ELEMENTARY

PYTHAGOREAN FORM

Based on Pythagoras’ work with numbers, Plato very artfully constructed 5 geometrical forms to symbolise our 4 plus one most subtle elements: Fire, Air, Water, Earth and the Æther.

 The 12 astrological zodiac signs are grouped according to the 4 elements of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth; so there are 3 zodiac signs to each element. Each sign takes up the characteristics of that element to which it belongs.

The salamander of FIRE: Aries Leo Sagittarius

FIRE crackles and burns, it is impatient to eat everything up, it wants to endlessly consume, it wants to be somewhere ahead of itself.

FIRE warms in the winter and destroys in the summer.

FIRE lights our way and transforms our food through the alchemical processes;

it may do the same for us.

FIRE is quick moving, fast, ignoring surrounding pleas for consideration.

FIRElight glows softly and benignly in the candle and the touch and the light bulb,

to guide our actions by.

FIRE blazes in the full glory of our sun and wants to be a hero for the world.

But FIRE needs AIR to make it breath and function well.

The sylph of AIR:  Gemini Libra Aquarius

AIR is invisible until it moves.

AIR moves in the smile of a light summer breeze,

AIR moves in the rustle of the trees, it moves in the lashing of a storm, it moves in the devastation of a hurricane.

How can something so invisible have so much power?

AIR supports us all

with the magic that it contains and which we breath in and out every day.

AIR circulates and runs between all things, drawing invisible lines of communication, tying things and people together, provoking ideas.

But how dry and unproductive these would be without some WATER moisture to aid mixture and fermentation.

The Undine of WATER:  Cancer Scorpio Pisces

WATER, the universal solvent, it cleans and refreshes, moistens and oils.

WATER aids the process of reproduction, of generation, of seed forming and awakening.

The morning dew gently touches the petal and makes it sparkle, the summer showers refresh its roots, the thunder-storm weighs down everything and the furious cyclone washes all away.

WATER quenches the thirst and bathes the babe, then dashes all hopes when it reaches beyond saturation point and drowns that oh so necessary anchor and support bed of EARTH.

The Gnome of EARTH:  Taurus Virgo Capricorn

EARTH, rock solid, allowing us to put down roots like a healthy plant, somewhere to anchor, somewhere to call home, somewhere to give form to our airy thoughts, our wet emotions, our fiery activity and enthusiasm.

EARTH who produces from her bosom all that might be needed to keep physical existence viable.

EARTH is fine white sand that trickles pleasingly though the toes.

EARTH is fecund soil.

EARTH is the rock and mountain that resists all and blocks the way.

EARTH is the substratum of life.

But EARTH needs to be ignited by FIRE, moistened by WATER, and stirred by AIR.

All 4 elements need to cooperate to keep the wheel endlessly turning.

It is a story of alchemy really, as seen through the principles of astrology, and all can use their charts to understand themselves and change the pattern of their being. We all have lessons to learn as indicated in our astrological natal chart. It is well to remember the wise words from an old text, ‘The 12 Keys‘, that ‘if the fruit of a tree be plucked before it is ripe, it is unfit for use; and if the potter fails to harden his vessels in the fire, they cannot be employed for any good purpose. In the same way you must exercise considerable patience in preparing your own self.’