THE 4 ELEMENTS

Empedocles, a fifth century BCE Greek philosopher, originated the terms Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. He explained the nature of the universe as an interaction of two opposing principles called love and strife manipulating the four elements. He stated that these four elements were all equal, of the same age, that each rules its own province, and each posseses its own individual character. Different mixtures of these elements produced the different natures of things.

Most philosophers and alchemists also believed that the four elements exhibited itself in man as four varying natures and that one was more prevalent in each individual than the other three. An individual leaned more to one particular type rather than possessing equivalent amounts of all four. Empedocles said that those who have near equal proportions of the four elements are more intelligent and have the most exact perceptions.

Here is a breakdown of each element and what they represent within life.

Earth

Direction : North
Rules : Growth, prosperity, nature, wealth, abundence, wisdom
Elemental : Gnomes, trolls
Time : Midnight
Season : Winter
Colors : Black, brown, dark green
Tools : Stone, Pentagram
Zodiac : Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Animals : Bull, stag, bison, mouse,mountain lion
Places : Caves, mountains, forests, caverns,

Fire

Direction : South Rules : Energy, heat, will, purification, inspiration, passion, desire
Elemental : Firedrakes, Salamanders
Time : Noon
Season : Summer
Colors : Red, crimson, orange, fuscia
Tools : Wand, staff
Zodiac : Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Animals : Dragons, snakes, lizards
Places : Deserts, volcanoes, dry plains

Air

Direction : East
Rules : The mind, knowledge, abstract learning, theory, imagination, ideas, beliefs, beginnings,rebirth
Elemental : Sprites
Time : Dawn
Season : Spring
Colors : Yellow, white, pastels
Tools : Athame, sword, censor
Zodiac : Aquarius, Gemini, Libra
Animals : Birds, Gryphons
Places : Windswept hills, high mountain peaks, towers

Water

Direction : West
Rules : Emotions, feelings, love, intuition, the sub-conscious mind, mystery, fertility
Elemental : Mermaids, Undines
Time : Twilight
Season : Autumn
Colors : Blue, indigo, green, grey, turquoise
Tools : Cauldron, chalice
Zodiac : Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Animals : Dolphins, whales, fish, seals, Sea-serpents
Places : Oceans, rivers, lakes, marshes, pools, raindrenched land

The Sacred Instructions given by the Creator to Native people at the time of Creation were as follows:

1. To Take Care of Mother Earth and the other 3 colors of Man.
2. To Respect this Mother Earth and Creation.
3. To Honour All life, and to support that Honour.
4. To be Grate-ful from the heart for All life.

   It is through life that there is Survival.

   Thank the Creator at All times for All life.

5. To Love and express that love.
6. To be Humble. Humility is the gift of wisdom and understanding.
7. Kindness. To be Kind with one-self and with others.
8. Sharing. The Sharing of feelings and personal concerns and commitments.
9. Honesty. To be Honest with one-self and with others.