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by Bonnie Moss (c) 2003
According to the Empedocles, a Greek philosopher,
scientist and healer who lived in Sicily in the
fifth century B.C., all matter is comprised of four
elements of earth, air, fire and water. Fire and
air are outwardly reaching elements, reaching up
and out, whereas earth and water turn inward
and downward.
In his Tetrasomia, or Doctrine of the Four Elements,
Empedocles described these elements not only as
physical manifestations or material substances,
but also as spiritual essences. He associated
these elements with four gods and goddesses - air
with Zeus, earth with Hera, fire with Hades, and
water with Nestis (believed to be Persephone).
In her book, Four Elements in Ancient Greek Philosophy,
Tracy Marks describes a wide-ranging look at earth,
fire, water, and air, and the dynamic twin forces
of Love and Strife. Her book takes one to a journey
from ancient Greece to alchemy to Carl Jung’s
association of sense, feeling,thoughts and intuition .
Air moves us
Fire transform us
Water shapes us
Earth heals us.
Wiccan
The Four Elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth
describe the four unique personality types
associated with a sign of the zodiac. The elements
exhibit profound influence on basic character
traits, behaviour, emotions and needs. Some
consider these traits too general, but these
are reflected in our emotions, our relationships,
and our ambitions or lack thereof, the unexpected
turns and twists that add spice to our lives.
How often have we heard these words:I need some air;
Oh for the Sun to shine; a relaxing soak in the tub;
walk in the woods, or sit in the park. What is
the most popular motivation for a holiday?
Sunbathing, swimming, touring and walking, and
lots of outdoor activities.
Astrology aims to help us focus these energies
to the positive aspects, gain a better understanding
of our positive traits and deal with the negative
ones; thus realize our full potential and give our
best to this life. To my mind, to deny these is to
deny life and destiny.After all, basically, we all
need air to breathe, water to sustain our growth
and to cleanse us, fire to shelter us from the
cold and nourish us, earth to live on together
with all the living things on it,
and to grow our food.
Earth
Astrology: Taurus, Capricorn, Virgo
Tarot: Pentacles, Disks,
Jung: sensation
Feel the Earth under our feet, the soil that
sustains all forms of life, look at the power
and beauty of the mountains, a symbol of stability
and solidity of the earth. Everyday we experience
the physical world, we walk on this earth,enjoy
the beauty and bounty of Mother Earth and
feel the comfort of being on solid ground.
Take a walk, walk slowly and feel the earth
under your feet, solid and steady. Associated
with the signs Taurus, Capricorn and Virgo, Earth
represent the practical, realistic material side of
our nature, it seeks to assert a stable, secure,
structured environment into which we can function.
Earth is patient and reliable. It is solid and
strong.To be on solid ground encourages one to seek
the practical and most logical answer to a problem.
Earth can be a stabilizing force in a relationship
contributing structure and organization to achieve
balance and harmony. Earth sustains growth- watch
plant life grow, from an acorn does an oak tree grow;
so does man grow from youth to maturity, and realize
the immense growth in every facet of life.
The over expression of this element can be seen in
a stubborn. rigid personality, one that strives to
remain in the comfort zone in life, afraid to take
risks. It can also be seen by a love of the material
side of life, the comforts of material well- being,
material worth can be over emphasized and this can
lead to a stressful worrisome situation.
Weakness: attachment, stinginess, materialism,
resists change, too much attention to detail and
miss the big picture.
Air
Astrology: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Tarot: Swords
Jung: Thinking
The element Air is associated with the signs Gemini,
Libra. and Aquarius. It seeks to establish itself
in the realm of the intellect. It is through the
process of thinking that we develop ideas. It is
through the influence of this element that we learn
to communicate. Through air we gain and share knowledge.
Air contributes inventiveness, originality and
versatility to the personality. It gives that
feeling of freedom, unattachment,it reaches out
to the mental self. Enjoy that refreshing gentle
breeze, allow thoughts to flow freely and nourish
the creative moment. Air expresses love of people,
the ability to intellectualize,to appreciate the
differences in people, accept different perspectives,
without which, there would be a lack of vision and
lack of human interaction.
Our thoughts are a continual force in our lives.
It is assoiated with meditation where deep breathing
is essential to reach that level of stillness,
energy, and relaxation. Air is used for transport,
flying and sailing. Let our thoughts soar to reach
our intellectual pursuits.
An over expression of air's influence can be seen
as living in a dream world with unrealistic goals
and flights of fancy. Air should seek to maintain
practicality and develop consistency in dealing
with the real world.
Weakness of this element : lack of emotion,
depression, lack of connection with the higher
self, overactive mind that blocks inner peace
and harmony.
Fire
Astrology: Leo, Sagittarius, Aries
Tarot: Wand, Spears
Jung: Intuition
The signs Leo,Sagittarius and Aries are associated
with the element Fire. It represents the life force
glowing within us. This element projects self-expression,
creativity, courage and enthusiasm. Feel the
comforting warmth of a fire, or heat when you
come in from the cold. We need fire to meet the
basic need of cooking our food. Fire provides a
sense of security, warmth and t inspiration that
is shared with those around. Fire strengthens
self-confidence to tackle problems without hesitation.
Without fire, there is no radiance, no conviction,
no expression.
From a spark , great ideas could be lit, a beacon
to light the way to achieve goals with conviction
and enthusiasm.
An over expression of fire can turn assertiveness
into aggression, daring into reckless behavior and
so forth. With this in mind we see that fire's
influence, when out of control seeks to consume all in
it's path.
Weakness: lack of interest, egotistic, excessive
self-centeredness, self- importance.
Water
Astrology: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Tarot: Cups
Jung: Feelings/Emotion
The element Water associated with the signs of
Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces influences the conscience
and the subconscious forces that act on our lives,
The element water pours forth to others.It allows
one to feel their pain and suffering and offer sincere
compassion. Psychic awareness is also present
in the water signs and shows itself from time to
time with uncanny accuracy. Water seeks to heal
and nurture those around it. However uncontrolled,
it can send emotions on a turbulent path resulting
in moodiness and unpredictable highs and lows,
like the drest and trough of the waves.
Water signs need serenity and calmness,like a
gentle flowing river nurturing all in its wake
and at the same time leading to the discovery
of new paths.
When this element is over expressed, one may
tend to be overly emotional, deeply sensitive
and subjective.With too much emotion,possible
depression may result.
Weakness can result from being too protective
and possessive of their loved ones.Cold
attitude and lack of drive may also be a
weakness of this element.
A Balance of the Elements
The best combination of each element type of
personality strives to create a balance of these
lemental aspects of each, thereby resulting in
relationship that thrives on mutual growth
and harmony.
Air-fire
Earth-Water
The element air in a relationship provides ideas
and dreams that Fire can act on and forge into
realities.
The element water provides sensitivity and
nurturing to the sometimes cold reserved
earthly approach to matters, thereby laying the
groundwork for future growth in the relationship
At the same time remember in a fire/ water
relationship balance can be achieved by realizing
that water can inject needed sensitivity and
patience into the fire sign. and at the same time
Fire can add drive and the courage to act that
can be sometimes lacking in the water signs.
When two elements of the same type combine,
harmony can be achieved when the needs and
traits are the same for both the individuals.
However, it hinders growth both individuals may
become too comfortable staying at the point they
are at and the needed spark for growth may be lacking.
In a Fire/Earth combination we find that fire's
initiative and drive can stimulate the sometimes
laid back and reserved nature of Earth. At the
same time ,Earth's practicality and discipline
can be balancing to fire's sometimes quick to
act ways.
Ideally we should strive for a balance of the
elements Earth/Water and Air /fire.
The other combinations can also work as long as
both partners respect the others needs and unique
traits that both bring into the relationship and
they utilize each others strengths to balance.
Reference: Tracy Marks book
:The Elements in Ancient Greek Philosophy
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