Earth: The basics
The elements are the original foundation of which all other things are made, by unification or transformation. The ancients divided the world into four basic elements which we know as Earth, Fire, Air, and Water. These four elements are vital to our survival for without any one of them we could not exist. The four elements, five if you count ether/spirit make up the base foundation of magic. We use them in ritual, energy work, healing and spell work.
We are all probably drawn more to one element than the others. They each have their own unique characteristics and properties that we can tap in to. They can be used individually or mix ‘n match to add power.
I do think it helps to have a balance of them all.
We start with earth as this is the element that all of us can relate most to, after all, in many myths the first man was said to be made from earth or clay. Earth IS nature, it is our mother, and it is our body. We walk upon it every day; we grow our food within its moist soil, and we bury our dead within its silent embrace.
Earth is the element of stability, foundation, strength, growth and prosperity in all its forms. Earth is the densest of all the elements and is physically manifested in stones, rocks, crystals and gems. Earth is a heavy and passive element. It has associations with darkness, thickness and silence. Earth also rules physical things and places, such as the body, nature, chasms, caves, groves, fields, rocks, gems and minerals, standing stones, mountains and metal.
In most traditions of witchcraft, earth is located at the north of the ritual circle and is associated with midnight, the time of silence.
The Elemental You
Most of us will find that we are aligned more with one element than another. This may be affected by the zodiac sign we were born under, it may also be because of the work we do or the life we lead. Every mundane task carries a correspondence to one of the elements. The challenge is to create balance in ourselves between all four elements. You might like to make a list to see which element you are heavy in and which ones you might need to work a little more with to bring about balance. Let’s look at the everyday element of earth related tasks:
· Gardening
· Charity work
· Working in the greenhouse/visiting a garden centre
· Cooking with herbs and vegetables
· Reading
· Walking the dog
· Recycling
· Housework
· Picking up litter
· Walking
· Visiting sacred/ancient sites
· Going to the library
These should get you started!
Exercise
Make a list of all your daily chores and activities. Separate them into elements. Which element has the longest list? Which has the shortest? What could you do to help balance your elements out?
Video
To watch my talk on this subject, which was part of Moon Books Publishing's MoonCon21, click the link below:
