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The Hidden World of Elementals & Fairies
Physical difference between Elementals & Angels
Paracelsus
Earth
Elementals: Gnomes
Air Elementals: Slyphs
Water Elementals:
Undines
Fire Elementals:
Salamanders
Further Reading
Have you ever walked though a
park or through the woods and felt a sudden sense of peace, minimizing all your
problems after a discouraging day? You probably had contact with an
"Elemental". Elementals are "Nature's Angels" and they are referred to by
various names including Fairies, Elves, Devas, Brownies, Leprechauns, Gnomes,
Sprites, Pixies as well as many others. These nature spirits are governed
by the Archangels. (For the sake of ease, we will group
all nature spirits as Elementals on this page unless they are specifically being
explained.)
Like Angels, Elementals
do not have a definite form or
appearance. It's easy to determine if a picture is that of an Angel or a winged
elemental. The winged Elementals have wings that look like a butterfly's and Angels
have feathered bird-like wings.
If they choose to show themselves to you, they may choose a form
that you will recognize and be comfortable with or will associate with the
element they represent. A fire elemental may appear as a spark, a face in a
candle flame or bonfire, or simply a sudden warm spot. A water elemental may be
a cold spot. An air elemental could be a sudden breeze or tiny whirlwind in the
dust. A smell, taste, or an unexplained pebble in your shoe could be evidence of
the earth elementals at play.
The belief in Elementals goes back to before the beginning of
religion. Long before Angels, there were Elementals who inhabited all
things. Animism which is believed to be the original religion of humankind
believed that Elementals inhabit all things.
Most occultists and Neo-pagan witches
believe these spirits possess supernatural powers and are usually invisible to
humans, living among the trees, rivers, plants, bogs, mountains, and minerals.
They attach themselves to practically every natural thing.
Interest in the elementals increased
during the Middle Ages and Renaissance when practitioners experimenting with
alchemy and magic sought to acquire nature's secrets so to be able to control
her forces.
Elementals are very mischievous and
like to play, but their play may appear to us as disasters rather than play,
such as thunderstorms, blizzards,
raging seas. When Elementals decide to enjoy themselves, it's best for us
humans to take cover and hope they tire soon. Contrary to how it seems,
Elementals activities are not always destructive, even though it may seem that
way to humans at times. The elementals have their own agenda and they have a
definite purpose, which we may not understand, but may be for the good of the
planet as a whole.
Many believe Elementals are from a different realm, coming and going
between our realm and theirs at their leisure. According to
Quantum Physics, there are parallel universes much like our own, but in
some of them animals who are extinct here, still exist there.
Wars have had different outcomes. Unicorns run and graze freely.
Ideas that are accepted there, but aren't believed here.
Elementals live in the realms where they are accepted and they can live
freely and they easily travel between the universes where there is an
overlap of the two universes. You can say, like a portal.
There was a time when most people freely believed in Elementals, until
the church convinced them they didn't exist. Now, because people
can't see them, they don't believe they exist. Just because you
can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there. There has been so
much research done on what people see, in plain sight. One such
experiment was done by Daniel J. Simons & Christopher F. Chabris from
the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. [1]
Briefly, in this study, people were asked to watch a video of a
basketball game and to keep track of the team with the ball. The
people were so intent on the teams, half of them never noticed a woman
in a gorilla suit walking across the middle of the screen during the
game. Because some of the people didn't see the gorilla, does that
mean she didn't exist?
Paracelsus was responsible for the names of the Elementals. A
physician, alchemist mystic and medical critic, he was born 1493 in
Switzerland, the son of a doctor and chemist. Paracelsus is
considered the most original medical thinker of the 16th century,
believed to be far ahead of all other medical scientists of his time.
He was very controversial because of his arrogant and criticism of the
medical practices of his contemporary doctors, believing universities
didn't teach everything needed to become a good physician and that
experience was more valuable then the dry scholasticism of ancient
tomes.
Despite his outstanding
contributions to medical science, Paracelsus was a believer in
supernatural things, intuition and the invisible causes of illness.
His major work was in reconciling the art of healing with Christian and
Pagan religion, studying the philosophy of spiritual substance, warning
his contemporaries that to divide therapy from religion was a grave
error in judgment. He believed the advancement of practical
therapy depended upon a continuous exploration of the invisible side of
nature, a search for causes and the realization that man was not simply
a physical creature, but a living soul whose internal attitudes could
profoundly affect his health. [2]
Concerning Elementals, Paracelsus said:
"The Elementals are not properly spirits, because they have flesh, blood
and bones; they live and propagate offspring; they eat and talk, act and
sleep. They are beings occupying a space between men and spirits,
resembling men and women in their organization and form and resembling
spirits in the rapidity of their locomotion." Paracelsus
There is a group of Elementals for
each of the elements - Earth, Air, Water and Fire.
Below is a brief description of some, but not
all, creatures of the four elements.
Elements and their
Creatures
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Earth:
Gnomes
"The type of gnome most frequently seen is the
brownie, or elf, a mischievous and grotesque little creature from twelve to
eighteen inches high, usually dressed in green or russet brown. Most
of them appear as very aged, often with long white beards, and their figures
are inclined to rotundity. They can be seen scampering out of holes in
the stumps of trees and sometimes they vanish by actually dissolving into
the tree itself." Paracelsus
More commonly known as dwarves or goblins, they
are concerned with the products and treasures of the earth. Being of the earth, Gnomes
usually live in the soil, rocks, beneath the ground, and under the tree
roots. Gnomes will only help humans if they have been considerate of
nature and treat it well. They are very helpful of those who have
established a connection with them through prior acts of kindness.
When working with humans, Gnomes are most helpful with healing the bones.
The subgroups of the Earth Gnomes consist of
Brownies, Dryads, Durdalis, Earth Spirits, Elves,
Hamadryads, Pans, Pygmies, Sylvestres, and Satyrs. |
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Air: Sylphs
The sylphs are the air spirits. Their element has the highest vibratory
rate. They are said to live on the tops of mountains. The leader of
the sylphs is a being called Queen Paralda who is said to dwell on the highest
mountain of Earth.
They often assume human form but only for short
periods of time and they are said to be the most beautiful of all the
elementals. They are usually seen with wings, looking like
cherubs or fairies. They are said to leave beautiful green rings in meadows
and fields caused by bending the dewy grass caused by their dancing in
circles. Because of their connection to air, which is associated
with the mental aspect, one of their functions is to help humans receive
inspiration. The sylphs are drawn to
those who use their minds, particularly those on creative arts.
Sylphs are usually sympathetic of human endeavors and for the most part
their actions towards them are kindly and thoughtful. The Sylphs can have a
profound and powerful influence on the human mental body and thought, and,
they are responsible for being the primary impetus behind both inspirational
art and inventions |
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Water:
Undines
The water spirits are called Undines.
This name was first used by Swiss metaphysician Paracelsus in the early 16th
century.[3] They
closely resemble humans in appearance and size, except for those inhabiting
smaller streams and ponds.
They are beautiful, emotional, and graceful Nature Spirits who dress
themselves in greenish, sea colored garb that has both a shimmering
consistency and a watery texture.
Their ruler is known as Necksa who they love, serve, and honor unceasingly.
Since their purpose is to direct the flow and course of the waters of the
planet, they live in coral caves, fountains, lakes, marshlands, rivers,
seas, waterfalls, and underneath lily pads. Besides caring for plants both
above and below the surface of the water, the Undines are concerned with the
movements of water and how they relate to human emotions and soul responses.
The Undines and their subgroups are friendly, approachable, and are very
willing to work with people and to help them. Etheric in nature, they
exist within the water itself and this is why they can't be seen with the
normal physical vision.
The subgroups of the Water Undines consist of Limoniades, Mermaids, Naiads,
Oceanid, Oreads, Potamides, Sea Maids. |
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Fire:
Salamanders
"Salamanders have been seen in
the shape of fiery balls, or tongues of fire, running over the fields, or
peering in houses." Paracelsus
The salamanders are the spirit of fire. They keep us warm and work through
the liver, bloodstream and emotions. Without these beings, fire cannot
exist. You cannot light a match without a salamander's being present.
They are considered the strongest and most powerful of all the elementals.
Their ruler is a magnificent flaming being called Djin. On the spiritual
level, they also help to awaken kundalini. Salamanders will always
help people who are friendly towards them and keep their heart fires burning.
They also have special influence over those with fiery tempers.
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Want to learn more
about natures spirits?
Here
is a list of suggested
reading about the hidden world of elementals:
The Element
Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures
-
John & Caitlin
Matthews
Discover an incredible world full of every magical creature you
could possibly imagine... From unicorns, salamanders, satyrs, giants, elves and
trolls, to dragons, nymphs, mermaids, werewolves and griffins. Take an
enchanting journey through the history, folklore, and mythology of these beasts
from virtually every culture in the world. With stories and amazing facts on
even the most obscure and mythological creature, this is a cornucopia of magic
and myth.
Earth, Water, Fire, and Air: Essential Ways of Connecting to Spirit
- Cait Johnson
Johnson probes the common roots
and bonds that lie at the heart of the world's great spiritual traditions.
Combining history, opinion, and literature, she invites readers of all stripes
to inhale shared values and exhale divisive concerns.
Healing with the Fairies: Messages, Manifestations and Love from the World of
the Fairies
- Doreen Virtue
This
beautiful book gives you step-by-step instructions on how to contact fairies;
how to see and hear them, and ways to work with them personally to heal your
career, health, and love-life issues.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies
-
Anna Franklin
Filled with hundreds of
exquisite illustrations, this comprehensive directory provides a global,
multi-ethnic, multicultural overview of fairies. Nearly 3,000 entries, arranged
alphabetically offer glimpses into other worlds and times.
The Book of Faeries: A Guide to the World of Elves, Pixies, Goblins, and Other
Magic Spirits
- Francis Melville
A charming and inspirational guide to
the history and folklore surrounding faeries and an examination of the meanings
that these mythic beings have acquired in many cultures.
The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves & Other Little People
- Thomas Keightly
A fascinating compendium of folklore,
superstitions, and mythology surrounding the 'little people'.
Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins: An Encyclopedia
- Carol Rose
A
fabulously entertaining work with over 100 delightful illustrations--Library
Journal calls Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins its "favorite work of
1996." In more than 2,000 alphabetically arranged entries, readers will meet
Angels, demons, elves, encantados, fairies, familiars, keremets, nats, nymphs,
and many other strange beings from around the world.
Enchantment of the Faerie Realm: Communicate With Nature Spirits and Elementals
- Ted Andrews
Enchantment of the Faerie Realm will
help you to realize that faeries and elves dance in nature and in your heart,
too.
References:
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http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/~cfc/Simons1999.pdf
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"Dwarves and Other Nature
Spirits", Jaime T. Licauco, Google books
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"The Element encyclopedia of
Magical Creatures", John & Caitlin Matthews, pg. 583
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