The Elements
What are the elements?
The elements are what Pagans generally believe make up everything on Earth. Of course, there are scientific elements, such as iron, but that isn't what we're talking about. We are talking about four specific "elements": earth, air, fire, and water. Some traditions also add in another element: spirit/aether. Sometimes, these are invoked when casting a circle, such as what we already went over. Each element is associated with a different direction, and each has its own correspondences and such. You do NOT need to work with the elements to be a pagan. It's just a common practice.
Water
Water is associated with the west and is a feminine element. it is used for healing, cleansing, and purification. It is associated with passion and emotion. It is also known for the color blue and the tarot suit of cups. The Water element affects the subconscious, emotions, and dreams. It is constantly active beneath the surface, affecting our emotional responses. Its season is autumn. It purifies, heals, offers emotional release, and removes all that is stagnant. Since it is feminine, Water is associated with the womb and fertility. It is the element of medical environments and healing/caring positions. Water's places are seas, lakes, rivers, marches, wells, pools, and other liquid-drenched areas. Too little Water makes someone emotionally distant with an inability to express themselves. Too much Water and it takes emotions to the extreme, making day-to-day functioning difficult. The deities associated with this element are Tiamat, Venus, Neptune, and Epona.
Air
Air is associated with the east. It is the breath of life. If you are doing a working related to communication, wisdom, or the powers of the mind, Air is the element to focus on. Air blows away your troubles. It is associated with the colors yellow and white, as well as the tarot suit of swords. Air governs the mind and all mental activity. It's the most ethereal of the elements. Its season is spring. Air is associated with movement, travel, freedom, thought, ideas, intellect, imagination, and discovery. It is also associated with mathematics, science, and law. Air's place is mountaintops, windy plains, clear or cloudy skies. Too much Air makes up a judgmental or critical outlook. The deities associated with Air are Shu, Thoth, Hermes, and Mercury.
Fire
Fire is associated with the south and masculinity. It is purifying and connected to strong will and energy. Fire creates and destroys; fire harms and heals. It symbolizes the fertility of God. It is connected to the wand suit in tarot. Red and orange are associated with the Fire element. It is associated with the sun and governs passion, intensity, desire, intuition, understanding, imagination, and possibilities. Fire cleanses and purifies, but it is also destructive. It is the only element that needs to feed on something else. It has the power to transform everything it touches. Too much fire can be destructive, as no boundaries are imposed, leaving the fire element worn out and off-balance. An overabundance of fire leads to selfishness, egocentricity, and unrealistic expectations of others. Too little leads to low energy and a lack of motivation. The deities associated with Fire are Re, Sekhmet, Apollo, and Lugh.
Earth
Earth is associated with the north. It is a very feminine element, often associated with a Mother Goddess. The colors green and brown correspond with the element of Earth. This element is the one most closely linked to our physical world. It governs money, property, business, security, loyalty, responsibility, anything that is connected to the physical body and health, business affairs, and finances. It is associated with physical needs, as well as working with the hands. Earth is the densest element there is, and it is the foundation for which all other elements move. It stands for stability and growth. Earth is receptive, helping us to accept responsibility. This element's season is winter. Earth's most natural place is a cave, the world's womb. Other places associated with Earth are forests, valleys, and fields. Its energy is very grounding. As the wheel of the year takes place, we can watch all the cycles because of the Earth: life, death, and rebirth. In tarot, the Earth is related to the suit of pentacles or coins. An overabundance of Earth slows things down and progress is slow. However, too little of Earth causes an ability to dare, take risks, or branch out. The deities Gaia, Pan, and the Horned God are all associated with the Earth element.
Spirit/Aether
Spirit is the bridge between the physical and the spiritual. Ether, or spirit, was believed to contain the secret of everlasting life and also the substance that made up the heavens. The qualities of spirit are expressed through art, music, writing, religion, healing, magick, and ritual. It is associated with the crown, or the seventh chakra. It is also represented by the last card of the Major Arcana in a tarot deck, the World card. Spirit is hard to describe, as it is everywhere and nowhere at once. It is our connection to the underworld. It allows us to open up beyond the normal confines to something bigger. It is present in all aspects of life and goes beyond thought and emotion. It has no defined place/location.