February 22, 2006

Elemental Correspondences



The Elements typify certain states of matter, but also certain emotional and magical qualities. There are two basic Elemental systems, one from Western culture and one from Eastern culture. The Western set features four primary Elements – Earth, Air, Fire, and Water – plus an optional fifth, Spirit. The Eastern set features five Elements – Fire, Earth, Water, Wood, and Metal. These systems match the myths and magic of their founding cultures, so if you have a strong attachment to either Eastern or Western traditions then you should work with the appropriate set of Elements. If you are still exploring, you may wish to experiment with both to determine which works best for you. Let's take a quick look at these Elements now:

Earth corresponds to North and Winter. Its colors include black, green, brown, and of course all the "earth tones" as well. Associated animals include bulls, toads, bears, and burrowing creatures. This Element offers stability, security, abundance. Earth magic covers financial and fertility spells, herbalism, stone magic, grounding and shielding, hunting magic, and protection spells.

Air corresponds to East and Spring according to the Western system, although in the Eastern system "Wind" relates to the Southwest. Its colors include white, crystal clear, blue, and sometimes yellow. Associated animals include birds, butterflies, squirrels – any flying or arboreal creature. This Element offers clarity, mental acuity, and psychic talents. Air magic covers aromatherapy, feather magic, augury, the summoning of wind, and spells for learning or knowledge.

Fire corresponds to South and Summer according to the Western system, but appears in East according to the Eastern system. Its colors include shades of red and orange. Associated animals include salamanders, lions, and creatures whose lifecycles depend on fire. This Element offers passion, inspiration, and transformation. Applications of Fire magic include love spells, the control of fire, all types of candle magic, most men's magic, and any spell that involves burning something.

Water corresponds to West and Autumn. Its colors include blue, green, crystal clear, and black. Associated animals include fish, water snakes, cetaceans, waterfowl, frogs, and all aquatic creatures. This Element offers intuition, wisdom, and patience. Water magic covers some kinds of healing, fishing spells, most women's magic, the summoning of rain, and some forms of divination.

Spirit goes by many names, with alternates like Void, Akasha, and the Unseen. It corresponds to the direction within and to intercalary or "between" days. Its colors include black, white, and purple. Associated animals include eagles, snakes and other skin-shedding creatures, hummingbirds, butterflies and other metamorphosing creatures, owls, and mythical creatures like the sphinx and the unicorn. This Element offers mystery, power, enlightenment, and other subtleties. Spirit magic covers divination, communication with the dead, interaction with discorporeal beings, personal transformation, and energy manipulation.

Metal corresponds to Southeast and late Spring/early Summer. Its colors include red, white, and of course metallics. Its properties include discrimination, organization, and precision.

Wood corresponds to the Northeast and to late Winter or early Spring. Its colors include green, black, and brown. Its properties include expansion, purpose, and activity.

In order to study the Elements, you should spend time getting to know them. One of the best ways to do this is to make a small shrine, such as a garden outdoors or a shelf full of symbolic items indoors. Spend a few minutes daily sitting in front of your Elemental shrine; meditate on the Element and its properties. If you discover a special affinity for Elemental magic, you can then pursue it in greater depth.

Pagan Holidays



Festivals honor deities, mark anniversaries, and celebrate special people. In modern Pagan culture, we recognize the eight "sabbats" or seasonal holy days observed widely by European cultures:
  • Samhain - October 31
  • Yule - December 22
  • Imbolc - February 2
  • Ostara - March 20
  • Beltane - May 1
  • Litha - June 21
  • Lammas - August 1
  • Mabon - September 23

In addition to the sabbats, many Pagans also celebrate "esbats" or lunar rites. However, modern Paganism draws from African, Native American, Australian, Oriental, and other cultures too. You can find unique holidays from these traditions mentioned in books on individual cultures; or look in the SageWoman calendar. Still, the eight sabbats give a good overview of Pagan festivals, so let’s take a look at those:

Samhain: This holiday begins the Pagan year. Popular motifs include costumes, skeletons, pumpkins, bonfires, and scary games. The colors black and orange dominate as do deities associated with old age/death. Festival foods include candy, apples, pomegranate, and hot mulled cider. In Samhain rituals, Pagans often seek to explore death or honor those who have passed on.

Yule: This holiday marks the longest night of the year. Popular motifs include evergreen trees, mistletoe, gifts, reindeer, and bells. The colors green and red dominate as do deities associated with the sun/rebirth. Festival foods include Yule log cakes, wassail, goose, and cookies. In Pagan rituals, people may honor the Goddess and Her Son, or the Oak King and Holly King.

Imbolc: This festival celebrates conception/inspiration. Popular motifs include candles, wheat sheaves or crosses, and flowers. The colors yellow, white, and light green dominate as do Maiden Goddesses, Brigid. Festival foods include bread and candied flowers. Pagan rituals often focus on the lengthening days, quickening, and creative pursuits.

Ostara: This holiday highlights the balance between day and night. Popular motifs include rabbits, baskets, spring flowers, and games with children. Pastel colors dominate as do Gods and Goddesses in youthful aspects. Festival foods include eggs, fluffy cakes, roasted rabbit or hare, and fresh greens. Pagans often work with fertility magic at this time.

Beltane: This festival celebrates warming weather and romance. Popular motifs include the May Pole, dancing, ribbons, and general revelry. Bright colors like sunshine yellow and apple green dominate, along with young Goddesses and Gods in courtship. Festival foods include May Wine, dark oatmeal cookies, and all types of fruit. In this festival Pagans celebrate the courtship of Goddess and God, and consider the delights of polarity.

Litha: This holiday glorifies in ascendant light. Popular motifs include sun discs, summer flowers, and marriage rings. Summer colors like turquoise and hot pink dominate as do solar/sexual deities. Festival foods include melons, fruit drinks, and destiny cakes. Here Pagan rituals may focus on solar or sexual elements, or both, with an emphasis on consummation.

Lammas: This solemn occasion falls at a time when the fields are reaped but the entire harvest is not secured. Popular motifs include grain, cords, ears of corn, and scythes. Dark autumn colors like rust and pine green dominate; the principal divinity is the dying Corn God. Festival foods include bread, beer, and current harvests. Most Pagan rituals mourn the God's death and prepare for his later rebirth.

Mabon: This compliment to Ostara marks the balance of light and dark with lengthening nights. Popular motifs include fallen leaves, balance scales, and gourds. More festive autumn colors like saffron, orange, and chocolate dominate along with various herd/harvest deities. Festival foods include sausages, breads, and squash pies. Now Pagans typically give thanks for what they received or accomplished during the year.