CHALLENGE ENTRY:
I decided to give this challenge a try since I always forget there is a fifth element and somehow I’m always surprised when I see it mentioned. So I did some research and reading.
While there is little question about what the four classical elements are: Fire, Water, Air and Earth, there does seem to be a wide range of thoughts on what exactly spirit is. It can be called Aether, Ether, the Quintessence or Akasha (Akasha is a Sanskrit word loosely translated to mean atmosphere or space and related to the Akashic Records if you want another rabbit hole to go down).
While the classic four are physical in nature, spirit is considered to be the “glue” that holds everything together. It is the way that everything else connects to each other. Some believe that the element of spirit cannot exist on it’s own as it is immaterial but it is present in all things. Some consider “spirit” to be able to exist separately and the energy that is spirit contains all of the entities that no longer exist on an earthly plane (i.e. ghosts, if you will, or spirits in the sense of loved ones who have passed, entities and deities) while others separate the two with spirit being a Universal energy that connects all things and exists in all things. Einstein used the word aether to describe the thing that, while not visible, connects all things. His thoughts on this contributed to his theory of relativity, wave theory and eventually, dark matter. The Greeks believe that spirit, which they called aether, was the upper air which was breathed by the gods.
If you’re getting the idea that spirit is many things to many people, you are correct. While the classical four elements have agreed upon symbols gifted to us by the alchemists, spirit does not. Some use a circle, some use a spiral and there are many other symbols that people use. Some use a blank space to acknowledge that it is not material and cannot be seen or known. The element of spirit is a wild card. It can be different each time you invoke it.
While reading about this I came upon a Sub Reddit that was a simple question: how do you represent spirit on your altar? There were so many different thoughts on the matter, but I thought I’d share a few as I found that discussion fascinating:
-words, pictures, parts of you or representations of consciousness
-a Herkimer diamond
-something to honor any deities or ancestors you work with
-crystals or an animal or animals
-a grave stone
-your Book of Shadows
-coffin nails
-your dreams (written out)
-a bright white light
-yourself-your presence in the circle or rite provides spirit
-infinity symbol
-a flint scraper or arrowhead, something made by ancestors
-the Magician Tarot card
-a personal token
-clear quartz
-an offering to spirit
-small skull
-the Judgement Tarot card
-a white feather
-a deity sigil
-a family heirloom
-something purple or a purple candle
-a Merkabah
-your breath (exhale at the place where spirit sits on your altar or in your circle)
-animal bones
-leave the space empty (or blank)
I’m not sure I’m any closer to understanding what spirit is as an element. But it sounds to me a lot like my belief in a Universal constant energy. Something that can’t be seen but it can be felt and more importantly it can be used for your purpose if you know how to connect with it. It can be used for good or it can be used for bad according to your slant. It connects everything. But for me that energy is not sentient or all knowing. I guess I’m closer to Einstein on that one. Although being human, I must admit to some contradictions in my belief since I do occasionally put the face of Hekate on that energy to make interfacing with it easier. (That’s a contradiction all on it’s own since I am a secular witch who doesn’t work with deities but has a statue of Hekate on her altar, go figure.) And while I don’t think it’s a sentient thing, I do have to allow for “spirit” in the form of loved ones and guides and other entities who continue on after this plane as sentient energy that retains memory and personality and feelings. I have seen, heard, spoken with and lived with these beings all my life. I know they exist. I guess a bit like a physicist who is trying to find a way to unify all the forces, my understanding and beliefs are a work in progress.
I had a great time digging in to this one. It isn’t an easy question for me but since it does touch on many things, including some of my fundamental beliefs, it’s just the thing that can help me move forward in my journey.
References I used in writing this:
https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/comments/ya90f5/dose_anyone_have_any_ideas_for_an_elemental/
https://blog.greenwitchliving.com/connect-to-the-five-elements/
John I’m just know I’m on the right path for me!
is fun and inspiring!
Free hand !
with a pen 
to get messages.
I made but I locked
love the art Hanna you chose
? Not sure yet. I recently made a little wooden icon to Loki, my god, which has been infused with his spirit, which I now carry. It’s to replace the crystals that I used to carry. I’ve carried those crystals with me for years, so I’m not ready to let them go yet but at some point, the aim of my studies is to let all tools go, and just rely on spirit. Not so easy to do.
), then I can feel something heavy entering me, and then I chant, normally a runic chant, whichever rune/runes are needed for the connection, then when the connection is made, I can feel the VR (vital rhythm) which feels like pins and needles traveling through my body starting in my arms, moving up to my head and neck, then down through my body. If there is no VR, then I know no connection has been made.
