The elemental balance is one of the most underrated subjects of an astrological analysis. That's a shame, because we're avoiding a very insightful way of looking at ourselves.
I'm dealing with astrology for quite some time now, eagerly studying any techniques I find. But in the end, I always come back to the elements. They're amazing!
The elemental analysis is a simple and elegant way of self-understanding and, most importantly, a way to gain knowledge about the things that nourish or deplete our energy field.
The best part about the elements is that to understand them you do NOT need any special knowledge from numerous websites or sleepless nights over thick astrological guides. What you need is basic information regarding the meaning of the elements and ... your own observations!
Elemental symbolism is more inscribed into our society than we think. And I don't mean the typical, most obvious cases like breathing air or drinking water. Just look at the common expressions we're using and see how we intuitively understand every element.
He is on fire!
To air dirty laundry in the public
Being down-to-earth
Carry someone's water
While each of the elements has its own unique meaning, all of them together refer to basically one matter - our energy and its flow in the most basic form.
This energy, unique for every human being, will have its own intensity and way to externalize, commonly known as temperament.
The most helpful aspect of the elemental analysis is that it allows to discover our general outline of energy. With this knowledge it's easy to identify various energy blockages in our body, mind.
Once we know what kind of energy we're tuned into, we can compare it to the energy of those around us in order to find out why we're on the same wavelength with certain people and feeling blocked around others.
Fire - symbolizing will, action, faith and willingness to LIVE, represented by the signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius
Air - information, mind, society and social contacts, represented by the signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
Earth - responsibilities, practical approach to matters, work, money, physical world, represented by the signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
Water - emotions, yearnings, inner world, empathy, represented by the signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces
Don't treat this particular division as absolutely perfect, one and only. Once you start doing some research, you'll find other elemental divisions for example having Ether as their fifth elements. While we're at it, Chinese horoscopes are based on totally different philosophy, having five completely different elements: Fire, Water, Wood, Earth and Metal.
You might think: "OK, so there are four elements which means four types of temperament, so how come it's possible to describe a complex human character using only four types of behaviour?"
It is possible! Here's an example:
We find many elemental forms in nature. There's a big difference between dried earth of a rocky desert (#1) and loose sandy soil (#2). Each of these forms portraits Earth element in a different way. There's no good/bad distinction as each Earth form has it's perks, works the best under different circumstances.
For example, a strong Earth person will try to have his mundane matters in order, creating a stable space around him.
When faced with problems affecting the physical matters, the type #1 Earth person will more likely react in a stubborn way, willing to defend what he's achieved through his hard work. This particular #1 person might seem a bit rough (just like the rough shapes of the rocks) but this approach will help withstand any pressure, being able to act under any (even unfavourable) conditions.
Now a person of type #2 Earth will be more flexible in his approach while still being able to keep his form. This kind of Earth person is inclined towards looking and evaluating his work in order to see if he can somehow change his behaviour. He won't feel so comfortable standing his ground like type #1.
This elemental form distinction plays a key factor in delving into the subtleties of human personality, making the elemental analysis more appealing for everyone seeking details. One way of how astrology uses the meaning of various forms is via three modalities (cardinal, fixed and mutable). But that's a story for another time.
Many chart-creating websites (like www.astro.com) come with a built-in elemental tables, showing which planets falls where. Here's such a chart of a certain man.
The problem of such method is that planets are not equal - each has its importance, sure, but some ... play more significant roles in our lives.
It's WAY better to give an actual value to each planet, thus placing them in certain hierarchy of importance. You can do that by assigning points to each planet when placing them in the element. Here's my point system:
Sun, Moon and Ascendant are 5 points each
Mercury, Venus and Mars are 3 points each
Jupiter, Saturn are 2 points each
Uranus, Neptune, Pluto are 1 point each
So let's count the elemental strength using the previous chart.
In Fire, there's the Ascendant and Moon so 5+5 = 10 points
In Air, there's Venus so it's a total of 3 points
In Earth, there's Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto so 2+2+1+1+1 = 7 points
In Water, there's Sun, Mercury and Mars so 5+3+3 = 11 points
Having gathered all the information, we can start the analysis. The key to an accurate elemental reading is to look at the whole picture - the distribution of every element. It's important, because you're not only one or two (strongest) elements.
You're every element!
That means you're using simultaneously the energy of Fire, Air, Earth and Water. Each type of energy is at your disposal, even if you feel comfortable with only one.
- a strong Water and Fire element (11 and 10 points respectively), knowing Water should be slightly more dominant
Strong Water indicates that living out and expressing one's emotions will be an important goal in life. Strong Fire is about ones will to experience life, starting things with initiative and faith in one's abilities. A mix of these two elements leads to whole-hogger behaviour, full commitment, because there is no other way to express emotions than with passion and excitement.
The question is: will Water's sensitivity be enough to balance the selfishness and impulsiveness of Fire?
- good support from Earth (7 points) although the matters of Air (3 points) will take a back seat, because of the dominant Fire-Water combination
Our mystery man should manage in the outside world - Earth gives an intuitive understanding that life requires holding responsibilities and dealing with restrictions. Earth energy will be especially helpful for Water, allowing a practical expression of our man's emotional nature. His social contacts will be colored more by strong and intense emotions rather than reason.
The horoscope belongs to Pablo Picasso - Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker. In his case it was art that was the perfect tangible (Earth) expression of his own sensitivity (Water). In Picasso's history we find quite a lush social life - especially the sexual one with many mistresses. This shows how in the social domain (Air) strong yearnings (Water and Fire) took over the more objective and detached approach (Air). He feels, he wants to act.
It's possible that the general outlook of energy of a person in his/her natal chart will be modified by various other factors, thus the energy will have a different quality than this suggested by the element's final score.
In the next parts of the elemental series I'll focus on this particular problem and also delve into the meaning of each elemental energy, showing how to read and understand one's energy field. All based on the elements :-)
Have you tried looking at the elements? Are you using additional points, planets when counting the elemental strength? Please comment and tell me what you think :-)
I'm dealing with astrology for quite some time now, eagerly studying any techniques I find. But in the end, I always come back to the elements. They're amazing!The elemental analysis is a simple and elegant way of self-understanding and, most importantly, a way to gain knowledge about the things that nourish or deplete our energy field.
The best part about the elements is that to understand them you do NOT need any special knowledge from numerous websites or sleepless nights over thick astrological guides. What you need is basic information regarding the meaning of the elements and ... your own observations!
Elements and your energy
Elemental symbolism is more inscribed into our society than we think. And I don't mean the typical, most obvious cases like breathing air or drinking water. Just look at the common expressions we're using and see how we intuitively understand every element.
He is on fire!
To air dirty laundry in the public
Being down-to-earth
Carry someone's water
While each of the elements has its own unique meaning, all of them together refer to basically one matter - our energy and its flow in the most basic form.
This energy, unique for every human being, will have its own intensity and way to externalize, commonly known as temperament.
The most helpful aspect of the elemental analysis is that it allows to discover our general outline of energy. With this knowledge it's easy to identify various energy blockages in our body, mind.Once we know what kind of energy we're tuned into, we can compare it to the energy of those around us in order to find out why we're on the same wavelength with certain people and feeling blocked around others.
Four elements
Astrology distinguishes four elements:
Fire - symbolizing will, action, faith and willingness to LIVE, represented by the signs of Aries, Leo and SagittariusAir - information, mind, society and social contacts, represented by the signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
Earth - responsibilities, practical approach to matters, work, money, physical world, represented by the signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
Water - emotions, yearnings, inner world, empathy, represented by the signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces
Don't treat this particular division as absolutely perfect, one and only. Once you start doing some research, you'll find other elemental divisions for example having Ether as their fifth elements. While we're at it, Chinese horoscopes are based on totally different philosophy, having five completely different elements: Fire, Water, Wood, Earth and Metal.
Details
You might think: "OK, so there are four elements which means four types of temperament, so how come it's possible to describe a complex human character using only four types of behaviour?"It is possible! Here's an example:
We find many elemental forms in nature. There's a big difference between dried earth of a rocky desert (#1) and loose sandy soil (#2). Each of these forms portraits Earth element in a different way. There's no good/bad distinction as each Earth form has it's perks, works the best under different circumstances.
For example, a strong Earth person will try to have his mundane matters in order, creating a stable space around him.
When faced with problems affecting the physical matters, the type #1 Earth person will more likely react in a stubborn way, willing to defend what he's achieved through his hard work. This particular #1 person might seem a bit rough (just like the rough shapes of the rocks) but this approach will help withstand any pressure, being able to act under any (even unfavourable) conditions.
Now a person of type #2 Earth will be more flexible in his approach while still being able to keep his form. This kind of Earth person is inclined towards looking and evaluating his work in order to see if he can somehow change his behaviour. He won't feel so comfortable standing his ground like type #1.
This elemental form distinction plays a key factor in delving into the subtleties of human personality, making the elemental analysis more appealing for everyone seeking details. One way of how astrology uses the meaning of various forms is via three modalities (cardinal, fixed and mutable). But that's a story for another time.
What element are you and how to check it
To check the strength of your elements you only need a natal chart. The easiest way to do so is to count how many planets (adding the Ascendant to the score) fall in the appropriate zodiac signs, find the highest value and there you go - here's your strongest element.Many chart-creating websites (like www.astro.com) come with a built-in elemental tables, showing which planets falls where. Here's such a chart of a certain man.
The problem of such method is that planets are not equal - each has its importance, sure, but some ... play more significant roles in our lives.
It's WAY better to give an actual value to each planet, thus placing them in certain hierarchy of importance. You can do that by assigning points to each planet when placing them in the element. Here's my point system:
Sun, Moon and Ascendant are 5 points each
Mercury, Venus and Mars are 3 points each
Jupiter, Saturn are 2 points each
Uranus, Neptune, Pluto are 1 point each
So let's count the elemental strength using the previous chart.
In Fire, there's the Ascendant and Moon so 5+5 = 10 points
In Air, there's Venus so it's a total of 3 points
In Earth, there's Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto so 2+2+1+1+1 = 7 points
In Water, there's Sun, Mercury and Mars so 5+3+3 = 11 points
Having gathered all the information, we can start the analysis. The key to an accurate elemental reading is to look at the whole picture - the distribution of every element. It's important, because you're not only one or two (strongest) elements.
You're every element!
That means you're using simultaneously the energy of Fire, Air, Earth and Water. Each type of energy is at your disposal, even if you feel comfortable with only one.
A warm up before interpretation
Let's get back to the chart. Our mystery man has:- a strong Water and Fire element (11 and 10 points respectively), knowing Water should be slightly more dominant
Strong Water indicates that living out and expressing one's emotions will be an important goal in life. Strong Fire is about ones will to experience life, starting things with initiative and faith in one's abilities. A mix of these two elements leads to whole-hogger behaviour, full commitment, because there is no other way to express emotions than with passion and excitement.
The question is: will Water's sensitivity be enough to balance the selfishness and impulsiveness of Fire?
- good support from Earth (7 points) although the matters of Air (3 points) will take a back seat, because of the dominant Fire-Water combination
Our mystery man should manage in the outside world - Earth gives an intuitive understanding that life requires holding responsibilities and dealing with restrictions. Earth energy will be especially helpful for Water, allowing a practical expression of our man's emotional nature. His social contacts will be colored more by strong and intense emotions rather than reason.
The horoscope belongs to Pablo Picasso - Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker. In his case it was art that was the perfect tangible (Earth) expression of his own sensitivity (Water). In Picasso's history we find quite a lush social life - especially the sexual one with many mistresses. This shows how in the social domain (Air) strong yearnings (Water and Fire) took over the more objective and detached approach (Air). He feels, he wants to act.
That's not all ...
Don't get discouraged when the number of points and dominant element doesn't accurately describe your temperament. Elemental analysis is great when you want to look at a person from a general perspective, not going too much into details.It's possible that the general outlook of energy of a person in his/her natal chart will be modified by various other factors, thus the energy will have a different quality than this suggested by the element's final score.
In the next parts of the elemental series I'll focus on this particular problem and also delve into the meaning of each elemental energy, showing how to read and understand one's energy field. All based on the elements :-)
Have you tried looking at the elements? Are you using additional points, planets when counting the elemental strength? Please comment and tell me what you think :-)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Share your opinion with me ! :-)