The Water Elementals

[Fae Oonagh]

Element Water



Nymphs

Nymphs are connected to the element water, but at the same time can also be connected to a mountain or forest. Their action radius is very localized.

There also are nymphs that regulate the flow of water in the earth's crust. In general nymphs distribute the feminine qualities of water into the landscape. They can give a specific individuality to a water place. A well nymph can turn the waters of the well into a healing place. It is not uncommon for them to appear in the religious form of the goddess that people of that area worship. Hence the appearance of Maria at wells in Europe.

They do not have a clear consciousness as do gnomes. They dream constantly. They mostly dream of the stars, the sun, light and warmth.

They have a tendency to merge temporarily into a fish form, but will take on other metamorphoses just to avoid to possibility of turning into a fish form permanently. They do help the fishes and amphibians.

Nymphs bind and unbind matter. They take care of the chemistry of plants.

Nymphs can have a kind of morbid death wish.

There also male nymphs, or water-men, who embody the male aspect of water. They seem to be rather withdrawn.




Undines

Here is a description of undines by Geoffrey Hodson : "There are two different grades of water-spirits at this (water) fall. One is apparently connected with the whole ghyll, and was first seen traveling swiftly up the mountain on which the stream rises. It is definitely of the undine variety, but rather larger than those previously seen, though similar to tern in other characteristics.
The figure, which shines as if wet, is female, nude and without wings, the exquisite limbs gleam through the white auric flow, the arms are particularly long and beautiful, and she waves them gracefully in her flight. She is about four feet in height and her general coloring is silvery white, with gold stars round the head.
She moves up the fall by a series of darting motions of exceeding swiftness, disappears from view as if into the rock, reappears. and flashes down again. As I watch her rapid movements she appears suddenly to become languid; her form slowly dissipates and her consciousness sinks into the ground, as if to rest. At the particular place where she disappeared-a large rocky bluff covered with bracken and heather-I can still sense, I would almost say see, the undine, at a distance of six to ten feet below the surface of the ground.
She has reappeared, and obviously experiences considerable joy, taking great interest and delight in the large fall, over which she hovers in a fashion that suggests some emotion akin to brooding tenderness. She shows a certain natural seriousness; in her there is none of that careless inconsequence which marks so many of the lesser nature-spirits. In her mind there is a sense of responsibility for certain aspects and processes of evolution which are taking place here, connected chiefly with the water and the vegetation. Over the rock under which she retired there is a decided magnetic influence, due no doubt to her long-continued presence there, which has given the place a strongly defined aura and influence of its own.
There are some less evolved undines at the actual falls, where they appear to be permanently stationed. They too, can pass in and out of the rock at will. They differ from the one described chiefly in size; they are less than a foot high, and appear to be making vocal sounds. Their joy is more unrestrained and their whole bearing more irresponsible than hers. They are five or six in number. Their slim, graceful, nude bodies are supple in the extreme, and they constantly assume poses of great beauty as they float in the midst of the fall. or hover just in the edge of the spray. A characteristic attitude is one with the body upright and more or less stiff, limbs straight, arms close to the side, head thrown slightly back, eyes looking upward. In this pose they ride slowly upwards through the falls to the top, like a bubble rising through water; having reached the summit they flash free into the air, releasing the concentrated energy which they appear to have absorbed, making a brilliant display of color and light, radiating joy and delight in all directions. (6)


Nixies

Nixies enliven rivers, springs, lakes and marshes. They show themselves as beautiful maidens, sometimes with a fish tail. They are music lovers and excellent dancers, and they have the gift of prophecy. Although they can give certain gifts to human, one has to be cautious as they can be harmful, usually by drowning people.



Naiads

The Naiads presided over rivers, streams, brooks, springs, fountains, lakes, ponds, wells, and marshes.