How to Find Your Own Element

Finding your Element is one of the biggest and most important questions asked in Wicca. It’s a huge part of understanding your magickal strengths, as well as knowing where you might need to grow as a witch. So, how do you find your own Element?

To find your own Element, look inward. Spend dedicated time working with each Element separately, using your intuition to listen for each Element’s presence. Meditating on the Element, delving into past memories, and calling upon the Element will help inform you which one personally resonates.

Now, let’s lay some groundwork and then get into specifics about the Wiccan Elements.

The Wiccan Elements

The Wiccan Elements are Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Aether. The first four represent the foundations of the physical universe. The fifth presents the spirit and it ties the first four Elements together. In total, the Elements are a divine expression.

It is common in Wicca to invoke each Element when casting a circle, and also to use its cardinal direction in rituals. Blessings, focus, and protection are asked of each Element to create a sacred space.

Elements are also used in herbal spells and a variety of other spellwork. They are also used to work with and meditate on natural and divine virtues.

The Four Elements

The four spiritual Elements are purely symbolic of the actual physical Elements themselves. They are a manifestation of what the physical Elements represent. The water in a pond is just one aspect and representation of the spiritual Element of water.

The Elements encompass many other things, both positive and negative. They influence and are a part of every aspect of life: the physical world, the universe, and the metaphysical.

Air

The air Element is a masculine Element which has a projective energy. It is connected to logic and wisdom. It has correspondences to nighttime, the East direction and the winter season. The astrological signs which are air signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.

The Element is associated with the positives of flexibility, independence, freedom, charming, and helpfulness. It’s also associated with the negatives of dishonesty, selfishness, insensitivity, and being inconsistent or temperamental.

In general this Element revolves around the mind and thought, rational thought, intelligence, and solutions. It rules visualizations, psychic power, discovery, telepathy, imagination, and ideas.

The air is constantly blowing, constantly in motion, and frequently changes direction. There is variation and shifts. The air embodies our dreams, desires, and wishes. Air inspires us and communicates through us.

Fire

The air Element is a masculine Element which has a projective energy. It is connected to passion. It has correspondences to the noon time, the South direction and the summer season. The astrological signs which are air signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

The Element is associated with the positives of passion, creativity, charisma, daring, and merriment. It’s also associated with the negatives of quick tempers, irritation, anger, rage, revenge, and jealousy.

In general this Element revolves around forcefulness and creativity. Fire is inspirational and energetic. Just like a flame, fire is bright and beautiful but cannot exist on its own. It is fed by air and earth.

Fire can convert a dark space into a light one, but it can also transform substances and destroy them. It is dynamic, bright, focused, inspiring, yet dangerous.

Water

The air Element is a feminine Element which has a receptive energy. It is connected to emotions and the subconscious. It has correspondences to sunset (twilight), the West direction and the autumn/fall season. The astrological signs which are air signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

The Element is associated with the positives of trust, understanding, forgiveness, flexibility, and devotion. It’s also associated with the negatives of instability, irrationality, quick judgement, pessimism, and lack of confidence.

In general this Element revolves around intuition and mystery. It deals with wisdom and the soul. Water can be smooth and reflective on the surface, but flowing eternally. It has activity happening below its surface that can’t be seen. Water has a hidden inner world which is not displayed from the outside. It absorbs everything, and purifies.

It is also powerful especially in volume. A small trickle may not do much, but a wave or tsunami can do much damage. And even a small trickle will erode things over time. Water also ebbs and flows, and flows where the Earth takes it, and so does not have a central core or base.

Earth

The Earth Element is a feminine Element which has a receptive energy. It is connected to practicality and abundance. It has correspondences to dawn (sunrise), the East direction and the spring season. The astrological signs which are air signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.

The Element is associated with the positives of loyalty, stability, diligence, empathy, caring, and consistency. It’s also associated with the negatives of conservatism, inflexibility, contempt, passivity, and rigidity.

In general this Element revolves around stability and strength. The Earth is solid, hard, ever-present. It gives us bounties, prosperity, and wealth. It stands firm yet is in constant rotation and is impossible to stop.

Fire is a constant presence and will always be there no matter the situation or time. It welcomes everyone, however humans walk all over the Earth and take it for granted. It is protective and solid.

The Fifth Element

The fifth Element allows all of the four Elements to exist together in harmony and balance. As each of the four Elements has its own unique energies and properties, the fifth Element synchronizes, balances, and unites.

Aether

The fifth spirit Element is not tied to the physical world. It is invisible and exists within all of the other Elements and within ourselves. It is a universal energy present in all physical things but has no physical presence itself.

Aether does not exist separately or independently. Its existence is within all of us and is necessary to balance and connect the other Elements. Together Spirit along with the other four Elements form the pentacle. 

The spirit Element is called Aether stemming back to ancient Greece, or sometimes Akasha going back to Sanskrit.

Aether is the glue which holds the world together. It’s an intangible and all-encompassing energy that resides both within and without us. It represents both wisdom and destruction. It’s the human spirit, transcendence, joy of all creation. Utterly immaterial, it is both everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Since Spirit is associated with everything, it has no associated gender, energetic type, or many of the other correspondences we associate with the other four Elements. It is everywhere and represented by the color white because white light is formed by combining every color of light together.

Spirit represents the entire Wheel of the Year. It also has no special association with any particular magickal tools– use it with all of them.

When doing rituals or spellwork, this Element is what’s invoked and called forth using the other four Elements and deities.

Being aware of the presence of spirit allows you to use its energy for magickal ends. Discover it through meditation and ritual. 

What Is Your Own Element?

What is your Element? This is one of the biggest questions for Wiccans! Essentially, it’s your Elemental wheelhouse– the easiest Element to work with, and the Element with strongest influence on your life.

It’s also the Element that you can communicate most easily with. This is because your personal vibrations will be closer to its own.

However, this Element is also your comfort zone. So to work with it, you’re not really stretching yourself or growing your craft.

It’s the Element you will use to do your most powerful spellwork, but it probably won’t be an Element you’ll use to cultivate increasingly diverse magickal skills.

Purpose of Your Element

Although no single Element will control your life, you may have one which is more dominant. You may find that this Element is easier to work with and has a stronger influence on your life and spellwork.

You will be more related to this Element and be able to communicate with it more easily. You’ll feel comfortable with that Element’s energy and representations. That’s why so many new Wiccans want to learn how to find your own Element.

Finding this dominant Element is very beneficial for you because it will tell you where your comfort zone is. Actually, it may demonstrate other Elements you should work with more to create balance in your life.

Your Element will show you your strengths, but also reveal your weaknesses. It will point out where you should build yourself up.

Controlling the Elements

The best way to control the Elements is to create balance in your life. Although physical control is one aspect of this, you truly control the Elements when you have spiritual and physical relationships with each of them.

You must understand each Element, deeply know their symbolism, live in their spiritual properties, apply their essence in all aspects of your life.

True power with the elements comes from using them to improve yourself internally. With the aid of an evolving relationship with each Element, you will find balance.

How to Find Your Own Element

Now that we’ve addressed some of the informational groundwork of the Elements, let’s start getting into what your Element means and how to find it.

Your Element will be the one that is the easiest for you to work with. To find it, you should spend some time practicing with each Element in isolation. Some time and effort is involved, but the process will yield great benefits.

All of the below steps are meant to be performed one-by-one, with a single Element in isolation, till you reach the end of the process. Then, select a new Element and repeat.

Introspect And Journal

With each Element, look at its qualities and traits. Write these down. Then, think about your own qualities. Use your heart. Consider your own personal feelings toward the Element and write those down too. 

Then, take a look at what you’ve written down. Do you see any traits of the Element which align with your own qualities?

Meditate on Each Element

Next spend some time meditating on each Element. Search through your memories and see where a particular Element crops up.

For example for the Fire Element, did you have a great childhood memory while camping? Perhaps you remember the bright and warm campfire?

Or perhaps you fondly remember a particular birthday where you were delighted by the sight of candles on your cake. These are all great instances where the Fire Element was involved.

Call Upon Each Element

It may help to have an object representative of that Element with you, like a glass of water, incense, candle, or stone. Face the Element’s cardinal direction and try to invoke it.

When you feel its presence, request a confirmation from that Element. Stay in tune with your physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts. Note down any appearances of the Element you feel.

Also pay attention to your dreams that night or visions you might have later on. These are all great clues.

Pay Attention to Nuances

Throughout this learning process of learning how to find your own Element, you may feel that ALL of the elements are difficult to work with. This is completely expected for beginners.

You may feel uncomfortable working with all of the elements, and this is ok. You may also find an Element which is extremely hard to work with, and this is ok too.

Pay attention to the nuanced and subtle feelings you have toward each Element. From all of them, you will find one which is ever so slightly easier to work with. It may be hard to detect, but it will be there!

Allow Intuition to Flow

If you are new to working with the Elements, you may feel a bit uncomfortable or unsure, but it should never feel unnatural or extremely difficult. If it does, it probably means that you are trying too hard and closing yourself off.

Working with the Elements is all based on intuition. If you are being too analytical, or you are impatient and want to see results fast, you are obstructing your intuition.

To the best of your ability, stay patient, keep your mind open, and try to have fun!

Don’t Assume It’s Your Zodiac Sign

It may be tempting, but don’t assume that your Element is tied to your astrological sign.

The Elements are polar extremes, and they touch every aspect of our lives. You are naturally associated with your Zodiac sign’s Element, but ALL of the Elements are a part of your life.

Your Element is the one which fits into a balanced, holistic part of your life. Assuming your astrological sign’s Element is yours boxes you in. Keep you mind receptive and allow yourself to be open to all possibilities.

Elemental Correspondences Table

For your convenience, here is a quick summary table of the elemental correspondences in Wicca.

Air

• Gender: Male
• Direction: East
• Energy: Projective
• Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
• Colors: Yellow, white, crimson
• Crystals: Topaz, pumice, rainbow stones, crystals, amethyst, alexandrite
• Season: Spring
• Trees: Acacia, Almond, Aspen, Hazel, Linden, Maple, Pine
• Herbs: Clove, myrrh, pansy, primrose, vervain, dill, lavender
• Animals: Eagle, raven, spider
• Goddesses: Aradia, Arianrhod, Cardea, Nuit, Urania
• Gods: Enlil, Kheoheva, Merawrim, Shu, Thoth
• Metals: Tin, copper
• Time of Day: Dawn
• Sense: Smell and hearing
• Life Cycle Stage: Infancy
• Mythic Creature: Giant
• Manifestations and Symbols: Sky, wind, cloud, breeze, breathing, speaking, smoke
• Tools: Wand, incense, sword, essential oils, music
• Magickal Work: Prophecy, divination, aromatherapy, singing

Fire

• Gender: Male
• Direction: South
• Energy: Projective
• Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
• Colors: Red, gold, crimson, orange, white
• Crystals: Ruby, fire opal, volcanic lava, agate
• Season: Summer
• Trees: Alder, Ash, Cashew, Cedar, Chestnut, Fig, Juniper, Mahogany, Oak, Holly, Rowan, Walnut
• Herbs: Garlic, hibiscus, red peppers, cinnamon, coffee, beans, seeds, chili peppers
• Animals: Dragon, cat, lion, horse, snake, cricket, mantis, ladybug, bee, scorpion, phoenix, coyote, fox
• Goddesses: Brigid, Hestia, Pele, Vesta
• Gods: Agni, Horus, Prometheus, Vulcan
• Metals: Gold, brass
• Time of Day: Noon
• Sense: Sight
• Life Cycle Stage: Childhood
• Mythic Creature: Salamander
• Manifestations and Symbols: Flame, heat, lava, volcano, lightning, stars and sun, rainbow
• Tools: Fire, candle, lamp, incense, athame
• Magickal Work: Candle work, energy work, baking, love spells

Water

• Gender: Female
• Direction: West
• Energy: Receptive
• Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
• Colors: Blue, turquoise, green, grey, indigo, black
• Crystals: Aquamarine, amethyst, blue tourmaline, pearl, coral, blue topaz, fluorite
• Season: Autumn
• Trees: Apple, Apricot, Birch, Cherry, Elder, Elm, Rose, Willow
• Herbs: Ferns, lotus, mosses, bushes, water lilies, gardenia
• Animals: Dragon, water snakes, dolphin, fish, cat, frog, turtle, swan, crab
• Goddesses: Aphrodite, Isis, Marianne, Mari, Tiamat, Yemaha
• Gods: Dylan, Ea, Manannan, Osiris, Neptune, Poseidon
• Metals: Mercury, silver, copper
• Time of Day: Dusk
• Sense: Taste
• Life Cycle Stage: Adulthood
• Mythic Creature: Mermaid
• Manifestations and Symbols: Rain, snow, body of water, river, stream, well
• Tools: Cauldron, goblet, bowl, mirror, magnet
• Magickal Work: Protections, cleansings, visualizations, brew making, ritual bathing, healing

Earth

• Gender: Female
• Direction: North
• Energy: Receptive
• Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
• Colors: Black, green, yellow, brown
• Crystals: Rock crystal, emerald, onyx, jasper, salt, azurite, amethyst, quartz
• Season: Winter
• Trees: Cypress, Honeysuckle, Jasmine
• Herbs: Ivy, grains, oats, rice, patchouli, lichens
• Animals: Cow, bull, dog, horse, ant, bears, wolf
• Goddesses: Ceres, Demeter, Gaea, Mah, Nephtys, Persephone, Rhea
• Gods: Adonis, Athos, Arawn, Cernunnos, Dionysus, Mardyk, Pan, Tammuz
• Metals: Iron, lead
• Time of Day: Midnight
• Sense: Touch
• Life Cycle Stage: Maturity
• Mythic Creature: Dwarf, gnome
• Manifestations and Symbols: Dirt, rocks, clay, gravel, caverns, minerals like salt
• Tools: Salt, stones, crystals, cords, wood
• Magickal Work: Grounding, binding, runes, crystal work, burying objects, herbalism

Aether

• Gender: Universal
• Direction: Universal
• Energy: Universal
• Colors: White
• Crystals: Quartz, Diamond
• Season: The Wheel of the Year
• Trees: Mistletoe, Almond
• Animals: Dove
• Goddesses: The Lady
• Gods: The Horned God
• Sense: Intuition (6th Sense)
• Life Cycle Stage: Eternity
• Manifestations and Symbols:
• Tools: Pentacle, Wheel of the Year
• Magickal Work: Karmic work, finding your path in life, spiritual knowledge, enlightenment