The Element of Water
The Ace of Cups
The element of water is associated with The Ace of Cups in the tarot, and corresponds with Winter in the Cycle of the Seasons. Whereas the intellect and logical analysis is tied to the element of air, the element of water speaks to the formless, flowing nature of feelings and emotions that naturally arise during this season.
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, and, indeed, the Season of Winter is viewed as a time of internal introspection, often appearing as a period of quiet and calm before the sudden explosion of growth that marks the Season of Spring.
As so many of us know, however, looks can be deceiving. This time of year is often packed full of obligations and expectations, both internally and externally, which can give rise to a whole host of emotions. As we shall see tomorrow, with my post on Capricorn and The Devil XV, this churning of emotional waters can make it difficult for us to see things clearly, often giving rise to the impulse to “do more”. With the element of water in mind, however, I would encourage all of you reading this to do what I am attempting to do, which is to actually do less and take more time to check in with your self and just breathe.
I have found the element of water to be an apt metaphor that helps me work not only through, but with, emotions. Sometimes these emotions bubble up, almost as if out of nowhere, tied to situations that may have transpired weeks, months, or possibly even years beforehand. As I have discovered, and been reminded this year, one can have intellectual knowledge of something, such as the death or transition of relationships, but only come to feel the sadness or grief associated with this loss or transition many months later. With that said, how can one work with such heavy emotions, especially when we are often encouraged to ignore our “shadow side”, especially this time of year when the message is to be happy and joyous.
I can only share what works for me. Perhaps the most important thing is to embrace and accept how you are feeling with as much compassion for yourself as you can muster. I have also been making a conscious effort to do less this year, water will naturally settle on its own — as long as you leave it alone. This simple lesson has been a challenging one for me to put into practice, but helps immensely. For the past month or so, I have been engaged with a practice of yoga nidra, often on a daily basis, a type of meditation that is similar to a guided form of progressive relaxation. While in years past, I have tried to use this to alleviate tension, this year I have taken a somewhat different approach.
Instead of attempting to alleviate tension, I have been using the yoga nidra to set a baseline for the day. This practice has allowed me to feel my way into my day, and become more sensitive to situations where I naturally tense up or shift my breathing — signals from my body that my fight or flight response is getting engaged even on a subtle level. This simple awareness has helped me make better choices in who I interact with and how I move through the world.
A few final thoughts on darkness as we move into the Season of Winter. The ancient Alchemists understood that a dark, internal time period is absolutely essential for growth, especially in the initial phases of gestation. The seed germinates in the darkness, as does an infant in the womb of its mother. Thus, growth, especially in its initial, sensitive stages needs the warmth and quietude of the darkness. In fact, too much light at these early stages of development will actually hinder growth, something that I have found by speaking too soon of new ideas that have not yet been fully formed, or had time to gel.
Even though today marks the time of greatest darkness, I would encourage you not to rush towards the light too quickly. Take advantage of this seasonal cycle, tuck into the darkness, respect your heavier emotions and let them settle of their own accord, and tend to the seeds of your vision, allowing them to remain hidden and protected until they gain strength and blossom in their own unique way. If you are looking for a practical way to work with this energy, simply visualize a cup or chalice, which holds and maintains a connection with watery elements just by being receptive to whatever is poured into it.
