I was watching Frozen 2 and I have a confession to make. For the younger audience, it could be quite serious. I have to admit that I enjoy Disney’s Frozen 2 way more than Frozen. What I loved about Frozen 2 was the introduction to the elements: Fire, Water, Earth and Air. Since 450 BC, these four elements were the keystone of philosophy, science, alchemy, astrology and medicine for two-thousand years. Yet, today we hardly speak about the elements and we often treat the idea as if it is antiquated. But, what if I told you they were still relevant?
The Greeks believed that the four elements made up everything and had an unchanging nature. They also believed that the elements were held together or pushed apart by forces of attraction and repulsion which caused the appearance of change. What is fascinating is that this resembles what really happens with elements and all molecules at an atomic level.
The Greeks also believed that the four elements described not only exist on the physical plane, but qualities of human nature. In fact, these four elements are a noticeable influence in Carl Jung’s Psychology Types and Myers Briggs Type Indicator. So, how do each of the four elements affect us individually?
Fire:
The element of fire has so many interesting meanings associated with it. In astrology, it means you are a Sagittarius, Aries or Leo. In alchemy or magic, it is considered a masculine energy and is associated with creativity, passion, freedom, power, vision, will, courage, and dynamism.
It is also associated with the Summer season and its corresponding direction is South. The symbolic portrayal of fire is a triangle pointing upwards. There are also a fire spirits associated with the element of fire, they are known as salamanders (as seen in Frozen 2). The salamanders inspire passion, new life, blessings, creativity and spiritual healing.
Now, in regards to science of the fire element in ancient Greece. As you know, the fire element plays an import role for changing a substance. Plato came up with the concept of basic chemical reactions. An example of this is that he concluded that when water is heated by fire, it produces two “particles” of air (vapor) and one “particle” of fire. This can also be seen in describing a person’s personality with a fire element as their astrology sign. This group is known for change.
The element of water also has numerous meanings. In astrology, it means you are a Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio. In alchemy or magic, it is considered a feminine energy and is associate with dreaming, healing, flowing, fluidity, purification, regeneration, stability, strength, change, death, rebirth, receiving, and unconditional love.
It is also associated with the Autumn season and the West direction. An inverted triangle is the symbolic portrayal of the water element. The water spirits that are associate with the water element are the naiads, sea nymphs, undines and sprites. These spirits are known for being able to cleanse, refresh, and renew our spirit.
As for the science of the water element in ancient Greece, in Greek Medicine, there was a healing tradition called the Water Cure. The Water Cure was the common term for a collection of therapies, which used the healing virtues of water. This thought process also was reflected in the personality description of a person born with an astrology sign of Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio. This astrology group is also known for the ability to heal.
The element of earth possesses many interesting meanings as well. In astrology, it means you are a Capricorn, Taurus or Virgo. In alchemy or magic, it is considered a feminine energy and is associate with prosperity, fertility, stability, orderliness, sustenance, creativity, physical abundance, nourishment, solidity, dependability, security, permanence, intuition, introspection, and wisdom.
Earth is often related to Winter and the associated direction is North. The element is symbolically portrayed by an inverted triangle with a horizontal line running through it. The earth spirits that are connected to the earth element are known as gnomes, fairies, tree devas and elves. The earth spirits provide grounding and attend to emotional healing.
Now for science of the earth element in ancient Greece. One of the downfalls for Plato’s theory is it does not allow for transformation of earth element into other elements. This fits in well with the personality portion of the earth element. In astrology, this group is known for their permanence.
Air:
Last but not least, the element of air. In astrology the air signs are Aquarius, Gemini and Libra. In alchemy or magic, the element of air is considered a masculine energy and is associate with communication, intelligence, perception, knowledge, learning, thinking, imagination, creativity, harmony, and travel.
Air is connected with the Spring season and its corresponding direction is East. The Air symbol is an upright triangle with a horizontal line going through it. The air spirits associated with the air element include devas, builders, zephyrs, and sylphs. The air spirits help calm us down as well as help us with focus and mental clarification.
In regards to science, the air element, according to Aristotle, is both hot and wet and occupies a place between fire and water among the elemental spheres. Aristotle definitively separated air from aether. This also coordinates with the air sign personality. The astrological signs that fall under the air element are great communicators between different groups of people.
I realize this was an extremely long article, but I was trying to touch on all aspects of the 4 elements. The 4 elements can be found in cultures around the world and are fascinating to read about. Unfortunately, I was not able to present information on the 4 elements from all cultures around the world for this article, otherwise this would be closer to a book.
Deep down, I know someone will ask about the 5th element. Not only is the Fifth Element an awesome movie, but it is also mention in the movie Frozen 2, when Elsa discovers that she is the 5th element. Over the centuries the 5th element has taken on a connotation of meaning spirit. However, for this article I am focusing on the 5th element also known as Aether æther, aither, or ether and also called quintessence. Pythagoras and Paracelsus both believed that the Quintessence (5th element) is what the stars are made of and that within every living thing there exists a hidden star that was that thing’s Quintessence. Indeed, one of the symbols for the Quintessence is the star. What is crazy is I just wrote an article about how we are made from stardust. Since we are all made of stardust, we therefore all have a 5th element inside of us and it is then just a matter of time before we unlock our powers like Elsa.
Photo by Pixabay · Photography (pexels.com)
