ARTICLE ASTROLOGERS JACK HOPKINS « FIVE ELEMENTS »
The article was written as a result of the Writers ' Workshop Arlan Wise at a OPA retreat in November 2011
Greek Philosopher Empedocles advanced the idea of the four elements still used by astrologers today. The Chinese, who used the four cardinal directions in their sky maps, additionally developed the idea of the Five Elements found in the I CHING and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Long time harmonic astrology author, David Hamblin( Spirit of Numbers, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd 2011) associates fiveness with creativity. These five elements contrast with the more structural and static four elements and describe a system of interdependencies and balances, reflecting the dynamic nature of the number five. In the article, we will explore them from a Western perspective, portraying a world in motion, requiring discrimination and creative interaction, quite similar to the one we face today.
FIRE
Courageous... Self-Assertive Active Life Force... Ardent & Strong
The Fire Element creates awareness and enthusiasm. It stimulates a bold response to life, the taking of chances, and pursuit of personal bliss. Fire will waste no time in seizing opportunities it stumbles upon, often with an innate recognition of their worth and potential in some grand pursuit. Fire illuminates uncertainty and teaches us to see a clear path before us, brightly marked by its passion for life and change. When unbalanced, ruthless and unconcerned, its energy will consume everything in its path, insatiable in its hunger for excitement, relentless in its blind passion. Even when balanced with the other elements, Fire will forge ahead with an instinctual sense of urgency that demands action and courage.
It is that wild force within us that refuses to follow the usual path, throwing itself into the most terrible of life’ s struggles, creating unforgettable experiences out of inanimate potential. It breathes life into the void, transforming it into a blinding display of primary intent and will. Without Fire, we lose touch with our own magic. We’ re reduced to following shadows, far from the blazing heat of the Sun.
EARTH
Offers Support … Common Sense … Consideration and Service … Awareness of Potential
Earth has the job of facing resistance and inertia and so must devise the most efficient way to deliver the desired result, on time, and within budget. Common sense and a realistic assessment of what’ s within scope and what’ s off the table make Earth unpopular with the other Elements. When the chips are down, Earth often ends up saving the day, providing the support that everyone often forgets. Purity and service rank among its virtues. Discipline and a brutally no-nonsense approach to getting the job done is its usual strategy.
Underneath that grimy exterior beats the soul of patience and often a unselfish devotion to bringing divine love into its many labors. It is the master of the long haul and the unsung hero. Disillusionment and selfeffacement nip at it heals and can do serious damage to the effectiveness of its efforts. Freshness and optimism are often in short supply, and mindless ambition and conformity are always ready to lay its soul to waste.
Should it pass these trials, Earth brings the beautiful gift of authentic self respect and acceptance to its ambitions. It can be unassuming and simple, possessing genuine earnestness and unbelievable mastery over doing the right things well and with love.
AIR
Cooperative... Inventive Inspirational... Intelligent & Alert Objective... Humane
Air is highly aware of the social dimension of life and can’ t help but take other people’ s points of view into consideration. Both friends and enemies figure into this, and Air often becomes tangled into some controversy where its plans unravel and damage control and cover up become the order of the day. At its best, Air is cooperative, humane and socially savvy with any arrangement it enters into. The less noble types are fast-talking, insincere and dreadfully out of touch with reality.
A virtual wizard at getting its message across, the Airy type loves to be the one talking and making all the decisions, defining themselves along social and intellectual lines. They are capable of original thought and can introduce whole revolutions with the power of their words, often adjusting this or that position to gain additional acceptance and consensus.
Like it or not, Air is an indispensable fact of life.
36 КАРЬЕРА АСТРОЛОГА | 3 2013