Earth, Water, Fire, and Air: Essential Ways of Connecting to Spirit (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Primal sources and connections sometimes run so deep that they become invisible. Here, Johnson (Cooking Like a Goddess) probes the common roots and bonds that lie at the heart of the world's great spiritual traditions. Combining history, opinion, and literature, she invites readers of all stripes to inhale shared values and exhale divisive concerns. In four chapters, each devoted to an element, she explores unifying sub-themes. For example, "The Nurturing Earth," "The Underworld," "The Sacred Stone," and "The Holy Garden Grove" all excavate the shared mysticism of Earth, our common ground. Water pours forth as "The Great Maternal Sea," "The Universal Solvent," "The Compassionate Healer," and "The Deep Creative." Fire and air chapters lack the heft of earth's and water's, but nonetheless maintain a richness of substance. Johnson also offers simple rituals (e.g. washing away fears), meditations (e.g. mentally "burning" off discomfort), and prayers for solo or community worship that can be utilized by anyone of any faith tradition. Much more than a pagan worldview treatise, her effort can be enjoyed by students of comparative religion and anyone who feels a primary connection to these vital elements. Johnson draws primarily from Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and earth-based religions, but the book is also laced with Shinto and Jain ideas. Johnson's easy style, which sometimes reaches too far toward simplification, makes the well-paced content accessible. A rich "Further Reading" list with 85 entries opens the door to worlds beyond this tantalizing primer.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Skylight Paths Publishing (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893361659
• ISBN-13: 978-1893361652
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #436,675 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Earth, Water, Fire and Aire: Essential Ways of Connecting to, February 25, 2004

By	Lori Willcox "lwilcox39" (Voorhees, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

What a truly wonderful book! I highly recommend reading it. Ms. Johnson writes so beautifully that you feel as though you are right in the middle of her discription. Each chapter has a wonderful meditation you can follow, which are a lot of fun. I find the book to be relaxing, and inspirational as well as informative. Read it and enjoy!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pulls you into Yourself!, February 21, 2006

By	J. A Beilharz (Defiance, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Cait Johnson is a gifted writer and has the ability to reach down into your soul and help you start a transformation within. This is a wonderful book to read on a quiet day when you are ready to soak up all the wisdom she offers. You may find yourself feeling you've moved up to a higher dimension as your mind 'walks' through this lovely book. It is one to drift back to time and again.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource, January 18, 2009

By	V. Johnson "Green Cleaner" (Arizona) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a wonderful book that helps us to reconnect with the earth. I used the ideas in this book for a New Years ceremony which focused on our connection to the earth and its elements. We had many positive comments on the Mother Earth poem and breathing meditation. There are many practical and fun activities, as well as descriptions of the elements of earth, fire, water, and air, and how they are part of our everyday life. Don't let the labels in the categories for this book mislead you. This book is a great resource and inspiration for everyone.