Air Elementals

Each element is also associated with a mythological being, or an elemental, that can be called upon for help with spellcasting and rituals. An elemental is a mythological being first appearing in the alchemical works of Paracelsus in the 16th century. Traditionally, there are four types: gnomes, undines (also known as nymphs), sylphs, and salamanders. These correspond to the Classical elements of antiquity: earth (solid), water (liquid), wind (gas), and fire (heat). Aether (quintessence) / Spirit / Akasha was not assigned an elemental.

The exact term for each legendary creature varies somewhat from source to source, though these four are now the most usual. Paracelsus used the names of mythological creatures from earlier traditions; their names are often used interchangeably with similar beings from folklore. 

Air is often associated with spirit creatures including Slyphs, Griffons, Djinns or Sprites. The traditional Elemental for Air is the Sylph, and this lesson will focus on Sylphs.

The Sylph (also called sylphid) is a mythological creature in the Western tradition. Some believe the term originates in Paracelsus, who describes sylphs as invisible beings of the air, his elementals of air. There is no known substantial mythos associated with them. Paracelsus may have arbitrarily coined the word from sylvestris (of the forest) and nympha (young women, demi-goddess). Others believe that the name Sylph comes from the Greek word "silphe," meaning "butterfly" or "moth," and they were first named by the Rosicrucian's and Cabalists in their folklore. It’s also been suggested that the Muses of Greek mythology were Sylphs who had assumed human form in order to guide humans on a spiritual path. They are associated with the activity of the mind and can influence and inspire human actions. It is generally thought that they are attracted to poets and artists and instilled them with visions of spiritual beauty. 

Regardless of the origin of, or lack of, their mythos, belief in such creatures was very common. In fact, according to Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols by Adele Nozedar, the belief in elemental beings was so entrenched that Charlemagne issued a written edict forbidding Sylphs to show themselves.

So what is a Sylph? According to Deborah Lipp, “Sylphs are composed of Air. They think and they float. They are rarified and elusive. They do not respond to feeling, and they do not feel. They cannot be praised, fed, or excited. They are exclusively beings of wind, thought, and flight. You cannot persuade a sylph to care, because caring is emotion–Water. Do not expect deep connection with sylphs, because depth is not in the nature of Air.” 

She continues, “Renaissance art depicts sylphs as winged, with human forms, often appearing to be tiny cherubs. It is likely that the modern idea of fairies, such as the Victorian artist Arthur Rackham depicted in his illustrations of fairy tales and Shakespeare, has more to do with sylphs than with the fey folk. Like wind, sylphs move quickly and suddenly, and can travel great distances. Like the element of Air, sylphs are masters of thought and speech. They are intelligent and persuasive. Remember, though, that the gift of gab is a double-edged sword. Sylphs are not known for their honesty or concern. Although no person is made purely of intellect, if you think of people who are mostly intellectual, you’ll realize that sylphs can also be superior, disdainful, and dismissive.”

Sylphs are spirits of the air. They are flighty and flirtatious by nature. They are also kindly and thoughtful. They concentrate on bringing light and movement to the natural places of the world, especially forest glades and the tops of mountains. Their natural magicks are aligned with elemental air magick, especially spells that control the weather and movement. Communities of sylphs are said to leave beautiful green rings in meadows and fields, caused by bending the dewy grass while they dance in circles.

Sylphs are said to be rather shy, but they are drawn to intellectual, analytical and creative pursuits, so they sometimes form close relationships with the Muses, and the humans they care for. Sylphs are sympathetic to those humans who live peacefully with nature, though they despair at the pollution industry and cities create, and stay as far away from them as they can.

The sylph is often considered a female spirit. Sylphs are like invisible angels, whose voices could be heard in the wind. Sylphs defend the high mountain peaks and wilderness mountains that are home to them. Sylphs look like tall, lithe humans with huge, feathered wings sprouting from their backs. These wings are almost two times its body length, but they fold up behind the sylph. They have large, hawk-like eyes and sharp, angular faces. A sylph can live to be hundreds of years old, often reaching one thousand, but never seeming to grow old. The smaller sylphs are sometimes mistaken for cherubs or fairies. Sylphs are loners, and are content to fly with the birds. Sylphs have a dislike of closed places, and have an especially deep fear of being trapped underground. 

Sylphs are connected with dawn, the Goddesses Danu, Arianrhod, Athena and the Gods Mercury and Buddha, among others, who are sometimes associated with Air. And like the Air they represent, Sylphs represents intelligence, inspiration, freshness and freedom.

Sylphs can give us a boost in our daily life. As living beings themselves, they recognize we're all in this business of living life together. Connecting with Sylphs can facilitate 
• A deeper sense of connectivity to the skies, air, life.
• Spiritual journeying (Sylphs will get you where you need to go)
• Assistance in healing (breathe, lungs, respiratory, cilia and cellular repair)
• Enhanced inspiration, communication and mental clarity (air, and thus Sylphs are the medium for such things)

So, how can we invoke the Sylph for help in these and other areas of our life? Like other elementals, simple acknowledgement of them is over half the journey. Genuine gratitude for their function is advisable too.

Sylphs can be hailed from the East, as Sylphs resonate with the easterly direction. Whether you make an altar, give an etheric offering, invoke from the eastern watchtower, or simply offer a nod of gratitude to the Sylph, to be sure, the Sylph is noble (and quite willing) enough to respond in kind.

Invoking the Sylph while calling the watchtowers:
Lords and Ladies of the Watchtower of the East, thou gentle sprites and airy sylphs, soaring eagle and sweet butterfly, Eurus master of the Eastern wind, be with us in laughter and in thought, bring us the bracing dawn wind and memories of fragrant Spring. I do summon, stir and call upon you – Come! Be welcome in this our rite. Blessed be.

Practice: Meeting the Sylphs
Need: Air Incense, Air Oil
To begin, light some air incense and dab the air oil at all seven body-energy centers: base of the spine, pubic region, solar plexus, heart, throat, center of the brow, crown of the head. Next you will engage in a guided imagery. 
Find a comfortable lying-down position and close your eyes. Take several deep breaths and allow your body to become relaxed. Slowly allow the earth to hold you completely. Surrender your body weight to the planet, where it belongs.
Imagine that you stand on the cliff overlooking a vast, grassy plain. The cliff faces the east. You hold your spirit hands up and flex the palms of your hands so that they face outward toward the grassy plain. Feel the energy of the land circulate through you completely until you feel that you are one with the energy. Then imagine that you cast this energy out through your hands and it appears as an electric-yellow power that crackles and sizzles. Imagine that you turn your spirit body in a clockwise direction, casting a circle of protection and containment with this energy that bursts forth from your hands. When you face the east again, the energy stops emanating from your hands.
You are now completely surrounded by this field of energy, yet you are able to clearly see through it, out across the grassy plain. Raise your hands to the sky and mentally summon forth the sylphs, the spirits of air. Soon the wind begins to blow and little by little they appear. They surround your magick circle. Take time to observe them carefully. As they surround you, your circle takes on a sparkling golden hue. Ask the sylphs where you can find them near your home. Remember what they tell you.
When you have heard their answer, bid them farewell and request that they return to their magickal realm. Little by little, you observe them fly away, leaving only the golden aura that surrounds you and your magick circle. This aura left behind is the balancing force of air. Feel it balance you, center you, and cause you to become whole.
Pause until you feel you have absorbed enough of the elementals’ powers. Then, it is time to banish the circle you created. Hold your hands up again to the east, and begin to turn your spirit-body in a clockwise direction. This time as you turn, imagine that you draw the energies of the circle back into your body. Allow the energy to return to the earth below your feet, grounding it completely.
Once you have finished, it is time to open your eyes. Get down on your hands and knees and place your forehead to the floor, grounding and solidifying all of the energy you raised.
Take time to journal about your experiences, to draw a picture of the sylphs, and to write down where you can find them near your home.

Activity: How might a Sylph help you with a problem? In your notes or Book of Shadows, note reasons why you might try to contact a Sylph and what you should expect from the encounter.

Credit: Stacy Hartlage Taylor