Elemental Dance Magick is the practice of attracting and utilizing elemental power in a kinetic manner in order to bring about a desired change. It is a type of embodied ritual where we can alchemize the energy both in and around us in order to cultivate a relationship with the natural world and align with our highest potential. This is one of my favorite topics to teach on and it is also a key component of my Dance Divination practice.
My connection with the elements is sacred. They are what awakened my spirituality as a child and they've been a guiding force for me for as long as I can remember. If I feel depleted in any way, they are what I look to for renewed energy, inspiration, comfort, and strength. But it wasn’t until my early forties that I started intentionally working with them in a spiritual manner. Through my exploration of witchcraft and other earth-based spiritual practices, I fell back in love with the elements and developed an intimate and nourishing relationship with them that fuels every area of my life.
I once heard the elements referred to as the architecture of the Universe and I think that is such a beautiful description. I have often referred to them as the building blocks of our natural world. When I use the word elements, I’m referring to EARTH, WATER, FIRE, and AIR. These four categories help us to clarify their varying energetic signatures and develop a system of correspondences for deeper understanding. I also believe that each of those energetic signatures can function as a portal that connects us with the unseen realm - expanding our consciousness and creating opportunities for energetic exchange.
One advantage of working with the elements is that they offer us a system of already well-defined symbols, patterns, and energetic characteristics that are fairly easy to understand. But this can also lead to oversimplification. In reality, the elements are an incredibly complex, detailed, and in-depth system for understanding the mysteries of the universe. If we think about the elements in their physical form, that is such a small percentage of what they can represent, the power they hold, and what they can teach us.
Dance in and of itself has the ability to transform our perspective, change our mental and emotional states, shift the atmosphere, and impact everyone or everything in close proximity. I also believe that with conscious intention, the effects of our dancing could ripple out far beyond our sphere of influence in ways that we may never know or understand. Elemental dance is when that outwardly directed kinetic energy conveys information about the properties or the medicine available to us through earth, water, fire, and air.
Elemental Dance Magick teaches us how to embody the unique attributes of each of the elements in order to attract and utilize the power they hold. We can then express that power in a focused and creative manner that aligns with our goals. When we incorporate the qualities, structures, and organizational principles of the elements into our physical bodies, we have the power to amplify that energy. This practice helps us to refine the process we use in our rituals, ceremonies, or other spiritual activities and accelerate our progress toward our desired outcome. It is also a powerful tool when working with the healing arts.
When talking about the elements, many people will run through a list of correspondences to help others understand the differences between each of the elements. In elemental dance, I teach correspondences through the lens of dance, movement, and kinetic energy. My students learn how to feel and express elemental energy in their physical bodies through various shapes, sequences, dynamics, modalities, rhythm, speed, and the use of space. I offer a thorough framework for understanding and exploring the relationship between dance and the elements. But I also encourage students to develop their own correspondences over time because in my experience, correspondences can be very personal.
You might have noticed that I spell magick with the letter K at the end. Alister Crowley is credited for making this change. He wanted to differentiate between stage magic and energy. Magick with a “K” refers to the art of utilizing natural forces to bring about change. Magic without a “K” refers to a form of entertainment like going to a show where someone pulls a rabbit out of a hat. One spelling is not right or wrong, they are referring to two completely different things. For me personally, magick with a “K” at the end describes a very sacred process of co-creating with the natural world in order to redefine my reality.
One final note I want to make is that I believe we are all capable of accessing ALL the elements within ourselves. If you are someone who has studied your astrological birth chart, you might have discovered for example that most of your placements are water. That doesn’t mean you are lacking in earth, fire, or air. Each of us has all four elements somewhere in our chart, even if there are no celestial bodies placed in those areas. In the previous example, that would mean that water energy comes more easily to you but you can still strengthen your fire, earth, and air energy by embodying their energetic qualities. This is a beautiful and powerful method for restoring energetic balance within.
If you'd like to learn more about the practice of Elemental Dance Magick then you'll want to check out Episode 6 of my Spiritual Dance Podcast. In that episode I also offer a short meditation for each of the elements to help you visualize their kinetic potential. CLICK HERE to listen.
