The Ancients divided the world into four basic principles or
*elements* earth, water, fire, and air. That viewpoint has mostly changed with advances of science, but the four elements are still accepted in magik, for they are more closely linked with emotions, the human psyche, and with nature than are modern explanations of the world. These *magikal elements* are also of some importance in astrology. Many occultists think of the magikal elements as forces, or as *qualities* of energy; especially within the astral world. Each element has a symbol and color. (Common symbols are -- fire: a triangle pointing up; air: a triangle pointing up and with a horizontal line through the middle of it; water: a triangle pointing down; earth: a triangle pointing down and with a horizontal line through the middle of it.) Colors of the elements are -- earth: brown and green; water: blue; fire: red; air: yellow... The Eastern
tattvic system uses different symbols and colors. (The tattvic
symbols are briefly described later on in this course.) The elements are often used in magik ritual.
Magik sees relationships between things. These relationships are called 'correspondences'. Although magikal correspondences are not literally equal to one another, you can think of them that way (such as gold equals sun). Tables of these relationships, called 'Correspondence Tables', are available (an important one is Crowley's '777'). Thus one thing or symbol can be used to suggest another. This is important in magik, for the magician may surround himself with as many appropriate correspondences as he can to vividly affect the senses; thus making his magikal contact with the inner planes more lucid. The magikal elements have correspondences with the tarrot cards as the four suits. The four quarters (directions of the universe as used in magik ritual) and the Archangels also correspond with these same elements.
Element Suit Quarter Archangel
Earth
Water
Fire
Air Pentacles
Cups
Swords
Wands North
West
South
East Uriel
Gabriel
Michael
Raphael
Astrological signs, also correspond with the elements. Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are earth signs. Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are water signs. Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are fire signs. Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are air signs. Elemmentals: The magikal elements are said to be peopled by spirits and mythological entities called elementals or nature spirits. These are grouped into four main categories:
Earth Water Fire Air
Gnome
Dwarfs
Elves
Brownies
Hobgoglins
Lepricauns Undine
Nymphs
Tritons
Mermaids
Mermen
Sirens
Harpies
Salamander Jin
Genies Sylph
Faries
Angles
Elementals are usually only visible to those with clairvoyant sight and are more likely to be seen at night in the mountains or country away from cities -- especially if you are tired or sleepy. Although elementals exist naturally, it is also possible to create one which will exist for a limited time -- no elemental has immortality. A created elemental is called an 'artificial elemental'. To the Ancients, elementals were the physical explanation of the universe. However, some contemporary occultists see them only as symbols for forces and otherwise not 'real' at all. Another word sometimes used for elemental is 'familiar' (usually in medieval witchcraft); the term is ambiguous, as it might merely be an ordinary household pet such as a dog or cat.
YIN YANG: Chinese philosophy and acupuncture talk of yin yang. This is the idea of polarity, or opposite pairs, as shown:
Yin Yang
Water
Contraction
Cold
Feminine
Moon
Negative
Passive
Ebb
Wane Fire
Expansion
Hot
Masculine
Sun
Positive
Active
Flow
Wax
The list could go on. In Chinese literature it is quite long. Some occultists suggest everything can be similarly arranged into related opposite pairs.
SIMPLE MAGIK: Here is a simple magical technique you may wish to try. It is a variation of affirmation, To help you to achieve your goal (magikal or otherwise), find a word or short phase which sums up what it is that you want to accomplish. Write the word (or phrase) down 10 times each day until
you achieve success.
Elements & Magik
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