The Wisdom of the Elements: A Path to Knowing Ourselves More Deeply
Create & Rise Newsletter Issue 03
In ancient traditions around the world—from Ayurveda to astrology, Chinese medicine to Western alchemy—the four elements have been used as sacred symbols of life, energy, and transformation. These elements—Earth, Water, Fire, and Air—aren’t just poetic metaphors. They’re mirrors for the internal landscapes we each carry. When we begin to understand the elements within us, we start to understand our patterns, our pain, our power—and most importantly, our potential.
At the heart of the Create & Rise Journey is the belief that each of us is made of all four elements, but we often lean more heavily into one or two while under-developing or suppressing others. This imbalance can leave us feeling stuck, reactive, overwhelmed, or disconnected. But when we learn to work with the elements consciously—inviting the ones we need and honoring the ones that come naturally—we move toward healing, wholeness, and self-understanding.
Let’s explore what each element teaches us—and how to begin applying them to your personal growth and healing as we prepare to begin our collective Journey on May 1st.
Earth: The Foundation of Safety and Stability
Traits: Grounded, practical, nurturing, structured, dependable
Shadow: Over-controlling, rigid, emotionally shut down, stuck in survival mode
The Earth element is what roots us. It gives us our sense of safety, routine, and structure. Earth is the part of us that needs a plan, a place to call home, and space to rest. When we’re connected to our inner Earth, we feel calm, centered, and resourced. We know how to show up for ourselves and others with consistency and care.
But too much Earth—or Earth without flow—can turn into stagnation. We can get stuck in patterns that feel safe but aren’t growthful. We might avoid risk, hold onto control, or shut down emotionally.
Try this:
Build nourishing rituals into your day (morning tea, journaling, nature walks)
Create a dedicated space in your home that feels grounding and peaceful
Work with clay or natural materials in your creative practice
Water: The Depth of Emotion and Intuition
Traits: Empathic, intuitive, gentle, emotionally rich, nurturing
Shadow: Overwhelmed, passive, enmeshed, emotionally reactive
Water teaches us how to feel. It’s the element of the heart—our emotions, dreams, sensitivity, and intuition. When we are in right relationship with Water, we honor our grief, our longing, and our need to flow through life rather than force it. We allow our creativity and compassion to ripple outward from a deep inner well.
When out of balance, Water can feel like drowning. We may take on the emotions of others, become consumed by anxiety, or freeze in indecision. We might also use emotional manipulation or victimhood as coping mechanisms.
Try this:
Journal daily about how you feel, not just what you did
Try intuitive painting or watercolor as a form of release
Take long baths, visit bodies of water, or practice gentle movement like Yin Yoga
Fire: The Spark of Passion and Purpose
Traits: Courageous, passionate, energetic, driven, expressive
Shadow: Aggressive, impulsive, burned out, attention-seeking
Fire is the element of transformation, energy, and action. It’s what motivates us to go after our goals, speak our truth, and stand in our power. When Fire is alive in us, we feel inspired, confident, and ready to face challenges head-on. We move from the heart with purpose and presence.
Yet Fire without balance can become destructive. It can lash out, demand attention, or push too hard, too fast. We may feel scattered, burned out, or caught in the endless loop of doing without meaning.
Try this:
Dance or move your body to release stuck Fire energy
Set one bold goal and take a small but intentional step toward it
Use colors like red, orange, and gold in your art or journaling
Air: The Breath of Clarity and Perspective
Traits: Analytical, curious, communicative, detached, imaginative
Shadow: Overthinking, avoidance, aloofness, dissociation
Air gives us the gift of thought, imagination, and insight. It helps us see the bigger picture and detach from drama or emotional overwhelm. Air is the breath between moments—the quiet pause before a decision. It allows us to name things clearly and communicate with intention.
Too much Air, however, can disconnect us from our bodies and emotions. We may overanalyze everything, live in our heads, or struggle to make decisions. Air’s shadow is when insight turns into avoidance.
Try this:
Practice breathwork or mindful breathing
Free-write your thoughts without editing
Use collage or words in your art to explore your inner dialogue
Next Steps
As you begin to explore your inner elements, notice:
Which one(s) feel like your natural home?
Which one(s) feel unfamiliar, challenging, or even threatening?
Which element might be calling you right now?
True healing isn’t about becoming perfectly balanced. It’s about becoming conscious.
When we work with the elements as allies—not as fixed labels—we begin to understand that every mood, every pattern, every creative block or emotional breakthrough is part of a deeper language. The language of our elemental self.
Through the Create & Rise Journey, we honor each of these elements throughout the year—giving you tools, practices, and creative rituals to awaken their gifts in a way that’s personal, meaningful, and embodied.
Because when we learn to live in harmony with the elements inside us, we become more rooted, more resilient, and more fully alive.
Come back next week for the a quick and easy self discovery quiz to find out which elements are more prominent in your life and which elements are out of balance.
Blessings! - Jen
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