EPS Water

Interview with a Water Elemental Personality

Elemental Personality Series: Earth

Elemental Personality Series: Water

Interviews

Four Elements Personality first was theorized by a Greek Philosopher, Scientist, and Healer named Empedocles, who lived in the Fifth Century B.C.  Empedocles' philosophy was influenced by Pythagoras, the ancient Greek mystery traditions, and works and practices of alchemists, neoplatonists and gnostics. His theory was that the four elements are not only material and spiritual forces, but also facets of a human being, resulting in different personality types. Since then many philosophers, alchemists, mystics, physicians, and psychologists, including one of the founders of modern psychology, Carl Jung, have developed on Empedocles work to establish their own theories, studies, philosophies, and tests. The consensus revealed that the four elements not only exhibited itself in man as four varying natures, but also that one was more prevalent in each individual than the other three.  Personality tests today, such as the Meyer-Briggs test, appear to be one such development of this psychological philosophy. Authors have written many books and articles on the subject, and I recently discovered a wonderful paper by Tracy Marks (Copyright 1998) that was an enormous help in creating this introduction for my series of interviews on Elemental Personalities. Marks' article can be found at www.webwinds.com/myth/elemental.htm.

This is a brief and general summary of the four different elemental personality types as offered by most online quizzes:

Earth Personality - Stability, Compassion, and Practicality

Earth is an emotionally stable element with a great sense of practicality/logic when solving problems. They appreciate order and tradition, and are loyal/have compassion for others.

Wind Personality - Playfulness, Spontaneity, and Excitement

Wind is an easy-going, low-emotional energy element with an openness to new ideas and abstract manner when solving problems. They enjoy free and casual relationships, and appreciate spontaneity, excitement, and variety.

Water Personality - Creativity, Intuition, and Knowledge

Water is a high emotional-energy element with abstract thought processes and a creative flair for solving problems. They are sensitive to others' emotions and appreciate beauty, art, and new ideas.

Fire Personality - Energy, Strength, and Success

Fire is an excitable, high-energy element with an appreciation for concrete facts and logic when solving problems. They strive for success and to gain respect, and connect well with others on a level of thought.

I personally have seen these personality types presented in others quite spectacularly, and have marveled at the way each approach life differently, from how they talk, to how they process stimuli, to how they gesture, to how they deal with stress and emotions. Their characteristics are so obvious to each of their respective elements, that I was eager to create a series interviewing these different elemental types. I now share these intriguing people with you. Their names are left anonymous, so that you can really sense the texture of how they respond to the questions as much as what they say. I asked each person around thirty questions. They could refrain from answering any question they wished or include as much information as they wished.

Each elemental personality interview can be found by clicking on the links to the left of this page or by traveling to my Interviews page. If you would like to ask any elemental type a specific question please contact me and I'll refer your request.

The first elemental personality to share her thoughts with the rest of us is Water.

Q: What element do you most closely associate?

A: Water
 
Q: How did you discover what element you are?

A: Reading about characteristics of each element, conversations with sensitive people, and noticing how my emotions responded when surrounded by water or water elements. I also realized that I was drawn to water, water animals, colors, environments, and how much more centered I felt after being exposed to these.
 
Q: How does your element help you with others? your job? life in general?

A: It helps me to calm others when there is anxiety or stress. I can bring a calming influence to situations. It also helps in adaptability and flexibility. I'm a planner and I don't always do well when someone changes a well-thought plan on me; however, once I get past the initial shock, I can usually let go and follow the new plan, figuring it out along the way. In my job it helps me be the quiet leader. I find that other employees gravitate toward me when they are troubled by someone or something and being around me or talking to me seems to help them focus and simmer. With life in general, I find that it keeps me from getting too worked up about the insignificant things. I can look at what's really important to me and let the rest of it go. This can be frustrating for other people in my life at times, because while I may have an opinion about something, ultimately it really doesn't matter to me or the grand picture, so I just go with whatever they want to do. 
 
Q: What do you feel personally are the pros and cons of your element? And do you find it has  more of a positive or negative influence?

A: The positive aspects of being a water element include the ability to heal and act as a source of comfort for others. In saying that though, there is a negative aspect to attracting troubled people and that is their emotions become my emotions and it can be overwhelming. I wouldn't necessarily say that I'm an empath, because I can block out the everyday occurrences; but, when surrounded by a lot of people, like a hospital or a crowd, it is very difficult to keep my emotions in check. I usually will start crying or have a panic attack in those situations. I like being able to be the confidant for people, that source they can rely on and go to when they need to talk or they have a problem. If I can help them focus on what they're really upset about and present their options in a clear way so they can make the right decision for themselves, then I feel I'm using my natural gifts in a positive way. On the flipside of that, I find it difficult to find others who will be that source of comfort for me when I need objectivity. A positive is the ability to "go with the flow" and adapt to new situations and surroundings; a negative is becoming too passive and laid back. Sometimes you have to be agressive, whether because of a safety situation or in just getting psyched up to do something, but if I am not able to tap into another element, such as fire, to stir the passion, then the water causes me to be slow and content to stay where I am. Although there are times when I'm pushed that the water simply becomes a tsunami and I take out everything in my path. The good news is once I've done that, it's over and I'm calm again; the bad news is that there is a lot of destruction and collateral damage when it gets to that point.
 
Q: How does your element influence how you view others?

A: I'm sure it has always influenced my viewpoint, but I'm definitely more aware of it now. I notice the energy level more now. If I'm feeling pushed or drained, I know I'm with an element other than water. I think I also tend to give people the benefit of the doubt and I'm more compassionate. If I see someone do something like cut me off in traffic, I'm more likely to send them good energy and assume that it's karma or they had a good reason for doing so.
 
Q: Briefly explain what it is like to be your element.
 
A: Liquid, flexible, susceptible to temperature changes, patient, compassionate, malleable. 
 
Q: How does it feel mentally/emotionally, when you can be connected to your element?
 
A: It feels cool, usually in my upper body. It feels balanced with a flow - not so much as a humming - but it does feel like a streaming from head to toe. I'm content, neither overly happy, or overly drained. I can think clearly, focus better, and I'm more in tune with my body and my environment. I also can pick up imbalances in others more easily - smells, intuition - better at blocking the negative too.
 
Q: What resources do you use to connect with your element?
 
A: Deep breathing meditation and yoga really helps because it unblocks the stopped energy. The sound of water helps or the real water on skin works the quickest. Visualization of water flowing, colors, or viewing photos of open spaces or nature works well too. Sometimes just taking a walk in nature works the best. It opens up the body energy channels, clears the head, expands my awareness, and creates balance with the elements.
 
Q: What happens when you are not able to receive an adequate supply of your elment? (emotionally, mentally, behaviorally, etc.)

A: When there is an imbalance, I will sometimes become ill, which is characterized by fever, congestion, and/or dehydration. If I'm low on water, then most likely I have an over-abundance of one or more of the other elements. Usually I will end up with an excess of too much energy or not enough. Sometimes there are physical manifestations in my environment as well, such as excessive rain, slow drains, leaks, and clogged plumbing pipes. I will also tend to become overly emotional, cry for no obvious reason, and experience extreme lethargy. In addition, I may become short-tempered and irritated easily with others, stressed, anxious, and have an inability to focus on any one thing. 
 
Q: What element do you find to be the most uncomfortable?

A: Earth. The grounding element has always been a challenge for me. While I like nature and the energy of rocks and trees, it's more about the openness of the outdoors, like open fields and tops of mountains where I can look down on the view below, that I like. The actual grounding energy makes me feel trapped and stuck in one place. As water I can be content in my surroundings as long as everything is still flowing, but to stop makes the water stagnant and then I get emotionally "backed up." I have to move or change something, or else I'm going to get sick and/or depressed. Earth feels like I have to be home and hearth and stuck in one place, and the thought alone gives me anxiety.
 
Q: When you engage others of your opposite element how do you tend to react? What do you do to remain in their presence?
 
A: It depends on the person. I work with a fire element who drains a lot of my energy. I have to resort to blocking techniques whenever I'm near him to keep from bursting into tears. I also will take the offensive with him and ask him questions to keep the focus on himself and off of me. I live with a fire element and he has an almost limitless supply of energy, so he doesn't intentionally take any away from me. The constant buzzing though is draining because I'm constantly working to bring balance to the environment. I've learned to sit back and listen, instead of trying to jump in the action taking place or the conversation. If necessary, I visualize water in my mind's eye and that keeps me focused and able to listen without assimilating his emotions and heightened energy.

Q: What is it like to engage others of your same personality element?

A: Usually it's peaceful, fun, and easy-going. It can be bad though because in that situation there's no clear leader. Neither party really cares what the decision is, because he/she is adaptable to the situation. It can also be very emotional, whether it's the highs or the lows. 
 
Q: What do you do to indulge in your element? What extracurricular activities, places, objects do you engage in that support your element?

A: A bubblebath is a restorative. Swimming works great too. Even just going to a lake and sitting and watching it, creates harmony.  I use yoga to clear my mind and put me in balance. A sound machine which plays ocean waves, or mp3's of falling rain to aid in meditation will calm my anxieties and any over-abundance of fire. I've also used river stones in the past which are helpful too. A hot stone therapy massage is a rare luxury but results in an overall balance of mind, body, and soul. Sometimes a reminder such as a tattoo can help. I have a fire and water tattoo that serves as a constant reminder that I need to keep both elements in harmonious balance.
 
Q: What advice would you give others of your element?

A: Make sure you keep a water source near you - live near the beach, a lake, fountain, pool, etc. Spend time daily with at least a small amount of water, but a bigger source at least once a week if possible. Learn protective actions to keep from absorbing too much of the environment or other people's energies. Find physical activity to keep energies balanced, and help manage emotions and strength. Yoga, Pilates, or something similar are all good because they are meditative and use the body's own strength.
 
Q: What is the one thing you would want others to understand about what it is like to be your element and how we can support you?

A: Don't rush or force a water element. I have an opinion and I will take action, but I will do so in my own time and in my own way. It may look like I'm not doing anything but beneath the surface I am planning, organizing, and preparing for action. Don't underestimate my ability to follow-through and get things done because once the plan is in place, the actions will begin and then there's no stopping it.
 
Q: What technique(s) do you use to channel your element?

A: I use visualizations, usually colors for overall balancing of the chakras. If I'm focusing, I usually choose an ocean blue color. I have a star sapphire ring which works as a great focusing object. I visualize filling my hands and my solar plexus with water, and then letting it spill out or shoot out, as the situation dictates.
 
Q: Do you have other terms for this elmental association? What are they?

A: No
 
Q: What is your favorite thing about being your element? Your most challenging?

A: My favorite thing is probably the peacefulness of going with the flow. When you stop fighting the current, the ride is so much more enjoyable. I also like the ability to heal by using the body's natural energy, instead of forcing it like some of the other elements do. The  most challenging is the fear. When my energy reserves are low, the fear sets in. Will I be able to do this task? Do I have what it takes? I've made these plans, will I be able to follow-through?
 
Q: What habits do you associate with your element? e.g., how do you compensate, what ticks do you have, routines, thought patterns, etc.

A: I'm an organizer and a planner. I don't like clutter in living spaces as it feels like a blockage and directly affects my mood and ability to focus on other things. Also, I don't like touching or sitting close to people, especially strangers. I have to have an open area if I'm in a public place, such as sitting near the edge of the aisle in a theatre or an airplane. I don't like large crowds but have found that if I wear headphones and listen to music it helps keep the anxiety down and exterior voices and emotions to a minimum. I'm also a private and introverted person and spend a great deal of time learning and thinking about self-identity.
 
Q: From the following choices which statement most resembles the way you approach life (or is there another phrase and what would that be): I am; I feel; I do; I love; I speak; I see; I understand; other?

A: I feel
 
Q: Do others call you by any nicknames that just happen to be in association with your element? What are they?

A: Yes, Raine 
 
Q: When you find you are emotionally out of control with your element what do you you do to reign it in and find your balance again? mentally out of control? What outlets do you find help you the best?

A: I cry and just let it all go. Holding it in is probably the worst thing. Music usually helps too. The best thing for me is probably to take a walk in nature, preferably somewhere where there aren't a lot of people and there is a water source nearby. The physical activity helps remove blockages in the body and the open air and natural energy outside restores my mind. I can focus, pray, think, meditate, and realign myself until I'm in control again.
 
Q: How has being your element affect your relationships with others? with your signficant someone?

A: My significant someone is a fire element and learning to live with him has been a challenge. We are both passionate people, but his energy is direct, impatient, and full of force and action; whereas my energy is emotional, patient, passive, and is about planting a seed to watch it grow. There isn't a lot of instant gratification with my energy and with his energy there is. We both have had to realize and accept that in some situations, immediate action is required and in some situations it's best to plant a seed and nurture it to its natural growth and development. It's about respect and understanding that each element has its strengths and its challenges. Our biggest challenge has been in the way we communicate. He will ask a question and I will be thinking about its' implications, and how it feels, and he will misinterpret the silence as indecision. His impatience will then try to force a decision from me, which only further aggravates my energy and a simple question can turn into something paramount. I've learned that when he asks a question, I answer right away, but usually something like "Let me think a minute" to let him know I'm considering the question and not just ignoring him. Then I will give him a direct answer. He will usually then throw another option in there for whatever reason, but once the decision is made I don't waver. I used to be vague and have a "this is what I prefer but I don't really care" attitude, because that's how I feel most of the time, but he would usually interpret that as no decision at all. So now I make a decision and then we can proceed more easily. On the other side of this is the ability to balance each other. His healing ability is forceful and so he isn't always able to control the amount or the focus; mine is more subtle and so I can use his abundance of energy and take only what is needed and then mold it and focus it to where it needs to go. We're also both emotional and passionate people, so we've each had to learn to channel our energies appropriately and to take care of ourselves so we don't let the excess energy spill out on to each other. 
 
Q: Within your element do you find you tend to gravitate to a certain type of that element? e.g., water people - fresh vs. salty water, oceans vs. lakes, showers vs. baths, misters vs. rainstorms or soak it all in.

A: I prefer large bodies of water where I can see the horizon but not too small where I couldn't maneuver around in it. Large fresh water lakes are my favorite. Mostly I gravitate toward any flowing water. A river stream, a trickling fountain, a spring rain, these are the ones that bring out my playful and peaceful sides.
 
Q: If you remember your dreams how does your element appear visually, symbolically, emotionally? Describe.

A: I don't usually remember my dreams. I did used to have recurring dreams about fire though - I'd be trapped in a room and there would be fire all around. I also have recurring dreams about being late or unable to reach my destination. If there is water in my dreams it's usually a small body of water, such as a fountain or small tide pool. 
 
Q: How does your element enhance your senses and your body? Do you find some things to be more acute, while other things you are more immune? Explain.
 
A: I associate water with emotion, so I would say that it enhances my emotions, as well as my sensitivity to other people's emotions. If I'm overly anxious, emotional, or stressed, the sound of water or the physical act of running water over my pressure points (such as tap water over my wrists), has an instant calming effect. I also have a heightened awareness of sources of water. I can find a waterfall, stream, pond, ocean, etc. by instinct in most situations. It's easier if I'm calm but even if my emotions are intense, I can zero in on a source of water somewhere. The larger the body of water, the easier it is, of course. Water is a good visual for me as well, whether it's for meditation or for healing. I can easily imagine the sound or the silkiness of water and visualize it filling up a body, healing dryed out or damaged areas. If the body of water is large, I can locate it easily but it's also more overwhelming and I am more immune to its effects.

Q: Out of these four words which best describes your orientation: science, philosophy, spiritual science, tradition

A: Philosophy

Q: Choose which word best describes you from the following: Stable, Playful, Creative, Energetic

A: Creative

Q: Choose which word best describes you from this following list: Intuitive, Spontaneous, Strong, Compassionate

A: Compassionate

Q: And which word are you most drawn to in this set: Knowledge, Success, Excitement, Practicality

A: Knowledge

T h e I n d i g o D i m e n s i o n

Wing One

Wing Two

Art Gallery