The Four Elements and the Zodiac
Empedocles, a fifth-century B.C. Greek philosopher, physicist, and healer who lived in Sicily, thought that all matter was made up of four elements: earth, air, fire, and water.
Fire and air are elements that extend up and out, while earth and water turn inward and downward.
Tracy Marks’ book, Four Elements in Ancient Greek Philosophy, takes a broad look at the earth, fire, water, and air, as well as the dynamic dual powers of love and strife.
Her book takes the reader on a trip through time, from ancient Greece through alchemy to Carl Jung’s linkage of sensation, emotion, thinking, and intuition.
The four distinct personality types linked with the zodiac signs are described by the four elements of air, fire, water, and earth.
The elements have a strong impact on fundamental personality characteristics, behavior, emotions, thinking, and intuition.
Detractors argue that these characteristics are too broad, yet they are mirrored in our relationships, goals (or lack thereof), and the unexpected turns and twists that spice up our lives.
Astrology seeks to assist us by directing our efforts toward the good elements of our personalities, developing a deeper knowledge of our positive attributes, and coping with our bad ones, allowing us to fulfill our full potential and give our all to this life.
To reject these things is to deny one’s own life and destiny. We all need air to breathe, water to support our development and cleanse us, fire to keep us warm and feed us, and the earth to live on with all the living creatures on it and produce our food.
The Earth Element
Astrological signs: Taurus, Capricorn, and Virgo are Earth Signs
Jung: Sensation
Feel the ground under our feet, the dirt that supports all kinds of life. Consider the strength and beauty of the mountains, which are a representation of the earth’s stability and firmness.
The world we live in is made up of physical things. We walk on this globe, marvel at the beauty and wealth of Mother Earth, and enjoy the security of being on solid ground every single day of our lives.
The Earth, associated with the signs Taurus, Capricorn, and Virgo, symbolizes the practical, pragmatic material part of our nature, seeking to provide a solid, safe, and organized environment in which we may operate.
As you walk gently, feel the soil under your feet. It should be firm and sturdy. Earth is a patient and dependable planet. It’s substantial and sturdy.
In a situation, when you’re on solid ground, you want to look for the best and most practical way to solve it.
The Earth may act as a stabilizing factor in a relationship, providing structure and order to establish balance and harmony.
Observe the development of plant life; an oak tree grows from an acorn, and a man grows from childhood to adulthood, and comprehend the vast expansion in all aspects of life.
This aspect manifests itself in an obstinate and inflexible attitude, one that wants to stay in one’s comfort zone in life, hesitant to take chances.
It may also be shown in a love of the material side of life, the comforts of material well-being, and material value, which can lead to a stressful and worrying scenario.
Weaknesses: attachment, stinginess, materialism, resistance to change, excessive attention to detail, and failure to see the broader picture.
The Air Element
Astrological signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Jung: Thinking
The signs Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are connected with the element air. It aims to establish itself in the intellectual arena. We generate ideas through the process of thinking.
We learn to communicate as a result of the effect of this factor. We learn and exchange information via the air.
Air adds invention, originality, and variety to a person’s personality. It provides a sense of independence and unattachment, and it reaches out to the mental self.
Allow ideas to flow freely and foster the creative moment while you enjoy that delightful calm wind. Without air, there would be no vision or human contact.
Air conveys love for people, the ability to think, recognize differences in people, and accept different opinions.
Thoughts are an ever-present influence on our existence. It is related to meditation, in which deep breathing is required to achieve a state of silence, energy, and relaxation.
Transport, flying, and sailing all rely on the use of the air. Allow your ideas to fly in order to accomplish your intellectual goals.
An overabundance of air’s effect might be seen as living in a fantasy world with unattainable objectives and flights of imagination. In dealing with the current world, Air should strive to preserve realism and consistency.
This element has flaws like not feeling, being depressed, not being able to connect with your higher self, and having a busy mind that makes it hard to find inner peace and harmony.
The Fire Element
Astrological signs: Leo, Sagittarius, Aries
Jung: Intuition
The element of fire is connected with the signs of Leo, Sagittarius, and Aries. It reflects the vitality that burns inside us. This aspect exudes self-expression, inventiveness, bravery, and zeal.
When you come in from the cold, feel the soothing warmth of a fire or heat.
To satisfy our fundamental need to cook our food, we need fire. Fire gives people a feeling of comfort, warmth, and inspiration, which they may share with others.
Fire boosts self-confidence, allowing you to face issues head-on. There is no brilliance, conviction, or expression without fire.
Sparks can help people come up with new ideas and help them see the way to their goals with passion and zeal.
Excessive fire may transform assertiveness into aggressiveness, boldness into risky action, and so forth. When a fire’s influence becomes uncontrollable, it attempts to devour everything in its path.
Weaknesses include boredom, egoism, extreme self-centeredness, and self-importance.
The Element of Water
Astrological Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces,
Jung: Emotions and Feelings
The component water, which is related to the signs of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, governs the consciousness and subconscious forces that work in our lives. It allows you to understand their pain and sorrow and show real compassion.
Psychic awareness is also present in the water signs and manifests itself with remarkable precision from time to time. Water wants to heal and nourish people in its path.
An unchecked element could lead to moodiness and unexpected highs and lows, just like the waves do.
Water signs need tranquility and calm, much like a gently running river that nurtures everyone in its course while also leading to the discovery of new routes.
When emotions are overexpressed, they may cause people to become excessively emotional, sensitive, and subjective. Depression may occur when there is an overabundance of feelings.
Because they might be too protective and possessive of their loved ones, they might become weak. They might also become cold and not want to do anything.
The Elements in Balance
It’s important to find a balance between the elements of each person’s personality. This leads to a partnership that thrives on progress and harmony.
Air-fire
Earth-Water
In a partnership, the element air supplies concepts and ambitions that the element fire may act on and iron into reality.
Water adds empathy and care to the often chilly, restrained earthy attitude toward problems, providing the framework for future development in the connection.
At the same time, keep in mind that in a fire/water partnership, the balance may be established by recognizing that water can instill essential sensitivity and patience in the fire sign.
At the same time, fire may provide energy and confidence to act, which might be missing in water signs.
When two parts of the same kind unite, harmony may be produced when both people’s wants and qualities are the same. Even so, progress is slowed when both people become too comfortable, so the spark for growth isn’t there.
In a fire/earth combination, fire’s initiative and drive may excite earth’s often laid-back and reserved disposition. Even though fire can be a little too reckless at times, Earth’s sense of reality and discipline may help it.
We should aim for a balance of the elements: earth, water, and air, fire.
Other combinations may work as long as both partners appreciate one another’s needs and distinct characteristics that they contribute to the relationship and use each other’s strengths to balance.
