SECRET TEACHINGS - 20. ELEMENTS & THEIR INHABITANTS: As Above, So Below - The Elemental Spirits and Their Worlds - Manly P. Hall

Chapter 20: ELEMENTS & THEIR INHABITANTS: As Above, So Below - The Elemental Spirits and Their Worlds: The Paracelsian Doctrine of the Elements - The Gnomes: Inhabitants of the Earth - The Undines: Spirits of the Waters - The Salamanders: Lords of Fire - The Sylphs: Children of the Air - The Elemental Kings, Magical Correspondences, and General Observations.THE SECRET TEACHINGS OF ALL AGES - An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic, and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy: Interpretation of the Secret Teachings concealed within the Rituals, Allegories, and Mysteries of all Ages - By Manly P. Hall (1928)  - HQ Full  Book.In Chapter 20 of The Secret Teachings of All Ages (1928), Manly P. Hall offers a clear and profound exploration of occult pneumatology, centered on Paracelsus’ teachings. He presents the four classical elements—earth, fire, air, and water—not just as physical matter but as dual realities with gross bodies and subtle, invisible etheric essences. These elemental essences are inhabited by intelligent Nature spirits: gnomes (earth), undines (water), salamanders (fire), and sylphs (air). Hall explains that elementals are composite beings of spirit and attenuated matter, lacking immortal souls. They live, work, reproduce, and eventually dissolve into their native element, wielding specialized powers over minerals, fluids, heat, and atmosphere. Drawing from ancient Greek, Egyptian, Chaldean, and medieval traditions, plus folklore and literature, he shows belief in these beings as a sophisticated recognition of life’s multiplicity, not mere superstition. The chapter distinguishes true elementals from parasitic astral entities (incubi, succubi, vampires) and describes their interactions with humanity—helpers, tricksters, or summoned forces. It invites readers to awaken inner perception and recognize Nature as a living, conscious tapestry animated by invisible intelligences, in harmony with the Hermetic principle “as above, so below.” The Paracelsian Doctrine of the Elements Hall opens with a masterful exposition of Paracelsus’ elemental philosophy. Each of the four primary principles consists of a dense physical phase and a rarefied spiritual phase. Earth is not merely soil but includes an ethereal “terreous ether”; water possesses a fluidic essence beyond its liquid form; fire contains an invisible ethereal flame; and air harbors a spiritual atmosphere beyond the breathable medium. These subtle counterparts are the true “elemental essences.” Paracelsus equated them with modern scientific concepts—water with hydrogen, air with oxygen, fire with nitrogen, and earth with carbon—demonstrating his prescient synthesis of mysticism and proto-science.   Elementals are the inhabitants of these invisible realms. They are not disembodied spirits but “composita”—beings of one etheric principle possessing flesh, blood, bones, and even clothing fashioned from their element. Unlike humans, who possess spirit, soul, mind, and body, elementals lack an immortal divine spark and therefore cannot evolve spiritually; at death they simply disintegrate into their native ether. Their lifespans vary from centuries to a millennium, longest among sylphs. They eat, sleep, marry, build dwellings, and maintain governments. Crucially, they are visible only to those whose inner senses are awakened. Hall cites ancient reverence for satyrs, nymphs, dryads, and fairies across cultures, suggesting that many “pagan gods” were actually exalted elementals. He also references modern literary and folkloric survivals—Puck, Tinker Bell, the little red man of Napoleon—to show that the belief persists because it is rooted in observable reality for the sensitive soul. The Gnomes: Inhabitants of the Earth The earth elementals, called gnomes (from Greek genomus, earth-dweller) or pygmies, inhabit the attenuated ether of the mineral kingdom. They are the guardians of treasures, gems, metals, and subterranean riches, famously dramatized in Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelungen where Alberich rules the Nibelungs. Gnomes also dwell within plants as dryads and hamadryads, aiding growth, coloration, and natural selection. Some are communal, constructing palaces of alabaster and marble-like etheric substances; others are solitary, bound to a single tree or flower, perishing when their host dies.   Most gnomes are smaller than humans—often 12 to 18 inches tall—though they can change size at will. They appear aged, bearded, rotund, and dressed in earthy greens and russets. Their king is Gob; they assemble annually and are assigned to the North, governing melancholy and the principle of death and rebirth. Gnomes are industrious, miserly, and ingenious but can be treacherous if betrayed. Magi who earn their trust receive assistance in mining and alchemy; those who break faith suffer subjective torments or material loss. Children often see gnomes because their consciousness is not yet fully immersed in gross matter. Hall notes that every shrub possesses its own protective gnome spirit, while great trees host larger, more powerful ones capable of miraculous repair. The Undines: Spirits of the Waters Undines (or nymphs, nereides, naiades) inhabit the humid ether of water. They embody grace, beauty, and emotional fluidity, appearing predominantly feminine. They dwell in oceans, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, fountains, and even dew. Their homes are coral palaces, reed pavilions, or lily-pad bowers. Male undines are rare. They control the vital essences and life-juices in plants, animals, and humans, and are said to have inspired many Greek water goddesses.   Undines can assume human form and briefly consort with mortals—ancient legends of mermaids and water-brides stem from these unions. Ruled by Queen Necksa and assigned to the West, they are devoted servants of humanity when properly approached, beautifying the earth with mist and song carried on the western wind. Their size matches their habitat; those of small springs are tiny, while sea undines are majestic. Hall reproduces an ancient illustration of a mermaid with seaweed hair and floral wreaths, suggesting such accounts may derive from actual sightings or misidentified marine creatures. Undines represent the emotional soul of Nature—vital, loving, and responsive to music and beauty. The Salamanders: Lords of Fire Salamanders inhabit the invisible fiery ether that vivifies all combustion. They appear as glowing spheres, lizard-like creatures, or colossal flaming giants in armor. The smallest manifest as St. Elmo’s fire or dancing flames; the greatest stride as radiant deities. Communication with them is difficult and dangerous; they respond to incense vapors and are most active in the South, governing heat, passion, the liver, blood, and emotional intensity. Their king is Djin.   The Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Persians deified salamanders as gods of radiant light. Paracelsus records sightings of fiery tongues running across fields or peering into houses. Because fire is the most volatile element, salamanders are the most powerful and awe-inspiring of the elementals—beneficial when mastered, catastrophic when provoked. They are the hidden intelligence behind every flame and the secret force in alchemical calcination. The Sylphs: Children of the Air Sylphs dwell in the spiritual ether of air, high upon mountains and within clouds. They are the noblest and most ethereal, often winged and cherubic in appearance. Their king is Paralda, enthroned on the highest peak; they are assigned to the East. Sylphs model snowflakes, gather clouds, and ride the winds. They possess the highest vibration and longest lifespans among elementals. Plato, through Socrates, describes the air as their “sea,” where they enjoy perfect health and sublime senses.   Sylphs inspire poets and artists, acting as muses who impart knowledge of Nature. They influence the nervous system and gaseous states in the human body, producing genius, inconstancy, and ecstatic states. Nomadic and mirthful, they can assume human form temporarily and have been known to consort with mortals. Hall includes a delicate sketch of a sylph—winged, luminous, and lightning-swift—to illustrate their ethereal grace. The Elemental Kings, Magical Correspondences, and General Observations Each order is ruled by a sovereign: Gob (gnomes), Necksa (undines), Djin (salamanders), and Paralda (sylphs). Hall assigns zodiacal rulerships—Taurus to gnomes, Scorpio to undines, Leo to salamanders, Aquarius to sylphs—and notes ancient beliefs in elemental warfare manifested through storms and earthquakes. Elementals are morally neutral; the Church’s labeling of them as “demons” was a misunderstanding. They lack immortal souls but possess specialized intelligence and high moral character within their element. Hall carefully distinguishes true elementals from parasitic astral beings: incubi and succubi are thought-forms born of lustful imagination that haunt vice-ridden places, while vampires are astral shells that drain vitality. Count de Gabalis’ theory that heroes like Hercules resulted from human-elemental unions is presented as a symbolic key to immaculate conception in the elemental kingdoms. Elementals can be governed through purity, will, and ritual; selfish magicians risk destruction, while the wise find faithful allies. #SecretTeachings #ManlyPHall #EsotericWisdom #Elementals #Paracelsus #NatureSpirits #Gnomes #Undines #Salamanders #Sylphs #OccultKnowledge #MysticalJourney #AncientWisdom #Alchemy #HermeticPhilosophy #HiddenRealms #SpiritualScience #DivineNature #TimelessMysteries