The Five Elements

By Amber Tiara ♥

The ancient Greeks created the idea of five basic elements. They claimed that absolutely everything was made of these. The elements were water, fire, earth, air, and Spirit.

These five elements are used in many rituals and spells, but the most common usage of them is linked with the zodiac. Each element embodies certain qualities and matches up with whoever falls under that specific one. Everyone has an element that can be found based on their birthdate.

One thing should be noted, Spirit is not linked with any one group of people. This is because Spirit is the All and everyone is, supposedly, just one element. That doesn’t mean that people can’t change. * Don’t be stuck in the box of one element.*

You are Spirit; you have simply forgotten how to access all elements and just stick to one because it’s easier. If you’re a Fire, try, just for a second, to be an Air. If you are a Water, apply Earth qualities to a situation.

Each of the four basic elements are either masculine or feminine. Masculine energy is like the Sun: energetic, bright, warm, and aggressive. Feminine energy is like the Moon: cool, passive, dark, and receptive.

Note: terms like aggressive and dark may seem nasty, but aren’t meant in the ways negative connotations suggest.

Aggressive in this sense is very forceful and in your face. This can be applied to anything. Aggressive colors (neon yellow) or being aggressively friendly (think Pinkie Pie) are both great examples.

As for dark, it’s more calm, soft, and reserved. The stillness of night fits feminine energy well. Remember, the Sun is wonderful and warm, but the light can hurt your eyes. The Moon may not be as bright or noticeable, but in the darkness is when it’s easiest to dream, reflect, and just be.

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Water

Water is emotional. Those with this element have fluid emotions, ever changing and moving like a river. Water people are intuitive, sensitive, and compassionate. Those with this sign have trouble with becoming the people or environment they surround themselves with.

Symbol: Triangle pointed down

Gender: Feminine (passive)

Elemental: Undine (spirit of water)

Season: Fall

Zodiac Signs:

Cancer (June 22 - July 22),

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21),

Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

Strengths: Understanding, trusting, devoted, forgiving, flexible

Weaknesses: Unstable, prone to depression, irrational, gullible, lack of self

Fire

Fire is forceful. Those born under this element are passionate and warm. They light up any environment they enter. Fire people are natural born leaders. Those with this sign do run the risk of burning out if too focused or passionate about one thing.

Symbol: Triangle pointed up

Gender: Masculine

Elemental: Salamander (mythological fire lizard)

Season: Summer

Zodiac Signs:

Aries (March 21 - April 19),

Leo (July 23 - August 22),

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

Strengths: Passionate, bright, charismatic, focused, decisive, daring

Weaknesses: Prone to anger and rage, obsessive, unfaithful, jealous, easily irritated, vindictive

Earth

Earth is practical. People under the earth sign are reliable, practical, and logical. These people are wary of bringing others in to their inner circle, but will be fiercely loyal to those they accept. Earth signed people do tend to be homebodies and solid to a fault.

Symbol: Triangle pointed down with line through the point

Gender: Feminine (passive)

Elemental: Gnome

Season: Winter

Zodiac Signs:

Taurus (April 20 - May 20),

Virgo (August 23 - September 22),

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

Strengths: Stable and consistent, hardworking, loyal, nurturing, logical, empathetic

Weaknesses: Lazy, scornful, overly cautious, stubborn, rigid

Air

Air is constantly in motion. Those born under this sign have a mind that is ever thinking. Their personalities are as hard to pin down as the wind, but there are a few shared traits. They excel at multitasking, but can get distracted very easily. Though extremely charming, Air people can have a hard time with commitment and relationships.

Symbol: Triangle pointed up with a line through the point

Gender: Masculine (active)

Elemental: Sylph (spirit of the air)

Season: Spring

Zodiac Signs:

Gemini (May 21 - June 21),

Libra (September 23 - October 22),

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

Strengths: Thoughtful, witty, charming, carefree, independent, flexible

Weaknesses: Inconsistent, insensitive, selfish, flaky, dishonest

Spirit

The element of Spirit doesn’t link up with anything like the other four do.

Spirit doesn’t have a special group of people. Spirit is All. This element can be called other names such as: Ether, Aether, or Quintessence, which means “fifth element” in Latin.

Spirit has no standard shape, but circles and swirls are commonly used.

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