surface of the Earth. This repeated process of impregnation results
in an almost continuous flow of fertile energies emanating from
deep in the Earth to stimulate burgeoning growth.
Viktor grouped almost all the known elements and their com-
pounds, with the exception of oxygen and hydrogen, under the gen-
eral classification of 'female.' The exceptions were silver, zinc and
silicon, which were considered to have paternally-oriented charac-
teristics, while gold, copper and limestone were regarded as more
maternal (these will be discussed in more detail in Chapter 17).
Schauberger used the term 'carbones' for all these elements, (the
extra 'e' meaning more than just 'carbon'), because of the prevalence
of various sorts of carbonous matter in the multitude of living
organisms created in the body of Mother Earth.
The Sun's energy, of course, is regarded as male, and Viktor saw
oxygen as a lower form of solar energy. Together, the role of the Sun
and its assistant oxygen is to fertilize these female, propagative
energies, the Sun being responsible for all of life, and oxygen for
organic growth and development. To hydrogen, Viktor gave a spe-
cial role, as the carrier substance of both oxygen and carbone (see
Fig. 3.2 above). From a detached view, far outside the atmosphere,
our planet, composed of carbones and fertilized by oxygen, is
indeed floating in the hydrogen gas ocean of space.
The words 'matter' and 'material,' both have their root in the
Latin word mater, meaning mother, which supports the idea that
physical substance is feminine in nature. Thus all the physical ele-
ments (except for oxygen and hydrogen) can be seen as the mater-
nal progenitive constituents of 'Mother-Earth.' Viktor Schauberger
visualized all physical structures and all new living entities coming
into being through the union between these 'mother-substances'
and the inseminating agent of oxygen.
Polarities
Viktor Schauberger used to call polarity Nature's engine. He once
described the harmonious interplay of the attraction and repulsion
of polarized atoms as 'the dance of creation.' Electricity depends on
the positive and negative charge of electrons. Magnetism expresses
the polarities of attraction and repulsion. Polarities also apply in
biological terms, of course, where balance is achieved between con-
trasting qualities, and of course between different sexes.
- THE ATTRACTION AND REPULSION OF OPPOSITES
Fig. 3.2. Hydrogen symbol.
Hydrogen as the 'carrier' of both carbone and
oxygen.