The perception of the four elements defines the way a person sees the natural world and one's place within it. These fundamentals are building blocks of all matter and affect many aspects of culture. The One is the pure source, Chaos or wellspring from which they arise.
The Four Elements originate c. 600 BCE and Western zodiac c. 2 AD in Greece, the latter following a tradition from Babylon. The Four Elements seen as physical components but also associated with qualities and characteristics extending beyond the material realm.
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Earth - Virgo, Taurus, Capricorn - stability, fertility
Air - Aquarius, Libra, Gemini - imagination, intellect
Fire - Leo, Sagittarius, Aries - passion, vigor
Water - Scorpio, Pisces, Cancer - intuition, harmony
The concept of classical elements, as proposed by early Greek philosophers, considers them the fundamental creative forces of the universe. These elements are viewed as initially independent, each representing a unique aspect of nature.
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The "arche," or First Principle, is central to this philosophy. It suggests a primordial element from which all other substances and phenomena originate. A singular, foundational element basis aligns with the Neoplatonist concept.
Referring to "the One", philosophers differ. Thales (c. 626-545 BCE) thinks the principle is water. Anaximander (c. 610-546 BCE) says the "One" is no known substance, but can be transformed to it. Anaximenes (c. 586-526 BCE) favors air; Heraclitus (c. 500 BCE), fire.
Qualities of each element affect the interpretation of symbols and signs, but also formation of the subjective viewpoint of the individual. At this point it departs from the astral component and reconstructed by the passive mind to create aspects of self-image.
Neoplatonism expresses belief of "The One," the ultimate source or essence from which the cosmos emanates. The interconnectedness of these elements highlights a holistic view of the universe, where everything is intricately linked and derived from a common origin.
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Many Neoplatonists believe the ultimate principle of the universe, the One, is "God". They also maintain the One doesn't directly create the entire universe of material things. Some Neoplatonist texts refer to gods alongside "God", the latter synonymous with the One.
Other Neoplatonists are pagans. During the Golden Age of the Alexandrian philosophers, physicians and alchemists, many attempt to assimilate Christianity to the previous pagan views, while some reject the concept outright.
The exploration of classical elements and the concept of "the One" thus provides a profound insight into ancient understanding of the cosmos and the interconnectedness of all things. It taps into the paradigm of psychologist Carl Jung's collective unconscious.
The philosophical framework not only seeks to explain the physical world. It also delves into metaphysical and ontological inquiries, to explore the nature of existence and underlying principles governing reality.
As the Early Modern period unfolds c. 1500 - 1700 AD, the influence of the Four Elements paradigm begins to wane. The rise of empirical science and the gradual shift towards a more rational understanding of the natural world leads in new directions.
The variety of elemental theories found in different cultures attests to humanity's ongoing quest to understand the core of existence and the natural world. Delving into classical elements and their symbolic significance reveals the interconnected nature of all things.
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