Air (classical element)

Air or Wind is one of the four classical elements along with water, earth and fire in ancient Greek philosophy and in Western alchemy.

Ancient and modern opinions differ as to whether he identified air by the divine name Hera, Aidoneus or even Zeus.

In the Timaeus, his major cosmological dialogue, the Platonic solid associated with air is the octahedron which is formed from eight equilateral triangles.

This places air between fire and water which Plato regarded as appropriate because it is intermediate in its mobility, sharpness, and ability to penetrate.

[6] Plato's student Aristotle (384–322 BCE) developed a different explanation for the elements based on pairs of qualities.

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, founded in 1888, incorporates air and the other Greek classical elements into its teachings.

[9] The elemental weapon of air is the dagger which must be painted yellow with magical names and sigils written upon it in violet.

In the Golden Dawn and many other magical systems, each element is associated with one of the cardinal points and is placed under the care of guardian Watchtowers.

Qi is believed to be part of every living thing that exists, as a kind of "life force" or "spiritual energy".

Shu played a primary role in the Coffin Texts, which were spells intended to help the deceased reach the realm of the afterlife safely.