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.’
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