Jewish Elemental Symbols and Correspondences

Elements, (CC) Daryl Sim

The concept of the elements as building blocks for creation has a long-standing history in Judaism. It is found in the Sefer Yetzirah, the Zohar, and even Maimomedes utilizes this concept. There are four bodies (gufim), and they are fire (eish), air (ruach), water (mayim), and earth (afar). They are the foundation of all that is created beneath the firmament.
Maimomedes as found on Telshemesh.org

We can take these elements at face value or we can dig deeper. These lists of correspondences are just a beginning to understanding the elements and how to work with them in our spiritual practices. For each element Ive assigned a season, a time of day, a form of the Divine, Patriarchs, Matriarchs, ritual actions, mythical beings, Kabbalistic world, form of being, level of the soul, and more. Many of these are compiled from traditional sources, and some are my own associations. Youll notice that Fire and Water have two options for directions; this is because their locations seem to vary depending on the Jewish source you read. Along with the four traditional elements, Ive also added a fifth center or void. This is common in many traditions, and I think has always been the unspoken element in Jewish tradition. All the correspondences for Aether (center) are my own.

FIRE ( :)South/North, Summer, Noon, Burning Bush / Pillar of Fire,

Strength, Issac, Rebekah, Candles (Sabbath, Havdalah, Yahrtzeit, Chanukiah, Menorah) Ner Tamid, Bonfire of Lag BOmer Burning Chametz, Sun, Gabriel, Gold, Priesthood, Divine Connection, Cooking, Aaron, Staves, Burnt Offerings, Letters on Parchment, Salamander, Myrtle, Phoenix ( Job 29:18), Snakes, Spiritual authority, Light, Atzilut, Existing, Chayah (level of the soul), Divine connection

WATER ( :)North/South, Winter, Midnight, Well of Miriam, Love, Sarah,

Abraham, Silver, Michael, Mikvah, Washing, Dipping Greens in Salt Water at Passover, Tashlich, Bat Yah, Moses, The Whale, Water libation, Willow Branches, Reeds, Sea of Reeds, Wine, Miriam, Joseph, Noah, Annointing oil, Divination, Intuition, Dreams, Willow Branches, Lotus flowers, Water lillies, Emotions, Leviathin,Darkness, Yetzirah, Feeling, Ruach (level of soul), Creativity

EARTH ( :)West, Autumn, Sunset, Ten Commandments, Raphael, Shekhinah,

Rachel, David, Iron, Challah, Salt, Lulav, Etrog, Fruit, Flowers on Shavuot, Trees and tree planting, burying foreskin, earth in coffin, burying sacred texts, shoveling earth on grave, building of stone altars (cairns), bones, gardens, fields, Ruth, Boaz, the Shofar (not blown), Stones, Behomot, Life, Assiyah, Doing, Nefesh (level of soul), Resources we Consume

AIR ( East, Spring, Dawn, Cloud of Glory, Balance, Leah, Jacob, ):

Bronze/Copper, Uriel, Scent, Incense, Blowing of Shofar, Besamin, Sukkah, Greggors, Singing, Chanting, Speech, Spoken Prayer, Dancing, Breath, Blades/Knives (air feeds fire), Tzipporah, Inspiration, Imagination, Bells on Priestly garmets, Keturah, Tzovah, Ziz (aka Renanim, Sekewi), Cloud of Glory, Judith, Solomon, Joshua,Wisdom, Briah, Thinking, Neshamah (level of soul), Community

AETHER/AKASHAH (

:)Center, Void, Sabbath, Mt. Sinai, Wilderness,

Liminal Space, Transformation, Gestation, Calendars, Mishkan, Temple, Passover Table, Seder Plate, Garden of Eden, Mystery, Sheol, Shamayim, HaSatan, Lilith, Sound
Carly Lesser (Ketzirah) 2012 / 5772 http://www.peelapom.com/spiritual-practices/elements-of-judaism www.peelapom.com

of the Shofar, Baalot Ov, Circles, Shamir Worm , Foundation Stone , Moon, Torah, Talit and Tzittzit, Magen David, Tamei/Tahor, Menorah (6 branched), Containers, Vessels, Tohu v Vohu, Yechidah (level of soul)

Carly Lesser (Ketzirah) 2012 / 5772 http://www.peelapom.com/spiritual-practices/elements-of-judaism

www.peelapom.com