Post by Allan on Aug 8, 2007 22:31:15 GMT -5
The Elements: How they Impact the Signs
In the fifth Century BCE, there was a Greek philosopher named Empedocles who is credited as
the originator of the concept of the Elements--Fire, Water, Air and Earth. He explained the
nature of the universe as being an interaction of two opposing principles (duality/ Yin and
Yang) which manipulated the four Elements. These polarities are the stuff of which
different qualities are produced. Empedocles further stated that all four Elements--not to
be understood as elements in any kind of chemical way-- are the same age, of equal power,
but possessing distinctive individual traits and characteristics. Different combinations of
these four result in the different natures of things and by extension, people. Whether you
hold with Empedocles on all these points or not, his theory has provided us with a very
insightful point of departure for our own understanding of the cosmos.
Astrologers have long turned to the Elements to further group together Signs of similar
type. The groups which are associated with each Element bear some traits of that Element in
common. I will describe below each of the Elements as they appear clockwise in the Zodiac,
which is, to those of you who are Pagan or Wiccan, a familiar order. In ritual it is normal
to cast circle deosil or clockwise. And although most of the time we work with the Zodiac
in a counterclockwise orientation, you will find that there are a few times when clockwise
order is used. So we will begin by looking at Fire, then go to Water, then Air and finally,
Earth. I hope the vivid imagery I present here will help you to get a 'feel' or 'intuition'
about the Signs that will help to make your interpretation of their energies in the Birth
Chart easier and more insightful for you.
Fire
The first Element we come to in the Zodiac is Fire. And rightly so-- it is the spark that
ignites action and gets us going. But for some people, the mind naturally drifts toward
destruction when Fire is mentioned. I must ask you to follow me down a different path,
however. There are three things I want you to know and remember always about Fire,
regardless of other images that you may have concerning this Element. Firstly, fire is
quick and short-lived. It ignites fairly quickly and it burns out quickly. It is not an
Element of enduring power. That would be under the auspices of Earth. Fire just doesn't
last that long. If you feel like Fire is too prevalent in your life at the moment -- wait
five minutes, things will change! Secondly, Fire is the purveyor of light and warmth, and
without its existence, the planet would be thrown into another Ice Age. Fire is a necessity
to our survival. The Sun is a huge mass of fiery gasses and without it, we wouldn't stand a
chance! Its light allows crops to germinate and photosynthesis to take place, while its heat
helps them grow and bloom. Thirdly, Fire transforms one thing into another. Burn wood and
it becomes ash. Burn sugar and what do you get? Carbon. One thing turns into another. It
doesn't just disappear. That isn't destructive. That is transformational. Fire can also
temper fine steel and turn glass into art. Ever go near a Kiln? Pottery may be made of
clay, but it would still be a hunk of mud without fire. Fire produces things by
participating in the process. Interesting also is the fact that fire is associated with
anger. Why is that? Isn't fire only destructive when it's out of control? Ahhhhh. The
light goes on! That's fire for ya. Containment is key.
Think of these fiery images -- Hot jalapeno peppers, boiling oil, and Latin Dance music.
Spicy, hot and vigorous! Fire Signs in like manner have empassioned personalities. Think
of candles, torches, and oil lamps. These fires are small, contained and mainly for giving
light, not heat, although a small amount of heat is produced as well. They glow and
mesmerize us. Their flames can be used for scrying into the future or the past. They hold
a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and yet their purpose is to bring us light. Think of
this paradox: No matter how much light a candle brings, it will also cast shadows. And
remember too, that no matter how small a candle flame may be, if you knock over a candle,
you can still burn the house down! Fire has great potential in a small spark! There is
honesty in Fire, too, because the spirit/ aura is in the flame, and it naturally draws us
to the light it sheds. Think of the song lyrics "This little Light of Mine, I'm gonna let
it Shine" and you have Light equated with personal identity -- sounds like a Zodiac Sign,
doesn't it?
And while we're at it, let's consider some of the constructs of modern times that are
associated with the 'gift of the Gods'. First, there's electricity. A source of power, a
kind of very contained fire energy. Electric lights come to mind, table lamps, lampposts
or those street lights that help us find our way in the dark. Night lights, too. How about
flashlights? Would you go camping in the woods without one? And even though we're focusing
on light for a minute, what about the heat factor? Have you ever tried to change a
lightbulb? You wait until those suckers have cooled off, don't you?! Because even small
contained sources of light generate heat. It seems those two things are rather inseparable.
If you want to see clearly in the light, you are going to have to also deal with some
amount of heat. That is just the nature of Fire.
Think now of another kind of fire-- the Bonfire. It is a blaze that burns hot and high.
You would hardly call it romantic! It is not the soft, gentle flicker of a candle here, but
you might call it social. After all, you can get a lot more people around a bonfire than
you can around a candle or even a table lamp. It crackles and pops and gets our attention.
A bonfire might be the center of one's evening of fun. It consumes great quantities of
fuel, too. Much more so than an oil lamp or a candle. This fire is defined by heat, not
light, although with that much fuel to burn, it is going to generate a bit of both.
Bonfires are much more difficult to contain than candles. You can take a small candle and
set it into a votive glass or on a plate. You can sometimes hide a candle behind a barrier
and thus reduce its range of influence. You can hardly do that with a bonfire! Bonfires
are going to be seen. Another thing you might consider is, you can put out a candle easily
with a small tool called a snuffer or with wet fingertips. And you can light the candle
again easily and quickly. Bonfires, on the other hand, take great effort to extinguish,
take time to rebuild and relight, and after they are put out, there is a kind of depression
that follows. An inner realization that the fun time is over. Bonfires are the easiest
fires to go out of control, too. Think about the fact that the level of heat they generate
keeps you a bit put off from the flames. You feel the heat of such a fire long before you
get right up to the flames themselves. Bonfires are fire at its hottest and also at its
freest.
And then there is the cookfire, campfire or hearth fire. The type of fire that is small,
useful and somewhat contained. It is mainly for heat, although it does shed some light as
well. It can be pragmatic, to warm up after a chilly outdoor stroll, or after the flames
die back, we can cook our food over the glowing coals. This useful little fire can also be
romantic, as we are mesmerized by the glowing embers. Cookfires are practical, consuming
some fuel -- more than a candle, but less than a bonfire. They also may wax and wane,
depending upon how much fuel is added and how quickly it is consumed. Hearth fires may not
always burn at a 'steady' rate. And think of their modern constructs, the stove or the
radiator. They take time to heat up and cool down. They have pragmatic purposes. They
provide for basic human necessities at a grass roots level, the cooking of food, the warmth
needed to survive in the winter. There is something basically needful about Fire.
A Fire Sign may start as a spark, glow gently like a candle flame until it gets used to its
element, then burst into a brilliant blaze like a bonfire. Or if it doesn't adjust well, it
may give off thick black smoke as it struggles to find its source. But after the bright
flames of a well-spent youth have died back down, the fire turns mellow like glowing embers.
Those hot coals still put out a surprising amount of heat even without flames! But there
is something nice and cozy about what Fire becomes after a lifetime of light and heat. This
warm afterglow is what we all seek to have in those areas of our lives which are touched by
Fire Signs.
The Fire Signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.
Water
Water is an Element that is easily manipulated by its environment. Fire is either burning,
or it's out -- there aren't too many levels of being with Fire. Water, on the other hand,
is quite mutable as Elements go.
It is easy for us to come up with Water imagery. Pardon the pun, but it seems to just flow
right out of us..... Our minds naturally gravitate to streams and rivers, creeks and
springs, fountains and waterfalls. And let's not forget the deep, blue sea. But there are
other watery constructs that we mustn't short-change either, like rain, snow, hail, ice and
glaciers. Hot enough, it turns to steam. Boiling and bubbling up from the depths of the
Earth, "Old Faithful" is a natural wonder of the World. Geysers combine the powers of Water
with Fire and Air. Icebergs, like mountains in the sea, remind us of the comparable Earthy
structures. Precipitation in its many forms shows us what Water and Air can do when
partnered. That is, until we get ourselves lost in the fog.... Which Element do we have to
thank for that? Perhaps, Water?
Water can be peaceful, fluid, gentle. Ebbing and flowing, like the seas in perpetual
motion. It can be briny and foamy. Or crystal clear like a mountain spring. Stagnant
water can be the source of disease, a symbol of blockages and inner turmoil. Water can be
murky and cold here. Swamps contain water, but they are hardly inviting. Mud puddles are
water, too. But they do not depict the clarity of a freshwater spring. Think of the
constancy of the sea's ebb and flow. Water endures many comings and goings....whether they
be rough or smooth.
Think also of beaches and streams, creeks, reservoirs and ponds. Beaches can be social
places or lonely ones. Streams and creeks invite us to wade in them on a hot summer
afternoon. Ponds are home to geese, fish and ducks. So are some reservoirs. Water seems to
always draw some sort of life form to itself, even if it is just breeding mosquitoes! Water
can bring life, sustain life and at its worst, it can take life. Water can be just as
destructive as Fire, if it gets out of control.
Water can cleanse and refresh us. It can quench thirst, rejuvenate the body and clear out
unwanted toxins. Tears wash away toxins of the body and the soul. Water can buoy us up and
it can tow us under. It can cool us, bring down a high fever, and wash away the dirt and
sweat. It can also wash us out to sea, drown us, or flood our homes. Think of Poseidon,
Neptune, God of the Sea. Sometimes, water is turbulent. It can be peaceful one minute and
choppy the next. Think of the sea, salty and vast. Sometimes you feel like it is safe to
go running right out into the water. Other times you see the water crashing against the
rocks, and feel like the sea is not so inviting. Sounds a little like our emotions, doesn't
it?
Think also of the image of a small child who rushes up to the edge of a swimming pool and
isn't too sure about jumping in. Testing the water, she sticks her big toe in. Is it cold
or warm? Is it comfortable or shocking? It is definitely different every time. Water is
unpredictable. In this image, Water has a shallow end and a deep end. Interesting, isn't it?
And think of the swiftly moving creek, water rushing rapidly over little pebbles and stones,
the home to crayfish, tadpoles and little water insects. Water holes draw creatures great
and small. Deer, rabbits, birds, squirrels, snakes, turtles -- all must have water to
survive. Water can be social, but it is also a place of vulnerability. Since animals
congregate there, many attacks by predators occur there. Water bears this paradox: what
gives one life, may cause another to lose it. Water moving rapidly can be some of the
clearest water there is. And also some of the most destructive. Would you go over the
Niagara Falls in a barrel? Ahhhh, but they sure are lovely to look at.
Turning our attention to another facet of Water, we find there are a lot of things we can do
with this Element. Of course, we can drink it. We can also bathe in it. And we can wash
our clothes in it. But what about the more luxuriant uses of water? We can swim in it.
Just dive in and enjoy the exercise or calmly float on your back! Water provides resistance
so we can exercise our muscles gently in the pool. We can steam away the impurities in our
skin with a facial, or get our whole body purified by sitting in a sauna -- Water combining
here with Fire and Air in a joint purification process. And what about ice? We enjoy it in
a beverage on a hot day. We can also skate on it in Winter if it's thick enough and we're
careful. And don't we love to get out in the snow and build a snowman or ski or go
sledding? Water in its many forms appeals to many of our senses. We can enjoy the soft
relaxing tones of water gurgling over pebbles in a table top fountain. Water can appeal to
our hearing in this way. It can be very meditative. We use Water in other, more practical
ways as well. We set out birdbaths, take care of the garden, hose down the car, give our
pets a drink. Water likes to be needed, and it can do a lot of needful things.
Water can be rapid, still, cold or hot. Think of the phrases you've heard about water.
"Still waters run deep" and "That's just water under the Bridge." What is meant by the
phrase, "she's an Ice Queen" or "he gave me an icy stare"? And then there's "well, that was
a wash!" and the all too common "we're in hot water now!" Do these images help or hurt our
understanding of the Water Signs? What potentials do you see in your own Birth Chart where
you have Water? Perhaps you will no longer be in a fog...perhaps, now you can plumb the
depths and find clarity in your Water Signs. As all Water Signs hope to do once the
turbulent seas of youth resolve into the gentle ebb and flow of a more peaceful, balanced
soul.
The Water Signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
Air
Fire glows a bright red or yellow. Water flows in hues of blue and green. But here is an
Element that possesses no clear-cut color. It has no tangible shape, no form, and no
obvious outline. Air cannot be contained.
Of all the Elements, we find Air imagery the hardest to produce. Air moves things, and Air
creates sounds, but its own properties are harder to define. We see the effects of Air, but
we don't really 'see' Air. So how do we wrap our minds around an Element that defies neat
categories and clear description? Ahhh. There is the test! Air wants people to think for
themselves!
Air lifts, carries, pushes us along on the currents, and keeps the environment refreshed. It
appears to blow up out of nowhere and its destination is beyond our range of understanding.
Air has a wide range of abilities and qualities, but the following three stand out. Firstly,
Air keeps us alive quite literally. It provides our lungs with oxygen, oxygen which feeds
our cells, our blood and our brain. Oxygen we can't do without. If you go without oxygen
for too long you suffer brain damage, even if your heart is beating. Secondly, Air is a
messenger from time to time. It can herald the coming of a new season, a warmer time like
Summer, or a cooler time, like the start of Autumn. Nothing says Spring like the windy
"ides of March". Air can also tell us when the Autumn is turning to Winter, too. Ever seen
your own breath on a frosty morn? Or those little 'snowflakes of frost' etched on a window?
Air brings us messages. And thirdly, Air carries things to new destinations. Not just
birds and flying insects, but also pollen, seeds, falling leaves, to name a few. It carries
them off and sets them down in new places--some to new homes nearby and others farther away.
In this way Air is connected with travel and with the renewal of outlook that travel can
bring.
Air can be calm, gentle, soft as a summer breeze. We like air when it is balmy and brings
sweet aromas to our attention. We enjoy a cool breeze on a hot day. Winds can refresh us
and cool us off. But there is also a destructive side to wind. Anyone who has had a
telephone line blown down near their home knows all too well the destructive capability of
Air. And it doesn't stop there. Think of tornadoes and hurricanes. Which Element is
usually seen as the major destructive force in these types of weather? Air. In such
storms, the wind shear and gale force winds are two ways in which Air can cause damage. Air
at high speed and velocity can destroy whole city streets. This is a far cry from our
gentle summer breeze. But such is the way of extremism. And Air, like Fire and Water, can
also turn deadly when taken to extremes.
Air expands. Have you ever blown a bubble with bubble gum? You take the gum and add air!
Think of your lungs filling up with oxygen or a balloon that is being blown up. Air is what
causes that expansion. Sometimes that increase is beneficial; sometimes it just puffs up.
It can make something seem bigger than it is. Have you ever seen a Blowfish? It tries to
appear bigger so its enemies will be scared off. What message does that send? Think also
of how Air interacts with the other Elements. On a hot, sweltering summer day, when the
humidity is so high you can hardly breathe, it is because you are trying to take in not only
Air but also Fire and Water, too! Humidity is a result of this troublesome threesome! Air
can also work together with Water to create snow in Winter. It is what makes the Bridges
freeze before the rest of the road. That circulation of Air underneath is the culprit. Air
can partner with Fire to give us smoke and the sweet aroma of incense, too. Air can take
on many forms.
Air can be gaseous. It can carry aromatherapy scents or noxious gases to our noses. It can
bring on the memory of someone we love as the faint scent of that person's perfume wafts
over us. It helps us to know the difference between a rose and an onion. Think of scented
candles, the aroma of a freshly baked pie, the pleasant smell of potpourri. It can relax
us as we take in the scent of freshly mown grass in the late afternoon. Air often
influences our moods through the medium of scent in a sort of subliminal way. It can be
very helpful in meditation.
Air absorbs moisture. Leave a wet towel out in the breeze and after a while, you will find
it nice and dry. This process of evaporation allows us to keep on 'recycling' the
atmosphere, as molecules of water and air form clouds which descend upon us as
precipitation. Air aids Water in this process of rejuvenating the Planet. Air does a lot
of jobs.
In the fifth Century BCE, there was a Greek philosopher named Empedocles who is credited as
the originator of the concept of the Elements--Fire, Water, Air and Earth. He explained the
nature of the universe as being an interaction of two opposing principles (duality/ Yin and
Yang) which manipulated the four Elements. These polarities are the stuff of which
different qualities are produced. Empedocles further stated that all four Elements--not to
be understood as elements in any kind of chemical way-- are the same age, of equal power,
but possessing distinctive individual traits and characteristics. Different combinations of
these four result in the different natures of things and by extension, people. Whether you
hold with Empedocles on all these points or not, his theory has provided us with a very
insightful point of departure for our own understanding of the cosmos.
Astrologers have long turned to the Elements to further group together Signs of similar
type. The groups which are associated with each Element bear some traits of that Element in
common. I will describe below each of the Elements as they appear clockwise in the Zodiac,
which is, to those of you who are Pagan or Wiccan, a familiar order. In ritual it is normal
to cast circle deosil or clockwise. And although most of the time we work with the Zodiac
in a counterclockwise orientation, you will find that there are a few times when clockwise
order is used. So we will begin by looking at Fire, then go to Water, then Air and finally,
Earth. I hope the vivid imagery I present here will help you to get a 'feel' or 'intuition'
about the Signs that will help to make your interpretation of their energies in the Birth
Chart easier and more insightful for you.
Fire
The first Element we come to in the Zodiac is Fire. And rightly so-- it is the spark that
ignites action and gets us going. But for some people, the mind naturally drifts toward
destruction when Fire is mentioned. I must ask you to follow me down a different path,
however. There are three things I want you to know and remember always about Fire,
regardless of other images that you may have concerning this Element. Firstly, fire is
quick and short-lived. It ignites fairly quickly and it burns out quickly. It is not an
Element of enduring power. That would be under the auspices of Earth. Fire just doesn't
last that long. If you feel like Fire is too prevalent in your life at the moment -- wait
five minutes, things will change! Secondly, Fire is the purveyor of light and warmth, and
without its existence, the planet would be thrown into another Ice Age. Fire is a necessity
to our survival. The Sun is a huge mass of fiery gasses and without it, we wouldn't stand a
chance! Its light allows crops to germinate and photosynthesis to take place, while its heat
helps them grow and bloom. Thirdly, Fire transforms one thing into another. Burn wood and
it becomes ash. Burn sugar and what do you get? Carbon. One thing turns into another. It
doesn't just disappear. That isn't destructive. That is transformational. Fire can also
temper fine steel and turn glass into art. Ever go near a Kiln? Pottery may be made of
clay, but it would still be a hunk of mud without fire. Fire produces things by
participating in the process. Interesting also is the fact that fire is associated with
anger. Why is that? Isn't fire only destructive when it's out of control? Ahhhhh. The
light goes on! That's fire for ya. Containment is key.
Think of these fiery images -- Hot jalapeno peppers, boiling oil, and Latin Dance music.
Spicy, hot and vigorous! Fire Signs in like manner have empassioned personalities. Think
of candles, torches, and oil lamps. These fires are small, contained and mainly for giving
light, not heat, although a small amount of heat is produced as well. They glow and
mesmerize us. Their flames can be used for scrying into the future or the past. They hold
a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and yet their purpose is to bring us light. Think of
this paradox: No matter how much light a candle brings, it will also cast shadows. And
remember too, that no matter how small a candle flame may be, if you knock over a candle,
you can still burn the house down! Fire has great potential in a small spark! There is
honesty in Fire, too, because the spirit/ aura is in the flame, and it naturally draws us
to the light it sheds. Think of the song lyrics "This little Light of Mine, I'm gonna let
it Shine" and you have Light equated with personal identity -- sounds like a Zodiac Sign,
doesn't it?
And while we're at it, let's consider some of the constructs of modern times that are
associated with the 'gift of the Gods'. First, there's electricity. A source of power, a
kind of very contained fire energy. Electric lights come to mind, table lamps, lampposts
or those street lights that help us find our way in the dark. Night lights, too. How about
flashlights? Would you go camping in the woods without one? And even though we're focusing
on light for a minute, what about the heat factor? Have you ever tried to change a
lightbulb? You wait until those suckers have cooled off, don't you?! Because even small
contained sources of light generate heat. It seems those two things are rather inseparable.
If you want to see clearly in the light, you are going to have to also deal with some
amount of heat. That is just the nature of Fire.
Think now of another kind of fire-- the Bonfire. It is a blaze that burns hot and high.
You would hardly call it romantic! It is not the soft, gentle flicker of a candle here, but
you might call it social. After all, you can get a lot more people around a bonfire than
you can around a candle or even a table lamp. It crackles and pops and gets our attention.
A bonfire might be the center of one's evening of fun. It consumes great quantities of
fuel, too. Much more so than an oil lamp or a candle. This fire is defined by heat, not
light, although with that much fuel to burn, it is going to generate a bit of both.
Bonfires are much more difficult to contain than candles. You can take a small candle and
set it into a votive glass or on a plate. You can sometimes hide a candle behind a barrier
and thus reduce its range of influence. You can hardly do that with a bonfire! Bonfires
are going to be seen. Another thing you might consider is, you can put out a candle easily
with a small tool called a snuffer or with wet fingertips. And you can light the candle
again easily and quickly. Bonfires, on the other hand, take great effort to extinguish,
take time to rebuild and relight, and after they are put out, there is a kind of depression
that follows. An inner realization that the fun time is over. Bonfires are the easiest
fires to go out of control, too. Think about the fact that the level of heat they generate
keeps you a bit put off from the flames. You feel the heat of such a fire long before you
get right up to the flames themselves. Bonfires are fire at its hottest and also at its
freest.
And then there is the cookfire, campfire or hearth fire. The type of fire that is small,
useful and somewhat contained. It is mainly for heat, although it does shed some light as
well. It can be pragmatic, to warm up after a chilly outdoor stroll, or after the flames
die back, we can cook our food over the glowing coals. This useful little fire can also be
romantic, as we are mesmerized by the glowing embers. Cookfires are practical, consuming
some fuel -- more than a candle, but less than a bonfire. They also may wax and wane,
depending upon how much fuel is added and how quickly it is consumed. Hearth fires may not
always burn at a 'steady' rate. And think of their modern constructs, the stove or the
radiator. They take time to heat up and cool down. They have pragmatic purposes. They
provide for basic human necessities at a grass roots level, the cooking of food, the warmth
needed to survive in the winter. There is something basically needful about Fire.
A Fire Sign may start as a spark, glow gently like a candle flame until it gets used to its
element, then burst into a brilliant blaze like a bonfire. Or if it doesn't adjust well, it
may give off thick black smoke as it struggles to find its source. But after the bright
flames of a well-spent youth have died back down, the fire turns mellow like glowing embers.
Those hot coals still put out a surprising amount of heat even without flames! But there
is something nice and cozy about what Fire becomes after a lifetime of light and heat. This
warm afterglow is what we all seek to have in those areas of our lives which are touched by
Fire Signs.
The Fire Signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.
Water
Water is an Element that is easily manipulated by its environment. Fire is either burning,
or it's out -- there aren't too many levels of being with Fire. Water, on the other hand,
is quite mutable as Elements go.
It is easy for us to come up with Water imagery. Pardon the pun, but it seems to just flow
right out of us..... Our minds naturally gravitate to streams and rivers, creeks and
springs, fountains and waterfalls. And let's not forget the deep, blue sea. But there are
other watery constructs that we mustn't short-change either, like rain, snow, hail, ice and
glaciers. Hot enough, it turns to steam. Boiling and bubbling up from the depths of the
Earth, "Old Faithful" is a natural wonder of the World. Geysers combine the powers of Water
with Fire and Air. Icebergs, like mountains in the sea, remind us of the comparable Earthy
structures. Precipitation in its many forms shows us what Water and Air can do when
partnered. That is, until we get ourselves lost in the fog.... Which Element do we have to
thank for that? Perhaps, Water?
Water can be peaceful, fluid, gentle. Ebbing and flowing, like the seas in perpetual
motion. It can be briny and foamy. Or crystal clear like a mountain spring. Stagnant
water can be the source of disease, a symbol of blockages and inner turmoil. Water can be
murky and cold here. Swamps contain water, but they are hardly inviting. Mud puddles are
water, too. But they do not depict the clarity of a freshwater spring. Think of the
constancy of the sea's ebb and flow. Water endures many comings and goings....whether they
be rough or smooth.
Think also of beaches and streams, creeks, reservoirs and ponds. Beaches can be social
places or lonely ones. Streams and creeks invite us to wade in them on a hot summer
afternoon. Ponds are home to geese, fish and ducks. So are some reservoirs. Water seems to
always draw some sort of life form to itself, even if it is just breeding mosquitoes! Water
can bring life, sustain life and at its worst, it can take life. Water can be just as
destructive as Fire, if it gets out of control.
Water can cleanse and refresh us. It can quench thirst, rejuvenate the body and clear out
unwanted toxins. Tears wash away toxins of the body and the soul. Water can buoy us up and
it can tow us under. It can cool us, bring down a high fever, and wash away the dirt and
sweat. It can also wash us out to sea, drown us, or flood our homes. Think of Poseidon,
Neptune, God of the Sea. Sometimes, water is turbulent. It can be peaceful one minute and
choppy the next. Think of the sea, salty and vast. Sometimes you feel like it is safe to
go running right out into the water. Other times you see the water crashing against the
rocks, and feel like the sea is not so inviting. Sounds a little like our emotions, doesn't
it?
Think also of the image of a small child who rushes up to the edge of a swimming pool and
isn't too sure about jumping in. Testing the water, she sticks her big toe in. Is it cold
or warm? Is it comfortable or shocking? It is definitely different every time. Water is
unpredictable. In this image, Water has a shallow end and a deep end. Interesting, isn't it?
And think of the swiftly moving creek, water rushing rapidly over little pebbles and stones,
the home to crayfish, tadpoles and little water insects. Water holes draw creatures great
and small. Deer, rabbits, birds, squirrels, snakes, turtles -- all must have water to
survive. Water can be social, but it is also a place of vulnerability. Since animals
congregate there, many attacks by predators occur there. Water bears this paradox: what
gives one life, may cause another to lose it. Water moving rapidly can be some of the
clearest water there is. And also some of the most destructive. Would you go over the
Niagara Falls in a barrel? Ahhhh, but they sure are lovely to look at.
Turning our attention to another facet of Water, we find there are a lot of things we can do
with this Element. Of course, we can drink it. We can also bathe in it. And we can wash
our clothes in it. But what about the more luxuriant uses of water? We can swim in it.
Just dive in and enjoy the exercise or calmly float on your back! Water provides resistance
so we can exercise our muscles gently in the pool. We can steam away the impurities in our
skin with a facial, or get our whole body purified by sitting in a sauna -- Water combining
here with Fire and Air in a joint purification process. And what about ice? We enjoy it in
a beverage on a hot day. We can also skate on it in Winter if it's thick enough and we're
careful. And don't we love to get out in the snow and build a snowman or ski or go
sledding? Water in its many forms appeals to many of our senses. We can enjoy the soft
relaxing tones of water gurgling over pebbles in a table top fountain. Water can appeal to
our hearing in this way. It can be very meditative. We use Water in other, more practical
ways as well. We set out birdbaths, take care of the garden, hose down the car, give our
pets a drink. Water likes to be needed, and it can do a lot of needful things.
Water can be rapid, still, cold or hot. Think of the phrases you've heard about water.
"Still waters run deep" and "That's just water under the Bridge." What is meant by the
phrase, "she's an Ice Queen" or "he gave me an icy stare"? And then there's "well, that was
a wash!" and the all too common "we're in hot water now!" Do these images help or hurt our
understanding of the Water Signs? What potentials do you see in your own Birth Chart where
you have Water? Perhaps you will no longer be in a fog...perhaps, now you can plumb the
depths and find clarity in your Water Signs. As all Water Signs hope to do once the
turbulent seas of youth resolve into the gentle ebb and flow of a more peaceful, balanced
soul.
The Water Signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
Air
Fire glows a bright red or yellow. Water flows in hues of blue and green. But here is an
Element that possesses no clear-cut color. It has no tangible shape, no form, and no
obvious outline. Air cannot be contained.
Of all the Elements, we find Air imagery the hardest to produce. Air moves things, and Air
creates sounds, but its own properties are harder to define. We see the effects of Air, but
we don't really 'see' Air. So how do we wrap our minds around an Element that defies neat
categories and clear description? Ahhh. There is the test! Air wants people to think for
themselves!
Air lifts, carries, pushes us along on the currents, and keeps the environment refreshed. It
appears to blow up out of nowhere and its destination is beyond our range of understanding.
Air has a wide range of abilities and qualities, but the following three stand out. Firstly,
Air keeps us alive quite literally. It provides our lungs with oxygen, oxygen which feeds
our cells, our blood and our brain. Oxygen we can't do without. If you go without oxygen
for too long you suffer brain damage, even if your heart is beating. Secondly, Air is a
messenger from time to time. It can herald the coming of a new season, a warmer time like
Summer, or a cooler time, like the start of Autumn. Nothing says Spring like the windy
"ides of March". Air can also tell us when the Autumn is turning to Winter, too. Ever seen
your own breath on a frosty morn? Or those little 'snowflakes of frost' etched on a window?
Air brings us messages. And thirdly, Air carries things to new destinations. Not just
birds and flying insects, but also pollen, seeds, falling leaves, to name a few. It carries
them off and sets them down in new places--some to new homes nearby and others farther away.
In this way Air is connected with travel and with the renewal of outlook that travel can
bring.
Air can be calm, gentle, soft as a summer breeze. We like air when it is balmy and brings
sweet aromas to our attention. We enjoy a cool breeze on a hot day. Winds can refresh us
and cool us off. But there is also a destructive side to wind. Anyone who has had a
telephone line blown down near their home knows all too well the destructive capability of
Air. And it doesn't stop there. Think of tornadoes and hurricanes. Which Element is
usually seen as the major destructive force in these types of weather? Air. In such
storms, the wind shear and gale force winds are two ways in which Air can cause damage. Air
at high speed and velocity can destroy whole city streets. This is a far cry from our
gentle summer breeze. But such is the way of extremism. And Air, like Fire and Water, can
also turn deadly when taken to extremes.
Air expands. Have you ever blown a bubble with bubble gum? You take the gum and add air!
Think of your lungs filling up with oxygen or a balloon that is being blown up. Air is what
causes that expansion. Sometimes that increase is beneficial; sometimes it just puffs up.
It can make something seem bigger than it is. Have you ever seen a Blowfish? It tries to
appear bigger so its enemies will be scared off. What message does that send? Think also
of how Air interacts with the other Elements. On a hot, sweltering summer day, when the
humidity is so high you can hardly breathe, it is because you are trying to take in not only
Air but also Fire and Water, too! Humidity is a result of this troublesome threesome! Air
can also work together with Water to create snow in Winter. It is what makes the Bridges
freeze before the rest of the road. That circulation of Air underneath is the culprit. Air
can partner with Fire to give us smoke and the sweet aroma of incense, too. Air can take
on many forms.
Air can be gaseous. It can carry aromatherapy scents or noxious gases to our noses. It can
bring on the memory of someone we love as the faint scent of that person's perfume wafts
over us. It helps us to know the difference between a rose and an onion. Think of scented
candles, the aroma of a freshly baked pie, the pleasant smell of potpourri. It can relax
us as we take in the scent of freshly mown grass in the late afternoon. Air often
influences our moods through the medium of scent in a sort of subliminal way. It can be
very helpful in meditation.
Air absorbs moisture. Leave a wet towel out in the breeze and after a while, you will find
it nice and dry. This process of evaporation allows us to keep on 'recycling' the
atmosphere, as molecules of water and air form clouds which descend upon us as
precipitation. Air aids Water in this process of rejuvenating the Planet. Air does a lot
of jobs.