This begins a 4-part segment on the elements of Air, Earth, Fire and Water. I am beginning with Air, since it is the element I most identify with. I was born with the Sun in Gemini and the Moon in Libra, both of which happen to be Air signs. Aquarius is also an Air sign.

Over the years, I have developed a special affinity with the element of Air. The symbol for Air is an upward triangle with a line through the top. The color usually associated with Air is yellow. I struggled with this for the longest time, and still do, because I always felt that Air should be blue, like the sky. Even though this is not the case in traditional Witchcraft, in my own Blackthorn tradition, Air is blue and Water is yellow. The direction of Air is the East, although some traditions place it in the South. Air rules the sense of smell, as aromas are carried through the air to the nostrils, and the sense of hearing, as sound travels through the air to the ear. The Tarot suit associated with Air are the Swords. Swords in the Tarot represent our thoughts, decisions and actions. These are Air attributes. Other attributes associated with Air are intellect, creativity, the mind, breath, inspiration and wisdom. Those who are closely attuned to Air are writers, teachers, musicians, artists, singers, dancers, actors, storytellers, and a host of other skills. Animals associated with Air are all birds or creatures that fly, including those found in mythology. This includes Faeries and Gryffins. The most prominent ones are the Owl, Raven and Crow.

According to ancient lore, the guardians of Air are the Sylphs. Sylphs are thought to be formless entities that manifest in the winds, or wherever wind is blowing, but can sometimes take on a human shape with no visible features. Sometimes when a strong breeze is blowing, even when indoors, your environment can suddenly get a bit “foggy” and you may see a shape begin to manifest, but only slightly so. If your eyes are opened, you may even see it sparkle a bit. I believe these are the Sylphs, manifesting on the Air. Magickal tools of the Air element are the athame, sword, bell and incense/censer. Some people also place feathers on their altars to represent Air.

My favorite time of year is Fall, when the winds are picking up, the leaves are falling from the trees, and the sky is becoming more grey as Winter approaches. I absolutely love cloudy, windy, dark overcast days. (I’m probably in the minority on this). One thing that I discovered over the years is that during the Autumn/Fall season, my psychic and intuitive abilities are increased like nobody’s business. There is something about that time of year that flips an inner magickal switch, and boy, am I tuned in. The stronger the wind is blowing, the more sensitive I become to the astral realms and what is happening around me at that very moment. A strong wind at any time of the year seems to have this effect. Sometimes it stops me in my tracks. The sound of the wind as it blows through the trees seem to carry with it a message for me to interpret. This is a form of Divination that at the moment I can’t recall the name, but it has happened countless times since childhood. Have you ever tried “divining the wind”? Take a notebook and pen with you outside on a windy day, sit under a tree, close your eyes and meditate awhile, then write down everything that comes to your mind, no matter how unusual it seems.

To connect with the element of Air, I suggest doing a ritual for this very purpose, preferably outdoors. Place items on your altar that represent Air. A bell, a feather, tarot cards or other Divination tools, an animal totem figure (mine is a crystal owl), and light some incense. Cast your circle as usual, then invite the Sylphs and other Air energies into your circle to teach and instruct you in their mysteries. Write it all down in a journal or Book of Shadows, if you keep one.