Description
Elementals
An elemental is a mythic supernatural being that is described in occult and alchemical works from around the time of the European Renaissance, and particularly elaborated in the 16th century works of Paracelsus. According to Paracelsus and his subsequent followers, there are four categories of elementals, which are gnomes, undines, sylphs, and salamanders. These correspond to the four Empedoclean elements of antiquity: earth, water, air, and fire, respectively. Terms employed for beings associated with alchemical elements vary by source and gloss.
Gnome, being of earth
Undine, being of water
Sylph, being of air
Salamander, being of fire
Undine
Undines are a category of elemental beings associated with water, stemming from the alchemical writings of Paracelsus. Later writers developed the undine into a water nymph in its own right, and it continues to live in modern literature and art through such adaptations as Danish Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 “The Little Mermaid” and the 1811 novella Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué.
Undines are almost invariably depicted as being female, which is consistent with the ancient Greek idea that water is a female element. They are usually found in forest pools and waterfalls, and their beautiful singing voices, are sometimes heard over the sound of water. What undines lack, compared to humans, is a soul. Marriage with a human shortens their lives on Earth, but earns them an immortal human soul.
Element Water
Symbol of rebirth, healing, fertility, change, dreaming, clarity, intuition. Water is the most soothing and calming of the four elements. It’s cool and wet nature allows it to appease the mind and body. The water element can be found in oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and springs. Life on earth would not be possible without water, and every living creature from the smallest microorganism to the largest mammal depends on it. The flowing and transformative nature of water makes it a cleanser and purifier. Water is associated with the season of autumn, sunset, and the cardinal direction west, and the colors used to depict water are blue, grey, silver and black. It’s associated with the mythical undine (an elemental being) as well as with mermaids. The water element is associated with planet Venus, and the corresponding zodiac signs are, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water is a feminine element and is symbolized by an inverted triangle or a pyramid pointing downwards, towards the earth.
