5: Foundations: The Elements — Cáer
Generally, I do not refer to the stuff that makes up the world as elements, for too often do people think that I am speaking of those most often found in Paganism — earth, air, fire, and water. Because this notion is so prevalent, our ritual structures often confuse others, and we hear questions like, “You have Fire, the Well for water, and the Tree for earth — but where is air?” or “You talk about the land, sky, and sea — but where is Fire?” I do not believe there is a way that the idea of duile can be mapped onto these four elements, nor should it. Instead, we have the idea that the microcosm reflects the macrocosm, that the whole of the world is reflected within us.
From Ymir’s flesh the earth was made
and from his sweat, the sea;
Mountains from his bones, trees from his hair,
and heaven from his skull.
And from his brows built the gentle gods
Midgard for the sons of men;
And from his brain shaped they all the clouds
Which were hard in mood.
– Grimnismal 40-41
This idea is found in cultures all over the Indo-European world, as examined in Bruce Lincoln’s Death, War, and Sacrifice, from which the above quote is taken. Most often, I refer to a series of nine duile — heaven, clouds, the sun, the moon, the sea, the wind, plants, soil, stones — though lightning, stars, and all manner of natural things may be considered duile.
These elements connect us to both the Earth Mother herself, as our body was made from hers and is like hers, but also to the first sacrifice, be it man or bull. The sacrifice made the world, the world is brought together to make Man. In the series of ongoing relationships that move the universe, this is but one.
Further reading:
The Elements of the Dúile – Searles O’Dubhain
The Duile and the Spirits – Ian Corrigan
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