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