Elements and Directions

[Amethyst Rose]

I was reading the ABC's of Witch Craft by Doreen Valiente, and she said something very interesting that I hadn't heard before... this is that the directions that commonly correspond with elements (fire=south, earth=north, wind=east, water=west), were for a specific area in England, and that witches should change these correpondences to fit their own location. For example, if you're living in the Antartica, North would be Fire. It makes complete total sense, but I'd never though of it before. Does anyone here do this?

[Storm]

Yes, I have read that elsewhere and I use east as water and west as air. Where I live there is a great big lake called Lake Michigan in the east.

[Amethyst Rose]

I'm curious... have you always done this, or did you change your habits because of what you've read? I'm interested because the correspondances are so ingrained in me and my practices that I feel it would be really hard (not to mention confusing) to change them.

[Storm]

Well when I first started I did it the other way but the last 6 months I haven't really practice so much as I have studied...been studying tarot and runes and threw in some Crowley and not much ritual work. However I have written my own rituals and after not practicing for awhile it was easy to incorporate the switch. It was hard though in my mind...the fight between tradition and what made the most sense. I guess a part of me wonders if east and air aren't aligned together and switching it not necessary since if you go west enough you'll hit water. Maybe they are alligned and for the whole planet not just for this little ity bity location. You know what.....I may go back to the original way. I think I just talked myself out of the switch. Like I said, I really haven't done much ritual work lately and I am always writing new rituals and learning new ways of doing things. I don't mean to sound wishy washy but I just happened to change my mind in the middle of the discussion. :)

[Grey]

Interesting... Ive always done it earth north water west etc, no reason to change it around here...

I still dont understand taht antartica thing though... whats going on with that?

[Eeluna]

I had a lot of trouble with the traditonal coorespondences. It just seemed illogical to me for West to be water, when I live near the east coast, and the Atlantic Ocean is to the east while to the west is lots and lots of land (Earth). So I thought about it and meditated upon it for a long time. Finally I decided that the Elements are everywhere and can be found in any direction. So I did what seemed more logical to me.

East=Water South=Fire West=Earth North=Air

I think that if the tradtional directions make sense to a person they should use them. However if they don't match your geographical location, I see nothing wrong in changing the correspondences to fit in logically with your area if you so desire.

[Amethyst Rose]

Originally posted by Grey
I still dont understand taht antartica thing though... whats going on with that?

Well....if you're in antartica, then doesn't it get warmer when you travel north, rather than south? I don't know....geography has always been a sore point with me. Other people who have spoken up have had far better examples than that one. :)
I, for where I am, would consider having South = air, (because that's where the wind comes from them most) and North = water, because there's a lot more open water to the north, and the water on that side of the island always has great surfing waves.... I'm not too sure about fire and earth though.....

[Erincelt]

I've seen this come up before in other places, and I've read that before myself... For that matter, I can name a few different sets of corresponces just off the top of my head..

I mean.. "Traditional" places Air in the East, sure.. but the Hermetic Rituals of the Hexagram place Fire in the East, and the Lycian Tradition has Earth in the East... its all very much up to you. Whatever makes sense and seems to work for you.. each group will have some way they justify their arrangement, and it seems to me that I've had successes with any and every setup.

I suppose its important to remember that the Four Mystic Elements are Archetypes and not to be taken too literally... For instance, Air is not just wind.. but also intellect and base masculinity.. Earth is not just stone and dirt.. but also foundation, cyclicism, and nurturing femininity (sp?)... and so forth. They aren't named for their physical counterparts, but for what they represent.. Okie doke, I've said my peace.

[Raevyn]

I've pondered this at times but not sure. Here it's warmer in the south (fire), but the air is mostly in the west (the prairies over yonder), and water closer in the east. At the same time, I associate air with bringing new beginnings, and the sun rising in the east with the same. I associate water with mystery (through femininity, partially) and twilight, and thus with the sun setting.

So to me, the traditional north-earth/east-air/south-fire/west-water thing makes sense the way it is in one way, but doesn't in another. *shrugs* I just use that "traditional" way because it's what I started with and the energies I'm used to - it'd be hard to imagine conjuring air in the west now, or water in the east.

[Flar's Freyja]

And then there are those like me who can't find their directions without a compass......:rolleyes: but I know the elements and their associations, and that's what I consider to be essential.

[Grey]

Ive alway used Earth/ North Water/West Fire/South and Air/East
Its just kinda lines up around here. Ive not heard that the lyctic did any differrant but I understand the personal differrance due to the concepts behind it.

[Rainx]

Just a note, I happened to find the elements lesson I posted that commented a bit on changing directions to your liking. Those of us who are a bit newer to magic or aren't sure about elements and directions might find it useful - http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22004