Water
The element of receptivity, dissolution, purification, emotion, memory, reflection, depth, and flow.
Definition
Water is the element and symbol of receptivity, dissolution, purification, emotion, memory, reflection, depth, fertility, and flow.
In alchemical and Hermetic symbolism, Water often represents the force that softens, receives, dissolves, cleanses, carries, and prepares matter for transformation.
Expanded Explanation
Water is one of the four classical elements and one of the central symbols of dissolution and purification.
It takes the shape of its vessel, softens what is rigid, carries what has been dissolved, reflects what appears above it, and receives what is placed within it.
In alchemy, Water is closely connected with washing, purification, solution, dissolution, the Moon, Silver, receptivity, and the solve side of solve et coagula. Symbolically, Water may also represent emotion, memory, imagination, dreams, and the hidden depths of the inner life.
Within hermetic alchemy, Water is studied as the receptive force of transformation. It teaches that change does not always begin with heat. Sometimes it begins with softening, cleansing, reflection, and return.