Meditations :: Realm of the Elements
You stand on an earthen path, the rich, deep smell of newly mown hay in your nose. Cold air twines around your ankles from
the mouth of the cave that yawns open behind you. Above, stars twinkle in the black midnight sky. There is no moon to light
your way but slowly your eyes adjust to the darkness and you are able to make out the path before you. Taking your first
step, you recognize a very slight incline.
Ahead, a green light shimmers like a star, but it is far too close to earth to be a star. The path bends gently to the right and you realize that it is actually two lights, a shadowy figure stands between. As you approach, you see that he is clad in a brown tunic over which hangs a mantle of rich green velvet. His hair is wild, curly and untamed. His bushy brown beard falls over his chest on which hangs a copper pentacle. He stands in the middle of the path; on either side are square pillars of grey stone, atop the pillars two torches burn a phosphorescent green. You stop in front of him, there is no way to pass. He looks you up and down, taking your measure. In his own time, for he is in no rush, he asks you a question. Once you answer the question, he steps aside to allow you to pass into the realm of Earth.
With growing confidence you move forward, ivy spills onto the sides of the path and beyond you see fields of grain gently swaying in the nighttime breeze. A wolf howls in the distance and a frightened deer bounds across in front of you. Reaching the other side, he turns and stares at the stranger in his territory. His head bows slightly. Is he acknowledging you or is it simply the weight of his great antlers? Moving forward, you think you can hear the clink of iron from the forge of the gnomes. The sound is muffled, you can’t be sure where it is coming from but it is somehow comforting. The path is solid, small pebbles crunch beneath your bare feet and you begin to relax as you become familiar with your surroundings.
Again the path bends slightly to the right and you see two glittering lights. This time the lights are yellow and the figure between them seems to shine from within. Advancing along the path, you move closer until you stand before him. Incense of sandalwood curls from the tops of the pillars on either side of him. He is younger than the guardian of earth and is clean-shaven. His tunic is the pale blue of dawn, his mantle a soft yellow. A sword hangs at his side. Quietly, his voice almost a whisper, he asks you a question. The answer rises to your mind and then to your lips. He steps to the right to allow you entry into the realm of Air.
Beyond the gate, light from a quarter moon illuminates changes taking place in the landscape. Golden blooming yarrow becomes interspersed with the ivy along the pathside, soon the ivy disappears completely and is replaced by yarrow, goldenrod and lavender. From the pine forests on either side, the chatter of insects and birds fills the night air. A cool breeze rustles the needles on the trees and seems to lift the hawk that glides in front of the moon. Surrounded by the social interaction of nature, you slow your steps along the path, enjoying the language of the night. The forest gives way to newly sown fields, neat and orderly lines of furrows and hills. A glimmer on the path catches your eye and you bend to pick up a piece of citrine. Holding it in your hand, it warms and brings comfort and strength as you wander deeper into the night.
You notice the path beginning to bend to the right again and look for the now familiar lights. They appear as you round the slight curve, glowing red into the dark night sky. Approaching, you see that they are torches set atop pillars of hardened lava. Between them stands a tall, strong man in the prime of life. The light from the torches shines off the armor chest plate he wears under an orange cape that hangs to his knees. He stands at full attention, like a warrior. The lance he holds across his body is part staff, part weapon but when you approach he relaxes his stance and immediately asks his question of you. Knowing that a slow, thoughtful response will not gain you entry, you respond with instinct and he steps aside so that you may enter the realm of Fire.
Past the gate, the night sky is filled with the brilliance of the full moon. The landscape is fully visible and its changes are dramatic. The earth is no longer the deep, rich brown that it was in the realm of Earth or the newly planted hills and furrows of the realm of Air. Here the earth turns sandy and dry and the breeze that blows is no longer cool. Sage bushes line the path and beyond, cactus of all sizes and shapes break the landscape, their beautiful flowers tempt while their barbed needles warn. Beneath your feet, the path feels dusty and warm and a salamander scampers a few inches in front of you. Safe in his desert home, he glances back, gives you a wondering look then hurries on his way. Looming large and black against the midnight blue sky, a mountain rises in the darkness and beneath your feet you feel a rumbling. Suddenly the night sky is alight with fiery reds and oranges. The mountain spews molten rock high into the air. You are safe on the path, which has transformed into smooth, cooled lava. The light from the eruption glints off stones encrusted in the path, earth’s treasures thrown up by the power of fire. Garnet, rubies and diamond gleam red and white hot beneath your feet. The air has warmed significantly but as you approach the bend to the right, it begins to cool refreshingly.
Your eyes automatically begin searching for the lights you have come to expect. They are there, ahead in the distance, glowing a deep purple that almost blends with the night sky. The lights seem muted, calming and as you approach you see that they glow from atop white fluted columns. Gurgling sounds reach your ears and you see that water cascades from the columns, its mist blurring the light of the torches. Standing between is a dark-haired man clad in long white robe that grazes the ground. His cape flutters out behind him, and you catch a glimpse of the interior which is a dark blue sprinkled with stars and moons. The silver chalice in his right hand overflows, spilling water into the pool beneath his sandal-shod feet. He poses his question in a silky voice and the answer rises from your heart to your lips. Satisfied, he moves aside and you pass between the columns, cool water lapping at your feet as you pass into the realm of Water.
Beyond the white columns, the sky has darkened from the brightness of the full moon. Now a last quarter moon casts a soft illumination on the plants flowing on to the pathway. The soft scent of gardenia fills the air and the moonlight glows off the white blossoms that hang heavy on the trees. Rustling willow calls your attention to the streams that gently flows next to the path. The stream is filled with lotus and reeds and along the bank lilies open their giant blooms. After the warmth of the realm of fire, the realm of water is cool and rejuvenating and you feel yourself being cleansed and recharged. A sudden movement in the water catches your eyes and ears. When you look you see the gleaming eyes of a crocodile who is gliding gently along with you. Her mouth yawns open, but you do not fear her. Her bloodline is ancient, to the time of the dinosaurs, and you feel the years slipping away until time becomes irrelevant. Your companion stays with you until you reach the bend in the path, then she slides up onto the bank, watching as you pass through a rose arbor.
Beyond the archway, the pathway branches into three paths. One crosses a bridge, one turns to the left and one turns to the right. Choosing your path here will allow you to explore the three options. The bridge crosses over to the astral realm, the world of spirit and connection to the universe that is now open to you. The left and right hand paths will lead you back to the physical realm with all of the accumulated knowledge you have gained through the realms of the elements. How you choose to use this knowledge is up to you.
Wishing to return to the physical realm, you choose to move to the right as you have done while spiraling through the elemental realms. Walking along the pathway, you begin to smell familiar scents. Well-known sounds reach your ears and you become aware of your physical body once again. Notice your breathing, move your fingers and toes, then legs and arms. Open your eyes and return to the physical world.
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