Post by moonwind333 on Apr 5, 2006 18:27:28 GMT -5
THE ELEMENTS
These are the four elements …
Fire. Water. Air. Earth
… that our ancestors believed were the basic components of everything that has physical existence. Although science has added other elements in our understanding of the universe, these four remain as our essential foundation. One or more of our five senses can recognize them. All four are part of our mundane world, they belong to this plane. However, it would be unwise to view them purely in a physical sense, they are at the same time visible and invisible, physical and spiritual. Earth, for example, not only refers to the dirt beneath our feet, but also to the concept of stability. Likewise, Fire is more than flame. Contained within each element is an energy that acts upon each situation or person with whom it comes into contact. These are energies we can work with, energies we can use if we know how. So an understanding of the elements will be of great assistance in all your workings – most magick falls under the rulership of one (or more) of the elements.
Each element is associated with various other things and is connected to each other. Fire needs fuel (wood and oxygen) to burn, there is life giving “air” within the water, and Earth is filled with water and surrounded by air. This demonstrates the interconnectedness of all things and why getting to know these elements and their energies is an important step in knowing your environment and understanding the Magickal Symbolic aspects involved. For example, though the elements are described as “masculine” or “feminine” this should not be viewed in a sexist way. This is symbolic – it describes the basic attributes of the elements in terms easy to understand. It does not mean it is more “manly” to perform fire magick or more proper for a female to use water magick. It is simply a system of symbols and correspondences, as is all magick. It is the ability to understand the symbols, feel the energies of the four elements, and use them at will that is the ultimate goal.
Having said all that, there is a Fifth Element that bends the physical to the astral – Spirit, also known as Akasha. It means centering, transformation, and that its limits are beyond time and space as we understand them. This Element is consciousness, soul, Ka, essence – call it what you will it, too, permeates all things in differing degrees and ways.
On another level, though, the elements are said to be inhabited by spirits and entities called Elementals (nature spirits, mythological entities, etc.). Many believe elements and elementals to be the same thing – mindless, unthinking, unknowing energy. Others, however, believe differently. Some believe an Elemental:
* Has some sort of thinking process attributed to it.
* Is considered a spirit that represents an element.
* Is normally invisible to the untrained eye.
* Does not normally belong to the human plane.
* Is comprised totally of the element it represents.
Elementals do not look the same to everyone. Some see them as vaporous forms, colored the same as the element they represent. Others may feel the waves of energy. Some see them with human features, though in some cases only vaguely. Quite often they appear as lights or flames. And a few lucky ones have seen them in their true forms. It is not easy to see an Elemental – you must be quick of eye and brain to realize you have seen one. And if you don’t believe in them you will never see one.
There is discussion among differing practitioners as to the thinking process of Elementals. Some believe they have intelligence similar to (or superior to) humans and thus have the ability to reason and decide what the will and will not do. Others feel the Elementals have more of an animal mentality, meaning they are neither “good” nor “bad”, but work on an instinctive rather than analytical level. However, this doesn’t mean they are powerless. Their energy is very real and very strong. This is true even if you believe the Elementals are only symbols of the Elements. The power is always there!
Magick sees relationships between things called correspondences. Although these correspondences are not literally equal to one another, one thing or symbol can be used to suggest another. This is important in magick; for the practitioner may surround him/her self with as many appropriate correspondences as he wishes to vividly affect the senses. The elements have many correspondences from colors to symbols that can be used.
The next posts will discuss the Elements and the Elementals in detail.
These are the four elements …
Fire. Water. Air. Earth
… that our ancestors believed were the basic components of everything that has physical existence. Although science has added other elements in our understanding of the universe, these four remain as our essential foundation. One or more of our five senses can recognize them. All four are part of our mundane world, they belong to this plane. However, it would be unwise to view them purely in a physical sense, they are at the same time visible and invisible, physical and spiritual. Earth, for example, not only refers to the dirt beneath our feet, but also to the concept of stability. Likewise, Fire is more than flame. Contained within each element is an energy that acts upon each situation or person with whom it comes into contact. These are energies we can work with, energies we can use if we know how. So an understanding of the elements will be of great assistance in all your workings – most magick falls under the rulership of one (or more) of the elements.
Each element is associated with various other things and is connected to each other. Fire needs fuel (wood and oxygen) to burn, there is life giving “air” within the water, and Earth is filled with water and surrounded by air. This demonstrates the interconnectedness of all things and why getting to know these elements and their energies is an important step in knowing your environment and understanding the Magickal Symbolic aspects involved. For example, though the elements are described as “masculine” or “feminine” this should not be viewed in a sexist way. This is symbolic – it describes the basic attributes of the elements in terms easy to understand. It does not mean it is more “manly” to perform fire magick or more proper for a female to use water magick. It is simply a system of symbols and correspondences, as is all magick. It is the ability to understand the symbols, feel the energies of the four elements, and use them at will that is the ultimate goal.
Having said all that, there is a Fifth Element that bends the physical to the astral – Spirit, also known as Akasha. It means centering, transformation, and that its limits are beyond time and space as we understand them. This Element is consciousness, soul, Ka, essence – call it what you will it, too, permeates all things in differing degrees and ways.
On another level, though, the elements are said to be inhabited by spirits and entities called Elementals (nature spirits, mythological entities, etc.). Many believe elements and elementals to be the same thing – mindless, unthinking, unknowing energy. Others, however, believe differently. Some believe an Elemental:
* Has some sort of thinking process attributed to it.
* Is considered a spirit that represents an element.
* Is normally invisible to the untrained eye.
* Does not normally belong to the human plane.
* Is comprised totally of the element it represents.
Elementals do not look the same to everyone. Some see them as vaporous forms, colored the same as the element they represent. Others may feel the waves of energy. Some see them with human features, though in some cases only vaguely. Quite often they appear as lights or flames. And a few lucky ones have seen them in their true forms. It is not easy to see an Elemental – you must be quick of eye and brain to realize you have seen one. And if you don’t believe in them you will never see one.
There is discussion among differing practitioners as to the thinking process of Elementals. Some believe they have intelligence similar to (or superior to) humans and thus have the ability to reason and decide what the will and will not do. Others feel the Elementals have more of an animal mentality, meaning they are neither “good” nor “bad”, but work on an instinctive rather than analytical level. However, this doesn’t mean they are powerless. Their energy is very real and very strong. This is true even if you believe the Elementals are only symbols of the Elements. The power is always there!
Magick sees relationships between things called correspondences. Although these correspondences are not literally equal to one another, one thing or symbol can be used to suggest another. This is important in magick; for the practitioner may surround him/her self with as many appropriate correspondences as he wishes to vividly affect the senses. The elements have many correspondences from colors to symbols that can be used.
The next posts will discuss the Elements and the Elementals in detail.