ZODIAC ELEMENTS & THEIR MEANING
THE EVOLUTION OF THE HUMAN BEING
The four elements come together to make all that we know in this world. Fire ignites and burns everything around it to create new life. Earth roots us in a tangible world and provides the harvest that we need. Air fills our lungs, allows us to communicate, and moves the sky. Water nourishes us and keeps us healthy, as well as ripens the food that we eat. Together, these four elements are the building blocks of our planet.
As mankind evolved and learned about the world, they believed that the Universe was a reflection of them. The planet had consistent patterns, as did the stars, which they began to map and chart in order to better control and understand the world around them. Through this reflection, mankind realized that the elements also were within themselves. These elements held different qualities and meanings, and when united, they also revealed how humanity is always woven together and needs each other to survive.
Of the elements, there are masculine and feminine dualities. Masculine elements, fire and air, are active and assertive. They tend to be more extroverted and spontaneous. Feminine elements, earth and water, are more self-contained and powerful through inner reserves of passion. They tend to be more introverted, preferring to first feel or think prior to acting. Because there are twelve signs in the zodiac, they are all grouped into four different groups of elements. Each group has three different signs, which is what astrologers call triplicities.
FIRE
The Fire Signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Fire is the first spark of inspiration that motivates us to create change in the world. Fire energy is enthusiastic, passionate, and courageous as it sets forth to act. Just as humanity sought to mold and build the world around them, this, too, harnesses elemental fire. The Fire Signs are the ones who embark on adventure, inspire us to take risks, and believe no matter what. Just as humanity has had to fight for survival to establish our claim upon the Earth, so does fire lead us to embark on new quests. Fire energy is connected to passion, inspiration, sexuality, and action. Fire Signs make incredible artists, performers, politicians, and athletes due to their abundance of energy and activity. Their creativity and enthusiasm are their greatest strengths, and bring them a tremendous focus on manifestation and vision. Their zest for life brings fantastic resources of excitement, which can startle some of the less intense elemental signs, such as Earth or Water. However, just as a little wind can make a spark turn into a wildfire, Fire Signs go well with Air Signs because they both love to expand and move with lightning speed, even if at times this momentum can be impulsive.
EARTH
The Earth Signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Earth is the power that roots our hopes and dreams in reality. Without earth energy, nothing would ever get done and no progress could ever be made. Earth is as strong as the rock beneath our feet but as monumental as the great mountains that rise to the sky. The Earth Signs are practical, stable, enduring, and unwavering. This solid energy can take our plans and go the long haul even when the initial “spark” has blown out. Because of this, earth energy is connected to abundance, the harvest, and achievement. Earth Signs use their practical roots to build structures that endure in our lives and society, as well usually possess a very strong business sense. With a knack for managing people, money, and growth, this makes them powerful entrepreneurs and authorities, as they know to get from A to Z. With such a solid foundation in their view of the world, Earth Signs are reliable and steadfast as friends and partners. However, because like rock, they are sturdy, this may mean that they are not prone to change and like things “the way they are.” Naturally, like seeds combine with rain, Earth Signs have a natural affinity with Water Signs. They are slower moving and like to invest in longer-term results. Because Fire and Air Signs are more spontaneous and impulsive, they may not blend as easily with these signs, instead.
AIR
The Air Signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Air is connected to the mind, genius, communication, and advancement. The intellect is one of the greatest attributes of humanity because through logic, we are better able to learn, grow, and improve the world around us. Just as oxygen fills our lungs to help us breathe and allow us to speak, this element is fast and ever moving. Once fire has created the spark, earth has made it a reality, air is what pushes us to look further. Yet, without anything to ground it, air energy can move faster than any other element and can quickly shift from a breeze to a hurricane. This constant movement mirrors the ether of our minds and our quest to see, do, and learn more. Air Signs make great teachers, writers, philosophers, architects, and planners. Their quick-witted abilities give them top-notch mental strengths, but this also can at times make them appear too logical and not leading with their hearts. Also, this may mean that they’re quick to change their minds. Air Signs also can become indecisive and scattered, as they are fascinated by new people, relationships, and experiences. This may mean that as soon as they soar into your life, they are flying off onto their next adventure. Their inherent need for mental stimulation means that they require excitement, debate, and knowledge, so you will rarely find a dull moment when an Air Sign is in your life. They are eager to harness life to its fullest and will surely expand your mind, as well. As mentioned before, this element flows so well with Fire, as they ignite each other and grow. However, Earth or Water Signs may feel too claustrophobic for these wistful signs and may have difficulty seeing eye-to-eye.
WATER
The Water Signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water is connected to emotion, intuition, and the depths of our souls. This element is what weaves all of us together, unites us in love and relationships, and also helps us to transcend beyond just our intellect. After air propels us toward new horizons and beginnings, elemental water helps us incorporate all of the lessons from the other signs into something that means more. These Water Signs are also intrinsically linked to the divine, as the human experience searches to connect the mind and body with the spirit. Like the depths of the ocean, the rain that falls upon us, or the blood that runs in our veins, water is a life force that we cannot live without or else we will die. Water Signs have a natural tendency to be attracted to careers that allow them to embrace their spirit, so we often find them as doctors, mystics, psychologists, or veterinarians. They have deep empathic abilities, which can allow them to intuitively know how to connect with others and understand beyond words. Water Signs are wonderful friends and lovers, as they invest their emotions wholeheartedly. Expect them also to be very sensitive, which means they can become hurt or temperamental easily. Moodiness definitely affects the Water Signs more than any other elemental group. As mentioned above, Water Signs blend with Earth Signs to bring flowers and beauty, but may have a little difficulty understanding the ways that Fire or Air Signs communicate and race right ahead rather than taking their time to take in all the complexities of the human heart.
WE ARE ALL A BLEND
It is extremely rare to imagine someone who is purely one element or has predominantly just one in his or her natal charts. Often times, we are a mix of many different elements, which is what makes us each unique and beautiful. By looking at the qualities of each of these elements, we can better understand not only how the world around us works, but how different people live, as well. Even better, when we reflect on these different elements we can become more aware of our needs, how we take in self-love, and how we can make the world a better place today and into the future.
Want a personal reading? Contact Kyle Thomas here. Article Written By Kyle Thomas.
Kyle Thomas is a globally recognized pop culture astrologer who has been featured on Access Hollywood, E! Entertainment, NBC & ABC television, Cosmopolitan Magazine, the New York Post, Page Six, Hulu, Seventeen Magazine, Bustle, Elite Daily, House Beautiful, Marie Claire, and more. He is known for his cosmic guidance for celebrities, business executives, and prominent influencers. His work harnesses the power of the stars in regards to entertainment lifestyle and trends affecting people worldwide. His writing and horoscopes have been translated into multiple languages. Kyle has been astrologically gifted naturally from a very young age and teaches how to use the Universe to manifest the life you've always dreamt of. With over a decade of professional experience and clients all over the world, he currently resides in Los Angeles where he works as a professional astrologer, celebrity life coach, and author. Currently, he is the official astrologer for @Horoscopes + @Horo.ScopesDaily. Kyle received two Bachelor of Arts for Psychology and English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and integrates these degrees into his growing research of psychology, personality, and the human condition.