Swords South

The Magickal Battle Continues

A common sense look at Magickal Correspondences
By Danelle Dragonetti Q.V.S.O.C.

I originally wrote an article called “Swords South – The Battle Continues”, for “Hole In
The Stone” a magazine for Pagans, Witches and Shamans published by George and
Rihanna Moyer in Denver Colorado. The article came out in 1996 the year before The
Eclectic Witches Workbook was published of which I thought the article was published
therein but was not. I have attempted to acquire the original article to no avail. The article
covered the reasoning and references for the use of Wands in the East and Swords in the
South in Tarot deck correspondences. I did not give a second thought to The Golden
Dawn’s, Alistair Crowley’s, A.E. Waite’s and others references and tables of their
magickal elemental and magickal tool correspondences used by many practitioners groups
and covens today. Interestingly enough there are many more references to when and where
the confusion started. I will attempt to sort out the data available and make a viable
argument for Swords South

One can go to any good occult store and find a myriad of books on magick. Wicca
/Witchcraft Magick, Thelemic Magick, Golden Dawn Magick, Eclectic Magick and High
Magick just to name a few types and philosophies. Each of these has valid points and the
older philosophies are attributed with influencing current magickal practices. There is,
however a growing confusion over the correspondences of magickal attributes given to
magickal tools and elements specifically Wands and Swords.

This author has found that it becomes an issue when performing ritual for open
circles/rituals where people are taught an inferior magickal correspondence. In Frater
U.D.’s book High Magic using Swords in the east is, “… like going up hill in first gear
with the emergency brake on”. One finds that when casting open circles or teaching other
students not either exposed to swords south / wands east or have a fundamental natural
understanding of the “Magickal Circle” and the quarters, it becomes near impossible to
raise energy due to the inability to condense the Gnosis of the group. Confused energies.

When researching for this article it was found that Herman Slater, Raven Grimassi, Janet
and Stewart Farrar and Scott Cunningham attribute Wands to the East and Blades/Swords
to the South. The Golden Dawn (Eliphas Levi, A.E. Waite, MacGregor Mathers, Alistair
Crowley and Israeli Regardi ), attribute Wands to the South and Swords to the East. The
Golden Dawn group is the first and only group to attribute wands to the south.

Where did the basic concepts of the elements come from? For that we need to consult the
great Greek philosophers. The first Presocratic philosophers were from Miletus. Thales
(624-546 BCE) is reputed the father of Greek philosophy; he declared water to be the basis
of all things. Next came Anaximander (610-546 BCE), the first writer on philosophy. He
assumed as the first principle an undefined, unlimited substance without qualities, out of
which the primary opposites, hot and cold, moist and dry, became differentiated. His
younger contemporary, Anaximenes (585-525 BCE), took for his principle air, conceiving
it as modified, by thickening and thinning, into fire, wind, clouds, water, and earth. From
this Pythagoras, Socrates, Aristotle and Plato developed their respective philosophies on
the elements. In Greek thought the philosopher Aristotle added aether as the quintessence,
reasoning that whereas fire, earth, air, and water were earthly and corruptible, since no
changes had been perceived in the heavenly regions, the stars cannot be made out of any of
the four elements but must be made of a different, unchangeable, heavenly substance.
Plato seems to have been the first to use the term "element (stoicheion)" in reference to air,
fire, earth, and water.

The colors for the directions takes shape in a geographical observation. If one was in the
Mediterianian north would be representitave of something cold and gone far enough frozen
and a mystery, (white, greens, browns…some black). The east is the realm of the sunrise
and all associasted colors, (yellows and golds primarily). South is the realm of fire. The
further that direction you go the hotter it gets and they associated that with the colors of
fire, (reds primarilly). Then west was the water elemental and all associated colors of
water, (deep greens, blues). If you lived in a different area these might change but for the
most part it was the Mediterianian/European geographical area that determined how we
see and use the elements. However, the color association to the quarters seem to be a
universal concept.

In the Hopi Medicine Wheel of the Hopi prophecy of the four peoples of the Earth, the
cardinal direction North represents the body, plants and animals, the color white and 'white
skinned peoples', and Childhood. (can also represent birth, and/or meeting a stranger and
learning to trust as in infancy, explained in Erik Erikson's stages of Psychosocial
development). The East is held to represent the mind, air, the color yellow and 'yellow
skinned peoples', learning the groups to which people belong and Adolescence. The South
holds the heart, fire, the color red and 'red skinned peoples', and Adulthood. Finally West
holds the spirit, water, the color blue or black, and 'black-skinned peoples' and Elderhood.
West also represents the final life stage in the wheel, being an elder and passing on
knowledge to the next generation so that the wheel may start again just like the circle it
takes after. In many other tribes, however, the Northern direction corresponds to
Adulthood (the White Buffalo), the South represents Childhood (the Serpent), the West
represents Adolescence (the Bear) and the Eastern direction represents Death and Re-birth
(Eagle). In terms of social dynamics, community building and the use of Circles in
Restorative Justice work, the four quadrants of the circle correspond to Introductions.,
Trust Building, Problem Definition, and Generating Solutions.

The Alchemy of the Middle gives us some clues as to magickal correspondences.

As an “aside” during the research for this article this author came across The Emerald
Tablet of Hermes. The Tablet probably first appeared in the West in editions of the
psuedo-Aristotlean Secretum Secretorum which was actually a translation of the Kitab Sirr
al-Asrar, a book of advice to kings which was translated into Latin by Johannes
Hispalensis c. 1140 and by Philip of Tripoli c.1243. Other translations of the Tablet may
have been made during the same period by Plato of Tivoli and Hugh of Santalla, perhaps
from different sources.

The date of the Kitab Sirr al-Asrar is uncertain, though c.800 has been suggested and it is
not clear when the tablet became part of this work.
Holmyard was the first to find another early arabic version (Ruska found a 12th century
recension claiming to have been dictated by Sergius of Nablus) in the Kitab Ustuqus al-
Uss al-Thani (Second Book of the Elements of Foundation) attributed to Jabir. Shortly
after Ruska found another version appended to the Kitab Sirr al-Khaliqa wa San`at al-
Tabi`a (Book of the Secret of Creation and the Art of Nature), which is also known as the
Kitab Balaniyus al-Hakim fi'l-`Ilal (book of Balinas the wise on the Causes). It has been
proposed that this book was written may have been written as early as 650, and was
definitely finished by the Caliphate of al-Ma'mun (813-33). In it the concept of “As
Above, So Below – As Below, So Above” is clearly written. But, I digress.

“Of the Division of Chaos” is a alchemical poem by the physician, astrologer, magician
and alchemist, Simon Forman (1552-1611) is in the Bodleian Library Oxford, MS
Ashmole 240. In it there are several great explanations and concepts regarding the four
elements. If one can find a copy “Of The Divisions of Chaos” it is a good but short read
and historical perspective and worthy of addition to anyone’s Grimore or Book Of
Shadows. An excerpt follows:

Next after this, four elements pure, simple and clear,

That is, hot and cold, moist and also dry,
Are assigned to work on four bodies gross,
The last substance of the Chaos, and of the highest the dross.
Earth, water, air and fire, therein to show their might,
And therein to make generation and bring forms to light;
In every one severally, out creatures to bring,
Which is the beginning and generation of all things.
For heat is assigned to the fire, which doth burn;
Moisture to the air, which doth corrupt and round turn;
Dryness to the earth, the mother of each thing;
And coldness to the water, from whence all do spring.
Heat and moisture are active to generation;
Cold and dryness are passive, in and to each thing;
Fire and air, active by elementation;
Water and earth, passive to generation.
For in dryness of the earth and in water clear.
All things are engendered, before they appear.

This brings us to The Key of Solomon and Quabalistic influences on Magickal

Correspondences.

The Key of Solomon is edited from several ancient MSS. in the British Museum which all
differ from each other in various points, some giving what is omitted by the others, but all
unfortunately agreeing in one thing, which is the execrable mangling of the Hebrew words
through the ignorance of the transcribers. But it is in the Pentacles that the Hebrew is
worse, the letters being so vilely scribbled as to be actually undecipherable in some
instances.

The MSS. from which this work is edited are: 1202 Lansdowne MSS. is The True Keys Of
King Solomon, by Armadel. It is beautifully written, with painted initial letters, and the
Pentacles are carefully drawn in colored inks. 1203 Lansdowne MSS. is The Veritable
Keys of Solomon translated from the Hebrew into the Latin language by the Rabbin
Agognazar. It is in French, exquisitely written in printing letters, and the Pentacles are
carefully drawn in colored inks. Add. MSS. 10,862; Sloane MSS. 1307 and 3091; Harleian
MSS. 3981; King’s MSS. 288; seven codices in all. It is referenced that the French version
was translated from Italian and believed to have some miss translations.

The planetary colors, the colors attributed to the quarters, perfumes, incenses, oils, herbs
all have obvious positions with regards to the quarters. Mars is red and associated with fire
and the south, Mercury is associated with the east and air. Peppers are associated with the
south. Bite one and it becomes apparent. (Refer to The Eclectic Witches Workbook by
Danelle Dragonetti-Martin and Wynn Summerhawk).

The Key Of Solomon (Book 2) specifically the 1202 Lansdown manuscript, is the only
place where blades are associated with the East and wands are associated with the South.
The purifications and consecrations are quite clear but this author is in disagreement with
the manuscript.

In the use of Tarot as a magical tool and allegory for teaching magical correspondences it
becomes more confusing. A.E. Waite knew he was transposing wands and swords from the
start. In his book, “The Pictorial Key To The Tarot he uses a quote from Baldini, “The
Mars card depicts a sword-bearing warrior in a canopied chariot, to which, however, no
horses are attached.” Mars with a sword is how this author sees that planetary
correspondent. Mars = fire = south = swords. Why then did Waite change it? Why did The
Golden Dawn and its members select the only manuscript to refer to swords/blades as a
guiding light? It is surmised that to keep their oaths of The Hermetic Order of The Golden
Dawn Waite, Crowley, and others could not divulge all their secrets upon threat of death
so they propagated the lie believing that when students had their eyes opened they would
see for themselves the deception.

Astrologically there is a difference as well. When Aries is attributed with wands the image
is skewed. Seeing Mars associated with Aries and as afore mentioned is seen with a sword
it becomes evident that Mars is a warrior hence Aries, a warrior as well would be well
associated with the blade. This author almost had a humorous conniption when she tried to
see Gemini with a sword. A wand makes much more sense.

In The Golden Dawn’s Complete Book Of Magick by Regardi in his example of The
Lessor Ritual Of The Pentagram the ritual closes with, “Before me Raphael. Behind me
Gabriel. To the right of me Michael. To the left of me Uriel. Raphael is always seen as
carrying a Wand and Michael a Sword. Always!
In Raven Grimassi’s book Italian Witchcraft, page 98 he specifically states of the Wand
that, “Present it to the Eastern Quarter and declare to be a wand of magick and power over
the element of air.” In Scott Cunninghams book “Wicca – A Guide For The Solitary
Practitioner” page 29 he clearly states that, “The wand represents the element of air.” In
their book “The Witches Bible Complete” Janet and Stewart Farrar clearly refer to Wands
in the east and Swords/blades in the south in their altar set up. There are many other
references.

When a Circle is cast regardless of it being Witchcraft, Wicca, Technical Magick or in

Sorcery the east is usually the starting point in solar / male type rituals and proceeds
dieosol, (clockwise); from the north and windershins (counter clockwise) for lunar /
female rituals. Most practioners know the following:

North = earth. East = air. South = fire. West = water.

This author has no issues with North being represented by salt, dirt, the pentagram, or
coins. It’s a reasonable assumption. The chalice or cup is perfect for holding water. (even
more reasonable) However, what is the natural progression around the circle?

Earth. This is where all life comes from and all must return. Even a Vampyre Sorceress
must return eventually. Air. How is air made? We know that it comes from plant life on
this planet. In essence trees make air. Would it not be more reasonable to conclude that
something that thrives in an element would be better controlling it? Wands=plants=air.
What is needed for fire? When a plant has reached its end it lends itself to the next quarter,
the south. South=fire. What does it take to make a sword? Earth and fire. Fire does not
destroy a sword. It is used to make it in combination with the previous two
correspondences. If you used a wand to control fire it will consume the wand. Any child
knows this who has in sheer boredom sat at a campsite and stirred a fire for any length of
time. Also fire=will=passion. What tempers a sword? Fire and water! What quenches
passion but the release of emotion. Water=emotion=cup. Lastly, if a sword is not taken
care of it will decay, oxidize and return to the earth and we have come full cycle.

In the early French traditions of Tarot the correspondences exemplified in the works of
Eliphas Lévi predates the English tradition now familiar through the works of Waite and
Crowley and has Wands/East – Swords/South as it’s correspondences.

Most Tarot decks will be quite evident that they are Swords East. The Rider Waite Deck is
the template for many a blind tarot artist and has polluted the “Tarot” environment. There
are only a few decks that are created with the correct magickal correspondence. Ellen
Cannon Reed’s The Witches Tarot is the best known for being Wands/East –
Swords/South. The Celtic Dragon Tarot by Tim Lazaro is swords south as is Haindl Tarot
Deck by C.J. Rose. The Marseilles, The Sola Busca and Estensi Tarot are all wands/east
swords/south. There are more.
In conclusion this author will continue to teach Wands/East – Swords/South with
confidence that she is teaching and using the correct magickal correspondence. She
admonishes you to do the same!