Sacramental vs. Elemental — What's the Difference?

A sacramental is a material object or action (in Latin sacramentalia) ritually blessed by a priest to signal its association with the Sacraments and so to incite reverence during acts of worship. They are recognised by the Roman and Eastern Catholic churches, the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, the Church of the East, as well as certain Anglican, Independent Catholic and Old Catholic, Lutheran churches, and Methodist churches.

An elemental is a mythic being that is described in occult and alchemical works from around the time of the European Renaissance, and particularly elaborated in the 16th century works of Paracelsus. According to Paracelsus and his subsequent followers, there are four categories of elementals, which are gnomes, undines, sylphs, and salamanders.

Of, relating to, or used in a sacrament.

Of, relating to, or being an element.

Consecrated or bound by or as if by a sacrament

Fundamental or essential; basic.

Having the force or efficacy of a sacrament.

Of or relating to fundamentals; elementary.

A rite, act, or sacred object used by some Christian churches in worship.

Constituting an integral part; inborn.

Used in, or relating to, a sacrament.

Of such character as to resemble a force of nature in power or effect

An object (such as holy water or a crucifix) or an action (such as making the sign of the cross) which is regarded as encouraging devotion and thus spiritually aiding the person who uses it.

In certain occult systems, an inhabitant of one of the four elements, especially any of the beings described by Paracelsus as intermediate in corporeality between humans and spirits.

Of or pertaining to a sacrament or the sacraments; of the nature of a sacrament; sacredly or solemnly binding; as, sacramental rites or elements.

(chemistry) Of, relating to, or being an element (as opposed to a compound).

Bound by a sacrament.

Basic, fundamental or elementary.

That which relates to a sacrament.

Of the ancient supposed elements of earth, air, fire and water.

Of or relating to or involving a sacrament

(by extension) Of, or relating to a force of nature, especially to severe atmospheric conditions.

A creature (usually a spirit) that is attuned with, or composed of, one of the classical elements: air, earth, fire and water or variations of them like ice, lightning, etc. They sometimes have unique proper names and sometimes are referred to as Air, Earth, Fire, or Water.

Pertaining to the elements, first principles, and primary ingredients, or to the four supposed elements of the material world; as, elemental air.

Pertaining to rudiments or first principles; rudimentary; elementary.

Being or resembling a force of nature;

Being the ultimate or elemental constituents of anything;

Relating to or being an element;

Relating to severe atmospheric conditions;