Astro Elements and Psychological functions

I'm currently in the garden, the grass having being recently cut offers up the sharp scents of spring, the sun in it's fiery domain has warmed me enough that ill type this blog from the welcoming arms of the lawn, with a fresh cup of tea by my side and the chirping of some birtds echoing on the breeze I cant help but ponder the bigger questions.

One which comes to mind it the ongoing debate: if there is a direct connection between the astrological elements and Jung's four types or psychological functions and if so could a natal chart (or honorary casting) be utilised to highlight the individuals or situations dominant and inferior element correlated with the four Jungian functions.

This seems to be an ongoing point of agitation for many astrologers, especially thought who seek to synthesize the two theories. While it is clear that the two systems of understanding are in fact related they may, for many reasons be open to direct correlations.

Points of contention
If we cast an eye to one of Jungs books: “Psychological Types” (My current copy was published by Princeton University Press and translated by Gerhard Adler, pages 510-511, 531-532 are especially noted for this topic) we can see that Jung clearly related the four classical temperaments and astrological elements with the concept of four psychological types. However he never went into much detail, neglecting to state which element and type related to one another.

From this there has arose a fast amount of differing theories, one of my favourites actually is in which the four classical temperaments of Choleric, Melancholic, Sanguine, Phlegmatic are named the four quadrants of the astrological chart, instead of being marked with the elements.
However we can quickly find ourselves with the teachings of Aristotle: On generations and corruption, like wise with pseudo Oscellus: On the nature of the universe and Plato: Tiameus, all associating the four classical temperaments (or humours) with the four elements.

Choleric (Fire)
Sanguine (Air)
Phlegmatic (Water)
Melancholic (Earth)

Aristotle in his wisdom even placed Earth in opposition (in its astrological aspect and not the philosophical or psychological context) to fire and Air 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.

The elemental Numbers
There are several methods and techniques offered up by astrologers past and present on how to count the elements found within the chart.

This can be a little confusing but it may help to remember that in a chart the elemental placement of the planets and luminaries (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) are each in need of being “counted”.

In counting the elements, one of the more popular methods is:

Give two points for the elements that the Sun and Moon are located in.
Give one point for each for the elements that Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are located in.

An elemental overview:

Fire - Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Earth - Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Air - Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Water - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

If we take todays major alignments:

Sun – Aries
Moon – Gemini
Mercury – Taurus
Venus – Taurus
Mars – Leo
Jupiter – Pisces
Saturn – Virgo
Uranus – Pisces
Neptune – Aquarius
Pluto – Capricorn

Fire (Intuitive) - 3 points

Earth (Sensing) - 4 points

Air (Thinking) - 3 points

Water (Feeling) - 2 points

In counting the four elements and comparing them with Jung's functions we discover the following:

As a Sensing Earth Jung Theory would have the inferior function in Fire, however in todays alignments its in Water.

So although the quick counting of the elements is a nifty short cut that sometimes works quite well, it isn't a stead fast rule of interpretation.

There are many reasons as to why a quick correlation between the two systems is a lot more complex and difficult than simply counting up the planetary elements.

Yes its true that there are many times (including my own natal chart: Cancer/Water) where looking at the zodiacial element of the Sun sign can point out the primary psychological type and if not can be highlighted as a secondary type or auxiliary function. Although due to the lack of reliability I tend to avoid using the elemental markers as a primary trend of interpretation.

Some thoughts to ponder:

*Elements are not necessarily confined to their Zodiacal placements. The moon for example regardless of the Sign, when in a conjunction with the Ascendant creates the element of Water in the chart.

*While Jung did relate the four classical temperaments and astrological elements with the four functions, he however never did explain which function went with which element. There is an endless array of reasons as to why he chose to neglect this aspect of the work however it would appear, at least on the surface, that while Jung did think the two concepts were similar in form and understanding he did not consider them to be the same.

*Many (myself numbered among them) have never being convinced that any of various type indicator tests accurately measure Jung's four types, and if so for how long would they remain constant. In this the ever changing ebb and wane of Self such a report risks telling us more about who the person tested we would like to be, rather than who we actually is.

While the counting and analysis of the chart elements may offer up a skillful tool of interpretation if you neglect looking at the chart to identify the more dominant zodiacal elements and how they can manifest themselves you risk neglecting and overlooking many productive and practical points of understanding.

As an astrologer I find it intriguing as to why there is such a need to constantly prove something works and link it with the more orthodox and socially embraced theories of personal placement and understanding. Lets focus on what works and aids rather then which is proven and relies on the crutch of another system or theory. To think in such a way is to forget that all things are theories and that nothing is unshakeable.

Right now for myself and those I read for, what works is the utilisation of type indicator tests to help knit together and guide the complex themes and aspects of a chart for interpretation. After all at a core and basic level astrology is about enabling people to gain a better understanding of who they are, and where they are going so that they can live healthier more fulfilling lives.

In order to honour that ideal it is best never to reject any potential tool of empowerment of bridge of understanding - illumination i never the less illumination.

Special thanks to Dr, Z for the rants and points of discourse that lead to this post :)