SPIRITS OF AIR
The Nature of Air
Air is the opposite of earth. The two elements are necessary
to each other for balance. The static nature of earth is moderated by
the ability of air to move in any direction, whilst the flightiness of
air is stabilised by earth's stability.
Air is one of the two lighter, upward-tending elements, the other being
fire. Together they bring light and movement to the world.
The qualities of air allow flight and inspiration. It is a very active
element, having the ability to promote movement and change. Along with
water, air helps to shape and activate the surface of the earth.
Air has the ability to move and shape water, its winds whipping the
surface of the water into waves. Water carries within it the activated
archetypal patterns it has absorbed from earth and the whipping action
stimulates the water to release these archetypes. They are taken up by
the air where they are further activated by light from the Sun. They
are then distributed in every direction with the movement of the air.
The versatility of air allows it to transform the energies of both
day and night. During the daytime, air, through the work of its
nature spirits processes and transforms sunlight and transmits it to the Earth. At night, the influences of the moon, the planets and the
stars are transformed.
Another important aspect of the functioning of air is its ability to
transport energies, influences and metaphysical atmospheres on its
currents. Although all the elements play a part in the production and
distribution of influences, air is the most mobile and far-reaching.
The energies of change especially are carried on the winds. A shift in
atmosphere or circumstances is often presaged by a sudden stirring of
wind.
The Aquarian Age is just beginning. Aquarius is an air sign, so the air
element has a very important task at the present time: that of
transmitting the new Aquarian energies that are arriving in the world.
Air also has a unifying and equalising effect, both of which are
qualities of the Aquarian Age.
Spirits of Air
The element of air has fewer types of nature spirits associated with it than either earth or water, but more than fire. Air
spirits are called Sylphs. They carry out their activities in response
to impulses emitted by angels and devas who work specifically within
and through the Earth's atmosphere. Prominent amongst these are the
Angels of Light, who dwell within the air and are involved in every
process related to the atmosphere, its layers and its structures,
including climate and weather. They are involved with the transmission
of both physical light and spiritual light, as these are two different
expressions of the same principle.
Angels and devas of the forces of Creation are also found in the
atmosphere. Although these are not actually air spirits, they use air
as an access point for all of the elements. The atmosphere is a
physical and metaphysical representation of the interface that exists
between the earthly nature of the physical world and the light of the
Spirit and it is within this function that these angels and devas work.
They begin their activity by connecting with the Angels of Light,
working with light as an aspect of fire. They work down through the
elements in order of density with air next, then water and finally,
earth. The angels and devas of creative forces include spirits of
sound, colour and music, these all being modes of Creation. They are
all similar to sylphs in appearance and very brightly coloured.
Also found in the air are small, fairy-like beings with slender,
human-shaped bodies and large, transparent wings like those of
dragonflies. They live mainly in the air, but stay close to the surface
of the land. They give an impression of femininity, although there are
no feminine body features evident. They are associated with the breezes
and winds as they pass through plants and trees. These enchanting
little spirits do not belong to the fairy-like earth spirits, but are
not wholly sylphs either. They exist between the two realms, but belong
mostly to air.
Sylphs
Sylphs are radiant, colourful beings, who range in size from
almost microscopically small to over one metre or around four feet
tall. The body is slender and elongated, coming to a tapering point in
place of legs and feet. The head is crowned with radiating streams of
energy overlaid by vertical lines of light that radiate upward and
outward from the brow. These are linked by loops of energy that sparkle
and scintillate. Elongated antennae, like those of a butterfly, can be
seen to each side of the lacework of energy, barely discernible amid
the glow of interweaving forces. There are an almost infinite variety
of patterns to be seen, according to the type of sylph.
The most prominent features are the wings, which sweep upward and back
exhibiting a variety of colours according to the sylph's work at the
time. Sylphs are primarily blues, greens, pinks, purple and lemon. They
are never fiery or earthy in colour, being predominantly pastel tones.
Their wings are wide at the base, joining with the body along almost
its entire length. They sweep to a point above and behind the head.
Some sylphs have ethereal arm-like sweeps of energy that arise from the
shoulder area. These are often held in a raised position, so that they
almost become a part of the wing structure. They move through the air
or hover in an upright position, sometimes tilting slightly forward.
Sylphs have an intelligent, alert expression. Even when they are still
they exhibit an unwavering intensity of focus. When moving, they
periodically emit many-coloured explosions of light that have an
activating and uplifting effect on everything around them. They radiate
joy.
Larger, more evolved sylphs have one or more chakras, while the
smaller, less evolved ones have glowing energy centres at the head and
chest.
Sylphs sometimes seem to appear as if from nowhere. This usually occurs
at the point of interaction with other elements, such as near flames or
close to the surface of land or water. They can also move at great
speeds, sometimes seeming to human perception to disappear and
rematerialise some distance away as they journey through the inner
realms. At times, too, their attention is so focused on the impulses
they are receiving from the higher realms that they are unable to
maintain form here and fade from view.
Although frequently silent, sylphs sometimes emit a high pitched sound
like the whistling of the wind. In extreme, stormy conditions with
sudden gusts, they make occasional deep, percussive sounds, like that
of a strong wind striking a large, immovable object. When resting on a
still day and drawing in the forces of the Sun, sylphs sometimes make a
low, continuous, whooshing sound that rises and falls in pitch,
swelling and subsiding in volume. This gives the impression that they
are purring with contentment.
Like undines, the spirits of water, sylphs draw in power from the
sunlight and transform it within their bodies into a form that is
appropriate to the Earth. The smaller sylphs draw in the aspects of
sunlight that are beneficial to the etheric component of the
atmosphere. After transforming it within them, they release it to
further activate the etheric of the planet, bringing vitality to the
air surrounding it and making it receptive to appropriate astral forces.
Larger and more highly evolved sylphs work with the astral essence of
sunlight, transforming it within them and making it available for the
ongoing process of Creation. They do this at the direct bidding of
devas who work within the atmosphere. As with all nature spirits, these
larger and more evolved sylphs also emit impulses that stimulate and
direct the smaller sylphs who work within the etheric.
As they are inseparable from their element, air, sylphs are drawn to a
particular place by the need of the air for their particular work and
their own need to be in that spot to do it. A clairvoyant sees these
places in the atmosphere as having different densities of etheric and
astral material. Sylphs move from one place to another by placing
themselves in the appropriate etheric streams and astral currents. The
direction and strength of these are consistent with physical air
movement.
Sylphs are very mobile nature spirits, although they are also capable
of periods of profound stillness that seems to human perception to be
almost meditative in nature. When the physical air is moving, sylphs
are usually on the move as well. Sometimes, even when it is windy, a
sylph will find a sheltered spot close to the surface of the earth and
hover there for some time. Avoidance is a concept unknown to nature
spirits and they use these sheltered spots not to avoid the wind, but
to partake of the conditions that prevail there as part of their
expression and their work.
On most days, sylphs can be seen hovering or drifting about, often with
a bobbing motion. They maintain their upraised wing position to descend
or go forward or back, but sweep the wings back and downward to ascend.
In the hovering position, the wings often move back and forth with a
gentle fanning motion. They do not flap their wings as a bird or insect
would. Their progress through the air is graceful, even when moving at
great speeds. In turbulent or gusty conditions, they can sometimes be
observed spinning briefly or spiralling up or down with the movement of
the air.
Sometimes sylphs are seen singly and sometimes in groups. The smaller
the sylph, the more likely it is to be part of a group. At times a
group of smaller and less evolved sylphs can be seen gathered around a
larger and more developed one. The smaller ones bask in the aura of the
larger sylph, receiving vitalising astral impulses from it that assist
them in their work and stimulate their own evolution. Sylphs who have
received energy of this type become more active and their capacity to
transform light is enhanced.
Sylphs within groups exchange energy with each other through flashing
beams of coloured light. Sometimes these are vivid and narrow, as if
the energy is concentrated and aimed. At other times it is sent out in
shimmering sheets of colour that other sylphs in the group hurry to
immerse themselves in. Energy exchange serves as a form of
communication between sylphs, as the energy bears the imprint or
essence of the individual who emitted it. Beams of light are passed
between sylphs of all stages of development, which is unusual in the
world of nature spirits. This is a manifestation of the open and
flexible nature of air. With all the other elements, the passing of
energy usually occurs between spirits of equal development or from
higher to lower.
The greatest concentration of sylphs exists in the zone where oxygen
concentration is high enough to sustain physical life. The higher
reaches of the atmosphere are managed by the Angels of Light who spend
considerable time there. In general, the more highly evolved the sylph,
the higher in the atmosphere it can function. A sylph can work anywhere
from the surface of the Earth up to the highest level its consciousness
can reach.
Less developed sylphs live closer to the surface of the earth or bodies
of water. Some of these are only able to skim along the surface, whilst
others are able to rise a short distance into the air for short periods
of time. The lower the state of evolution of the sylph, the closer to
the Earth they stay. Their development is also reflected in their shape
and definition of form. At the lower end of the scale, the forms are
poorly defined, consisting mainly of a rudimentary head with a
wing-like shape sweeping back from it. These sylphs do not have an
upright posture like the more evolved sylphs. They fly mainly in a
horizontal position with the head at to the front. As they evolve
further, their shapes become more clearly defined and their flying
habit more vertical.
The mobile nature of air allows sylphs to be extremely versatile.
Unlike the nature spirits of earth and water, sylphs remain active at
night. Just as they are stimulated by the Sun to process its light by
day, so too they are affected by the moon and other celestial bodies at
night. In response, they work to absorb, transform and distribute these
more subtle types of light and energy. They work with the ever-changing
metaphysical influences that come to Earth from space. The various
constellations, individual stars, planets and other phenomena of the
heavens broadcast their own specific influences and the versatility of
sylphs is called upon to translate these so that they can be used by
the Earth.
At night sylphs become more silvery in colour with tiny sparkling
points of light gleaming here and there. Their bodies glow with a cool
radiance, while thin streams of iridescence run outward along the wings
in a myriad of colours. The nature of the influence they are
transforming at any given time has a great effect on the range of
colours and activity levels exhibited.
Weather conditions are also accompanied by their own particular types
of sylphs and as well, some already existing sylphs can change their
appearances very quickly in keeping with changing conditions. An
example of this can be seen when air and water interact in the form of
storm clouds. Nearby sylphs are drawn to the clouds, the colours of the
sylphs becoming darker and more menacing the closer they approach. The
etheric component of a storm is charged with a kind of vitality that is
very attractive to sylphs and they take in the violence of the storm,
exulting in its power. They fly repeatedly in and out of the storm
clouds, circling at the storm front or just below the clouds, drawing
in the charged etheric and dispersing it into the surrounding air when
they emerge. Sylphs in these circumstances can become frenzied in their
movements, and present an appearance that can be frightening to human
observers.
Many sylphs are very alert to their surroundings and actively seek
contact with any devas or angels in their vicinity, even when the
angels or devas do not work directly with air. For example, sylphs in
an area frequently visit and hover near a healing angel who is
permanently stationed at a hospital. On many occasions, these great
beings acknowledge the sylphs with a touch.
Sylphs of the Seasons
Each season of the year brings its own special type of sylph
that matches the nature of the air currents, breezes and winds of the
time. Each type blows away the old influences of the past season to
whatever degree is appropriate and broadcasts the patterns and stories
of nature for the current one. The appearance of each mirrors the
energy and atmosphere associated with its season. Sylphs of the seasons
arrive to suit the appropriate energy conditions of nature, rather than
according to a date or a time. Some years their arrival is earlier or
later than others, depending on the physical and metaphysical
conditions of the time.
The sylphs of spring are filled with vitality and alertness. They can
be seen in every pastel tone, with a predominance of soft orange,
greens and pinks blending harmoniously together. The larger spring
sylphs have more of the green shades, while the smaller ones have more
of the pink and orange. The forms of spring sylphs are delicate, with
fine lines of energy running upward and outward through their wings.
Tiny sparks of light spring from the edges of their wings, trailing
behind them as they move within the balmy spring breezes. Crowns of
energy rising from their heads are intricately divided with fine,
feathery terminations. Flashes of fluorescent oranges and pinks glint
along these lines of energy and spray into the air above. Rarely are
spring sylphs seen alone. They are almost always in groups and can be
found throughout the atmosphere. Spring sylphs engage in activities
that prepare the etheric of the Earth for the summer months, laying
foundations for the summer sylphs to build upon.
The sylphs of summer are more robust in appearance, with broader wings
than the spring sylphs. They are also more brightly coloured. Their
movements are more sudden and vigorous, though their periods of
stillness are longer as well. Many sylphs work close to the surface of
the Earth during the heat of summer. They can often be seen lingering
near brightly coloured flowers, shedding gentle showers of light into
the air around them. They are stimulated by the colour emanations of
the flowers. The light they emit conditions the air around the plants
for the use of the smaller nature spirits of earth.
Autumn sylphs are coloured in many shades of blue, deep green and
yellow. Their colours are denser than those of the spring and summer
sylphs, with more definition and contrast in the details of their
forms. The crowns are spiked and radiant with golden light. Although
all types of sylphs clear away old influences in preparation for the
new, autumn sylphs do this with particular strength and purpose. Just
as autumn winds cause dry leaves to fall from trees, the autumn sylphs
clear away any lingering influences of spring and summer and in
this way establish the forces of autumn as well as prepare for winter.
Like the summer sylphs, autumn sylphs often work close to the surface
of the Earth, spreading golden-yellow light over trees and plants.
The sylphs of winter have fine, elongated forms with fragile-seeming
wings that are finely feathered and spiked at the edges. They are
coloured with many shades of blue and purple, with streaks of light and
dark shades juxtaposed, providing sharp contrasts of colour. Dark blue
and silvery energies radiate all around them in concentric spheres of
colour, while emanations of frosty, silvery light spray in bursts from
their crowns. Winter sylphs have the most contrasting and sharply
defined appearance of all the seasonal sylphs. They can be found
throughout the atmosphere, spreading their wintry light all around them.
Interactions
Many of the smaller sylphs have limited consciousness and are
mostly unaware of the outside world. Occasionally a smaller sylph has
awareness of the outer world, as do some of the medium sized ones and
all the larger ones. Those who are aware of human beings will sometimes
play around them, particularly on windy days. They do this even when
the humans are unaware of their presence. They experience great joy
when someone can perceive them. Sylphs particularly like being around
children who are often joyful and noisy on windy days, unlike adults
who often react against windy weather and close down.
Smaller sylphs often play with cats and dogs, but seem to be
particularly drawn to cats. In windy weather, especially when cats run
or pounce, small sylphs can frequently be seen hanging from the cat's
tail, its whiskers and ears or from the back legs. They also interact
with lambs and other young creatures that gambol and play. Sometimes
the sylphs are quite aware of the animal, but at other times, they are
just responding to its activity. They are drawn to certain types of
movement because of the way it impacts upon the surrounding air,
creating different types of turbulence. Activities and emotions also
imprint themselves on the etheric of the air, although air cannot hold
these imprints as effectively as water can.
A new type of sylph has been seen occasionally since 2004. These are
the largest sylphs so far observed. They are predominantly varying
shades of purple and are well over one metre or around four feet tall.
Their numbers seem to be growing, although they are still very rare. It
is thought that this unusual sylph is associated with the Aquarian Age,
which is just beginning. It is expected that their numbers will
increase markedly over the next two thousand years. Their function
seems to be one of interpreting the metaphysical aspects of air in new
ways and bringing new forces through from the astral realms. They emit
a short musical note of crystalline purity whose effect resonates
through the astral realm, clearing the way for the new age.
The purple sylphs have a high level of consciousness and are very
connected to all that goes on in their environment. Their faces radiate
an acute intelligence. They turn their heads with great attentiveness
to look at any person who believes in nature spirits or can see them.
They will go out of their normal path to make contact with such a
person even to the point of approaching a window to look in, an action
which would be highly unusual for any other type of sylph.
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