Reading a Novel with the Four Elements

Reading a Novel with the Four Elements

The Four Elements of Antiquity and Personality Trends

The four elements of antiquity identified by Aristotle are Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Applying these elements to human life, they offers a vivid and helpful way of describing personality trends. Earth represents the grounded quality of a realistic and dependable person – or could be someone stuck in their ways. Air relates to thought processes – which may be skilful, or airy-fairy. Fire denotes dynamism, motivation and drive; but fiery actions can also lead to chaotic situations. Water is the emotional realm, pointing towards emotional intelligence; but also to someone out of control and awash with emotion. The ideal is to all hold the elements in balance, drawing on each as needed and using them skilfully. But those who do this, a person needs to be centred in Ether, a fifth, spiritual element. Ether is the still centre with the four physical elements ranged around: the still centre of potentiality. 

Reading a Novel in Terms of the Four Elements

I applied the imagery of the four elements to reading a novel: The Seaborne. The novel begins with water. John Finlay leaves dry land in a headlong flight that ends in shipwreck. He couldn’t be more submerged in the watery element, a picture of his out-of-control emotional state. But fishermen – people with mastery in this element – rescue him and bring him to the Island, an image of Earth. There, women nurse him with the aid of medicinal herbs, giving him a further strong dose of Earth energy.
 
As John awakens in a Celtic world of a thousand years ago, he feels like a child who must learn the basic skills needed to manage his environment. He needs a lot of down-to-earth help from the Islanders, and in the process takes on the name they give him: Dhion. A new name denotes an inner shift. As Dhion becomes more grounded and earthed, so the water element of his life becomes more balanced. Instead of being overwhelmed by his emotions, Dhion develops good relationships with many of the Islanders, and one that leads towards a deeper tenderness and love. But, Air and Fire remain out of balance in him. 

Air and Fire out of Balance

As Dhion takes his place in his new-found world, his mind becomes active. Ideas – the air element – flare up in him as he imagines showing the Islanders something of his expertise from the 21st century world he left behind. Fired up, he plans a demonstration. But air and fire are out of balance and he has failed to think through its likely effect on the Islanders. When they turn against him in suspicion and fear, these out-of-balance elements are quashed. But now the Earth-element is stronger in Dhion and he can stand to face his situation. Grasping that there is “no way out but through,” he accepts the ordeal the Islanders place on him. 

Enter Ether, the Spiritual Element

Enter the fifth element: ether. Dhion is prepared for his ordeal by a wise woman, Mother Cochlane. She takes him into a cave called the Womb of the Mountain where she helps him to face the depths of his own soul and his place within the whole. She prepares him to be as ready as possible for the ordeal he must face. 

An Archetypal Image from Celtic Legend

Strengthened now in all four elements and the spiritual core ether represents, we see Dhion adrift on the ocean in a small boat without oar or sail. This is an archetypal image from Celtic legend, a picture of how at some point everyone is invited to take a risk in life and let themselves flow with the current and see where life leads. In this situation, Dhion has no resource but his own inner strength and his faith in the grace that flows from Spirit. Unlike the first time he was adrift on the ocean, he is no longer running away. In this physically helpless state, he makes a choice and prays a prayer that arises from the depths of the man he has become. Fire surges in him, this time potent and intentional rather than un-thought-through. Mage-like, his prayer summons a breeze (Air) and a current (Water) to carry him home (Earth).
 
In ancient Celtic tradition a title of Christ is The King of the Elements. It’s no meaningless chance that brings Dhion to his time of self-realisation at Easter.
 
This way of reading The Seaborne with earth, air, fire and water gives a view that resonates with the nature-centred heart of the novel.
 
The Seaborne is the first book of the Isle Fincara Trilogy. The second book, The Priest’s Wife, tells the story of the grief and emancipation of an Islander, Morag.