The Elements

Throughout the civilized ancient world-Sumeria, Egypt, India, the Aztecs, native America, Greece and more-the same idea emerged to see the substance of life in four elements: air, fire, water and earth. Although some traditions differ slightly in the assignment of correspondences, the principles are much the same. So widespread is this idea of the elements that it lives today in many of our idiomatic expressions, commonly used even by people who may never have thought about their origin. Think of it! How often have you heard such things as these:

He has a fiery temper!
You're all wet!
What an airhead!
She's an old stick-in-the-mud.
He is so down-to-earth.
Her head is in the clouds.
Light a candle under him!
That really put a damper on my plans!
She's like a breath of fresh air!
That clinging vine will strangle him!
He's drowning his sorrows.
She's sure burned up!

One could go on and think of many more. Virtually all occult and mystery traditions use the elements in magick. Elemental correspondences are the basis for the Tarot, and for regular playing cards, as well. Astrological interpretations rely heavily on elemental correspondences. Wiccan traditions assign the elements to Watchtowers, which mark the four cardinal points of the magickal circle. To each Watchtower is called its Guardian, a spirit or power of the element assigned to that direction, who controls the Elementals associated with it. The elemental powers are called to protect the circle and bring to those within it certain desired attributes of the element. A balanced life requires attention to all of the elements within. Although there is some variation in traditions as to which element is assigned to which direction, the most common see East as Air, South as Fire, West as Water and North as Earth.