Analysing three card exercises using elemental dignities is the progression to a four card tarot spread. A relationship between three cards is established, and interpreted with two very simple rules. You can even add information from the missing element(s). The Three Card Spread shows a situation. The next stage was to include the ‘missing’ element. Unfortunately this situation has no context, no backdrop, so you put the three cards onto an elemental place, and added to the interpretation. The problem is that it is difficult to see how the situation will develop. The next stage is to read in groups of four.

Golden Rule of Elemental Dignities

The Golden Rule for Elemental Dignities is:

Apply the rules rigidly; interpret the results intuitively, inspirationally, flexibly and liberally

For good reason, we are going to look at a single card in each place. You may be wondering why I am contradicting the basic of tenet of Elemental Dignities — that cards are never read in isolation.  The system of Elemental Dignities gets complicated very quickly. The intention is that the techniques in this and the previous lesson are integrated into a complete system, but it is better to walk before running.

The Elemental enemies are next to each other. The basic attributes of the elements alternate: Active, Passive, Active, Passive. Note that we have added no other definition to the positions, something that is unique in Elemental Dignities and Tarot.

Although the laws and application of Elemental Dignities are very simple, the results become complex alarmingly quickly, so we will analyse this Four Card Spread for one element at a time to see how it changes in each position.

To begin, let us analyse according to the rules.

Horus – Fire on all four positions

Excess, very active

Isis – Cups on all positions

Water is a placid, passive element, and so is not well placed to begin. In the position of Fire, the Water gets heated up, but it likes safe, secure surroundings and is very uncomfortable. The next stage, in its own position, we get even less action. If anything there is a cooling down! Moving onto the Air stage, consciousness stirs, but the emotions over-rule everything. Water is very happy in the Earth position, but earth is a sponge, it looks as if we have a super-saturated solution.

Aroueris – All Swords

Air is  very positive and enthusiastic — there is no resistance or proving ground to thoughts — instant gratification. The next stage, Water is friendly, but very neutral. Air wants results, but Water prevents this happening, so frustration could set in. Alternatively, the Water provides creative imagination that almost loses Air in a reverie. On its own element, there is an excess. It is as if Air is stir crazy, with wild thoughts all over the place. The last stage, Earth naturally tries to ground Air, but they are so inimical to each other that the result is flimsy.

Nepthys – All Disks

Earth consolidates its position. The last result is extreme heaviness. Heavy isotopes such as plutonium that explode when in sufficient quantity.

Each element has a unique signature in each position, but it is not necessary to memorise this information since it can be easily created from first principles. This is important since mathematically there are many, many combinations of four elements in four places.

More examples of the Osiris class:

 The elements in their places creates an excess in all positions. It is the most extreme form of YHVH.

 Transposing Fire and Water renders this combination weak and dangerous, since Air and Earth are still excessive. The tail is wagging the dog.

 All positions are weak. The worst possible permutation.

Here are some positive combinations:

• Fire
• Earth
• Air
• Water

All positions are friendly, and the actions are harmonious. An original directed action that has a strong emotional basis, has the drive and energy to carry out the deeds, and the result is emotionally satisfying.

• Fire
• Water
• Air
• Earth

The positions are friendly, but the actions neutralise each other! There is a circularity to the situation. A strong, consolidated start that probably results in a similar, but more concentrated state. This is an excellent indication that a desired situation will be maintained.

• Earth
• Earth
• Fire
• Fire

Here is an Apis combination that has the worst of both worlds — the elements are simultaneously excessive and weak. Things are very unstable here. Fire over-acts and under-acts while Earth is insecure. As well as being omitted, Air and Water are actually further weakened by the actions of the Fire and Earth. Actions performed without compassion or intelligence coupled with instability of purpose or shifting goal posts.

• Fire
• Fire
• Earth
• Earth

Here we have an apparently strong situation that disintegrates with time. Note that despite all positions being friendly there is a subtle jockeying for position. Fire in the Air position is particularly interesting. As Air is an enemy of Earth it is supplying the oxygen needed to inflame the situation and destroy Earth, while the Water position is passively cooling down the Earth. Who wins? For my money, it would be Fire since it seems in the final position.

• Earth
• Water
• Fire
• Air

Which Element is weakest here?

I would suggest Earth is particularly strong even though it is unbalanced. Water and Air are in friendly positions but Air is the strongest since it is an active element in an active position and Fire is so weak.

As one studies Elemental Dignities, the subtle transformation and transmission of energy becomes apparent. We begin to perceive the ebb and flow of energy, the blocks placed in the way, or even dissipation of purpose. It is as if the elements try to take on the qualities or aspects that are weak, excessive or missing, even if they are contrary to their natural condition. Checks and balances abound. After a time, the eye naturally falls upon the stronger or missing aspect that is the linchpin of the reading, that an image or feeling is the total of the combination of Tarot cards. With Elemental Dignities, we have a method of validating that impression above and beyond asking the Querent for combination.