In developing a relationship with your elemental archetype, it’s worthwhile to remember that, while most of us display one or two dominant elements that form the foundation of our character and personality, every single one of us contains all five elements to varying degrees at different points in our lives. Each of these elemental profiles is deliberately written with surgical specificity, yet they are also all universal human experiences that are reflected in the way that we fall in love, find success, endure loss, or face the dark parts of ourselves. It is only because each of these expressions of the self exist within me that I am able to isolate them and explore the inner workings, driving forces, fears, gifts, shadow aspects, and personal struggles of each in such intimate detail.

Even in writing them I found myself met my own expressions of each. The language of Earth came to reflect the cycles and rhythms of the seasons, and Water was at one point twice as long as the others and written in flowery, poetic verse. Metal was repeatedly edited down to near nothing as I cut out every unnecessary or redundant adjective and adverb in search of concise, specific language. Fire was nearly written in its entirety when I deleted it and started again from the beginning.

It is entirely possible, likely even, for us to carry contradictory elements within our own personality, and for the dynamics of these expressions to exist in a state of conflict or dis-ease within us. By developing an understanding of the universal themes this thought system reveals and using them to cultivate connection and solidarity amongst our own personal aspects, we also foster our capacity to show up in the world as our truest and most balanced selves.

Likewise, the dynamics of our interpersonal connections are also impacted by the relationships between the five elemental archetypes. For example, while Earth has the potential to smother Fire with their desire for predictability, Fire actually has a restorative impact on on Earth and can provide them the substance needed for their work of supporting and nourishing the other elements. If Earth people can be aware of this tendency and learn and loosen their grasp a bit to allow Fire people more freedom in the relationship, a balance can be reached in which both people are able to exist simultaneously in their full expression without either one losing any of their foundational characteristics.

Like everything in nature, the specific characteristics, behaviors, and outcomes of individual people exist on a continuum upon which we are never stationary, and both ends of which I have described for each archetype in what may feel to some to be painful detail.

Though it’s never comfortable to be faced with the darker aspects of ourselves, an awareness of our negative behavior patterns is a useful reference point and, if we are ready for it, a powerful catalyst for growth. Reflecting on the full spectrum of our elemental expression can offer us a unique form of self understanding and guide us to make decisions that are more in line with the most authentic, potent, and positive version of ourselves. If we are able to stay aware of our needs and the behaviors we display when they go unmet, our points of pain can begin provide the direction needed to heal on a much deeper level than is available to us if we avoid the discomfort of looking at ourselves objectively.

As an Earth person, I am naturally inclined to hold these two opposing expressions simultaneously and to use the broadened frame of reference to gain insight on the past and perspective on the present, then to adapt this information towards a strategy for the future.

You will notice that I have leaned heavily into metaphor in my descriptions of each element, highlighting the intuitive wisdom of this thought system. Looking at the world through this lens, you will start to notice patterns in the way not just humans, but all of life on this planet relate to one another. If we allow ourselves to be moved into a new perspective in relation to our position and impact in the larger picture, this information has the ability to break down the awareness barrier that isolates us from the rest of the natural world.