Magick 04 Elements And Forces
Magick sees relationships between things. These relationships are called 'correspond-ences'. Although magical 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 magick, for the magician may surround himself with as many appropriate correspondences as he can to vividly affect the senses; thus making his magical contact with the inner planes more lucid.
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The magical elements have correspondences with the tarot cards as the four suits. The four quarters (directions of the universe as used in magick ritual) and the Archangels also correspond with these same elements:
Element: earth
Suit: pentacles
Quarter: north
Archangel: Uriel
Element: water
Suit: cups
Quarter: west
Archangel: Gabriel
Element: fire
Suit: wands
Quarter: south
Archangel: Michael
Element: air
Suit: swords
Quarter: east
Archangel: 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.
Elementals
The magical elements are said to be peopled by spirits and mythological entities called elementals or nature spirits. These are grouped into four main categories:
Gnome (earth): dwarfs, elves, brownies, lepricauns
Undine (water): nymphs, tritons, mermaids, sirens
Salamander (fire): jin (genies), storm, hobgoblins, harpies
Sylph (air): fairies, angels, mermen
-- --
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 -- fire
contraction - expansion
cold -- - hot
feminine -- masculine
moon -- sun
negative -- positive
passive -- active
ebb -- flow
wane -- wax
The list could go on. In Chinese literature it is quite long. Some occultists suggest every-thing can be similarly arranged into related opposite pairs.
Simple Magick
Here is a simple magical technique you may wish to try. It is a variation of affirmation, which was discussed in an earlier lesson...To help you to achieve your goal (magical 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.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1) List the four elements.
2) What is an elemental?
3) What are correspondences?
by Phil Hansford, 4/88
Recommended reading (pdf e-books):
Anonymous - Wicca Beliefs And PracticesAleister Crowley - Magick In Theory And Practice
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