The ancients believed all matter to be composed of combinations of four basic
‘elements’: Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. This idea is not accepted literally
anymore, of course. We now know that in order to discuss the composition of
things we must concern ourselves with such concepts as molecular bonding and
particle physics. However, the ancient beliefs do leave us with a useful concept
despite our modern knowledge of the true complexity of matter. We can think
of the elements as representations of qualities which can describe the way in
which we perceive our environment and the forces contained therein. It's also
interesting to note that the four elements, in the order of descent in which
Plato posited them, correspond well to the four states of matter: Fire = Plasma,
Air = Gas, Water = Liquid, and Earth = Solid. Nevertheless, we work with the
elements in a primarily symbolic context and in this regard the elemental powers
have a prominent place in Selohaar magick and Western magick in general.
The elements are best understood when the symbolic associations of each are
examined in turn. Earth is associated with fertility and solidity; it is a firm
foundation on which to build, the most base and material of the elements. Air,
with its blowing winds and shifting patterns of weather, symbolizes movement,
communication, and inspiration - it is the element most associated with the
magical art of divination. Blazing and crackling Fire is the element of energy,
growth, and transformation. Lastly, soothing Water symbolizes fluidity, healing,
and the emotions.
Each element corresponds to one of the cardinal points on the compass: Water
to the North, Air to the East, Fire to the South, and Earth to the West. We
may invoke the elements from these directions as part of the process of creating
sacred space for whatever magick ceremony we are conducting. This process is
integral to the general format of Selohaar Circle Magick. The four elements
are governed in their domains by the Four Regents: faceless archetypal beings
or forces (the exact visualization is up to the individual) who are named when
we invoke from each cardinal direction. In some magickal systems, the cardinal
points are thought to be guarded by ‘Watchtowers’, distant astral towers wherein
the powers of the elements are concentrated. It should be noted here that both
views are really just different visualizations of the same magickal concept.
For those more familiar with the latter system: think of the Four Regents as
dwelling within the Watchtowers. It may be helpful for others to visulize the
operation of invoking with the Regent names as the equivalent of using a key
(keyname) to open certian doors which give access to certain types of energy.
The names of the Regents are: Eltzen, who rules the North; Oriens, the East;
Amemon, the South; and Boul, the West. While other systems use different names,
these are the ones used in Selohaar ritual.
The student should be aware that there are several different variants
on the system of elements used by the Order. Some systems of Western occultism
add a fifth element, Spirit (or Void), which has no cardinal direction
associated with it; in fact its very nature, that of undirected potential,
procludes it from being so associated. Eastern systems often include Wood
or Metal in their lists of elements. It is recommended that the student
compare and contrast with these systems when she or he encounters them.
The calling of the elemental powers represents the connection with the
forces of the outside, or the environment in Selohaar ritual. The symbolic
constructs of the elements are the ‘powers without’, in contrast with the
‘powers within’, such as Verena or Vorthr, who are archetypes for qualities
contained within all of us. When we invoke the elements, we link the powers
of nature with the other energies of the ritual. By uniting the powers
of nature with the powers within ourselves, we create a powerful magickal
state and strengthen our bonds with the natural environment of which we
all are a part.
Included here is a table of elemental correspondences which summarize this
text in graphical form. The table contains the names, directions, and qualities
examined above, as well as associated colors, tarot suits, the four winds, bodily
humours, and guards in Liechtenauer's longsword teachings.
Element
Fire
Air
Water
Earth
Direction
South
East
North
West
Name
Amemon
Oriens
Eltzen
Boul
Symbol
Character
Hot & Dry
Hot & Wet
Cold & Wet
Cold & Dry
Qualities
Energy,
Growth
Force,
Inspiration
Fluidity,
Emotions
Fertility,
Solidity
Season
Summer
Spring
Winter
Autumn
Wind
Auster
Orient
Boreas
Occident
Tarot Suit
Wands
Swords
Cups
Pentacles
Color
Red
Yellow
Blue
Green
Temperament
Choleric
Sanguine
Phlegmatic
Melancholic
Bodily Humour
Yellow Bile
Blood
Phlegm
Black Bile
State of Matter
Plasma
Gas
Liquid
Solid
Longsword Guard
vom Tag
Ochs
Pflug
Alber
Application in Ritual
The most obvious ritual application of the elements is the spoken invocation.
By speaking an appropriate invocation, one may summon the presence of one or
more of the elemental powers. In this fashion one symbolically adds the powers
of the natural world to the ceremonial working. In a full Selohaar Magickal
Circle, all four powers are invoked by one or more of the ritual’s participants
(see "A General Outline for a Selohaar Magickal
Circle"). To complete this operation, the elemental powers are then
banished at the conclusion of the rite.
There are various gestures which may be used in ritual to accompany the spoken
word. Simple hand gestures symbolizing qualities of each element may be used
in conjunction with the invocations. While invoking Earth, the hands may be
held outstretched with the palms flat, showing the solid surface of the ground
beneath our feet. For Air, we could hold our hands vertically, with the fingers
spread, allowing the wind to flow between them. To symbolize Fire, we hold our
fists closed to indicate energetic action. Water may be invoked with the hands
cupped as if to contain water. These are gestures which might be used in a very
‘element-intensive’ ritual. In most cases, the General Invoking and Banishing
Triquetras are used to summon and banish the elemental powers (see "The
Triquetra: Philosophy and Magick").
