Fire, Earth, Air and Water are the elements used in astrology to describe the different ways energy is channelled through the different signs of the zodiac. Each of the twelve signs belongs to one of these four elements. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, are the Fire signs, Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, belong to Earth; Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius comprise the Air element, and Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, the Water element.
We’ve all heard of people being described as ‘fiery’, ‘grounded’, ‘airy’, or ‘deep’, and these are probably describing that person’s dominant element. Images are conjured up which we can all relate to.
When a birth-chart is calculated for an individual’s date, time and place of birth, it shows where each planet was, at that moment in time. It’s unusual to find a birth-chart with each element perfectly balanced, and we usually feel attuned to one or two elements in particular. The personal planets, Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars, plus the Ascendant and Midheaven, generally have a more powerful impact on the individual than the less personal slower-moving planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Many people have one or no planets in a particular element, and find themselves striving to develop the qualities of this element.
The joy of astrology is that once you know your make-up, you can embrace it, accepting what comes to you easily, and learning how to integrate any missing element, by consciously working with it.
Let’s look more closely now at these four. Fire, as you might expect, is hot, inspiring, enthusiastic, confident. The energy is involved is that of the intuition, so people with this element in abundant supply have an innate faith in life, from which springs the ability trust their instincts, and to take risks. The Fire type trusts that everything will work out as it should, and because the expectation is there, it often does. If it doesn’t, this element soon recovers, shrugs philosophically, and finds something else to pursue. Fire signs come from their heart, and although they can be self-centred, it should be noted that being centred in your self, is a positive thing to be, and that from this state they can shine their light and warmth on to others. Sometimes they just need to be reminded that others may not feel as confident, and have the natural innate trust of life, that they do.
The Earth element is the one concerned with the physical body, and the material life generally. If the Fire element is connected to the spirit, the Earth element is connected to the mundane. It’s important sometimes, for those of us on a spiritual quest, to remember that we are human beings, as well as spiritual ones; also that we are human ‘be-ings’ rather than human ‘do-ings’. The urge to ‘do’, to be productive, is strong in the Earth element, which is wonderful, but needs to be balanced with moments of simply being. The signs of the Earth element help us to feel grounded, be in touch with our survival instincts, show us how to live life in a practical, reliable, and organized way. The Earth element is also extremely sensual, and enables us to enjoy all the sights, smells, and other delights that life has to offer, as well as enabling us to connect to nature, and planet Earth.
Gemini, Libra and Aquarius form the Airy trio, thriving in the realm of communication - ideas, thoughts, and knowledge. They are great at standing back, taking a detached view, being objective. Predominantly Air types can feel overwhelmed by the emotions of other people, and may remove themselves physically, if they feel swamped by the seemingly irrational outpourings of others. These signs feel happiest working with ideas, and ideals, and are generally very people-oriented. They want the best for humanity, and need to share their thoughts, to converse, read and write about these, so that positive changes can take place.
Water signs flow in the world of feelings; they are naturally empathetic and compassionate, and will provide a sympathetic ear to listen to the problems of others. These are the psychic signs, the ones that feel comfortable, like the fire signs, trusting their instincts and intuition, their sixth sense, and who are often aware of other levels of existence. They accept the whole gamut of human emotions, and can perceive the soul within, enabling them to see past human foibles, and feel the connection we all have to one another, at a deep level.
Many of us have one or two of the above elements emphasised in our chart, and these are qualities that we use easily in our lives; it is natural to express ourselves using the type of energy we have been blessed with. To feel balanced and whole, it may be helpful to consciously work on developing the energy, or energies, which are less in evidence. For example, if there are many planets in the Water element, but few, or none, in the Air element, the person may need to learn how to detach from being swamped by their own emotions; also to develop boundaries to enable them to listen to others’ sympathetically, without absorbing the other person’s vibrations, which may drain them.
When we feel balanced, we are giving time, energy, and most of all love, to our spirit, body, feelings, and our mind, nurturing each one; we are accepting the gifts that each astrological element bestows on us.
If you would like a copy of your birth-chart, and your elemental make-up, (£10 including postage) please email me at:sueewalker@tiscali.co.uk.
Sue Walker lives in Somerset, England, and has been an astrologer, artist, and teacher, for over 30 years. She loves making astrology accessible to everyone, so they can use it to help them navigate life’s mysteries. She wrote a weekly planetary ‘weather forecast’ for British healer and author, Barefoot Doctor, under the name of Astral, and is currently pursuing new writing and other creative projects.
