Elements in magic and mantika

The four fundamental elements of the elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) are the main component of our world.

Even in the astrological sense, the planet earth is designated as a circle, inside of which there is an equilateral cross (cross of the elements). This is a symbol of the balance of the four energy components, each of the elements, which has its own properties and manifestations in the physical world.

The system of four elements itself formed the basis of all Western magical traditions and influenced the development of many religions. For example, the Christian doctrine of the elements, which was developed by early theologians, boils down to the fact that everything that exists consists of four elements, over which the fifth (ether) - the life-giving soul - rules.

Now remember the classic image of the pentagram, which is considered to be a protective symbol, and not a sign of Satanists, as many ordinary people think, and you will understand the essence of this sign. The four fundamental elements of the elements (Earth, Fire, Air and Water), which are controlled by the consciousness of the Magician.

Note: Does everyone remember the sensational French action film “The Fifth Element” (“The Fifth Element”, or from the French “Le Cinquième élément” - “The Fifth Element”) directed by Luc Besson? So in this film, although very distorted (based on so to speak), the essence of the pentagram symbol and the interaction of the four fundamental principles of the elements are displayed by means of their refraction into the world through the mind of an ideal being.

Element	Fire	Air	Water	Earth
Basic quality	Warm	Humidity	Cold	Dryness
Extra quality	Dryness	Warm	Humidity	Cold
Nature	Active Light Rising	Active Light Rising	Passive Dark Descending	Passive Dark Descending
Direction of movement	Up	Top and sides	Down and to the sides	Down

It is also customary to divide the elements into two categories. Male - Air, Fire, and female - Earth and Water. The elements, as third-party overseers, are controlled by the corresponding Archangels. The elements are also controlled by elemental spirits (saganae).

Archangels corresponding to the elements:

Fire – Michael;
Water – Gabriel;
Air - Raphael;
Earth - Uriel.

Elemental Spirits:

Air – Sylphs;
Fire – Salamanders;
Water – Undines;
Earth - Dwarfs.

The elements have their own time of day and year.

Element	Times of Day	Season
Air	Dawn	Spring
Fire	Noon	Summer
Water	Sunset	Autumn
Earth	Midnight	Winter

Also, the days of the week are influenced not only by planetary managers (I recommend that you read the material “Planetary Magic”), the elements also make their own adjustments, which is important to consider when performing magical work (selecting and performing a ritual).

Day of the week	Planet	Element
Sunday	Sun	Fire
Monday	Moon	Water
Tuesday	Mars	Fire
Wednesday	Mercury	Air
Thursday	Jupiter	Air or Water
Friday	Venus	Earth
Saturday	Saturn	Earth

In ancient times, the physical manifestation of the elements was also correlated with the manifestation of divine powers. Below I will give you a table of associations with the deities of the ancient pantheons.

	Sumer	Egypt	Greece
Air	Enlil Ninlil	Amon Shu	Aeolus Anems Zeus
Earth	Ninhursag	Geb	Gaia Hera
Fire	Utu	Ra Sekhmet	Hades Hephaestus
Water	Enki	Nate Nun	Persephone Poseidon

As for the mantle, and more specifically the deck of Tarot cards, there is also a correspondence to the four elements by means of the correspondence of the four suits of the minor arcana.

Tarot card suits and elements:

Wands – Fire;
Cups – Water;
Swords – Air;
Pentacles (Disks, Coins) – Earth.

Regular playing cards also have similar correspondences.

Playing card suits and elements:

Clubs (crosses) – Fire;
Hearts - Water;
Peaks - Air;
Diamonds - Earth.

In addition to the mantle, astrological signs of the zodiac are also usually divided into groups according to the relationship of each of them to a particular element.

Fire	Earth	Air	Water
Aries	Capricorn	Scales	Cancer
a lion	Taurus	Aquarius	Scorpion
Sagittarius	Virgo	Twins	Fish

As you have already seen, for high-quality performance of rituals you will still need knowledge in the field of practical elemental magic. We will talk about everything in more detail in the following materials and in special training courses.

And I will emphasize once again that the result of your work will depend only on your knowledge, skills and goals.

May the force be with us!

Best regards, Margarita.