Element Of...

[JustGeorge]

I was reading a bit the other day, and the book (The Once and Future King, by T.H. White) talked of "the element of hay".

For some, elemental systems will be familiar. There's the fairly well known system of fire/water/earth/air(and sometimes spirit is added). I've seen some sources talk of land/sea/sky. The Daoists have a system of earth/fire/metal/wood/water. Others may not be as familiar with the elements.

But, this is the first time I've read of the element of hay. It was figurative, talking of the workers in the field becoming so close with the hay that it became an element to them.

Is there anything you could compare to becoming an element to you? What is it, and why?

 

[dybmh]

Is there anything you could compare to becoming an element to you? What is it, and why?

Good question. I need to ponder it.

 

[rocala]

Not personally but considering how often it is used in spiritual descriptions as well as its relevance to life, light comes to mind.

 

[JustGeorge]

Not personally but considering how often it is used in spiritual descriptions as well as its relevance to life, light comes to mind.

I could see that...

Wake up to having the lights flung on in the dark, it does kind of overtake you.

 

[Quintessence]

So... I could probably write a book on the Sacred Four and the Elements at least within the Western context but I'm gonna try to keep it simple.

A philosophy of Elementalism is the answer to the question "what fundamental substance(s) underly all reality?" Greek philosophers framed this as a question of arche, or the first principle or "root" of all things. It's a core ontological question where folks answers loosely fall into three categories - substance monism (e.g., there is only one kind of fundamental substance, such as matter or spirit), substance dualism (e.g., there are two kinds of fundamental substances, such as matter and spirit), and finally substance pluralism (e.g., there are three or more kinds of fundamental substances, such as Air and Fire and Earth and Water). These are understood more as abstract philosophical principles than literal entities. For example, Air doesn't refer to actual air we breathe, but the principle of... okay, no, no I said I was gonna try to keep it simple.

The point is, calling something like "hay" an Element doesn't seem to be referencing this key philosophical question of arche. It is coming from another important frame of reference that maybe is the answer to the question "what aspect(s) of reality are fundamental to who and what I am?" Looking outward, understanding one's identity is the product of relations to things greater than and beyond oneself. A deep kinship and relatedness that is so fundamental that it can be colloquially called "elemental" or arche like the first principle or roots of things, for it is the first principle or root that grounds and governs our very lives. This is less abstract than the Elements in philosophy. For some, that thing is family. For others, perhaps their vocation. Maybe a home or a place. The things we might call gods if we are theists, but not if we aren't.

In this non-philosophical sense of "element" I would probably point at Gaea firstly. We all come from Gaea, and to Gaea we all return. That is the way of things. And while Gaea itself is Quintessential - it is Air and Fire and Earth and Water - it is more immediate and present in our lives than the Sacred Four. In a sense, more elemental than the Elements.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Is there anything you could compare to becoming an element to you? What is it, and why?

Clutter. Its actually more like a negative element, because it negates things such as time and objects (which get lost or trapped in the clutter). I think of it as an enemy, but one could think of it as an emergent element. I don't think its the same as chaos though. Chaos seems to be akin to energy, whereas clutter is more of an entropy that traps things. Its more like a knot whereas chaos would be something like hot soup.

 

[JustGeorge]

Clutter. Its actually more like a negative element, because it negates things such as time and objects (which get lost or trapped in the clutter). I think of it as an enemy, but one could think of it as an emergent element. I don't think its the same as chaos though. Chaos seems to be akin to energy, whereas clutter is more of an entropy that traps things. Its more like a knot whereas chaos would be something like hot soup.

I'm well familiar with that element.

 

[dybmh]

Is there anything you could compare to becoming an element to you?

Alright. Lithium, atomic number 3. It's soft and highly reactive. And Silver, atomic number 47. It is simultaneously the most reflective and conductive of all the metallic elements. Also its value as currency is determined not by scarcity.

 

[JustGeorge]

Alright. Lithium, atomic number 3. It's soft and highly reactive. And Silver, atomic number 47. It is simultaneously the most reflective and conductive of all the metallic elements. Also its value as currency is determined not be scarcity.

How would you experience this element with your senses?

 

[Quagmire]

Music?

 

[dybmh]

How would you experience this element with your senses?

Lithium causes burns on the skin and reacts violently with water, including water vapor.

Silver is reflective and conductive, so, you'll most likely experience it as an antique mirror, or, perhaps as a paste used on electrical terminals or heat sinks on semi-conductors.

 

[GoodAttention]

Lithium causes burns on the skin and reacts violently with water, including water vapor.

Silver is reflective and conductive, so, you'll most likely experience it as an antique mirror, or, perhaps as a paste used on electrical terminals or heat sinks on semi-conductors.

Tungsten? Atomic number 74, highest boiling point of all elements, and when heated it will give off light

Also the heaviest element that has biological functionality.

 

[dybmh]

Tungsten? Atomic number 74, highest boiling point of all elements, and when heated it will give off light

Also the heaviest element that has biological functionality

 

[dybmh]

74

11: the most important element? All life depends on it?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

I was reading a bit the other day, and the book (The Once and Future King, by T.H. White) talked of "the element of hay".

For some, elemental systems will be familiar. There's the fairly well known system of fire/water/earth/air(and sometimes spirit is added). I've seen some sources talk of land/sea/sky. The Daoists have a system of earth/fire/metal/wood/water. Others may not be as familiar with the elements.

But, this is the first time I've read of the element of hay. It was figurative, talking of the workers in the field becoming so close with the hay that it became an element to them.

Is there anything you could compare to becoming an element to you? What is it, and why?

The element of metal, except specifically Heavy Metal.

 

[GoodAttention]

11: the most important element? All life depends on it?

Hmm.. 11 must go with 17 if that is the case.

All life depends on water, which is 8-9-10.
But the water should have a salinity to it.
So salt, which is 11 and 17, is necessary,

Within order, exists disorder and also victory, that is life.

 

[dybmh]

So salt, which is 11 and 17, is necessary,

"... when I was 17 ... "

 

[Vinidra]

Not personally but considering how often it is used in spiritual descriptions as well as its relevance to life, light comes to mind.

I was thinking along these lines, too. As soon as I read the OP, my brain said, "Light and dark." Or day and night, if you prefer.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Energy, mass, space, time, and consciousness.

 

[PureX]

Art ... creative expression.