The 7 Directions

Our mundane reality says that we have four compasssurvival. The fluid nature of Water encourages us to
directions that guide our physical travels - north, south,accept diversity and open to new experiences. It can
east, and west. Yet our spiritual reality offers sevenbe tranquil or rough and so represents emotions and
directions that guide our energetic path, offering usmoods.
energies that assist us in manifesting the life we wantWater is associated with the direction of West. The
or show us limitation for our own good. The sevenchalice is the magickal implement connected with
spiritual directions are North-Earth, South-Fire, East-Air,water and gives messages regarding love, happiness,
West-Water, Above, Below, and Within.and what will be received. Water's colors include blue,
Let's take a closer look at these spiritual directions andpurple, and white, symbolizing purity, psychic ability,
how they can best be used to further our purpose incleansing, and healing. Places to experience this
this lifetime.element include well, lakes, ponds, rivers, beaches, and
North-Earth - Ground yourself with the element ofthe ocean. Water is the element associated with
Earth and understand the physical and materialCancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. On the altar, it is
aspects of the world. This is the realm of abundance,represented by a cup or chalice.
wealth, health, and prosperity. Earth carries with it aAbove - This is where we connect with Spirit and
sense of dependability and stability. Earth's colorsco-create our lives. Above is where we receive
include green, black, and brown, symbolizing nature andspiritual abundance and the ability to manifest our
groundedness.desires. Spirit signifies the energy known as God,
Earth is the element associated with Taurus, Capricorn,Universal Life Force, or The Source of All That Is. The
and Virgo. Its energy is receptive and it is associatedSource has no gender, no malice, no love, and no
with the compass direction of North. It is connectedimpetus of Its own. Spirit resides within all living and
with all things practical and wise. Caves, canyons,inanimate things, connecting all beings and things
forests, and groves are harbingers of Earth energy.together so that each impact the other. Every person,
Earth's vibrations also extend into the home, providingcreature, and plant on the planet, makes Its fabric ripple
comfort and nourishment. Salt and/or the pentacle areand change with each energetic impact. We can
the altar symbols for Earth.imprint upon it our hopes and dreams, hatred and
East-Air - Let your spirit take flight with the element ofanger, desires and goals. Each person chooses to
Air and explore the intellect and the rational mind. It isbrighten the pool with positive thoughts and actions or
the realm of thought and allows movement andto pollute it with hatred and fear. We have the power
change. Air has projective energy that inspires us toto raise the vibration of the planet to increase harmony
move beyond our current state of being. The colors ofand peace or diminish it to an unmatched state of war
Air include yellow and pastels symbolizing learning,and hate. The attitude of the energy is neutral, having
harmony, breath, knowledge, memory, understanding,no attachment to outcomes, nor directing activity. Its
and youth. It is the element associated with Gemini,nature changes as the beings that interact with it
Libra, and Aquarius. Air is connected to the direction ofchange.
East, a place of new beginnings. The athame or swordBelow - The realm below is the place of grounding,
is the magickal tool associated with Air. Mountaintops,stability, and nourishment. Grounding is a means of
cloudy skies, and windy beaches are places whereattaching your energy to the Universe and to the
the vibration of Air lives. Incense is the altar symbol forEarth. By creating a connection both above and below,
Air.a conduit forms, allowing a steady stream of energy
South-Fire - Feel the flame inside of you with theto flow through you. In this way, positive energy flows
element of Fire by gaining understanding of thein from the heavens and negativity flows into the
masculine principle and the energy of the will. Fire is anground. To attach to both is to know an intimate
ancient form of divinity and a symbol of Spirit. Firerelationship with the Universal Energy, while
purifies and transforms; it creates and destroys. It is aexperiencing an extraordinary relationship with the
powerful force that releases energy throughplanet. It is not always necessary to ground in both
combustion. Fire is a motivating force that propels us.directions. High intensity situations require that you
The element of Fire aids in survival by illuminatingground mainly to the earth; to do so stabilizes emotions
physical darkness and providing heat. Fire enlightensand evens out extreme bursts of energy.
and is symbolic of the divine light within us. Fire isWithin - This is the realm of self-mastery,
associated with the direction of South. The wand isself-knowledge, self-discipline, and self-control. It is from
the magickal implement connected with fire and giveswithin that we foster and direct our power --or choose
messages regarding work, skills, and initiative. Fire'sto give it away. Our reality begins within us and
colors include red and orange, symbolizing heat,projects the life we live onto the external world. To
passion, energy, courage, strength, and vitality. Fire ischange the way we live, the shift must come from
the element associated with Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.within. We experience the depth of human experience
Places associated with Fire are deserts, volcanoes,that includes all of the other realms from within. It is
and ovens. On the altar, a candle flame represents thehere that North, South, East, West, Above, and Below
element of Fire.come together and interact in ways that teach, drive,
West-Water - Submerge yourself in the element ofmotivate, dispel, and empower. For those who need
Water. Dive into the world of the feminine principle,grounding or who have little to no self-awareness, the
emotions, psychic ability, dreams, and intuition. Water isintensity of these interactions serves only to
a passive element with magnetic qualities, able tooverwhelm. The depth in which we can go within
receive and hold energetic vibrations. Water cleansesallows us to learn about ourselves through the present
and flows, gives life, and is capable of destruction. Itlifetime and continue that learning in subsequent
releases energy through evaporation. It is a powerfullifetimes.
force, which can put out fire and cover the earth. It isBeing aware of and using the energies of all the
an inspirational force that causes us to reflect, ponder,directions is key to understanding the Self, your life
and create. The element of Water is necessary forpurpose, and place in the Universe.