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The Way of Four: Create Elemental Balance in Your Life
Earth, Air, Fire, and Water―not only are these elements the building blocks of the universe, but also potent keys to heightened self-understanding. The Way of Four helps you determine which of the four elements are prominent and which are lacking in your world using a variety of custom-made quizzes. It includes a multitude of methods to incorporate and balance the elements in your environment, wardrobe, and even your perfume. This is a fun and valuable sourcebook for anyone seeking balance and beauty in a hectic world.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 26, 2012
We read this for our book club. I liked the quizzes, and I think many of her descriptions of the various types of people are spot-on. I did learn a few new things, although perhaps not as many as I would have liked.
One member of our group (wave to Susan!) mentioned a problem she had with the book, which was that the author pushes the concept of becoming balanced -- but sometimes you *need* to be mostly Fiery, or Earthy, or Airy. I think she's right about that. Personally, I'm okay with being mostly Air (Air being the element of communication -- I *am* a writer, after all).
One member of our group (wave to Susan!) mentioned a problem she had with the book, which was that the author pushes the concept of becoming balanced -- but sometimes you *need* to be mostly Fiery, or Earthy, or Airy. I think she's right about that. Personally, I'm okay with being mostly Air (Air being the element of communication -- I *am* a writer, after all).
July 8, 2018
Read this book years ago and still use it as a reference now that I am an author. It has exercises to help you determine which of the four elements are prominent in your life and aids you in finding those you are lacking. It provides specific ways to achieve balance by adding elemental qualities through medications, exercises, home design and more. Sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest impact on your life. So glad I came across this resource!
May 11, 2025
2.5 rounded up to 3, because every millennial is a sucker for a quiz.
This is a lighthearted, playful kind of read. If you're looking for a deep review of the metaphysical properties of the elements, this isn't the book for you. While history and some alchemical aspects are examined, the bulk is dedicated to The Way of Four, the author's personal approach to elemental balance in daily life. This was achieved through understanding your own elemental types, learning how to identify elemental traits in others, and balancing the elements in your environment with things. It had a bit of a nostalgic flair to it, sort of reminding me of reading a Cosmo magazine back when I was a teen; if you're weak in fire energy, dress with sexy flair, and if you're weak in water dress and decorate in dreamy blues and whites. It does come across as somewhat superficial quite often, but it does so in a really genuine way that's hard to take any offense to. And since the author is very committed to The Way of Four concept, it seems like these were all intended to be simple, relatable ways of focusing on the elements, and if you were coming in to these concepts blind, I have no doubt that they would be effective. Just as an aside, this book was written in the early 2000's and some of the references may be a bit dated. I'm still not sure what fabulous outfit Lawrence Fishburne was wearing that our author referred to a few times, but I'll take her word that it was relevant at the time!
Outside of being pretty surface level, the only other thing of real note was that it was pretty Wiccan-focused. I think this is probably just a result of this being one of the author's earlier works, since I've been really impressed by how balanced and approachable her more recent writings are. It's not a distraction, but anyone who might be picking this book up as their first book on magic might just want to keep it in mind!
Overall, not a book I would really recommend to learn anything extensive about the elements (most things seemed pretty common sense... which might just be thanks to the proliferation of ideas set by books like this since their publication!), but it seems like it would be an amazing book for a coven looking to have fun and deepen bonds to work through!
This is a lighthearted, playful kind of read. If you're looking for a deep review of the metaphysical properties of the elements, this isn't the book for you. While history and some alchemical aspects are examined, the bulk is dedicated to The Way of Four, the author's personal approach to elemental balance in daily life. This was achieved through understanding your own elemental types, learning how to identify elemental traits in others, and balancing the elements in your environment with things. It had a bit of a nostalgic flair to it, sort of reminding me of reading a Cosmo magazine back when I was a teen; if you're weak in fire energy, dress with sexy flair, and if you're weak in water dress and decorate in dreamy blues and whites. It does come across as somewhat superficial quite often, but it does so in a really genuine way that's hard to take any offense to. And since the author is very committed to The Way of Four concept, it seems like these were all intended to be simple, relatable ways of focusing on the elements, and if you were coming in to these concepts blind, I have no doubt that they would be effective. Just as an aside, this book was written in the early 2000's and some of the references may be a bit dated. I'm still not sure what fabulous outfit Lawrence Fishburne was wearing that our author referred to a few times, but I'll take her word that it was relevant at the time!
Outside of being pretty surface level, the only other thing of real note was that it was pretty Wiccan-focused. I think this is probably just a result of this being one of the author's earlier works, since I've been really impressed by how balanced and approachable her more recent writings are. It's not a distraction, but anyone who might be picking this book up as their first book on magic might just want to keep it in mind!
Overall, not a book I would really recommend to learn anything extensive about the elements (most things seemed pretty common sense... which might just be thanks to the proliferation of ideas set by books like this since their publication!), but it seems like it would be an amazing book for a coven looking to have fun and deepen bonds to work through!
August 16, 2023
I was a little apprehensive to add this to my library - seeing as it's such a "basic" topic that I felt I already knew plenty about - but I'm very glad I did. This book is, for the most part, more focused on the presence of the elements within oneself and one's home than it is on the magical application and history of the elements overall (though there is some of that in here too). There's a lot about how to utilise the elements - in both magical and more "mundane" ways - to bring balance to your inner and outer life, which I found inspiring and compelling (if a little repetitive sometimes). I really appreciate how the author gives insight into the reasons - the "hows" and "whys" - that working with specific elements can be helpful for certain aims/goals/etc., and how the reader is encouraged to take their own elemental makeup/personality into consideration too. It's not some grand tome of ancient esoteric knowledge, and it may not teach you anything entirely new (unless you're a beginner), but I do think it's a worthwhile addition to a witchy library because of how practical it is.
March 2, 2018
I can always enjoy the conversational and relatable tone that carries though the book. It was not overly dry and a complete slog through material and I found some bits of wisdom to glean from it. When time becomes available I do want to make time for the meditations. They feel worthwhile to do in whole and I admittedly only had time for one briefly. Few books make me WANT to go through and do the exercises when I am done and this one does.
January 20, 2017
3.5s
Obviously talks a lot about the elements, but the book goes a little too much into everything. There are fun quizzes though!
Obviously talks a lot about the elements, but the book goes a little too much into everything. There are fun quizzes though!
June 2, 2018
I'm biased because I enjoy the four elements, however some parts of this book felt forced into "categories", like finding out which specific namebrand perfumes were which element...
October 10, 2023
My review of this book originally appeared on The Folklore Podcast website. My interview with the author will hopefully be available to be listened to there as well shortly.
Deborah Lipp, working along with Crossed Crow Books, has updated her classic 2004 book The Way of Four: Create Elemental Balance in Your Life. A signed and numbered limited edition is being released in late March 2023, with an unlimited paperback edition to follow. A practicing Wiccan of the Gardenerian tradition for over 30 years, Deborah Lipp is a prolific author on various pagan traditions and has been featured on Coast to Coast AM, A&E, and the New York Times. She has also offered lectures on these topics on three continents.
The Way of Four introduces readers to a fundamental concept occurring in almost all human societies. These societies believed that all matter in existence is comprised of four fundamental elements: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Some societies have later added Spirit to the mix, but a fair number of Pagan believers (as well as the author of this book) view Spirit as the combination of the first four components and thus the ideal human state. Elements, like the humors, must be balanced. This book shows you how.
This new edition has changed the gendered language that characterized the first edition, allowing it to address a far wider audience. Likewise, the magical practices that it includes have been updated to apply to more than just those who follow the Wiccan path. While Lipp herself is Wiccan, she has taken care to show that these practices and beliefs can apply to followers of any path, even solitary practitioners.
The heart of the book remains unchanged. Lipp takes care to define the nature of the four elements and how they relate to people. Through understanding of a base elemental makeup, one can find the aspects of the other elements that are lacking and seek to better incorporate them into one's own life to achieve a more balanced existence. Her theories are based in Jungian and ancient philosophical thought, adding an air of legitimacy to them that is not in the least hindered by her accessible writing style and practical tips. Perhaps, like me, your primary element is Earth and you could use a bit more Fire in your life to heighten your energy and inspiration? Lipp has not only magical practices you could use to work towards that, but also foods you could eat, music you could listen to, or perfumes you could wear to evoke that element.
This book is a good read from cover to cover, but it could easily serve as a reference for anyone interested in pagan traditions. If you are in need of a quick meditation to get more in touch with your Fiery side, or advice as to what perfume might best induce creativity, the book is full of helpful passages and easily referenced charts that offer up a quick solution.
The Way of Four is a delightful resource, appropriate for both those interested in a scholarly treatment of the school of magic as well as those involved with the magical world. The personality tests throughout the book aid and encompass a person’s journey throughout life to find a mastery of self, and offer solutions for finding such mastery and balance in any life situation. By writing such an easily referenced and accessible book, she’s sure to continue teaching people how to be more fulfilled for decades to come in this new edition.
Deborah Lipp, working along with Crossed Crow Books, has updated her classic 2004 book The Way of Four: Create Elemental Balance in Your Life. A signed and numbered limited edition is being released in late March 2023, with an unlimited paperback edition to follow. A practicing Wiccan of the Gardenerian tradition for over 30 years, Deborah Lipp is a prolific author on various pagan traditions and has been featured on Coast to Coast AM, A&E, and the New York Times. She has also offered lectures on these topics on three continents.
The Way of Four introduces readers to a fundamental concept occurring in almost all human societies. These societies believed that all matter in existence is comprised of four fundamental elements: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Some societies have later added Spirit to the mix, but a fair number of Pagan believers (as well as the author of this book) view Spirit as the combination of the first four components and thus the ideal human state. Elements, like the humors, must be balanced. This book shows you how.
This new edition has changed the gendered language that characterized the first edition, allowing it to address a far wider audience. Likewise, the magical practices that it includes have been updated to apply to more than just those who follow the Wiccan path. While Lipp herself is Wiccan, she has taken care to show that these practices and beliefs can apply to followers of any path, even solitary practitioners.
The heart of the book remains unchanged. Lipp takes care to define the nature of the four elements and how they relate to people. Through understanding of a base elemental makeup, one can find the aspects of the other elements that are lacking and seek to better incorporate them into one's own life to achieve a more balanced existence. Her theories are based in Jungian and ancient philosophical thought, adding an air of legitimacy to them that is not in the least hindered by her accessible writing style and practical tips. Perhaps, like me, your primary element is Earth and you could use a bit more Fire in your life to heighten your energy and inspiration? Lipp has not only magical practices you could use to work towards that, but also foods you could eat, music you could listen to, or perfumes you could wear to evoke that element.
This book is a good read from cover to cover, but it could easily serve as a reference for anyone interested in pagan traditions. If you are in need of a quick meditation to get more in touch with your Fiery side, or advice as to what perfume might best induce creativity, the book is full of helpful passages and easily referenced charts that offer up a quick solution.
The Way of Four is a delightful resource, appropriate for both those interested in a scholarly treatment of the school of magic as well as those involved with the magical world. The personality tests throughout the book aid and encompass a person’s journey throughout life to find a mastery of self, and offer solutions for finding such mastery and balance in any life situation. By writing such an easily referenced and accessible book, she’s sure to continue teaching people how to be more fulfilled for decades to come in this new edition.
October 4, 2009
Pagan tutorial about working with elemental magicks, determining your own elemental nature and learning to balance your own nature through ritual and practice. Although Pagan, I don't do a lot of magical ritual myself so hadn't really worked much with or been terribly cognizant of, the Elementals. The author explains the differences between the elements in nature and the Elementals, magical beings, and takes you through several exercises to determine your own elemental nature.
I had known that I was strongly of Earth, but was surprised to find that I have almost as many Air characteristics. I'm already fairly balanced, also having some Fire and Water traits in my nature, but those two are definitely tamped down most of the time by the Air-Earth domination of my personality and essential nature.
It took me several weeks to get through the book as some exercises are done outdoors, which is not always easy for me to do, living in the city. Some parts I paid more attention to than others. I thought this was a very well-done book with plenty of different aspects for different people. Some of this was fairly basic, other parts more advanced. There is another workbook that also accompanies this book which I didn't have, but may purchase at some point. I'll definitely be referring to this book again in the future, it'll stay on my Keeper shelf.
I had known that I was strongly of Earth, but was surprised to find that I have almost as many Air characteristics. I'm already fairly balanced, also having some Fire and Water traits in my nature, but those two are definitely tamped down most of the time by the Air-Earth domination of my personality and essential nature.
It took me several weeks to get through the book as some exercises are done outdoors, which is not always easy for me to do, living in the city. Some parts I paid more attention to than others. I thought this was a very well-done book with plenty of different aspects for different people. Some of this was fairly basic, other parts more advanced. There is another workbook that also accompanies this book which I didn't have, but may purchase at some point. I'll definitely be referring to this book again in the future, it'll stay on my Keeper shelf.
April 17, 2014
This was recommended to me (shout out to Jenni there) as a companion to the Carol Tuttle energy profiling system and I did find that in many ways it dovetailed very nicely with some of Carol's observations and profiling methods and provided some good insight for me. But, truth be told, though I really had no issues with it being basically a Pagan tutorial about elemental nature I really wasn't interested in the magic portions so I mostly skimmed, taking the quizzes to learn which elements most resonated with me and whether they matched up with what I'd been learning from energy profiling. Also, it was getting to be overdue at the library and book group was looming so I had another book to finish up.
This system focuses on balancing the different elements of our nature and I can see that being somewhat useful, especially if you feel you are out deeply out of balance (possibly from not living true to your nature for years) or desire grater harmony in your home and relationships but I'm not sure I am sold on balancing all the elemental parts. That's probably Carol coming out of my mouth, or keyboard, but I do believe we tend to lead with one or two types and that allowing that to happen and the other types to take a back seat feels truer to me. But maybe that's because I skipped all the Wiccan stuff?
This system focuses on balancing the different elements of our nature and I can see that being somewhat useful, especially if you feel you are out deeply out of balance (possibly from not living true to your nature for years) or desire grater harmony in your home and relationships but I'm not sure I am sold on balancing all the elemental parts. That's probably Carol coming out of my mouth, or keyboard, but I do believe we tend to lead with one or two types and that allowing that to happen and the other types to take a back seat feels truer to me. But maybe that's because I skipped all the Wiccan stuff?
July 24, 2011
This book had good stuff in it...but the continual association of illnesses, particularly mental illnesses, with certain elemental components, and the inferences that working on elemental balance will remove chronic illness, got on my nerves so bad that I ended up with a pretty negative overall perception. If you feel like you can deal with the casual ableism and genital essentialism, there is some good basic information in here, but be forewarned.
October 15, 2008
This turned out to be rather informative and fun. The book is full of quizzes in different areas that are backed up by insightful paragraphs. The chapter break downs and the lifestyle (work, love, relationships, clothing, etc) break downs are all well done.
As a side perk, at least to me, each chapter ends with superscript and bibliography notes.
As a side perk, at least to me, each chapter ends with superscript and bibliography notes.
September 9, 2014
Good information on evaluating yourself and your strengths and weaknesses but to heavy on the mystical for my taste.
April 16, 2016
Vantastic. Book.
December 13, 2016
Awesome!
I learned so much about myself and others with this book. I'm ordering the physical copy soon to have as a keepsake.
I learned so much about myself and others with this book. I'm ordering the physical copy soon to have as a keepsake.
March 6, 2008
A good work on the subject of magic.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews