Basic Wiccan Workbook, Eclectic Tradition

by Cynthia Gregory

Priestess and Witch, Circle of Winged Toads and Compost Coven

3. ELEMENTS

Ancient peoples recognized the four elements of air, water, fire and earth as the building blocks of the universe. From the first written language of the Sumerians, to poets and artists today the images conjured by the elements have a power that spans cultures and time.⁸

Calling the Elements

FORMAL INVOCATION

All face east and turn palms of hands towards the East. Three people approach the altar. The person on the left holds the incense (can substitute a lighted candle if you wish to avoid smoke), the person in the center the athame (wand, sword), and on the right the salt water. The center person knocks 3 times on the wall, altar table, or ground with the athame, raises it in the air pointing towards the East and addresses the East with an invocation.

The invocation can be written in advance and memorized (for more formal occasions), inspired in the moment (most common) or if necessary read (the least desirable, reading interferes with the flow of the ritual.) The invocation usually begins with a greeting to the direction and ends with the words "Be here now, Blessed Be."⁹, which are repeated by the group. Draw a five-pointed star or pentacle in the air with the athame in an invoking direction.¹⁰

The one holding the salt-water sprinkles the east three times with the salt-water and says, " With salt (earth) and water, I purify the East."

The person with the incense draws a pentacle in the air with the incense and says, "With fire and air, I sanctify the East."

Continue to the South and follow the same pattern to invoke each direction in turn. After invoking the North return to the East to complete the circle before coming to the center. In the center, point the athame to the sky and the earth saying: " As above, so below. The circle is cast. The ritual is begun. What is between the worlds, concerns not the worlds, yet will change the worlds."

INFORMAL INVOCATION

Face the east and chant turning to face each direction in turn.

Repeat three times.

DEVOKE Devoke or release the elements at the close of the ritual starting in the north. With the athame draw a devoking pentacle¹¹ or star as you thank the element for its presence and aid during your ritual.
A typical devocation: " Go if you must. Stay if you will. And if you must go I bid you hail and farewell."

Invocations are based on understanding the symbology of the elements, the purpose of this ritual, and on the present needs of the individual or group. Tables of correspondences are an aid to understanding what the elements mean, how they balance each other and how to work with them.

TABLE OF CORRESPONDENCES

DIRECTION	ELEMENT	ASPECT	COLOR	TOOL	TIME OF DAY
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH CENTER	AIR FIRE WATER EARTH ETHER	MIND WILL EMOTION BODY TRANSFORMATION	YELLOW RED BLUE GREEN BLACK/WHITE	ATHAME WAND CHALICE PENTACLE CAULDRON	DAWN NOON EVENING MIDNIGHT BEYOND TIME
SEASON	GODDESS	GOD	SOUND	PHYSICAL	SABBAT
SPRING SUMMER AUTUMN WINTER TURNING WHEEL	NUIT BRIDGET YEMAYA GAIA ISIS	HERMES VULCAN POSEIDON DIONYSUS OSIRIS	YA RA VA LA MA	BREATH VITAL HEAT BLOOD BODY SPIRIT	OSTARA LITHA MABON YULE

8 See reference from Barbara Walker's The Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets. I can't say it any better.

9 "Blessed Be" is a phrase often found in Wiccan ritual and is usually repeated by the group whenever it is used.

10 Begin at the top point and draw to bottom left, to upper right, then across to upper left, down to bottom right and back to top point.

11 Opposite to the invoking direction.

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