In the last two weeks
we have covered two ways of sorting or categorizing the people in your
life. Of course we all know the value of the twelve signs of the zodiac
as a way to gather clues to a person’s personality. When you meet someone
for the first time, you may have discovered that it helps to know if they
were born in June or December. It helps; but it just isn’t enough to cover
the other traits that begin to surface after you have known them for a
while.
Careful observation,
using the tools I gave you in the Insights of the last two weeks, helps
to sort new friends and old into Fire, Earth, Air, and Water types. You
also learned how to sort by the three temperament types: Movers and Shakers,
Stabilizing and Determined (Stubborn), and Flexible and Communicating.
This week we explore
the possibilities of “Mix and Match”, or combining the first group of
“elements” and the second group of “qualities”. Or you can also recognize
certain traits by combining the elements. For example: We have all known
people who were intelligent and yet quite emotional when you expect them
to be reasoning. This is the Air and Water combination. They are sensitive
and often have a rich imagination. Or you might combine Air (communicating)
with Movers and Shakers. This combination links curiosity and communicating
with action in going after relationships in order to have someone to share
the conversation and life experiences that would be so dull without a
companion. The signs that share these traits are Gemini, (Air) and Libra
(Movers and Shakers).
Look for “themes”
that seem to repeat again and again. If the friend is enthusiastic, self-oriented,
quick thinking and acting, chances are they have planets in Fire signs
or houses. If they initiate action, start a new project, or hurry off
without saying, “goodbye”, they may fall into the “Shakers and Movers”
group.
The type that has
lots of friends but is usually found in groups, seldom meets a stranger
and urges you to take a stand on some social issue, you may be looking
at an Air/Stabilizing and Determined combination.
They appear flexible
because they are willing to discuss anything; just don’t try to change
them. They only change when THEY are ready.
As you seek to find
the dominant theme it may seem that one group of traits stands out. The
need for relationships is a human need. We all have it to a greater or
lesser degree. Fire sign plunge into them, Earth signs want to know how
much it will cost, Air signs talk about them, and Water signs dream, cry
and love to remember the one who got away.
Have fun sorting
and mixing the groups. Who are the self-starters? Who do you know that
is an idealist? Do you know someone who says they want to be close but
runs for cover when the word commitment is spoken? Quite likely you know
someone who is working constantly, but claims to put family first. These
are the natural dilemmas that occur when we try to live out conflicting
themes. That may be most of us.
Next week we will
explore how some people work on solving these natural human dilemmas.
In the meantime, you could start your analysis with yourself. Which of
the four elements describes you best? Which of the three styles is combined
with your element? When you make a list, you may find that you are an
interesting mix of shifting combinations that depend upon the person with
whom you share your time. People are interesting, don’t you agree?
