Discover the elemental approach to
spirituality—
keys to self-healing and re-connection
to the earth.
"When we explore and savor and
interact with these elements, we are both remembering a primal
connection and forging it anew. Welcome, then, to this travel
guide for a journey with a particular purpose: connecting with
the elements that are so basic and universal to all of us. We
will look at the many ways that different faiths have danced
with earth, water, fire, and air throughout history, coming to
a deeper appreciation of each way’s uniqueness and a
greater respect for one another’s paths, at the same time
remembering the commonality of our human beginnings."
—from
the Preface
The root of human spirituality is grounded
in four elements—earth, water, fire, and air. They are
common to all people and almost every spiritual path; they are
the keys to our understanding of Spirit; and they can help you
achieve personal fulfillment and re-connection with others.
This inspiring guidebook explains the role
of the elements in different faith traditions and how
they’ve been incorporated into religious practices and
ceremonies. You will be encouraged to explore your own
spiritual connection to the elements through engaging
activities, enlightening meditations, and evocative poems and
prayers.
Earth, Water, Fire, and Air is a celebration of how all people are
connected by the elements. You will come away with a deeper
relationship to others, your own spirit, and this sacred
planet.
You can’t help but be drawn into the
elemental approach to spirituality detailed in these pages.
Identifying the four basic elements as humanity’s first
ways of knowing Spirit and reminding us of their value for
spiritual nourishment, Earth, Water, Fire, and Air reveals our
human interconnectedness and offers a fascinating look at
element-based symbols, traditions, and ceremonies.
Explore the spiritual traditions that have
incorporated the elements into their practices, including:
Buddhism • Christianity •
Earth-honoring paths • Hinduism • Islam •
Judaism
Creative activity suggestions serve to
enrich our spiritual relationship with each element—both
individually and in community with others—and to help us
discover how deeply nourishing it can be to live in an
elemental way.
Praise for Cait Johnson’s Work
"This is a beautifully written book
that weaves together the wisdom of many traditions with unique
and creative practices to deepen our connections with the
elements. Cait Johnson is a marvelous guide through the
elements that make up our world, our bodies, and our
souls."
—Tom
Cowan, author of Fire in the Head: Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit and The Shaman's
Quest: Journeys in an Ancient Spiritual Practice
"Drawing from the diverse and yet
profoundly similar teachings of the world’s faith
traditions, this is a must-have book for both the beginning
spiritual journeyer and the seasoned traveler. Through guided
meditations, simple activities, and thoughtful questions, one
is gently led to understand the basic elements of all human
existence."
—Carole
Ann Camp, co-author of Labyrinths from the Outside In: Walking to
Spiritual Insight—A Beginner’s Guide
"Opens up the deep, rich possibility
to transform your relationship to these basic elements with
fascinating facts and stories and simple, yet profound
visualizations, meditations and exercises. It is a book to
savor."
—Kay
Lindahl, author of The Sacred Art of Listening: Forty Reflections
for Cultivating a Spiritual Practice
Cait Johnson is
the author of five spirituality-based books, including Cooking Like a Goddess and, with Maura Shaw, Celebrating
the Great Mother. She trained at
the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology and has been a
counselor for more than twenty years. She holds an M.F.A. in
theater arts and teaches workshops on connecting to Spirit,
seasonal elemental approaches to self-healing, poetry-writing,
and conscious eating.
