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Classical Elements

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Much modern media has trained people to think of natural elements as forces to be controlled, wielded, created, directed, manipulated, etc. Popular media has led to a misconception that shamanistic practices sought to harness the power of these elements or that these elements have a life and agency of their own. This concept may make for engaging fantasy, but it is a modern invention and does not stem from ancient belief.

The classical elements in Greek philosophy and many other cultures were four: earth, air, fire, water. These elements were thought to constitute the entire physical world. This view of elements leaves them as matter of fact, impersonal, neutral elements with no deeper meaning.

Almost all of these cultures, recognizing an incompleteness, eventually added a fifth element. This element has been referred to by a variety of names (aether, space, void, sky), but most often sprung from thoughts that there is something celestial beyond the other four elements. Sometimes this is connected to divine beings, but always represents an idea of something outside of earthly experience.

In the Bible, there are a few places where ideas similar to classical elements can be inferred, but these references are not direct, emphasized, or elaborated upon. Paul speaks of elemental spirits in Galatians and Colossians, but these are demonstrably not references to foundational elements of the universe. There is one reference in Revelation to four angels holding back the four winds of the earth. When angels are spoken of as affecting an element or overseeing natural processes, it is done in the context of doing so on behalf of Yahweh under the command of Yahweh. In second temple literature angels may be represented as being assigned to oversee or govern specific nature, but are not given special abilities to control and command over natural elements to use by their will, as they will, and/or for their own purposes.

Individual elements and related natural concepts are mentioned frequently in the Bible, but they are most often employed as purposeful imagery, calling to mind specific cultural concepts and ideas. This is precisely how Allies of Majesty uses elemental references. Abilities involving things like fire, lightning, and wind are not the angels commanding actual natural elements, but symbolically engaging the imagery related to them.