Elemental correspondences

Elemental correspondences are the associations drawn by the occult tradition between the four tarot suits and the four elements. The most widespread scheme, set by the Golden Dawn in the late nineteenth century, links Wands to Fire, Cups to Water, Swords to Air and Coins to Earth. Other schools swap Wands and Swords. These correspondences do not appear on the early cards: they are an added interpretive framework.