In ancient Greek philosophy and science, an undine is an elementary spirit of the water. They live within and rule over their element.

They are female and often appear in the form of a human woman, but can also assume the shape of a fish or a snake. We can see them but they cannot see us, we are like fairies to them. However, undines sometimes develop a kind of spiritual sight, where they can see and interact with humans.

Undines are very anxious to enter the human realm in order to obtain a human soul. If they die before they receive a soul they will disappear forever rather than existing forever as the human soul does.

Undines receive a soul by producing a child with a man, but this is rare. More often they simply become attached to a human and attempt to be of service to him or her. They usually become attached to older women who are witches.

If a child is produced it will be human and will have a human soul, but the father should always be careful not to offend the mother near a body of water or she will revert to her original form and disappear into her element.

Every form of water has its own tribe of undines. They exist within the oceans, the seas and ponds, lakes, rivers, wells, waterfalls, even humidity and tears.

Also known as Melosinae, Ondines, and Nymphs.

See Also: Creatures by Type » Elementals, Mermaids

References

The New International Encyclopaedia, Volume 17. New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1904.

Curtiss, Harriette Augusta, & Curtiss, Frank Homer. Realms of the Living Dead: A Brief Description of Life after Death. San Francisco: The Curtiss Philosophic Book Co., 1917.

Hartmann, Franz. The Life and the Doctrines of Philippus Theophrastus, Bombast of Hohenheim: Known by the Name of Paracelsus. New York: The Theosophical Publishing Company, 1910.