Reading The Seaborne with Earth, Air, Fire, Water, the four elements of ancient times, offers a fertile way of reflecting on this first book of A G Rivett’s Isle Fincara Trilogy.
The Ancient Elements
We can use this elemental way of looking at things as a tool for assessing personality, in which each of the elements has its up- and down-sides. Earth represents the grounded quality of someone who is realistic and dependable – but could be stuck in their ways. Air relates to thought processes, which may be skilful or could be airy-fairy. Fire denotes dynamism, motivation and drive; but if linked to shallow thinking, fiery actions can lead to chaotic situations. Water is the emotional realm, pointing variously towards emotional intelligence or someone out of control and awash with emotion. The ideal is to hold the elements in balance, drawing on them as needed, using them skilfully. The ancients also held the idea of Ether as a fifth, spiritual element. Ether is the potent empty space that connects with all being: the still centre with the four physical elements ranged around.
Relating the Elements to key moments in The Seaborne
On reading The Seaborne with earth, air, fire and water, let’s see what we find. The novel begins with John Finlay leaving dry land in a headlong flight that ends in shipwreck. He couldn’t be more submerged in the watery element, a picture of his out-of-control emotional state. But fishermen – people with mastery in this element – rescue him and bring him back to the Island. There, women nurse him with the aid of medicinal herbs, giving him a strong dose of Earth energy.
As John awakens in a Celtic world of a thousand years ago, he feels like a child who must learn the basic skills needed to manage his environment. He needs a lot of down-to-earth help from the Islanders, and in the process takes on the name they give him: Dhion. A new name denotes an inner shift. As Dhion becomes more grounded and earthed, so the water element in his life begins to flow into harmonious balance. Instead of being overwhelmed by his emotions, Dhion develops good relationships with many of the Islanders, and one that leads towards a deeper tenderness and love. Still, Air and Fire remain out of balance in him.
Air and Fire out of Balance
When, after much effort and soul-searching, Dhion takes his place in his new-found world, his mind becomes active. Ideas come to him of showing the Islanders something of his former expertise in the 21st century world he left behind. Fired up, he plans a demonstration – but fails to think through its likely effect on the Islanders, who turn against him in suspicion and fear. But now the Earth-element is stronger in him and he can stand to face his situation. Grasping that there is “no way out but through,” he accepts the ordeal the Islanders place on him.
Enter Ether, the Spiritual Element
Reading The Seaborne with earth, air, fire and water, it’s now time to consider the fifth element: ether. Dhion is prepared for his ordeal by a wise woman, Mother Cochlane. She takes him into a cave called the Womb of the Mountain where she helps him to face the depths of his own soul and his place within the whole. When he leaves her, he is as ready as he can be to face his ordeal.
An Archetypal Image from Celtic Legend
Strengthened now in all four elements and the spiritual core ether represents, we see Dhion adrift on the ocean in a small boat without oar or sail. This is an archetypal image from Celtic legend, a picture of how at some point everyone is invited to take a risk in life. In this situation, Dhion has no resource but his own inner strength and his faith in the grace that flows from Spirit within and without. Unlike the last time he was adrift on the ocean, he is no longer running away. In this physically helpless state, he makes a choice and prays a prayer that arises from the depths of the man he has become. Fire surges in him, this time potent and intentional rather than un-thought-through. Mage-like, his prayer summons a breeze (Air) and a current (Water) to carry him home (Earth).
In ancient Celtic tradition there is a title of Christ that names him the King of the Elements. It is no meaningless chance that brings Dhion to his time of self-realisation at Easter.
This way of reading The Seaborne with earth, air, fire and water gives a view that resonates with the nature-centred heart of the novel.
The Seaborne is the first book of the Isle Fincara Trilogy. The second book, The Priest’s Wife, tells the story of the emancipation of an Islander, Morag.
Gillian PB
