[HPforGrownups] Re: Union of Opposites - Gryffindor/Slytherin

[Magpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 156059

Dana:
> In Tarot symbolism:
> Fire = bold action and growth. Symbolized by a wand or staff.
> Air = truth and ideas, the North. Symbolized by a sword.
> Earth = material goods and practical concerns. Symbolized by a pentacle or 
> disk.
> Water = emotions and beauty. Symbolized by a cup.
>
> The cup of Hufflepuff could be water, and the sword of Gryffindor could be 
> air. Just based
> on their characters, I would place Fire with Griffyndor, Air with 
> Ravenclaw, and Earth with
> Hufflepuff. But Slytherin doesn't really seem to fit, do they?

Magpie:
JKR has acknowledged the elements connection in interviews. 
Gryffindor=Fire, Ravenclaw=air, Hufflepuff=earth and Slytherin=water.

Personally, I think Slytherin is one of the most clearly connected, if not 
by the description the hat gives for the house (they live under the lake and 
have a common room with a certain "spooky beauty").  In HBP and CoS 
especially, the two Slytherin-centered books, liquid symbolism is 
everywhere.  HBP really takes it over the top: Blood, tears, wine, mead, 
love potions, poison, liquid luck, polyjuice, pensieve liquid memories, 
lakes, boats, bathrooms, more potions.  Plus the Slytherins themselves, for 
all they may hide them through Occlumency, actually do strike me as having a 
dramatic, emotional nature all their own.

-m