Calling the Quarters: Air

Calling the Elemental Quarters is a step in circle casting that is often glossed over in beginner books, where the entire process of circle casting is usually covered in one chapter. The Quarters are the foundation of your circle, and the Quarter Calls are one of the more versatile portions of the entire process. This article, the first in a series of four, will focus on the first Element I call: Air. The following articles will cover Fire, Water, and Earth, respectively. consider the Elements to be the foundation of my circle because these energies are the first ones I invite in. I’ll next invite my gods, and then I’ll draw on those energies to cast my circle and form my sacred space. Other people may do this differently, but to me, this feels like the most logical way to do it: invite everyone in (distinguished guests last) and then close up the doors. I begin in the East, with Air, and cast my circle “sun-wise” or clockwise. Air is commonly associated with the East, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. I place Air in the East because all my associations with the element are “airy”. East is the dawn. It is birdsong, and the playful morning breezes. East is beginnings, pale yellow, and springtime. Air, to me, is embodied in all these things. What else is the Element of Air? Air is often associated with intellect and wisdom. I believe this is because the concepts are like Air: nebulous, mutable, changing. When we speak, we communicate through the power of Air. Air is the “breath of Life”…it’s the ocean we swim in. Air is both powerful and playful, contrasting between the gale force of a hurricane and a soft breeze. When I call Air energy into my circle, I call the Guardians of Air. You may have also heard people refer to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of Air or East. These Guardians are the embodiments of the Elemental energy. Take a minute to think about Air. What do you associate with the element? What form do you think a Guardian of Air might take? A bird? A cloud? A flying insect? I envision an Eagle when I call up the Guardians of Air. He is a very large Eagle, proud and fierce. He can soar far on his enormous wings. He also represents the American ideas of the Eagle as a symbol for liberty and justice, both Air qualities to me. You may wonder why I have given my Eagle a gender. I also associate altar tools to Elements, and with Air it is my wand. Given the shape of the wand, it is a masculine symbol to me. (I don’t think I need to explain why!) As I worked through the symbolism of the Elements and meditated to meet my four Guardians, I discovered that two of the elements feel masculine to me, while two feel feminine. I’m happy with this balance. You may or may not feel the need to incorporate this layer of symbolism as well. Don’t feel like you have to stay constrained within the traditional associations for the Elements. Perhaps you live just west of a mountain range, so when you think of East you think of Earth. North may correspond better to Air, for you. Or South. Even if you do decide to use the traditional correspondences, as I’ve done, take some time to really think about why you associate the Element with the direction. If you decide to change the correspondences, don’t just make arbitrary changes. After you have decided in which direction you will place Air, make a list of all the correspondences you have with both the direction and the Element. You’ll probably notice some themes running through you list. Once you’ve done that, take time to meditate on the qualities you’ve discovered, and ask to meet the Elemental Guardians. They might look quite different to you than they do to me. When you cast circle again, and call the Element of Air, visualize your Guardian being present at the circle. Tap into the energy available there. Feel the breeze on your face. Calling Quarters isn’t just saying some poetic verse and lighting a candle. Calling Quarters is meant to bring the energies of the universe to your sacred space. Your circle, and your magic, will be stronger for it.