A major component of magickal workings is based on elemental energies and their correspondences. (Correspondences are the other qualities and traits that are associated with the element. For example, Air is associated with the east, and rules the mind.) The better one understands the energy and qualities of each element, the better one can manipulate that energy for magickal purposes. Although one can become generally familiar with an element by reading through a table of correspondence, the best way to harness the power of the elements is to become personally intimate with each.
One excellent way to become familiar with the elements is to spend a full moon cycle (or more) working in depth with each element. Each day, spend 15-30 minutes meditating on the element. Play and commune with all aspects of each element, and journal the experience. Throughout the moon cycle, keep reminders of the element nearby to keep the energies of that element in your awareness. By the end of the month, I guarantee that you will feel b more intimately connected with the element.
Here are some suggestions for things you can try to help you connect with each element:
Fire meditations: sit with a lit candle each day. If you have an athame and/or intend to use one in your practice, incorporate the athame in your work, since this tool is associated with this direction. (Well, in some traditions. Other traditions associate the wand with fire, but this has never made sense to me. Steel is forged from flames, but you decide.) If you can, spend some time in front of a camp fire or a fireplace at some point during your month. Practice passing the blade through the flames, and safely! measure the corona of heat that surrounds the flames. Spend a month focused on this element, getting to know it.
Water meditations: Connect with water daily by taking a sit-down bath as often as possible. If showers are your only option, reserve some part of the shower to feeling and interacting with the water. Go swimming if you can. Soak in a hot tub. Visit living bodies of water like streams, ponds, lakes, or the ocean. Use a special chalice or cup to drink spring water from during this month. Drink it reverently, at every meal.
Earth Meditations: Connect daily by putting bare hands and/or bare feet against the earth for 15 minutes each day if possible. In harsh weather, protect yourself however needed, but get outside and physically touch the earth. Make friends with rocks and crystals. Meditate on individual rocks or minerals... study it, taste it, tap it, roll it, hold it in your hands and feel its connection to the earth that formed it. Feel your own connection. Be grounded.
Air meditations: For a month, spend time each day practice deep breathing exercises. Breathe deeply from your stomach, and feel the air expand your lungs. Release the air slowly, feeling it flow out through your nose. If you have a wand or intend to use one in your practice, start working with it during this month of air meditations. Wave it through the air, feel the resistance of the wind. If you have incense, light some and watch the smoke curl on the air currents. Wave a feather and watch the smoke ripples and diffuse through the air. And Breathe... remember to breathe.
At the end of these four months, you will have an good start for working with the elements. The tradition I'm currently working with has dedicants work each element for a full quarter of the wheel of the year before initiation. Three months in each element makes for an excellent foundation for a lifelong practice.
Good luck, and remember to enjoy your explorations!
~Flame RavenHawk
June 16, 2004