Elements

We all need the Elements to survive in our lives. A lot of the time we take everything for granted how our body works and mind. Not to forget the atmosphere around us.

I can give you lots of different explanations over the Elements, I feel its easier to put them together for you. Here we go:

Imagine that the Circle is divided in four, and on the cross quarters we put the directions, just like on a compass.

On the top we have the North, on the right the East, below the South, and on the left the West. Exactly like the continents, at least if you're living “in the west”.

*East stand for Air. In the East comes the Sun, new beginning. Birth and morning. The waxing Moon. Planting and making plans makes sense now doesn’t it?

The festivals of Imbolg and the Spring-Equinox are placed here too. Look for the symbolism at the Sabbats. The colour blue and electromagnetic. Incense is for air and the Sword, Athame and Lance. Can you work out why?

In the East the sunrises, kissing the horizon. A new beginning of the morning the waxing moon. We begin our birth by breathing. The air moves in our lungs, nourishing us. The breath of life. Not only movement from the air, but also the wind spiralling breezes in and out. The air carries ideas and thoughts up to the spirit world. Like the circling incense on the altar. Thoughts and cleverness of the mind, the place of knowing. The sword of the King in the Tuatha de Dana an is the sword of light. With a sword you can “cut” your thoughts and make up your mind. We cast the circle with a sword, creating a magical place to focus. The beings are the Sylphs the winged energies, flying in the wind, helping us to maintain the whirlwinds of our minds. Bride the Goddess of inspiration, planning and sowing seeds, is invoked at Imbolg. The north star dances in the electric blue light sky were the birds hover. If they drop a feather to the ground, pick it up with respect, and place it upon your altar, or make a rattle to sing to the air.

*South stands for Fire. Here we are at our youth and growing. Blossoming. Summer and midday. The Full Moon. The festivals of Beltane and the Summer solstice, again look at the festivals. Red is the colour and electricity. The candles are for fire so is the Wand, Staff and Spear.

Fire how important in our daily lives, for warmth, cooking and light. In our youth and growing bodies the spirit sparkles and heats up the passion, and life blood. Blossoming like a wild flower in midday summer. The full moon. Coiling up the fire of creation, the willpower. The wand or spear of Lugh the fiery hot-headed God associated with the sun. Beal Taine the festival of fire. With strength you throw your willpower to its goal. The beings are the Salamanders, red lizards who you can see leap in the glowing ember of the bonfires.
Make your own candles, anoint them and watch the flames dance together with the one you love.

*West stands for Water. The maturity. The evening and the Autumn. The Waning Moon. We put the festivals of Lughnasadh and the Autumnequinox here. The colour green and magnetism. Water is for the west and so are the Chalice or Cup and not to forget the Cauldron.

“Lets swim to the moon ah lets fly to the tides…” Water gives our own reflection in the moonlit water, after the sun sank into the ocean. Magikcal twilight. Whether it’s the rain, fluids of our bodies we need this to survive. Water washes, blesses, and comfort us when we wish it so. The west for dreams, inner knowing, courage and risk taking. Autumn time of our lives, what did we harvest? Seen in the festival of Lughnasadh. The chalice or cauldron of Cerridwen stirs and makes forms out of dreams. Brings changes and adventures or quests. The beings are the waves of the sea, the Undines, the merfolk, helping us with the flow of things. The blue green sweet Mother Ocean. Fill a cup with water touched by the Moon, or make a dream catcher, and place this in the west.

*North stands for Earth. Naturally the Elderhood. The Winter and the night. Darkness. The New Moon. The festivals of Samhain and the Winter solstice. Yellow is the colour and waiting. Earth is for the North and the Pentacle, Mirror and Shield.
Walk gently on the surface that holds and balances you, we call Mother Earth. In the craft we put the altars in the North, the place of winter and know when to speak and listen. Be quiet and learn, like the Wise One, who knows all, seen all. Death and rebirth. The waning Moon. Symbols of the North are the shield and pentacle, a circular disk, upon it a pentagram the five pointed star. Bearing the four Elements and the fifth, the spirit. Point up in service of that spirit, point other way around, in service of matter, materialism. The dualistic way of thinking. The beings of this realm are the Gnomes, meaning knowledge. Living in the bones of the Earth. The dark brown rusty colours. Branches and flowers can decorate your altar, or find one of the many hidden caves, and if they give
you a stone cherish it well.

In this manner, the breath of life, the spark of life, the flow of life and the basics of life is all we need to come in balance.

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