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Your Connection to the Elements
Balance Your Life with
Air, Fire, Water and Earth
article
by Avalon
De Witt
In ancient
times, scientists, philosophers and magi
divided matter into four basic elements: Air, Fire, Water and Earth. It
has been said that these elements are the building blocks of life. A
scientist and philosopher named Empedocles set this foundation for
science in Sicily during the 5th century B.C. Empedocles belonged to
the tradition of "Root Cutters," which means that he was an herbal
magician and healer. He defined these elements, or "roots", as not only
physical substances, but also as "spiritual essences". He even assigned
gods and goddesses to these energies. About a century later, Aristotle
assigned properties of hotness and coldness to the elements.
AIR
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EARTH
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FIRE
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WATER
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Zeus
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Hera
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Hades
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Nestis/Persephone
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Hot
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Cool
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Hot
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Cool
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Moist
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Dry
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Dry
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Moist
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Mystics throughout the
ages have recognized these elements
as four
spiritual modes of being. Air, Fire, Water and Earth are represented by
the four suits of the Tarot - Swords (Air), Wands (Fire), Cups (Water)
and Pentacles (Earth). I have seen that a dominant suit in a card
spread can be very telling. You will also find these elements in
astrology:
AIR:
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Gemini,
Libra, Aquarius
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(thinking)
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EARTH:
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Taurus,
Virgo, Capricorn
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(sensing)
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FIRE:
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Aries,
Leo, Sagittarius
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(intuiting)
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WATER:
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Cancer,
Scorpio, Pisces
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(feeling)
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Alchemy, Hermeticism and
Gnosticism hold understandings of the four
elements, too. We can see them in the Jungian theory of the four
personality types - thinking (Air), intuiting (Fire), feeling (Water)
and sensing (Earth). Even our modern Meyers-Briggs personality test
shares this four-fold concept.
The idea is that
Nature and the Self are equal.
The four seasons of a
year can be compared to the four stages of human life - birth, growth,
maturity and death. We can utilize the four elements as dimensions of
psychic and spiritual growth. The natural way would be to strive to
achieve an equal proportion of each. Understanding the psychic energies
of these elements can help us balance our lives and experience greater
harmony. If you know which elements to call upon and how to connect
with them, you can manage whatever life throws your way much more
easily.
AIR
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Season:
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Spring
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Time
of Day:
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Dawn
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Direction:
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East
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Color:
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Yellow
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Archangel:
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Raphael
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Every time you think
or communicate, you are drawing on the element of
Air. Our connections with others are formed through Air. Air is the
most elusive of all the elements. It is uncontainable, unseen, and
changeable. Whenever you seek insight, discover a new idea, change your
mind, clarify a vision, develop a plan or concentrate on your
breathing, you are becoming Air. Air is intellect, truth and wisdom. If
you have difficulty making decisions, taking action, understanding or
being understood, Air can help you.
To
awaken your connection to the Air element, open your windows and
clear the air around you by burning some incense or smudging your home
with sage. Play music that inspires you. Or go outside and feel the
wind on your face. Pay attention to the way it masters its own destiny,
moving constantly. Its flexibility makes it unstoppable. Try to block
it with your hand. It will only go around.
Singing
or toning, whistling, even dancing are all Air activities.
Crystal singing bowls and tuning forks are useful tools for invoking
Air energy. Inventors utilize the element of Air. Read biographies of
inventors to understand the inner workings of Air.
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FIRE
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Season:
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Summer
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Time
of Day:
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Noon
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Direction:
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South
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Color:
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Red
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Archangel:
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Mikael
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Have
you ever really, really wanted something? That's fire. Fire is
desire. It is dynamic, passionate, bold, enthusiastic, active and
hopeful. Fire is the life principle. It provides heat and light. It is
the element of Spirit. Fire is charming, flamboyant and inspirational.
Fire transforms. If you would like to improve your sense of humor or
build courage, confidence, or motivation, look to Fire.
To open up to the power of Fire within you, you can light a candle and
see what the living flame has to show you. Watch a sunset and take in
the brilliance of this vital element. If you really want a mega-dose,
try dancing around a campfire and watch the way the fire dances with
you. Let the heat of the Fire element penetrate and warm your soul.
Competitive sports and games are also good ways to stimulate the spark
of Fire in your life.
Do something spontaneous. Search within for your purpose. Set some life
goals for yourself. Complete a task you've been meaning to finish.
Learn to trust your intuition. Listen to a motivational tape or
energize yourself with affirmations. Empower yourself with divine
thoughts and let your ideals awaken. |
WATER
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Season:
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Autumn
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Time
of Day:
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Dusk
/ Sunset
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Direction:
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West
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Color:
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Blue
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Archangel:
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Gabriel
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If
you have ever loved, you have experienced the element of Water.
Serenity is a result of Water's presence in our lives. Water is the
most psychic of all the elements. It cleanses, nourishes and reflects.
It is passive and malleable - it takes on the shape of whatever
contains it. The Holy Grail is associated with Water, the original
Primordial Chaos. Water rules the emotions and the subconscious. If you
have prophetic dreams, you are using the element of Water. If you are
lonely, depressed, overwhelmed or having trouble opening your heart,
let Water clear the way for you.
To get water flowing in your life, the easiest, most accessible tool is
the bathtub. Add essential oils or milk and honey to cleanse and
nurture your Higher Self. Drink pure water to purify your body. You may
try taking a walk in the rain. Notice how it gathers together to form
puddles and pools. Throw a stone into a lake or a pond and watch the
endless ripples. See how beautiful it is when it is contained.
Feeling compassion, shedding tears and giving to charity are the
workings of this gentle element. Scrying bowls and table fountains are
easy ways to get more Water into your life. Read poetry to get a feel
for Water's subtle, soothing properties.
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EARTH
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Season:
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Winter
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Time
of Day:
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Midnight
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Direction:
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North
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Color:
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Green
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Archangel:
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Uriel
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When you eat, exercise or save money, you
are interacting with the
Earth element. Stability is Earth's unique gift. Seeing, smelling,
tasting and touching are functions of Earth. Earth is solid, rich,
sultry, strong and dependable. It is the foundation for all the other
elements. Earth is commitment, permanence, form. It is facts and law,
practicality and consequence. Earth is about getting results. Poverty,
insecurity, safety issues, obsessions and a sense of being
"weak-willed" or incapable can all be resolved with earth.
If you would like to strengthen your
connection to Earth, put your bare
feet on the ground. Walk, run, jump. Let the immovable nature of the
Earth element support you. You could also plant a garden or start a
houseplant on a window sill. Roots such as potatoes, carrots, beets and
turnips are known as "grounding" foods that can increase your personal
Earth energy.
Learn to respect
yourself, accept yourself. Define what dignity is to
you. Stimulate your senses. Work with your hands. Knit, string beads,
or do pottery. Place stones or a dish of sea salt on your altar, or
wear a hematite pendant, to represent the Earth in your spiritual
workings. Strive to be at home in your body.
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INTEGRATE
Figure out which
elements you are lacking and integrate them into your
life. Let the elements of nature bring you into closer contact with
your True Self. As you grow on each of these levels, you will
experience greater and greater joy.
Don't let yourself get
too much of one element. Too much air can make
you spacey. Too much fire can cause burn-out. Too much water can make
you "wishy-washy". And too much earth can make you rigid. Keep
your
personal elements balanced and your life will reflect that balance back
to you by giving you all that you need, on every level.
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