Everything is just energy in this beautiful universe. Quantum physicists tell us this; indigenous people live it.Your medicine body—your luminous body and energy bubble—is in constant interaction with all living beings, including the elements. Think of this! How amazing to become aware of and draw on this interconnection.

     Intentionally engaging and working with the elements helps you feel grounded, connected, and part of the world around you. Doing it daily, you can rebuild your connections and your spirit.

      Here I share the correspondences I usewhen I create sacred space, greeting the directions, the elements, and the spirits. They are a place to start if you haven’t developed your own associations.

Elemental Correspondences

East corresponds to the element of air; to mind, dawn, and spring; to dawn colors like peach and pale gold, white & violet; and beings of air, such as eagle, condor, hawk, and hummingbird. Air-related qualities include insight, new beginnings, fresh ideas. Air is connected with throat in the Inca/Q’ero tradition.

South corresponds to the element of fire; to energy, sun, heat, noon, and summer; to fire colors like red and orange; and beings of fire, such as snake, Tiger, and Puma. Fire-related qualities include transmutation, burning up, lighting up, changing the nature of things, passion, and will. Fire/sun is connected with heart in the Inca/Q’ero tradition.

West corresponds to the element of water; to emotions, the womb, dusk, and autumn; to shades and colors like blue, gray, purple, and green; and beings of water, such as whale, dolphin, and salmon. Water-related qualities include deep feeling, ebbs and flows, fluidity, interconnection and creation. Water is connected with tail in the Inca/Q’ero tradition.

Northcorresponds to the element of earth; to body, midnight, winter; to colors like brown, black, green, and pure white; and beings of earth, such as badger, fox, snake. Earth-related qualities include mystery, the unseen, power to keep silent, to listen as well as speak, to keep secrets, and to know what not to say. Earth is connected with qos’qo (just below belly button) in the Inca/Q’ero tradition.

Center:In the center, the point of transformation and pure essence, we call all the old ones, ancestors (blood and non-blood) who have gone before us, beings of wisdom who help us on our paths. We also call all the descendants (blood and non-blood) who will come after us, inheriting our earth, beings who use light and vibration to heal and who help us on our paths. The Center is also referred to as Heaven and Earth, Above and Below, and Grandfather Sky/Grandmother Earth.

A Caveat

      Every culture has different ideas about the meanings and associations between elements, directions, colors, and their qualities. I did a lot of research over the years to make sure that there wasn’t a dominant way.

      What is most important is that you develop your own inner visualizations and associationsbetween the directions, elements, colors, and qualities. You want your visualization to be memorable to you, inspire and empower you, and help you to deepen your directional and elemental awareness. When you have a lot of power animals and spirit helpers, it’s great to ask which direction they like, so you can greet and acknowledge them as part of your sacred space ritual!

      Working with the elements, the four directions, and sacred space helps you develop and feed your relationship with the living beings that surround you, feeling their support and expanding your connections.