Elemental
An Elemental is a spirit embodying one of the elements of antiquity (earth, water, air, and fire). Anthropological records of indigenous beliefs and practices throughout the world show that the belief in Elementals predates all the major religions.
Mme. Blavatsky defined them as follows:
Elementals. Spirits of the Elements. The creatures evolved in the four Kingdoms or Elements—earth, air, fire, and water. They are called by the Kabbalists, Gnomes (of the earth), Sylphs (of the air), Salamanders (of the fire), and Undines (of the water). Except a few of the higher kinds, and their rulers, they are rather forces of nature than ethereal men and women. These forces, as the servile agents of the Occultists, may produce various effects; but if employed by ”Elementaries” (q.v.) in which case they enslave the mediums—they will deceive the credulous. All the lower invisible beings generated on the 5th, 6th, and 7th planes of our terrestrial atmosphere, are called Elementals: Peris, Devs, Djins, Sylvans, Satyrs, Fauns, Elves, Dwarfs, Trolls, Kobolds, Brownies, Nixies, Goblins, Pinkies, Banshees, Moss People, White Ladies, Spooks, Fairies, etc., etc., etc.[1]
General description
In the Theosophical literature there is mention to three elemental kingdoms, which are evolving in the direction of humanity. Mme. Blavatsky wrote that "the inferior, semi-intelligent and non-intelligent Elementals—are all future men".[2] However, in Isis Unveiled she wrote that "such beings never become men".[3] The discrepancy may be explained if we interpret this last quote only in terms of the present manvantara.
Elementals are devoid of any sense of morality:
As to the moral character of elementals, they have none: they are colourless in themselves—except some classes—and merely assume the tint, so to speak, of the person using them.[4]
The elementals are formless, but may assume different shapes:
The shape given to or assumed by any elemental is always subjective in its origin. It is produced by the person who sees, and who, in order to be more sensible of the elemental’s presence, has unconsciously given it a form. Or it may be due to a collective impression on many individuals, resulting in the assumption of a definite shape which is the result of the combined impressions.[5]
Elementals may be employed "by living adepts of magic and sorcery, to produce desired phenomenal results".[6]
In The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett there is a mention to two kinds of elementals: the "Asuras", which have human form, and the "Beasts", which are animal elementals. They both are to become men in a future manvantara.[7]
Nature Spirits
An early modern reference to this class of elementals appears in the 16th century alchemical works of Paracelsus. His works grouped the Elementals into four of the elements as follows:
- Gnome: Earth Elemental.
- Undines (also known as Nymph): Water Elemental.
- Sylph: Air Elemental.
- Salamander: Fire Elemental.
Notes
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Theosophical Glossary (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 111-112.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 277.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Isis Unveiled vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), xxix.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. IX (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 113.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. IX (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 400-A.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Isis Unveiled vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), xxix.
- ↑ Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence No. 68 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 196.
Online resources
- Elementals at Theosopedia
- Elementals by H. P. Blavatsky
- Thoughts on the Elementals by H. P. Blavatsky
- Elementals - How They Act by William Q. Judge
- Elementals and Elementaries by William Q. Judge
- Elementals-Karma by William Q. Judge
- "Forms" of Elementals by William Q. Judge
- Laws Governing Elementals by William Q. Judge