4 Perfect Bodies Made From Compound Classical Elements — Agrippa B1C7

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After establishing the magical properties of the Four Classical Elements, Agrippa next considers when they are mixed in a compounded form. He classifies them as specific categories, which he calls “Perfect Bodies”, that have many variants within them.

The 4 Perfect Bodies made from compound Classical Elements are:

• Stones
• Metals
• Plants
• Animals

Each of these Perfect Bodies contains all four of the Classical Elements within them, to different degrees. The variants of each Perfect Body have different mixes of Elements.

Stones — Favoring Earth

If dark and dense like different types of Rock they are said to favor Earth, but if Water is present then they manifest as Crystals or Gems. Certain stones produce fire when struck, or are born in flames. While other “stones” like pearls are considered to be manifestations of Air.

Metals — Favoring Water

Since metals melt and flow like liquid, they are attributed to the element of Water. Different metals have been assigned by Occult Philosophy to different other Elements based on esoteric teachings of the ancients. Lead and Silver are strong in Earth, Mercury (Quicksilver) is strong in Water, Copper and Tin favor Air, while Gold and Iron contain Fire.

Plants — Favoring Air

Certain plants have different overall elemental mixes and magical correspondences, but in general Agrippa separates the parts of plants by different Classical Elements in general. Roots are of Earth, leaves and fruit are of Water, flowers of Air, and seeds are of Fire.

Animals — Favoring Fire

Animals are attributed to Fire because they are mobile with the Fire of Life. Their secondary dominant Elements are determined not by the animal, but by where they live and thrive. Burrowing creatures are of Earth, submarine animals and fish are of Water, birds and gliders are of Air, apex predators and humans are of Fire.

Compound Elements and Magical Correspondences

By understanding the primary Elements of the Four Perfect Bodies, and approaching the question of how the Classical Elements are balanced within their variants, Agrippa lays down an important philosophical foundation that influences every Western Esoteric Occult tradition when it comes to determining the Magical Correspondences of every substance in the perceivable Universe, based on the esoteric Elemental recipe of their inherent natures.

If we can understand this foundation, we have taken an important step in being able to construct our own Table of Correspondences in whichever Magical Tradition, closed or eclectic, that we will every wish to study and Work.

Source: Agrippa of Nettesheim, H. C. (2009). Three Books of Occult Philosophy (D. Tyson, Ed.; J. Freake, Trans.; First Edition, Eleventh Printing). Llewellyn Publications.

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