• Central to alchemical philosophy are the five elements: earth, air, fire, water, and quintessence (ether or spirit). Each element embodies distinct qualities and symbols, representing different stages of transformation and aspects of the universe.
• Alchemists sought to understand the interplay and transmutation of these elements in their pursuit of immortality and the Philosopher’s Stone, which symbolized perfection and enlightenment.
• Alchemists believed the elements were created through raw universal energy known as First Matter, which is the purest energy present in all things.

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WATER

• Qualities: Cold & Wet
• Purify the mind or spiritual self

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EARTH

• Qualities: Dry & Cold 

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FIRE

• Qualities: Hot & Dry
• Four kinds of fire:
  • Elementary Fire: candles, stovetops, campfires
  • Celestial Fire: the white fire of the divine will; God’s fire
  • Central Fire: the fire of creation 
  • Secret Fire: the fire of life; the Quintessence; the inner spark

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AIR

• Qualities: Hot & Wet

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THE QUINTESSENCE / ETHER / SPIRIT

• Known as the Quintessence, the spark of some higher power
• “The Universal Ether…. Is held by the Hermetists to be but a higher manifestation of that which is erroneously called matter—that is to say, Matter at a higher degree of vibration—and is called by them “The Ethereal Substance….. This Ethereal Substance is of extreme tenuity and elasticity, and pervades universal space, serving as a medium of transmission of waves of vibratory energy, such as heat, light, electricity, magnetism, etc. The Teachings are that The Ethereal Substance is a connecting link between the forms of vibratory energy known as “Matter” on the one hand, and “Energy or Force” on the other; and also that it manifests a degree of vibration, in rate and mode, entirely its own.” (Kybalion 89)