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IRISH SYLPH (AIR ELEMENTAL)
Sylphs are the spiritual beings that
inhabit the spirit realm of the element Air. Their activities
are manifest in the gatherings of clouds, in the blowing of
the wind, the downpour of rain and the formation of snow. They
are also responsible for the growth and maturity of all the
plant life we see around us. In folklore, Sylphs appeared in
many myths and legends. Some tales tell us that if you
listened carefully, they would talk to you on the wind as it
passed through caves and caverns.
Its been suggested that the Muses of Greek
mythology were Sylphs who had assumed human form in order to
guide humans on a spiritual path. They are associated with the
activity of the mind and can influence and inspire human
actions. It is generally though that they are attracted to
poets and artists and instills them with visions of spiritual
beauty. Sylphs are ruled by a King being (known as Paralda), and
in form they appear to humans as in the classic image of the
fairies. |
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The name Sylph comes from the Greek word "silphe",
meaning "butterfly" or "moth". They were first named by the
Rosicrucian's and Cabalists in their folklore. The sylph is a female
spirit of the element, air. Sylphs are like invisible angels, whose
voices could be heard in the wind. Sylphs defend the high mountain
peaks and wilderness mountains that are home to them. Sylphs look
like tall, lithe humans with huge, feathered wings sprouting from
their backs. These wings are almost two times it’s body length, but
they fold up behind the sylph. They have large, hawk-like eyes and
sharp, angular faces. A sylph can live to be hundreds of years old,
often reaching one thousand, but never seeming to grow old. The
smaller sylph are sometimes called cherubs or fairies. Sylphs are
loners, and are content to fly with the birds.
Air is traditionally assigned to the East, the
direction of dawn. The Goddesses Danu, Arianrhod,
Athena and the God’s Mercury and Buddha, among
others, are associated with Air.
Air represents intelligence, inspiration, freshness and freedom.
Fairest of Mortals,
thou distinguish'd Care
Of thousand bright Inhabitants of Air!
Alexander Pope,
The Rape of the Lock: Canto 1 (1712)
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