A Beginners Guide to Elementals

The word Elementals is used in many different circles and sometimes have different meanings. In the magikal sense, Elementals are types of nature spirits that can be called on or summoned. In the environmental sense they are non-human beings, created from situations. Both however are linked to the four elements of air, water, earth and fire and it is believed that they can influence the way humans can feel, act or think.

There are generally two ways in which Elementals can be bought into this world:

1) Magikal conjuration or summons - Earth workers and those that work with magik sometimes will conjure/summon elementals for specific reasons. However, doing such work is not for the novice or faint hearted as they can be difficult to control. In Ancient times, the wise woman of the village would often conjure elementals to look after a water supply or a village building.

2) Born from an environment - When there is a lot of emotion in an enclosed area, an elemental can be created from that emotion. Fear, hatred and anger are the three most common causes for this type of elemental. For example old prisons often have an energy of all three and often contain elemental energies. Battlefields, sanatoriums, places where people were imprisoned or tortured, forts and castles are common places to find such elementals.

Although they can be troublesome at times or if left to their own devices, elementals are not normally to be feared when 'controlled'. Sometimes they need to be cleared from an area but often they will coexist with the physical plain with few problems.

Air Elementals

In the magikal sense, Air Elementals are referred to as Sylphs and are often depicted by the typical fairy image, with their King being called Paralda. Living in mountains or clouds, they are often conjured to aid intellect, movement and speech. They are said to be useful for poets, writer and artists, giving them the ability to bring their creations, ideas and work to the physical.

In an environmental sense air elementals are often seen as non solid beings that are often blue or grey. They can easily shape shift and switch dimension as they have the highest vibration of all elementals. When being troublesome they can interfere with our thoughts or cause us to be sharp, sarcastic, deceitful or selfish.

Earth Elementals

In the magikal world, these types of Elementals are known as Gnomes (including Brownies and Dwarfs!) and are ruled by heir King called Gob, living underground in caves. They are said to be the hardest to create or work with as they are well grounded and slow to trust. Folklore says that you should never betray the trust of a gnome. They are called upon to bring stability, endurance, steadfastness, money issues, growth and protection.

Environmentally, Earth Elementals are the most difficult to remove as they are well rooted in areas. They are often seen as large, well muscled, green or beige beings that are slow moving and can cause heavy environments, tiredness, sickness and an uncontrollable loss of money when left out of check.

Fire Elementals

Magikally, Fire elementals are often called Salamanders and they are ruled by their King Djin and live in volcanoes and the Earth's crust. Fire Elementals are often seen at night as small forks of flames and are normally conjured to bring strength of will, passion, courage and warmongering and as such they are commonly found on old battlegrounds, having been called to aid in previous skirmishes. Fire elementals are the least stable of all of the four but the easiest to contact.

Environmentally Fire Elementals are seen as a 'flaming devil' by the third eye (the Lord of the Rings Balrog was a good example). They are often born of hate and fear and can change from quiet to explosive in seconds. When out of control they can cause irrational anger in humans.

Water Elementals

When talking magikally, water elementals are often named Undines, often taking the form of mermaids or water nymphs, living in rivers, lakes, oceans and ponds. Their ruler is Necksa and they aid us with emotions such as love and friendship. They are often conjured to help in situations where healing is required. They are also called on when emotional matters need sorting.

Water Elementals are formed from the environment when there is deep emotion, normally intense sadness and can easily affect those in its surroundings giving feelings of depression, anguish and sorrow.