Elementals: Folklore or Fact?
by Elisa Walter

In the Classical world the Four Elements were the fundamental building blocks of nature; Earth, Fire, Water and Air were personified as beings (usually in spirit form). Earth-Gnomes are short in stature and are playful but stingy. They become angered when humans harm the earth. Fire-Salamanders are long, narrow and lean, low to the ground. It is said that a home in discord or tumult can attract the Salamander spirit. Air-Sylphs are human like but stronger and bigger; not quite menacing but capable of great strength. They are said to interact with humans in order to bring inspiration and are usually seen with wings. Water-Undines are similar to human shape with feminine qualities and, being governed by the moon, their influence waxes and wanes with the moon’s phases. They inhabit all bodies of water and are friendly and open to assisting humans in need. Angels are closely associated with Elemental spirits. However, Angels are not as attached to the material world and work more as emissaries from God in times of great human importance. Elementals operate more as ‘cogs in the wheel’ of the physical plane. They are around us always as integral parts of the universe as we know it. They are said to be directly subordinate to the Archangels. Saint Paul spoke of Elementals in his Epistle to the Galatians. He warned the Jews of becoming too enamored of the Elemental Spirits which are lower than God’s Angels and sometimes have their own agenda.

Elementals are also lower than humans. They are here to serve. Each has a stronger influence on a different human aspect. Gnomes strive to awaken humans to physical action. Salamanders are concerned with the nerves and senses and assisting humans in receiving and giving love. Sylphs are associated with rhythmic breathing and the heart. Undines are here to help us ‘think in the spirit’ or pray. They are also associated with our metabolic systems. People are usually more closely associated with one or two types of Elementals; however, our goal should be to attain complete balance which is the image of God.      It is believed that those who practice Black Magic can enslave Elementals to do their negative bidding, such as attaching on Elemental to a person’s energy field in order to bring about imbalance or negativity. It is the practitioner of the Black Magic that is in control and, although the Elemental is unwanted and needs to be cleansed, it, in itself, is not responsible. They are somewhat innocent and childlike in their natures.

Elementals have existed in religions spanning the entire world since time immemorial. The Japanese Shinto is based upon their existence. The Druids of early England and Ireland also believed in their presence. Native Americans have always held sacred respect for the Natural Earth and the Elementals which inhabit it. Pagans took their beliefs a bit farther into actual worship of the entities which was what Saint Paul was concerned about. The early Greeks and Romans believed in ‘Succubi’ which were Earth spirits that  sought sexual union with humans in order to give their offspring a higher status. Lilith, believed to be the original succubi, supposedly conceived from Adam’s ‘nocturnal emissions’ before the creation of Eve. Elves, Dwarves and other beings from folklore are believed to be the result of Lilith’s union with Adam.

Home          Featured Archives