The FIVE Elements
Wicca Elements
Yes, it is five. I know it's confusing but it is five.
If I asked you what the basic elements are there is a very high chance that you know what most of them are. Which means you're answer is probably something along the lines of earth, water, fire, and air. (We're gonna go all Avatar: The Last Air bender in this.) And that is completely right but the one that people usually forget is spirit or aether.
The way that I like to describe spirit is that it's the light and dark energy inside of someone or something.
And this important because these elements are the base to most spells, rituals, and celebrations. They're part of everyone's day to day lives and are constantly working together. Which is shown through the symbol of the pentacle. (And yes it is a pentacle not pentagram, but that's an issue for another day.)
Each element has specific meanings, both emotional and physical, and uses. It’s crucial to understand the elements as what they do and stand for bleed over into many areas such as herb lore.
So this going to be a very brief overview. More information click here and here.
Water Element of the Subconscious & Emotion
Direction - West
Represents - Purification, the soul, love and medicine
Colours - Blue, green & black
Time of Day - Twilight/dusk
Season - Autumn
Senses - Taste
This is the healing element, represented with the pouring of water, washing and cold herbal infusions. Since it governs the subconscious it is always present, influencing one constantly.
Earth Element of Strength & Wealth
Direction - North
Represents - Stability, loyalty, health & money
Colours - Black, green & yellow
Time of Day - Midnight
Season - Winter
Senses - Touch
This is the element most linked with the physical world and the densest, strongly related to the Mother Goddess. Represented through burying objects, planting herbs and trees, and making images of stone and wood.
Fire Element of Passion & Purification
Direction -South
Represents - Change, love, creativity & motivation
Colours - Red, gold, & orange
Time of Day - Noon
Season - Summer
Senses - Sight
This is the most powerful element and should be handled with great care. Shown through the burning of candles, wood and paper but also cauldron work. You must be careful to never let it get out of control whether it be physically or metaphorically.
Air Element of Movement & Mind
Direction - East
Represents - The mind, knowledge, dreams, imagination and freedom
Colours - yellow, white & crimson
Time of Day - Dawn
Season - Spring
Senses - Smell & hearing
During rituals and prayers air is showcased through burning incense, hanging items in trees and even playing the flute. Unlike the other elements, it is difficult to represent because we breathe it every day. So we have to be a bit more creative.
Now you know.
Blessed Be.
Dani
Yes, it is five. I know it's confusing but it is five.
If I asked you what the basic elements are there is a very high chance that you know what most of them are. Which means you're answer is probably something along the lines of earth, water, fire, and air. (We're gonna go all Avatar: The Last Air bender in this.) And that is completely right but the one that people usually forget is spirit or aether.
The way that I like to describe spirit is that it's the light and dark energy inside of someone or something.
And this important because these elements are the base to most spells, rituals, and celebrations. They're part of everyone's day to day lives and are constantly working together. Which is shown through the symbol of the pentacle. (And yes it is a pentacle not pentagram, but that's an issue for another day.)
Each element has specific meanings, both emotional and physical, and uses. It’s crucial to understand the elements as what they do and stand for bleed over into many areas such as herb lore.
So this going to be a very brief overview. More information click here and here.
Water Element of the Subconscious & Emotion
Direction - West
Represents - Purification, the soul, love and medicine
Colours - Blue, green & black
Time of Day - Twilight/dusk
Season - Autumn
Senses - Taste
This is the healing element, represented with the pouring of water, washing and cold herbal infusions. Since it governs the subconscious it is always present, influencing one constantly.
Earth Element of Strength & Wealth
Represents - Stability, loyalty, health & money
Colours - Black, green & yellow
Time of Day - Midnight
Season - Winter
Senses - Touch
This is the element most linked with the physical world and the densest, strongly related to the Mother Goddess. Represented through burying objects, planting herbs and trees, and making images of stone and wood.
Fire Element of Passion & Purification
Represents - Change, love, creativity & motivation
Colours - Red, gold, & orange
Time of Day - Noon
Season - Summer
Senses - Sight
This is the most powerful element and should be handled with great care. Shown through the burning of candles, wood and paper but also cauldron work. You must be careful to never let it get out of control whether it be physically or metaphorically.
Air Element of Movement & Mind
Represents - The mind, knowledge, dreams, imagination and freedom
Colours - yellow, white & crimson
Time of Day - Dawn
Season - Spring
Senses - Smell & hearing
During rituals and prayers air is showcased through burning incense, hanging items in trees and even playing the flute. Unlike the other elements, it is difficult to represent because we breathe it every day. So we have to be a bit more creative.
 |
| The Aether has no Symbol |
Spirit (Aether) Element of Connection
Direction - Universal
Colours - White, Black, & Purple
Season - Wheel of the Year
Senses - Intuition
The fifth, immaterial element that connects the world. Every culture has its own definition of the element. Showcased through the art, music, and writing among other things. It’s very difficult to describe being everywhere and nowhere, existing in the astral word.
Colours - White, Black, & Purple
Season - Wheel of the Year
Senses - Intuition
The fifth, immaterial element that connects the world. Every culture has its own definition of the element. Showcased through the art, music, and writing among other things. It’s very difficult to describe being everywhere and nowhere, existing in the astral word.
Now you know.
Blessed Be.
Dani
Hey Dani, I really liked your blog as I have had an interest in Wiccan things for a while, mainly because of an old TV show called 'Charmed' (maybe you've watched it?), but I don't know if they show the same information. I like how you described what the five different elements are for and what they represent. One thing I would suggest is to maybe write about how all five of the elements connect with each other in the Wiccan world. My question is, what inspired you to write about Wicca?
ReplyDeleteCharmed - I remember that show. I wasn't a big fan but I think Misha Collins was in it for a while, right?
DeleteMy inspiration sort of came form the fact that people were always misinterpreting what I believe, so I figure why not give some context before that happens again.
This caught my attention immediately! I love the layout of it; how you placed not only your photos but the wording as well. The way your text is set out in a list makes it very easy to follow along, rather than having it in a paragraph where information could easily be hidden in information. My question is; How long have you been studying Wicca? Was it something just for this blog, or has it been something you have been interested in for years?
ReplyDeleteUh, I've officially been Wiccan for just over two years but have been looking into different aspects of the belief system since I was little. The way the world connects to people, the deities, spell form, and importance of words, have been big parts of my life for a long time.
DeleteI like that you told people there's five elements; it's hard to get people to understand that what they know isn't always what others believe. I would agree with Amanda with the fact that explaining how the react towards one another would have been nice because it would give a bigger picture, and I know that sometimes things may go a little haywire(I think) if not handled properly. I'm looking forward to you explaining the difference between a pentacle and pentagram because THAT is something that needs to be discussed. Before you became Wiccan did you know that spirit/aether was a legitimate element, or did you find out because of the religion?
ReplyDeleteThe pentacle vs pentagram conversation, that's going to be fun to write. Trust me. The way that elements relate to one another is hard to explain because it's a constant flow of energy and them working together. And that's the simple way to put it.
DeleteAs for your question I was aware that spirit existed and was a driving force in the world but not categorized as element. Out of curiosity did you know of it's official title before looking into the Wicca?