ARTS OF WITCHCRAFT: MAGICAL USES OF THE FOUR ELEMENTS
There are four basic systems which are useful in creating magical influences
related to the four elements of earth, air, fire and water. Fire works through
combustion, water through mixture, air through evaporation, and earth through
decomposition. These aspects are incorporated in the completion of a spell or
other magical work. Generally you will have some material left over to dispose
of (wax, ashes, and so forth) and it is correct to use one of the elemental
methods to complete the final stages.
If your spell was to influence a person then the earth element is used. If it
was to accomplish a specific goal then fire is good. Romantic works are best
with water and matters concerning mental creativity employ the element of air.
The following examples can be used to complete whatever spell you were working
on.
FIRE:
Take a piece of paper or cloth and moisten it with the universal condenser.
Place this in front of you and concentrate on the work of magic. Strongly
imagine your thoughts to be filling the material. Imagine your desire being
“written” by your thoughts across the material. When your concentration is
breaking then the material is fully saturated. Now simply burn the cloth or
paper in an open fire. While it is burning concentrate on your desire. The fire
releases the charge and merges it with the element.
AIR:
Take a small metal container and fill it about half full. Add 3 drops of
universal condenser. Put the container over a flame and concentrate upon your
desire as you gaze into the water. As the steam begins to rise, imagine your
desire being drawn up and carried off. Continue until all the water has been
evaporated.
WATER:
Take a container and fill it about half full with fresh water. Add 3 drops of
universal condenser and 3 drops of rubbing alcohol. Now impregnate the water
with your concentrated desire. When you feel that it is full pour the water into
a stream, river or any moving body of water.
EARTH:
With this element your concentration is centered on the universal condenser
which you place in a jar after it has been loaded. Then this is poured out over
a selected spot of earth to be absorbed directly into the element of earth.
FROM JANA HOLLINGSWORTH A good, useful, practical note. It seems people often
use the four elements only for casting a circle, or simply have them represented
on their altars. It’s a good idea to use a specific element for a specific
purpose, rather than always calling on all four. I suspect these spells would be
best performed outdoors, making the elements seem more real. Pouring one’s
spell-water into a stream would feel better than pouring it down the drain.
A Gray Witch's Grimoire 