Unstuck your earth with the power of water

In fairy tales, when a king or queen falls ill, or a kingdom becomes frozen or cursed, it’s more than just a story about magic—it’s a reflection of how we and our world can become stuck and rigid. These stories illustrate what happens when the systems we rely on—whether our beliefs, traditions, or ways of life—become too fixed and unchanging, symbolizing stagnation, rigidity, or the “hardening” of our ways.

The sickness, curse, or affliction in these tales represents the crystallization of the earth element—when our desire for structure and security becomes so overwhelming that we become stiff and inflexible. This rigidity then affects all the other elements:
• In Fire, it manifests as an insatiable grasp for power and an unwillingness to relinquish control;
• In Air, it appears as dogmatism, stubbornly clinging to fixed ideas and refusing to consider new perspectives;
• In Water, it shows up as emotional defensiveness, leading to the repression or freezing of feelings;
• In Earth itself, it becomes evident as rigidity and an unwillingness to change.

The heroes in these stories, often someone unexpected or who has suffered greatly, symbolize the strength needed to break through this rigidity. Their journey to find the magic potion or lift the curse represents the need to restore flexibility, growth, and renewal. Through their struggles, the hero discovers the inner strength and wisdom that can heal not only themselves but the entire kingdom.

To reverse this “hardening,” the hero must be broken out of their rigid shell by the tremendous pressure of suffering along their path. The shield around the heart must be shattered. To achieve this, the hero endures suffering and pressure until all defensive walls come tumbling down, restoring their willingness to feel and their ability to open their hearts.

The magic potion or healing elixir is found in the depths of the element of water. Here lies our inherent power to heal—the ability to open up, soften our shells, and become transparent. To achieve this, we must break apart and crash land at the bottom of the ocean, learning to surrender completely, letting go of our defenses and mistrust to open up again. It is not only about softening and opening up, but also about reconnecting with our inner essence, which allows us to regain the ability to love and accept unconditionally.

"The sickness, curse, or affliction in these tales represents the crystallization of the earth element—when our desire for structure and security becomes so overwhelming that we become stiff and inflexible."

This unconditional love represents our innate ability to heal ourselves, reassemble broken pieces, and rebuild what was once shattered. It activates our inner healer and helps us recover from loss, endure hardships, or mend a broken heart.

Water softens the earth, and earth provides water with structure and support. Together, they are imbued with the power to maintain. To truly sustain something requires both the practical dedication and responsibility of continuous “earthy” work and the nourishment and adaptability of a “watery” open heart. This balance of soft touch and tough endurance is what makes a mature Queen and King and is also the transformative power that can restore a system or kingdom to flourish and prosper.

… and so they lived happily ever after.

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Astro Fairytale hero's journey self-healing