The
Elements Versus The Types
The million
dollar question still remains: Can a simple statistical correlation be
shown between astrology's 4 elements and Jung's 4 types or functions?
Can one look at the birth chart in order to determine which element is
the "dominant," preferred element and which element is the "inferior,"
disliked element. Will this, in turn, correlate with Jung's 4 functions?
In practice,
this has been looked at as a problem and/or a "fly in the ointment"
for those astrologers seeking to correlate and/or synthesize the two theories.
The two systems are related, but unfortunately it is not a matter open
to simplistic theories and/or simple statistical correlation.
Controversy
The views I've previously shared in the two previous features on the 4
elements of astrology, the 4 functions/types of Jungian theory, and how
the two concepts work together are not without some controversy and/or
marked differing of opinion among astrologers, past and present.
C.G. Jung
did obviously relate the 4 classical temperaments (and, specifically,
the astrological elements) with the concept of 4 functions/types (Psychological
Types, pp 510-511, 531-532) - however he never spelled out in simple terms
which function went with which element.
Granted...
Jung could have saved us all from a heck of a lot of trouble if he'd done
that. However, he chose not to do this.
Thus, there
are numerous differing schematic theories floating around on the subject.
For example, there have been admirable attempts (with some historical
basis) to place the 4 classical temperaments (Choleric, Melancholic, Sanguine,
Phlegmatic) within what are called the 4 quadrants or sectors of the astrological
chart, rather than with the elements.
However,
I can pass on to you that Aristotle - On Generation and Corruption,
Plato - Timaeus, and pseudo Ocellus - On the Nature of the
Universe all directly associated the 4 classical temperaments (or
humors) with the four elements: Choleric (Fire), Melancholic (Earth),
Sanguine (Air), and Phlegmatic (Water).
Further...
Aristotle placed Fire primarily in opposition to Earth and Air primarily
in opposition of Water. This would be exactly in line with Jung's placing
of Intuition in opposition to Sensing and the placing of Thinking in opposition
to Feeling. (Please don't confuse the term "opposition" when
used in the philosophical and/or psychological context as opposed to when
the term "opposition" is used in an astrological context.)
Counting
The Elements
In some cases, one can simply look to the birth chart for the "Curse
of the Uninvited Element." If you remember - The Uninvited Element
is the element that wasn't invited to the birth chart party - and, man,
is it ever ticked off! Quite often you'll discover a person's life "story"
is based on the freeing and redemption of their inner kingdom from "the
Curse of the Uninvited Element."
There are
several proposed methods regarding how to go about counting the elements
in the birth chart. For those unfamiliar with the bare basics of astrology,
this is where you may tend to get a wee bit lost. However, even if unfamiliar
with astrology, you most likely know which sign your birth Sun is located
in?
The important
thing to know is that, in the astrological chart, the elemental placement
of the luminaries and planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) are each important and thus each should
be considered and "counted."
In counting
the elements, one of the preferred methods gives 2 points for the elements
that the Sun and Moon are located in and then 1 point for each for the
elements that Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune,
and Pluto are located in.
Fire - Aries,
Leo, Sagittarius
Earth - Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Air - Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Water - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Example:
Let's pretend this is your birth chart breakdown: Sun in Aries, Moon in
Leo, Mercury in Pisces, Venus in Pisces, Mars in Leo, Jupiter in Gemini,
Saturn in Libra, Uranus in Cancer, Neptune in Libra, and Pluto in Leo.
Let's count
the elements. Sun in Aries- 2 points for Fire, Moon in Leo - 2 points
for Fire, Mercury in Pisces - 1 point for Water, Venus in Pisces - 1 point
for Water, Mars in Leo - 1 point for Fire, Jupiter in Gemini - 1 point
for Air, Saturn in Libra - 1 point for Air, Uranus in Cancer - 1 point
for Water, Neptune in Libra - 1 point for Air, and Pluto in Leo - 1 point
for Fire.
Fire (Intuitive)
- 6 points
Earth (Sensing) - 0 points
Air (Thinking) - 3 points
Water (Feeling) - 3 points
In this example,
counting the 4 elements and comparing it with Jung's 4 functions will
correlate perfectly if one likewise tests out as being an intuitive type.
As an intuitive, Fire type, according to Jung's theory, then one's "inferior"
function would automatically be sensing or Earth.
However...
more times than not, the simplistic counting up of elements contained
in the birth chart and then taking a Type indicator test to determine
one's function still do not "on the face of it" appear to fully
correlate with one another. So the simplistic counting up of the elements
is a convenient rule of thumb "short cut" that sometimes works
quite well, but often times doesn't.
Million
Dollar Question
This brings us full circle and back to the million dollar question. Can
a simple statistical correlation be shown between astrology's 4 elements
and Jung's 4 types or functions? Can one look to the birth chart in order
to determine which element is the "dominant," preferred element
and which element is the "inferior," disliked element and be
in accordance with Jung's theory of the functions and personality types?
Can a simple
statistical correlation be shown? The answer is no.
Flies
in the Ointment
There are many "flies in the ointment" as to why showing a simple
statistical correlation between the two systems is a heck of a lot more
difficult and/or complex than simply counting up the traditional elements
of the birth chart or, more simply, looking to the birth Sun's element.
It's
true that many times, simply looking to the element one's Zodiac Sun
sign is
located in (without utilizing
one of the complex counting methods) will point to the "superior"
type/function in Jung's theory of personality types. This "rule of
thumb" idea is put forth in Jeff Mayo's The Planets and Human
Behavior. When this is not the case, then quite often the Sun Sign
element points to Jung's "auxiliary" or secondary type/function.
However, this is not always going to reliably be the case - and so I shy
away from the temptation of turning that into any sort of an ironclad
rule to follow.
A
Few of the Complicating Factors
One
- One complicating factor is that the elements are not necessarily confined
to the Zodiacal placements of the various planets.
- It's thought
that the astrological elements can be derived from the aspects between
two (or more) planets, regardless of which Zodiacal sign(s) the planets
are located in. For example: the Sun in major aspect to Mars alchemically
creates the element of Fire, regardless of what respective Zodiacal
signs the Sun and Mars are located in. The Moon in aspect to Saturn
creates the element of Earth in a chart, regardless of what respective
Zodiacal signs the Moon and Saturn are located in.
- It's
thought that the astrological elements can also be derived from a chart
having a planet closely conjuncting the Ascendant. For example: Mars
(regardless of the Zodiacal Sign) conjunct the Ascendant creates the
element of Fire in the chart. The Moon conjunct the Ascendant creates
the element of Water.
Two
- This is slighty "heretical" on my part, however I'm not totally
convinced that any of various type indicator tests accurately measure
Jung's intuition function that I have associated with the element of fire.
One thing interesting is the Keirsey Temperament Sorter (despite, it’s
extremely unorthodox methodology) may have accidentally stumbled on to
something with its unique type categories consisting of SP (fire), SJ
(earth), NT (air), NF (water).
Three
- This is also more than "heretical" on my part, but I'm not
totally convinced that any of various type indicator tests accurately
measure Jung's 4 functions in a person's life. Self-report tests such
as the Myers-Briggs and the Keirsey, may end up telling one more about
who the person tested would like to be, rather than who the person actually
is.
Four
- Perhaps, most important, as already mentioned in the beginning of this
article... C.G. Jung did relate the 4 classical temperaments (and, specifically,
the astrological elements) with the concept of 4 functions/types - however,
he never spelled out in simple terms which function went with which element.
I freely admit that it's dangerous guessing why someone chose not to do
something. However, it appears that while Jung did think the two concepts
to be similar, he did not consider them to be identical.
Recommendation
My bottom line recommendation is likewise more than a little "heretical"...
but rather than feeling the need to prove something... instead of
looking first
to the birth chart to determine one's "superior" or preferred
element - what ends up being the most helpful, practical, and productive
is the exact reverse.
That
is... the various type indicator tests can be utilized as an augmentative
tool
and/or short cut for sorting out and determining how an individual
has chosen in real life to "live out" the complex mix
of elemental energies and/or "themes" in their birth chart.
My
Bottom Line - Where The Rubber Meets The Road
The
bottom line is that I feel no need to "prove anything." While
many astrologers are pathologically consumed with "proving something"
- my ultimate concern is what "works" in people's lives.
And
what appears to "work" is that the various type indicator
tests can be used in the monumental task of cohesively pulling together
the
various complex parts and themes of a birth chart for interpretation.
Enabling people to gain a better understanding of who they are in
order
to live more emotionally healthy, productive lives is, afterall,
what astrology is (or should be) all about.
Well... There
you have it! I have now devoted 3 full articles in the explanation and
comparison of astrology's 4 elements with Jung's 4 psychological types
- and the sad fact is that I've just barely had time to "scratch
the surface."
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