NIGHT LIGHT NEWS

The Elements

“The earth was without form, and void: and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2)

Unless one understands the deeper significance of what the elements earth, air, fire, and water mean, the above passage is no more than lovely Biblical verse. In our search for meaning in our lives and in our quest for the purpose of our existence, we must begin with the very act of Creation and deconstruct its formula. All things in existence, from the atom to the universe, are the result of a process by which the formless takes on form and the infinite (limitless) become finite (seen, measurable) and descends into time and space. The very first emanations that occur(ed) from the unified field of God in the course of creation were/are the elements fire (+) and water (-) and their corresponding electrical polarities (see graphic).

The Biblical passage above can be understood alchemically as the interaction of the masculine (Father) and feminine (Mother) powers of God as principles which, as they manifest materially, become the elements fire and water respectively. The fire-mist, positive in nature, moved upon the face of the formless waters, negative in nature, and thus commenced the formative work that brought humanity and all kingdoms of Earth into manifestation.

To further define the elements, where they came from, and their significance, we must understand that they are precipitations or primary forces of the creative principle, into the manifested (given form) elements, and that without them the form of the universe could not have come into existence. Referring to the chart, we see that as the creative process extends outward and downward (this downward movement of Spirit into matter is called involution), it takes on the physical expression of the elements we know as fire, water, air, and earth.

These originating creative forces, referred to in esoteric literature as the, “Four Recording Angels,” are actually electromagnetic radiations (rays). Astrologically, these principles or elements correlate to the four fixed astrological signs of Leo (fire), Aquarius (air), Scorpio (water), and Taurus (earth). These four Lords of the Zodiac sacrificed their spiritual essences and, by becoming the elements, imparted animation to the physical body of humanity, the Earth, and all of her kingdoms.

The Days of Creation

The work of the first four Creative Days is concerned with the underlying precipitating processes that form themselves into fire, water, air, and earth. The Fire of the First Day of Creation was pure essence of Spirit (positive, masculine radiative energy). The Air of the Second Day was a further radiation or descent of the spiritual Fire. Therefore Air is termed the complement of Fire. The Water of the Third Day was the negative (receptive), or feminine, force of Spirit from which the Soul of humanity was formed. The Earth of the Fourth Day came into existence through a lowering of the Water principle into a dense manifestation. Therefore Earth is termed the complement of Water. The “waters under the firmament” refer to the visible universe; the “waters above the firmament” to the invisible spiritual realms.

Esotericism provides us with an understanding of the nature and constitution of the elements. It teaches us that the earthly elements of fire, air, water, and earth are actually physical sheaths of the four cosmic forces that underlie all of creation.

In its progression through involution (descending down and coming into matter) and evolution (journeying back to Spirit), humanity experiences seven tests, or Initiations. The first four of these Initiations correspond to the development of these same precipitating forces, or elements, within each individual. With each Initiation, certain powers are acquired, and these elemental forces in nature are understood and controlled. An example of understanding and being able to work with the force of the water element was Moses’ ability to part the Red Sea. Jesus and the Christ, both high Initiates, were capable of performing seeming “miracles”. The Bible is filled with passages of miracles in which the elements of fire, air, water, and earth are referenced. After passing the fourth Initiation a candidate is called a “new born” because, with the understanding and control of the elements, a new life of power and service has been born within.