This volume is the long-awaited companion to Darby's earlier CPA Press volume, Water and Fire, completing her dynamic and imaginative exploration of the four astrological elements.

Part One: Earth. Beginning with the importance of the earth rituals of archaic cultures, this seminar goes on to examine in depth the nature and meaning of the element of earth, covering in a richly poetic but thorough and comprehensive way not only planetary placements in the three earthy signs, but also the qualities and attributes of the earthy planetary rulers. The complexity and subtlety of earth is further explored through an analysis of the chart of Teilhard de Chardin, the remarkable Christian mystic and scientist who in his own life managed to integrate two apparently disparate yet intimately connected dimensions of earth which form the great paradox of this element - its rationality and respect for facts, and its profound sense of the magic and transpersonal mystery inherent in the heart of material reality.

Part Two: Air. The element of Air is often mistakenly thought to be "merely" rational. In this seminar Darby takes us on an extraordinarily imaginative flight into the upper regions of the mind, exploring first the meaning and nature of air, and then examining planetary placements in the three airy signs and the attributes and mythology of the airy planetary rulers - which, according to traditional astrology, each govern both an earthy and an airy sign. The fluid and effervescent spirit of air is further revealed through an examination of the chart of the great poet W. B. Yeats, whose vision, fertility of ideas, and love of beauty in form and idea portray the essential nature of this most elusive of the astrological elements.