Elemental Work

The first step in any Hermetics-based magical path – which nearly all modern magic is – is to refine the core components of the initiate’s being. The individual parts of the initiate are separated out, refined and then re-integrated to form a perfected being. The perfected being is then a suitable receptacle for divine power. This process is known in Alchemy as the Negredo and Aledo phases, where the chemicals turn black and white respectively hence their names. This process begins with Dissolution and ends with Coagulation.

Side Note: I know for some people terms like “Negredo” might be unpopular because it is reminiscent of a racist slur. However, it is a technical Latin term which has been used for around 2000 years. It has a similar origin in the darkness of the chemicals after burning and the darkness of more melanated skin, but that is the only similarity. I refuse to let the heinous actions of racists and slavers have an impact on our future going forward and I hope we can acknowledge the past and work together to prevent it from continuing to have an impact on the future. I hope we can continue to use the term “negredo” which has nothing to do with the slur, otherwise, we will have difficulty when referring to the hundreds of alchemical documents which predate the negative use of the N-word as a slur in 1775.

Anyway, this process of separation, perfection and reintegration is symbolised by the famous image of Baphomet drawn by Eliphas Levi whose arms bare the Latin words “Solve” and “Coagula” which mean “dissolve” and “coagulate” respectively. As I mentioned before these words describe the processes that begin and end the process of being initiated with the Elements.

The best way to represent the separate parts is as the 4 Empedoclean elements (fire, water, air and earth).

This practice is not just in a single Occult order or practice but spread among many of them. This is a huge part of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn‘s 4 elemental grades Zelator (1=10), Theoricus (2=9), Practicus (3=8) and Philosophus (4=7). In the phenomenal work, Initiation into Hermetics by Franz Bardon this practice is referred to as the Magic Mirror (and should not be confused with the Black Mirror used for scrying. He just means taking a long hard look at oneself). In the writing of Aleister Crowley, this work is eluded to in his Book of Balance Liber Libae (Book 30) which itself seems mostly taken from a Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn knowledge lecture. In some practices of yoga a tantra is performed to purify the elements or tattwas.

Eliphas Levi had a huge influence on the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and later Wicca in his chapter on the Ritual of High Magic concerning the conjuration of the 4 elements he says as follows:

To govern elementary spirits, and thus become the king of the occult elements, we must first have undergone the four ordeals of ancient initiations; and seeing that these initiations exist no longer, we must have substituted analogous experiences, such as exposing ourselves boldly in a fire, crossing an abyss [air] by means of the trunk of a tree or a plank [earth], scaling a perpendicular mountain [earth] during a storm [air], swimming through a dangerous whirlpool or cataract. A man who is timid in the water will never reign over the undines; one who is afraid of fire will never command salamanders; so long as we are liable to giddiness we must leave the sylphs in peace, and forbear from irritating the
gnomes; for inferior spirits will only obey a power which has overcome them in their own element. When this incontestable faculty has been acquired by exercise and daring, the word of our will must be imposed on the elements by special consecrations of air, fire, water, and earth. This is the indispensable preliminary of all magical operations.
[…]
To overcome and subjugate the elementary Spirits, we must never yield to their characteristic defects. Thus, a shallow and capricious mind will never rule the sylphs [air spirits]; an irresolute, cold, and fickle nature will never master the undines [water spirits]; passion irritates the salamanders [fire spirits], and avaricious greed makes its slaves the sport of the gnomes [earth spirits]. But we must be prompt and active, like the sylphs; pliant and attentive to images, like the undines; energetic and strong, like the salamanders; laborious and patient like the gnomes; in a word, we must overcome them in their strength without ever being overcome by their weaknesses. Once we are well established in this disposition, the whole world will be at the service of the wise Operator. He will pass through the storm, and the rain will not moisten his head the wind will not move even a fold of his garments; he will go through fire and not be burned; he will walk upon the water, and will behold diamonds within the crust of the earth.

Eliphas Levi – Doctrine and the Ritual of High Magic (book #2, chapter #4)

This obviously influenced the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn 4th knowledge lecture which reads very similarly:

As it is said unto three in the Grade of Theoricus “Be thou therefore prompt and active as the Sylphs, but avoid frivolity and caprice. Be energetic and strong like the Salamanders, but avoid irritability and ferocity. Be flexible and attentive to images like the Undines, but avoid idleness and changeability. Be laborious and patient like the Gnomes, but avoid grossness and avarice.” So shalt thou gradually develop the powers of thy Soul and fit thyself to command the spirits of the elements.

For wert thou to summon the Gnomes to pander to thy avarice, thou wouldst no longer command them, but they would command thee. Wouldst thou abuse the pure creatures of God’s creation to fill thy coffers and to satisfy thy lust for Gold? Wouldst thou defile the Spirits of driving Fire to serve thy wrath and hatred? Wouldst thou violate the purity of the Souls of the Water to pander to thy lust and debauchery? Wouldst thou force the Spirits of the evening breeze to minister to thy folly and caprice?

Know that with such desires thou canst but attract the evil and not the good, and in that can the evil will have power over thee.

Israel Regardie – The Golden Dawn – Fourth Knowledge Lecture

To compare with Aleister Crowley’s writing which is nearly identical, I have provided it below. It is so similar I have highlighted the difference in bold and sometimes it’s just a case of capital letters. He writes as follows in the Book of Balance, Liber Libae sub figura XXX:

19. Be thou therefore prompt and active as the Sylphs, but avoid frivolity and caprice; be energetic and strong like the Salamanders, but avoid irritability and ferocity; be flexible and attentive to images like the Undines, but avoid idleness and changeability; be laborious and patient like the Gnomes, but avoid grossness and avarice.

20. So shalt thou gradually develop the powers of thy soul, and fit thyself to command the Spirits of the elements. For wert thou to summon the Gnomes to pander to thine avarice, thou wouldst no longer command them, but they would command thee. Wouldst thou abuse the pure beings of the woods and mountains to fill thy coffers and satisfy thy hunger of Gold? Wouldst thou debase the Spirits of Living Fire to serve thy wrath and hatred? Wouldst thou violate the purity of the Souls of the Waters to pander to thy lust of debauchery? Wouldst thou force the Spirits of the Evening Breeze to minister to thy folly and caprice? Know that with such desires thou canst but attract the Weak, not the Strong, and in that case the Weak will have power over thee.

Aleister Crowley – Liber Libae sub figura XXX

The following articles are an attempt to make that work more accessible:

For funsies, I suggested the following attempt to classify the mental training from my favourite sci-fi into elements

My own work with elements