The Elements of Nature
by Donna Thomson
Our planet is made up of four main elements that are part of every physical thing in creation. They are also interconnected within themselves, as fire needs fuel from the earth and air to burn, water contains air (h2O), earth contains air and water, plus air (our atmosphere) contains water particles.
Knowledge of these elements can be found in ancient cultures, mythology and astrology. There is another element which permeates everything - Spirit (also referred to as 'ether' in regards to elements). We simply cannot have one element, or quality of that element, without another.
Here is an overview of each of the four elements - earth, air, fire and water. In knowing a little about their energies you may be able to use them to create more harmony in your life.
Earth - When we connect with earth energy we are said to be 'grounded'. At the base of our spine we have a root or base chakra that most strongly connects us with the physical earth and the material world. Having a healthy connection with earth energies allows us to accept abundance (no fear of poverty), to be practical, well-balanced and secure in ourselves. Try visualising your feet having roots that reach deep down into the earth to connect you with Mother Earth.
Colours - green and brown.
Air - We know air exists yet we cannot see it. This is why the element of air is most closely linked with spirit and therefore our third eye and crown chakras. Air also relates to thoughts. Many of us have learned to breathe shallowly which allows us to suppress emotions and pain that we don't want to deal with. By consciously deepening our breathing we can enhance our connection with spirit. This is why breathwork is so common in spiritual practices and is now a stand-alone practice to facilitate change in your life. This is no surprise because wind in nature also represents change. It shakes up the environment, removes stale air and energies, resulting in a renewed freshness. Next time the wind blows, allow it to take with it anything you no longer wish to hold onto - attitudes, feelings and beliefs. Welcome change and freshness into your life.
Colours - yellow and white.
Fire - Fire represents transformation, creative energy and courage and therefore relates to our sacral and solar plexus chakras. It creates new life when the ashes are taken back into the earth to be reborn as new growth. There is also the association of the phoenix rising from the ashes. Where air represents change and clearance, fire takes it one step further to total transformation. Working with fire energies can bring powerful personal transformations and allow you to create things in your life - whether metaphorically or through actual creative pursuits. Fire is a very lively energy, thought to be masculine and connected to the sun. You can use fire energy in your life by sending those qualities about yourself and your life that you want to change into the flame of a candle or fire and ask that they transform into more positive qualities. You can also write these things onto paper and burn them to symbolise even more powerfully, the transformation you are welcoming into your life.
Colours - red and orange.
Water - Where fire energy is masculine, water energy is feminine and relates to the emotions (e.g. we 'pour' our heart out) and communication. It therefore relates to the heart and throat chakras. Water encourages us to go with the flow and works to purify and detoxify us. It sustains Mother Earth as well as our own bodies - in fact we are mostly made of water! When it rains the water cleanses all things...washing away the build-up of dirt and making everything sparkle brightly again. After the rain comes the rainbow. We can harness the cleansing nature of water when we stand under the show or rain and we can literally feel our energy become cleaner and lighter again. We can also feel balanced by water when meditating upon a still pool or contemplating how a tiny movement upon the water's surface will send ripples out indefinitely.
Colour - blue.
When we consider each of these elements, we can see how closely linked we are to the earth as we also contain all qualities/elements, even if metaphorically. We link to Earth on a cellular level, we breathe air into our lungs and it is part of our body, as is water which we both need to survive. While we don't physically have fire within us, we do have the qualities of creativity and personal power - think of the saying: "to have a fire in the belly".
If you look at our body in relation to the four energies they progress as follows:
Earth (grounding) energy from our feet and up to the base of our spine...
Water (emotional) energy from the lower body and up through the mid-section and heart...
Air (communication and thought) energy from the shoulders, up through the throat and head...
Fire (spirit) energy from the forehead and upward.
Visualise the energy as it changes on its way up through your body and beyond, then back down again into the earth. Keep repeating this process for 5-10 minutes, ending with the grounding back into the earth. This should leave you feeling balanced and connected with nature's energies.
You can find a more in-depth version of this meditation HERE.