Three Books of Occult Philosophy

VI.

is struck out from flints: it is in the earth, which smokes when dug up; it is in the waters, heating springs and wells; it is in the deep sea, which grows warm when agitated by winds; it is in the air, which we often see glow with heat. All animals and living things, as well as plants, are nourished by heat; and everything that lives, lives because of the fire enclosed within it. The properties of supernal fire original: "superni ignis"; referring to the celestial or divine fire from the heavens are a heat that makes all things fruitful and a light that grants life to all. The properties of infernal fire original: "inferni ignis"; fire associated with the lower, subterranean, or "hellish" realms are a burning heat that consumes all things and a darkness that fills everything with barrenness. Thus, the celestial and bright fire puts to flight dark demons; and this fire of ours, fueled by wood, does the same, insofar as it possesses a likeness and vehicle of that superior light. Indeed, it is a vehicle for Him who said, I am the light of the world original: "Ego sum lux mundi"; a reference to Christ in John 8:12, who is the true fire, the Father of Lights, from whom every good gift comes, emitting the splendor of his fire and communicating it first to the sun and other celestial bodies, and through these—as if through intermediate instruments—flowing that light into this fire of ours. Just as the demons of darkness are stronger in the darkness itself, so the good demons—who are angels of light—receive an increase of power from light: not only from the divine, solar, and celestial light, but even from the light of the fire that is among us. For this reason, the first and wisest founders of religions and ceremonies decreed that prayers, psalm-singing, and all sacred rites should only be performed with lamps lit. From this comes that symbol of Pythagoras: Do not speak of God without light. Pythagoras was an ancient Greek philosopher whose "symbols" were brief, cryptic maxims intended to convey deep moral or mystical truths. They also commanded that lights and fires be lit near the bodies of the dead to drive away evil demons, and that these should not be removed until the bodies are buried in the earth, once the purifications have been completed according to sacred rite. The Almighty Himself, in the Old Law, required that all His sacrifices be offered with fire, and that a fire should always burn upon the altar—a fire which even among the Romans, the Priests of Vesta The Vestal Virgins were priestesses in ancient Rome who tended the eternal holy fire of the goddess Vesta, symbolizing the hearth of the city. preserved and guarded perpetually.

The basis and foundation of all elements, however, is Earth. For it is the object, the subject, and the receptacle of all celestial rays and influences. It contains within itself the seeds and seminal virtues of all things. Therefore, it is said to be animal, vegetable, and mineral; being made fruitful by all the other elements and the heavens, it is capable of birthing all things from itself. It is the receiver of all fertility and, like a first parent, is the source of all growth—the center, foundation, and mother of all. Take from it whatever is secret, washed, purified, and refined; if you leave it for a while under the open sky, it will soon be made pregnant and fruitful by celestial powers, and will of its own accord produce plants, worms and living creatures, small stones, and bright sparks of metals. In it are the greatest secrets, if ever it is purged by the artifice of fire and reduced to its simplicity by proper washing. It is the primary matter of our creation, and the truest medicine for our restoration and preservation.

On the wondrous natures of water, air, and winds. Chapter VI.

Decorative woodcut initial letter 'N' set in a square frame, depicting a landscape with a building and a person in the foreground.
NO less powerful are the remaining two elements, namely water and air; nor does nature cease to work wonders within them. For such is the necessity of water that without it no animal could live; no herb, nor any plant whatsoever, could grow without the moistening of water.