KOTO Cosmos

23 Jan KOTO Cosmos

January 23, 2009

On January 23rd, our beloved non-profit, local radio station, KOTO, will be holding its annual guest DJ day in an effort to raise money to pay for their yearly costs of operation and broadcasting. The theme is astrological this year, and will feature three DJs of each element in consecutive two hour segments, playing music of their choosing and hopefully, music from musicians of each element also. I’ve been asked to write a piece on the Four Elements, FYI. So, brush up on your astrological knowledge and tune in on Friday to find out who’s who.

The Four Elements – fire, earth, air and water – are the aggregates in the cornerstone of astrology – mankind’s oldest science – and as such, connect our physical, three dimensional world and our experience on it to the cosmic, ethereal world, i.e. the ethers – which is the fifth element of our Universe. They are the essential components of the astrological description of man.

Fire: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius

The fires signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are associated with light, spirit and the astral plane. They represent the spark, the flame, the fire that illuminates life and lights our journey upon the path. Fire energy is primal and primitive, passionate, impulsive and positive, courageous and confident. It comes to us via the survival instinct, the life force and the will to live. It is inspirational and passionate, enthusiastic and playful. Those born under the sign of fire are characteristically playful, crave action and like to take risks. They are the exciters, activators, explorers, crusaders, gamblers and warriors of the zodiac. Spontaneous and self-assured, they are self-motivated and strongly self-oriented. They do not shy away from conflict or confrontation and often enjoy the heat of a ‘good’ argument, righteous battle or physical challenge. They are not afraid to fight for what they want. Musically, they prefer upbeat rhythms, hip-hop, rock and lively dance tunes or music that inspires the spirit.

Famous fire-sign musicians include:

Aries: Billy Holiday, Eric Clapton, Diana Ross, Leon Russell, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Emmy Lou Harris, Nora Jones, Merle Haggard

Leo: Mick Jagger, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Louie Armstrong, Whitney Houston, Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg

Sagittarius: Ludwig Von Beethoven, Jimmy Hendricks, Tina Turner, JJ Cale, Frank Sinatra, Brittney Spears, Keith Richards, Christina Aguilera

Earth: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn

The Earth element deals primarily with matter and represents the physical plane of human experience and existence. It is our three dimensional world and all that we can touch and feel, smell, see, taste, hear and sense. It is the world of form and empirical, tangible reality. It is the force of gravity and that which keeps us grounded in the here and now. Stable and practical, realistic and calm, earth sign energy is solid and reliable, industrious, cautious and persevering. It comes to us in the shape of ‘things’: the physical body, money, possessions, food and shelter. Material security is big for earth signs and there is great value placed on one’s financial and social status, including the means and ability to earn a living. Those born in signs of earth are characteristically patient, industrious, tenacious, persistent and determined. They have an inherent ability to utilize resources and are inclined to set and work steadfastly toward goals, especially when the results deliver material or physical rewards. They love to create, manifest and achieve and are the producers, manufacturers, facilitators and managers of the zodiac. Artists, decorators, chefs, architects, gardeners and musicians are often born with strong earth sign energy in their natal charts, as it naturally attracts and expresses the creative process and thrives on the visual, tactile and sensual magic and beauty of the universe. Musically, they are naturally gifted and have an excellent ear for melody and harmony. They gravitate toward earthy, sexy themes of everyday life: love and romance, money and loss, anger and pain, hard work and heartbreak. Look for earth signs in all musical genres, but especially popular in C&W, the blues and rock n’ roll.

Famous Earth sign musicians include:

Taurus: Willie Nelson, Taj Mahal, Rita Coolidge, Cher, James Brown, Roy Orbison, Stevie Wonder

Virgo: BB King, Patsy Cline, Michael Jackson, Buddy Holly, Beyonce

Capricorn: Elvis Presley, Janice Joplin, Jimmy Buffet, Stephen Stills, Dolly Parton, Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Ricky Martin, Jimmy Page

Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

The air signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are of the mental plane, where thoughts and ideas give birth to magnificent dreams and magical possibilities. It is here that the mind and imagination rule supreme, where we tap into the universal brain and the fertile ethereal well of creative, cosmic consciousness. Here we find highly refined thinkers, writers and communicators, born with the ability to intuit and explain the abstract and invisible. Air sign energy is characteristically inventive and curious, detached and cool, rational, talkative and intellectual. There is an appreciation of language and the arts, history, myth, fact and fiction.  Quick-witted, clever, creative, and often loquacious, intrigued by concepts and fascinated by information and imagination, air sign energy can manifest in the shape of airy-fairy air-heads, eggheads, mad scientists, absent-minded professors, revolutionaries, rebels and lunatics or as cutting-edge inventors, evolutionary thinkers, creative writers, ingenious creators and eloquent speakers. Composers, poets, authors, editors; researchers, journalists, librarians, linguists, translators, diplomats and professors are often born with an emphasis of air in their natal horoscopes. They are the messengers, students and teachers of the zodiac and love to learn, explore and share knowledge. Musically, air sign people like it all. They love music with a message, appreciate lyrics and delight in poetry, but they are also attracted to the unusual and avant-garde, including hard rock, electronica, reggae, hip-hop, R&B and funk.

Famous Air Sign Musicians include:

Gemini: Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, Miles Davis, John Fogerty, Waylon Jennings

Libra: Ziggy Marley, Paul Simon, Sting, Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Snoop Dogg, Dizzie Gillespie

Aquarius: Bob Marley, Shakira, John Trudell, Wofgang Mozart, Cheryl Crow, Justin Timberlake

Water: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces

The water signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are the heart and soul of the tropical zodiac and correlate on the earth plane to the emotional body, the human psyche and the watery world of feelings. It is here that instinct meets up with intuition; past life memory, subconscious knowing and the mysterious world of DNA collide in a cosmic dance of psychic ability and supernatural power. In water, we find shamans and magicians, child prodigies, healers, artists and musicians of other-worldly essence, tuned in to the divine source and the collective unconscious. It’s as if they can hear celestial music and intuit the harmony of the spheres. There seems to be a receptivity, an inherent, natural sensitivity to the people, objects and environment surrounding them, and they can actually feel the energy emanating from individuals, situations, circumstances or things. This is why they are so often reclusive, shy, secretive and self-protective. They have great passion, deep empathy and are forever creators of flowing, morphing emotion. They love peace and quiet, home and family and the awesome natural beauty of our universe. They are attracted to and fascinated by metaphysics and the occult. As the dreamers, nurturers and caretakers of our world, they bring us together and make us feel comfortable and secure. With much unconscious wisdom and insight, a psychic knowing and an all embracing love of creation, the water element carries us along the river of life, where we experience the rapids, the eddies, the heights of ecstasy and the depths of suffering. Sink or swim, welcome to the numinous ocean of emotion and the turbulent world of water. Musically, look for plenty of soul, blues and folk.

Famous Water Sign Musicians include:

Cancer: Carlos Santana, Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie, Debbie Harry, Kris Kristofferson

Scorpio: Joni Mitchell, Art Garfunkel, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, Sean Combs

Pisces: Johnny Cash, Jon Bon Jovi, James Taylor, Jerry Jeff Walker