Earth, Air, Fire & Water by Scott Cunningham

When I first decided to use some of Scott's work for the information on the Elements, I began reading his work, again.
The stories he tells, and the feelings he shares, add so much to the simple tables and text.
For that reason, you'll find, along with the tables,direct excerpts from his book.
If you fall in love with his words, the way I have, you'll have to read this wonderful book.
Earth, Air, Fire & Water
More Techniques of Natural Magic

Today, the Earth is in turmoil, due to the actions of unthinking humans. As magicians, we don’t abuse the
Earth or the elements. We work with them, sending our own energies toward our planet and it’s many
elemental manifestations. In doing this, we lend energy to our home. The practice of natural magic has
always encompassed a way of life. These days this may include recycling, planting trees, carpooling,
saving water (in times of drought), avoiding the use of plastic and turning off the air conditioner. In
taking these small steps toward saving our environment, we improve the effectiveness of our spells and
rituals, if only because we’ve proven that we respect nature and the Earth, the Air, the Fire, the Water.
Scott Cunningham
San Diego
November 1, 1990

The Elements
Earth
Air
Fire
Water
Akasha

Chapter 1 This is Magic

A figure moves between tangled trunks, seeking the clearing. Soon the ancient oaks part to reveal a stream.
The woman kneels on the stream’s grassy bank and places her hands onto the ground. The steady pulse
of the Earth’s energy comforts her.
She gathers single strands of emerald-hued grass, thanking the plants for their sacrifice. When she’s
collected thirteen strands, she holds the leaves between her palms and is still for a moment.
She closes her eyes. Her lips move. Wind tugs at the woman’s sleeve as her face tenses. Internal forces make
her shoulders tremble. Rising to her feet, the woman tosses the grass into the air, sending energy that
she’s raised with it.
The grass catches the breeze and sails over the stream. It lands on the far bank and the woman senses its
power flashing into the ground, putting her energy into motion.
It’s over. She lies on the bank, feeling the sun heating her, the breeze cooling her and the Earth supporting
her. The trickle of water from the nearby stream lulls her into a peaceful reveries she recalls her simple
actions and the power that they have aroused.
She gives silent thanks. Rising from the stream bank, the woman again walks through the trees and returns
home from the park. The sun has stained the western horizon a vivid red by the time she greets her cat,
grabs a book and reads by the fire, satisfied that her healing spell has been successful.

This description of a magical ritual might seem strange, but it’s the type of magic that lives within this book:
gentle, loving, healing magic. No curses lurk within these pages; no rituals of hatred or jealousy or envy.
If this is surprising to you, I’m glad that I’ll be your guide into the true realm of magic. For this is REAL magic,
forged with natural energies, charged with love and sent with the knowledge that positive
change will occur.
Magic is natural as the Earth, Water, Fire and Air; yes, even as natural as a blade of grass. Within its simple
rites many have found answers to the multitude of challenges that life presents them.
Natural magic (the practice of using the forces of nature coupled with the powers of our minds and bodies) has always
been a part of the human experience.
It still lives: in the midst of the endless prairie; beside a cypress-ringed bayou; in the sizzling desert; within
the shadow of skyscrapers. Natural magicians work with Earth energy to transform themselves and their lives.
This book is a guide to practical, positive magic. Anyone can use these or similar rituals to bring harmony
into their lives.
In practicing natural magic, we attune with the earth. Far from being a lofty spiritual pursuit, magic is a
means of joining with the Earth and of using our powers in common to create a brighter future for both
ourselves and for our planet.
Walk lightly...breath deeply...harm none...and discover the wonders that magic has to offer.

Chapter 4 The Elements

I watched many documentary films in school when I was quite young. On those days when it was announced
that a film was to be shown, it was usually considered to be a break from "real" classwork. These were
the times to drowse while Walter Cronkite told us "You Are There," or while little furry things ate each
other in glorious color.
Still, some of these films (this was in the days before schoolroom use of video tape) were interesting, and I
closely watched those involved with rivers, mountains, volcanoes, the ocean, and the weather.
I remember such a film. After describing the creation of a canyon by the eroding action of a river, the screen
was filled with sharp, angular cliffs and spectacularly weathered mountains. "see how the elements
have carved these hills," the narrator had said.
That was my introduction to the elements. Naturally, the narrator was referring to wind, water and sun, and
the way in which weather shapes and transforms our landscape. But the word "elements" was
permanently imprinted in my mind.
Several years later, I discovered the origins of that term.
The elements were more than the weather, I learned. They were thought to be the four creative energies of
the universe. This idea, crafted long ago and refined in classical Greece, is still accepted by many
magicians.
I’ve named this book Earth, Air, Fire & Water after the elements. The rituals contained within it
relate, in some way, to these four universal energies. This chapter contains brief discussions on each of
the four elements, including their basic natures, associated tools, symbols*, types of rituals, and other
magical information. I’ve kept these discussions short because the best way to become aware of the
elements is to work with them.
Each of the elements is necessary for human life. All have both positive and negative aspects, and each acts
as a check for the others. The Earth without Water to moisten it, without Fire to warm it, and without
Air to surround it, would be a lifeless planet. The elements work in harmony to create and to sustain
life.
In reading these discussions, keep in mind that the elements are present both in physical form (such as a
handful of soil) and in unmanifested, non-physical form. Additionally, all the elements emerge from
Akasha, the source of all energy, which is treated separately at the end of this chapter.

Earth
Earth is our mother. It’s as fertile and nurturing as farmland; as moist as soil and as dry as sand. In it’s
physical manifestations (such as stones), Earth represents the densest of the elements.
Press your hand against fresh dirt. Feel it’s stability, its earthiness. Know that within its fertile
surface we’ve raised our food; on it we live our lives; within it we bury our deceased.
We couldn’t exist in this form without the Earth. But our planet is simply a manifestation of this element.
True Earth-energy also exists within ourselves and within the universe at large.
Her are some symbolic associations of Earth. Think about these aspects of this most basic element.

Aspect	Association
Basic Nature	Fertile, moist, nurturing; stabilizing; grounding. Gravity is a manifestation of this element.
Type Of Energy	Receptive
Color	Green (from the color of living plants).
Places	Caves, canyons, chasms, forests, groves, valleys, fields, farms, gardens, arboretums, parks, plant nurseries, farmer’s markets, kitchens, baby nurseries, basements, mines, holes.
Rituals	Money, prosperity, fertility, stability, grounding, employment.
Ritual Forms	Burying, planting, making images in soil or sand.
Herbs	Earth-smelling plants, such as patchouli and vetivert; mosses and lichens; nuts; dry and stiff plants; heavy, low growing plants; generally roots.
Stones	Heavy or opaque, as in coal; green, as in emerald and peridot.
Metals	Iron, lead.
Musical Instrument	Drum, all percussion instruments
Creatures	Dog, horse, earthworm, gopher, ant, cow, burrowing animals.
Season	Winter (the time of darkness).
Direction	North (the place of greatest darkness).
Time	Night
Magical Tool	Pentacle (a wooden, metal, or clay disc inscribed with a five-pointed star).
Point in Life	Advanced age.
Astrological Signs	Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.
Sense	Touch.
Natural Symbols	Salt, clay dish of fresh soil, rocks, sheaves of wheat, acorns.
Types of Magic Ruled	Gardening, magnet, image, stone, tree, knot, bindnng.

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Air
Scientists and magicians may have different views concerning this element,
but all agree that it’s vital to human survival.
Without air, we would perish.
Air is the power of movement; of freshening and of intelligence. It’s the invisible and yet quite real mixture
of gases that we breath in every day. In magical terms, Air is also the power of the mind: the force of intellect.
Go to a place with clean air and breath deeply. Touch a feather. Inhale the fragrance of a heavily scented
flower. Study an intricately patterned leaf. Experience the wonders of the manifestations of this
element. Remember, too, that we possess Air energy within ourselves.
Here are some Air associations:

Aspect	Association
Basic Nature	Flying, moving, fresh, intelligent, suspending. Sound is a manifestation of this element.
Type Of Energy	Projective
Color	Yellow (the yellow of the sun, the sky at dawn).
Places	Mountaintops, wind-swept plains, cloudy skies, high towers, airports, schools, libraries, offices, travel agencies, psychiatrist’s offices.
Rituals	Travel, instruction, study, freedom, knowledge, recovering lost items.
Ritual Forms	Tossing objects into the air, suspending tools in high places, fanning light objects, visualization, positive thinking.
Herbs	Fragrant, as many flowers; pungent, as in culinary herbs such as dill; airy, finely-veined, or wind-swept; generally leaves.
Stones	Light stones, such as pumice; transparent stones, such as mica.
Metals	Tin, copper
Musical Instrument	Flute, all wind instruments
Creatures	Spider, most birds, winged insects.
Season	Spring (the time of freshness).
Direction	East (the place of sunrise).
Time	Dawn
Magical Tool	Wand
Point in Life	Infancy
Astrological Signs	Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
Senses	Hearing, smell.
Natural Symbols	A feather, incense smoke, fragrant flowers.
Types of Magic Ruled	Divination, concentration, visualization, wind magic.

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Fire
Fire is the creator and the destroyer. It warms our homes, cooks our food, and fuels our passions. Unlike the
other elements, Fire cannot exist in physical form without consuming something else. Thus, fire
transforms objects into new forms: heat, light, ash, and smoke.
On a sunny day, go outside at noon and press your receptive hand against a warm rock. Smell the smoke
from a burning fire. Gaze into a candles flame. Immerse yourself in Fire energy, and realize that it also
exists within ourselves.
Fire must be controlled to be of benefit to us. When we light a candle, we call upon its powers - but also
limit them. This is necessary if its physical forms are to be of use. But even a raging forest fire actually
helps the Earth, clearing away underbrush and encouraging dormant seeds to burst into new life.
Here are some of the magical associations of Fire:

Aspect	Association
Basic Nature	Purifying, destructive, cleansing, energetic, sexual, forceful. Heat is a manifestation of this element.
Type Of Energy	Projective.
Color	Red (from the color of flames).
Places	Deserts, hot springs, volcanoes, ovens, fireplaces, bedrooms (for sex), weight rooms, locker rooms, saunas, athletic fields.
Rituals	Protection, courage, sex, energy, strength, authority, banishing negativity.
Ritual Forms	Burning or smoldering; heating.
Herbs	Stinging, thorny or hot, as thistles, chili peppers and bouganvillea; desert dwelling, as cacti; stimulating, as coffee beans; generally seeds.
Stones	Red or fiery, as in jasper; volcanic, as in lava; clear, as in quartz crystal.
Metals	Gold, brass.
Musical Instrument	Guitar, all stringed instruments.
Creatures	Snake, cricket, lizard, praying mantis, ladybug, bee, scorpian, shark.
Season	Summer (the time of heat).
Direction	South (the place of heat).
Time	Noon
Magical Tool	Knife.
Point in Life	Youth.
Astrological Signs	Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.
Sense	Sight.
Natural Symbols	Flame, lava, a heated object.
Types of Magic Ruled	Candle, storm, time and star.

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Water
Water is the cleansing, healing, psychic, loving element. It washes over us when we see our mates;
supports us when we swim; gives us life when we are dehydrated. Dew dust plants after the sun sets.
Rainstorms (one manifestation of this element) drench us.
Taste pure water. Move your hand through a stream, lake, pool, or bowl full of water. Feel its cool liquidity; it’s soft touch.
Listen to water trickling into a pool. As you do these things, remember that we contain
Water energy within ourselves as well.
The energy of this element is vital to our well-being as humans, for it contains within it the essence of love.
Love is the underlying reason for all magic. Water IS love.
Here are some magical Water associations:

Aspect	Association
Basic Nature	Flowing, purifying, healing, soothing, loving.
Type Of Energy	Receptive
Color	Blue (from the hue of deep water).
Places	Lakes, springs, streams, rivers, beaches, oceans, wells, swimming pools, bathtubs, showers, bedrooms (for sleep), health spas, steam rooms, fountains.
Rituals	Purification, love, psychic awareness, dreams, sleep, peace, marriage, frindships.
Ritual Forms	Dilution, placing into water, washing away, bathing.
Herbs	Aquatic, such as water lilies and seaweed; fleshy, as in succulents and lettuce; loving, as in rose and gardenia; generally flowers.
Stones	Transparent or translucent, as in amethyst and aquamarine; blue, as in blue tourmaline.
Metals	Mercury (Quicksilver), silver, copper.
Musical Instrument	Cymbal, bell, all resonant metals.
Creatures	Cat, frog, turtle, dolphin, whale, otter, seal, dugong; most fish and shellfish.
Season	Autumn (the time of harvest).
Direction	West (the place of the setting sun).
Time	Dusk.
Magical Tool	Cup, the cauldron.
Point in Life	Maturity.
Astrological Signs	Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
Sense	Taste.
Natural Symbols	Shells, a cup of water.
Types of Magic Ruled	Sea, ice snow, fog, mirror, magnet.

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Akasha
The Elements emerge from Akasha, the immutable, changeless source of all energy. This is the realm of potentiality:
of promise, of paths not yet taken, of unformed galaxies, of outer space.
Akasha is also present within our bodies. Some say that the spark of life, that unknowable force that is
called the "soul," is a bit of Akashic energy housed in the physical body.
Akasha is sometimes thought to be symbolically present on the Earth. More often it’s seen as the Mother
(Creatrix) of the elements. It’s little used in natural magic, but something of it’s nature should be understood.
Primarily, Akasha is unbeingness . Its energy, which extends everywhere throughout the universe,
has not yet achieved form and substance. It’s the primal source of energy that creates and fuels the elements.
Because of this, it contains complete, balanced energy: Earth and Air and Fire and Water.
The following table of Akashic associations points out its universal nature, and is not meant to be used for magical purposes.

Aspect	Association
Basic Nature	Unknowable
Type Of Energy	Projective / Receptive
Color	Purple or black
Places	Outer space; vacuums; the Void.
Types of Rituals	Religious in nature.
Ritual Forms	None.
Herbs	None.
Stones	None.
Metals	Meteoritic.
Musical Instrument	None.
Creatures	None (and yet, all).
Season	All (and yet, none).
Direction	North, east, south and west; also within and without; up and down; also, a complete lack of direction and dimensions. (the place of greatest darkness).
Time	Eternal starlight.
Magical Tool	None.
Point in Life	Pre-Conception; soulness.
Astrological Signs	None.
Sense	None.
Natural Symbols	None.
Types of Magic Ruled	Religious.

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