elemental links: the basics

If you know what Crystal Vision is and what each Elemental is, we can go a step further. There are relationships that we call Elemental Links, or Links in short. So, not only does…

Elementals exist within relationships

If you know what Crystal Vision is and what each Elemental is, we can go a step further. There are relationships that we call Elemental Links, or Links in short. So, not only does Crystal Vision give us 'an alphabet', it also gives us a way to make words and sentences from the units. This ability to see the Links is what will ultimately be able to speed up your cognitive processing — this is the true worth of Crystal Vision.

The Seven Links

Here are the seven Links that exist in Crystal Vision. The Links are each listed by a letter.

• Link A = Fusion
• Link B = Junction
• Link C = Reflection
• Link D = Embrace
• Link E = Catalyst
• Link F = Capture
• Link G = Alignment

The relationships are defined by the number of steps between the Elementals.

• Link A = 0 steps
• Link B = 1 step
• Link C = 2 steps
• Link D = 3 steps
• Link E = 4 steps
• Link F = 5 steps
• Link G = 6 steps

For example, if you find two things that both fit E1, you get [E1 & E1 = Link A], because there are 0 steps between E1 and E1. We say the two things are in a Fusion Link.

If instead you find one thing that is E2 and another which is E6, you get [E2 & E6 = Link E], because there are 4 steps between E2 and E6. We say the two things are in a Catalyst Link.

Remember that the Elementals are on a circle! So, if you find E12 and E2, you have to keep counting past 12. [E12 & E2 = Link C], or E12 and E2 are in a Reflection relative to each other.

Reverse Links

Remember the assumption of Directionality of Crystal Vision? If we apply this principle to the Links, we get even more Links! The two things you want to compare are rarely equally important; often, you want to be able to see the relation of one thing to another. For this reason, Links can (but do not need to) have a Subject and an Object.

Let's say we want to compare two things: a priest and a construction worker. These things are easily mapped, because the two things are in the same context — human jobs. The priest is E12 (mystical), and the construction worker is E2 (practical Stone handling). How do they relate to each other? Simple: they are in a Reflection Link.

What if we want to know how the priest /// E12 looks at the construction worker /// E2? For this question, we can determine a Subject, the priest, and an Object, the construction worker. Subject E12 -> Object E2, two steps removed. This is still the same Link as before: a Reflection Link.

Things become more interesting as we invert the question: how does the construction worker look at the priest? We switch the Subject and Object. Subject E2 -> Object E12. This is not two steps removed if we are only allowed to go in one direction. Here there are 10 steps needed. We call this a Reverse Reflection. We are still two steps removed, but we need to go in a reverse direction. If we only go forward, we actually need 10 steps to reach E12 from E2.

Curious about what this all means? Let's look at all the Links in more depth before returning to our meeting between priest and worker.

Elemental Links: in Detail

Link A: Fusion

The Link between an Elemental and itself is called a Fusion. First, we should immediately note that two things in Fusion have no Subject or Object. Indeed, between E2 and E2 there are 0 steps. There is no reverse direction for this Link.

When two things are in Fusion, they meet themselves. Nothing is added, opposed, reflected, or transformed. They are highly similar things. Two Facets are different symbols in a Fusion Link. Synonyms too are in Fusion.

Often, the Fusion Link is uninformative when using Crystal Vision. If you discover two highly similar things, the reflex will be to tell them apart. Think of identical twins. Our brains instinctively will look for difference. We want to break out of the Fusion Link. This is similar to why Base-1 Vision is so uninformative.

Link B: Junction

The Link between two neighbouring Elementals is called a Junction. Here, we do have directionality: we can go 1 step forward, or 11 steps forward (1 step back on the circle).

When two things are in Junction, they come in close contact. They rub, hammer, grind, push, and pull against each other. They have a different Elemental Texture and a different Elemental Temperature; they are very different! I find the best image is conjoined twins: two different individuals that are tightly bound. If they coordinate, their movements gain strength. But if they disagree, they pull in opposite directions.

In a Forward Junction, the Subject pushes against the Object. The Subject naturally flows towards the Object, but since the Object is so different, the Subject can feel like it hits a clearly visible barrier. The Forward Junction follows the natural direction of the forward movement of the Circle. All the Forward Junctions pass through each Elemental sequentially. E1 pushes against E2, which pushes against E3, which pushes against E4, and so forth.

In a Reverse Junction, we change our point of view. Here, the Subject wants to move forward, but it gets an extra push from the Object behind it. It becomes squeezed between the Object behind it and the blocking Elemental in front of it. In a Reverse Junction, the push of the Object is not always obvious. As you turn around to try and see the Object, it turns with you and stays behind your back.

Link C: Reflection

The Link between two Elementals 2 steps apart is called a Reflection. Here, we have directionality again: we can go 2 steps forward, or 10 steps forward (2 steps back on the circle).

When two things are in Reflection, one thing is reflected by another. This is a fast Link, where two things bounce back and forth, ping-pong, call-and-answer between each other. They have a different Texture, Temperature, and Shape; they are also very different! However, they do share a similar Flow. I find the best image is two talking humans. When people talk, they are bouncing information, ideas, and smiles back and forth. If they approach each other as equals, the back-and-forth is mutually beneficial. However, social reality tells us often one person dominates the conversation. In this case, the Reflection benefits mostly the dominant person who is kind of talking to themself.

In a Forward Reflection, the Subject is reflected in the Object. The Subject sees itself in the Object, as if it is looking in a mirror. The Subject becomes aware of its unique features because the Object allows the Subject to compare itself against the Object.

In a reverse Reflection, the relationship is drastically different. The Subject is now the reflecting thing, it becomes the mirror. Now, the Subject experiences the Object as a strange and distant thing that likes to look at it, but the Subject gains very little. At least, on the surface the gain is small. The Reverse Reflection can change the angle of the mirror and influence the way the Object is looking at itself. The Subject can change the frame of perception of its Object.

Link D: Embrace

The Link between two Elementals 3 steps apart is called an Embrace. Again, Directionality tells us we can go either 3 steps forward, or 9 steps forward (3 steps back on the circle).

When two things are in Embrace, one thing is hugged by another. This is a major Link, all Embraces happen between two Elementals of the same Temperature. They all act on the same level despite having different Textures. This Link is perhaps one of the most difficult to conceive, because the two Elementals have little in common except their Temperature. The paradox lies in the strong mutual influence, but a very different nature. I find the best image for an Embrace is that of a mother and her child. The mother gives herself to the child, she shapes it, but does not expect anything back. She touches the child, and deeply influences the child, but she never truly reaches it. The child grows up to do its own thing in that Embrace.

In a Forward Embrace, the Subject embraces the Object. The Subject gives part of itself to feed the Object. It flows around, submerges, and bathes the Object selflessly. The Subject gains meaning through the act of Embrace. Yet, if the Object becomes too strong, it drains the Subject. The Subject can be swallowed by its Object, yet removing the Object would also destroy the Subject. The Subject needs its Embraced Object, even though the Link is mostly one-directional.

In a Reverse Embrace, the relationship is drastically different again. The Subject is now the thing that is bathing in its Object. The Subject can make more of itself by feeding on the Object. This Link is generative. The Object Texture 'creates' more of the Subject Texture as in an alchemical reaction. Yet, too much Object can become a pressure to the Subject. If the Object keeps pouring into the Subject, they can collapse under the weight.

Link E: Catalyst

The Link between two Elementals 4 steps apart is called a Catalyst. Again, Directionality tells us we can go either 4 steps forward, or 8 steps forward (4 steps back on the circle).

When two things are in Catalyst, one thing is activated by another. This is a major Link too, all Catalysts happen between two Elementals of the same Texture. They are all the same 'thing' but on a different level in time or space. I find the best image is a human growing up. We stay the same thing, despite our body and life changing. Our bodies grow and evolve, while we also start performing different functions. Children do different things than adults, which do different things than the elderly.

In a Forward Catalyst, the Subject catalyses the growth of the Object. The Subject gives part of itself to feed the Object again, but this time the Object takes it in directly, unlike for the Embrace Link where the two could never touch. In the Forward Catalyst, the Subject reproduces itself through the Object. The Subject is the thing that makes the Object grow and pushes it towards a new shape.

In a Reverse Catalyst, the relationship is reversed again. Yet, unlike all previous Links the difference between Forward and Reverse is smaller. The Subject is now the thing that is being fed directly and expanded by its Object. Yet, as the Object pushes the Subject to grow, it will indirectly push itself to grow. Why?

If you look at the circle of Elementals, the Catalyst Link is the Link that goes around the circle fastest. For example, E1 catalyses E5, which catalyses E9, which itself catalyses E1 again. It is the most 'looping' Link, like a vicious circle where each Elemental just keeps fueling the next and it quickly comes back to the source. This is also the main failure mode of this Link. Where in most Links the asymmetry gives rise to problems, the Catalyst Link is very prone to self-amplification.

Link F: Capture

The Link between two Elementals 5 steps apart is called a Capture. Again, Directionality tells us we can go either 5 steps forward, or 7 steps forward (5 steps back on the circle).

When two things are in Capture, one thing is taken and controlled by another but in a distant, indirect way. This is perhaps the most mysterious Link because two Elementals in Capture share almost nothing with each other. Captured Elementals are far apart, and the Link is connecting different Textures, Temperatures, Levels, Pillars, Flows, and Shapes. I find the best image is two puzzle pieces — totally different in shape, colour, and final placement. The only thing they share is that they belong to the same puzzle, and only once the puzzle is done can you see how they relate to each other. However, when making a puzzle, finding many different pieces is ultimately what helps you solve it.

In a Forward Capture, the Subject is the one entering the Object. The Subject controls the Object from afar: it influences, whispers, manipulates. The Subject operates on the Object's blind spot. It can pull every string to make its Object move like a puppet.

In a Reverse Capture, the relationship is equally strong — that is, if the Subject is aware of the Link. As said before, the Subject of a Reverse Capture is often influenced without their knowledge by the Object. But once the Subject becomes aware of the Link, it can act with nearly equal influence. Think of how a manipulator can become the manipulated one once its victim understands the dynamic. When the puppet starts moving intentionally, the puppet can control the hand pulling the strings. This is the power of a Reverse Capture. Yes, the Subject may be the one being penetrated and influenced, but it can just as easily lure and trick its Object, even from the submissive position.

One of the many mysteries of the Capture Link is that it goes full Circle. None of the other Links except the Junction do this. The Forward Junction counts 1, 2, 3, 4... But the Forward Capture is not so dumb. It counts 1, 6, 11, 4... Like the horse in chess, it keeps going sideways. But if you follow the thread through and through, you weave a 12-pointed star across the Circle. So, we get two distinct Forward paths through the Circle. We have the obvious sequential Junction, and the ever-puzzling Capture. This further supports the ‘hidden causal’ nature of the Link.

Link G: Alignment

The Link between two Elementals 6 steps apart is called an Alignment. Like the Fusion link, no direction applies here. Going back 6 steps is the same as going forward 6 steps on the Elemental circle.

When two things are in Alignment, they act as opposites. In popular culture, people say 'opposites attract'. In the Codex, this is not necessarily true. A more precise formulation would be opposites stand on the same line. Even if they are very different, they do share an axis on which they are opposed. I find the best image is two opposed political parties. Let's take a real-world example.

In the US, politics is dominated by the opposition between Democrats and Republicans. Both have almost opposing views on how to best rule the country. Where one says 'yes', the other says 'no', and vice versa. You can easily become locked in an endless and unstable pattern. This would be a failed Alignment.

Instead of constantly opposing one another, the Codex would suggest finding the axis of Alignment. In this case, it is obvious: both parties want to improve the lives of those living in the US. This should be the binding factor. Instead of just opposing each other, they should learn to live together on the same line. Their opposition is not what divides them — it is what unites them. Is Alignment difficult? Yes. Peace Universal was never an easy goal. And yet, Alignment is what keeps this whole Universe together. If the Universe can do it, humans should be able to do so too, wouldn't you say?

Linked Configurations

Once you start getting a feel of the Links and the way they connect Elementals, a whole new world of thinking opens that the Elementals alone could never provide on their own.

One reflex should be to understand the configurations of Links. Let’s say you map two things: one is E5 and the other is E9. Your mind should go “Ping! This is the Catalyst!”. That is the Link. The next trick is finding what is missing: if you have E5 and E9, where is E1? Where is the last Elemental of the Catalyst sequence? This will grant you a complete overview and often reveal things you were not even looking at.

Once you get the configuration of Links, you can see the dynamics happen. Say E1 is totally absent in our earlier example. Then, we can predict that E9 will suck E5 dry: there is no E1 to regenerate E5.

Have you clocked the key to the Links? Or the Elementals? Because all the Elementals are simply all the Links described with E1 as the Subject. Click... ;)

A Priest and a Construction Worker

Let's finally apply some Crystal Vision!

Now, you have read all you need to know to unravel the relationships between two things for which you have mapped an Elemental Facet. Let's return to our previous question: what happens when a priest and a construction worker meet?

First, we know the Link is that of Reflection. With the priest as the Subject, we expect that the priest will find some insight in the construction worker. The worker might show the priest his own sermons and benedictions in material form. The priest feels good about himself, he can float in spiritual atmospheres. “Look how ephemeral I am compared to the brute! I can simply chant while that worker is building the world for me.”

For the construction worker, the relationship is different. In a Reverse Reflection, the worker does not gain much from the insights the priest is seeing. The worker can feel the priest as a strange, perhaps arrogant thing that likes to watch him, but is doing none of the hard work. This is true if the priest is only thinking Forward. In the Forward direction, the priest can seem very far ahead, almost unreachable. Yet, if the worker becomes aware of his own mirror-like nature to the priest, the worker can totally change the mind of the priest. Suppose the worker stops building for the priest, the worker goes on strike. Or maybe he decides to build very shitty temples with cheap stones? Then, the priest will be totally lost; he will have to pick up a hammer himself and lose his self-perceived holy state. The priest will have to become a construction worker, and the priest will be priest no more.

I will leave you with this example to think of. Remember that Crystal Vision is semi-subjective. You might see another Facet in this meeting which I might have missed. Furthermore, we should not reduce the priest or worker to their assigned Elemental. Again, humans are too high-resolution to perfectly fit our Crystal Vision. The priest in a real situation might have very strong building skills and would effectively build his own temple without needing any worker.

The predictions we get from the Link Vision only apply perfectly if the Elementals are pure and low resolution. Thus, the better you are able to map the priest and the worker as humans, the better you will be able to predict the outcome of this encounter.

The whole point of Crystal Vision is to make you think. Getting perfect answers and correct predictions is not the main goal but rather a by-product of training your brain to see the Links.

Welcome to the Crystal World, Timeseer New.

Do you see now?

How shapes take shape?

Through and through