The Four Elements
As mentioned earlier the four elements are Fire, Water, Air and Earth. They are a
metaphysical idea dating back to the principles of the elements that now form the zodiac, which were applied from the Greek physician Hippocrates in the fifth century BC to Ptolemy, the Greek astrologer, astronomer and
mathematician from the second century AD. It is an idea that is used in Western astrology, alchemy and magic today
therefore it is useful for a beginner of the Tarot to understand the basics of these elements.
Basically, the Fire element is generally passionate, enthusiastic and focused; the Water element is emotional, feeling and adaptable; the Air element needs mental stimulation, interaction and movement; the Earth element is practical, full of common sense and grounded. The elements also correspond to the four states; hot, dry, moist and cold, as well as the four temperaments; choleric (angry), melancholic (sad), sanguine (cheerful) and phlegmatic (calm).
Tarot and Astrology
It is entirely your choice whether or not to use the connections between the tarot and astrology, and should regard these links as further
meanings of tarot symbolism. The beginner to the Tarot should first learn about the symbolism and the archetypes of the cards, but by all means read on if you want to combine astrology to the tarot cards.
The four elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth are also some of the essential principles of Astrology therefore, a basic study of Astrology can be useful in understanding some of the cards and their influence. I find the connection with astrology useful when it comes to reading the court cards, as each court card can be represented by an astrological star sign. The exception to this are the Knights, but they do relate to the beginning of a cycle within their particular suit. The Major Arcana also has astrological attachments that are mentioned along with my interpretations of the Major Arcana cards.
The Court Cards and Astrology
The Court Cards of the Element of Fire
Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are the Wand’s Fire signs of the zodiac. When these court cards appear in a spread they often signify a person, and sometimes describe a person’s circumstances, situations or mental condition. In a spread the King, Queen, Knight or Page of Wand’s can signify that the questioner may actually be a fire sign, or behave in a spirited (fiery) way. However, these traits are very basic and should be used as a guide, but will give a picture as to the type of person you are dealing with. We humans are much more complicated, but these traits can be very helpful in a reading. These fiery people and their situations are described as idealistic, dramatic, spirited and quixotic. They signify the fearless strength and outgoing qualities of fire.
Positive Aries – King of Wands
In order to achieve success Arians take risks. They are energetic leaders, adventurous and have quick reactions that sometimes need subduing. Arians can be quick tempered, impatient, but are pioneering. They are
courageous and assertive and seldom sit around or wait for others. Arians will take the initiative because they like to be in the lead, at the front of everything. They are often bold and direct but are
eager and passionate, and their energy and enthusiasm can motivate or inspire others, particularly to take action or be more adventurous. Arians need to feel that they are reaching their goals. They are determined, well organised and are usually successful in business. Wands describe the opportunity for new growth, especially in business, or they are encouraging the questioner to adopt some of the same positive qualities of the fire sign.
Negative Aries
Arians should try to avoid being quick-tempered or impulsive, but their major faults are selfishness, insensitivity and single-mindedness. If things are not going right for Arian people they can become disillusioned and difficult, and may fly off the handle into a rage or become bored and detached. Sometimes they also need to resist being the bully. When the Wands represent the
negative face of Aries they usually appear in the work context.
Positive Leo – Queen of Wands
Leo indicates the attributes of creativity, loyalty and trust. These types are often generous, big-hearted, romantic and idealistic. Like the Sun they have warmth that emanates, surrounds and inspires those who come into contact with them. People working in the entertainment business, the theatre, the arts or other media may be represented by Leo. Leos have a real zest for life and love their freedom to indulge in the limelight. In relationships, Leo Wands represent warm, romantic types and are loyal and sensual lovers. They love to be loved, admired, pampered, flattered and above all respected. Although Leos have a fun-loving side they can be
assertive and like to be in leading roles rather than in a supporting role. Leos’ commanding manner makes them ideal to take on a leading position, but if they take command without being asked they can appear domineering. Their strength, courage and integrity can inspire others, and will leave a lasting impression with their sense of drama.
Negative Leo
Leos can be surprisingly sensitive and easily hurt. They don’t take criticism very well, so any criticism needs to be constructive otherwise you will not be in Leos good books. Leos tend to dominate in a relationship, it is a tendency that needs to be gently checked. They are very self-assured, possibly to the point of vanity, and also have a need for attention and sometimes develop an overpowering sense of drama. Leos can become moody if they are not the centre of attention. If they don’t fulfil their potential they will just seek out fun or become lazy and lethargic. These negative Wand traits usually appear within a close relationship.
Positive Sagittarius – Page of Wands
Sagittarians are affectionate and exceptionally optimistic. They like nothing better than an exciting challenge and are always thinking of ideas and plans for new projects.
Sagittarians are adventurous and love to travel and explore in order to widen their horizons geographically, socially and spiritually. When the Wands symbolise these qualities, challenge is essential where a career is concerned. Sagittarians don’t like to feel restricted in a job that does not challenge them, either intellectually or physically. In relationships they make lively partners and will make plans for social occasions as they usually have lots of friends. Even if you are in a committed relationship with a Sagittarian, they would like to feel that they still have a certain amount of personal freedom. They are honest but have a direct approach and a tendency to be outspoken and tactless. However, for some reason their open and reasoned approach seems to get them out of
difficulties.
Negative Sagittarius
Sagittarians have a tendency to do too many things at the same time
therefore their main problem is focusing on one thing at a time and finishing it. They cannot stand being restricted, so any relationship with a partner who is
possessive will be difficult, and probably would not last very long. Sagittarians are so enthusiastic that sometimes it can lead to taking risks, which needs to be curbed. They need personal goals and life without them will seem
meaningless. If they can’t be fulfilled they are likely to be overcome with depression. Sagittarians are often rather tactless and blunt, and cannot understand why others could be offended or hurt by their remarks. When the Wands signify these tendencies, they may be found in connection with work, life-patterns, and maybe personal relationships.
The Court Cards of the Element of Water
The suit of Cups corresponds to the element of Water and the astrological star signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Typical characteristics of these Water elements usually become apparent as clear traits in the people symbolized by the Cups. Their type of personality and pattern of behaviour will be in the information of the adjacent cards in the spread. If it is not, then the cards may symbolize situations and circumstances. You can expect the Cups to be emotional characters who may be sensitive and creative. Negative Cups represent characters that are overemotional, moody, temperamental, changeable and hypersensitive. They can also be calculating, dishonest and deceptive.
Positive Cancer – King of Cups
Cancerians are home-lovers and are sensitive, intuitive and loving. They have a remarkable intuition, and their
instinctive reactions and decisions can usually be relied upon. They are also emotional and brave and will never give up. Cancerians have good business sense and can be clever and crafty, their skill and intuition serves them well. They know how to accumulate money and hang on to it. The Cancerian tenacity is also apparent in their careers, they will choose to commit
themselves to a chosen career path and settle down in it. They usually have warm and loving relationships because they have so much to give and will do
it instinctively and intuitively. Cancerians are happy to create something that will automatically deliver what they need and require, and never make a demand in a relationship. They are sentimental and their love of the past will ensure that special occasions and anniversaries are
suitably celebrated. When the court cards relate to Cancerian traits, it may be someone or people who are attached to you by strong emotional bonds. If a spread concentrates on relationships or family matters, then the court cards may represent family members or a partner, even if they are not Water signs.
Negative Cancer
Their major fault is moodiness and they can be overprotective. The ruling planet of a Cancerian is the Moon. Their moods can fluctuate with the Moon’s phases, so you never know whether they are going to be happy or miserable. Cancerians are very sensitive to any kind of criticism. They also have an incredible memory therefore we have to be very wary of offending them because they will remember it for years to come. They take love very
seriously, and if a Cancerian person becomes attached to you they can be too possessive and suffocating. So, if there is someone who seems like that to you, one of the Cups will probably represent that person.
Positive Scorpio – Queen of Cups
Scorpios have overwhelming energy and are prepared to work hard for their security and material comfort. It is essential for them to use their energy in a positive way. It would seem that money rules their life, but it only looks that way because they are ambitious and often become
enthusiastically involved with their work. Scorpios can be extremely jealous. They need someone who can be compassionate enough to deal with their physical and emotional demands with warmth and sympathy, and when they have found such a partner all of their energy will be channelled into the relationship. In the zodiac, Scorpios are one of the most sensual signs and will make a wonderful lover and companion. They are sometimes
accused of being interestingly addicted to sex. They also possess a lively psychic understanding, like a kind of sixth sense. When the court cards represent Scorpio types they are overflowing with energy, mysterious, emotionally impassioned and powerfully magnetic. Scorpio people perhaps have the strongest personalities of all the zodiacal types. They can
manipulate people to their will and it is not just with their way with words, it goes deeper than that, it is like some kind of bizarre mind power. The
willpower they can exercise over other people is huge. Those people you are attracted to or have a powerful effect on you may appear in a spread as Cups. The surrounding cards and the strength of the reading should make this
evident.
Negative Scorpio
Jealousy is the worst fault of a Scorpio, and if they have the minutest of suspicions that you have been flirting with someone, even if it is innocent, their anger will erupt like a volcano and will probably break up the relationship. They are also very secretive which can become obsessive, and they hate others sticking their noses into their personal affairs. Scorpios are prone to overindulging in all the wrong things and this needs to be curbed. If they learned to control their tempers, especially when they think they have been unfairly treated, they would do both themselves and others a great favour. If any of these are indicated elsewhere in the cards, members of the suit of Cups tend to signify the people involved.
Positive Pisces – Page of Cups
Pisceans have a sensitive and caring nature. They often give more time trying to solve other people’s problems than they do for their own. Pisceans make good friends, and they are kind and good at understanding the needs of others because they have a huge amount of intuition. They are imaginative and capable of dreaming up magnificent and ambitious schemes, but when it comes to put them into action, they lose
their confidence and make excuses. The Piscean can fit into any environment but then tend to fade into the background, and from there others just take them for granted, but behind the scenes their work is relentless and valuable. They can also make a terrific, sensitive and caring partner and lover, but can be too emotional and romantic. Pisceans have potential spiritual or mystical aspirations and a healthy creative imagination that could be put to good use, but usually lies dormant because of a lack of confidence to push ahead. They have a taste for the arts and all that is romantic and lyrical such as poetry and music.
Negative Pisces
The qualities a Piscean has can be wasted if they are too quixotic and indecisive. They tend to lie to themselves and others, rather than face harsh reality. Their temperament can lead to real and imagined problems with health, and their mental health is easily upset by tension, and stress can cause them to overindulge in food, drink and maybe drugs. Pisceans can occasionally try to reinvent themselves by taking on a different persona and shaping themselves to it, rather than look for their own personality. They can also be critical of their partner for no particular reason, and can also become hypochondriacs.
Court Cards of the Air Element
Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are associated with the Air element and the suit of Swords. They represent thinkers and intellectuals. The Air element tries to bring balance to the suit of Swords. Swords and the Air element symbolize people who are open, talkative and fair. Information and organising ideas into an understandable collective captivates them. People with the Air element in their zodiacal sign may emotionally appear to lack warmth and affection, and seem to be
unsympathetic and distant, but in actual fact they have very deep feelings but have difficulty expressing them. They often represent professional and
When Swords are negative they symbolize people who can be liars, verbally aggressive, hostile and resentful. They seldom look to physical violence and would usually hurt with sharp words.
Positive Gemini – Page of Swords
Geminians are lively, intellectual, quick-witted and talkative. They are logical, quick thinkers and need variety in life. They are also very independent, and jealousy and
possessiveness does not play any part in their life. Friends are very important to Geminians, and they will find it
unbearable to be stuck in a relationship where they are not able to have the freedom to spend time with their close friends. They are capable of taking in information very quickly, but take the risk of knowing too little about too much. In relationships, Geminians find it very difficult to commit to a steady partner, and the relationship will not last very long if the
partnership is tedious because they can become easily bored and need shared interests, but not necessarily shared views as Geminians love to have a debate. They can be sophisticated and have a superior artistic palate. They are tactful and also good judges of character and ability.
Negative Gemini
Geminians may show themselves to be confidence tricksters and liars, they love to flirt and can concoct scheming ideas to make their plans run smoothly. Their change of mood can be tiresome because it is like living with two
different people, one day they will be warm and loving towards you and the next day will be angry and grouchy, and criticise everything you do.
Punctuality is not one of their strong points either. When gathering information Geminians can tend to lose interest through boredom, and their knowledge of the subject will turn out to be nothing more than superficial.
Positive Libra – King of Swords
Libra is the zodiacal sign of balance and harmony. They are fair and compassionate and love everyone to be happy like themselves. Librans make good mediators because they can see both sides of a situation and love a good
discussion but cannot stand disagreements. They have a strong sense of justice, fair play and morals that comes from their need for balance and rapport in their relationships. Their sociability and magnetism make them likeable people. Librans need to be liked and are friendly, affectionate and highly value their relationships. They can also be creative and artistic and it is usually reflected in their homes and their clothes. They have charm and an attraction they definitely know how to use to their advantage. Librans are always in demand socially because they make good company to be with.
Negative Libra
Librans can be indecisive, that is because they are always looking for
balance, and then start thinking about the reasons for and against a situation, and never actually make a decision. In relationships, Librans tend to jump into a love affair thinking that this just might be the one true love and perfect partnership, therefore, obviously they sometimes get it wrong and end up heartbroken, until the next time. If Librans cannot find the balance they are always looking for, they can turn from being charming and polite to annoying and obstinate. They can be easily influenced and too easy-going, to the extent where they will neglect themselves and become lazy.
Positive Aquarius – Queen of Swords
Aquarians are kind and are the Good Samaritans of the zodiac. They are amiable and warm and always there for their friends. Aquarians are emotional, liberal and
understanding. They are individualistic and make their choices freely, their ideas are usually original and can be