Today marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and the beginning of the astronomical Season of Winter. When viewed within the traditions of Alchemy and the Renaissance Naturalists, the Season of Winter is associated with the element of water. The flowing, formless nature of water speaks to our feelings and emotions…

The four elements are tied to the four suits containing the 56 cards that make up the Minor Arcana in the tarot. These elements are qualitative in nature and form the basis for understanding Natural Cycles, such as the cycle of the Seasons.

The sign of Sagittarius is tied to the card known as Temperance XIV in the tarot. This sign is associated with the unification of and communication between Heaven and Earth, as indicated by the mythology of the centaur that corresponds to this sign.

The sign of Scorpio is tied to the card known as Death, Key #XIII, in the tarot. This card is associated with the Season of Fall, harvest time, and the need to cut back and prune to make way for new growth in the Spring.

The element of air is associated with the Ace of Swords in the tarot, symbolizing the cutting power of the intellect. As powerful as the intellect is, however, it is limited to the tangible, measurable aspects of experience associated with the element of earth.

The element of fire is associated with The Ace of Wands in the tarot, aligning with the heat of Season of Summer. The element of fire is tied to passion, courage, and the intuitive intelligence of the heart, which naturally synthesizes experience through receptivity.

The element of earth is tied to The Ace of Coins in the tarot. As its name implies, the element of earth is associated with the world of physical forms, things that are cuttable and measurable by definition.

The element of Aether is tied to the card known as The Fool in the tarot. This element is the non-physical source of all particular things, defined as Absolutely Everything and synonymous with ancient concepts of The One and The All.