since water is thought to be within the Goddess' womb, we use the chalice in association with it - the chalice reminds us of the round fertile womb of the Goddess.
Finally, there is Earth. It is associated with north, midnight, and is cold and wet. I think of it as the "darkest" element, since it's like miles and miles of earth way down below us. It reminds us of solidity and the physical world, logic and strength. Some people associate it with green and some with brown, for obvious reasons, and the animals associated with it include large strong creatures like bears and horses, as well as gnomes. Some people associate it with salt, as that is thought to be purifying as the earth is, dirt, stones, or a pentacle. Use whatever is appropriate to you.
Finally, some people talk of a fifth element, beyond the four physical. It can be called spirit, divine, akasha, or by other names, and unites all of the others. It is what gives us life, and symbolizes how we are all One. Some people use a cauldron or crystal to symbolize it, and some associate it with white or purple.
When you cast a circle or call on these elements the idea is to think of them and focus on them. Earth, air, fire, and water always exist, but when you call each you try to "tune" in to that energy. You call in each energy for balance and to recognize the whole, same as you call in the God and Goddess.
As you welcome air, for instance, you might visualize the wind blowing fall leaves, snow, or sand across the desert. You might feel the cool wind across your face, the sound of howling winds or blowing fall leaves, tornadoes, the colour yellow, creativity and new ideas. The idea is to take a moment to experience air as it is spiritually and physically, and it's influence in your life.
Each element serves as an idea for us to work with the universe. Keep in mind that while there are traditional ideas for these elements in Wicca and in other paths, there are no hard and fast rules.
For instance, since I live closer to the east coast and there are plains to the west and water to the east, I might one day decide I should associate west with air and east with water. Other cultures may have different ideas of associations, or even different elements such as ice, metal, or wood. If there is a reason you feel different associations make more sense to you then that is what you should work with, however if you're unsure it might be easier for you to work with the traditional elements for now.
Another way to connect with energies is to meditate on each. You might choose whichever one you're least comfortable with, or do each element in turn, and meditate on them. What colours, experiences, emotions, essences, memories, beliefs, and feelings does the element bring to you? It can also be therapeutic to think about what element you might be missing or needing in your life - for instance, if you're feeling very emotional and fiery, meditate on earth for solidity and wisdom, and bring it into your life. Achive balance.
So here's your homework, should you choose to accept it :) Sit down and think about the elements. Maybe get a notepad and make a heading for each, and brainstorm everything you associate with each one by one. Even research different trads or paths and what they associate with elements, and what you think about it.
What's missing in your life? What's strong in your life? What elements are you uncomfortable with or afraid of? For instance, if you're afraid of water because you almost drowned once, meditate on water for awhile. It may be uncomfortable but it might help you understand yourself and find balance within yourself.
If you have comments - if you associate elements differently, or have an interesting experience to relate, or want to share what you think about elements, post it!
When I started studying Wicca this idea of four (or five) elements was reintroduced. What do these elements mean to you?
First, one must understand that these elements we use are not meant to be literal physical elements that we believe to make up the entire universe, but abstract concepts. Each element reminds you of things it corresponds with, and helps you relate your spirituality and beliefs to the physical world. They remind you of qualities, essences, and concepts.
Most people start with Air, because it is associated with east and that is where the sun rises. Air is also thought to bring with it new ideas and thoughts. Most people associate it with yellow, which reminds me of the desert with the wind blowing the sand up. You might also think of yellow because of air's association with east and the sun. Air and east are also associated with dawn, since that's when the sun rises, and it is cold and dry. Finally air is associated with winged creatures (since they fly on air!) and the athame most often, though sometimes it is associated with the wand instead. I personally associate it with the wand because I move the wand through the air and use it to direct things much as the wind does, though some people associate it with the athame because the athame cuts through the air and symbolicly through the plains to open us up to the spiritual world when you create a circle. Decide for yourself what makes sense.
The second element to think of is Fire. Fire is associated with south, which here makes sense since warmer climates exist far south of us :) It is associated with noon since that's when the sun is highest and hottest (most fiery), and with orange or red since that's the colour of fire, and it is warm and dry. It is associated with passion, hate, war, and lust, as it is so strong and burning like these things. It is associated with salamanders and fire breathing creatures - not salamanders like those in your fish tank, but fairy/mystical creatures that are like lizards of fire. This reminds me of watching a fire's flames licking the air and the colours moving and flashing, like a lizard. Finally, fire is associated with the wand or athame. I associate it with the athame because the athame cuts the air like a fire cuts through air etc. Again, use what makes sense to you.
The next element to look at is Water. It is associated with west, and the sunset. Water reminds us of emotions,changing and flowing much like water itself does, and is warm and wet. It also reminds us of the waters of the Goddess' womb, and the colour blue (reminds you of water, doesn't it?). Water is associated with animals that live in it, like dolphins and whales, and also undines which are fairies that look somewhat like mermaids. Since water is thought to be within the Goddess' womb, we use the chalice in association with it - the chalice reminds us of the round fertile womb of the Goddess.
Finally, there is Earth. It is associated with north, midnight, and is cold and wet. I think of it as the "darkest" element, since it's like miles and miles of earth way down below us. It reminds us of solidity and the physical world, logic and strength. Some people associate it with green and some with brown, for obvious reasons, and the animals associated with it include large strong creatures like bears and horses, as well as gnomes. Some people associate it with salt, as that is thought to be purifying as the earth is, dirt, stones, or a pentacle. Use whatever is appropriate to you.
Finally, some people talk of a fifth element, beyond the four physical. It can be called spirit, divine, akasha, or by other names, and unites all of the others. It is what gives us life, and symbolizes how we are all One. Some people use a cauldron or crystal to symbolize it, and some associate it with white or purple.
When you cast a circle or call on these elements the idea is to think of them and focus on them. Earth, air, fire, and water always exist, but when you call each you try to "tune" in to that energy. You call in each energy for balance and to recognize the whole, same as you call in the God and Goddess.
As you welcome air, for instance, you might visualize the wind blowing fall leaves, snow, or sand across the desert. You might feel the cool wind across your face, the sound of howling winds or blowing fall leaves, tornadoes, the colour yellow, creativity and new ideas. The idea is to take a moment to experience air as it is spiritually and physically, and it's influence in your life.
Each element serves as an idea for us to work with the universe. Keep in mind that while there are traditional ideas for these elements in Wicca and in other paths, there are no hard and fast rules.
For instance, since I live closer to the east coast and there are plains to the west and water to the east, I might one day decide I should associate west with air and east with water. Other cultures may have different ideas of associations, or even different elements such as ice, metal, or wood. If there is a reason you feel different associations make more sense to you then that is what you should work with, however if you're unsure it might be easier for you to work with the traditional elements for now.
Another way to connect with energies is to meditate on each. You might choose whichever one you're least comfortable with, or do each element in turn, and meditate on them. What colours, experiences, emotions, essences, memories, beliefs, and feelings does the element bring to you? It can also be therapeutic to think about what element you might be missing or needing in your life - for instance, if you're feeling very emotional and fiery, meditate on earth for solidity and wisdom, and bring it into your life. Achive balance.
So here's your homework, should you choose to accept it :) Sit down and think about the elements. Maybe get a notepad and make a heading for each, and brainstorm everything you associate with each one by one. Even research different trads or paths and what they associate with elements, and what you think about it.
What's missing in your life? What's strong in your life? What elements are you uncomfortable with or afraid of? For instance, if you're afraid of water because you almost drowned once, meditate on water for awhile. It may be uncomfortable but it might help you understand yourself and find balance within yourself.
If you have comments - if you associate elements differently, or have an interesting experience to relate, or want to share what you think about elements, post it!