The elements of air, fire, earth, water and spirit are central symbols in Wicca. Here on Pagan Song, we are excited to be launching a series of posts on the elements.
In the Crow Women circle, the elements have been the vehicle for our training in Wicca for many years. Our tradition is not based on hierarchy. We have no degree system, and no one is viewed as the authority who teaches other members. We are motivated to deepen our practice and expand our knowledge, though. So, our training system has relied on each woman choosing her own goals and determining her own independent study program. Sometimes we take turns teaching one another.
The Crow Women were founded in 1992, and at first, we studied whatever was of interest to us as individuals or a group. Then, after about 10 years, we hit on the system of choosing one of the elements and using that as a cornerstone of study for a year and a day. During our Imbolc ritual, each woman dedicates (among other vows) to deepening her connection to one element: fire, earth, air, water or spirit. This is reflected in the lyrics of my song Imbolc Vows; “I choose my direction to honor for deep integration internal”.
During her year of working with an element, a sister’s work with the direction might take many forms. She might learn about a goddess who rules that element. She might develop a group ritual or a personal spiritual practice with the element. Some of us have done a service project to protect our chosen element’s manifestation here on Mother Earth. And, of course, we have written songs about the elements we dedicate to. For example, the very first track on our first album is Born of the Elements Medley, featuring the chant “earth my body, water my blood, air my breath and fire my spirit”.
Because our relationship with the elements is so rich, we will be making it a theme here on our blog, just as it has been a theme in our magical practice. I’ll write articles about our magic of discovering our own elemental goddesses, and the song Ecomancy that I wrote about them. Carole’s posts will explore personal rituals for each element using the verses of her song Calling the Elements. Marilyn will offer her insights into creating elemental altars. There will also be posts about the songs from our album Crow Magic that celebrate individual elements.
By earth and water, fire and air, and the spirit that is the center of all, we hope you will enjoy exploring the elements with us.
For more information about the Crow Women pagan choir, and access to all the blog posts by Alane and the other 9 crowsingers who have written for Pagan Song, you can visit the Crow Women author page here on Pagan Song.
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Hello! I love the way you teach each other, and there is no hierarchy. I still have much to learn, and I am excited to keep on learning. I was wondering if you could name examples of instruments and their element association. For instance, how flutes are wind instruments and drums are associated with earth. What would guitars be associated with? I would want to know which instruments may be associated with water or fire. I can’t think of any off the top of my head. Can you help me?
What’s important is what the associations are for you, Kathleen. If you were arranging a song about fire, which instruments would feel right to you? Personally, I might go for electric guitar, or brass instruments like trumpets, zills and gongs. Any of the woodwinds and most acoustic stringed instruments feel like air to me. For water, you can use a water drum or an udu. A lot of shakers and rattles sound pretty watery. For earth, low-toned instruments like bassoon, cello and bass, as well as lower-pitched drums. But the important thing is to trust your own intuition.
Thank you so much! This really helped me 🙂