©February 2011 by Fabienne Lopez
Continuing our series on Creativity and the 4 Elements, we will focus on Composition and the Fire element.
Here are the links for the previous posts on Earth and Air in case you missed them.
Fire and Composition: Definitions
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, composition is the act or process of arranging into artistic form a specific proportion or relation. At its simplest, composition is defined by how the artist handles his technique. Without a good composition, the artist command of technique is worthless.
In astrology, a fiery temperament would be somebody whose chart has an emphasis of planets in fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius). This person would be described as someone imaginative, enthusiastic, inspirational, warm, and exuberant with a great deal of faith in himself.
So, what is the relationship between composition and a fiery chart?
A fire person is driven by the need to make big and dramatic statements that express the power of creation, the ability to compose an idea into a specific form. Fire burns up a substrate in order to create something entirely new. Established rules for composition are overthrown by fiery artists so they can innovate with new ways to handle the artistic form.
Vincent Van Gogh is the artist that comes to mind to best exemplify this intersection of fire and composition in art.
Artwork and the Fire Element
The exuberant nature of a fire chart has a strong drive to find its artistic expression in inspirational themes that depict the energy and movement of life itself.
The imagery is one of optimism, enthusiasm, and spontaneity of gesture, fierceness of desire and intensity of feelings.
The use of images of fire, light, sun, flames, and radiating forms in his composition is the way a fire artist can channel his need for dynamic compositions, set development in motion that will give birth to a new form
The impatient nature of fire is often shown in the usage of strong lines and angles intending to translate the spontaneous gesture, the impulsive action, the childlike energy of this element.
Routine work or contemplation of the past are discarded in favor of structures with no constraints or limits.
Strong, vivid, bright, and often hot colors are used in combination with strong shapes and forms to express heroic, uplifting, or self-referential themes.
With Aries prominent in the chart, the themes would be centered on Martian ones: war, aggression, and heroism where the composition would be often new and original.
Think Andy Warhol, a multiple Leo, when you want to understand the self-referential themes in fiery artists.
Sagittarius and Jupiter would have a tendency to produce large bodies of work revolving around symbolic or religious themes.
What do you think? What other artists have influenced you in terms of composition? Can you see how the fire in you chart has influenced you in terms of composition and themes? Share your stories!
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Photos Credits: Van Gogh
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All four elements were an interesting read. I noticed in my blog I use a lot of fire and water, as well as video. My natal chart reflects that as well, I have a fire sign moon and ascendant and a water sign sun, along with several outer planets in air signs. You are your chart
Hi Katley:
Yes, I can totally see your chart in your blog and for sure we are our chart! No escape there. Loved the post on the 100th anniversary of March 8 as the International Women Day! It is a day that is much more celebrated outside the USA. I am always amazed on how little it shows up on the media on the day.
Hi, Fabienne,
Hi, Fabienne,
thanks so much for reading my post. I never paid much attention to International Women’s Day until my daughters went to school, because it doesn’t get much media coverage here in the States. They learned Russian starting in Kindergarten, and their Russian teachers celebrated it every year. We now make a point of treating ourselves to lunch out to celebrate the occasion. BTW enjoy your blog, I am a fan of astrology as well as folklore and cats (I’ve even rectified my cat’s chart). I’ll be reading you more in the future! ~Katley~
Hi Katley:
In Brazil, March 8 is also a big deal. At work, the boss would take out all the women for lunch and send in flowers and chocolate. It became quite a commercial day, similar to Valentine’s Day in the USA. My theory is that since this an event tied to the Union Movement in the USA, it gets diminished as Unions have lost most of their influence.
As for cats, I did my cat’s chart but did not go so far as rectify it. I am impressed.
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