Of the Element of Earth

The element of Earth is associated with the feminine, is linked to the yin in the yin-yang symbol, and is also coupled with the cardinal direction of the North. Earth energies are considered reactive and receptive and the properties of earth are cold, dry, heavy, and passive. Earth is an element that can be associated with the colors that are various degrees of black, green, and brown. Earth is considered a nurturing element: one that is fertile and abundant, one that is silent but ever present. The earth has witnessed all of history and some practitioners believe that the very history of the world and all worldly events is recorded in the stones.

In terms of the Witches Pyramid, the earth element is linked with the concept "to keep silent.” Many practitioners contend that keeping silent about magickal workings is necessary in order to maintain the effectiveness of the working. In addition, it is also believed by some practitioners that maintaining silence allows the practitioner to consider their audience before sharing the knowledge of the mysteries. Finally, it is considered impolite and unwise to boast about the success of one's magickal practices.

The season associated with the cardinal direction of the North is winter, but the North and earth can be associated with all of the seasons since the earth moves through all of the seasons each year and the earth's axis and rotation is responsible for the seasons. In terms of magickal tools, the earth is represented by salt, because it is of the earth, and earth is also connected to stones, crystals, and the cauldron. The cauldron is symbolic of the Divine womb.

Some practitioners use the pentacle to represent the element of earth: this is most likely due to the "coins" or "pentacle" representation of the Earth element in the Tarot cards. It can be argued however, that the pentacle is a symbol that best represents Akasha: the combination of all elements.

Moving in a clockwise direction from the upper point on the pentacle, the point that represents the earth is the fourth point. The alchemical symbol for the earth is an inverted equilateral triangle with a horizontal line running through the triangle: the symbol is the precise opposite of the symbol used to represent the air. The horizontal line denotes the division between the earth and the sky, and the lower portion of the division is larger than the upper portion (approximately two thirds of the triangle represents the emphasis on the element of earth. While the equilateral triangle is one of the common esoteric symbols for earth, other symbols also represent earth including Odin's cross (a circle with an equal arm cross dividing the circle into four sections) and the less common symbol of the square can also represent earth (the square being the alchemical symbol for salt).

Logically, any herb can be used in earth magick: herbs are from the earth. Some herbs are associated with the element more often than others however, and such associations are based on the herb's properties. The same principle applies to stones: stones are part of the earth and therefore associated with the element. Again, some stones are preferred over others, particularly stones that are green in color, brown in color, and clear quartz crystals. In terms of the Zodiac, the earth is associated with the signs of Taurus, Capricorn, and Virgo.

The earth is an element that is associated with wisdom. The earth is associated with the physical, the body, and with the sense of touch. In terms of the sixth senses, the earth is an element linked to psychometry. Earth is also associated with the practice of grounding and centering. The types of magick associated with the earth element include fertility magick, herbology, runes, healing, prosperity, and tree magick. Any magickal workings that aim toward acquiring inner strength, endurance, wisdom, and stability fall under the ruler ship of the earth element. People that are level headed are said to be "down to earth," and those individuals that feel particularly stable and steady are said to be "well grounded.” The elemental associated with earth are the gnomes.

The Earth is often referred to as the Mother so it should be no surprise that it is associated with the Mother aspect of the Goddess. It is, however, also more often associated with the Crone aspect of the Goddess and the Sage aspect of the God. The earth is linked to the final stage of life: when life ends we are returned to the earth. Earth Goddesses include Gaia, Demeter, Terra Mater, the Sumerian Goddess Ki, Libera and the Aztec Toci. In the Crone aspect or Dark Goddess Aspect, the element of earth is associated with Goddesses like Hecate, Kali, Freyja, Baba Yaga, and Cerridwen. Lastly, Gods commonly associated with the earth element are Pan and Cernunnos, among others.

Summary of Earth Associations (by no means all inclusive):

Mundane senses: touch

Sixth Sense: psychometry

Cardinal Direction: North

Elemental: Gnomes

Properties: Cold, Dry, Heavy and Passive

Color: Various Degrees of Black, Green, and Brown

Pyramid: To Keep Silent

Season: Winter

Hours: Midnight to Dawn

Tool: Cauldron, Stones, Pentacles, Salt

Stones: All Stones (especially earth toned stones), Hematite, Quartz, and Amethyst

Metals: Copper, Lead

Practical applications: healing, grounding, meditation

Goddess Aspect: The Crone/Mother

God Aspect: The Sage/Father

Goddesses: Gaia, Demeter, Terra Mater, Ki, Libera, Toci, Hecate, Kali, Freyja, Baba Yaga, and Cerridwen

Gods: Cernunnos, Pan, Pluto, Hades

North Wind: Boreas

Instrument: percussion/ drums, rattles

Zodiac: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn

Flowers: all flowers

Herbs: all herbs

Things that Fall Under the Ruler ship of Earth:

• The body

Magickal Pursuits:

• Healing
• Fertility magick
• Tree magick
• Bindings
• Transformation magick

Extremes in Earth:

• Depression vs. Mania
• Apathy vs. Oversensitive
• Inertia vs. Hyperactivity
• Stagnation vs. Recklessness
• Avarice vs. Overgenerous
• Materialism

Works Cited:

Earth Correspondences: http://www.asiya.org/earthcorrespondences.html