summoning elementals

[leo482]

i am new to wicca and i would like to know if it is safe to summon elementals.

[mothwench]

depends on the elemental? what do you think an elemental is?

[leo482]

i think it is an embodiment of an element

[Ben Trismegistus]

i am new to wicca and i would like to know if it is safe to summon elementals.
The quick answer is - no, it's not safe to summon elementals. Not until you've progressed far enough in your magical studies to know how to do it right and safely. Sorry.

[Faeawyn]

Ben is right. Imagine all the power and energy in fire, wind, flowing water, and the earth.....if you don't know how to handle it, or do it respectfully...then don't try it just yet. Take some of our classes we're going to be offering soon.....you'll learn alot :) *shameless plug for the school*

[Celticscryer]

Absoulutely not. Summoning elementals is very serious magic, and takes a great deal of study to master properly. Elementals are hard to control, (imagine trying to counter a hurrican with a hairdryer and you'll get the idea) and not for a beginner to attempt.

I suggest you find a teacher (or take the classes that Faeawyn mentioned) and study, study, study first.

[SacredWithin]

I feel ignorant not knowing what an elemental is. Is there a clear definition of an elemental?

[Ben Trismegistus]

I feel ignorant not knowing what an elemental is. Is there a clear definition of an elemental?
Simply put, an elemental is an energy creature which is a representation of one of the four elements -- air, fire, water, or earth. As a rule, they tend to be incredibly chaotic and difficult to deal with.

[SacredWithin]

Thanks

[cloud]

school school what? keep me informed!

[SacredWithin]

*chuckle* Not all great teachers are instituted in schools. :)

[fireswimmer]

Absoulutely not. Summoning elementals is very serious magic, and takes a great deal of study to master properly. Elementals are hard to control, (imagine trying to counter a hurrican with a hairdryer and you'll get the idea) and not for a beginner to attempt.

I suggest you find a teacher (or take the classes that Faeawyn mentioned) and study, study, study first.

For the initiator of this thread I would say no that elementals are not safe to summon. For Celitcs cryer I have a question. Do you think that you ever control an elemental? I knwo that I bargain with the ones that I live with. Wheedling, begging, and screaming have all occurred. Tears have definitely been added to the mix but I do not think I have ever controlled one. I love them dearly and would nto want to be without them but I would also never dream of controlling them. I think that I request that they come to me out of love rather than summoning. Not that it is ever hard since I live with 4 of them.

Fireswimmer

[Celticscryer]

For the initiator of this thread I would say no that elementals are not safe to summon. For Celitcs cryer I have a question. Do you think that you ever control an elemental? I knwo that I bargain with the ones that I live with. Wheedling, begging, and screaming have all occurred. Tears have definitely been added to the mix but I do not think I have ever controlled one. I love them dearly and would nto want to be without them but I would also never dream of controlling them. I think that I request that they come to me out of love rather than summoning. Not that it is ever hard since I live with 4 of them.

Fireswimmer
I have summoned elementals in the past, and had complete control over them. I say summon because they do not actually exist on this plane (and therefore can have no effect on anything here) until called upon.

My question would be why would you call upon something that you couldn't maintain some form of control over? Why take that risk?

[Ouroboros]

For the initiator of this thread I would say no that elementals are not safe to summon. For Celitcs cryer I have a question. Do you think that you ever control an elemental? I knwo that I bargain with the ones that I live with. Wheedling, begging, and screaming have all occurred. Tears have definitely been added to the mix but I do not think I have ever controlled one. I love them dearly and would nto want to be without them but I would also never dream of controlling them. I think that I request that they come to me out of love rather than summoning. Not that it is ever hard since I live with 4 of them.

Fireswimmer

The true magician shows that they are not subject to the elements...

"...the moon tells me your secret, be confident." - Tool, Lateralus Album, "Reflection"

[fireswimmer]

I have summoned elementals in the past, and had complete control over them. I say summon because they do not actually exist on this plane (and therefore can have no effect on anything here) until called upon.

My question would be why would you call upon something that you couldn't maintain some form of control over? Why take that risk?

I do not feel that I have complete control over any spirit. I believe that they all have free will. I ask for support and I feel the elementals with me when I do my workings. I can not imagine my life without them. I was working with them before I had any notion of danger in relation to them. I know that sounds odd but I have worked with a set of elementals for as long as I can remember. For me they are like childhood friends.

I do believe that the elementals can exist on this plane. I believe that as surely as I believe that I can strike a match and see fire or feel the wind in my hair or swim in water. I believe that most spirits are weaker on this plane than on their own but that rule does not hold true for elementals. They are so bound with the universe that they transcend different planes.

Fireswimmer

[fireswimmer]

The true magician shows that they are not subject to the elements...

"...the moon tells me your secret, be confident." - Tool, Lateralus Album, "Reflection"


Do you find there to be a difference between being subject to the elements and having a relationship with them?

I am bound to the elements in that they sustain me. I do not feel that much would exist without earth air fire and water. I do not feel like a subject to them. That makes me think of bowing down to them and I do not do that.

Fireswimmer

[Ouroboros]

Do you find there to be a difference between being subject to the elements and having a relationship with them?

I am bound to the elements in that they sustain me. I do not feel that much would exist without earth air fire and water. I do not feel like a subject to them. That makes me think of bowing down to them and I do not do that.

Fireswimmer

Indeed, the aethyr is what binds elements, gods, galaxies, and humans alike. There is no bowing being done other than bowing to ones self, unless of course you prefer that experience, or are made unaware of the puppeteers that loom above and your involved choice with them in experiencing that part of life.

[Grey]

A good quick rule of thumb for all... if your not experianced enough to know if its safe or not, if you havent done that much research or learning, then your probly not experianced enough to do it safely wether or not thats possible.

There is a site that tells how to create an elemental type creature of your own energy, if I can find it Ill post it in here... that much should be fine for most anyone, just remember to let it go.

[fireswimmer]

Indeed, the aethyr is what binds elements, gods, galaxies, and humans alike. There is no bowing being done other than bowing to ones self, unless of course you prefer that experience, or are made unaware of the puppeteers that loom above and your involved choice with them in experiencing that part of life.

I quite agree with you!

Fireswimmer

[Ouroboros]

There is a site that tells how to create an elemental type creature of your own energy, if I can find it Ill post it in here... that much should be fine for most anyone, just remember to let it go.

Would you be so kind as to share the web address?

[Tzaolunyin]

Do you think that elementals have a conciousness and will? Or are they simply natural forces and in the process of summoning them you give them a comprehensible shape and attempt to exert power over them?

[Ouroboros]

Do you think that elementals have a conciousness and will? Or are they simply natural forces and in the process of summoning them you give them a comprehensible shape and attempt to exert power over them?

I feel summoning can also be viewed as merely "Attempting to consciously perceive entities of nature" or "Opening the minds eye, and being more aware of your surroundings." Something like that.

The idea that you have power over something is merely an illusion. Power is a natural enemy of any being. The reason the illusion exists is to teach you how to get past it.

[fireswimmer]

Do you think that elementals have a conciousness and will? Or are they simply natural forces and in the process of summoning them you give them a comprehensible shape and attempt to exert power over them?

Yes, I believe that elementals have a consciousness and a will. I feel like every spirit has that. I also agree with Ouroboros when he states that " I feel summoning can also be viewed as merely "Attempting to consciously perceive entities of nature" or "Opening the minds eye, and being more aware of your surroundings."

Fireswimmer

[johenn123]

oh crap I just summoned an element to live for 48 hours and I am a new pagan, damn. I felt dizzy after the spell but I am gonna be wary for 2 days

[Morgandria]

:wtf: :eyebrow: :achillpil

[Yasmine Galenorn]

The quick answer is - no, it's not safe to summon elementals. Not until you've progressed far enough in your magical studies to know how to do it right and safely. Sorry.

Exactly my answer...well, I'd be a bit more blunt: Nope, not until you know what you're doing. *grins* But the sentiment is the same.

Been there, done that, learned through burnt fingers.

Yasmine :colorful:

[Yasmine Galenorn]

Do you think that elementals have a conciousness and will? Or are they simply natural forces and in the process of summoning them you give them a comprehensible shape and attempt to exert power over them?

Yes, I fully believe they have power, will, and force and exist on their own terms. We like the illusion that we control these forces, but IMO, we just work WITH them. If they don't like us or want to hang around, they won't. So I'm always very respectful when I work with them.

Yasmine

[MoonDragn]

I know that whenever we open a circle we call on the guardians of the watch towers to protect us from that element. Whether that guardian is an elemental itself I don't know but what is a Lord of <element> if not an elemental prince of some sort?

We also thank them when we close the circle, so they must have some intelligence.

[Yasmine Galenorn]

I know that whenever we open a circle we call on the guardians of the watch towers to protect us from that element. Whether that guardian is an elemental itself I don't know but what is a Lord of <element> if not an elemental prince of some sort?

We also thank them when we close the circle, so they must have some intelligence.

I think just about every tradition/practitioner has their own take on elementals. Goes with the territory, I guess. ;)

I'm not Wiccan, myself, and don't view them as guardians so much as spirits of the element that can help, hinder, or ignore us when we invoke them.

Yasmine :colorful:

[Lunacie]

I know that whenever we open a circle we call on the guardians of the watch towers to protect us from that element. Whether that guardian is an elemental itself I don't know but what is a Lord of <element> if not an elemental prince of some sort?

We also thank them when we close the circle, so they must have some intelligence.

When I cast a circle and call the elements to guard and protect, they are guarding and protecting from anything and everything from elementals. to people, to negative energies that are floating around because someone had a bad day, to spirits, to ghosts, whatever may interupt the ritual and distract me or draw away the energy I'm working with. If I'm working with fire energy I don't want the Ancient Spirit of Fire to prevent it from entering the circle and working with me, eh?

[Indigo Angel]

*blush* I was wondering what they were too... Thanks