Foundations of Astrology. The Elements and Modalities. Part 2.
Earth is the most basic of all the elements. As the substance out of which tangible form is moulded, earth symbolises the materialisation of spirit. Earth represents the reality of life on the physical plane. Slow, resistant, dense and limiting; working with earth energies requires much effort and patience. Yet what is created in the earth dimension endures. Examples of natural earth formations are hills and mountains. Examples of man-made earth formations are the pyramids. Earth parallels the realm of physical being.
As water represents the universal sensation of movement in the inner life, earth is what represents the container; allowing water to flow, without getting out of hand or dissipating its energy. Yet it is air which permeates the variety of form with fire providing the animation. Air, keeping fire at bay, allows the space for form to be. Water shapes earth and gives it its distinctions; as earth without water is too dry and barren (representing an overload of fire and air). Water moistens earth and allows the variety and fullness of life to be, balancing the other elements with its fluidity and yielding nature. Thus all four elements complement each other and keep each other in check and balance.
Water is the most subtle and deceptive of all the elements. As earth is the container, water is that which resists all containers. Earth may hold back the force of water for a while but eventually water will break down or erode earths defenses. Water appears to be innocuous and passive. Yet it has a life of its own. It is the life-blood of what is. It provides the realm of the undercurrent - that which nurtures and gives complementary nourishment to the life-force. Water balances fire by providing something which yields and evaporates before the fiery presence, yet ever re-coalesces. When stirred from the deeps, water can be extremely turbulent and forceful in its motions. Water is the most powerful force on the material plane. Nothing can withstand its relentless force. Water balances earth. As earth is solid, water is fluid. As earth withstands, water wears down. Water represents the realm of the inner life or universal fluid.
Earth provides the form of this chair. Air the space around. Fire the vital principle that animates the essence of “chairness”. But what is water? Where does water fit in? Perhaps it is the “glue” that ties the sub-particles or sub-stratum that makes up the chair. Water, therefore, is the binding or bonding element of form or earth. Air is that which shapes or provides the space for particular forms and it is fire which is behind the universal idea from which particular forms have originated and are sustained.
Fire is the most vital of the elements. Belonging to the starry spheres, fire is that which we cannot touch or attain but can only feel through its warmth, giving thanks to its life-givingness. Fire lies at the heart of the universal energies. Everything was created in the cosmic fire. And from the origin everything returns. Stellar forces (stars) consume only their own energy and they require no-other stimulus for their existence. Fire symbolises the inspiration of the self. As the energy that exists for pure delight, fire is the substance which is the essence of life. Fire represents the realm of spirit in action.
Air is the most spacey of the elements. Filling the gaps between everything that is: air provides the vastness which allows fire to burn, form to have distinctions and water to vary in its intensity. Air is the medium through which thought is transmitted. It is that which enables us to differentiate and make sense of this and that. Without the vastness of space for the matter that the stars create to be distributed, we would have no individuation. It is air which allows things to take on their uniqueness. Air balances the self-absorption of fire. As fire activates, air detaches. Air represents the realm of the abstract.
Questions:
1) What sign is mutable air?
2) What are two ways that earth and water are uncomplimentary?
3) What are two ways that earth and water are complementary?
Extension Questions:
1) List two strengths of the earth signs. List two weaknesses.
2) List two strengths of the fire signs. List two weaknesses.
3) What lessons of life could water signs learn from fire signs? What lessons of life could fire signs learn from water signs?
4) List two positive qualities of the cardinal signs. List two negative qualities.
5) List two positive qualities of the fixed signs. List two negative qualities.
6) List two positive qualities of the mutable signs. List two negative qualities.
Supplementary exercises:
1) It is said that the four elements can be wonderfully experienced in a beach setting at night with a fire. The vastness of space and the starry heavens, the sound of the ocean, the feel of the sand beneath the feet and the warmth of the fire all add to a magical happening. If you can find the time, a suitable occasion, such as an excuse for a barbecue, and a beach where you won't get prosecuted for lighting a fire at night with some friends, take the opportunity once in a while.
Copyright. Stephen Winder.