Rose Ariadne's Chitchcraft Blog

Dear Friends,

In Wicca we honor the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. These elements are as sacred to us as our deities and serve many purposes in our magickal workings. During spellwork, we call upon the spirits that guide the elements, and ask for the qualities of the elements. Sometimes when we accidentally call upon the elements themselves, the power is too great to handle. Make sure to focus only on the attributes of the element. This is an effective way of using the power without letting an element railroad over you and your workings.During a ritual, each elemental guardian is called. However, depending on the type of ritual, certain elements may be used more than others in the working of the magick. How do you know which element to rely on and when? The following correspondences can help you determine how to use the elements and for what purposes. Please keep in mind that these lists are by no means complete, but they will give you a framework for understanding the power of the elements.

The Earth is the first element that you invite in the start of a ritual. The direction of Earth is North, and it is associated with the zodiac signs of Virgo, Taurus and Capricorn. If you have a prominence of these signs, you will feel most complete when you call upon the qualities of Earth. The Earth’s season is winter and the time is midnight. Earth tools include the pentacle, the staff and salt. You can add Earth power to your workings by placing the gems agate, amber, jet, bloodstone, geode, hematite, tiger’s eye and obsidian on your altar. You can also use the colors green, black, brown, grey and white to call upon the qualities of Earth. And just what are the qualities of Earth? Earth rules the body and brings growth, sustenance and healing. It is also associated with material gain, money, business and all finances. Earth represents structures, laws, metal, bones, mountains, fields, rocks, groves and chasms. Earth is stability, nurturing, old age and wisdom.

The element of Air is associated with the East and the astrological signs of Gemini, Aquarius and Libra. The time of Air is twilight and the season is spring. You can bring the influence of the element of air into your ritual by using bells, a wand, a sword and a censor. You can also place yellow topaz, amber, quartz and fluorite on your altar space. The qualities of air are emphasize through the use of the following colors: black, yellow, gold, crimson, pink, light blue and all pastel colors. Air rules the mind and all mental, intuitive and psychic work. It also represents hills, plains, windy beaches, high mountain peaks, wind and breath. Bringing the qualities of air into a ritual will allow creativity and ideas to flow.

Fire resides in the south and rules the signs of Leo, Sagittarius and Aries. The time of day for Fire is noon and the season in summer. The qualities of fire can be brought into spellwork through the use of red, orange, crimson, yellow and white’the colors of flame. The tools of Fire are incense, candles and the athame. By placing the stones fire opal, agate, bloodstone, carnelian, sunstone or dark amber on your altar, you can bring the qualities of Fire. Fire rules energy and strong passions. It is representative of life and your will to live. Fire stands for the process of destruction but also purification. Its power is seem in bonfires, hearthfires, candleflames, the sun, the desert and volcanoes. When you call upon the qualities of Fire, you bring hope, youth and courage into your circle.

The final element that we honor is Water. Water’s place is in the West of your circle. It rules Scorpio, Cancer and Pisces. Its time is dawn and its season is fall. Water is honored on your altar with the use of the chalice, cauldron or cup. You can also use a rain stick for this purpose. To draw the power of Water into your space, use the colors blue, blue-green, green, indigo and black in your altar decorations. The gems aquamarine, blue topaz, chalcedony, aventurine, moonstone, amethyst, turquoise and lapis also honor Water. This element is appropriate in sepllwork that requires intuition or intense emotional feelings. Water brings love, courage and charity. It represents the sea, rivers, springs, wells and all things that hold and bring water.

Use these correspondences to guide you in your ritual planning. When you need the qualities of a certain element, attract it by using its tools, colors, gems, etc. This will help attract the guardians of these elements and lend power to your work.
Love And Light,

Rose Ariadne, Your Warm And Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”