Elemental Connections Between Earth, Self, and the Cosmos
“Around 500 BCE in Greece (about 2,500 years ago), there was a man called Empedocles. Empedocles who, according to Aristotle, was the first to suggest the theory that the world could be reduced to four elements: fire, earth, air and water. These elements could not be created or destroyed, only their proportions were rearranged and put together differently. These ideas were to hold sway for the next 2000 years.” (Ben Balinsky- Story of the Four Elements)
To dedicate ourselves to the life of the planet or to return once again to our true Essence, we need to begin to grasp who and what that Essence actually is, and re-member how we are actually beings of the Earth. This comes down to our Elemental Nature and the patterns within us. If we look deep within ourselves, we see that beyond it all, we are essentially what we have always been- Nature Herself. Every elemental aspect or pattern that runs within a tree or a stone or a river runs within us as well.
The challenge is that humans have been conditioned to see ourselves as ‘above’ and separate from Nature. We must move through and beyond these old programs to shift the paradigm of separation and bring back the balance and harmony of all Life, seeing each BEing as sovereign in their own right. We are all Elemental Beings of the Earth and the Stars—Elements of Life Itself—Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Ether (or Spirit).
The balance of these Elements is what keeps us alive. Each human, animal, and plant needs the Sun's lifeforce energy, fresh water, healthy food, and clean air to live. Not one of these exists without the other.
“If we continue to look deeply into the flower, we see many other things, like the earth and the minerals. Without them a flower cannot be. So it’s a fact that a flower is made only of non flower elements. A flower can’t be by herself alone. A flower can only inter-be with everything else. You can’t remove the sunlight, the soil, or the cloud from the flower.”
-Thich Naht Han, No Mud. No Lotus.
The Elements do not exist in our world in their “pure” separate forms. Nothing does. Everything is a dance between all things. Even a drop of water from a stream is full of microscopic beings. All is one vast dance of Creation.
Elemental Connections & Cycles of Humans and Nature
In the traditions I work with, each Element is associated with a different Direction, Cycle of the Seasons, and the Cosmos. As we walk the Wheel/the Seasons of the Year, we can experience the strengths and gifts of the Elements- within us and without- throughout each of the Seasons. The more we learn to live as One with the turning of the Wheel, the more we can build- in essence, allow- the dream for our lives and for the following cycle to manifest- as Nature intends it.
We begin with Air in the East.
Spring. Place of the Rising Sun. The Sky; gentle breezes or gale force winds. The Winged ones. New day, new Cycle. The Child. Our first breath. Sound. Our voice, our song. The Mental Realm. Perceptions. New thoughts. Inspiration.
The Creative force of Fire is activated in the South.
Summer. Heat. Spark of Life. The Core- the Centre- Sun. Life force energy within Earth and within us. Adolescence. Passion, Pride, Will, Strength, Courage. Warrior- creative or destructive. Purifying.
We temper the force of Fire with Water in the West
Autumn. The Moon. Darkness. Cleansing, healing, nourishing waters. Raindrops, streams, rivers, oceans. Fluids within the Earth and Body. Change. Mid-Life. Ease & flow. Raging storms. Emotions. Love & Compassion. Intuition. Depth.
We ground and anchor in all that is with Earth in the North
Winter. That which is beneath our feet and beside us. The Great Mother Pachamama. Her children. All Beings. Ancient energies. The Elder. The Ancestors. Our Bodies. Home, Food, Work, Stability & Growth. Physical Responsibility. Prosperity vs Scarcity. Our connection to all the Realms.
The bridge connecting the Physical to the Spiritual- Ether/Spirit- the Centre of all things. We’ll come back to this in the future- it warrants a blog post of its own.
Cultivating a Deeper Connection to the Elements
In moving through Nature's Seasons and Cycles in a conscious way, we access some of the primal forces and building blocks that are part of the ongoing process of Creation. With intent and practice, we can then shift our patriarchal/linear based thinking into living lives which ebb & flow with the currents of Nature's Wheel.
Following are some ways to develop your relationship with each Elemental aspect within yourself and Nature. The more we integrate practices such as these, the more we can begin to embrace & embody Her patterns with grace & ease.
Whispers of Air — Breath, Sound, and the Invisible Currents
Open the Senses, Engage the Breath. Breathe. Be still. Listen & Feel breath.
Listen to the world. Tune in to the language of Nature.
Make Sound. Build power and transform energy using words or music. Play with different notes and tones. Sing!
Act as if you were a Tree or Plant that moves with the Wind. Can you be flexible like the prairie grasses or like Willow?
Plant allies to assist you in connecting with Air include:
Damiana, Skullcap, Gingko, Holy Basil, Lavender or Microdosing Mushrooms (for clarity and calm)
Sacred Tobacco, an herb of the East, can provide a bridge between us and The Mystery.
Flames of Fire — Spark, Passion, and Sacred Heat
Nature's forms are flames, lightning, and electricity. What lights you up? Electrifies and activates your flame within?
Eat the Sun- Taste your Desire.
Be the Sun- Practice the Breath of Fire
Create! Laugh. Play. Dance!
Practice candle lighting spells, fire and smoke magic, and cleansing rites.
Plant allies to assist you in connecting with Fire include:
Sage, teacher of the South. Burns hot, purifies, cleanses – along with Sweetgrass.
Yarrow, Sunflower, Dandelion, Nettle, Ginger, St. John’s, Turmeric.
Waters of the Heart — Flow, Emotion, and Deep Surrender
Be like Water. Water flows downward…how might you flow like Water?
Feel and BE a raindrop, a puddle, stream, river, or ocean.
Surrender to the Flow. Let go. Love what is. Love You!
Dive into compassion.
Reflections on the Water reflect the Sky- what does the Mirror reflect of you?
Indulge in ritual baths and Moon Magick.
Allies to assist you in connecting with Water include:
Cedar and Pine to clear
Bobinsana, Rose, Cacao, Damiana, for love and an open heart
Blue Water Lily, and Mugwort for dreaming
PassionFlower, Milky Oatstraw, and Ashwaganda for calming
Roots of Earth — Grounding, Ancestors, and Sacred Belonging
The North. The place of our Elders, Teachers, Wise Ones- how are you as a future Elder/Ancestor?
How we care for the Earth is caring for ourselves- As within so without.
How deep are your Roots? How connected are your Roots- past, present, and future?
How healthy and balanced is your Ecosystem- your body, home, and environment?
Feel the Earth. Really FEEL the Earth. Walk barefoot on the earth. Crawl in the mud. Put your hands in the dirt, lay on rocks, lean against trees…..
Plant allies to assist you in connecting with Earth include:
Reishi Mushrooms, Psilocybin, Mullein, Burdock to strengthen your body’s systems, to alleviate pain & clear blockages
Oak, Douglas Fir, Elder for power, tenacity & strength
Weaving all the Elements together as One creates a harmonious whole - Ether. Unity consciousness. Returning to the centre of All. (again a whole conversation on its own for another time - for now- we focus on the planes of stability- of being Here. Now in this time & place, Learning to connect once again with our Elemental Beingness).
For those feeling called to deepen their connection to the Elements through the lenses of tarot, astrology, and Earth-based wisdom, you're invited to explore our upcoming Tarot & the Elements Workshop — a sacred space to embody these archetypes through myth, movement, and magic. Click here to learn more or join the journey. 🌿
Embodying Earth's Cycles and Ways of Being
Embodying this new story takes dedication and commitment. Sometimes, outer expectations, responsibilities, or old patterns/habits of living keep us disconnected from the Earth's cycles and ways of Being.
At times, it might feel like the old ways of being have more power to draw us in, and we need extra support to activate/re-member ourselves as the Nature Beings we are.
If you wish to receive support with anchoring in and amplifying your strength and commitment to walking in this way with the Earth/Her Elements/the Cycles, please feel free to reach out to me here.
About the Author
Sage RavenStar is a shapeshifter, following this mission through many names: Plant Medicine Coach, Shamanic Guide, Healer, Mentor, Mystic, Tarot Reader, Facilitator, Hag/Crone, Hedgewitch, and Mother. Sage’s greatest teacher in life has been Life Herself. Through her journey of healing from a wide array of issues rooted in generational and childhood trauma, Mama Gaia has always been her most consistent support and ally. It has always been her passion to assist others in re-building and strengthening their connection with Life and our natural Allies, both on a personal scale and on a greater collective scale of hurt and trauma. Her lived experience in abuse, addictions, mental health challenges, and body ‘issues’, and her dedication and connection to those ‘outside of the box’, bring a special touch to her work that cannot be replicated. She looks forward to bringing elements of all she has been and is known to walk with you as you walk your own path towards inner and outer peace as an essential piece of the interconnected web of Life.
