Tarot and the Four Elements: Air

Air is a masculine (yang) element; fast moving, abundant, the least dense of the four element. 

It is invisible, but we can see its effect on the things around us: blowing trees in the wind, fluttering paper on a desk in a draft, clouds moving across the sky. 

We can feel it every time we breathe as it keeps us alive.

Air energy is light and can feel almost any temperature when it is being worked with. 

It is most powerful during the fury of a storm.

The Air element represents our need to keep moving and learning, our quest for knowledge and curiosity. 

It is the energy of intellect, wisdom, and understanding. It also supports communication and friendship.

Positive: Truth, justice, courage, strength, organisation, ethical principles, decisiveness

Negative: thoughtlessness, being judgemental, sharp-tongued, fear, confusion, disharmony, conflict, animosity, unhappiness and sometimes illness.

Tarot Cards

Major Arcana: The Fool, The Lovers, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Star

Minor Arcana: The Suit of Swords; Knights

In Tarot the element Air symbolises mind, rational thought, intellect, conflict; uncomfortable processes. 

It can also indicate communication, a desire for truth and justice and necessity to decide about (or separate from) past attachments.

Air Correspondences
Astrological signs	Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Atmosphere	Hot and moist
Direction	East
Moon	Waxing Crescent
Season	Spring (Autumn in Tarot)
Time	Dawn
Animals	Birds, butterflies
Chakra	Throat
Colour	Yellow, pastels, steel grey, crimson, ice blue, blue-white
Plants	Dandelion, Frankincense, myrrh, pansy, primrose, vervain, violet, yarrow
Places	windswept hills, plains, windy beaches, high mountain peaks, high towers
Jungian Function	Thinking
Stones/Gems/Crystals	Aventurine, pumice, Topaz
Spirit	Playful sylphs, who looked like the winged fairies of folklore
Tools	Wand, aromatic; Athame, sword, censer; incense
Tree	Aspen

 How to get in Touch with the Air Element

Stand outside on a windy day; the gusts will cleanse your aura and revitalise you, clearing your thoughts and making you feel fresh and alert.

The idea of each of the elements can be conveyed through the medium of air: depending on the seasons, the east wind can be sharp and harsh, the north wind cold, the south wind dusty and dry and the west wind warm and gentle.

Visit places that are subject to a lot of strong winds: beaches, hills, cliff tops, grassland, open desert. Feel the clarity of the place and observe how it affects you.

Pick up twigs and leaves that have been blown by the wind; they often retain a vigorous, blustery feeling. Windy places can give you a sense of cleanliness and lucidity.

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