Step Four
Consider a complementary lip colour. You can use lipstick, but we chose to use the same colours of face paint, again using white as a foundation and then gold over the top.
Step Five
Look fabulous!
You may, of course, decide that you would rather use a mask to transform your facial appearance. In the case of the element of air, any birdlike or feathered mask would be an obvious choice, or perhaps a simple metallic gold half-mask.
Wigs are also wonderfully transformative and don’t need to be expensive. For the element of air I chose a rather punky white wig that I’ve had for more years than I care to think of, and I’m so glad I kept hold of it as it turned out to be quite perfect for this exercise. I also found a peacock feather fascinator to wear over the wig.
For the clothing, choose something that you perhaps wouldn’t normally wear, or at least wear them in unusual ways, and think about the colours and qualities of the element. I chose a striking gold dress that I picked up as a bargain from a bellydance hafla, along with a white and gold bellydance belt. This had the added benefit of adding an auditory dimension to my ensemble! You may prefer something simpler, perhaps something floaty that catches every breeze or something classical that brings to mind the great thinkers of the ancient world. Of course, for the element of air, wings are a great accessory. The wings I am wearing in this picture are effective yet extremely simple in construction, made from iridescent cellophane and coathanger wire. Feathered wings would be another good choice, or perhaps a billowing cloak or Isis wings such as are used in belly dancing. You may also notice that I chose to use a representative tool for the element of air as a prop—in this case, a rather fine dagger.
You might wear this costume for an event, but I also recommend trying this as an exercise out in nature, perhaps with a small group of friends, not only so that you don’t feel too self-conscious and there is an element of fun, but also so that you can observe any changes in each other’s energy and behaviour. Try to find a place where you won’t be pestered by passersby and where you can experience the element of air directly.
How do you feel? Are you thinking, acting, or talking any differently? How is your understanding of the element affected?
Fire
Red is the elemental colour for fire, but any combination of shades of red, orange, and gold will help to bring out those fiery qualities! These colours should also be used in your makeup, mask, or face paint. Bearing these colours in mind, follow the four steps as listed for the element of air. Here I used a gold base with the sponge and a masklike phoenix design painted on in red. Fire is the element of passion and action, so try to build those qualities into your costume. I chose a very tribal-style belly dance costume, with lots of red and gold that reflected the light and layers that moved with my body. You should choose something that you can move in freely that makes you feel confident and powerful. Since my hair is currently blond and red, I did not use a wig for this element but instead used a lot of hairspray to create a flamelike style. Having exponentially increased my flammability by doing so, I kept a safe distance from the fire!
I also found the effect was enhanced once more by the addition of a tool for a prop. In this case I used a staff with bells attached and found myself wielding it like a warrior! Well, posing like a wannabe warrior actually…
Fire would be a great choice of elemental costume for any Faery ball or festival, as it is bound to bring out your inner party demon! Again, I encourage you to try this as a magickal exercise also, with a small group of friends around a fire, and note any changes in mood, energy, and behaviour.
Water
Blue is the colour most associated with water, and it is nicely complemented by white and silver, as well as some shades of green and turquoise. Clothes for this element could be either free and flowing or clingy and glistening like the scales of a fish. I chose a Grecian-style white dress that I had borrowed and never returned from my college’s theatre wardrobe department fifteen years ago. At the time it was the costume for Lady Macbeth, whom I, as an evil director, made walk into a cold and rather dank pond for her final scene. It seemed only fitting that I should now wear it for the element of water and take it for another dip! Over this I wore a pale blue organza veil for a very classical look.
The blue curly wig was less classical, of course, but along with the silver and blue face paint did serve to transform my appearance to the extent that I was unrecognisable.
If you want to achieve this look with face paint, use moonlike colours as a base—say, white and grey or silver if you have it. Then add detail and spirals around the eyes and cheekbones. It’s simple yet effective!
We used a silver chalice, which is the ritual and symbolic magical tool for the element of water. It was entrancing scooping up water and pouring it back out, watching the light reflecting from the droplets as they fell and hearing the song they made as they returned to the flowing river.
Being able to stand in the river whilst dressed as a creature of that element brought feelings of tranquillity and an awareness of deep inner compassion, despite
