Elements in Astrology

Astrology has used the concept of classical elements from antiquity up until the present. In Western astrology and Indian astrology four elements are used, namely Fire, Earth, Air and Water.

In Western tropical astrology, there are always 12 astrological signs; thus, each of the four elements is associated with 3 signs of the Zodiac which are always located exactly 120 degrees away from each other along the ecliptic and said to be in trine with one another. Most modern astrologers use the four classical elements extensively, (also known as triplicities) and indeed it is still viewed as a critical part of interpreting the astrological chart.

In ancient astrology, triplicities were more of a seasonal nature, so a season was given the qualities of an element, which means the signs associated with that season would be allocated to that element. The seasonal elements of ancient astrology are as follows:

Fire

Zodiac signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Description: These signs are fiery, bright, ardent, enthusiastic, leaders, confident, proud, spontaneous, self-sufficient, and romantic.

Fire signs 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, sometimes even entranced by whatever they do. They are motivated by excitement, insight and intuition. They do not consider rational or logical thinking or practical feasibility as a number one priority. The idea comes to them fully formed and full of power. While the idea may grow over a period of time, it may not grow logically at all, but intuitively the growth may be larger. Sometimes fire people do not know or understand the reasons for having certain responsibilities.

Earth

Zodiac signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Description: These signs are practical, stable, consistent, rigid, determined, dependable, patient, conservative, and sensual. They love material comforts and have good recuperative powers.

Earth signs are cautious, premeditative, conventional and dependable. They live by a practical, common-sense code and seek physical well-being rather than spiritual enlightenment, or to rise high. The expression "down to earth" sums them up. They are responsible, methodical, and concerned with detail. People that are represented by the earth element astrologically may have a personality that fits with our home planet, Earth. 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 maintain things in a stable way. While the fire sign 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. They can be too fixed to rules, regulations and procedures.

Air

Zodiac signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Description: These signs can talk and communicate well; they tend to be intellectual, and they are able to handle abstract reasoning. They are logical, objective, talkative, social, spontaneous, flexible, cautious, idealistic, and unprejudiced.

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 may not be that close to individuals. They have varied interests and could become perpetual students.

Water

Zodiac signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Description: These signs are feeling, sustaining, and receptive. They are emotional, intuitive, responsive, sensitive, psychic,deep, kind, and caring. They tend to be susceptible to mood swings, and it takes a while to get to know them. They are also nurturing and base many actions they take on sense.

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. 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.