Post by wiccanvixen on Dec 12, 2008 12:48:46 GMT -4
This is published in several of the sites i am a member of..putting it here also
OK..i am posting this here because recently I have been approached by many in the TFM for different explanations on Pagan beliefs..one of the common questions is in regard to the use of the elements in Pagan practices, as well as their symbols.
This is a paper to reference on the actual history of the elements. Hopefully it helps answer some questions.
the Four Elements:
All Phenomenal existence partakes of the four elements of earth, air, fire and water. These are not to be confused with the contemporary elements of modern physics, but rather they describe a broader, more dynamic concept in which earth corresponds to solidity, air to movement, water to fluidity, and fire to warmth and motivation. The traditional four elements have their roots in ancient times and permeated the physical and metaphysical teachings of great civilizations such as ancient India, Tibet, China and the middle East, Greece and Rome, The British Isles, and Native American cultures with the medicine wheel and the four directions.
In the European/Western world the elemental system was superseded during the 17th century with the teachings of the French Philosopher Descartes. Yet, there may never have been an attempt to supersede the teachings of the four elements if people had not come to consider them as a literal phenomena rather then symbolic metaphors that were, and still are useful in describing a broader and more wholistic perspective of life.
Knowledge of the four elements and their dynamic interaction allows us a deeper understanding of complicated processes from the level of personal wisdom, observation and experience rather then from the perspective of rationally known individual facts, and scattered pieces of information. Further, the teachings are universal enough to lead the specialist and modern scientist through inductive processes of reasoning to more profound understanding of the physical laws of the universe.
For example, we can all understand the metaphorical, symbolic meaning of earth energy...as opposed to knowing about a specific mineral with which we are completely unfamiliar. Earth is solid, bulky, supports and upholds life, nourishes, is stable and is a center point of reference, and so on. These are the qualities meant by the concept of the earth as an element. Air, is opposite, it is moving, cold, subtle, and light...water, is flowing and damp and can be converted to steam or ice...making it mutable. fire is warming and motivating.it revitalizes.
We can understand that all phenomena, including people, as well as plants and animals partake to a greater or lesser extent of the four elemental qualities. Perhaps it can be said that all occult systems, including tarot and astrology, are based upon the fundamental understanding of the energetic qualities of the four elements, and more important, their dynamic transformation and interaction with each other in the eternal dance of life.
In ancient teachings, each planet was dominated by one or a combination of the four elements. Human body types, as well as individual organs were understood to have predominant one or more of the four elements. Colors, emotions and sounds were matched with the elements. and finally, all food and plants were classified in accordance to the four elements so they could be intentionally used to restore harmony and health in a state of disease or imbalance.
There are three levels of healing...body, mind and spirit. Physical healing involves using physical manipulation of substances taken internally or applied externally to effect a change in vital physical processes. Mental or emotional healing utilizes counseling to help establish alternative ways of thinking about a situation so that it is no longer a negative on the body-mind processes. Spiritual healing, goes to the essence of health through the power of thought, suggestion, or ritual to inspire a fundamental understanding of spiritual being and, by doing so, allow one to make the necessary adjustments on mental and physical levels in order to achieve maximum potential of well being.
Just as this knowledge in the metaphorical and physical values of the elements can bring great healing and personal knowledge..it can also bring damage. One who understands these fundamentals, can use them to bring discord. However..the rightness of balance always wins in the end... balance works in harmony of cause and effect. So dabbling to the darker side..always has it's reversal of fortune and basically..atonement.
I hope this helps those who wanted further information.
OK..i am posting this here because recently I have been approached by many in the TFM for different explanations on Pagan beliefs..one of the common questions is in regard to the use of the elements in Pagan practices, as well as their symbols.
This is a paper to reference on the actual history of the elements. Hopefully it helps answer some questions.
the Four Elements:
All Phenomenal existence partakes of the four elements of earth, air, fire and water. These are not to be confused with the contemporary elements of modern physics, but rather they describe a broader, more dynamic concept in which earth corresponds to solidity, air to movement, water to fluidity, and fire to warmth and motivation. The traditional four elements have their roots in ancient times and permeated the physical and metaphysical teachings of great civilizations such as ancient India, Tibet, China and the middle East, Greece and Rome, The British Isles, and Native American cultures with the medicine wheel and the four directions.
In the European/Western world the elemental system was superseded during the 17th century with the teachings of the French Philosopher Descartes. Yet, there may never have been an attempt to supersede the teachings of the four elements if people had not come to consider them as a literal phenomena rather then symbolic metaphors that were, and still are useful in describing a broader and more wholistic perspective of life.
Knowledge of the four elements and their dynamic interaction allows us a deeper understanding of complicated processes from the level of personal wisdom, observation and experience rather then from the perspective of rationally known individual facts, and scattered pieces of information. Further, the teachings are universal enough to lead the specialist and modern scientist through inductive processes of reasoning to more profound understanding of the physical laws of the universe.
For example, we can all understand the metaphorical, symbolic meaning of earth energy...as opposed to knowing about a specific mineral with which we are completely unfamiliar. Earth is solid, bulky, supports and upholds life, nourishes, is stable and is a center point of reference, and so on. These are the qualities meant by the concept of the earth as an element. Air, is opposite, it is moving, cold, subtle, and light...water, is flowing and damp and can be converted to steam or ice...making it mutable. fire is warming and motivating.it revitalizes.
We can understand that all phenomena, including people, as well as plants and animals partake to a greater or lesser extent of the four elemental qualities. Perhaps it can be said that all occult systems, including tarot and astrology, are based upon the fundamental understanding of the energetic qualities of the four elements, and more important, their dynamic transformation and interaction with each other in the eternal dance of life.
In ancient teachings, each planet was dominated by one or a combination of the four elements. Human body types, as well as individual organs were understood to have predominant one or more of the four elements. Colors, emotions and sounds were matched with the elements. and finally, all food and plants were classified in accordance to the four elements so they could be intentionally used to restore harmony and health in a state of disease or imbalance.
There are three levels of healing...body, mind and spirit. Physical healing involves using physical manipulation of substances taken internally or applied externally to effect a change in vital physical processes. Mental or emotional healing utilizes counseling to help establish alternative ways of thinking about a situation so that it is no longer a negative on the body-mind processes. Spiritual healing, goes to the essence of health through the power of thought, suggestion, or ritual to inspire a fundamental understanding of spiritual being and, by doing so, allow one to make the necessary adjustments on mental and physical levels in order to achieve maximum potential of well being.
Just as this knowledge in the metaphorical and physical values of the elements can bring great healing and personal knowledge..it can also bring damage. One who understands these fundamentals, can use them to bring discord. However..the rightness of balance always wins in the end... balance works in harmony of cause and effect. So dabbling to the darker side..always has it's reversal of fortune and basically..atonement.
I hope this helps those who wanted further information.
