Planets and elements
What is our motivation to use incense? Sometimes
you can't explain that easily. Slowly we are coming unto the field of spirituality.
The extra dimension, our own consciousness that fulfills a key role when you
want to grow mentally. We use incense as a push in our backs to reach that
other dimension. However first we need to acquire some of the language of
this other dimension.
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The 4 elements
The researchers from the past divided the world of
fenomena in four principles under which they saw nature functioning : Earth,
Air, Water, and Fire. On the picture you see them also in this sequence, we call
these little drawings geomantic symbols.
Earth is the most practical element and pushes us
unto the naked essence of existence. Concrete things about which you don't
have to do difficult. Earth symbolises the wealth of our planet of which we
also form an unbreakable part. Our own bodies can be seen as 'Earth' in that
respect. Earth has its needs, possibilities, limitations, and forms the
podium upon which life happens. In the storm of events we often forget the
element of earth and are we present 'in our heads', pondering and puzzling,
busy with anything except practical things. These are moments when it is good
'to earth' : Just go peel the potatoes, working in your garden, or do some
sport. In such a way you will come back to the ground with both your feet, on
the earth.
Air is the elusive element. Everywhere around us,
but impossible to catch. Breath and rhytm of life. The wind that blows and
brings us change. Capricious and beautiful when the colours of a sunrise
enchant us. Fast as the wind, flashing as a thought. The air in ourselves is
the sometimes continuing stream of thoughts and impressions. Thin, and over
before you've realised it. Dreaming, fantasizing, ordering and creating.
Rambling, from here to there. Always directed to bring the world on a higher
plane. Rising upwards, to where the Gods can hear our voices.
Water is the unifying element. Streaming downwards,
deeper and deeper, dragging with her all that is not fixed enough. Without
distinction water surrounds and offers safety to all life. Floating in water
as an embryo, the sea as cradle of all life, the rain as purification and
bringer of new fertility. In the element of water all creatures are
interconnected and are we feeling with whole our being. And whether it is
love or fear, our feelings know immeasurable depths and stand on the basis of
our existence.
Fire is the transformative element. When you've
gone through the fire, you are changed, and the old situation will never
return. As booster of processes fire is the source of energy with which life
has to be fed continuously. Like the sun that shines on our planet, as the
destructive force that suddenly erupts as lava from deep underground. The
terrible knowledge that something has to be destructed in order to get
something new. That the present burns up like a candle, to die once and make
place for something different. Inner fire is strength and inspiration, drives
every being towards its destination.
The researchers from the past also knew a fifth
element that was the key to the unification of all opposites : Spirit.
Alchemists in their laboratories were busy to make such a combination of the
four elements that they could make gold. (a filosofers stone, life elixir, or
similar ultimities) What currently is only remotely understood is that these
people were busy with the study of the human mind, religion, and nature. The
search for gold can therefore better be seen as a metafor that points to
'higher' goals, contact with 'God', 'enlightment' ...This was taken very
seriously and the alchemistical process was seen as a way towards that. The
making of incense is strongly centered around the four elements :
•You are working with natural substances :Earth
•You mix these substances with a liquid to make an
incense-clay : Water
•The eventual result is burnt : Fire
• During the combustion scent and smoke come free :
Air
•The experience of scent : Spirit
The 7 planets
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Another division of the world of fenomena is
astrological. The ancient astrologers saw seven basic forces functioning in
the universe. Their names are of the 7 heavenly bodies (Planets) which they
knew : Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn.(Also in this
sequence on the image) I will give a short summary of the meanings of the 7
planets : |
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The Sun is the most
important planet of our system. It gives light and warmth, determines the
seasons. In all religious traditions the sun takes an important role. In
ancient Egypt for example it was Ra, the father of all gods, who was
worshipped in whole his journey across the sky. In Northern Europe it was
Baldur, the beautiful one, who was the incarnation of all that is worth
living for and who was to become the supreme god after the present world was
destroyed. The Christian Jezus can also be seen as the solar energy, shining
and radiating. Often the sun is in charge in the divine world, that is why he
is shown in the picture as a king. The king always stands at the service of
the land and the people, which is the reason why the sun sacrifices his life
in exchange for wealth and happiness. In the mythology, Baldur and Jezus are
being killed, does the whole world mourn for them, but at the same time the
world is released from their suffering. Many cultures see the sun as the
consort of the moon. Baldur for example is married to the moon goddess Idun.
Symbolically the sun represents consciousness, the ego of a person. On the
throne we see the zodiacal sign of Leo.
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The moon is in general
seen as a female force. She is often personified as Mother Earth who takes
care for fertility and new life. The reason for this is that the cycle of the
moon is roughly parallel with the menstruational cycle of women. While the
sun is representing our waking conscousness, the moon is involved with our
subconsciousness and therefore a great influence in our emotional life. Because the moon determines the tides of
ebb and flood, the moon and the element of water are strongly interwoven. On
the picture we see the moon goddess Artemis, to be recognised by her bow and
arrow. On her throne we see the zodiacal sign of Cancer.
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Mercury is the great
messenger. The concept goes about communication, transport, overbridging and
change. No wonder that thinking and rationality can be found under mercury.
The Olympian god Hermes is often the messenger of the King Zeus to deliver
his messages in the most impossible outreaches of the universe. The norse
Deity Wodan is a poet and an inspirator. Funny enough. also a thief and a
crook. The forces of the planets are impersonal and for that reason they will
have as well positive as negative properties. On the wheels of the wagon we
see the signs Gemini and Virgo.
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Venus is the
goddess of love and known under many names : Afrodite, Freya, Isis. Her child
is Amor who shoots his arrows in the hearts of mankind Attraction is central
to this planet, the fine arts like music and painting fall under her
dominion. Creativity and inspiration are also venusian traits. Negative
aspects of venus are for example jealosy and lust. Here we see on the
wagonwheels the Taurus and the sign of Libra.
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Mars is the
destroyer and the bringer of war, but also the deification of health and vitality.
As the secret lover of venus he is the fertiliser pur sang. He does not let
go in his urge to act, has a fiery and a sometimes hot-tempered character.
Mars says don't think but act and sacrifices himself for that if necessary.
The martian force has a bad reputation because it is so directed towards
destruction, yet this is not completely honest since when we want to combat a
disease we need this force to conquer it. On the wheels of the wagon you can
see the signs Aries and Scorpio.
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Jupiter is called the
greater Benefic. Better known as Zeus he brings the world prosperity and
wealth. Everything that nature has initiated comes under full bloom under the
force of Jupiter. You could call that the force of expansion. Jupiter is a
teacher and a preacher, determined to bring the evolution unto a higher
plane. We see the signs Sagitarius and Pisces.
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Saturn is also called
the great teacher and with that we actually mean time. All we have to succumb
to the fact that our lives are finite, therefor the scythe, but there is
more. Saturn learns us to live with limitation and to have patience. As the
Olympian Hefaistos he is the handicapped child of Zeus, but he is the best
maker and inventor of the universe. That connects Saturn to Venus because the
one aspect of creation is inspiration, the other aspect is perseverance. We
see the signs Capricorn and Aquarius falling under the dominion of Saturn.
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According to this alchemical system these
planets rule the earth in a subtle way, all life vibrates according these
energies. So it is possible to order scents according to this mystical
method. For example : •Frankincense is an uplifting
vitalising substance that gives a strong sensation of health an power when
you inhale it. We say it is ruled by the sun, that it has a solar character. • The vehemence and warmth of
Dragons Blood, as well as its red colour, belong the most to the planet mars. •Lavender smells strangely
fresh and sweet. The flowers make you think a little about antennaes. Mercury Via this manner all substances can be placed
in the model of the planets. For myself this is a handy system when I need to
translate the multitude of scents and experiences you get when working with
incense. As we already have discussed, communication about scent is
difficult. Just as the four elements, the planets give us a little grip.In
the near future I am planning to work this out in a system of planetary
attributions. That sounds complicated but it is nothing more then a table of
natural substances and the planets under which they fall. For the time being
you'll get some links towards other internet resources. |