Along with magic itself, one of the most fundamental abilities of a magician has been to attempt to control the four raw powers of the elemental system. The four refer to Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. The ability to feel these energies, understand them, and to move them is the study of the Elemental Mage. Throughout their practice different casters will experience different degrees of success no matter which art is practiced, but Elemental Magic is often considered one of the most difficult arts to progress in and thus there are few practitioners. It is also difficult because of the nature of the magic itself: it deals purely with the real and tangible facets of the four elemental powers, not with the ethereal correspondences of the elements. As such, it tends to be seen as an "all or nothing" art where you clearly succeed or fail every time. Also, as a matter of practicality, few have a real need for this kind of power anymore (due to many of the necessities being provided for by technology) and thus the practice tends to be left behind, to a certain extent. Regardless of this fact, however, many have felt the call to gird themselves with elemental knowledge and harness the natural powers around them.
Focusing only on the physical manifestations of the four elements, each has unique uses and capabilities when properly applied. "Heat" energy, as we know it, is not perfectly synonymous with Fire Magic. Though to an Elemental Mage the two are very similar, there is a missing aspect in the concept of heat which restricts it to this level. For the Elemental Mage, all things which produce heat are also giving off the mystical equivalent of heat energy. In this way, Fire energy can also be used to metaphysically detect things which produce heat, and even, in extreme circumstances, to focus the ethereal form of heat into a physical manifestation of flame itself, thus creating pure flame from seemingly nothing. Keeping in mind the physical principles governing combustion it becomes readily apparent why feats of this nature are rare, at best. Through enough practice and concentration, however, the Elemental Mage learns how to absorb heat energy from all things around them, as a unified action, and bring it to bear against a target. This can be to warm the caster, to warm an inanimate target, or a friend. It can be used to find things generating heat, and to control preexisting sources of heat such as flames and mirages.
Air is another of the elemental manifestations, and is usually the first element an Elemental Mage finds control of. Due to its already volatile nature and tendency to change the Elemental Mage can find their first successes, usually, in attempts to change wind direction. Breezes can carry smell, keep away noxious fumes, cool the caster or something targeted by the caster, and may be the edge required to start a fire that just will not light. There are far too many uses of wind and air to be listed here; truly, we see the effects of wind every day, as even now we breathe the air and can describe what the wind conditions in our area are like. It can be used to regulate heat, it can affect our senses in various ways, and is an overall good place to start. Wind constantly moves, constantly changes, and in that spirit we may influence them without much resistance.
Earth, however, is the difficult counterbalance to Air. It is firm and resists all kinds of change, hence the Elemental Mage must exert themselves to a rare degree to find anything more than a nominal skill with this element. Earth is the foundation of most life, and by this merit it can be used to lend aid to dying plant life, choke out undesired plant life, sense creatures within the caster's spell range, and to basically know that which the earth would be able to relate (not as an intelligent entity, but as an extension of one's own senses, such as feeling the tremors of other animals, feeling the stability of a certain area to step on, etc.) Some Elemental Mages claim the ability to predict and cause certain events such as earthquake, famine, drought, siroccos, frost, snow, hail, sleet, fog, and other types of natural manifestation by making full use the the Earth element to gain knowledge and control of the environment.
Lastly, there is the practice of controlling the water. Water can be used in much the same way as Earth in that the tremors it carries can be interpreted by the Elemental Mage to extend their range of sensation and know things they would normally be oblivious to. Water abides in many of the things that we see daily. The air contains some, the ground contains some, and various materials or substances (including human flesh) have quantities in them. Elemental Magic concerning water can be seen in a great deal of cultures which still rely heavily on agriculture, and in the history of cultures which did. The "Rain Dance" is a prime example of water elemental magic at work. To cause rain to fall at will, or conversely, as the Biblical characters of Moses, Elijah, and the Two Prophets of Revelation 11, to cause it to stop is the bailiwick of the elemental magician.
The abilities of the Elemental Mage vary greatly, and intimate knowledge of the elements gives intimate knowledge of the physical world around and its innermost mechanics. To truly understand the world around us is only a matter of learning and harnessing the ways of nature.
AIR
Mastering the element Air
The elemental Spirits of Air are the Sylphs.
Air is the element of the intellect, and is concerned with the realm of thought. Air magic rules spells involved with travel, instruction, freedom, obtaining knowledge, discovering lost items, uncovering lies, and can also be used to develop the psychic abilities. Performing air magic can be as simple as dropping something off the side of a mountain or other high place. Air is associated with with the East (North in my world...), the color yellow, and the season of spring, and is considered to be masculine, dry, expansive, and active. The element of air excels most in places of learning and is at work whenever we theorize, think, and ponder.
- Make a list of things which have the combined qualities of warmth and moistness. Practice this for one week. Be sure to record the results each day in your magical diary.
- Find a place where you can be alone, take a lounge chair along with you. Wear as little clothing as you can (if possible, nudity is best), and sit or lie in the chair. Begin pore breathing, this is started by doing the relaxation ritual***. Next, become very aware of your breath. Become aware of the slow in and out motion of the physical air. Notice the way the air feels as it enters your body. Now imagine that your body is nothing more than a huge breathing apparatus. Imagine that every part of your body only has the function of breathing. You should do this exercise daily for one week.
- Spend a period of up to three minutes (no more), once a day, imagining that you are the element Air. Feel the lightness, the giddiness, the warmth and moisture of Air. Feel how physical things don’t seem to matter. Do this exercise for only one week, NO MORE. If you wish to do it again, only do it once every month.
- Once you have learned to “be Air,” the next step is to control the element Air. Take a moment and imagine yourself to be Air. Bring the feeling from the previous exercise into your consciousness. Next, hold your hands 9-12 inches apart, palms facing each other. Imagine a bottle or box between your hands. Now, as you exhale, visualize all of the Air element which is in you going out with your breath and into the container between your hands. Three to five breaths should be enough to fill it. Then, with three breaths, inhale it back into you and go back to normal consciousness.
The Test
The next time you feel heavy, slow or lazy, do this exercise. If you feel relaxed and refreshed, you have succeeded, with the test and with mastering the Element of Air.
EARTH
Mastering the element Earth
The elemental Spirits of Earth are the Gnomes.
Earth is the stable, solid, dependable element. It is the realm of abundance, prosperity, and wealth, and is the most physical of all the elements. Whenever we walk, sit, stand, crawl, eat, sleep, work our jobs, tend our plants, balance our checkbooks, or taste salt we are working within the element of Earth. In magic, Earth rules all spells involved with business, money, employment, prosperity, stability, and fertility. Earth rituals can be done simply by burying an object representative of your need in a plot of virgin ground, walking over miles of countryside visualizing your need, or drawing images in the dirt. Earth is a feminine element because it is nurturing, moist, and fruitful. It's color is green, direction North (East in my world), and season winter.
- Make a list of things which have the combined qualities of dryness and coolness. However, don’t do this just out of your head. Rather, make a list of Earth things that you see each day. Practice this for one week. Be sure to record the results each day in your magical diary.
- Find a place filled with nature, such as a field or park. Wear as little clothing as you can (if possible, nudity is best), and sit or lie on the ground so that as much of your skin as possible is touching the ground. This is especially easy for women, as they can simply wear a flowing skirt with no underwear and sit on the ground with the skirt spread out. In this way there is nothing between the skin and the Earth. Spend some time contemplating, feeling the coolness and dryness of the Earth. You should do this at least three times within a week.
- Spend a period of up to three minutes (no more), once a day, imagining that you are the element Earth. Feel the heaviness, the slowness, the coolness and dryness of Earth. Feel the way you can absorb the pains and problems of the world (however, do not actually do so). Become Earth. Do this exercise for at least a week before moving to the next exercise.
- Once you have learned to “be Earth,” the next step is to control the element Earth. Take a moment and imagine yourself to be Earth. Bring the feeling from the previous exercise into your consciousness. Next, hold your hands 9-12 inches apart, palms facing each other. Imagine a bottle or box between your hands. Now, as you exhale, visualize all of the Earth element which is in you going out with your breath and into the container between your hands. Three to five breaths should be enough to fill it. Then, with three breaths, inhale it back into you and go back to normal consciousness.
The Test
The next time you feel lightheaded, overweight, just heavy and lethargic, do this exercise. If you feel lighter and better, you have succeeded, with the test and with mastering the element Earth.
FIRE
Mastering the element Fire
The elemental Spirits of Fire are the Salamanders.
Fire is the element of change, will, and passion, and it's realm is that of sexuality and passion. Fire is both a physical and spiritual element, and it's magic involves spells having to do with energy, authority, sex, healing, destruction, purification, evolution, etc. Fire rituals may be done by the fuming, burning or smoldering of an image, herb, or other flammable objects, or with the use of candles or small blazes. Fire magic is usually practiced near the fireplace, beside a fire lit in a wilderness clearing, or simply beside the flame of a lit candle. Fire is thought of as being masculine, and is connected to the South, the color red, and the season of summer.
- Make a list of things which have the combined qualities of having heat and dryness. Be sure to record the results each day in your magical diary. Do at least daily for one week.
- Find a place that is extremely hot, such as a desert or a dry sauna (not a steam bath). If those are not possible, find a place where a roaring fire is going. Such a fire could be in a fireplace or a barbecue pit or grill. Remove all of your clothes, or as much as you can, and get as close to the heat source as possible without risking a burn. Once you are in a position where it is uncomfortably hot, but not painfully or unbearably, do the relaxation ritual***. Focus on your breathing, again, imagine that you are a huge breathing apparatus. Do this for a short while, usually ten minutes, do not spend any longer than that. Do this exercise at different times of the day or night for one week.
- Spend a period of up to three minutes (no more), once a day, imagining that you are the element Fire. Feel the heat and your ability to transmit the heat. Know what Fire feels like, what fire is. Do this for one week.
- Once you have learned to “be Fire,” the next step is to control the element Fire. Take a moment and imagine yourself to be Fire. Bring the feeling from the previous exercise into your consciousness. Next, hold your hands 9-12 inches apart, palms facing each other. Imagine a bottle or box between your hands. Now, as you exhale, visualize all of the Fire element which is in you going out with your breath and into the container between your hands. Three to five breaths should be enough to fill it. Then, with three breaths, inhale it back into you and go back to normal consciousness.
The Test
The next time you feel listless, or have a total lack of energy, do this exercise. If you feel energized and revitalized, you have succeeded, with the test and with mastering the element Fire.
WATER
Mastering the element Water
The elemental Spirits of Water are the Undines.
Water is the element of purification, the subconscious mind, it's realm being love and the emotions. The magic of water is involved with pleasure, friendship, marriage, fertility, happiness, healing, sleep, dreaming, psychic acts, and purification. Most water magic rituals usually end with an object being tossed or placed in or on a body of water. Mirrors, the sea, fog, or rain can all be used to perform water magic. Water is a feminine element, it's color is blue, it's direction is West, and it's season is Autumn.
- Make a list of things which have the combined qualities of being cool and moist. Practice this for one week. Be sure to record the results each day in your magical diary.
- Remove your clothes and enter a bath or pool where the water is cool. If you have access to a lake or river, this would be best. Also, it would be good if you could get a swimming snorkel so that you can breathe while completely submerged beneath the surface of the water. (Obviously, this world be difficult to do in a small bath tub or in a shallow pool, but if you have access to a snorkel and have a place where you can be totally submerged, you will have the quickest success.) Once you are submerged as much as possible, and if you are completely submerged, breathing comfortably through the snorkel, do the relaxation ritual.*** Next, become very aware of your breath. As you do this you will find that your breath will automatically slow down. Notice the way the air feels as it comes in through the nose, down the air pipe and into the lungs. Feel this. Once again, imagine that you body is nothing more than an enormous breathing apparatus. If you experience any sort of “drowning sensations”, stop immediately and try again later. You should do this exercise for one week.
- Spend a period of up to three minutes (no more), once a day, imagining that you are the element Water. Feel the fluidity, the coolness, the refreshing moistness of the elemental waters. Know what water feels like, what water is. Do this for one week.
- Once you have learned to “be Water,” the next step is to control the element Water. Take a moment and imagine yourself to be Water. Bring the feeling from the previous exercise into your consciousness. Next, hold your hands 9-12 inches apart, palms facing each other. Imagine a bottle or box between your hands. Now, as you exhale, visualize all of the Water element which is in you going out with your breath and into the container between your hands. Three to five breaths should be enough to fill it. Then, with three breaths, inhale it back into you and go back to normal consciousness.
The Test
The next time you feel hard headed, overly tense, or like your muscles are hard as a rock, do this exercise. If you feel relaxed and reasonable, you have succeeded, with the test and with mastering the element Water.
***Relaxation Ritual
1) Sit or lay in a place where you will not be disturbed for at least ten minutes. Remember to unplug the phone. Get comfortable. Keep your arms and legs uncrossed. If you're sitting, your back should be straight; rest your hands, palms down, in your lap. Close your eyes.
2) Visualize a golden ball of beautiful, warm light surrounding your feet. The ball of golden warm light always brings peace and total relaxation. Wherever the ball goes, tension departs. Let it go, and as it goes, feel your feet filled with the warm, golden glow of peace and total relaxation.
3) Now allow this ball of light to rise up your legs and up to your torso. Then allow it to go down your arms to your fingers, and finally up to your neck and into your head until you are completely covered with the warm, golden glow of total peace and relaxation, and all tension is gone. If you notice tension anywhere, send the ball there and the tension will vanish.
4) Stay in this state of deep relaxation for a few moments. (Don't fall asleep!)
5) When you're ready to come out of this state of deep relaxation, take three deep breaths and feel fresh life and energy coming into your body with each breath.
Know that you can return to this state whenever you like simply by doing this relaxation ritual. If you're having trouble sleeping, try this ritual when you lay down at night instead of suffering or taking sleeping pills. Be at one with yourself.
Sources: Although the basic "mastering" instructions are something I have had for years, (and as a consequence have no idea where they came from) I did add some additional information, which came from the following sites:
Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.
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