There are four suits in the Minor Arcana tarot deck, and each one has its own correspondence and associations. Going into small details will reveal a different meaning for each card, even different meanings for different positions. But then, element associations are just as important.
Each suit relates to an element, and each element has some particularities that will affect your day-to-day events. There are themes and general considerations that apply, too. For example, water flows, so you need to flow as well, just to give you an example.
It’s just as important to consider the actual suit in this relation. Swords, for instance, relate to conflicts, just common sense. Anyway, let’s dig a bit deeper and find out what each element means for you based on its associations.
The Fire Element
The fire element relates to the suit of wands. Now, if you think about fire, it’s quite energetic. It’s difficult to predict too, but also hot. It can be a good thing at times, when you cook or warm up your house, but it could also be a devastating problem.
Based on this simple idea, the fire element shows passion. It shows the energy of fire, but also the enthusiasm associated with it. If you dig deeper, it makes perfect sense to associate it with sexuality as well.
The suit of wands carries the same associations. Creativity, determination, expansion, ambition, all these things define the suit and its interpretations. Such cards define what makes you tick. They’re about your ego and personality, as well as your personal vibe.
On a negative note, the suit relates to illusions, egocentrism and even impulsiveness.
The Water Element
Water flows. It’s powerful and persistent. It’s agile, but also fluid. Now, if you think about water, it could be very soft, but it can also be forceful. Imagine floating on a quiet lake, then imagine a tsunami. There are two extremes.
The water element shows emotions, thoughts, feelings and intuition. It can also relate to cleansing. If fire is considered a masculine element, water is more feminine and shows the purifying power that resides in women.
In tarot readings, the suit of cups is associated with water. This means most cards will relate to your interpersonal connections but also your consciousness and emotions. Your heart comes before your head.
As for the negative part, cups could be too emotional at times. They may lose passion and they often fantasize about things that could never happen.
The Air Element
You can’t see air, yet it’s moving round the clock. It’s there and can easily go unnoticed. However, it can be felt at times, as it could transform into a wind. It can be a powerful element, but it could also be a cleansing one.
In terms of symbolism, the air element is associated with change, power and knowledge. It’s the type of element that recommends a change in one way or another. The energy is considered masculine, meaning it can become quite forceful, despite the invisible profile.
In a tarot reading, the air element is associated with the suit of swords. Swords relate to change, force, ambition and even conflict. This means such a reading could be constructive, but it can also define a destructive force.
When it comes to negative associations, the element indicates guilt and anger. It shows that there’s no compassion and may even relate to different forms of abuse.
The Earth Element
The earth element is solid. It’s something you can’t move too easily. That’s why it signifies your foundation. That’s where things grow from. It supports everything on top of it, from plants and trees to people and buildings.
The earth element is supportive and fertile. The energy is said to be feminine. It takes all kinds of elements from the outside only to sustain life coming out of it.
The earth element relates to the suit of pentacles. The pentacles mainly refer to your material life. While they can be interpreted in love and relationships, too, they mainly refer to possessions, money, business or work.
But like other elements, this one has a negative association as well. For example, it could indicate a possessive nature. It could signify greed, as well as a materialistic approach to life. Focusing too much on money could ruin other life priorities though.
Polarities of Tarot Elements
Polarities of tarot elements are based on whether the respective elements are passive or active. This aspect defines how elements interact with each other. Everything has a positive part and a negative one, hence the different interactions.
For example, an active element tries to change the environment, while a passive one adapts to it. An active element is direct and can send the energy outwards, while a passive one is indirect and takes the energy inwards.
The active one is extroverted, and so on.
The fire element is considered active because it drives action. It’s about inspiration, willpower and ambition. The air is seen in the same way, as it boosts the intellect and stimulates communication.
On the other hand, water and earth are passive. Water signifies feelings and relationships, while earth is about stability and nature.
Element Interactions and Rules
How elements interact will affect the reading. There are a few general rules to apply in these interactions. Overall, there are 16 different combinations.
Earth and fire are neutral to each other, just like air and water. In terms of support, fire and air are both active, hence the support. The same rule applies to earth and water, both being passive.
If elements are part of the same suit, they tend to boost each other up, showing strength. However, there are also interactions that could weaken elements. Water and fire will weaken each other, just like in real life, as well as air and earth.
There are four relations here. When neutral, there are no effects whatsoever. In terms of support, the two elements will go up. When they strengthen, all of their qualities are amplified, including their negative qualities. And when they weaken each other, elements lose part of their effectiveness.
Tarot Combinations Between Elements
Tarot element combinations may appear repetitive at times, but their interactions also depend on which element dominates the pair.
Fire Element Combinations
When you see fire and fire together, the combination is extremely intensive. The drive is outstanding. Everything is amplified when there are combinations of the same element. The energy is quite powerful, meaning the result can be constructive, but it could also become devastating.
You might gain the strength to go through obstacles, but you’ll also destroy everything in the process.
When fire and water are combined, there is a weakening connection. The motivation associated with fire is lowered by the emotions associated with water. This could mean you probably have big goals in life, but fears prevent you from taking action.
Fire and air are supportive in a combination, meaning the combo works wonders. Think about oxygen as it fuels the fire. It’s the same principles in interpretations. Air boosts the intellect, which fire will need in order to push forward and reach goals faster.
Finally, when fire and earth are mixed, the connection is usually neutral. The flames of fire are going for a goal, while the earth brings in a bit of stability. However, too much earth can kill the fire. Generally speaking, long term goals require a solid foundation and a step-by-step approach.
Water Element Combinations
Water has a calming energy, but when mixed with fire, things settle down. It can annihilate the urgent profile of fire. At times, calming this harsh energy could be a good thing in making things happen, so it’s not a bad idea to have some water in action.
However, in most situations, it feels a little intrusive. In some interpretations, it becomes coercive.
When two elements of the same type mix, everything’s greater than normal. Mix water and water, and the spiritual energy will reach another level. It could be a bit of a disconnection from real life. Maybe you’re trapped in your daydreams.
But then, all this creativity and beauty is worth getting mixed into real life, despite such implementations being difficult.
Water and air are neutral. They signify your heart and mind. If they’re in a good balance, they can work wonders together. However, in many other situations, they’ll be in some sort of conflict. At this point, confusion may kick in, too, not to mention emotional pain.
Finally, water and earth make a good combo because they’re supportive. The feelings and creativity of water are enhanced with the support coming from earth. Earth is steady and grounded, which gives water a bit of comfort, especially if feelings end up running wild.
Air Element Combinations
When it comes to air, you’d think it can support every other element. Not really! If air is mixed with fire, the combo becomes supportive. It shows great enthusiasm and dedication to follow a plan in the smallest details. After all, air is also about communication and intellect.
All kinds of plans and ideas are pushed through with the enthusiasm of fire.
Air and water are neutral. Air tends to be a controlling element, so water brings in a bit of tenderness. Then, you have excellent communication skills associated with air, which will be pushed forward with the emotions of water.
Expressing feelings has never been easier.
Air and air represent a strong combo. However, it could also be a destructive energy. When out of control, the air becomes unstable. There’s no connection with reality. In some situations, the combo shows ruthlessness.
However, this type of ruthlessness is also cruel, meaning it’s based on a top-notch strategy.
Last, but not least, air and earth weaken each other. It’s a poor combo that won’t bring anything great. Earth will try to bring in a bit of stability, but air is overactive, so the connection won’t work very well.
While air can’t be contained by earth, this interpretation is simple to adapt to real life situations. Simply put, it represents someone who sees the reality, but just cannot accept it.
Earth Element Combinations
Earth and fire come in a neutral combination. Earth is stable and offers a good environment for fire. Meanwhile, fire needs this stability in order to take advantage of its creativity. Earth will annihilate some of the destructive energy of fire. On the same note, fire can also burn earth.
The best way to imagine this combo is to think about a dream becoming reality with consistency, but in slow motion.
Earth and water are supportive for each other, just like in real life. It’s a relationship about satisfaction and growth. They’re both passive, so there won’t be too much drama going around. Water offers some peace and tranquillity to earth.
To see this combination, think about seeing others’ success. Imagine someone else’s success and how you’re happy for them.
On the other hand, earth and air will weaken each other. Air tries to make earth light, but earth won’t move at all. Instead, it tries to drag air down. Material constraints will inevitably show up in this combination.
As for a strengthening combo, earth does very well with itself. All of its qualities are pushed forward, from stability and reliability to strength. But that also means earth won’t move at all, so it’s not very flexible.
Understanding the four elements in tarot—water, fire, air, and earth—opens up a richer dimension of tarot reading. Together, these elements offer a comprehensive framework that enhances the ability to interpret the cards.
No matter what combo you go through or what tarot cards are trying to tell you, the best way to understand these elements and connect to them is to experience their energies and combinations.
