Elements as Fundamental Archetypes

[Spiritual Ronin]

It's occured to me that since 1st Density is the realm of elemental experience, would not the elements make up our original intentions and spiritual experience? If all of us, in our souls growth and progression, experienced the melting, mixing, transformative experience of the natural elements; would we not all be intimately connected to these forces? At what we could consider to be the absolute deepest aspects of our spirit is a seating of our progression of individuation from whatever elemental forms we experienced prior to our movement into 2nd Density. 

It just seems to me that the archetypes of the elements might have a lot to teach us about our formative, original experience. This has only come to me recently so I'm hoping to hear the thoughts of others on this topic, and learn/teach from all of you on your thoughts about 1st Density and beyond. 

I'm sorry if I don't respond quickly as my internet connection is limited at the moment. But I can't wait to hear your responses, and reply in due course. Adonai.

[Brandon Gwinn]

I love the elements- earth, air, fire, water- they're the foundation of all life, and I agree we are intimately connected to these forces. I even have a little elemental altar on by dresser. But I also love DNA and the symbiotic relationship of plants and animals in second density, along with nature spirits of all kinds that I believe exist, and on up through the rest of the spectrum of densities. All of life is beautiful and it's all connected.

[tadeus]

I love the elements- earth, air, fire, water- they're the foundation of all life, and I agree we are intimately connected to these forces.

This reflects in a channeling of the Q'uo too:

K: I am interested in the origination of souls. How did our souls first originate and what is your view of them?

I am Q’uo, and am aware of your query, my brother. The origination of souls is the story of the evolutionary process whereby the one Creator has utilized the beginning or basic densities of this octave of creation to bring about that which you call the mind, that which you call the body and that which you call the spirit, that together these complexes will form that which may be called the soul, the essence of the entity which has become individualized enough from the one Creator to be able to pursue what would seem to be a quite individualized path of spiritual evolution.
The mind portion is formed in the large extent within the first-density experience where the awareness, the very simple awareness of all being, is the salient feature associated with earth, wind, fire and water.
As this process of spiraling light leading upward continues, the second density offers the mind complex a more individualized focus in the form of second-density creatures of the plant and then the animal nature. This provides a more individualized experience as the consciousness that is moving forward moves towards the light ever more certainly in the grouping known in second density as the flocks of birds, the schools of fish, the swarms of bees, and so forth.
As the line of light continues to move upward, the spirit complex is added to those individualized portions of the one Creator which have been able to give and receive the concept that you know of as love in sufficient degree to so individualize the entity that it is ready to add the spirit complex and thus have the completion of complexes available for the free will choice of third density as to the positive or negative—so-called—paths of continued evolution. At this point within third density, in most cases, the soul then comes into being in its fullness.

[Spiritual Ronin]

That is very interesting. I agree that all that exists on Earth is of great importance as it shows us our growth through its interactions. I actually thought the individuation into 2nd density was the seating of the soul so it's very interesting that it comes into fullness in 3rd density. Jung speaks of complexes in a very similar way to Ra/Q'uo.

How do you suppose we use these opportunities to learn more about our personal journey moving forward? If we all have different experience as to the forms in which we took through these defining early densities, would we connect more with those forms than others? Ex. If I was a horse for multiple incarnations and learned many lessons of love through that, would I connect more deeply with that animal in 3rd density? Or would understanding the archetypes of that animal offer me deeper insights?

I'm ask because recently I have been flooded by insights on the element of Earth. I've realized connections to it, some of which have been apparent, and some that I believe I put in place preincarnatively, and are now flooding my awareness as a result of me neglecting these aspects of self for quite some time. I'm curious how others use these animal and elemental archetypes for their own progression. Additionally, how do you use your experience to connect to these things in our physical world?

[Brandon Gwinn]

Excellent Q'uote Tadeus. I like to think that if our particular soul energy evolved from one main element and one main 2nd density life-form grouping that we would have a special connection to them. I know according to my birth chart I have a grand water trine, and I've always been deeply attracted to all things spiritual. I love cats. Lol. But it's hard to say by this what I evolved from.

[Dtris]

According to western occultism the four elements are created by the combination of the two principles. Hot/Cold and Wet/Dry. Fire is Hot & Dry, Earth is Hot & Wet, Air is Cold & Dry, Water is Cold & Wet. The principles that create the elements are formed from the first descension of light from the unified creative principle, called the One Thought in the Emerald Tablet.

In Chinese philosophy there are five elements. Earth, Water, Fire, Metal, and Wood. Each are related to the other in constant cycles of creation and destruction. Before the elements existed there was the Wuji, or uncreated principle, which then creates the Taiji aka Yin and Yang, which then creates the myriad of things.

Within the western occult tradition the initial focus is on the 4 elements and the Quintessence. The elements are learned, and used in an exploration of the nature of the self. This is the outer curricula or the foundational work to adepthood.

In the eastern tradition the elements make up a major part of chinese medicine, they are associated with the organs, and there are various exercises working the elements and those organs and meridians. The elements are prominent in meditation methods.

Interestingly there also animal methods in both traditions but more the eastern one IME. I personally think there are many many ways to progress and whether you focus on elements, or animals, or an abstract symbol, all can be beneficial and the best one is the one that you are looking forward to doing each day.

[Spiritual Ronin]

Thanks Dtris. What you wrote really speaks to the fundamental nature of the elements. I'm practising the I Ching and they are embedded heavily within the answering process. I also think of many North American native, as well as Mayan and Polynesian practices, have the elements at the forefront of their system of beliefs.

You've given me avenues to look into, so thank you for that. Does anyone make use of any practises with regards to any of these cultural modalities? I feel like my own practice will inevitably become an amalgamation of modalities. Perhaps I will find one that speaks so truthfully to me that I pursue it in its totality. I see value in both.

To me there is a big difference in reading something and actively practising it. Action is a theme I personally struggle with. I've been pushing myself more and more to go out and try things, and it's become a process of finding what works and what doesn't. Of testing faith and being okay with any result.

[Dtris]

Thanks Dtris. What you wrote really speaks to the fundamental nature of the elements. I'm practising the I Ching and they are embedded heavily within the answering process. I also think of many North American native, as well as Mayan and Polynesian practices, have the elements at the forefront of their system of beliefs.

You've given me avenues to look into, so thank you for that. Does anyone make use of any practises with regards to any of these cultural modalities? I feel like my own practice will inevitably become an amalgamation of modalities. Perhaps I will find one that speaks so truthfully to me that I pursue it in its totality. I see value in both.

To me there is a big difference in reading something and actively practising it. Action is a theme I personally struggle with. I've been pushing myself more and more to go out and try things, and it's become a process of finding what works and what doesn't. Of testing faith and being okay with any result.

I practice chinese qigong daily and have practiced western occultism sporadically. I think the most important thing is having a qualified teacher, method is second, and the second most important thing is having the discipline to really put the work in. However that is not necessary to graduate according to Ra, that is more properly the path of the adept. But anyone who is seriously studying the archetypes is IMO walking that path or interested in it.

I would recommend finding either a well written book and following the exercises therein, or a qualified instructor and following them. It is tempting to try to mix systems and I have done so myself, even with some success. But that eventually can become a stumbling block if done too early. A deep knowing only comes from time accumulated practicing a method. All methods will eventually reach the same location, the deeper you understand one, the easier you can understand others, and see what will be able to mix properly and what won't.

[Spiritual Ronin]

You make a good point about not having to walk the path of the adept to graduate. I guess I'm really at a fork in the road of my journey. As you said, and I have to agree that a deep knowing comes from time, and dedicating time and discipline towards a modality is probably the best way to start out. I guess it's about finding the one that speaks to you the most, then finding a teacher to guide you along the way. This is a daunting process for me.

Ultimately I know that I don't want to do nothing. But I want something that really connects with me, and not to force something that kind of fits. I think the Ra Material is powerful for this kind of search. Ive been drawn to archetypes and the elements as of late as they have allowed me to make significant connections to other concepts. Maybe I'll start with that and see what opens up to me.

[Spiritual Ronin]

So I found a dissertation about Five Element Archetypal Qigong which is a newly developed psychological system of integrating Archetypal Qigong with psychotherapy, combining mind and body aspects. I also found a show which does foundational Qigong for beginners.

I didn't even search initially for Qigong but it seems like it's gravitating towards me. I found the dissertation by searching elements and the archetypes. Combine that with your post Dtris and the discussions of this thread I think I am being pointed in a certain direction. Time to start putting in some action and see what happens. This could be the way of integrating Elemental Archetypes into a way of practice for me (that and getting out in nature more to experience elemental mixings first hand).

[Dtris]

Good to hear you have found something you are drawn too. Good luck on your journey.