Elemental Spirits
Most are familiar with the four earthly elements, and with each of these comes an elemental spirit to work with. When working with any of the elements, it's common practise to incorporate the spirit of that element into your work, both by acknowledging their presence and asking for help, and by offering something in return for their assistance. This way, of course, you strengthen your influence on this particular element, and thus comes more effective results from your work.
With all elementals, you should always take care to approach honestly, sincerely and appropriately. They're not stupid, and will see through anyone trying to take them for a ride in no time at all. So what are the spirits for each of the element? They are generally accepted to be as follows:
With this in mind, please click on the name of the elemental spirit you wish to know more about...
Associated with the thinking element of air, sylphs naturally appreciate those who think rationally and for themselves. Quick thinking individuals are those likely to find sylphs easy to work with, whilst those who's strongest ability is that of watery emotion are likely to have trouble connecting at first.
Sylphs are often a great help when dealing with matters of fear in change; helping to release you from your own prison and leave you liberated and charged with optimism and creative energy. Unhealthy attitudes, addictions or relationships are all easier to break with the assistance of the sylphs, and the energy of air.
In return, sylphs appreciate anything involving speed and movement. Inviting them along for the ride when driving, cycling, travelling by train or plane... even just out walking... will all serve to show your appreciation and endear them to you, to assist more in future. Flowers are another favourite of the sylph, so remembering them when setting out new flowers is always a nice idea.
The intuitive element of fire is embodied by the salamander. Quick to defend you when called upon to do so, use the salamander also to help strengthen your intuitive side. If ever you should had need to call upon the salamander for defence, remember that fire is as dangerous on the subtle planes as it can be on the physical ones, and so a little will go a long way.
Those of a primarily sensate nature may find they have trouble working with the intuitive salamander. Be warned that they tend to dislike cowardice and overly materialistic behaviour. Earthy types can be prone to invoking the salamander too aggressively, and should be ware of the consequences of doing so. If you are an earthy type and wish to work with salamanders, approach gently and with caution, and all who run into problems with salamanders are best advised to call upon ondines or gnomes to help extinguish the fire, whatever form it may take.
Salamanders appreciate frequent gifts, not just when they deserve thanks or you require their assistance. However, being intuitive, physical gifts are harder to come up with. Acts of courage are one way to catch the attention of the salamander, although these are not often presented! Using your intuition where applicable is another time to call upon the salamander to witness your appreciation. For a physical offering, lighting candles and fires (taking necessary safety precautions!) all provide the flames in which they live, and therefore offer them a home for a while. Holding an appropriate herb or powder in your dominant hand whilst meditating upon the salamander, then sprinkling the herb or powder over the flame is also another nice offering to give.
The emotions and feelings of water are embodied by the ondine, and those who have trouble facing their emotions are like to have trouble connecting and working with these spirits. If you are lucky, ondines will help you with your emotions, although be wary of flooding if they decide to have sport with you! Should this happen, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that they're having too much fun to answer your pleads to stop, and so the salamander should be gently invoked to help clear up the problem.
Often gentle and playful creatures, the ondines can also be somewhat vain! A fine gift for the ondines is to place a few drops of perfume into a body of water (river, stream, sea, pond, etc), although you should ensure this is a liquid perfume, and not a perfumed oil, as oil is attributed to the fire element, so clearly inappropriate.
Flattering the ondine's vanity may also help, although only if sincerely done. Remember to approach with love and beauty in mind, as these are both qualities they appreciate. An inability to accept or deal with your emotions will not endear you to them, and so their help would be harder to gain.
The sensate earthy gnome is attracted to those who are practical, industrious, salt-of-the-earth types, and they have a love for financial acumen, as well as materialistic trinkets. Ever been utterly compelled to go into a shop and buy the sparkly trinket in the window, no matter how poor your finances or how little you need it? I blame the gnomes!
However, gnomes are far from frivolous in nature, and more often than not, the trinket in question will resemble an amulet or talisman needed to provide you with something far deeper; such as protection or luck. If you have a gnome on your side, rest assured they are generally trying to afford you protection and good fortune in their insistence upon impulse buying.
Intuitive fire types are those most likely to have trouble with gnomes, and are often those most likely to be the butt of gnomic pranks! Generally, though, this is little more than an item of jewellery going missing, or objects being moved. But at least you know who to shout at when things "disappear"! On a practical level, however, not only helpful in attracting prosperity, gnomes can also assist in the lifting of heavy objects. Very handy for back sufferers, and quite nice for the rest of us too!
Suitable gifts for gnomes tend to be coins, crystals and jewellery. This doesn't have to break the bank; just shining up a penny and burying it just under the earth is often all it takes to get their appreciation. Intent, of course, is important, and you should ensure your intent to give a gift to the gnomes is clear.
©Caitlin, 2000
