Energy - Our View
The Ancients, our ancestors, divided the world into four observable basic elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Although Science has added other elements in our understanding of the universe, these four remain as our essential foundation.
From a Craft point of view, these four are not mere physical forms, however. Contained within each element is an energy that acts upon each person or situation with whom it comes into contact. That is, each element has a specific and distinct energy inherent within it.
Air is thought, ideas, and change, such as is reflected by the statement, "the winds of change." It represents the conception or perception of a new idea, the seed of knowledge, and the freedom to choose which direction to move.
Fire, with its flames leaping upwards, is the desire or Will to manifest the idea, the driving life force, the principle of change and transformation. It is passion and lust; strength and power. It is action by sheer definition.
Water, with its ability to conquer everything over time, is the perseverance and courage needed to endure the long gestation, the nurturing and supporting role. This is the element that allows us to continue the task, despite all obstacles that are thrown in our path.
Earth is our foundation - solid, stable, and fertile. It is the element of birth, where the original idea crystallized and now comes full circle to manifest in a material form, building a solid foundation for the next idea.
The forces of Nature, these four elements, existed long before we made our appearance on this earth. To some, this makes the Elements, themselves, our spiritual ancestors. At the very least, they are our oldest teachers. We do not seek to subjugate the elements; instead, we listen to the ancient harmonies they sing to us, and attempt to deepen our understanding of their nature.
The Elementals
In accordance with the old way, the ancient magi assigned a class of elementals to each of the four Quarters, based on the characteristics of each element. These elementals partake of the element, but are not the element, itself. While many of the names and/or identifiers have changed through the ages, we in the Craft still recognize the tradition, as set down by the German magician Paracelsus: Fire elementals as Salamanders, the Water elementals as Undines, the Air elementals as Sylphs, and the Earth elementals as Gnomes.
Understanding each of the Elementals and how they interact with each other is imperative when undertaking natural magick. It also gives a strong edge for coping with life in today's world, with it's many interactions, both animate and inanimate. The natures of the Elementals are aligned with the divisions among the elements, themselves. Fire is hot and dry. Air is hot and moist. Water is cool and moist. Earth is cool and dry. Both Fire and Air tend to rise upward, while Water and Earth tend to fall downward. Obviously, Fire and Water are opposites and are antagonistic to each other, as are Air and Earth. Conversely, Fire and Air are compatible with each other, as are Water and Earth.
Sylphs are active, quick of movement and speech. They are clever and intelligent, but can be subtle in their persuasiveness. By nature, sylphs are aloof and detached. They're called for help in creation or resolution of issues involving the intelligence and the mind, or products of intellect.
By nature of their alignment with Fire, Salamanders are explosive, quick in movement, and very bright. They are also unstable, especially with respect to emotions. South and Fire is traditionally associated with Will, so one can expect Salamanders to be forceful and highly opinionated. They are called upon to help in matters involving the discipline and exercise of the Will and Power, including willpower, conflicts with others, war, and courage. However, due to their unstable natures, calling upon Salamanders carries its own risks as fire-based anomalies may be experienced in the general area in which they're called.
The watery Undines are seen as sensual and graceful in their movements, with very strong emotions. Undines are the most human and seductive of the four elemental types. They tend to be sympathetic and loving, and are most helpful in matters dealing with emotional issues, such as love and friendship, desire and lust.
Gnomes are the most substantial of the elementals, reflecting the essence of the element of Earth, itself. They dwell in holes, mines, caverns. They are the most like us in personality, with all its good and bad points, but they are especially prey to all the weaknesses in human nature. They are very earth-centered, concerned with wealth and other aspects of materialism.
By increasing our awareness of the Elements acting upon our lives and attuning ourselves to these elements; by understanding the Elementals and learning to work with them rather than against them, we can not only have the power to effect real change in our environment, but to also understand more fully and deeply our own place within the larger scheme of Nature.