Elements

Within the circle are the four compass points, or directions. Each contains an Element that is recognizable to the five senses. They are called Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. The Elemental systems was devised long, long ago is in a convenient system to employ in magick. The elements are powers which are called upon to help in spells and rituals.

When you plan out a Working, which is always a good idea, you will choose certain energies to reinforce or amplify the goal of the magick. It may look complicated now but, as you work with them, they will begin to fall into place and soon, you'll know exactly what to use for each.

Some teach that the elements are non conscious beings; they cannot think on their own. That's rather silly since, if they can't think, they certainly wouldn't have the sense to come when called. And who wants to invoke the protection or guidance of a force that merely allows itself to be ordered about?

Think of the Elements a gathering of conscious energy, a spiritual energy that you can ask for help or protection.

Within each direction is an Elemental, or intelligent spirit that represents the energies of that direction. 

Earth: North, To be silent, Gnomes, Ghob, black, gems and minerals, stability, grounding, receptive, greens, caves, canyons, chasms, forests, gardens, money, prosperity, fertility, employment, patchouli, vertivert, mosses, lichen, nuts, roots, iron, lead, drum, percussion instruments, dog, horse, worm, gopher, ant, cow, burrowers, winter, time of darkness, night, pentacle, advanced age, Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn, sense of touch, salt, clay, rocks, wheat, acorns, type of magick: garden, magnet, image, stone, knot and bindings.

Air: East, To Know, movement, intellect, sweet smelling flowers, flying, Sylphs, Paralda,  projective, yellow, windswept plains, cloudy skies, high towers, travel, instruction, school, recovering lost items, pumice, transparent stones, tin, copper, flute, wind instruments, spider, birds, winged bugs, spring, sunrise, wand, infancy, birth, beginnings, Gemini, libra, Aquarius, hearing and smell, feathers, incense, smoke. Types of Magick: divination, concentration, visualization, wind, travel, investigations.

Fire: South, To will, summer, heat, Salmanders, Djin, fire drakes, purifying, destructive, cleansing, sexual, projective, red, deserts, hot springs, volcanoes, ovens, fireplaces, sweat lodges, saunas, protection, courage, sex, strength, banishing, stinging and thorny plants, hot spices, red stones, gold, brass, all stringed instruments, snake, cricket, lizard, praying mantis, lady bug, bee, scorpion, shark, noon, athame, youth, Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, sight, flame, lava. Types of magick: candle, storm, time, star, protection.

Water: West, To Dare, healing, love, purifying, receptive, blue, lakes, springs, Undines, Nixa, karma, streams, rivers, psychic things, dreams, peace, aquatic plants, succulent plants, mercury, quicksilver, silver, cymbal, bells, cat, frog, turtle, sea creatures, autumn, dusk, cauldron, cup, chalice, maturity, Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, shells. Types of magick: sea, ice, snow, fog, mirror, magnet, love, healing.

The idea behind these correspondences is simple. Mix and match. If you want to do a Working that involves high passion, for instance, then the Southern correspondences are what you'll focus on. So you might do the spell in front of the fireplace, using a some hot cakes and spiced wine, and calling upon the Salamanders, Djin, and fire to purify your intent.