In magic and fairy lore, salamanders are elemental fire spirits that are named after the lizard like amphibians called salamanders. In fact their appearance is identical to the amphibians. Only a person with second sight or heightened sensitivity or who is trained in the magical arts can distinguish the elementals from their biological counterparts. Salamanders are ancient spirits and are well aware of their value to the order of the world, as well as to those versed in spell casting and magic. Salamanders are favored by witches and ceremonial magicians for their great power, adaptability, and facility of being able to come and go from a magic circle that has been cast. If you think about magic as one method of communicating with unseen parallel dimensions, you begin to discern the true habitat of elemental salamanders.
Salamanders govern the direction of South in a magic circle. They are often sighted around candle flames, hearth fires, or outdoor bonfires. When a magic circle is cast, invoking the four directions, specifically calling the South direction is to beckon the fire elementals to appear and serve as guardians and power enhancers of the circle. They are great allies for all ritual and spell work. If the fire elementals are allowed to remain once a ritual is completed, however, energetic disruptions will surely ensue. Instead, they need to be enticed to return or firmly sent back to their own dimension.
The origin of salamanders is quite interesting, in that they come from a watery environment but are in charge of the opposite element of fire. Over 3,000 years ago in the Middle East, after much observation and study, revered mystics proclaimed that the astral version of the salamander existed not of water but of fire.
In some magic lore and philosophical studies as well, everything is in the process of moving toward and actually becoming its opposite. There is a magnetic attraction between the two, and each dances toward the other. Reality is shaped by this endlessly flowing energy and matter. To me, the salamander is a good example of a universal antithetical framework.
Compatriots of salamanders (fire) are sylphs (air), gnomes (earth), and undines (water).
In Demoness Dreams – Wytchfae 6, salamander fae serve the Goddess of the Underworld. After the Goddess leads him to the sequestered sanctuary deep within her mysterious abode, the fire elementals first appear to the hero Bane Heughar:
At last they came to a rounded crystal enclave where gleaming spears of quartz grew in wild abandon from the rocky walls and ceiling. The crystal luminescence created a dazzling bombardment amid the strategically situated torchlights. The power generated in the room heated his blood until his ears pounded. He cleared his throat to alleviate the pressure.
Helle made her way to a great tripodal cauldron perched on an array of low rocks. “Salamander fae, forged of earth’s blood, ye living fire, be at peace.” She fluttered her fingers, leaving a shimmering ripple in the air.
The flames beneath the tripod curled blue tendrils around the edges. Bane stepped closer. The tiny salamander fae, tenders of the sacred element, faded into the shadows, giving way to the Goddess. Their movement resounded in the enclave like the faint whispers of hissing steam.
The Goddess Helle swirled her hands back and forth over the cauldron and recited a strange incantation.
Even with his magical fae ability to understand foreign tongues, Bane couldn’t make out all the words. The language probably died out before humanoids rose on two limbs.
The water in the ancient cauldron churned and spewed in the presence of the Goddess of the Underworld. A shape formed in the vessel. The image blurred with the movement of the liquid and then stilled to reveal a stunning face. The woman’s hair glimmered like a halo of spun gold. A light kindled her exquisite features as if she looked upon a dazzling sight. A pleasurable thrill thrummed in the middle of Bane’s chest. When he spoke, his voice came out a whisper. “Who is she?”
Helle’s tone became cold and distant. “This is the visage of a Wytchfae named Neva Jaxony.”
Which type elemental are you most drawn to– salamanders of the fire, sylphs of the air, gnomes of the earth, or undines of the water?
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
Your excerpt is so crisp and visual (your writing always is). I had no clue regarding all the many elements regarding salamanders. An interesting Mythical Monday with a nice treat in you excerpt!
Aww, thank you, Mae. I’m glad you enjoyed hearing about salamanders.
Salamanders, in Romanian lore, are reptilians that can’t easily be destroyed as their body regenerates the damaged parts. If they are thrown in he fire, a huge number of smaller salamanders will come from the ash. They are considered sacred, the belief being that they protect people of evil things.
You chose a perfect excerpt, to illustrate the topic, from your fabulous story which gave me great pleasure while reading it.
Thank you so much for sharing about salamanders from a perspective of Romanian lore. It’s always so fascinating to learn of the similarities among different cultures concerning such a topic.
Part of my astrological sign is ‘earth,’ but gnomes are earth, and gnomes are know to be bad. I don’t want to be a gnome.
Loretta, I think we have to come up with a different symbol for earth, rather than gnome. (However, I do like sweet little gnomes.) Do you have any suggestions as to a good symbolic creature?
Let me do some research. I agree the yard gnomes are cute, but they also get pooped on by birds. snicker-snort. I think getting locked inside the bedroom this morning has messed with my sense of humor.
Great snippet I love the description I agree I don’t see Gnomes as eartH lol
We need to consider a new earth creature beside a gnome!