Let’s Talk Witch – Calling the Quarters and the Centre c. 2014 by Lady Abyss

Calling the Quarters and the Centre

The Elemental powers of the four directions or quarters are usually needed when we perform magick, particularly when we wish to achieve an import work. You will probably find that your own group or yourself has its own traditions in doing this. As we see elsewhere, the four worlds manifested in a certain order; Fire, Air, Water and finally Earth, and magickal procedures should strictly follow this for perfect manifestation. However over the years in different traditions, diverse methods have been put forward, so if working alone you must find which suits you best, and if working in a group you will follow given practice. We call the quarters clockwise, starting with the East.

The East represents the Elemental Air, helps give to us clarity of vision and purpose and represents intellectual power. You will appeal to this element principally in any working to do with the mind – when studying for exams perhaps of when you need inspiration for new projects.

The South is the realm of Fire, the most potent of all of the Elements. It signifies the purifying element in nature, that which consumes all others; through it, mastery of the other three is achieved. It is a dynamic force, purification and passion, and is perceived as the Inner Guardian of the Temple. You will use this element in your workings when you need creativity, cleansing or protection from malevolent energy.

The West stands for all those watery things like our psychi and emotional nature so, of course, it represents the element of Water, through it should be remembered that within that representation lies both depth and movement. The qualities are often see as passive, and feminine, but would be appealed to particularly when removing hexes and curses or when revitalizing is important.

The North give us the solidity of Earth which in turn allows us to manifest the results of our work. It nourishes and grounds us, giving a solid basis for which to create. While it is a complex element containing within it aspects of all the previous ones, it also shows simplicity to enable us to gain access to greater energy which comes from the Ultimate. You would use this Element to create tangibility and stability as well as for issues to do with fertility and productiveness.

Lastly, the Centre is called. This is the realm of Aether or Spirit and is both the synthesis of all four of the other elements and their progenitor. In calling on Spirit you are calling upon all that is, was and shall be and therefore an energy of high vibration. For this reason it is usually best that the centre is called by a high priest or priestess or at least by someone who has been properly initiated and trained. Spirit manifests in so many different ways that often only someone versed in the process will recognize what is happening.

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