Empedocles, a Greek philosopher, scientist and healer who lived in Sicily in the fifth century B.C., believed that all matter comprises the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. Fire and air are outwardly reaching elements, reaching up and out, whereas earth and water turn inward and downward.
The Four Elements also describe the four unique personality types associated with the zodiac signs. The elements exhibit profound influence on basic character traits, behaviour, emotions, thinking and intuition. They are reflected in our relationships, our ambitions or lack thereof, and the unexpected turns and twists that add spice to our lives.
Astrology aims to help us to better focus our energies, gain a better understanding of our positive traits, and deal with the negative ones. We can use this knowledge to realise our full potential and live our best life. We all need air to breathe, water to cleanse us and sustain our growth, fire to shelter us from the cold and nourish us, earth to live on together with all the living things and to grow our food. All the elements are equally important and below is a more in depth description of each.
Earth
Earth is the most materially grounded element. It’s cool and dry nature, provides a comfortable living space for all plants and animals. The earth element can be found in fields, hills, mountains, and plains and is home to all living beings. Survival would be impossible without earth. Earth is a rich and fertile element providing energy and sustenance to all living creatures.
✨Astrology: Taurus, Capricorn, Virgo
✨Tarot: Pentacles
✨Jung: Sensation
Feel the Earth under your 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 you experience the physical world, you walk on this earth, enjoy the beauty and bounty of Mother Earth and feel the comfort of being on solid ground.
Associated with the signs Taurus, Capricorn and Virgo, Earth represents the practical, realistic material side of your nature, it seeks to assert a stable, secure and structured environment into which you can function. Feel the earth under your feet, solid and steady as you walk slowly. Earth is patient and reliable. It is solid and strong. To be on solid ground encourages you to seek the practical and most logical answer to a problem.
Earth can be a stabilising force in a relationship contributing structure and organization to achieve balance and harmony. Earth sustains growth- watch plant life grows, from an acorn grows an oak tree; so do humans grow from youth to maturity, and realise the immense growth in every facet of life.
The overexpression of this element can be seen in a stubborn and 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 overemphasised and this can lead to a stressful worrisome situation.
✨Weakness: attachment, stinginess, materialism, resistant to change, too much attention to detail and missing the big picture.
Air
Air is the element of life itself as all living creatures, both plants and animals, require air to live and thrive. Air is warm, moist, and provides the mind and body with energy. The air element can be found all around us, but its most visible manifestation is through breezes or winds.
✨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 you develop ideas. It is through the influence of this element that you learn to communicate. Through air you 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 intellectualise, to appreciate the differences in people, accept different perspectives without which, there would be a lack of vision and human interaction.
Thoughts are a continual force in our lives. It is associated 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 your thoughts soar to reach your 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: lack of emotion, depression, lack of connection with the higher self, overactive mind that blocks inner peace and harmony.
Fire
Fire is considered to be the first element to be created on earth. Fire is predominantly associated with the sun, and is a warm and dry element. It gives off light, which protects all living creatures from the shadows of night. Fire is transformative, and when merged with other elements, it can change and grow. For instance, when fire encounters air, it grows bigger, and burns brighter.
✨Astrology: Leo, Sagittarius, Aries
✨Tarot: Wands
✨Jung: Intuition
The element Fire is associated with the signs Leo, Sagittarius and Aries. 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 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. A spark can light up new ideas, serve as 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 behaviour and so forth. When fires influence is out of control, it seeks to consume all in it’s path.
✨Weakness: lack of interest, egotistic, excessive self-centeredness, self- importance.
Water
Water is the most soothing and calming of the four elements. It’s cool and wet nature allows it to appease the mind and body. The water element can be found in oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and springs. Life on earth would not be possible without water, and every living creature from the smallest microorganism to the largest mammal depends on it. The flowing and transformative nature of water makes it a cleanser and purifier.
✨Astrology: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
✨Tarot: Cups
✨Jung: Feelings/Emotion
The element Water is associated with the signs of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces and 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.
Uncontrolled, this element can send emotions on a turbulent path resulting in moodiness and unpredictable highs and lows, like the crest and trough of a wave.
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 overexpressed, one may tend to be overly emotional, deeply sensitive and subjective. With too much emotion, depression may result.
✨Weakness: can result from being too protective and possessive of their loved ones; cold attitude and lack of drive may arise.
The Four Elements remind us of the natural world’s beauty, complexity, and interconnectedness and our place within it. By appreciating and respecting these elemental forces, we can cultivate a sense of wonder, curiosity, and reverence for our world, enriching our lives and inspiring us to forge meaningful connections with the people, places, and ideas surrounding us.