THE ELEMENTS

Saturday, August 15, 2009

The Elements
The four elements: Fire, Water, Air and Earth are based on temperament, as seen in a person's primary response to situation, relationships and most things in general.

Each sign is matched with one of the elements according to whether the primary response associated with that sign is basically: to act (physical/Earth), to gain something (purposeful/Fire), to analyze (intellectual/Air), or to feel (emotional/Water).

QUALITIES OF FIRE: Active, masculine, spontaneous, quick, initiating, initializing, vitalizing and energetic.

Fire is an element with two purposes: (1) It is an expression of spiritual energy and the determination of the spirit. (2)It purifies, burns and destroys the old so that the new may emerge. It is a the element of transmutation and regeneration. To pass through fire is symbolic of transcending the human condition. The direction or cardinal point of fire is south.

QUALITIES OF WATER: Passive, feminine, receptive, sustaining, subconscious, creative and generative.

Water symbolizes the infinite realm of possibilities, which precede all form and creation. It is limitless and immortal. The direction or cardinal point of water is west.

QUALITIES OF AIR: Active, masculine, intellectual, ethereal, abstract and communicative.

Air is related to the creative breath of life, therefore, speech as well as scent and smell. Air is a volatile element which is considered the offspring of the parental elements of fire and water. It is the reconciler between the rival elements of fire (male) and water(female). Air also alludes to the human intellect and thought processes, which are quick, changeable, and abstract. The direction or cardinal point is east.

QUALITIES OF EARTH: Passive, feminine, solid, materialization, physical, stable, slow-moving and grounded.

Earth represents the physical, materialized universe in which we live. Earth is the daughter of fire and water, just as air is the son. This element encompasses all activities of productivity, fertility, growth and regeneration. Earth is the fourth element and the result of the combined actions of the other three. The direction or cardinal point of earth is north.