The Four Elements

Empedocles, greek philosopher, scientist and healer who lived in Sicily in the fifth century BC, believed that all matter is composed of four elements of earth, air, fire and water. Fire and air are outwardly reaching elements, reaching out and, while land and water turn inward and downward.

In his book, four elements in ancient greek philosophy, Tracy Marks describes a wide-ranging look at earth, fire, water and air, and the dynamic twin forces of love and struggle. His book takes one on a journey from ancient Greece to alchemy to Carl Jung's association of meaning, feeling, thinking and intuition.

The four elements Air, Fire, Water and Earth describe the four personality types uniquely associated with the exhibition of the zodiac elements signs.The profound influence on basic character traits, behavior, emotions, thought and intuition. Critics consider these traits too general, but they are reflected in our relationships, and ambitions or lack thereof, and unexpected turns and twists that add spice to our lives.

Astrology seeks to help us focus these energies to the positive aspects, a better understanding of our positive traits and deal with the negative ones: thus realize our full potential and give our best for this life.

To deny this is to deny life and destiny. We all need air to breathe, water to sustain our growth and to cleanse us, fire our refuge from the cold and nourish us, to live on earth with all living things in it and to grow our own food.

Earth

Astrology: Taurus, Capricorn, Virgo

Jung: sensation

Feel the earth beneath our feet, the soil that sustains all life forms. Watch the power and beauty of the mountains, a symbol of stability and solidity of the earth. Every day we experience the physical world, we walk on this earth, enjoy the beauty and goodness 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 our nature, seeks to assert a stable, safe and structured environment in which we can operate. Feel the earth under their feet, solid and stable as you walk slowly.

The Earth is patient and reliable. E 'solid and strong. To be on solid ground encouraged to seek practical and most logical answer to a problem. Earth can be a stabilizing force in a relationship of structure and organization to help achieve balance and harmony. Earth supports growth, watch plant life grow from an acorn grows an oak tree, and so man grows from youth to maturity, and realize the immense growth in every aspect of life.

The over expression of this element can be seen in a stubborn. rigid personality, one who strives to stay 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 stressed and this may lead to a stressful situation worrying.

Weakness: attachment, greed, materialism, resists change, too much attention to detail and lose the big picture.

Air

Astrology: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Jung: Thinking

The Air element is associated with the signs Gemini, Libra. and Aquarius. It seeks to establish himself in the realm of spirit. And 'through the thought process that we develop ideas. And 'through the influence of this element that we learn to communicate. Through the air we gain and share knowledge.

Air contributes inventiveness, originality and versatility of the personality. It gives you that feeling of freedom, unattachment, protruding into the mind itself. Enjoy that refreshing gentle breeze, allow thoughts to flow freely and nourish the creative moment. Air expresses love of people, the ability to intellectualize, to appreciate differences in people, accept different perspectives, without which there would be a lack of vision and human interaction.

Thoughts are a constant force in our lives.It is associated with meditation where deep breathing is essential to achieve that level of calmness, energy and relaxation. The air is used for transportation, flying and sailing. Let your thoughts go to reach the intellectual search and to realize your potential.

An influence on the expression of an aircraft may be seen as living in a dream world with unrealistic goals and flights of fancy. Air should seek to maintain and develop practical consistency in dealing with the real world.

The weakness of this element: the lack of emotions, depression, lack of connection with your higher self, overactive mind that blocks inner peace and harmony.

Fire

Astrology: Leo, Sagittarius, Aries

Jung: Intuition

The signs Leo, Aries and Sagittarius are associated with the element fire. It represents the life force within us glow. This project element of self-expression, creativity, courage and enthusiasm. Feel the comforting warmth of a fire, or heat when it gets cold. We need fire to meet the basic needs of cooking our food. Fire provides a sense of security, warmth and inspiration t that is shared with people around. Fire strengthens the confidence to tackle problems without hesitation. Without fire, no glory, no conviction, no expression.

A spark can turn new ideas, serve as a beacon to light the way to achieve goals with conviction and enthusiasm.

Expression of excess heat can become aggressive assertiveness, daring in a reckless behavior and so on. When the influence of fire is out of control, trying to consume everything in its path.

Weakness: lack of interest, egotistic, excessive self-centeredness, self-importance.

Water

Astrology: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces Jung: Feelings / Emotions

The element associated with water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces influences the conscience and the unconscious forces that act on our lives, The element water pours in others.It lets you feel their pain and suffering and offer sincere compassion.

psychic awareness is also present in the water signs and displays from time to time with extreme accuracy. Water seeks to heal and nurture those around it. Uncontrolled, this element may send the emotions on a turbulent path resulting in moodiness and unpredictable ups and downs, as the ridge and through the waves.

water signs need serenity and calm, like a river flowing sweet feed everyone in his wake and at the same time leading to the discovery of new pathways.

Over espresso, there is a tendency to be overly emotional, deeply sensitive and subjective. With too much emotion, depression may result.

The weakness can result from being too protective and possessive of loved ones, the cold attitude and lack of unity may arise.

A balance of elements

The best combination of each element type of personality strives to create a balance of these elemental aspects of each, thereby resulting in relationship that thrives on mutual growth and harmony.

Air-Fire
The air element in a relationship provides ideas and dreams that fire can act and create a reality.

Land-Water

The water provides sensitivity and nurturing approach sometimes cold reservedearthly issues, thus laying the foundations for future growth of the relationship

Fire-water

Balance can be achieved by realizing that water can inject needed sensitivity and patience in the fire sign. and the fire while you can add drive and courage to act that can sometimes miss the signs of water.

Fire-Earth

initiative and fire unit capable of stimulating times relaxed and confidential nature of the ground. At the same time, the convenience and discipline of land may be balancing the fire sometimes guide ways of acting.

When two elements of the same type combine, the harmony can be achieved when the needs and characteristics are the same for both. However, hampers the growth of both individuals become too easy to point the spark necessary for growth may be deficient.

Ideally, we should strive for a balance of elements Earth / Water and Air / Fire.

Other combinations may also work until both partners in accordance with the needs of others and unique features that they both relate to and use every force others to balance

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Reference: Tracy Marks book elements in ancient greek philosophy