Word for the four elements

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‘THE FOUR ELEMENTS’ is a 15 letter
Phrase
starting with T and ending with S

• #1

Hey people (long time not posting here) I was thinking some days ago of the four elements. So I’d like to know them in your languages. And there’s a question attached to it: is the word «earth» IN ALL LANGUAGES the same for «Earth» (our planet)?

Here goes the sentence I want to be translated:

«The four elements: fire, earth, wind and water.»

See ya!!! _o/

• #2

In Puerto Rico — (Spanish)

Planet Earth: Planeta Tierra
fire: fuego
earth: tierra
wind: viento
water: agua

• #3

ronanpoirier said:

is the word «earth» IN ALL LANGUAGES the same for «Earth» (our planet)?

I doubt that very much. Infact, no, it isn’t.

In German, for one, it’s «Erde»

• #4

Thai

All of these we call the Mahaabhutarup มหาภูตรูป which means something close to The Great Body of Spirit or something like that.

Earth ปฐวีธาตุ Pathaweedhaat (lit. earth Element)
Fire เตโชธาตุ Tejodhaat (lit. tejo actually means power and dhaat means element)
Water อาโปธาตุ Aapodhaat (lit. water element)
Wind วาโยธาตุ Waayodhat (lit. wind element)

The Dhaatu means element but in Thai the U is silent in this word.

The word Earth in Thai and the word for ground soil are not the same. The general word for ground is Din and the general word for Earth is Lok.

• #5

In Turkish:
Fire: ateş
Water: su
Wind: hava
Earth:toprak

in reality (wind = rüzgar) and (Earth = Dünya)

• #6

Earth: Zamiin, bhuumi
Wind: Havaa, pavan
water: paani, jal, neer
fire: aag

The first ones are used in Urdu, both all the choices may be used in Hindi.

elroy

Moderator: EHL, Arabic, Hebrew, German(-Spanish)

• #7

Arabic:

fire: نار (naar)
earth: تراب (turaab)
wind: ريح (riiH)
water: ماء (maa’)

The word for «Earth» (our planet) is different: الأرض (al-arD)

elroy

Moderator: EHL, Arabic, Hebrew, German(-Spanish)

• #8

linguist786 said:

I doubt that very much. Infact, no, it isn’t.

In German, for one, it’s «Erde»

Linguist, I think you misunderstood the question. Ronan was wondering if the word for «earth» (soil) and «Earth» (our planet) was the same in all languages.

• #9

ronanpoirier said:

Here goes the sentence I want to be translated:

«The four elements: fire, earth, wind and water.»

Here I ask again, I want the w-h-o-l-e sentence to be translated

Portuguese

:
Os quatro elementos: fogo, terra, ar e água.
(ar = air, vento = wind… but that’s the way it is known.)

elroy

Moderator: EHL, Arabic, Hebrew, German(-Spanish)

• #10

ronanpoirier said:

Here I ask again, I want the w-h-o-l-e sentence to be translated

Oops, sorry about that.

Here you go:

العناصر الأربعة: النار، التراب، الريح، والماء.
(al-‘anaaSiru ‘l-arba’atu: an-nar, at-turaab, ar-riiH, wal-maa’.)

• #11

The four elements: fire, earth, wind and water
In Dutch:
De vier elementen: vuur, aarde, wind en water.

The Ductch word for «earth» (soil) is «aarde» or «grond». In the case of the four elements we use «aarde». We call our planet «aarde».

Actually I thought one of the elements is «air» (instead of «wind»). In that case, the Dutch word for «air» is «lucht. Or am I wrong?

• #12

ronanpoirier said:

Hey people (long time not posting here) I was thinking some days ago of the four elements. So I’d like to know them in your languages. And there’s a question attached to it: is the word «earth» IN ALL LANGUAGES the same for «Earth» (our planet)?

Here goes the sentence I want to be translated:

«The four elements: fire, earth, wind and water.»

See ya!!! _o/

leesboek is right. Wind was not one of the four classical elements in ancient western science. It was air. I don’t understand what you mean by «that’s the way it is known.»

Here’s the translation of your original sentence in Turkish: (Assuming that by wind you actually mean air, if you still want the exact equal to wind, then it’s rüzgâr or yel.)
«Dört element: ateş, toprak, hava ve su.»

We call the planet Earth as dünya in Turkish. Since it’s a borrowed word, Turkish Language Council introduced a new word: yerküre. New term is generally used in Geography and Astronomy contexts, I haven’t met anyone using this word in their everyday life!

• #13

ronanpoirier said:

«The four elements: fire, earth, wind and water.»

In Russian:
Четыре элемента: огонь, земля, воздух и вода. (Chetyre elementa: ogon’, zemlya, vozdukh i voda).

And there’s a question attached to it: is the word «earth» IN ALL LANGUAGES the same for «Earth» (our planet)?

Yes. Our planet is called Zemlya in Russian.

• #14

Culture differences or something I misunderstood? We say FIVE elements, not four.

What happened?

• #15

Five? What’s the fifth element, then?..

• #16

Etcetera said:

Five? What’s the fifth element, then?..

In ancient western science, Aether which was added to the system of the classical elements by Aristotle is considered as the fifth element.

Since midismilex is from Taiwan, he might haven’t heard about the classical four elements of western. Because in Chinese philosophy, there are five elements. They are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Am I right, midismilex?

• #17

Well, I know I think about something else.

Is the word «earth» IN ALL LANGUAGES the same for «Earth» (our planet)?
No. 泥土 and 地球 are different in Mandarin.

«The four elements: fire, earth, wind and water.»
«四大元素:火, 地, 風, 水», but our sequence or order is «earth, water, fire, wind».

• #18

Chazzwozzer said:

In ancient western science, Aether which was added to the system of the classical elements by Aristotle is considered as the fifth element.

Since midismilex is from Taiwan, he might haven’t heard about the classical four elements of western. Because in Chinese philosophy, there are five elements. They are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Am I right, midismilex?

That’s interesting. Thank you for the information, Chazzwozzer.

• #19

Chazzwozzer said:

Since midismilex is from Taiwan, he might haven’t heard about the classical four elements of western. Because in Chinese philosophy, there are five elements. They are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Am I right, midismilex?

Yep. This is the first thing I think of. And the answer I posted is concerning the human body. I don’t know if it is the same thing we are talking about. But I will do a search for classical four elements of western. Thanks for telling me that, Chazzwozzer.

«They are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. «Yes.

• #20

here it is in swedish
«Dom fyra elementen:eld , jord , luft , vatten»
in swedish the word for the planet earth is quite different»jorden».

• #21

Aylish said:

here it is in swedish
«Dom fyra elementen:eld , jord , luft , vatten»
in swedish the word for the planet earth is quite different»jorden».

Grammatically incorrect!

De fyra elementen: eld, jord, luft, vatten.

And how can you say that the Swedish word for earth isn’t the same as our Earth (how long have you lived here in Sweden??)!!!!!!!????????? May I remind you that you can’t write incorrectly in this forum and that writing in slang helps nobody.

Earth on the ground is called «jord» and the planet we live on is «jorden», which is the the definite form of «jord». In addition, the scientific name for the Earth is «Tellus». It is widely used in Sweden.

robbie

• #22

In Romanian:

Cele patru elemente: foc, pamant, aer (vant=wind) si apa.

The word «pamant» is used to express the Earth too (pamantul). You can also say «globul» for the globe.

robbie

• #23

«The four elements: fire, earth, wind and water.»
«chaar elements: aag, bhuumii, pavan aur pani»

I dont know what elements would be.

• #24

I assume earth here means soil.
a= a as in car

Persian:
fire:آتش (atash)
earth: خاک (khak)
wind: باد (bad)
water: آب (ab)

Kurdish:
fire: ئار / ئاگر (ager/ar)
earth: خاک/ خول (khol/khak)
wind: وا (wa)
water: ئاو (au)

Finnish:
fire: tuli
earth: maa
wind: tuuli
water: vesi

Tisia

• #25

Greek

As suggested by the Ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles:
The four elements = Τα τέσσερα στοιχεία
Fire: Φωτιά (Πυρ) [fotiá]
Earth: Γη [yee]
Air: Αέρα [aehra] *
Water: Νερό (Ύδωρ) [neró]

The forms in brackets are more formal/older sounding.
* NB. The Greek versions I have seen always use ‘air’ instead of ‘wind’ (άνεμος).

• #26

In Latvian:

Četras stihijas ir uguns, zeme, gaiss un ūdens.

It is air not wind. The order may be different but I don’t think anyone pays attention to it.

• #27

Chazzwozzer
In ancient western science, Aether which was added to the system of the classical elements by Aristotle is considered as the fifth element.

Since midismilex is from Taiwan, he might haven’t heard about the classical four elements of western. Because in Chinese philosophy, there are five elements. They are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Am I right, midismilex?

In Hindu philosophy too, there are five elements

But, with a difference. We have Earth, Sky, Air, Fire, Water.

Telugu:
Pancha Bhootamulu: Bhoomi, Aakaasam, Agni,Vaayuvu(Gaali), Neeru(Jalamu)

Means…….The five elements: Earth, Sky, Fire, Air/Wind, Water.

Shaloo

• #28

robbie_SWE said:

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Grammatically incorrect!

De fyra elementen: eld, jord, luft, vatten.

And how can you say that the Swedish word for earth isn’t the same as our Earth (how long have you lived here in Sweden??)!!!!!!!????????? May I remind you that you can’t write incorrectly in this forum and that writing in slang helps nobody.

Earth on the ground is called «jord» and the planet we live on is «jorden», which is the the definite form of «jord». In addition, the scientific name for the Earth is «Tellus». It is widely used in Sweden.

robbie

Aylish
hey robbie,you are very right i totally apologise from everyone at the forum for writing in slang and gramatically incorrect.thank you for correcting meand making it clear!

• #29

Tisia said:

I assume earth here means soil.
a= a as in car

Persian:
fire:آتش (atash)
earth: خاک (khak)
wind: باد (bad)
water: آب (ab)

Kurdish:
fire: ئار / ئاگر (ager/ar)
earth: خاک/ خول (khol/khak)
wind: وا (wa)
water: ئاو (au)

In Urdu poetry, their is a word called aatish, and I think it means flame, but I dont remember (it is also the pen name of a poet). The word Khak in Urdu, from what I have read in poetry, meant dust (but I’m sure it could of been Earth too…loose meanigns). The word baad in Urdu means residence [I think…it is related to population (abaadii)]. And aab also means water for us too, but it is not used in spoken language. And Shaloo, as usual, I recognized the words you used….aakaash, bhoomii, Agni (a Devta, right?) and the words neer and jal.

• #30

panjabigator said:

In Urdu poetry, their is a word called aatish, and I think it means flame, but I dont remember (it is also the pen name of a poet). The word Khak in Urdu, from what I have read in poetry, meant dust (but I’m sure it could of been Earth too…loose meanigns). The word baad in Urdu means residence [I think…it is related to population (abaadii)]. And aab also means water for us too, but it is not used in spoken language. And Shaloo, as usual, I recognized the words you used….aakaash, bhoomii, Agni (a Devta, right?) and the words neer and jal.

In Thai

Aggee and Agneey means flame but we also say Fai.
The province where Pattaya city is was called Jalpur but its now Chonburi because its on the gulf coast.
Bhumi means earth too but we dont say the I.

The Devtas in Thai are

Agniy Vayu Tharani and Ganga.

• #31

leesboek said:

The four elements: fire, earth, wind and water
In Dutch:
De vier elementen: vuur, aarde, wind en water.

The Ductch word for «earth» (soil) is «aarde» or «grond». In the case of the four elements we use «aarde». We call our planet «aarde».

Actually I thought one of the elements is «air» (instead of «wind»). In that case, the Dutch word for «air» is «lucht. Or am I wrong?

You are right: the four elements corresponding to the constellations at least are: aarde (earth), vuur (fire), water (water) & lucht (air). As an aquarius (waterman), I’m a ‘luchttype’ (air-type), not ‘wind’.

• #32

panjabigator said:

Earth: Zamiin, bhuumi
Wind: Havaa, pavan
water: paani, jal, neer
fire: aag

The first ones are used in Urdu, both all the choices may be used in Hindi.

For «earth» (as in soil), the Urdu/Hindi word is «mitti».
Which language is «bhuumi»? I have never heard that word before.

elroy said:

Linguist, I think you misunderstood the question. Ronan was wondering if the word for «earth» (soil) and «Earth» (our planet) was the same in all languages.

Oh I see! I did misunderstand the question. Oops.

• #33

भूमि is literally Earth. It is similar to /duniyaa/ (arabic) and /sa.nsaar/ (sanskritic), but it doesn’t have the same general «world» meaning. /miTTii/ is literally dirt, however it can be used to refer to Earth.

• #34

panjabigator said:

भूमि is literally Earth. It is similar to /duniyaa/ (arabic) and /sa.nsaar/ (sanskritic), but it doesn’t have the same general «world» meaning. /miTTii/ is literally dirt, however it can be used to refer to Earth.

Hey, the name of King Rama IX is Bhumibol Adulyadej, Bhumibol means power of the earth in Thai.

(ei ei, I’m trying link Thai back to Sanskrit since you said it doesnt sound like one lol. joking)

• #35

In German:

Die vier Elemente: Feuer, Erde, Wind und Wasser

• #36

elroy said:

Oops, sorry about that.

Here you go:

العناصر الأربعة: النار، التراب، الريح، والماء.
(al-‘anaaSiru ‘l-arba’atu: an-nar, at-turaab, ar-riiH, wal-maa’.)

I’m not sure if we have already discussed it before, but I’d like to ask you whether or not it would be possible (or better?) to use «wa» before every element (except for the first one, of course).

• #37

In Bosnian,Croatian,Serbian
Planet Earth: Planeta Zemlja/Planet Zemlja/Планет Земља
fire: vatra/ватра
earth: zemlja/земља
wind: vjetar/вјетар/vetar/ветар
water: voda/вода

• #38

In Serbian:

«The four elements: fire, earth, wind and water.»
Četiri elementa: vatra, zemlja, vetar i voda.
(Cyrillic: Четири елемента: ватра, земља, ветар и вода.)

And the word «earth» is the same for «The Earth» (our planet) and it goes: «planeta zemlja» (планета земља).

Pozdrav!

• #39

Pivra said:

Hey, the name of King Rama IX is Bhumibol Adulyadej, Bhumibol means power of the earth in Thai.

(ei ei, I’m trying link Thai back to Sanskrit since you said it doesnt sound like one lol. joking)

I appreciate all the links you are showing to Sanskrit! I just do not have the ear to listen for it….probably just a reflection of my inexperience….more exposure to your language would probably help! But thanks again! It is always so interesting to see Sanskrit’s influence on other languages outside of South Asia.

• #40

Pivra said:

Hey, the name of King Rama IX is Bhumibol Adulyadej, Bhumibol means power of the earth in Thai.

(ei ei, I’m trying link Thai back to Sanskrit since you said it doesnt sound like one lol. joking)

Now Pivra, Bhoomibol Adulyadej means The powerful/ mighty one who has immeasurable brightness within. Isn’t it?
How I guess is that: Bhoomi = Earth…….Bol = Power/Might (transformed form of Bal (hindi) or Balam (Sanskrit, Telugu))……. Adulya = immeasurable(its Atulya in Sanskrit and Telugu) and ……Dej = Godly Brightness (It’d be Tej in Hindi and Tejam or Tejassu in Sanskrit and Telugu)

Hope im not wild-guessing it……..but I thought some relation could be brought among these languages.

Shaloo

• #41

shaloo said:

Now Pivra, Bhoomibol Adulyadej means The powerful/ mighty one who has immeasurable brightness within. Isn’t it?
How I guess is that: Bhoomi = Earth…….Bol = Power/Might (transformed form of Bal (hindi) or Balam (Sanskrit, Telugu))……. Adulya = immeasurable(its Atulya in Sanskrit and Telugu) and ……Dej = Godly Brightness (It’d be Tej in Hindi and Tejam or Tejassu in Sanskrit and Telugu)

Hope im not wild-guessing it……..but I thought some relation could be brought among these languages.

Shaloo

YES lol

• #42

In Sinhalese it’s

Pathavi (Earth), Apo (Water), Tejo (Fire), Vayo (Wind)

dhaatu hatara = the four elements

• #43

The four elements: earth, water, air and fire

Castillian (Spanish)
Los cuatro elementos: tierra, agua, aire y fuego
The Earth = La Tierra

Catalan
Els quatre elements: terra, aigua, aire i foc
The Earth = La Terra

wind = viento (Cas.)/ vent (Cat.)

• #44

The four elements: earth, water, air and fire.

In basque
Lau elementuak: lurra, ura, airea eta sua.
The Earth = Lurra

Wind: Haizea

• #45

Whodunit said:

I’m not sure if we have already discussed it before, but I’d like to ask you whether or not it would be possible (or better?) to use «wa» before every element (except for the first one, of course).

You’re right Whodunit, but both are used.
I’d like, by the way, to suggest a slightly different sentence :

العناصر الأربعة هى الماء، والهواء، والنار، والتراب.​

al-3anaasir al-arba3a hiya al-maa2 wa’l-hawaa2 wa’l-naar wa’turaab

We use hawaa2 (air) more than rii7 (wind), at least this is as far as I know.

• #46

Hello

In Slovenia we say

Štirje elementi: ogenj, zemlja, zrak, voda
(the four elements: fire, earth, air, water)
/wind — veter/

planet zemlja (planet Earth)

• #47

cherine said:

You’re right Whodunit, but both are used.
I’d like, by the way, to suggest a slightly different sentence :

العناصر الأربعة هى الماء، والهواء، والنار، والتراب.​

al-3anaasir al-arba3a hiya al-maa2 wa’l-hawaa2 wa’l-naar wa’turaab

We use hawaa2 (air) more than rii7 (wind), at least this is as far as I know.

havaa is the same word we use in Panjabi!

elroy

Moderator: EHL, Arabic, Hebrew, German(-Spanish)

• #48

cherine said:

You’re right Whodunit, but both are used.
I’d like, by the way, to suggest a slightly different sentence :

العناصر الأربعة هى الماء، والهواء، والنار، والتراب.​

al-3anaasiru ‘l-arba3atu hiya ‘l-maa2u wa’l-hawaa2u wan-naaru wat-turaab(u)

We use hawaa2 (air) more than rii7 (wind), at least this is as far as I know.

Cherine,

(I modified your transliteration to make it more precise. )

I was translating the text given by Ronan. I did not use هي because it wasn’t a complete sentence (if it had been «the four elements are…,» then I would have used هي), and I used الريح because he wanted «wind,» and not «air,» translated. Of course, we have since discovered that it actually is «air» and not «wind.»

As for Whodunit’s question, I think the fact that I left out the و’s has to do with the fact that my text was not a complete sentence — it was a list of nouns introduced by a title. In that case, I think it sounds better without all the و’s. If it had been a complete sentence (like Cherine’s), I would have used the و’s — otherwise it would have sounded bad. Would you agree with this, Cherine?

• #49

Yes, Elroy, I agree with all you said.
And thanks for correcting the transliteration

• #50

I assume earth here means soil.
a= a as in car

Persian:
fire:آتش (atash)
earth: خاک (khak)
wind: باد (bad)
water: آب (ab)

Kurdish:
fire: ئار / ئاگر (ager/ar)
earth: خاک/ خول (khol/khak)
wind: وا (wa)
water: ئاو (au)

Finnish:
fire: tuli
earth: maa
wind: tuuli
water: vesi

Tisia

In Eastern Persian, fire, and wind are the same (although some might say «shomal» also works). Khak can also mean dirt. Water is ow when spoken, but ab when written.

The four elements are comprised of four different earthly energies that have been worked within a variety of spiritual, esoteric, and mystical practices since ancient times. Occurring throughout many cultures simultaneously, these elements were primarily brought to countenance in ancient Greece.

Though in modern times some subscribe to more elements than these four alone, this quartet was considered by the ancients, and by a majority of practitioners still, to be the sustaining energies of life itself. The four elements consist of:

• Earth
• Fire
• Air
• and Water

As it is thought that the universe is made up of these four elements, along with a 5th element which we will discuss momentarily, it is believed that human beings themselves are composed and managed by these elements. The physical world was calculated in ancient times to be comprised of the four corporeal traits consisting of:

• Hot
• Cold
• Dry
• and Moist

Combining hot and dry results in fire, combining hot and wet produces air, dry and cold bring about Earth and cold and wet result in water. It is believed that through the combination of these four elements that the physical realm is constructed, and along with the fifth element that life itself is brought about.

A Word on the Fifth Element

The fifth element was introduced to popularity by the prominent philosopher Aristotle and known to him and his contemporaries as aether.

However, the 5th element has been known by many names throughout time and place such as in Europe where it is referred to as quintessence, or India where it is known as akasha.

This element has also been known as the void by Japanese swordsman saint Miyomoto Musashi, Prana in Yoganic traditions, and more recently, as simply, the spirit. Regardless of the name given, ultimately, what we will refer to here as spirit, has the same connotations through many cultures.

The fifth element, or spirit, is seen as an eternal celestial life force that fills all space and time and is the energy responsible for animating life throughout the universe. In the Greek tradition, from which the popular notion of the four elements is derived, the spirit realm was seen as being on a higher plane than that of the earthly one.

Essentially, across the many cultural traditions of magick and esoteric workings, the spiritual element does not necessarily follow any of the standard rules by which the other four elements are controlled, and is considered the glue, or fabric, from which the cosmos is held together and the workings of the God’s are cemented.

Check out our recommendations at “Occult Bookshelf” and many free resources at our “Free Library“

The Four Elements in Esoteric Tradition

Ultimately, the symbolism associated with the four elements, in the esoteric traditions, is the culmination of thousands of years of spiritual practice incorporating these archetypal energies into rituals, spells, and deity worship.

It is believed in multiple esoteric traditions that by better understanding these energies, we thereby gain an understanding of each element’s effects and combinations that affect our individual personalities, and we can then begin to attune ourselves with both our physical and spiritual plane.

Representing the human nature symbolically throughout esoteric practice, the elements are represented in such divination tools as the Τarot, and are believed to be channeled and called upon by certain crystals and stones.

Earth

Represented in many traditions as the most stable of the elements, the earth element is held as a symbol of stability, groundedness, nourishment, physical abundance, and dependability.

• Tarot Association: The Suit of Pentacles
• Crystal Association: Jade, Emerald, Peridot, Onyx

Air

The air element is considered to be the breath of life. The air element is seen as a symbol of communication, learning, thinking, and overall harmony. This being said, the air sign, being the force of life and change, can also bring about destruction.

• Tarot Association: The Suit of Swords
• Crystal Association: Picture Jasper, Blue Calcite, Citrine, Yellow Jasper

Fire

Considered throughout tradition to be one of the first elements upon the birth of the universe, fire is often considered a symbol for strength, passion, courage, and energy itself. The fire provides warmth and allows for life.

• Tarot Association: Suit of Wands
• Crystal Association: Amber, Sunstone, Ruby, Red Tourmaline

Water

Water is representative of the forever changing nature of the universe at large and is often times employed as a metaphor for the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Like the other elements, though water nourishes and nurtures, it too can be destructive.

• Tarot Association: The Suit of Cups
• Crystal Association: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Mother-of-Pearl, Celestite

Spirit

The spirit represents the spirit, mind, and heart of the individual, as well as that of the collective unconscious. The spirit element in many practices represents the archetypes of luck, emotion, fate, and the will of the Gods.

• Tarot Association: The Major Arcana
• Crystal Association: Howlite, Turquoise, Malachite, Clear Quartz

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The Four Elements in Magick

In many multitudes of magickal practices, the elements are powerful energies and forces to be employed for spell work, communication with deities, and protection.

Throughout many traditions when crafting the alter for spell work it is suggested that it contain the pentacle for the earth element, the wand to represent the fire element, the dagger to represent the air element, and the chalice or goblet to represent the water element.

Of course, in the practices of many, the elements are called upon when casting a circle for the initiation of spirit or spell work and each is considered a powerful energy to be independently used and combined with the others for further advancement into the mystical arts.

Earth

Earth is representative of the physical plane and is symbolic of all that is tangible. In spell work, it is considered useful for stabilizing, solidifying, and reinforcing. The element is employed in such matters as wealth or job attraction, healing the self or others physically, and stabilizing life matters.

• Directional Association: North
• Primal Power: The power of silence.

Air

In many magick practices, air is the energy pertaining to intellectualism. The air element is called upon for spell work involving transferring, clarifying, and communicating. Air is also employed to assist in all manner of divination.

• Directional Association: East
• Primal Power: The power of knowing.

Fire

The fire element is representative of the will, or soul, in many traditions. Fire is often employed for workings pertaining to transforming, creating, or intensifying. It is also a particularly useful element to work with when performing banishing rituals of any kind.

• Directional Association: South
• Primal Power: The power of will.

Water

Water is representative of the emotions. Water is employed when working to adapt or reflect. Spells involving friends, reconciliation, or emotional healing are particularly powerful when the water element is called upon.

• Directional Association: West
• Primal Power: The power of daring.

Spirit

In magick, as with many of the other traditions discussed herein, the spirit is representative of the will of the universe and deities. The spiritual plane is considered the realm in which spell work plays out after having being crafted from the other four elements.

• Directional Association: Above, below, and inward. (As above, so below)
• Spell Association: The power of being.

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The Four Elements in Astrology

In Astrological practices, it is often believed that the four elements are responsible for governing the twelve signs of the zodiac. These elemental energies are what are considered the catalysts for the personality traits associated with the individual signs. Those who are born under certain signs are thought to possess the energetic characteristics of the governing element in abundance.

Earth

Many times those ruled by the earth sign are more inclined to handle practical matters. These signs put special importance on the material realm, hard work, and are especially talented at planning and strategy. In the zodiac overall, the earth sign represents the physical body, our finances, food, and daily routine.

• Planet Association: Earth, Venus, Saturn
• Sign Association: Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo

Air

Often those of us who’s zodiac signs are associated with the air element find it difficult to fit into our everyday surroundings, such as work or school, and have problems with going out of there way to appease friends, family, colleagues, coworkers, and others.

Ultimately, these difficulties arise from an intense need for liberation and freedom. In the overarching zodiac symbolism, air is representative of having room to breathe, a strengthening of the lungs, and an opening of the soul and spirit.

• Planet Association: Jupiter, Mercury
• Sign Association: Libra, Gemini, Aquarius

Fire

Signs governed by the fire element are often associated with the traits of charisma, leadership, and internal energy. However, as the fire consumes through personal passions, fire signs must also take heed to balance their sometimes self-centered nature with that of their emotions and compassion needed to maintain and cultivate external relationships. The fire element is symbolic of awareness, excitement, and energy in the zodiac at large.

Planet Association: The Sun, Mars, Pluto

Sign Association: Sagittarius, Aries, Leo

Water

Water signs are often influenced primarily by emotion and feeling. This intuition allows them to excel at offering advice, counseling, and guide others through emotional turmoil.

On the downside of water sign’s tenancy to focus on the emotional, they are more likely to suffer emotionally for long periods of time without relieving themselves of the emotional aggressor. Water is commonly symbolic of existence’s cyclic nature, the flow of time, and intuitiveness in the zodiac.

• Planet Association: The moon, Venus
• Sign Association: Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio

The Four Elements in Alchemy

In alchemy, the elements find perhaps their most symbolic undertaking representing the metaphysical qualities of the very structure of the universe itself. One of the most famous historical alchemists Rumi, of the Sufi tradition, puts forth the summation of the elements being representations of love from the universal soul, to that of the divine spirit.

In fact, many ancient alchemists believed that the elements we have came to adopt as the building blocks of life and the universe, were originally derived from the original first matter’, for which there are many names across various traditions.

In the Greek philosophies of alchemy, it is believed that the elements were given life through two separate living energies, that of strife and love.

Indeed, alchemy is what provides much of the modern understanding of the elements, going so far as to have given us the symbols for the four elements now embraced throughout esoteric traditions.

The alchemical ideas of the elements would go on not only to influence esoteric and magickal practices throughout the centuries, but that of philosophy and psychology as well, as the idea of both alchemy and psychology is the balance of elements within the individual.

Earth

Commonly represented as an inverted triangle, or pyramid, with a line running through it. The symbolic combination of the traits of cold and dry. The earth element descends in alchemical thought and is considered the least volatile of the four elements.

Air

Commonly represented as a triangle, or pyramid, with a line running through it. The symbolic combining of hot and moist. The air element ascends in alchemical thought. 

Fire 

Commonly represented as a pyramid or triangle shape. The culmination of the properties of dry and hot. The fire element ascends in alchemy and is considered to be the most volatile of the four elements.

Water

Commonly represented as an inverted pyramid or triangle shape. The combination of the cold and moist traits, water descends in alchemical thought.

A Final Word on the Four Elements

In summation, the four elements have provided a guide and the building blocks for a multitude of mystic and esoteric tradition since long before they were realized and given their customary definition by the ancient Greek philosophers.

Be it the element’s representation in general esoteric tradition, their use throughout many different magickal customs, or their allusions in the astrology and alchemy, it is obvious that the four elements are an important aspect in understanding mysticism, the cosmos, and the self.

Regardless of their specific employment in any given practice, the four elements, along with the fifth, make up both the symbolic and corporeal components of the world, and universe, in which the human species works, plays, lives, and worships.

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Further Study

• “Astrology, Psychology and the Four Elements” by Arroyo, Stephen – 1984.