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Sylvia Rose

Quintessence: Elemental Life Force

Updated: Oct 2

Quintessence relates to the cosmic life force or pure essence of an element, and is common to all living things. It's also compared to aether, the air breathed by gods. Quintessence is a shared but unique part of mortal existence.




a delta colored by NASA
A river delta flows with the essence of life - pic courtesy of NASA

Ancient Greek philosophy examines fundamental understanding of the universe through identification of natural elements. Thinkers conclude the world is made of five essential elements: earth, water, air and fire.


A mysterious fifth element is thought to exist in celestial bodies. Scholars call this elusive fifth element quintessence. A vital nerve in the cosmology of existence, quintessence transcends the realm of mortals.



big pink balloon tied to white chair


In the 4th century BCE, Greek philosopher Aristotle names this element “aether”. Also written as ether, it composes multiple worlds of the hypothetical outer celestial spheres surrounding that of humans.


Aether is above and around the classical elements. It's both form and formless. Aether is a Greek god, and also the air breathed by the gods.




Quintessence encapsulates the idea of a pure and transcendent form epitomizing the essence of a particular entity or concept. It represents the ultimate essence or perfect embodiment of a subject; an ideal example or archetype.


The concept itself is a symbol of purity and perfection. From aether or ether comes the term "ethereal" to describe otherworldly beauty and grace. Ethereality conveys a quality of being so delicate and light it rises above the physical realm.



divine peacock feather


The ethereal evokes a holistic sense of purity and perfection which does not exist in the mundane world. This ethereal essence is often associated with the divine. In the ethereal realm, boundaries between the material and the spiritual blur.


A person catch a glimpse into sublime beauty and tranquility, a momentary vision into the sphere of ineffable divinity. For a brief instant all is clear, and then the mind blurs, and one wonders if it ever happened at all. Nonetheless it can cause profound changes.



floating through the aether


One is immersed in a world of paradox and possibility, where events defy the laws of nature. The ethereal produces a sense of enchantment and wonder, inviting contemplation of the boundless possibilities beyond the tangible and mundane.


It serves as a reminder of profound mysteries beyond comprehension. As quintessence, the ethereal infuses all life, and thus itself receives life.



a fern sprout about to sprout


Seek beauty and transcendence in everyday living, even amidst the chaos and imperfections of the world. Awareness of quintessence gives a deeper understanding of interconnectedness and the pursuit of ultimate truth.


Non-Fiction Books:


Fiction Books:

READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure

READ: Lora Ley Adventures - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series

READ: Reiker For Hire - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries





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