The Elements in Shamanism

I challenge you to think about yourself as separate from the elements. You without air. Without earth. Without fire. Without water. Do you recognize yourself? The elements are so intertwined with who we are that we take them for granted. In many indigenous cultures, the opposite is true. Elements are creators in origin stories, involved in rituals for healing and community connection, and given daily offerings of gratitude.

Indigenous people are in “right relationship” with the elements. Right relationship means giving thanks and honoring the sovereignty of all things human and non-human. In shamanic terms, all things are made of matter and spirit. Matter is form and substance, and spirit connects to non-ordinary reality and Source/Divine. Appropriately acknowledging matter and spirit in the elements is considered right relationship.

The elements form us and guide us. They create a container and open the container. They make us and teach us. Giving daily gratitude to the elements can help you harmonize with natural forces. And elemental rituals can be used for those who need to balance any deficiencies and excesses in their lives. Just as our helping spirits bring unique gifts, the elements are essence energies with special properties.

         Water quenches our thirst and cleanses us. Water can flow shallow or deep and take on different states of gas, liquid, and solid. Celtic shamans believe that water is wise because it begins at source, gaining knowledge by moving through different transformations, and reconciling the opposites of gas, liquid, and solid to complete the cycle and returning to source. Water is tied to our emotions and is considered a shapeshifter. Healing requires shapeshifting. Rituals with water provide purification, renewal, or dissolving old stories that need to be released.

         Many cultures believe the universe was created by Grandfather Fire. Providing warmth and comfort, Fire gathers people to share stories, cook food, and forge metals. Of all the elements, Fire is the quickest to transform a substance from one form to another. Fire also has the capacity to merge and consolidate matter. For humans, Fire is often associated with passion, purpose, and love. In ritual, Fire quickly releases energy blockages, thoughtforms, and old patterns so something pure will arise.

         Air is the essence of breath. Air can flow through small cracks, yet is powerful enough to blow into a tornado. Through word, vibration, smell, and song, Air connects the living beings of this world to each other and to the other elements. Air allows us to communicate. Air is often related on the human plain to clarity, perspective, and freedom. Rituals with Air involve words, vows, and songs used for recapitulation, manifesting, and dismantling.  

         There are many functions of the Earth element—cultivation, foundation, reclaiming territory, and planting seeds. Also, birth and death rituals, pilgrimages, and quests are tied to Earth. She is often called Mother Earth. Human qualities of Earth are stability, supportiveness, and wholeness. Rituals match the function of Earth with the intention.

         The elements connect the outside world to the world inside our physical and energetic bodies. Right relationship with the elements allows their energy to flow within us and through us, releasing what is not ours to hold, and restoring what is our birthright to claim. Through ritual, the elements help us live a more balanced life.

In the Irish language the word for element, duil, is the same as the word for desire. May the elements of our desires align with the nature of the elements.