According to Vedic thought everything is an expression of pure God energy, pure God consciousness. As stated above, all physical bodies arise out of this balanced God state. But as a result of past Karma and the Samsaras (mental impressions) that accompany them, the five elements arrange themselves to create the body that reflects the appropriate person, animal, or whatever. This karmic energy points to the lessons that need to be learned in that lifetime.

Hatha Yoga prepares the mind and body for meditation. In meditation we connect to our deeper Self and balance the five elements in this way. We connect to the Universe (Ether) through the breath (Air). Deep breath slows, deepens and stabilizes the mind and active emotions (Fire). With the passions controlled we can observe the senses and connective emotions (Water) with detachment; upon which the body becomes stable (Earth). A stable body in meditation is one of awareness. Since we started with breath connecting to Ether, higher consciousness will be observing the thoughts and mind/body events.

Through the element of Ether, the dance of creation begins out of the equilibrium that existed before (sound resonates through Ether). After Ether, the Air element is formed (intellect), then Fire (mind), Water (sense mind), and Earth (body). This model shows why Mantras (sacred sounds) are so powerful. They resonate through all five of our elemental bodies. As shown above, life is created from the finer elements to the grosser ones. However, our spiritual path is walked in reverse. First we must master the body, then the senses and sense mind, then the active emotions, then the intellect, and finally pure consciousness. When we see a chocolate éclair, the physical body (Earth) is animated by the senses (Water). The desire to eat it arises in the instinctual mind (Fire), but the higher mind (Air) actually decides whether or not to eat the éclair. Our consciousness (Ether) makes us aware of this process. In Hatha Yoga, Asana (postures) are designed to balance the five elements.

THE FIVE ELEMENTS AT WORK Each finer element contains, observes and animates the grosser ones. In this way, and for this reason, the primordial sound of Aum is the first act of creation. Even in Christian texts it is stated “in the beginning there was the word,� the Amen. Amen is simply another form of Aum. All creatures are produced in this way through the unique sound vibration based on their Karma, yet all creatures arise from the same source, the same primordial origin, the sound of Aum.

Ether is primarily responsible for consciousness. The element of Ether corresponds to pure consciousness itself - our awareness. It is the layer of being beyond the four gross physical elements. Ether refers to the witnessing consciousness, that which is able to perceive the thought process and remain unidentified with it. It is our intuitive nature, connection to freedom and the closest to our true Self. Psychologically, Ether represents an initial freedom from the mind/body complex. It is through the element of Ether that we perceive the distance between the thinking and feeling mind substance and the oneness of creation and our connectedness to it. The behavioral archetype is that of one who is detached in a healthy way, as the observer or witness. Ether is not represented in the Astrological Signs of the Chart. Ether connects us to the sense of sound. Ayurveda says that it is through sound that we perceive space.

Air Air is primarily responsible for the intellect. The Air element corresponds to movement of all sorts in the body, breath, thoughts, etc. Air is our higher intellectual and social mind. It is the mind of our philosophies and opinions â?? our politics and rationalizations, as well as how we relate to others and society as a whole. It is through the Air element that we observe and interact socially with the world, forming conclusions about it and our self. It is the Air element that will decide whether or not we will eat the éclair in the window. Psychologically, Air represents our higher mental capabilities as well as our conscience and ethical principles. Prominent planets in Air signs will generally exhibit a social nature. They like discourse and debate. They will take you to the Opera on your birthday. Too much air and one becomes ungrounded, aloof, dry or sterile. Air connects us to the sense of touch. Anything we can feel is touched by Air.

Fire Fire is primarily responsible for the mind and mental impressions while also being responsible for digestion of all sorts, whether digesting food or digesting information. Fire is also our active emotional mind, our passionate nature and the instinctual, conditioned/reactive mind. It is the element of Fire that digests sensory impressions (Water), turning them into thoughts we can use. Otherwise, our minds would be a jumble of sensory data. Psychologically, Fire represents our active desire nature. We literally “burn� to satisfy our desires. It is Fire that makes us “want� the chocolate éclair in the window. Prominent planets in Fire signs will exhibit an active, bold or perhaps aggressive nature. Strong Fire types can be the most inspirational of signs, yet also the most self-centered. They will buy you sexy underwear or wear them for you on your birthday. Too much Fire can lead to excessive anger. Fire connects us to the sense of sight. Ayurveda says anything we can see is touched by Fire.

Earth Primarily responsible for the physique, though its influence does not end there. Earth, as the densest element, has also the heaviest psychological influence. Our physical body demands the most attention when its needs arise. For example, no matter how enjoyable it may be talking to your best friend on the phone, you will only suppress the urge to go to the bathroom for so long before you relent. Psychologically, Earth is our practical nature, literally being “down to earth.� Earth connects us to the sense of smell. Ayurveda says anything we can smell contains Earth. Prominent planets in Earth signs will be sensual and hands on. They want to be useful and will work hard. They are practical in expression. They will wash your car on your birthday. Too much Earth brings stagnation and clinging to form.

5 Elements -- Water -- Primarily responsible for the physique, though its influence does not end there. Earth, as the densest element, has also the heaviest psychological influence. Our physical body demands the most attention when its needs arise. For example, no matter how enjoyable it may be talking to your best friend on the phone, you will only suppress the urge to go to the bathroom for so long before you relent. Psychologically, Earth is our practical nature, literally being “down to earth.� Earth connects us to the sense of smell. Ayurveda says anything we can smell contains Earth. Prominent planets in Earth signs will be sensual and hands on. They want to be useful and will work hard. They are practical in expression. They will wash your car on your birthday. Too much Earth brings stagnation and clinging to form.