Wicca is a modern pagan witchcraft religion that incorporates various symbols and practices in its belief system. One key aspect of Wicca is the recognition and reverence of the four elements – earth, air, fire, and water – which are fundamental forces of nature. Each element is associated with its own unique symbol, which serves as a representation of its characteristics, energy, and correspondences. These elemental symbols are often used in rituals, spells, and other practices within Wiccan tradition. The element of earth is symbolized by an inverted triangle with a horizontal line going through it. This symbol represents stability, grounding, and the physical realm.
The four classical elements of fire, water, air, and earth have some correspondence with the five feng shui elements (earth, water, fire, metal, wood), although there is only crossover between a few. This isn't surprising since the feng shui elements come from Eastern thought while the four classical elements come from Western philosophy.
Direction Centre, circumference, complete lack of direction and dimension Gender Universal Energy Universal Colours White, Black, Purple Season The turning wheel of the year Goddesses The Lady, Isis Gods The Horned God, Akasha Magick tools Pentacle, robe, cord, rope Rule of Magnus To become perfected Symbols Infinity, the cosmos, godhead, the creator, infinity sign, wheel, pentacle Chakra Crown, Third Eye Animals Dove Trees Plants Mistletoe, the flowing almond tree Gems Stones Quartz, diamonds Sense Sixth sense, intuition Positive Traits Wisdom Negative Traits Self-destruction. Feng Shui Symbols Feng Shui Colors Western Zodiac Colors of Other Cultures Earth Symbols and Colors Crystals Yellow Virgo Brown Earthenware Brown Capricorn Tan Ceramic pottery Taurus Green Gemstones Yellow Rocks, boulders Russet.
This symbol represents stability, grounding, and the physical realm. Earth is associated with the north direction, the season of winter, and the qualities of steadfastness and practicality. The element of air is represented by an upright triangle with a horizontal line going through it.
Elements & Correspondences
The four elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, are the four classical elements celebrated in Wicca. A fifth element, Ether/Spirit/Akasha, is also used in many Wiccan traditions.
These elements are symbolic of physical, spiritual and emotional attributes and are part of nature and ourselves. Ancient Greeks believed these four elements were at the root of all existing matter. Some see the five points on the Pentacle as representing the five elements.
The elements are commonly invoked at the beginning of rituals or used in their physical forms to symbolically purify the ritual circle. Each element has associated symbols, rituals and meanings, which are outlined below. Note the correspondences below are in reference to the Northern Hemisphere.
Earth represents permanence, stability, strength, security, wisdom, practicality, materialism, wealth, abundance, prosperity, patience, truth, and responsibility.
Earth symbols include the earth, soil, rocks, mountains, trees. Types of magic using earth energies include gardening, grounding, working with stone/crystals, knots, binding, money spells, and runes. Rituals include burying objects in the earth, herbalism, planting trees/plants, and making images out of wood or stone.
Gender | Feminine |
Direction | North |
Energy | Receptive |
Symbols | Rocks, fields, soil, salt, caves, clay |
On Pentagram | Lower left |
Goddesses | Gaia/Gaea, Ceres, Demeter, Mah, Nephtys, Persephone, Rhea |
Gods | Adonis, Athos, Arawn, Cernunnos, Dionysus, Pan |
Spirits | Gnomes, Dwarfs, Trolls |
Time | Midnight, Night |
Cycle of life | Old Age |
Season | Winter |
Colours | Black, green, yellow, brown |
Zodiac signs | Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn |
Sense | Touch |
Stones and jewels | Amethyst, angelite, azurite, celestite, agate (green, moss), cat’s eye, coal, emerald, geodes, halite/salt, jasper, jet, obsidian, olivine, onyx, peridot, quartz, tourmaline |
Magick tools | Pentacle, pentagram, salt, stones/gems, cords |
Metals | Iron, lead |
Herbal | Ivy, grains, oats, rice, patchouli, lichens |
Trees | Cypress, Honeysuckle, Jasmin, Lilac |
Animals | Cow, bull, dog, horse, ant, bears, wolf, deer/stag, buffalo |
Instruments | Drums and percussion |
Type of magick | Gardening, magnet images, working with stones/crystals, knots, binding, money spells, grounding, runes |
Ritual Action | Burying objects in the earth, herbalism, planting trees/plants, and making images out of wood or stone |
Air represents the mind and intelligence, knowledge, communication, inspiration, imagination, intuition, illumination, ideas, freedom, clarity, telepathy, psychic powers, dreams and wishes, travel, finding lost things, ability to know & understand, brainstorming, and new beginnings.
Air symbols include the sky, wind, clouds, vibrations, smoke, feathers, plants, trees, flowers. Types of magic using Air energies include divination, concentration, visualization, wind magick, feather magick, prophecy, and karma work. Air related rituals include playing a flute or wind instrument, tossing objects in the wind, burning incense & aromatherapy, hanging objects in trees/high places.
Gender | Masculine |
Direction | East |
Cycle of Life | Birth, Infancy |
Moon Phase | New, Waxing |
Season | Spring |
Symbols | Sky, wind, clouds, breath, vibrations, smoke, feathers, plants, herbs, trees, flowers |
Sabbat | Imbolc, Ostara |
Wind | Eurus |
Goddesses | Danu, Athena, Aradia, Arianrhod, Cardea, Nuit, Urania |
Gods | Mercury, Thoth |
Spirits/Elementals | Sylphs, Zephyrs, Fairies of trees, flowers and winds |
Magick tools | Censer, athame, sword, wand |
Rule of Magnus | To Know |
Zodiac Signs | Gemini, Libra, Aquarius |
Planets | Mercury, Uranus |
Chakra | Heart |
Animals | Doves, hawk, eagle, foxes, turtle, raven, spider |
Trees/Plants | Wildflowers, lavender, clover, lemon balm, ash trees, birch, aspen, beech, acacia, almond, hazel, linden, maple, pine |
Herbal | Frankincence, myrrh, pansy, primrose, vervain, violet, yarrow, dill, clove |
Gems & Stones | Fluorite, moonstone, turquoise, amethyst, rhodochrosite, silver, topaz, pumice, alexandrite |
Metals | Tin, copper |
Instruments | Flute, wind instruments |
Type of magick | Divination, concentration, visualization, wind magick, prophecy, karma work |
Ritual Action | Playing a flute/wind instrument, tossing objects in the wind, burning incense & aromatherapy, hanging objects in trees/high places, discovering lost items, developing psychic abilities |
Fire represents change, energy, inspiration, love, sexuality, passion, life force, spirit, will, leadership, faith and trust, elusiveness, innocence, physical and personal vulnerability, relationships with others and self, renewal, self-healing, stress, courage, strength, protection.
Fire symbols include the sun, stars, volcanoes, lava, eruptions, heat, flame, candles, bonfires, saunas, lightning, heated objects (stones in particular), fire forged objects, red feathers, blood, and sap. Types of magick using fire include healing and destroying, purification, love spells, and energy work. Fire related rituals include burning objects, lighting candles and fires, cauldron work, and baking.
Direction | South |
Gender | Masculine |
Energy | Projective |
Colours | Red, green, gold, crimson, orange, white |
Time of Day | Noon |
Cycle of Life | Youth |
Moon Phase | Waxing to Full |
Season | Summer |
Sabbat | Beltane, Litha/Midsummer |
Wind | Notus |
Goddesses | Brigit, Hestia, Pele, Vesta |
Gods | Mars, Agni, Horus, Prometheus, Vulcan, Ra, Lugh |
Spirits/Elementals | Salamanders, Firedrakes |
Magick tools | Athame, sword, wand, candle, censer, lamps, daggers, spear, staff (Some traditions align the Wand with Air) |
Rule of Magnus | To Will |
Zodiac Signs | Aries, Leo, Sagittarius |
Planets | Mars, Sun |
Chakra | Solar Plexus, Heart |
Tarot Cards | Wands (Inspiration, Spiritual), Knights |
On Pentagram | Lower right |
Animals | Phoenix, squirrels, tigers, lions, porcupine, badger, coyote, fox, cats, bear, rabbit, snakes, hawk, dragon, horse, snake, cricket, mantis, ladybug, bee, scorpion |
Trees/Plants | Alder, Ash, Cashew, Cedar, Chestnut, Fig, Juniper, Mahogany, Oak, Holly, Rowan, Walnut, Maple |
Herbal | Nettles, sunflower, garlic, hibiscus, red/chili peppers, cinnamon, coffee, beans, seeds, nuts, mustard, onion |
Incense | Sweetgrass, myrrh, cedar, frankincense, dragon’s blood, juniper, sage, clover, thyme, cinnamon, cedar |
Gems & Stones | Jasper, ruby, fire agate, blood stone, garnet, fire opal, pink carnelian, red carnelian, red amber, amber calcite, blue amber, yellow and gold fluorite, citrine, lava |
Metals | Gold, brass, iron/steel |
Instruments | Guitar, string instruments |
Sense | Sight |
Positive Traits | Energetic, daring, passionate, enthusiastic, intelligent |
Negative Traits | Resentful, angry, jealous, stubborn, greedy, arrogant |
Water represents emotions, feelings, courage, absorption, subconscious/ unconscious mind, intuition, purification, cleansing, eternal movement, wisdom, the soul, vision quests, self-healing, sorrow, reflection, psychic ability, emotional aspects of love and femininity, the womb, menstruation, fertility, marriage, happiness, friendship, dreams, sleep, and healing.
Water symbols include oceans, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, springs, wells, pools, fog, or rain. Types of magick using water include mirror divinations, magnet work, love magick, lucid dreaming, cleansing, or protection spells. Water related rituals include ritual bathing, dilution, washing, sprinkling, brewing, or tossing objects into water.
Direction | West |
Gender | Feminine |
Energy | Receptive |
Colours | Blue, turquoise/aqua, green, grey, indigo, black |
Time of Day | Twilight, dusk, evening |
Cycle of Life | Maturity |
Moon Phase | Full, Waning |
Season | Autumn |
Sabbat | Lughnasadh/Lammas, Mabon |
Wind | Zephyr |
Goddesses | Aphrodite, Isis, Marianne, Selene, Arianhrod, Hecate, Persephone, Inanna |
Gods | Dylan, Ea, Manannan, Osiris, Neptune, Poseidon |
Spirits/Elementals | Undines, Nymphs, Mermaids, Fairies of ponds, lakes or streams |
Magick tools | Cup, goblet, chalice, cauldron, mirror, water |
Rule of Magnus | To Dare |
Zodiac Signs | Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces |
Planets | Neptune, Venus, Moon |
Chakra | Heart |
Tarot Cards | Cups (Emotion, Feeling), Queens |
On Pentagram | Upper right |
Animals | Whales, albatross, fish, water snakes, dolphin, cat, frog, turtle, swan, crab, dragon |
Trees/Plants | Willow, magnolia, lavender, water plants, gardenia, apple, apricot, birch, elder, elm, rose |
Herbal | Water plants, ferns, lotus, mosses, bushes, water lilies, gardenia |
Incense | lotus, sandalwood, myrrh, mugwort, camphor, vanilla, violet, chamomile, jasmine, raspberry, catnip, cherry, hibiscus |
Gems & Stones | Aquamarine, amethyst, blue tourmaline, pearl, coral, blue topaz, fluorite |
Metals | Mercury, silver, copper |
Instruments | Anything resonant, harmonica, cymbals, harp, lyre |
Sense | Taste |
Positive Traits | Forgiving, easy going, sensitive, gracious, compassionate, wise |
Negative Traits | Overly emotional, weepy, lazy |
The element of Spirit, or Ether or Akasha (Sanskrit), represents the universal inner space, the material that fills the region of the universe above the terrestrial sphere. (Wiki)
Spirit represents the prime element present in all things, providing space, connection and balance for all elements to exist. It is essential to our sense of connectedness with spirit and well-being. Spirit represents represents the sense of joy and union, transcendence, transformation, change, everywhere and nowhere, within and without, immanence. It represents the human spirit and energy of the Goddess and God.
Types of magick include enlightenment, findng your life path, spiritual knowledge, seeing and understanding karmic paths of life.
Direction | Centre, circumference, complete lack of direction and dimension |
Gender | Universal |
Energy | Universal |
Colours | White, Black, Purple |
Season | The turning wheel of the year |
Goddesses | The Lady, Isis |
Gods | The Horned God, Akasha |
Magick tools | Pentacle, robe, cord, rope |
Rule of Magnus | To become perfected |
Symbols | Infinity, the cosmos, godhead, the creator, infinity sign, wheel, pentacle |
Chakra | Crown, Third Eye |
Animals | Dove |
Trees/Plants | Mistletoe, the flowing almond tree |
Gems & Stones | Quartz, diamonds |
Sense | Sixth sense, intuition |
Positive Traits | Wisdom |
Negative Traits | Self-destruction |
This symbol signifies communication, intellect, and the realm of thoughts and ideas. Air is associated with the east direction, the season of spring, and the qualities of adaptability and clarity. The element of fire is symbolized by an upright triangle without a horizontal line. This symbol represents transformation, passion, and the realm of energy and action. Fire is associated with the south direction, the season of summer, and the qualities of courage and creativity. The element of water is represented by an inverted triangle without a horizontal line. This symbol signifies emotions, intuition, and the realm of the subconscious. Water is associated with the west direction, the season of autumn, and the qualities of empathy and healing. In Wicca, the elemental symbols are used to invoke and connect with the respective energies of earth, air, fire, and water. They are often placed on altars, incorporated into spellwork, or used to consecrate tools and objects in rituals. The symbols serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things and the vital role that the elements play in the natural world and our own spiritual journeys. By working with these elemental symbols, Wiccans seek to bring balance, harmony, and spiritual growth into their lives. They are tools for attuning to the elemental forces of nature and harnessing their power for healing, manifestation, and the achievement of spiritual goals. In conclusion, Wiccan elemental symbols are powerful representations of the forces of earth, air, fire, and water. They are used in Wiccan practices to invoke, connect with, and harness the energies of these elements. Each symbol holds unique meanings and correspondences that contribute to the overall beliefs and practices of Wicca..
Reviews for "The Chakra System and Wiccan Element Symbols: Balancing Energies"
- Sarah - 1 star
I was really disappointed with the "Wiccan ellement symbols" book. The information provided was extremely basic and could easily be found for free on the internet. I was expecting more in-depth knowledge and explanations about the symbolism behind each element, but it was just a superficial introduction. Additionally, the formatting and layout of the book was a mess, making it difficult to read and follow along. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of Wiccan elemental symbols.
- Mark - 2 stars
I found "Wiccan ellement symbols" to be quite lacking in substance. The descriptions and explanations of the different elemental symbols were brief and shallow, leaving me wanting more. It seemed like the author barely scratched the surface and didn't provide any practical applications or examples of how to work with these symbols in Wiccan rituals or spells. The lack of depth and practicality made the book feel more like a quick cash grab than a sincere effort to educate and inform readers about Wiccan symbolism.
- Emily - 1 star
I was hoping to learn more about the deeper meanings and interpretations of Wiccan elemental symbols, but "Wiccan ellement symbols" failed to deliver. The information presented in the book was repetitive and lacked originality. It felt like the author was simply regurgitating what has already been said countless times before, without offering any fresh perspectives or insights. I was left feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed by this book, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking a more comprehensive exploration of Wiccan symbolism.