~ Magical Elements ~
To a magician, all magic is based on four Elements: Air, Fire, Water
and Earth Ancient occult philosophers and the Druids stated that all life is made
of these four Elements; without them life could not exist. Tan or Teine (Fire in
the old Celtic language) was con-
sidered the most sacred as it is the closest to pure energy.
These four Elements correspond to the four directions of our physical
world, the four quarters of the universe, the four winds, and most importantly to
the four quarters of the magical circle. Water and Earth are considered female energies;
Fire and Air are male.
The Old Gaelic term for the four points of the compass was the Four
Airts or Airs. The general definitions of these Elements were originally based on
the prevailing winds in Britain. In Scotland, the Gaelic words for the cardinal
points were aiet, east; deas, south; iar, west; and tuath, north.
The four Elements are forces and energies that make up the universe
and everything in it. They influence our personalities and magic. They also possess
form as well as force. Each Element is known for having certain qualities, natures,
moods and magical purposes; each has positive and negative traits. Magical ritual
calls to each Elemental kingdom and its ruler to protect its quarter of the circle.
Because of this, it is very important to completely understand what each Element
is and does.
In Wiccan and ceremonial magic, each Element is associated with a
color: east, yellow; south, red; west, blue; north, green. Although the ancient
Celts correctly knew the forces and energies of the Elements, the colors for them
were different: east, red; south,
white; west, gray; north, black. To the Celts, red symbolized the rising Sun; \white,
noonday; gray, twilight; black, midnight.
The Element of Air governs the eastern quarter of the circle. Its ruler
is Paralda who oversees the Sylphs, Zephyrs, and Nature spirits or fairies. Its
color is pure yellow; it is considered warm and moist. The positive associations
of Air are: sunrise, Spring, incense,
the wand, clouds, breezes, breath, optimism, joy, intelligence, mental quickness,
any kind of helpful air. Negative associations are: frivolity, gossip, fickleness,
inattention, bragging, forgetfulness, wind storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, destructive
air in any form.
The Element of Fire
governs the southern quarter of the circle. Its ruler is Djin (dee-yin)
who oversees the Salamanders, Firedrakes, and the little ones of the sunbeams. Its
color is pure red; it is considered warm and dry. The positive associations of Fire
are:
noon, Summer,the dagger and sword, candles, any kind of helpful fire, the Sun, the
stars, the blood, enthusiasm activity, courage, daring, willpower, leadsship. Negative
associations are: hate, jealousy, fear, anger, war, ego, conflicts, lightning, volcanoes,
harmful fire of any kind.
The Element of Water
governs the western quarter of the circle. Its ruler is Niksa who oversees
the Nymphs, Undines, Mer-people, and the little ones of the springs, lakes, ponds,
and rivers. Its color is pure blue; it is cold and moist. The positive associations
of
Water are: sunset, Pall, the chalice and cauldron, any form of helpful water, compassion,
peacefulness, forgiveness, love, intuition. Negative associations are: floods, rain
storms, whirlpools, any kind of harmful water, laziness, indifference, instability,
lack of emo-
tional control, insecurity.
The Element of Earth
rules the northern quarter of the circle. Its ruler is Ghob, sometimes
called Ghom, Who oversees the gnomes and dwarfs and the little ones of the moonbeams.
Its color is clear dark green; it is cold and dry. Positive associations are: midnight,
Winter, the pentacle, ritual salt, gemstones, mountains, caves, soil, respect, endurance,
responsibility, stability, thoroughness, purpose in life. Negative associations
are: rigidity, unwillingness to change or see another side to a problem, stubbornness,
lack of conscience, vacillation, earthquakes, slides.
The fifth Element, Spirit
(or nyu to the Druids), dominates the center of the circle, thus balancing all the
other Elements. Through invocation of the gods, or Spirit, we are able to blend
Elements bringing forth the desired manifestation.
The spirits or beings of the Elements have been known to many cultures,
particularly the Greeks and Romans from whom we get our names for them. In Greek
gnoma (gnomes) meant knowledge or the knowing ones. Unda (undine) in Latin meant
wave, creatures
of the waves. The Greek word silphe (sylph) was a butterfly or being with gauzy
wings. Salambe (salamander) in Greek described a fireplace; however, the actual
being was more like a very small dragon.
The Elemental kingdoms and their rulers are represented in their
appropriate quarter of the magical circle by a symbol and/or candle of the correct
color. The magician always draws the magical circle sunwise, beginning and
ending in the east. When welcoming the Elements, he or she begins with Air in the
east. When he or she ends the ritual and dismisses the kingdoms, he or she again
begins with the eastern position. Before opening the circle, the magician returns
to the center and dismisses the Element of Spirit.
Become familiar with the traits of the Elemental kingdoms and their
rulers for they will play a very important part in all your magical activities.
Excerpt From D.J. Conway
Celtic Magic, We really recommend you check out
D.J. Conway's Book for more information and as well as some of his other
works.
