All of creation can be understood in terms of four elements (fire, water, air, and earth), while the creator is represented by a fifth synthethising element, spirit.
There is one divine element: spirit , from which the other elements emanate (emerge), and into which they are resolved (merge). Spirit can be understood as divinity or God.
There are two primary elements: fire and water , representing opposing polarities: each cannot exist without the other.
There are two secondary elements: air and earth , both derived from the primary elements.
Each of the four (primary and secondary) elements has a divine (positive) aspect and a mundane (negative) aspect , representing opposing polarities within that element.
spirit
God, The Major Arcana, Vishnu
Spirit represents divinity, or that which is not manifest. It also represents the synthesis (union) of all that is separate.
While western esoteric tradition only recognises 4 elements (fire,water,air, and earth), eastern tradition recognises this fifth element of spirit.
This can be seen as the union of the primary (alchemical) elements of fire and water. The symbols for these, the upward and downward pointing triangles, combine to form the hexagram. ....(more)
God, The Major Arcana, VishnuSpirit represents divinity, or that which is not manifest. It also represents the synthesis (union) of all that is separate.
While western esoteric tradition only recognises 4 elements (fire,water,air, and earth), eastern tradition recognises this fifth element of spirit.
This can be seen as the union of the primary (alchemical) elements of fire and water. The symbols for these, the upward and downward pointing triangles, combine to form the hexagram. ....(more)
fire
the lion Leo, Wands, Shiva
Fire is the upward rising primary element, the counterpart of water.
Fire represents spirituality, the "divine spark" of life. Fire represents the heavenly aspects of the natural world, and it also represents the kundalini energy, or spiritual force, which lies behind all Earthly manifestations of spirituality. Yogis experience "the fire of yoga", when in intense meditation. Shamans the world over demonstrate their spiritual power through mastery of fire (walking on hot coals, dancing in flames, holding hot coals in the mouth, etc.).
In a spiritual context, fire is expressed primarily via the third eye. ....(more)
the lion Leo, Wands, ShivaFire is the upward rising primary element, the counterpart of water.
Fire represents spirituality, the "divine spark" of life. Fire represents the heavenly aspects of the natural world, and it also represents the kundalini energy, or spiritual force, which lies behind all Earthly manifestations of spirituality. Yogis experience "the fire of yoga", when in intense meditation. Shamans the world over demonstrate their spiritual power through mastery of fire (walking on hot coals, dancing in flames, holding hot coals in the mouth, etc.).
In a spiritual context, fire is expressed primarily via the third eye. ....(more)
water
the eagle Scorpio, Cups, Shakti
Water is the earth-bound primary element, the counterpart of the heaven-bound fire.
In a spiritual context, water represents love, joy, and other feelings, and quiet reflection and inner peace. In such a context, water is expressed primarily via the heart chakra.
In Jungian psychology, water represents feeling. ....(more)
the eagle Scorpio, Cups, ShaktiWater is the earth-bound primary element, the counterpart of the heaven-bound fire.
In a spiritual context, water represents love, joy, and other feelings, and quiet reflection and inner peace. In such a context, water is expressed primarily via the heart chakra.
In Jungian psychology, water represents feeling. ....(more)
air
man Aquarius, Swords, Brahma
Air is the ascending secondary element, the counterpart of earth.
In a spiritual context, air represents communication, and a clear intellect. In such a context, air is expressed via the throat chakra.
In Jungian psychology, air represents thinking. ....(more)
man Aquarius, Swords, BrahmaAir is the ascending secondary element, the counterpart of earth.
In a spiritual context, air represents communication, and a clear intellect. In such a context, air is expressed via the throat chakra.
In Jungian psychology, air represents thinking. ....(more)
earth
the bull Taurus, Pentacles, Shankar
Earth is the descending secondary element, the counterpart of air.
In a spiritual context, earth represents knowledge, affinity with nature, and being rooted. In such a context earth is expressed through balanced unification of the first three chakras: the root chakra, the navel chakra, and the solar chakra.
In Jungian psychology, earth represents sensation. ....(more)
the bull Taurus, Pentacles, ShankarEarth is the descending secondary element, the counterpart of air.
In a spiritual context, earth represents knowledge, affinity with nature, and being rooted. In such a context earth is expressed through balanced unification of the first three chakras: the root chakra, the navel chakra, and the solar chakra.
In Jungian psychology, earth represents sensation. ....(more)