We draw upon the four seasons and the four elements when we look into the four suits of the Minor Arcana. The number four is very important to us in our numerology work, in our deepening and understanding Tarot. The number four symbolizes structure and solid foundations.
The four Suits of the Minor Arcana are:
· Cups. Wands (Rods). Pentacles (Coins). Swords.
The Tarot presents it secrets within the Minor Arcana in the foundations of the following four elements:
· Water. Fire. Earth. Air.
The four Seasons are also present:
· Spring. Summer. Autumn. Winter.
If we can first understand these vital mysteries then we can deepen our knowledge and skills from the beginning.
Element – Water – Season – Spring.
An Emphasis on feelings, emotions, relationships, love, birth, fertility, fulfilment, celebrations, romance, desire, courtship, union, friendship, companions, and partnerships.
Elemental Water - Cancer – Scorpio – Pisces.
Water is concerned with Feelings and fluctuations. Water is the most subtle and sensitive of the elements. These are the artists and the poets of the zodiac, with a need to express themselves. Water expresses themselves most strongly through an exchange of emotions. They can be dependant and vulnerable, empathetic and intuitive.
Spring – Think Life beginning, Easter.
Element – Fire – Season – Summer.
An emphasis on energy, creativity, enthusiasm, motivation, work, knowledge, enterprise, and distant travel.
Fire Signs – Aries – Leo – Sagittarius.
Fire is the element of creation, passion, and energy. This is the most active and consuming energy of the zodiac. Often hot headed and competitive, it is hardly surprising to find fire signs directing there energy into a motivated energy, sports and fitness maybe. Often leaders, get up and go qualities, but quite often that fiery nature can be a perceived as a little aggressive… Optimistic, intuitive, spontaneous.
Summer – Think Sunshine! Energy and motivation.
The Suit of Pentacles (Coins)
Element – Earth – Season – Autumn
An Emphasis on hearth and home and finance, money, resources, property, wealth, status, possessions, trade, career, business and growth.
Earth Signs – Taurus – Virgo – Capricorn.
Earth is the most practical element of all the signs. Also the most security conscious. An instinct for survival and order. Charity begins at home, is the motto here. Home and hearth is important to earth signs, faithful, fertile, productive, and sensual. Earth is a working sign. Earth signs have stability and also stamina to see projects to the very end. A realistic attitude towards life… Self sufficient, patient and tolerant.
Autumn - think Harvest! To gather all resources.
Element – Air - Season – Winter.
An emphasis on ideas, thought and analysis, the mind and communication, travel, enterprise and plans. Also connected with conflict, usually conflicting interests and conflicts of the mind. Mental health issues. Often specialists and analysts.
Air – Gemini – Libra – Aquarius.
The element air is associated with communication, the mind and thoughts. Air people can be described as talkative, driven by a desire to share thoughts and communicate. Air thrives on discussion, and places mental rapport above passion. Ideas people, inventors. Always seeing new possibilities and new ventures… although not always the most practical of elements… Objective, sociable and fair-minded.
Winter – Think ice and cold like steel of the sword… sometimes the swords do not cut deep, but are cold in their strike!
