The Difference Between 'Intention' and 'Longing': a Perspective Through the Elements of Fire and Water

The beginning of materialization.

Exploring the difference between 'having intention' and 'longing' through the elements of 'Fire' and 'Water' offers a rich and symbolic perspective on how we approach our desires and aspirations.

Masters of manifestation always say that to successfully build our desires in the physical world, that is, to manifest our dreams, the first step is to set an 'intention'.

So, let's look at the difference between 'longing' and 'intention', which only work when we form a 'community' between them.

Longing (Water): The Depth of Nostalgia

Longing, associated with the Water element, is akin to a deep and sometimes turbulent ocean of emotions and desires. It's the feeling of searching for something we sense is missing, a desire born from a sense of emptiness or lack. Longing is like an undercurrent leading us to yearn for what we don't have, often shrouded in a layer of nostalgia and deep emotion.

The Water element, with its connection to emotional depth, symbolizes the often unfathomable nature of longing. This feeling can be powerful and overwhelming, like waves dragging us into the unknown. Although longing can be a motivating force, it also risks plunging us into a state of inaction, where we are so focused on what we lack that we fail to see what we already have or what we might achieve.

Intention (Fire): The Flame of Action and Creation

Intention, on the other hand, is intimately linked to the Fire element. It's the spark that ignites action, the flame of manifestation arising from a desire born of inspiration and will. Intention is active and dynamic; it's not just a wish, but a commitment to moving toward that wish with purpose and direction.

Fire symbolizes energy, passion, and transformation. In the context of intention, it represents the ability to turn ideas and dreams into reality through concrete actions. Unlike longing, which often keeps us trapped in the desire for what we don't have, intention is the power to change our reality, to take what we have and who we are, and shape it into what we want to be or achieve.

Conclusion: From Depth to Flame

While longing (Water) can submerge us in the depths of our hidden emotions and desires, intention (Fire) invites us to emerge from those waters with a clear purpose and action plan. By acknowledging our longings but choosing to live with intention, we mobilize our internal energy from a state of lack to one of creation and manifestation.

Ultimately, both longing and intention are crucial parts of our human experience. The challenge and art of living lie in balancing these energies: allowing ourselves to feel deeply, but also acting with determination and purpose.