Why Assign the Soul Mirror Traits to the Elements?
© 2004
>> Re: compiling the Soul Mirror tables and assigning traits to Elements, then further categorising traits in accordance with their effect, I've never quite understood why we do this. <<
There are two primary reasons for this. Number one is that it places you into a different relationship with the items you've listed. It gives you a bit more separation from how personal these items are by intellectualizing them as you analyze which Element, their degree of occurrence, etc. This grants you a bit more power over them and helps enable your transformation of them.
Secondly, the practice invites you to consider the way in which the Elements manifest *within you*. This is an important precursor to understanding how the Elements manifest externally. When you can personally identify how an Element feels inside of yourself, then you can more readily recognize it externally. And when you can manipulate the Elements *internally* in this way (of character transformation), then you can more readily manipulate them externally.
>> Is there a requirement to transform negative qualities in a particular order (e.g., all Fire qualities first, or perhaps the most "potent" qualities first)? <<
No. As Bardon explained, you're faced with two options: either begin with the most bothersome negative trait or the least bothersome. In other words, start with an item you know will be difficult or start with one you know will be easy. If you feel that you have sufficient will power to effectively tackle a major issue, then do so as this will greatly strengthen your will power. On the other hand, if you question the strength of your will power, then being with an easier item and this will build your will power more gradually.
My best to you,
:) Rawn Clark
04 Aug 2004