YOUR CONNECTION TO THE ELEMENTS
Author: Avalon De Witt
Article:
In ancient times, scientists, philosophers and magi divided
matter into four basic elements: Air, Fire, Water and Earth. It
has been said that these elements are the building blocks of
life.
A scientist and philosopher named Empedocles set this foundation
for science in Sicily during the 5th century B.C. Empedocles
belonged to the tradition of "Root Cutters," which means that he
was an herbal magician and healer. He defined these elements, or
"roots," as not only physical substances, but also as "spiritual
essences." He even assigned gods and goddesses to these
energies: Air - Zeus Fire - Hades Water - Nestis (also known as
Persephone) Earth - Hera
About a century later, Aristotle assigned properties of hotness
and coldness to the elements: Air - hot/moist Fire - hot/dry
Water - cool/moist Earth - cool/dry
Mystics throughout the ages have recognized these elements as
four spiritual modes of being. Air, Fire, Water and Earth are
represented by the four suits of the Tarot - Swords (Air), Wands
(Fire), Cups (Water) and Pentacles (Earth). I have seen that a
dominant suit in a card spread can be very telling. You will
also find these elements in astrology: Air - Gemini, Libra,
Aquarius Fire - Aries, Leo, Sagittarius Water - Cancer, Scorpio,
Pisces Earth - Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Alchemy, Hermeticism and Gnosticism hold understandings of the
four elements, too. We can see them in the Jungian theory of the
four personality types - thinking (Air), intuiting (Fire),
feeling (Water) and sensing (Earth). Even our modern
Meyers-Briggs personality test shares this four-fold concept.
The idea is that nature and the Self are equal. The four seasons
of a year can be compared to the four stages of human life -
birth, growth, maturity and death. We can utilize the four
elements as dimensions of psychic and spiritual growth. The
natural way would be to strive to achieve an equal proportion of
each. Understanding the psychic energies of these elements can
help us balance our lives and experience greater harmony. If you
know which elements to call upon and how to connect with them,
you can manage whatever life throws your way much more easily.
AIR Season - Spring Time of Day - Dawn Direction - East Color -
Yellow Archangel - Raphael
Every time you think or communicate, you are drawing on the
element of Air. Our connections with others are formed through
Air. Air is the most elusive of all the elements. It is
uncontainable, unseen, and changeable. Whenever you seek
insight, discover a new idea, change your mind, clarify a
vision, develop a plan or concentrate on your breathing, you are
becoming Air. Air is intellect, Truth and wisdom. If you have
difficulty making decisions, taking action, understanding or
being understood, Air can help you.
To awaken your connection to the Air element, open your windows
and clear the air around you by burning some incense or smudging
your home with sage. Play music that inspires you. Or go outside
and feel the wind on your face. Pay attention to the way it
masters its own destiny, moving constantly. Its flexibility
makes it unstoppable. Try to block it with your hand. It will
only go around.
Singing or toning, whistling, even dancing are all Air
activities. Crystal singing bowls and tuning forks are useful
tools for invoking Air energy. Inventors utilize the element of
Air. Read biographies of inventors to understand the inner
workings of Air.
FIRE Season - Summer Time of Day - Noon Direction - South Color
- Red Archangel - Mikael
Have you ever really, really wanted something? That's fire. Fire
is desire. It is dynamic, passionate, bold, enthusiastic, active
and hopeful. Fire is the life principle. It provides heat and
light. It is the element of Spirit. Fire is charming, flamboyant
and inspirational. Fire transforms. If you would like to improve
your sense of humor or build courage, confidence, or motivation,
look to Fire. To open up to the power of Fire within you, you
can light a candle and see what the living flame has to show
you. Watch a sunset and take in the brilliance of this vital
element. If you really want a mega-dose, try dancing around a
campfire and watch the way the fire dances with you. Let the
heat of the Fire element penetrate and warm your soul.
Competitive sports and games are also good ways to stimulate the
spark of Fire in your life.
Do something spontaneous. Search within for your purpose. Set
some life goals for yourself. Complete a task you've been
meaning to finish. Learn to trust your intuition. Listen to a
motivational tape or energize yourself with affirmations.
Empower yourself with divine thoughts and let your ideals
awaken. WATER Season - Autumn Time of Day - Dusk/sunset
Direction - West Color - Blue Archangel - Gabriel
If you have ever loved, you have experienced the element of
Water. Serenity is a result of Water's presence in our lives.
Water is the most psychic of all the elements. It cleanses,
nourishes and reflects. It is passive and malleable - it takes
on the shape of whatever contains it. The Holy Grail is
associated with Water, the original Primordial Chaos. Water
rules the emotions and the subconscious. If you have prophetic
dreams, you are using the element of Water. If you are lonely,
depressed, overwhelmed or having trouble opening your heart, let
Water clear the way for you.
To get water flowing in your life, the easiest, most accessible
tool is the bathtub. Add essential oils or milk and honey to
cleanse and nurture your Higher Self. Drink pure water to purify
your body. You may try taking a walk in the rain. Notice how it
gathers together to form puddles and pools. Throw a stone into a
lake or a pond and watch the endless ripples. See how beautiful
it is when it is contained.
Feeling compassion, shedding tears and giving to charity are the
workings of this gentle element. Scrying bowls and table
fountains are easy ways to get more Water into your life. Read
poetry to get a feel for Water's subtle, soothing properties.
EARTH Season - Winter Time of Day - Midnight Direction - North
Color - Green Archangel - Uriel
When you eat, exercise or save money, you are interacting with
the Earth element. Stability is Earth's unique gift. Seeing,
smelling, tasting and touching are functions of Earth. Earth is
solid, rich, sultry, strong and dependable. It is the foundation
for all the other elements. Earth is commitment, permanence,
form. It is facts and law, practicality and consequence. Earth
is about getting results. Poverty, insecurity, safety issues,
obsessions and a sense of being "weak-willed"or incapable can
all be resolved with earth. If you would like to strengthen your
connection to Earth, put your bare feet on the ground. Walk,
run, jump. Let the immovable nature of the Earth element support
you. You could also plant a garden or start a houseplant on a
window sill. Roots such as potatoes, carrots, beets and turnips
are known as "grounding" foods that can increase your personal
Earth energy.
Learn to respect yourself, accept yourself. Define what dignity
is to you. Stimulate your senses. Work with your hands. Knit,
string beads, or do pottery. Place stones or a dish of sea salt
on your altar, or wear a hematite pendant, to represent the
Earth in your spiritual workings. Strive to be at home in your
body. INTEGRATE Figure out which elements you are lacking and
integrate them into your life. Let the elements of nature bring
you into closer contact with your True Self. As you grow on each
of these levels, you will experience greater and greater joy.
Don't let yourself get too much of one element. Too much air can
make you spacey. Too much fire can cause burn-out. Too much
water can make you "wishy-washy." And too much earth can make
you rigid. Keep your personal elements balanced and your life
will reflect that balance back to you by giving you all that you
need, on every level.
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Article by Avalon De Witt. Visit http://www.psychicavalon.com
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About the author:
Avalon De Witt is an authentic psychic by birth and a survivor
of a near-death experience. Her gifts include clairvoyance,
clairaudience, empathic ability, dream interpretation and
healing. She has studied the Tarot and other forms of divination
for over 21 years. Avalon has practiced as a professional
psychic and spiritual counselor for over 10 years. She has
worked successfully with thousands of clients world-wide.
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