It's Elemental My Dear Watson!
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Most metaphysical practices and studies are elemental in nature, the
energies being defined as earth, air, fire, water and spirit. Some
studies have additional elements, such as Feng Shui and I Ching, which
include wood, among others, as an element.
For our purposes today we will stick to the primary elements used in
Tarot and Astrology, which would include the first five listed herein.
Earth as an Element
Earth is an element that provides stability, security, solidity to any
reading done with tarot or to those signs ruled by this element. The
Tarot Suit of Pentacles is ruled by the element earth, as are a
portion of the Major Arcana Cards. Earth can also relate to comfort,
materialism, sensuality and physical connections. The Astrological
Signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are ruled by earth. Earth is
most compatible with Water as an element, especially in Astrological
terms. Earth is also "well dignified" by Water cards in a tarot
reading, which strengthens the positive meanings of any adjacent
cards. Earth is considered "ill dignified" in a tarot reading if it
is adjacent to Fire or Air cards.
Pentacles relate to the Season of Winter, when all is still and our
energies are put into building our material lives.
Earth and the Suit of Cups are both ruled by feminine energy.
Air as an Element
Air! My favorite element as I have seven planets in Aquarius (ruled
by Air), and my rising sign is Gemini, (also ruled by Air), the third
Air Sign is Libra.
Air is intellectual, humanitarian and clinical in nature. It swirls
around picking up what it can in its' path and it absorbs and
understands it. The Tarot Suit of Swords is ruled by Air, and it can
be a difficult suit when reading cards. Swords have more difficult or
negative cards contained in its' suit than any other suit in the Tarot
Deck. There are also certain Major Arcana ruled by Air.
Air cards are well dignified when adjacent to cards of the element
fire, fire burns more heatedly when fed air. This means that the
potential for the negativity of the cards in question is somewhat
reduced. Air cards are ill dignified when adjacent to earth and water
cards, increasing the intensity of the negativity, and if a positive
air card, reducing the positivity of that card.
Swords relate to the Season of Autumn, the Autumn of Life , change and
preparation for the long Winter.
Air and the Suit of Swords are considered masculine energies.
Fire as an Element
Fire is action, passion, enthusiasm and it rules the Astrological
Signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. There are also certain Major
Arcana ruled by Fire.
It is a lively element to say the least. Fire rules the Suit of
Wands in the Tarot deck and is well dignified with Air and ill
dignified with Earth and Water. Think action when you think of Fire
as an element, it is taking the Wand in hand and making things
happen! Fire likes attention, and if ignored, can burn out of
control! Look for the Fire in your Astrological Chart, this is where
you need to be an active participant and take control and action.
Fire is a masculine energy element and relates to the Season of
Spring, a time for planting seeds for future growth.
Water as an Element
Water is emotive, secretive and psychic. Emotions run high in the
Water Signs of Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio. Think of the ocean and all
of the hidden life and secrets that lie beneath the surface. Even
though calm on the surface, much is happening beneath the sea of
tranquility. Water rules the Tarot Suit of Cups and it is well
dignified with Earth cards, and ill dignified with Air and Fire.
There are also certain Major Arcana ruled by Water.
Cups relate to the Season of Summer, birth and growth, and are
feminine in energy.
Spirit as an Element
Spirit is the higher self, our spiritual natures, the best of the
human condition. Spirit rules all of the Major Arcana in conjunction
with the other elements. It is what we tap into when doing readings,
it is our psyche.
Major Arcana are those things that are out of our immediate control
and in the hands or our Higher Powers.
The energy in Spirit is neither masculine nor feminine, it is
androgynous, as are our spirits.