~Final Thoughts and Summation~

*There are four Elements: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water

*Each of the four Elements can be broken into halves, their light aspect and their dark aspect.

*Each of the eight leylines running through Rembrant align with each aspect of an Element.

*Each Element has a star sign that represents it, as well as one half of each star sign representing the Element's aspect.

*The leylines are tethered by the Master Crystal - a physical manifestation of the four Elements.

*Attuned mages can refine facets from the Master Crystal into smaller crystals that are purely of either light or dark aspect, as well as the pure Element as a whole, for a total of twelve crystals.

*Elements hold a spiritual representation as well as a physical one. Understanding the spiritual can greatly enhance one's ability to harness the physical Element as well.

*Rembrant's calendar aligns with the Elements and their aspects, each season holding a close tie with a specific Element, and each month rising in light, and falling in darkness.

*Mages born in a particular month may find their talents towards the Element and that specific aspect come more easily than others - and during the season of their birth, their powers may be enhanced.

~~~

This book is in no way a complete picture of the power a mage can harness through the elements, for while this is the basic foundation of one's craft, one may find their specialization expands from these in ways they never dreamed. There is still much to learn, but this book, I hope, will elucidate the beginning steps one may seek towards finding their magical self.

~Affluent Affinities~

During each month in Rembrant, a star sign is most dominant. Each star sign represents either the dark aspect of an Element, or its light aspect. Therefore, it is said that a soul born in Rembrant, beneath the constellation representing that Elemental aspect, may have an affinity towards that type of Elemental magic.

For example, let us say a student is born during the winter season, in the final month of Baros. Born beneath the star sign for water of the dark aspect, they would more likely be talented in working with water as a whole, and specialize in the art of bloodmagic. A student born in the month of Moas would also be well versed in working with water, but have a keen eye for alchemy, or the highly disciplined art of healing through water.

Additionally, as each season comes and goes, mages may find that their powers are slightly stronger during that time of the year.

There are some exceptions to the rule, and it should never be automatically assumed that one's birthday will determine where their strengths and weaknesses lie. But it is a solid place to begin for most in the journey towards understanding where one fits into the world of magic.

~More Than Physical~

While many would claim the four Elements are merely physical, one must understand that truly powerful mages are in touch with the Elements on a spiritual level. Each of the Four and their aspects maintain an emotional value, a deeper spiritual meaning, that if one were to meditate on and maintain a bond with, would understand why the Element behaves the way it does, and how it completes its purpose in the great balance of life.

~~~

We'll begin with a brief explanation of Water. It is known to have a soothing affect on the soul, which is why fountains and flowing water fixtures may be seen to decorate gardens, pavilions, courtyards, and even the lobbies of some buildings. The fluidity of water reminds one that there is a give, and a take. And there is always a way. Of Water comes peace, serenity, clarity, and ingenuity. The soul of Water finds a way where there seems none, able to change its form to adapt to its situation.

But there is the darker side as well, where water can stagnate. Or become oppressive, the deeper one goes. A soul of Water can become obsessive in its desire to find a way, and as fluidity is lost, so is the healthy peace. Depression, and in a sense, poison. Understanding how the darker side of water works can help one to harness its more dangerous effects.

~~~

Of Earth comes stability, and foundation. Solid earth will not betray those who stand upon it, an Element of loyalty. It is an Element that appreciates order and organization. A soul of Earth appreciates symmetry, and patience. A soul of Earth is thoughtful, and slow to act. When something is done, it should be done the right way, the first time.

But a soul of Earth may be seen as rigid and unchanging. When something is done, it is done. Conversely, Earth can crumble under certain conditions, becoming as sand, unstable and failing those who depend on it. So much can be lost when one's loyalty and stability is gone.

~~~

Fire is fairly easy to understand, on the surface. Fire can be related quite quickly to passion, focus, and desire. Fire can be warm, and inviting. A soul of Fire tends to know about entertainment, and about hospitality. The soul of Fire burns quickly and without regret. The soul of Fire is a beacon in the night, a candle in the dark, and leaders more oft than not are attuned to the element of Fire.

But the darker side of Fire is also impatient, and hungry; It can consume all in its path. It is careless and prefers to constantly move forward than to stop and look within. Anger, rage, and impatience, many a warrior (foolish or not) harnesses the darker side of Fire internally to bring themselves through the battlefield. The darkness of Fire is hatred and grudges, smouldering under the surface and fed internally.

~~~

And of Air comes freedom, joy, and fulfillment. The soul of Air takes interest in the other Elements, seeking to help them, influence them, bring change. A soul of Air may find enjoyment in the little things in life, in tickles and laughter. A soul of Air loves diversity, song, and language.

However, a soul of Air can also be flighty, impatient, and impermanent. A soul of Air may be distracted, and wander easily. A soul of Air may take its joy too far, in the form of harmful pranks. And the darkest side of Air is found in void, where there is non-existence. Free falling withdrawal into a state where nothing should exist. And in that regard, Air can also destroy itself.

~The Master Crystal~

While magic used to flow freely through Rembrant and the people could harness its powers at will, now it is tethered to a physical manifestation called a Master Crystal.

This large crystal, made of solidified elemental energy, is what tethers and stabilizes the leylines so they can never be tampered with again.

Using the Master Crystal, we now have access to the magic again, and from that access, we can gain an understanding not only of our powers, but how they work, and why they work the way they do.

While attuning to the Master Crystal can unlock one's potential to use raw elemental energy, such as summoning fire or manipulating water, it is important to note that these uses alone are strictly primal. It is impossible to enchant items or weave the elements together beyond simplistic combinations, such as Water and Air to create ice.

By accessing the Master Crystal again, however, one may be able to sense the depth its power through the facets - it is impossible to count them, but facets may be refined from the Master into smaller crystals, each holding an aspect of the Four Elements.

Below are the crystals physically representing each element:

- The blue sphere represents Water

- The yellow cube represents Earth

- The red pyramid represents Fire

- The white diamond represents Air

And of these four crystal shapes, there are three hues of color that indicate their specific aspect. Lighter, more translucent crystals indicate their affinity towards the lighter side of an Element, while the darker, more opaque crystals represent the darkness of said Element.

If a refined crystal is pure of color, shining and true, then the Element within it is also pure, holding both dark and light to complete the Balance.

These refined crystals are of great use; being a physical manifestation of the elements, they expand our ability to harness the magical energies of our world and apply them to our daily lives through enchantment and alchemy.

~Of Balance~

While there are Four elements, and Four starsigns that represent Them and Their spiritual significance, it is important to note that Balance requires both Light and Dark.

Therefore, each of the Elemental Signs, and the Elements themselves, may be broken into two halves, Their light and dark components.

These light and dark sides combine to create the full Element, and each leyline aligns with one aspect of each Element. It is known, for example, that the Source for the leyline of Valanice holds the "light" Air aspect, while Elgardra holds the companion "dark" Air aspect.

A full listing of the leylines and their aspects may be found below:

- Valanice: "light" Air

- Elgardra: "dark" Air

- Espanino: "light" Earth

- Advant: "dark" Earth

- Moanna: "light" Water

- Barukin: "dark" Water

- The Outlands: "light" Fire

- Devilin: "dark" Fire

It is important to understand the leylines and their aspects, because they are what allow us to use magic in Rembrant now.

~The Pillars of Heaven~

Historical legend speaks of the God Wars, and how Lady Celeste and Lady Lunai fought each Other for the love of the High Lord of Magic, Lord Aurus. Their jealousy ravaged the Land, and mortal turned on mortal, to champion their chosen Deity.

Recently discovered documentation has brought to light that there was a brief period where the Goddesses attempted a reconciliation. Their symbol to the Land that They would not destroy It, and would offer Their own Essences to It's continuation is in the Pillars of Heaven.

The Pillars of Heaven are the sources for the eight leylines that run throughout the world, each with an Elemental affinity. Lady Lunai set into Her heavens the Elemental Signs, and in doing so, brought the Elements from a mere state of physicality, and elevated Them to an emotional and spiritual plane of existence as well.

These eight star signs align with the eight months of Rembrant that make up a full year. And each pair of months mark the passage of the four seasons:

-The rise and decline of spring is seen in Earth.

-The rise and decline of summer is seen in Fire.

-The rise and decline of fall is seen in Air.

- The rise and decline of winter is seen in Water.

We will consider the significance of the star signs and their elemental alignments with the seasons on a later page.

As long as the leylines flow with the Elemental forces, then balance and life will thrive through the Land - the leylines are the Land's lifeblood.

~The Four Elements~

Our world is created of four elements: Earth, Fire, Air, and Water. It is a fairly basic concept, that the Land was formless until Lady Celeste was born, and brought forth from Herself each Element, to come together and create the world as we know it today.

They work in concert with one another to bring destruction and life, both. There is Water, which may be influenced by Air, freezing it to ice, or evaporating it into mist.

There is Fire, which feeds from the Air, and melts the Earth to create magma.

There is Earth, bringing stability and strength for the people to walk upon and live. But alone, It is dead. Sand and rock alone.

And there is Air, flighty and uncontainable, but a terrifying force to be reckoned with, and an Influence to the other three Elements.

Life comes from a beautiful balance and interlocking of all four Elements. The seed hides in the Earth, where the Water nourishes, and as the Seed rises to the surface, the Fire of the sun provides the Seed with life and growth. And from the seed, comes the plant, and from the plant, a new seed, which the Air carries to new Earth, for the cycle to begin again.

Without Four, there would be no life.