This is one of the most important classifications of astrological sign for predictive purpose. It helps in describing the temperament and basic personality of each sign of the zodiac by classifying them into one of the four ancient and traditional elements, fire, earth, air, and water. Each of the four elements has three signs assigned to it.
Fire signs (The Inspirational and Physically active Group) Aries, Leo and Sagittarius
Earth signs (The Practical and Productive Group) Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
Air signs (The Mental and Socially Oriented Group) Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
Water signs (The Emotional and Family Oriented Group) Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces
Fiery
The Element of Fire is associated with the Signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, and it also symbolizes the natural first, fifth and ninth houses in astrology.
Fire tends to go upwards, and can raise things into the clouds and beyond. The sun and the stars are fire - high in the sky! Fire cannot truly be confined, although it can be controlled. Even so, it eventually escapes into the sky.
Fire is associated with inspiration, life force, action, enthusiasm, passion, vitality, courage, charisma, spontaneity, strength, possibility, will, faith and high spirits, high ideals.
Fire ideas can be very distant from the ideas of this Earth. While fire consumes, it also creates new life (forest fires remove the old and enable the new - some plants even wait for the fire to release their seeds!). Of all the elements, fire captures our attention the most.
Archetypal fire goes high above the earth, is consuming, clinging and captivating and creates the new and removes the old.
Fire is raw energy. Fire appears as if from nowhere, it grabs everyone's attention, and forces its way through almost everything, consuming the air, evaporating the water and chars the earth. Even the rocks are scorched or even melted (larva).
Fire signs are known to be intuitive, and to rely on gut-level instincts. Going on faith in their inner guidance gets them far, but they have a tendency to skip crucial steps, or to be unaware of the emotional impact of their actions.
The fiery signs represent the vital spirit and activity. These signs tend to be confident, action oriented, outgoing, forceful, active, strong, adventurous, enthusiastic, expansive and optimistic. Negatively they tend to be impatient, willful, reactive, blunt, careless and foolhardy.
Any planet or house that is placed in these signs will acquire these qualities. The more planets one have in the fire signs the more of these qualities will be pronounced.
Fire is inherently unstable, and its natural tendency is to rise. Its energy rushes outward, and fire-sign people are outgoing. They need to self-mythologize, seeing their lives as a grand adventure. The fire signs can be brash, impulsive, blunt, impatient, boisterous and flagrant. They’re daring risk-takers, but with a potential for haste and recklessness. “On fire” and “fired up” describe Aries, Leo and Sagittarius when they’re in their element. Overdoing fire can cause you to burn yourself out.
Fiery people have high spirits, great self-confidence, enthusiasm, and direct honesty and openness. They project a radiant, vitalising energy that glows warmly. They need a good deal of freedom to express themselves so they can insist on their own point of view. They are consumed - even entranced - by whatever they do. They are motivated by excitement, insight and intuition. That is, they get an idea which captivates them. They do not consider rational or logical thinking or practical feasibility. The idea comes to them fully formed and full of power. While the idea may grow over a period of time, it does not grow logically but intuitively. Sometimes fiery people do not know why they must do what they must do!
Not surprisingly, fire people are assertive, individualistic, active and self-expressive. Fire sign energies can stimulate others, but they can also overpower and exhaust them.
Fiery people are dramatic, direct, forceful, demonstrative and exuberant. They have an inner spark, and they radiate with joie de vivre. They’re self-igniting, thus self-motivated. They dislike weakness and worries. Good natured and fun-loving, they may have many friends.
They are generous with their time, energy, and resources. They value having a good time above material possessions. They are generous but egoistic.
Fiery people may believe so strongly in their own powers and abilities that they fail to notice the powers and abilities of others. This may mean that they do not give others the credit they deserve, or it may be that they underestimate their opponents. They believe that "If you want a job done well, then do it yourself".
However, they belong to a group that is the most daring and capable inspiring natural leaders. They lead from the front. In war or business, they are out in the front leading the way. They are independent and individualistic leaders, rarely consulting others before they act. In fact, they may not even think things through to themselves, because their mode of thought is intuitive. They are always "on stage" and need to be recognized and admired for their attainment and accomplishments. They consider being appreciated more important than being rich. Nothing hurts them more than being ignored. The fire sign sense of honesty is straightforward and often child-like. They believe everyone is like themselves an open book. This may lead them to be gullible and na�ve, or to others exploiting their openness.
Those with planets in fire signs have a simmering at-the-ready stance, as they hunt for things that light them up. They're prone to sudden illuminating flashes of insight and bursts of enthusiasm. Like fire itself, they can flare up when inspired, making them seem very passionate about life. They like to live large, and often feel frustrated by mundane chores and duties.
If someone has little or no fire in their chart, they may have low energy and lack passion and confidence. They probably have some fear of taking action and may not really trust life. These types could benefit from a fiery person lighting a fire under them. Vigorous exercise is one antidote to low fire, since it heats you up, and sunshine has the power to revive flagging spirits.
Earthy
The Element of Earth is associated with the Signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, and it also symbolizes the natural second, sixth and tenth houses in astrology.
The earth element represents matter. Everything in the universe is made of matter. You can touch what exists and often see or hear it. Earth is real and objective because it is perceivable by the five senses. Everything that exists in the universe is either earth or water. For anything to manifest, it must contain the elements earth or water.
Of all the elements, the earth element is the most easy to confine and capture, to hold in the hand. It is rigid, fixed and stable. Anything that is attainable is "down to earth" and not "airy fairy", or "high in the sky". Archetypal earth is real, heavy, and the basis of all achievement. It is the foundation of all that is. Like the real earth, it is fixed, stable, organised and predictable. It is limited and disciplined.
It is the earth that can be possessed and owned. It provides a solid basis for our existence (dependable and stable), yet it can rise only so far. And the higher it rises (a bolder on a mountain), the farther it has to fall, making it cautious. Unlike the other elements, it cannot easily rise and almost never disappears.
The earthy signs represent sense of responsibility and reliability. These signs tend to be organized, practical, realistic, ambitious, hardworking, methodical, disciplined, analytical, stable and steady. Negatively they tend to be stubborn, lazy, reserved, critical, fussy, pessimistic and snobbish. Any planet or house that is placed in these signs will acquire these qualities. The more planets one have in the earth signs the more of these qualities will be pronounced.
It's common to hear someone described as "earthy." Such a person blends in with their natural habitat. They're sensual, meaning they engage with life through the five senses. It takes time to sense the dense physical world, and earth signs can operate at a slower, more thorough pace than the other elements.
Earth is interested in what is tangible, concrete, useful and sensible. People with lots of earth in their charts are dependable—as in salt of the earth, rock solid— and practical—as in down to earth, grounded. They’re hands-on, preferring to deal with substance and matter and form. You can rely on earthy types, because of their firm roots.
Earth signs are patient, self-disciplined and industrious. They stabilize by imposing order on their world. A Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn is here to actualize and manifest. Sensory experience takes precedence, gifting them with a notable sensuality. No other element is as in touch with the body. Earth signs operate in the material world, so they can be overly materialistic, and their rooted ness may lead them to be overly controlled, conservative and cautious—a stick in the mud.
Unlike the other elements, earth stands still. But it’s capable of building upon itself as well, and a lack of earth can spell a lack of resourcefulness and structure, an inability to dwell in the here and now. Quick fixes: A walk in nature will get you to feel the ground beneath your feet, while a massage reconnects you with your body.
They're oriented toward what's real, and often this makes them very productive, able to create tangible results. But if there are no balancing elements, earth's extremes could lead to being a work-a-holic, hoarding of possessions, pettiness, getting stuck in the mundane, stubbornness, etc.
Earthy people are, therefore, cautious, premeditative, conventional and dependable. They live by a practical, common-sense code and seek physical wellbeing rather than spiritual enlightenment, or to rise high. The expression "down to earth" sums them up. They are responsible, methodical, and concerned with detail.
Children of the earth element are therefore well suited to life on this planet. They are realistic, builders and hard workers. They are pragmatic, materialistic and reductionist - they reduce everything to what is practical, useful and observable. They particularly value skills and abilities. Earth types are successful business people in the sense that they can stably maintain things.
While the fiery type is an innovator, the earth type is cautious and practical, being more interested in established business activities than new innovative ones. Imagination to an earth type is of realistic representations of the five senses (or a few of them). They think about what is, rather than what might be. In a way, they lack imagination. They can be too fixed to rules, regulations and procedures.
Airy
The Element of Air is associated with the Signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, and it also symbolizes the natural third, seventh and eleventh houses in astrology.
While air is light, it pervades everything on earth. For a long way into the sky and even in deep caves there is air. Air rises, but not as much as fire. Like fire, air is difficult to control or to capture. It is (nearly) always free. Yet it links everything to everything else.
Air is associated with words and language. Language and words are essentially verbal, and speech requires air. It has a serial quality. You can blow air from one position to another. For example, you can direct the breath to blow away some dust - the air moves from the mouth to the position of the dust.
Language requires that words are uttered in a particular sequence, and the basis of logic is within language. (You cannot prove logic!) For most of human history, the air was the motive force of transport (sailing ships) and a major source of power (windmills).
The airy signs represent mental and social experiences. These signs tend to be communicative, quick-witted, adaptable, versatile, flexible, relationship oriented, cooperative, sociable, balanced, tolerant and original. Negatively they tend to be babbling, nervous, superficial, indecisive, aloof and eccentric. Any planet or house that is placed in these signs will acquire these qualities. The more planets one have in the air signs the more of these qualities will be pronounced.
Those with planets in air signs use their minds to make sense of their lives. With Air, there's more space between the life lived and the observing mind. This can lead air signs to appear detached, aloof, remote, cool. Sometimes they'll try to talk their way through feelings or analyze a situation instead of encountering its full emotional weight.
The gift of Air is flexibility, and their ability to experience life through many prisms. They're often excellent communicators, storytellers, interpreters and journalists. They link people together socially, and often have a curiosity that keeps them out and about.
Archetypal air is associated with language, logic, communication and transport. It loves freedom, and if captured, it will escape at the first opportunity. (If you capture it in a balloon, it will seep out or explode out whenever it can). Air is also associated with the interrelationships (links) between people and things.
So one keyword is "linking":
logic links ideas,
language links words,
transport links places, and
words link to ideas.
In order to link ideas together, we need to use abstraction or generalisation to some degree. So like fire, air can be abstract, although because it is closer to the earth, it is less "up in the sky" than fire (although it is "up in the air", and abstract sometimes) Although air is everywhere, it remains air, although it does unite with objects and things in the world, but not as fast as fire. So the archetypal air can be objective and a bit impersonal. It is social because it is everywhere, but the associations are not as deep as those of water, or as lasting as those of earth.
Air people are concerned with thought, ideas and intellect. They are detached and objective. They can be versatile and agile in communications. But they might not accomplish their promises or goals unless they are grounded in earth. They are the theory people in the "theory versus practice" debate.
Nonetheless, while the air people are less practical than those of the earth, they are more practical and objective than the other two signs.They can become dreamers, thinking and planning, but not applying. Air people are reflective and think things through logically before they implement their ideas. They can be procrastinators, but they rarely make mistakes through lack of thought. They tend not to be emotional, but they are fair minded and consider other's viewpoints. They are group rather than person oriented. They love humanity, but are not that close to individuals. They have varied interests and could become perpetual students.
Air is concerned with thinking, relating, communication, concepts and comprehension. Sociability, abstract reasoning, curiosity, logic, objectivity and intellectual perspective are all strengths. With so much emphasis on the mental and verbal, one might question why relationships are associated with this element. Air signs thrive on exchange. Just as they need to associate one thing with another in their heads, they need personal interaction.
Humans forge connections through language; to relate means to tell. Air itself moves horizontally, and airy people relay information and give and take ideas. Their minds are lively, which can sometimes overload their nervous systems. If they talk too much, we say they’re full of hot air. When they live in their heads, they’re labeled airheads. And if they’re all theory with no practicality, the expressions fly-by-night and flighty can apply. Their rational broad-mindedness gives air-sign people a detached, dispassionate quality, yet someone with little or no air in their chart will have a harder time adapting to new ideas and unfamiliar people. If you’re overdoing your air, meditation helps to still the mind. If this is your low or missing element, fresh air awakens the mind, restoring alertness.
Watery
The Element of Water is associated with the Signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, and it also symbolizes the natural fourth, eighth and twelfth houses in astrology.
Water rises into the air and falls as rain, nurturing the land. The earth absorbs it to become fertile. We can go for weeks without food, but only days without water. Living things need water. With it they grow and mature. Without it they die.
Normally water is cold, that is, it absorbs energy. It takes in the energy of others. Water is more sensitive than the other elements in that it can appear in the three forms of matter: solid like the earth; liquid - its normal state - and as vapour - like air.
Water, like earth, is heavy, and falls to the earth. It is less easily constrained than earth, but more easily than fire or air. Yet water can rise up into the air (although it often falls again as rain.) Unlike fire and air, it forms a flat surface, therefore, like earth, it has some form. It is therefore less limited than the earth, but more limited than fire and air.
While fire cannot be contained, it disappears if you totally enclose it, and air expands to fill any container, water is more limited and keeps it volume, and has a level. While fire cannot destroy the earth, water can. It is the universal solvent that has the potential to make everyone one, without destroying that which it unites.
Water can rise high with the help of air, but generally doesn't move upwards. Water is extremely powerful, and will always find its own level. If artificially constrained at a high level, it will eventually break free, but then it will fall. Water is impressionable and reflective. It can go deep. Archetypal water refers to the feelings and the emotions. It refers to the unconscious mind.
The watery signs represent feelings, imaginative and creative experiences. These signs tend to be sensitive, sympathetic, domestic, compassionate, benevolent, intuitive, artistic and receptive. Negatively they tend to be moody, clinging, secretive, escapist, impractical, unrealistic and brooding. Any planet or house that is placed in these signs will acquire these qualities. The more planets one have in the water signs the more of these qualities will be pronounced.
Water signs are attuned to waves of emotion, and often seem to have a built-in sonar for reading a mood. This gives them a special sensitivity in relationships, knowing when to show warmth and when to hold back. At their best, they are a healing force that brings people together -- at their worst, they are psychic vampires, able to manipulate and drain the life force of those closest to them.
Water signs are tuned into the many shades of meaning in relationships, and at times can absorb "vibes" from others. They have to work harder than other elements to maintain their personal boundaries.
Water people are very sensitive to their own feelings and those of others. They perceive life through their emotions. They are concerned with what feels right, with their hunches or impressions, rather than with what is practical or rational. They use the emotions, not the intellect, to understand and to value. Water can raise people to the heights of bliss, but can bring them down to the depths of despair.
They’re aware of how they feel, how you feel and what the tone in the atmosphere is. Watery types are known for their depth, given that water seeks the deepest level. They have considerable access to the subconscious, so they’re attuned to hidden undercurrents.
By nature, water is nonlinear and penetrating, and these signs are subjective and empathic. Waves of feeling can make one moody, but letting feelings wash over you can be healing and purifying. Like water, feelings may flow or freeze. Emotionality causes someone to get misty or feel like they’re in a fog. When overwhelmed by feeling, people say they’re drowning or they’re in too deep.
Water signs are vulnerable, considering their susceptibility to the environment, and this makes them rather private and self-protective. They can become ultra sensitive and overly impressionable, tending towards wallowing and compulsion. But too little water makes it hard to trust one’s gut and process—or even sanction—emotions, creating emptiness, callousness and fear of pain. For people who lack the element in their charts, being in or near water seems to promote connection with sentiment and soul.
Water people need close emotional relationships, and rarely have superficial affairs. They can be volatile. They are romantic, sentimental and affectionate. They can be very nurturing and very possessive with their family and spouse. They have fixed opinions. They communicate in non-verbal ways; emotionally, psychically, or through forms as art, dance, music, poetry and photography. Their beliefs are based on feelings rather than on reason, passion or practicality. .
