Five elements and The Vastu

The people of the ancient world considered the universe to be constructed from the four elements of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, or solid, liquid, gas, as we now refer to the basic states of matter, along with pure energy. 

These elements also had psycho-physiological correlates that were evident as personal temperaments. Thus, a person might be described as melancholic, phlegmatic, sanguine, or choleric. In the Magical Personality system, an individual is considered to demonstrate aspects of all four elements. We all have some degree of sensuality, emotion, intellect, and drive, but for everyone the mix is different, resulting in numerous personality types.

Earth:

We are embodied and thus part of the physical world. Inevitably, then, we have a relationship with the physical world and demonstrate “Earthy” traits of sensuousness, caution, practicality, pragmatism, precision, and discipline, as well as stubbornness, dogmatism, inflexibility, intolerance, compulsivity, and depression. Earth types often believe that they are their physical bodies; consequently, they have an underlying fear of physical death.

Water:

We are composed almost entirely of water and can live only a few days without it. The surface of the planet is two-thirds water. Life began in the primeval ocean and we develop in the watery womb. Inevitably we have a relationship with water and demonstrate “Watery” traits of emotionalism, empathy, kindness, sympathy, love, gentleness, sociability, nurturing, and intuition, as well as moodiness, capriciousness, possessiveness, neediness, sentimentality, and irrationality. Water types often believe that they are their feelings; hence, they exhibit a nebulous sense of self and fear solitude.

Air:

Air is a composition of gases like oxygen, nitrogen, carbon-dioxide, helium, neon, crypton and vapor. Oxygen is life saving gas indispensable to living organism. Without air, we would die within minutes. Our relationship with this element is therefore intense and beset by uncertainty. We all exhibit “Airy” traits of rationalism, logic, intellect, analysis, judgement, curiosity, openness, ethics, fairness, and humanitarianism, as well as superiority, coldness, distance, abstraction, emotional illiteracy, naiveté, and prejudice. Air types often believe that they are their minds, and they cling to theories that make sense of both themselves and the world.

Sky:

Sky is the endless space surrounding the universe. The universal concept of sky is beyond the imagination and reach of human beings as it is never ending and eternal.

Fire:

Fire refers to the life force, the spiritual energy that animates us, and the motivation without which we would be inactive and die. We all exhibit “Firey” traits of urgency, drive, passion, enthusiasm, ambition, intensity, creativity, optimism, and progressiveness, as well as egocentricity, selfishness, recklessness, impulsiveness, ruthlessness, aggression, and insensitivity. Fire types often believe that they are their achievements, and so they strive desperately to succeed and constantly monitor their progress as evidence of their worth.