December 19, 2008

The Element of Fire


The astrological cycle begins with the element of fire. The Titan Prometheus stole the element of fire and introduced it to the human race in ancient Greek mythology. Zeus sentenced him to an eternity on a mountainside having his liver eaten out by an eagle every single day, only to have it regrow and continue the next day all over again as punishment for this so-called betrayal.

What could fire have represented to the Greek pantheon that was so important as to keep it from mankind? Fire was the basis for invention. Just as fire represents the element of initiative and creativity in astrology, fire allowed humankind to stay warm, cook, and eventually to melt metals to allow for the construction of sophisticated tools, building materials, and even machines.

Think of a cold winter's night. Outside the wind is blowing, snow is starting to fall, and the wind whips through the trees and under the thresholds of doorways. In the middle of a living room is a fireplace, with a golden fire burning brightly on the winter's night. People gather around it - they rub their hands slightly as they put their palms face out toward the flickering flames. A little old lady brings a kettle to the fireplace, and places it on a rack above the flames, allowing water to heat for the preparation of hot chocolate. Sounds like a nice picture. Fire plays a pivotal role in that story - it provides heat for warmth and comfort, and allows those around the fire to keep comfortable despite the harsh elements outside. Keep this picture in mind while we discuss the element of fire.

Each element of the zodiac is assigned three signs. The fire triad is Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. The planets corresponding to these fire signs are the Sun, Mars, and Jupiter. Just as the fire provides warmth and comfort to those shivering souls on a cold winter's night, the fire signs provide inspiritation, warmth, and courage to the human race.

Fire is the element of creativity, inspiration, and warmth. It does not dwell in the deepest realms of moody emotion like water, nor focus on the realities of paying the bills and succeeding at one's job like earth, nor examine minute details of intellectual knowledge like air. Fire lives in the future. For those that belong to this element, the future is the greatest possibility and excitement in existence. They have the most positive, courageous outlook of all the elements in the zodiac. The world is a bright, open place full of possibilities for those that are heavily fire-emphasized.

Creativity and inspirition are key traits of the fire signs. They strive to bring color and life to the world around them. There is no room for negativity and fear. Their only fear would be to have their enthusiasm for life and the future suffocated wtih details of the "how" and "why." Just as a warm fire brings cold souls toward its flickering flames on a chilly winter's night, fire signs' enthusiasm and joie de vivre attract people's admiration and attention. It is hard to stay truly negative and depressed in the presence of a strong fire sign, for they love to uplift and encourage through their positive expression and excitement for future possibilities.

At the risk of overly extoling all of the virtues of the fire signs and incurring the disdain of the realistic earth signs or the sarcastic remarks of the analytical air signs, every element does have its downfall. Yes, fire may be positive and enthusiastic, creative and enterprising. But who will think of the details when fire decides that it's going to produce a full-out Broadway production? Who will pay the bills when fire decides that it's going to quit its job and start its own business on the spur of the moment? To more practical or realistic souls, fire is the eternal child, always living in a dream or a fantasy where there is a hero and a villian. Fire is the eternal champion that lives to vanquish the dragon, but leaves the poor Earth sign maiden at home to clean up after him. It's true that those souls that are predominately fire in composition often neglect the harsher realities of life, and often forget that there is a big, broad world happening all around them.

Fire is the element that is associated with ego, and those that are predominately fire in composition can have a jaundiced view of their own inflated egos. Their enthusiasm and joie de vivre with their own causes and dreams often leave them frustrated when they are told "no" or when someone else gets there ahead of them in line. And god forbid you witness a member of this element get told that someone else was there first, or someone else has already completed that project "better" than him/her. Fire is capable of an infantile temper tantrum. Thankfully, due to their warm, generous nature, they are quick to forgive and forget.

In the end, fire is the element that warms us all. Just as the sunrise casts shades of crimson and gold upon the world below, fire signs live to ignite the world with their dreams and enthusiasm for life itself. Although they can aggravate others with their attention to their own egos at times, most find it hard to truly stay mad at someone as warm, generous, and enthusiastic as those of this element.

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