The elemental directions, earth = north, east? what? :D Options

Not sure wheter this should fit in here or in CM forum, but since it isn't only related to CM i decided to put it here, anyways:

The 4 elements have different directions and the most commonly used are:
(correct me if i'm wrong tho since i don't use these)


EAST- Air
SOUTH- Fire
WEST- Water
NORTH- Earth

Does anyone have any directives why these specific directions are related to each other, why is south connected with fire?

WHY I ASK YOU! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

So meanwhile waiting for answers i'll post what i think and the reasons i have them where they are.

East - fire - this is where my thoughts first originated from and the most obvious for me, the sun rises in the east (atleast for me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/13.gif) ) and thus i placed fire in the eastern quadrant.

South - air - This makes sense to me in an emotional way that i can't really explain, just feels right

West - water - because i believe that fire needs to have its opposing element towards it to create some sort of balance

North - earth - North for me is earth, same as air really, just feels right and i've always felt that north is like a big solid mountain always waiting to be climed.

(the directions also have to do with their symbols and how they look if you place them in different directions, the thought is to create a balance between them.)

Also i've only begun delving into the planets trying to get this to coincide with these directions (however, since most rituals (atleast GD's) are based on the previous directions, i have to remake alot of rituals.. work work work (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) )

Now people, go on! prove me wrong! I want a debate about this, maybe i'm totally wrong, maybe you are, it doesn't matter, i want more opinions so that i can get a better feels of the elements.

(more posts will come about the elements later in other threads...)

Fred och god växt.

This post has been edited by animus: Apr 24 2005, 06:36 AM

While it doesnt only relate to CM I feel it will get a LOT more responces there.

Many of the traditions have developed from ancient Celtic roots. So taking their geography into account.

West - The west is associated with water, For Pagans living in the Celtic Isles, the Atlantic Ocean was a rather prominent landmark that lay to the west.

South - Fire was linked to the south for simple reasons that would apply to anyone living in the Northern Hemisphere: the weather gets warmer as you head south.

East - could be an association with air because weather patterns in the area brought many winds from the east to push the ships westward.

North - The northern areas are where the cold hard lands are, very earthy.

there are however a number of different ways of assigning the elements to their appropriate directions (apart from the Northern/Southern Hemisphere twist)? try
this site for further information

http://www.ace.net.au/darkmoon/direct.htm (IMG:style_emoticons/default/horse.gif)

That explains some, thank you.
The site seems to be down tho, can't reach the server at all. pity.

I'll have to dig deeper within my logic to get a bit further tho i think, i'll go study some more until the site works. ;P

Site seems to be up and running at present, try again

Greetings!
Nice link SaintGeorge!
This little question has been worming its way around for decades....
I've heard it suggested from a Northern hemisphere person that North should be Air, as this is where the illustrious North Wind blows (supposedly the King of Winds), East is for Fire, the flaming orb of the Sun comes from this quarter, the South is for Water and the West for Earth...now this works for me as I live where Water is to the South and the whole of America is West.
Perhaps the Quadrants of Elements should be what we, the practioner, feel that is right. As long as they are all represented then what difference does it make? The only hard rule that I can see is that Water never resides next to Fire. Air and Earth are the moderators. I was brought up using the classical Celtic method as this was the source for many years about Western style Magic. Any more thoughts? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mf_bookread.gif)

Perhaps the Quadrants of Elements should be what we, the practioner, feel that is right

I am a traditionalist in so many ways, and here in West Oz the traditional
quarters work well, I feel happiest working with them as they are set,
[tho really one might consider reversing the North and South, as heat and cold
respectitively.]

But I am a passionate lover of Chaos also, and as such agree with you whole
heartedly whatever works for you [the practitioner] should be the rule.

Always remembering however that a lot of power has been built up by
many folk using the old tried methods over a longish time, and it is not
a bad way to tap a power source quickly and firmly.

Oh yes....Being a traditionalist myself I quite agree with you! Though I have experimented with the Air being from the North and got some rather potent results... I'm conversant with Chaos Magic though and understand the initial premise.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/922.gif)

Magick is a private matter for any solitairy practioner. I'd suggest you create the general alchemal symbols, color them to articulate their elemental qualites and sit with each symbol arranged in a circle. Look at each and get a feel for them. Then re-arrange them into different directions and see how that feels. If you find an arrangment that feels uniquely comfortable this is probably the set up that will give you the best results when working with them.