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The Four Elements metaphor in action
The concept of the four elements (earth; air; fire; water) is an ancient one. It is widely used as a metaphor to describe aspects of the human condition. This concept dates back at least as far as the 5th century BCE in Western culture, and likely pre-dates that in other cultures.
In the metaphorical sense, each element represents some aspect or truth about humanity.
Air tends to stand for thinking, the power of the mind. Atoms move quickly in the gaseous form, as do thoughts which travel quickly through our minds. Thoughts are both ephemeral and influential. Fleeting thoughts are carried away as if by a passing breeze. Repetitive thoughts create our habitual behaviours and experience of the world. In neuroscience, repeated thoughts create pathways through our neurology, and therefore become more concrete in nature.
Earth represents the physical, practical, concrete aspect of ourselves. It represents our connection with our physical body, which is made up of the same chemical elements as other life on earth, including trace minerals. If you think about it, we are all part metal (iron, zinc, copper…). It’s important to be earthy enough to navigate successfully through the material world of which we’re a part. However too much metaphorical earth can keep us stuck or resistant to change.
