We’ve all heard the phrases, ‘I’m not feeling grounded’, ‘I feel burnt out’, ‘I’m going with the flow’, ‘I’ve got my head in the clouds’… By simply listening to the words and phrases we use in our everyday language, we can start to get an idea of just how inter-connected we are with the elements.

Understanding each of the elements can help us understand our strengths and weaknesses, provide practical tools for self-development, and even help support us through life’s challenges.

Fire represents the spirit

Fire brings us warmth and reassurance. It nurtures and even protects us, however when left unchecked it can become destructive and consume everything in its path. People strong in the fire element are ambitious, motivated and creative. They have drive, determination and commitment, but can easily be ‘burnt out’.

An excess in fire can cause anger, frustration, jealousy, competitiveness and in extreme cases, violence. Think about fire in nature. It is loud and expressive, but when contained for too long, it can become explosive (so too can a person with too much fire in their make-up).

On the opposite end, someone who is deficient in fire can be apathetic, unmotivated or unable to turn ideas into action.

Earth represents the physical

Earth brings us stability and the ability to provide for our physical needs. People strong in the earth element are practical, reliable and able to carry their ideas through to completion. They are often described as ‘down to earth’, and very present.

An excess in earth can make a person overly materialistic, greedy and stubborn. Once their mind is set on something, there is no moving. A deficiency in earth, on the other hand, can cause a person to feel ‘un-grounded’, uncertain and lack stability.

Air represents the mind

Air brings us our breath and the ability to speak. People strong in the air element have the gift of communication. They are often intelligent, logical, quick thinking and inventive.

An excess of air can make us argumentative and over analytical. Sometimes we can say too much, not knowing when we have over-stepped the boundaries. Too little air, on the other hand has the opposite effect – causing us to become vague, spacey, detached and impractical.

Water represents the emotions

Water hydrates, cleanses and cleans the body. In nature it is perhaps the most adaptable element – so soft it can move through our hands, yet powerful enough to move the earth. People strong in the water element tend to sensitive, sympathetic, compassionate and good listeners.

While an excess in water can lead to emotional drama, addictions and obsessive behaviours, a deficiency (not enough water) can cause us to feel stuck, sluggish, unmotivated and unproductive. In nature water changes direction easily and from this we can learn to be flexible rather than fixed in our ideas and plans.

I invite you to reflect on how the elements are showing up in your life?