[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ch7Zw2inbc]
For centuries, alchemists and philosophers believed that the entire world consisted of just four elements: fire, water, air, and earth. Many believed that the human body was made up of four elements, as well. Some people, for example, have always been considered “fiery,” while others can be described as “earthy.”
Even though modern scientists have moved into twenty-first century physics, the ancient elements still constitute a useful psychological model—as well as a handy formula for understanding the tarot. The methodology is simple: each one of the tarot’s four suits corresponds to one of the four ancient elements.
The Fiery Suit of Wands. Wands are the fiery cards of spirit and initiation, which typically refer to the driving forces of work, career, and special interests that inspire passion.
The Watery World of Cups. Cups hold the watery affairs of emotional life, and they’re especially well suited to issues of love and relationships.
The Airy Suit of Swords. Because a sword moves through the air, the sword cards deal with the airy, heady realm of the intellect. They depict the way we think and the way we communicate our ideas to others.
The Earthly Realm of Pentacles. Pentacle cards embody the tangible realities of physical and material life—the fundamental nature of earthly existence. They often represent money or property, as well as the treasures we hold dear on an emotional and spiritual level.