The use of elemental pentagrams in ritual works on the three laws of suggestion, sympathy, and analogy. When inscribing an elemental pentagram in a particular manner within a ritual or ceremony, the magickian is invoking, within her mind, a formula that draws on the relationships and correspondences between the magickal elements. The various elemental pentagrams are invoked to strengthen and balance the attributes that the elements represent.
In magickal ritual an elemental pentagram is traced in the air either with the index finger or a magickal working tool. A pentagram is always invoked starting at the elemental point. If a banishing pentragram is required it is formed moving away from the elemental point. The elements are represented on the pentagram with Spirit at the top, and moving clockwise around the points the elemental correspondences are Water, Fire, Earth and Air.
This practice is analogous to what is desired within the ritual, either invoking forces (drawing them in) or banishing them (sending them away).
The nature of the elements is that they are not fixed, and under constant transmutation. Thus there attributions at the cardinal points vary from ritual to ritual, and concept to concept. The elements attributed to the cardinal points of the magick circle are based on the nature of the winds. The Easterly wind is attributed to Air, the Southerly wind is attributed to Fire, the Westerly wind is attributed to Water, and the Northerly wind is attributed to Earth. The center of the circle is Spirit.
The magick circle can be seen to be a complex symbol in itself, the practitioner within the centre taking on the role of the Quintessence (Spirit) as he is creating and giving life to circle.
The Archangels invoked at each cardinal point are derived from the first chapter of Ezekiel: “1:10 Regarding the form of their faces, each had the face of a man, with the face of a lion on the right, the face of an ox on the left and the face of an eagle.” This symbolism can be seen in the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.
To the East (Air) is Raphael (Healing of God) who is represented by Man, symbolizing the mental properties. To the South (Fire) is Michael (Like God) who is represented by the Lion symbolizing Will. To the West (Water) is Gabriel (Mighty One of God) represented by the Eagle. To the North (Earth) is Uriel (The Light of God) represented by the Bull.
