Basic Witchcraft 2. Elemental Theories




Overview: The Elements That Create our World. My Elemental Associations. An Example Spell: Lust. The Effects of Elemental Magic.



The Elements That Create our World

The illustration below, shows the four elements, and how they are symbolized in magic. These are common symbols that can be found in witchcraft, alchemy and ceremonial magick. These elements were identified by the Greek philosophers Aristotle, and discussed later on by Plato. It was their belief that the elements carried an energy and spirit, a daemon that caused these forces to bring their fates. It was the Occult writer Agrippa who recorded these elements in his Three Books of Philosophy, expanding on the ideas of Aristotle and relating them to magic and alchemy.1

In the second diagram to the left you can see how these elements work together, by describing their states of being. Beginning with the center is the symbol of the trapezoid; in it's irregular shape it adds an element of chaos or spirit to these associations, a focus from where these elements emanate from [the Aethyr, or perhaps from Spirit]. The square represents the four cardinal directions, North, South, East and West. At the top, is the element of fire - it is hot and dry. To the right is Earth, -wet and cold, and at the bottom is Water, being wet and cold, and above this, on the left side is air, - hot and wet. These descriptions refer to the physical qualities of elements.

The image below is the Pentagram. For each point of the Pentagram is a representation of each element: air, fire, earth, water, and spirit. The Pentagram is one of the Ritual tools of Satanists. It is often hung over the altar or it is placed directly on the altar to represent Satan, the earth, and all of the elements together. These are basic associations, but in time you will become familiar with them and you will develop your own views on what is right for you to use in magic work.


My Elemental Associations

Here is a listing of the basic qualities and associations of each element. First, is the element, next is the cardinal direction, after that is my Demonic association for each, and then the ritual tool or item. Along with this is a brief description of each element's magical qualities. Each element is linked with its corresponding meditation.

EARTH - cold/dry - South - Satan - Pentagram - Black Earth magic, Animals, Health, Money, Financial, Blessings, materialism, Wealth, the body, the physical, the conscious, stability, motivation, manifestation, creation, increase, gain, abundance, foundations and endings, Freedom and imprisonment.

WATER - cold/wet - West - Lilith - Chalice or Cup - Blue -Lunar Magic, Creativity, emotions, dreams, psychic work, divination, the spiritual, the feminine, love, jealousy, ecstasy, the heart, the unconscious, memory, wisdom, sexuality, fluidity, stagnation.

FIRE - hot/dry - North - Belial - Candle Dagger - Red - Solar magic, War, blood magic, ego, power, destruction, cursing, lust, the masculine, energy, courage, passion, desire, motivation, idealism, courage, focus, purifying, renewing, haste.

AIR - warm/wet - East - Lucifer - Sword, Incense - Yellow - Learning, Organizing, research, knowledge, enlightenment, beauty, the mind, pride, vanity, sensuality, intelligence, justice, fairness, balance, favoritism, insight, indecision, communication, letters, writing, books, music, the arts.

SPIRIT - Self - Oils, Robes - The Source, or the Void. The Self, The Will, The magical being or essence, force or magical identity.

These are the associations that I use for witchcraft. Most times, I will seek to use a planetary or elemental theme with my magic. There are other times where I have included the use, or influence of a deity in spell work, but for me this is rare. In the event that you would like to, use the above reference to build a ritual that is focused on one Demon, and element, to achieve a specific outcome. Or, alternatively build a ritual that is based on the invocation of all four Demons, with one Demon [or Demoness!] as a specific focus. Of course you are welcome to create your own pantheon of whatever Demons or Satanic associations, that you wish. The idea is to create an elemental balance so that the energy of magic can be focused in a specific way.

An Example Spell: Lust

For instance, if a witch is going to cast a spell of love or lust upon a target, it would be wise to seek out the corresponding elements to associate with during spellwork to add a beneficial influence and focus. The element of Fire would of course be an ideal energy for a spell of this type. The love or lust spell is a force that will influence the witch's target in a passionate way.

The elemental properties of fire can be related to love and sexual desire, and will through their natural metaphysical associations. This is because the many symbolic things in magic work through the principle of association. The intention is to awaken desire and attract attention. Fire is compared to passion, the 'twin flame', and lust. The spell could either provide the courage or opportunity or it could effect the other's will, or other effects, depending on how the spell is cast.

If the witch is fortunate enough to get an item of personal clothing, or some hair, nails or blood, then a magical link can be created. Without this, spells are still possible through the use of proper associations. The witch uses red candles, and cinnamon oil, specific herbs related to elemental fire, sexual imagery to evoke certain effects. Alternatively, an offering of a candle burning with oils, could have been made to the demon associated with lust, Belial.

The witch is not wishing for these things to happen or longing for them. You are not appealing to these energies but directing them through your will to cause certain effects. The witch or magician is certain of what is wanted and how to get it by using the knowledge of witchcraft and magic, by invoking the appropriate elements and directing them to cause the desired effect.

The Effects of Elemental Magic

In this example spell, any of the elements could have been used to focus on different kinds of results. Earth element could have been chosen to use in this type of spell to symbolize the creation of a foundation in a relationship, to add to security, or to increase fertility or growth in the relationship.

Water could have been used to deepen emotions, to increase feminine energies, to make the situation 'flow with ease', to effect dreams and thoughts, and to increase compassion. Air could have been the focus as well, allowing for communication and understanding, attraction and thought.

Elements are universal in that they will effect a situation in their own unique way, with unlimited potential for their use in magic. Just like energy, the elements can not be created or destroyed, they can only be influenced and directed. They exist and combine to create what we know as the universe.

© 2009, Venus Satanas




References:
1. Cornelius Agrippa. 1510. Ed. by James Freake, Donald Tyson. 1992. Book of Occult Philosophy, Book 1. Llewellyn Publications





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