Fire, Earth, Air and Water

In the Astrology class I began in March it was suggested that we meditate on the four elements ~ fire, earth, air and water ~ to gain understanding of how they influence and affect the sun signs of the zodiac. The month before I had read a book I picked up at the Rubin Museum in New York by Tibetan Lama Gehlek Rimpoche that discussed the Buddhist beliefs of life, death and reincarnation. To my surprise the elements were integral to the understanding of these Buddhist concepts. And now, this Lenten Season, I noticed my favorite blog devoted to spiritual practice, the Abbey of the Arts, is offering an e-course on the Christian practice of praying with the elements.

Three signs pointing in the same direction and then I remembered Anam Cara. Anam Cara translates from Gaelic as soul friend and refers to the Celtic Spiritual belief of souls connecting and bonding. The Celts believe when you are blessed with an Anam Cara, you have arrived at that most sacred place, home.

My deepest frame of reference for all that the elements encompass is within the heart of Celtic Spirituality, a spiritual practice woven with nature and its oneness in relation to religion. My ancestors are from Western Ireland, which may explain my emotional connection. I’ve never visited Ireland yet have been profoundly touched through my Grandmothers love and music. Simply transcendent, Van Morrison’s lyrics in ‘Into the Mystic” convey and channel Celtic spirituality, the elements and Love. Written in the 60’s the language is a bit archaic although even when he wrote the words it was. My belief is that he was speaking of the timelessness of being and so it served his song. It occurred to me out of the blue that this song that I, like so many others, hold dear to my heart contains my knowing. The understanding of how the elements are within the universe, uni-verse, one verse and that verse is Love. Listen with your heart.

We were born before the wind

Also younger than the sun

Ere the bonnie boat was won as we sailed into the mystic

Hark, now hear the sailors cry

Smell the sea and feel the sky

Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic

And when that fog horn blows I will be coming home

And when the fog horn blows I want to hear it

I don't have to fear it

And I want to rock your gypsy soul

Just like way back in the days of old

And magnificently we will flow into the mystic

When that fog horn blows you know I will be coming home

And when that fog horn whistle blows I got to hear it

I don't have to fear it

And I want to rock your gypsy soul

Just like way back in the days of old

And together we will flow into the mystic

Come on girl...

Too late to stop now...