The Way of Four
The Way itself is the way of balance. When we practice belief in our life successfully we walk in balance. We have the power with in ourselves. But to access that power and to find our balance we must know ourselves and be brave enough to face the changes we might need to make.
Most know of the four elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Yet these are more of an abstraction then actual scientific elements from the periodic table. These ideas came people in the Bronze age of Europe, connecting to those things around them. They saw the world in three parts consisting of Land, Sea, and Sky. There were three kinds of creatures - land animals, sea creatures, and birds. Social classes were also divided into three. Farmers and other workers who lived off the land were associated with Land. Warriors were associated with the Sea, because they often traveled by the sea and because of the blood they shed. Intellectuals, such as druids and priests, bards and poets, astronomers and magicians, were associated with the Sky, whence ideas and inspiration come. Yet not to forget supernatural beings fit into these categories as well. The Land was filled with nature spirits such as nymphs. The Sea was home of the ancestors because it long been associated with death. The Sky was were the Gods and Goddess resided.
Soon the Greeks added a forth category. But it was not a World. That forth category consisted of things that were singular and apart. It was the category of Fire. Fire existed yet was not part of the Three Worlds. The other Worlds were interconnected. A bird could land on a tree, dive into the sea to catch fish. But no creature known could live in fire. Thus Fire became related to the King or Queen, a singular being whose nature set him or her apart from all other people or things. The Three Worlds became plus one. The one was apart from the three and also permeated the three.
Just as nature is balanced every person should be balanced in the elements. There are many examples of elements and how to interact with them. There are exercises one can do to connect with said elements. But for this class we are going to take a little test to identify within ourselves which elements are strong and weak within us.
Most people will notice a strength in one or two elements and a distinct weakness in one or two. But remember since you are not just your dominant element, and nothing will describe you perfectly. However this ought to give you some insight and understanding of yourself.
So now what? We go back to balance. Most people would think if one is hot tempered you have to much Fire. But what you have is an unbalance of the other elements. The solution for you would be to increase the elements you are weak in, rather than trying to decrease your strengths. All four elements are a natural part of your makeup. Trying to make one of them go away will not work and is not wise. It is like trying to cut a part of yourself out. Your connection to each of the four elements is a valuable thing in and of itself. The connection is not something that is just there to fix your personal flaws. It is part of knowing yourself and becoming closer to Nature and the Gods.
From the Book
Way of Four
By
Deborah Lipp
Your Personal Element Quiz
Choose the answer that seems to fit you the best even if there is more then one or none that seem true.
1. If I could choose only one of the following I would take....
A. Power
B. Love
C. Wealth
D. Genius
2. When I am confused, my preferred decision - making method is to...
A. Make a list of the pros and cons and do what scores the best
B. Do whatever has worked in the past
C. Go with my first instinct, whatever it is.
D. Examine how I feel about the situation and do what feels right.
3. If that does not work I might...
A. Do some research on the issue.
B .Meditate of do a Tarot reading.
C. Ask the advise of someone who has been in a similar situation.
D. What do you mean? Of course it will work!
4. After a hard day at work, I usually prefer to...
A. Read a good book
B. Cuddle up under a fuzzy blanket.
C. Talk to a friend about everything that happened.
D. Take a soothing, soaking bath.
E. Go out and have some fun.
F. Make love.
G. Have a nice glass of wine.
H. Eat some comfort food.
5. The people I respect the most are...
A. Intelligent
B. Charismatic
C. Compassionate.
D. Sensible.
6. The people who baffle me are the ones who...
A. Prefer to be alone almost all the time.
B. Do not care to educate themselves.
C. Have no mementos, souvenirs, or other precious keepsakes.
D. Do not play games to win
7. I could never be...
A. A vagabond (wandering about with no home and few possessions.)
B. A hermit.
C. A monk under a vow of silence.
D. Celibate.
8. I admit I have a hard time with...
A. Humility
B. Discretion
C. Possessiveness
D. Moodiness
9. When I am upset I...
A. Cry
B. Yell
C. Distract myself - think of something else, watch TV or read a book.
D. Eat or sleep.
Section Two : Choose all that apply.
Check as many answers as are true for you.
10. People like me because...
A. I am nurturing
B. I am witty
C. I am a good listener.
D. I am the life of the party.
E. I am smart
F. My door is always open.
G. I am caring.
H. I am brave.
11. But behind my back , I bet they say...
A. I am an air head.
B. I am a stick in the mud.
C. I am a hot head.
D. I am a cry baby.
E. I am bull headed.
F. I have my head in the clouds.
G. I am bossy.
H. I am moody
Section Three: True or False
_____ 12. If it does not make sense, but feels right I will do it.
_____ 13. I would never go somewhere if I do not know how I am getting home.
_____ 14. Taking action with out some kind of plan is crazy.
_____ 15. Privacy is very important to me.
_____ 16. You can never have too many facts at your disposal.
_____ 17. If you know you are right you do not need others to agree with you.
_____ 18. I believe in embracing opportunities: you should not wait to see what the consequences will be.
_____ 19. It is important to me to be a part of family, even if I have to put up with difficult people.
_____ 20. Choosing to love and be loved is always worth while, even though some times you or someone else gets hurt.
_____ 21. I have to speak my mind. Honesty is more important than hurting someone’s feelings.
Answers
Add up for each element.
1. a=fire
b=water
c=earth
d=air
2. a=air
b=earth
c=fire
d=water
3. a=air
b=water
c=earth
d=fire
4. a=air
b=earth
c=air
d=water
e=fire
f=fire
g=water
h=earth
5. a=air
b=fire
c=water
d=earth
6. a=water
b=air
c=earth
d=fire
7. a=earth
b=water
c=air
d=fire
8. a=fire
b=air
c=earth
d=water
9. a=water
b=fire
c=air
d=earth
10. a=earth
b=air
c=water
d=fire
e=air
f=earth
g=water
h=fire
11. a=air
b=earth
c=fire
d=water
e=earth
f=air
g=fire
h=water
Score for True answers only.
12. One for water and fire
13. earth
14. one for earth and air
15. water
16. air
17. fire
18. fire
19. earth
20. water
21. air