Just as there are many types of human beings evolving through the objective physical elements of Nature, so there are many types of gnomes evolving through the subjective ethereal body of Nature. These earth spirits work in an element so close in vibratory rate to the material earth that they have immense power over its rocks and flora, and also over the mineral elements in the animal and human kingdoms. Some, like the pygmies, work with the stones, gems, and metals, and are supposed to be the guardians of hidden treasures. They live in caves, far down in what the Scandinavians called the Land of the Nibelungen. In Wagner's wonderful opera cycle, The Ring of the Nibelungen, Alberich makes himself King of the Pygmies and forces these little creatures to gather for him the treasures concealed beneath the surface of the earth.

Therefore also in the Earth there are found, according to the Quality of each Spirit, mineral Oars, Stones, Water, and Earth; and therefore it is that...

Herein lies the Pith or Kernel; for Gold, Silver, and precious Stones, and all bright Ores of Minerals, have their Original from the Light, which...

Also within the Earth, grow curious precious Stones, Silver, and Gold, and these are a Type of the Heavenly Generating or Production.

Out of the Earth sprung up Grass, Herbs and Trees; and in the Earth, Silver, Gold, and all Manner of Oar came to be; and in the Deep above the Earth...

There are certain Water Elementals whom Orpheus calls Nereides, dwelling in the more elevated exhalations of Water, such as appear in damp, cloudy...