Empedocles, a fifth-century B.C. Greek philosopher, scientist, and healer, believed that all matter is made up of the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Earth and water are inwardly reaching elements, reaching up and out, whereas fire and air are externally reaching elements, reaching up and out.
Tracy Marks takes a wide-ranging look at the earth, fire, water, and air, as well as the dynamic dual powers of love and strife, in her book Four Elements in Ancient Greek Philosophy. Her book takes the reader on a voyage through history, alchemy, and Carl Jung’s linkage of sensation, feeling, thinking, and intuition.
The four elements of air, fire, water, and earth describe the four distinct personality types associated with the zodiac signs. The components have a significant impact on basic personality traits, behavior, emotions, thinking, and intuition. Detractors argue that these characteristics are too broad, but they are reflected in our relationships, ambitions (or lack thereof), and life’s unexpected turns and twists.
Astrology seeks to assist us in directing our efforts toward positive elements, developing a deeper understanding of our positive features, and dealing with our bad traits, allowing us to reach our greatest potential and offer our all in this life.
To deny these is to deny one’s own life and fate. We all require air to breathe, water to support our growth and cleanse us, fire to keep us warm and nourish us, and the earth to live on with all the other living creatures on it and grow our food.
Earth
Astrology: Taurus, Capricorn, Virgo
Jung: Sensation
Feel the earth that supports all sorts of life beneath our feet. Consider the power and beauty of the mountains, which are a representation of the earth’s stability and strength. Every day, we interact with the physical world by walking on our planet, admiring Mother Earth’s beauty and wealth, and feeling the comfort of being on solid ground.
Earth is connected to the signs of Taurus, Capricorn, and Virgo. It represents the practical, sensible, and material side of our personalities. Earth tries to create a stable, safe, and organized space for us to live and work. As you walk gently, feel the soil beneath your feet, which is firm and sturdy. Earth is a tolerant and dependable companion. It’s sturdy and reliable. Being on firm ground motivates you to look for the most practical and logical solution to a situation.
In a relationship, Earth can act as a stabilizing force, providing structure and organization in order to establish balance and harmony. Watch plant life grow, as an oak tree grows from an acorn, just as a man grows from childhood to adulthood, and comprehend the immense expansion in every aspect of life.
This aspect manifests itself in an obstinate and inflexible mentality, one who seeks to stay in their comfort zone in life and is unwilling to take risks. It can also manifest as a desire for the material side of life, the comforts of material well-being, and material worth, which can lead to stressful and worrying circumstances.
Weaknesses: attachment, stinginess, materialism, resisting change, too much attention to detail, and missing the big picture.
Air
Astrology: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Jung: Thinking
The signs Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are connected with the element Air. It is attempting to establish itself in the intellectual arena. We come up with ideas through the act of thinking. We learn to communicate as a result of this element’s effect. We gain and spread knowledge through the air.
The element of air contributes to the personality’s ingenuity, creativity, and adaptability. It provides a sense of independence and unattachment, as well as reaching out to the mental self. Allow thoughts to flow freely and foster the creative moment while you enjoy that delightful calm breeze. Without air, there would be a loss of vision and human connection, as well as the ability to intellectualize, understand diversity in individuals, and accept other opinions.
Our lives are constantly influenced by our thoughts. It is linked to meditation, in which deep breathing is required to achieve a state of silence, vitality, and relaxation. Transport, aviation, and sailing are all done by air. Allow your mind to soar in order to achieve your intellectual goals.
An overabundance of air’s impact might be compared to living in a fantasy world with unrealistic objectives and fantasies. Air should strive for consistency and practicality in dealing with the real world.
Weakness: lack of emotion, depression, lack of connection with the higher self, and overactive mind that blocks inner peace and harmony.
Fire
Astrology: Leo, Sagittarius, Aries
Jung: Intuition
The fire element is related to the signs Leo, Sagittarius, and Aries. It reflects the vitality that burns within us. This element embodies self-expression, creativity, bravery, and enthusiasm. When you come in from the cold, feel the comforting warmth of a fire or heat.
To meet the basic demand of cooking our food, we require fire. Fire brings a sense of safety, warmth, and inspiration to people who are around it. Fire boosts self-assurance, allowing you to take on issues head-on. There is no brilliance, conviction, or expression without fire.
A spark can rekindle new ideas and act as a beacon for achieving goals with conviction and fervor.
Excessive fire can transform assertiveness into aggression, boldness into risky action, and so on. When a fire’s influence becomes uncontrollable, it attempts to consume everything in its path.
Weakness: lack of interest, egotistic, excessive self-centeredness, self-importance.
Water
Astrology: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Jung: Feelings/Emotion
The component Water, which is related to the signs of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, has an influence on the consciousness and subconscious forces that work in our life. It enables one to empathize with another’s suffering and express genuine compassion.
Psychic awareness can also be found in the water signs, which manifests itself with astounding accuracy from time to time. Water tries to cure and nourish all who come into contact with it. This element, if uncontrolled, can drive emotions on a tumultuous course, resulting in moodiness and unpredictable highs and lows, similar to the crest and dip of the waves.
Water signs require peace and serenity, much like a gently flowing river that nurtures everyone in its course while also leading to the discovery of new paths.
When emotions are overexpressed, one may become too emotional, sensitive, and subjective. Too much emotion might lead to depression.
Weakness: can result from being too protective and possessive of their loved ones, and cold attitude and lack of drive may arise.
A Balance of the Elements
Each element type of personality tries to achieve a balance of these elemental elements, resulting in a partnership that lives on mutual progress and harmony.
Air — Fire
Earth — Water
In a partnership, the element air supplies thoughts and dreams that Fire may act on and bring to life. The element of water brings sensitivity and nurturing to the earthly approach, which can be cold and restrained at times, creating the framework for future growth in the connection.
At the same time, keep in mind that in a fire/water partnership, balance can be achieved by recognizing that water can provide the fire sign with the needed sensitivity and patience. Fire, on the other hand, can provide the energy and confidence to act that the water signs sometimes lack.
Harmony can be produced when two elements of the same type unite when their wants and traits are similar. However, growth is hampered when both individuals become too comfortable to the point where the vital spark for growth is missing.
The initiative and drive of fire can encourage the sometimes laid-back and reserved attitude of Earth in a Fire/Earth combo. Earth’s practicality and discipline, on the other hand, can be a good counterbalance to the fire’s often hasty reactions.
We should strive for a balance of the elements of Earth/Water and Air/Fire in the ideal world.
Other combinations can also work as long as both partners appreciate one other’s needs and distinct characteristics that they contribute to the relationship, and they balance each other’s strengths.
Reference: Tracy Marks‘s book: The Elements in Ancient Greek Philosophy
