The foundation of ceremonial magic is symbolized by the four alchemical elements of the Western Tradition. Those being Earth, Water, Air and Fire as proclaimed by Hermes Trismegistus in the Kore Kosmou. Aristotle later added a fifth element, Aether which was not adopted by many traditions because it’s nature was too nebulous and easily confused with Fire.
Each element contains dual qualities. Earth is cold and dry while Water is cold and wet. Air is hot and wet while fire is hot and dry.
Each alchemical element was given a symbol that was based on the equilateral triangle. Fire was a triangle with one point at the top. Water had the point on the bottom. Fire and water together made the Seal of Solomon that we see on today’s flag of Israel. I represents the combining of fire and water as the achievement of the impossible. It represents the paradox that is the attainment of Enlightenment also called the Great Work. Air was represented as an upright triangle with a horizontal line across the center while Earth was an inverted triangle with the same line across it.
Each element was also symbolized by a different magical implement. For Fire, there was the Sword. For Air, the Wand. Water was represented by the Cup and Earth by the Pentacle. Each of these has a corresponding suit in the Tarot. They are also utilized in the Wiccan tradition as well as other more formal types of ceremonial Magick.
These elements do not consist of only the physical manifestations they are named for but rather are seen to be the basic constituent components of the world much as we see in the atoms and molecules of today.
Hippocrates (according to Galen) assigned each of the elements to one of the four humours of the human body. Those being Black Bile (for Earth), Phlegm (for Water), Blood (for Air) and Yellow Bile (for Fire). Medicine at the time was considered helping a person to balance their own personal blend of humours in the body.
Tradition holds that the Elements have a hierarchical order with Earth at the bottom as being the most base and impure and moving up through water, then air, and topped by fire which is the most pure. Many modern practitioners tend to see the elements as more balanced and complementary.
We still see the descendent of these ideas in modern science’s four states of matter. Those being solids, liquids, gases and plasmas which correspond to their energy states or rates of vibration.
For symbolic purposes, we can see Earth as being solid, foundational and stable. Likewise, Water is relaxed and flowing. Air is free and expansive while Fire is energetic and purifying.
In Occult philosophy, everything consists of a different blend of elements.
In astrology, each Birth Sign belongs to one of the four elements to confer both positive and negative personality traits. Earth signs can be sturdy, logical and hard-working but also stubborn, lazy and materialistic. Water signs can be healing, peaceful and trusting but also erratic, indifferent and indecisive. Air signs may be joyful, communicative and imaginative but also dishonest and self-centered. Fire signs may be compassionate and courageous but they may also be obsessive, jealous and angry.
The rich symbolism of the four elements originated in Tibet and India and from there it was adopted by the ancient Egyptians and the Greek philosophers. And all these years later, we still find them useful symbols and models to help us shape our own minds. And as all magicians know, to shape our minds is to shape the our reality.