In Ancient Greece the Mystery Traditions ruled much of the
esoteric life of the magically talented as well as Muggles. Building on the
teachings of Plato and others about the basic elements they organized
themselves into four groups, or Courts. These are easily equated with the four
Houses set up by the Founders of Hogwarts. The mystery cults were open to
Muggles as well, and allowed for a means of explaining away and covering up
certain magics that might otherwise draw notice. So long as it was ‘of and from
the Gods’ there was little trouble. It also helped the Wizards and Witches of
the day maintain a position of power and lines of communication into the
political workings of the day. One simply did not lie to one’s Cult brother.
Further control over the Muggles in the cults was easy, so long as you let them
think that if and when they were worthy, they would ascend to a higher, inner
circle of adepts, and they too would be capable of channeling the power of the
Gods. Below is a brief description of each of the four Courts of
the Elements.

Earth

The Physical Self/Risking/Manifesting. Platonic Solid: Cube
– equates to Hufflepuff

A member of the Court of the Stone was called a Corybante.
Once worshippers of the KHTHONIOI (Underworld Gods), the semi-divine Corybantes
were an ‘inspired people’ subject to the Bacchic frenzy and orgiastic rites.
Their Exemplar was a titan named Coeus or Koios, known as ‘The Inquirer’ and
‘He of Heavenly Oracles’. He guarded the Pole of the North.

Earth magic was primarily involved with Trees, Earth, Stone,
Nature, and Animals, and then by extension fertility, growth, security,
groundedness, stability, security, and materialism. It was frequently more
‘Primal’ than the other schools in its approach. Herbalism and Divination are
included here. Associations are the divine mystery, darkness, the dark
moon, midnight, death and winter.

Air

The Mental Self/Focusing/Initiating. Platonic Solid:
Octahedron – equates to Ravenclaw

Members of the Court of the Wind were called Kouretes. Once
worshippers of the OURANIOI (Sky Gods), the semi-divine Kouretes were
protectors and fosterers of children. Their Exemplar was a titan named Hyperion,
known as ‘the watcher from above’ and ‘he who goes above’. The first Astronomer
and Astrologer, a God of Watchfulness and Wisdom, he guarded the Pole of the
East.

Air magic was involved with communication, inspiration,
perception, and clarity of vision. Also creativity, inspiration, youth, new
beginnings and vision. It is all about study, research, knowledge, language and
intelligence. The Kouretes encouraged innovation and the creation of things not
previously known. Philosophers idealists and teachers often came out of their
ranks. Associated with the first breath of life and speech, the waxing moon,
dawn, spring, childhood.

Fire

The Energetic Self/Dynamic/Creative. Platonic Solid:
Tetrahedron – equates to Gryffindor

A member of the Court of the Flame was a Cabiros. Once
worshippers of the NOMIOI (Pastoral Gods), the semi-divine Cabiri were said to
be the children of Hephaestus. Their Exemplar was the titan Crius or Krios,
known as ‘The Ram of mastery and leadership’. He had deep connections with the
Constellations, especially Aries, and he guarded the Pole of the South.

Fire magic was all about Ego, the Will, and Energy, dealing
with sources of power and ways of manipulating it. Channeling, Summoning,
Absorbing, Storing, Reflecting, Shielding. All were studied by them. Fire has
the power to destroy and purify and represents passion, sensuality,
regeneration. Associated with the full moon, noon, Summer, adults in their
prime. Many claim the first to understand fully how wands interact with magical
power was one of the Cabiri.

Water

The Emotional Self/Mature/Formative. Platonic Solid:
Icosahedron – equates to Slytherin

Members of the Court of the Sea were called Telchines. Once
worshippers of the HALIOI (Sea Gods), the semi-divine Telchines were the
children of Ôkeaninai or Ôkeanides, Ocean nymphs, also known as ‘numphai
hagiai’. Their Exemplar was the titan Iapetos, called ‘The Piercer’, and ‘He of
the Mortal Lifespans’. His followers first spread the cult of the dead, and he
guarded the Pole of the West.

Water magic had to do with Healing and Shapeshifting, as
well as early Alchemy and Potions, and was sometimes referred to as Necromancy,
or Blood Magic. Water is creative and transformative, and represents the
subconscious, receptivity, regeneration, dreams, intuition, psychic events.
Associated with the waning moon, the aged, twilight and autumn.