Magic: It’s Elementary.

I love the whole idea of the elements as a way of understanding the world. Not just the classical four, which I’m accustomed to calling the “Greek elements,” but many elemental systems. I started to become aware that I loved this idea in elementary school, but I don’t remember a time in my life when the elements – or at least, their application in fantasy – didn’t hold some grip on me.

Magic in particular speaks to me. I’m sure many readers will relate. Escapism is a popular reason to love things like fantasy or magical powers and beings, but it’s not the only one. Magic is partly about having a sense of awe and wonder when looking upon our world. It’s gratitude for what’s good, beautiful, sublime, majestic, and just…natural. For lack of a better word.

Magic isn’t always elemental. The elements aren’t always Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire. Other systems might list Aether, the Void, Lightning, Moon, Wood, Ice, Metal, and so on. The fact that we can each look at the same world and see different breakdowns is part of why elemental thinking fascinates me.

I could wax poetic or philosophical for days about the elements and what they do or can symbolise. For those of you who are losing interest, there are haiku in this post. They’re coming. I swear. But I want to leave off on a final note. Beyond the awe and wonder. Adding to the potential they represent and their potential for representation. On top of the differing perspectives that can be brought to bear upon the elements.

Synergy.

The elements interact in a massive, infinitely complex web of transformations, transportations, and transcendences. Storms are the elements in conflict. A landscape’s erosion, creation, destruction, and variation can be the evidence of the elements working together. Or at least generating energy and change through friction. Winds can be hot. When water blends with earth, we can have anything from squelching mud to an oasis teeming with life.

Like people, there’s room for celebration in this diversity. There’s disaster, tragedy, and strife, no doubt. If you’re looking for something free of the touch of entropy, you’ll want to pack a lunch. Gonna be a long search.

At any rate, I wanted to get that off my chest. Had to nerd out a little. Without further ado, here’s some haiku. Merry reading!

“Show Us What You’re Made Of”

Earth, Water, Wind, Fire

Industrialisation

We’re eating too fast

“Earth: Foundations”

Setting down our roots

Transforming lead into gold

All rocks are pretty

“Water: Ways”

Early churning world

Had roads long before drivers

Magic in the heir

“Wind: The Necessary Invisible”

Space is empty as sky

The barest twinkle inspires

Life meets resistance

“Fire: In Spirit”

Nuclear campfire

The sun doesn’t burn, it glows

With careful brush, paint