The Tree & Cross of the 4 Elements…
schematic of creation ex nihilo through the four elements
4 Elements 4 archangels 4 Quarters
Above the cross, at the very top of the diagram, the Hebrew word “Ein Sof” (אינסוף) is written, meaning “Infinity.” In the upper-left corner appears the name “Raphael” (רפאל), while in the upper-right corner is the name “Ruyel” (רויאל). In the lower-left corner stands “Tzadkiel” (צדקיאל), and in the lower-right corner “Yophiel” (יופיאל). Inside the elemental circles of the cross, the top circle contains “Esh” (אש, “Fire”), the left circle contains “Avir” (אוויר, “Air”), the right circle contains “Mayim” (מים, “Water”), and the bottom circle contains “Eretz” (ארץ, “Earth”).
- Top circle: אש (Esh) – Fire
- Left circle: אויר (Avir) – Air
- Right circle: מים (Mayim) – Water
- Bottom circle: ארץ (Eretz) – Earth
- Upper left: רפאל (Raphael) – guardian of Air
- Upper right: רויאל (Ruyel / Uriel) – guardian of Fire (Kircher sometimes uses variant spellings)
- Lower left: צדקיאל (Tzadkiel) – guardian of Water (here assigned differently than modern systems)
- Lower right: יופיאל (Yophiel / Jophiel) – guardian of Earth
Fire is the first element, from it is born Air and Water, and finally Earth.
"17. ALL THINGS FROM THE 4 ELEMENTS. All things consist of the four primary Elements, Even those which you consider to be pure Elements. For nothing is found pure. The Creator of the World Mixed all the Elements with a skillful hand. From here our Phoebus [Sun] and our Cynthia [Moon] arise, And from here our maiden [the work] derives her origin."