Salamanders govern the direction of South in a magic circle. The lore says that sightings often occur 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 powerful allies for ritual and spell work, but caution must be considered. If the fire elementals are allowed to remain once a ritual is completed, energetic disruptions are likely to ensue. Instead, they need to be enticed or persuaded to return to their own dimension or, if that doesn’t work, firmly sent back by the person in charge of the circle.
The origin of salamanders is quite interesting. 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. This makes me think of the laws of correspondences and opposites, and even the mystery of colors. (Yes, I admit to having a fertile, flitting mind!) When we see a color, red for instance, reality involves the absence of that wavelength. We are seeing what is NOT there. Similarly, what appears to be a watery creature is fiery in the astral dimension and has dominion over the fire element.
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.
Other elementals 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 the hero Bane Heughar to the sequestered sanctuary deep within her mysterious abode, the fire elementals first appear to him:
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 of 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 in Romance
Interesting post!