FAQ: What is the Fifth Element?

FAQ: What is the Fifth Element?
or
FAQ: What is the Quintessence?

Short answer: The Fifth Element could be said to the quintessence of the four elements--Air, Fire, Water, and Earth—aka the Four Essences of the Cosmos.

A well known, contemporary example, of this concept is found in the writings of Starhawk. Starhawk defined the Fifth Element as “Spirit,” but she did not invent this concept—which is quite old, having roots in ancient Greece. Starhawk specifically used the wording “fifth sacred thing we call spirit” in the Declaration of the Four Sacred Things.

To understand the Fifth Element, one should also understand the concept(s) behind the English word “quintessence.”

The word, “quintessence,” literally means the “fifth essence” or “fifth element” — deriving from the Latin words quintus, meaning “fifth,” and essential, meaning “being.”

The ancient Greek philosophers proposed that the elements--or essences--make up all substance--or being--in the universe. (The philosopher, Empedocles (495-435 bce), is credited with postulating that the world was composed of four “roots”– Air, Fire, Water, Earth—later known as the “elements” or “essences”.) In this context, the words “essences” and “elements” are used synonymously.

Aristotle is credited with adding a fifth element or essence. In On the Heavens (circa 350 bce) Aristotle discussed the four common elements of the world (Air, Fire, Water, Earth), plus a fifth element, Aether.

Hence, in ancient Greek philosophy--and later medieval Western philosophy--the fifth and highest “essence” or “element” of the ”Four Elements” (Air, Fire, Water, Earth). It was the substance of all things. It has been viewed as the “pure essence” of all being--and found within all things. Consciousreminder sums it up nicely:

Aether is associated with the property of quintessence which is the purest form of matter. According to ancient philosophy, aether or ether as it is now known as is the highest element, elevated above the other 4 (Fire, Water, Air and Earth)….It is said to permeate all nature and is the very substance which is the building block of all the cosmos and the celestial bodies….Aether is the substance that fills up the universe.
--Consciousreminder, Is Aether Really The Fifth Element And What’s The Mystery Surrounding It? No Date, accessed June 19 , 2019.

The mystical, magical Fifth Element was thought to be the substance/essence of the heavenly bodies, this essence was divine, perfect, and spiritual. Furthermore, this quintessence is latent in all things.

Thus, the quintessence, or Fifth Element, is the most highly concentrated essence or “most perfect essence” of the Cosmos. It is often assumed to be Spirit.

Longer answer: Maybe I ought to explain the etymology of “Quintessence”.

The word, quintessence is from the early 15th century Middle English. It is derived from the 14th century Middle French quinte essence (literally the "fifth essence"), which was from Medieval Latin quinta essentia (literally the “fifth essence”). As stated above, the idea had originated with ancient Greek philosophers who postulated that there were five elements: Air, Fire, Water, Earth—and Aether. The first four--Air, Fire, Water, Earth--were the four components of terrestrial and material existence. In Greek philosophy, the Aether came to be described as Pempte ousia or Pempti ousia (literally "fifth essence/substance").

The Greek concept was preserved by Latin-speaking scholars in Europe due to its place in Aristotlean philosophy. In Medieval Latin, it was called quinta essentia (literally the “fifth essence”). The word entered into early 15th century Middle English--via Middle French la quinte essence (literally “the fifth essence”).

Here is an example of use of the term in 14th century French: “Ce est le ciel que l'en appelle la quinte essence, qui est plus divine et plus precieuse pour ce que elle est plus haut que les elemens,” --Oresme, These de MEUNIER. (TRANSLATION: “It is heaven that the fifth essence calls it, which is more divine and more precious because it is higher than the elements,” --Oresme , Thesis of MEUNIER.)

This fifth essence, the “quintessence,” was the ”finest" or "purest" essence and the most perfect of the elements. The word essence in this context is synonymous for the word element. There are four known elements or essences (Air, Fire, Water, Earth). The Fifth Element—this Quintessence--is a considered to be of exceptional superior quality to the other four basic elements. Yet, it permeates, infuses, and combines the other elements--for nothing exists without Spirit.

"The number 5 designated the
universal quintessence, and
symbolized, by its form the
vital essence, the animating
spirit, which flows through
all nature."

--Hank Kraychir The Pentalpha Of Pythagoras…,
August 27, 2015, accessed 6/30/2019

As an interesting side note, this fifth essence the “quintessence,” was also defined as ”pure essence”--and therefore, in common use in English the term, “quintessence,” is synonymous with: ideal, paragon, embodiment, exemplar, essence, epitome, nature, intrinsic substance, soul, spirit, Spirit--the completeness of being…

If you are wondering WHY I mentioned specifically Starhawk (20th - 21st century Witch) by name above—when so many other Occultists, Mystics, Philosophers, Magicians, Wiccans, and Witches have mentioned the Elements, Essences, and Elemental Spirits--Starhawk’s work has been very influential on this subject. If you wish, check out:

Starhawk, The Spiral Dance, 1979.
Starhawk, The Fifth Sacred Thing, 1993
Starhawk, Declaration of the Four Sacred Things

FAQ: Wait a minute—Isn’t the Fifth Element—Aether--supposed to be “Celestial”?

Yes, Aristotle, in his On the Heavens (circa 350 bce) stated the fifth element, Aether, existed surrounding the spherical world. Aether was “heavenly” and pure, rather than “terrestrial” and base.

Indeed, Aristotle discussed in his On the Heavens the four common elements of the world (Air, Fire, Water, Earth), and believed a fifth element, Aether, existed in the heavenly realm, surrounding the terrestrial realm of the spherical world. This heavenly realm was composed of concentric spheres of Aether. The heavenly or celestial realm was composed of concentric spheres of Aether with the moon, sun and five visible planets (also made of Aether). At the very edge was the sphere of the fixed stars, which was also composed of Aether. Aristotle perceived the heavenly realm to be static/unchanging/perfect--and utterly separate from the inferior terrestrial realm.

May the Pagan Gods bless old Aristotle’s memory, but we (21st century Neo-Pagans) philosophically perceive the terrestrial realm is NOT completely separate from the heavenly realm, nor is the heavenly more perfect than the terrestrial. Nor do we believe the spiritual is superior to the physical. Thus, the Fifth Element dubbed Aether, or the quintessence, is not perceived as separate from the other Four Elements.

It is WHY the Fifth Element—Spirit--is perceived in Wicca to permeate all nature and is the very essence which is the glue of existence binding the essences of the Cosmos.

I am aware that I am not discussing scientific 21st century physics. The concept of the Five Elements represents a spiritual or religious perception for viewing existence.

Sources:

Consciousreminder, Is Aether Really The Fifth Element And What’s The Mystery Surrounding It? No Date, accessed June 19 , 2019
Hank Kraychir, The Pentalpha Of Pythagoras…, August 27, 2015, accessed 6/30/2019
Starhawk, Declaration of the Four Sacred Things. (See Starhawk’s Website: The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk for text.)

The Four Essences
Information about the Four Types of Elementary Spirts as gleaned from Eliphas Levi
FAQ: Can Someone explain the 5-point-star?
Freqently Asked Questions
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