Cardinal earth: rapaciousness, growth, deep roots

Hedges, like lawns, are of no use to the witch unless they are overgrown, wild, and generative.

Fixed fire: blades forged in fire, revenge, steadfastness

For the proper adherence to ritual we had shaved our hair ultra-close, and smeared on a square of silver zinc.

Mutable fire: emergencies, cinematic glimmers, glowworms

The dark spools forward and I grip the branch. I lunge into the deep mud and my holy communion dress is ratted at the hem.

Fixed water: unfinished business, deep emotions, divination

We record this by leaving the work unfinished and unresolved. The absence is a space for grief.

Mutable fire: wild fire, contamination, neon.

Anna and Melissa ate with some ceremony, taking tiny bites and washing them down with tea.

Fixed water: death, mourning, transformation

Her body is a miracle in the house. Copper sulphite leaks from her. The sink blooms with a little mould, a little sparkle.

Mutable air: the inner sky, imagination, psychosis

The water came in waves and washed gold summer through her bones. He was above her again, his hair deep silk on her face.

Fixed earth: ancient Norfolk flint, deep time, sacred herbs, soporific lettuces, and chilly beaches.

The landscape is dry in its lunar whiteness, with heaps of cracked inky flint in the pale wash of sky.