Understanding Tattwas
The five elemental forces that govern cosmic and personal rhythms
Prithvi
Currently Active Tattwa
Earth
The element of grounding and manifestation. Perfect for practical work, grounding, and materializing intentions.
This is 19.9 hours after sunrise (5:35 AM), which puts us in the 50th tattwa cycle of the day, which is Prithvi.
What Are Tattwas?
Tattwas are the five fundamental elements or forces that permeate all existence in Vedic and yogic philosophy. They represent the building blocks of both the material and spiritual worlds, each carrying unique qualities and energetic signatures.
In spiritual practice, the tattwas cycle throughout the day, beginning at sunrise and following a precise pattern. Each tattwa period lasts 24 minutes, creating a 2-hour cycle (5 tattwas × 24 minutes = 120 minutes). Understanding and working with these rhythms can enhance meditation, spiritual practices, and daily activities by aligning them with the most conducive energetic periods.
The Daily Cycle
The tattwa cycle begins at sunrise and repeats every 2 hours throughout the day. The sequence always follows the same order: Akasha → Vayu → Tejas → Apas → Prithvi, then repeats.
The Five Tattwas
Akasha
Ether / Spirit
The primordial element from which all others emerge. Ideal for spiritual work, creativity, and connecting with higher consciousness.
Qualities:
Best For:
- • Meditation
- • Spiritual practices
- • Creative work
- • New beginnings
- • Plan generation
Vayu
Air
The element of movement and mental clarity. Perfect for intellectual work, communication, and initiating new projects.
Qualities:
Best For:
- • Study
- • Communication
- • Planning
- • Mental work
- • New ventures
Tejas
Fire
The transformative element of energy and passion. Good for dynamic action, transformation, and physical work.
Qualities:
Best For:
- • Physical exercise
- • Transformation work
- • Dynamic action
- • Energy work
Apas
Water
The element of emotions and intuition. Ideal for inner reflection, emotional work, and healing practices.
Qualities:
Best For:
- • Emotional healing
- • Intuitive work
- • Reflection
- • Cleansing
Prithvi
Earth
The element of grounding and manifestation. Perfect for practical work, grounding, and materializing intentions.
Qualities:
Best For:
- • Practical tasks
- • Grounding
- • Manifestation
- • Physical work
Optimal Times for Spiritual Work
Certain tattwas are particularly conducive to spiritual practices and new beginnings:
Akasha (Ether)
The primordial element from which all others emerge. This is the most spiritually aligned time for meditation, contemplation, and connecting with higher consciousness.
Vayu (Air)
The element of movement and mental clarity. This period brings sharp focus and clear thinking, ideal for planning and beginning new ventures.
How to Use This Information
Align Your Practice
Schedule your meditation and spiritual practices during Akasha or Vayu periods for maximum benefit.
Plan New Beginnings
Start new spiritual journeys, generate your 90-day plans, or initiate important practices during optimal tattwa periods.
Match Activities to Energy
Use Tejas for dynamic action, Apas for emotional work, and Prithvi for grounding and practical tasks.
Watch the Tattwa Bar
The tattwa bar at the top of each page shows you the current period and when it transitions to the next.
Today's Complete Schedule
Sunrise: 5:35 AM • All times in America/Toronto
| Tattwa | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Aether (Akasha)
|
05:35 | 05:59 |
|
Air (Vayu)
|
05:59 | 06:23 |
|
Fire (Tejas)
|
06:23 | 06:47 |
|
Water (Apas)
|
06:47 | 07:11 |
|
Earth (Prithvi)
|
07:11 | 07:35 |
|
Aether (Akasha)
|
07:35 | 07:59 |
|
Air (Vayu)
|
07:59 | 08:23 |
|
Fire (Tejas)
|
08:23 | 08:47 |
|
Water (Apas)
|
08:47 | 09:11 |
|
Earth (Prithvi)
|
09:11 | 09:35 |
|
Aether (Akasha)
|
09:35 | 09:59 |
|
Air (Vayu)
|
09:59 | 10:23 |
|
Fire (Tejas)
|
10:23 | 10:47 |
|
Water (Apas)
|
10:47 | 11:11 |
|
Earth (Prithvi)
|
11:11 | 11:35 |
|
Aether (Akasha)
|
11:35 | 11:59 |
|
Air (Vayu)
|
11:59 | 12:23 |
|
Fire (Tejas)
|
12:23 | 12:47 |
|
Water (Apas)
|
12:47 | 13:11 |
|
Earth (Prithvi)
|
13:11 | 13:35 |
|
Aether (Akasha)
|
13:35 | 13:59 |
|
Air (Vayu)
|
13:59 | 14:23 |
|
Fire (Tejas)
|
14:23 | 14:47 |
|
Water (Apas)
|
14:47 | 15:11 |
|
Earth (Prithvi)
|
15:11 | 15:35 |
|
Aether (Akasha)
|
15:35 | 15:59 |
|
Air (Vayu)
|
15:59 | 16:23 |
|
Fire (Tejas)
|
16:23 | 16:47 |
|
Water (Apas)
|
16:47 | 17:11 |
|
Earth (Prithvi)
|
17:11 | 17:35 |
|
Aether (Akasha)
|
17:35 | 17:59 |
|
Air (Vayu)
|
17:59 | 18:23 |
|
Fire (Tejas)
|
18:23 | 18:47 |
|
Water (Apas)
|
18:47 | 19:11 |
|
Earth (Prithvi)
|
19:11 | 19:35 |
|
Aether (Akasha)
|
19:35 | 19:59 |
|
Air (Vayu)
|
19:59 | 20:23 |
|
Fire (Tejas)
|
20:23 | 20:47 |
|
Water (Apas)
|
20:47 | 21:11 |
|
Earth (Prithvi)
|
21:11 | 21:35 |
|
Aether (Akasha)
|
21:35 | 21:59 |
|
Air (Vayu)
|
21:59 | 22:23 |
|
Fire (Tejas)
|
22:23 | 22:47 |
|
Water (Apas)
|
22:47 | 23:11 |
|
Earth (Prithvi)
|
23:11 | 23:35 |
|
Aether (Akasha)
|
23:35 | 23:59 |
|
Air (Vayu)
|
23:59 | 00:23 |
|
Fire (Tejas)
|
00:23 | 00:47 |
|
Water (Apas)
|
00:47 | 01:11 |
|
→
Earth (Prithvi)
Current
|
01:11 | 01:35 |
|
Aether (Akasha)
|
01:35 | 01:59 |
|
Air (Vayu)
|
01:59 | 02:23 |
|
Fire (Tejas)
|
02:23 | 02:47 |
|
Water (Apas)
|
02:47 | 03:11 |
|
Earth (Prithvi)
|
03:11 | 03:35 |
|
Aether (Akasha)
|
03:35 | 03:59 |
|
Air (Vayu)
|
03:59 | 04:23 |
|
Fire (Tejas)
|
04:23 | 04:47 |
|
Water (Apas)
|
04:47 | 05:11 |
|
Earth (Prithvi)
|
05:11 | 05:35 |
The cycle continues throughout the 24-hour period, repeating every 2 hours (5 tattwas × 24 minutes = 120 minutes)