Elemental associations.

[cydira]

Hi folks!

I've got something I've been pondering and I'd like your thoughts on it. Just why is it that the elemental associations found in the pagan and occultist communities are predominantly:

North - Earth
East - Air
South - Fire
West - Water

My theory on this is that it's based in the geography of central Europe. From this stance, we find that to the north of the region is an area with more mountains then can be found there. East of the area is the steppes of Asia and more flat geographic terrain, which allows for more intense wind. The association of the south with fire makes sense on the basis that there is more geothermal activity in the area immediately about the Mediterranean and the region is also of a warmer climate there. The western association with water is something of a no brainer because of the Atlantic ocean.

What do you think? I'm also curious as to those who use elemental associations for ritual tools as to which camp you ascribe to and why:

Wands = fire, swords = air or wands = air, swords = fire?

For my part, I ascribe to the concept of wands associated with air due to the fact that they're commonly made from the above ground portions of a tree, specifically the branches which are up in the air. I also agree with the concept of swords associated with fire because the metal used to produce it is first produced in the molten rock of the earth and then is additionally subjected to heating by fire to be shaped and manufactured into a blade.

So, what do y'all think? :boing:

[MonSno_LeeDra]

I would think your position would be more reflective of centeral Italy than centeral Europe.

For centeral Italy the Alps would be to the North and the highest Land area.

The Island of Sicily and the home of Vulcan the fire god is to the South / South West.

East does some what match your notion of Air coming in off the wide spaces and the unknown. Especially if one looks to the influence of ancient Greece and Persia.

West is the wide open expanse of the MED sea. While there is water to the East is is small in comparrison to the Westrn approaches.

Edited to add:

Myself I do not use a wand but only a sword.

I use the sword as multiple elements. It is reflective of the element of Earth for it is made of core elements. I use it as a transmutable element of Fire for it is the combination of fire and Earth thus contains aspects of both. I use it as a transmutable combination of Fire and Water for flame heats it while water is used to cool it, again infusing parts of both. I use it as a greater tool for it also it possed of all four primary elements, Earth, Wind, Water and Fire and contains the fifth element of Heart or soul when created.

For me it becomes more a matter of what aspect of it I wish to touch upon as to the primary function I use it for in ceremony.

Just to note for me the directions are

North - Air / Cold
South - Fire / Heat
East - Water / Moisture
West - Land / Dryness

however I also use more the notion of these directions

Before me
Behind Me
To the left of Me
To the Right of Me
Above Me
Below Me
Centered on me

What I would call the seven sacred directions

[banondraig]

I guess it would depend on what part of Europe is considered "central". I was stationed near Frankfurt, Germany, where the big mountains are to the south. There's no particular reason I can think of why north would be Fire there, so there would have to be some shuffling around for the Earth direction to be equivalent to the where the mountains are.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

My Faery Tradition :

North : Black Water
East : Yellow Air
South : White Fire
West : Red Earth

Water , and Fire , are Masculine , Air and Earth , are Feminine...Thus , the Circle balance , is maintained , though different...


Spirit : Copper Athame
Water : Silver Chalice
Air : Oak Sword
Fire : Yew Wand
Earth : Stone Pentacle

[Toby Stimpson]

I think you are dead on.

It makes a lot of sense, since depending where you are in europe, generall the geography does speak to that.

Elemental associations though are found across the world. Slightly different in each area.

[Ailyn]

I just would like to add my two cents here. What about seasonal associations? I've heard spring to be air, summer fire, autumn water, and winter earth. But belief is that spring is water, since it rains a lot, summer is earth because of it is earth in its fullness, autumn is air, since it is so dry, and winter is fire, since we use that the to keep ourselves warm. But I don't normally dwell on the elements and cardinal points that much. Mostly just seasonal and elementals themselves.

[Sakurako]

We move around quite alot so I find new directions to represent the elements depending upon where I am at the time. The way I figure it my spirituality is suposed to tie me into the natural cycle of nature so I don't stick to prescribed directions.

Currently it is

East - Water
North - Fire
West - Air
South - Earth

In a couple of weeks we'll be off southward again and it will be

East - Water
North - Fire
West - Earth
South - Air

Ailyn mentioned elemental associations with the seasons which change along with me. Up north, here summer is the wet season, so it's water for me. But down south winter is the rainy season and summer is hot and dry.

AS for my tools I see my athame as being all five elements as MonSno said. My wand is Air as that is what trees produce - oxygen.

wow that was longer than I thought it'd be :hahugh:

[Shanti]

For me..
East is air...also birth, new beginnings, spirit.
South is fire...also youth, strength, endurance, intellect.
West is water....also mid life, teaching & learning, emotional growth, wisdom.
North is earth....also the elders, the give away. Giving back from what you gained. Sharing and acceptance.

[Deerwoman]

I've got something I've been pondering and I'd like your thoughts on it. Just why is it that the elemental associations found in the pagan and occultist communities are predominantly:

North - Earth
East - Air
South - Fire
West - Water
Because it was taken from ceremonial magic (OTO and Golden Dawn) into Wicca by Gerald Gardner. Only the element system the Golden Dawn uses is actually different than the Wiccan one (separate groups love to spread misinformation). The only difference is that the East and North are switched. For more information see Mike Nichol's article: Re-Thinking the Watchtowers (http://www.ecauldron.net/rethinking.php)

In my own practice, I base the elements on geography and I do not view them as the ceremonial guardians or "watchtowers", but as elementals. The original system of the elements of earth, fire, water, and air came from the ancient Greeks.

[Morgaine_cla]

Greetings,

I am not sure whether someone has already said this, but in native/Faery Traditions the elemental associations change according to the land on lives on. So you'd have to ask whether these still feel "true" where you live. I realise that most people accept one of these two sets of associations as "givens", but thought you might find that interesting (assuming it hasn't already been said multiple times!).

[RivaWitch]

North - Air
East - Water
South - Earth
West - Fire