The
Elements
Prepared by Rose Glavas
First Published at Suite101.com
One method of getting a broad feel for an
individual's psychological make up is to look at the composition
of the chart in relation to the elements. Basically each
zodiac sign has a element assigned to it as follows: Aries
- Fire; Taurus - Earth; Gemini - Air; Cancer - Water; Leo
- Fire; Virgo - Earth; Libra - Air; Scorpio - Water; Sagittarius
- Fire; Capricorn - Earth; Aquarius - Air; and Pisces -
Water.
There are various methods used to work out
the strength of the elements in a natal chart. From my experience
where there is a strong emphasis on one element, there is
another one that is not represented very strongly. This
can indicate that either the person has difficulty in expressing
the attributes associated with that element or becomes very
proficient at them over time due to overcompensation. In
other words, the individual may feel that they have difficulty
in expressing certain traits and work hard at developing
them. Because they could be sensitive of this difficulty,
they may develop the qualities associated with the particular
element more than the average person.
Anyway, let's have a look at some key words
for the elements, what they can mean, and how they can be
utilised.
Fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) = vital
People with an emphasis on the fire element
tend to be outgoing, inspirational and 'fiery'. When expressed
well these people often are an inspiration to others, are
quite moral and can be very creative. If the person has
difficulty expressing or experiencing the more enjoyable
aspects of the fire element they may become selfish, risk-takers
and/or inclined to give in to their passions too easily.
A lack of representation of this element can indicate a
lack of initiative, inspiration and difficulty in becoming
inspired.
Key Words:
enthusiastic * optimistic * confident * naïve
* self-centred * open * egotistical * idealist * confronting
* loyal * tactless * overbearing * intuitive * has to feel
free * high spirited * impatient * physically active * ingenious
* honest * trusting * impersonal * independent * warm *
exaggerate * insensitive * extroverted * inspirational *
has to feel important
Earth (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) = physical
An emphasis on this element indicate a practical,
cautious, and pragmatic approach to life. In the majority
of cases there is the need to build solid, 'real' material
success, ie, car, home, career success. Earthy people may
benefit from connecting to the earth element via gardening,
pottery, facial mud packs, etc. Long range planning and
the determination to succeed are strong traits for this
element, as is melancholy, greed and fear if taken too far.
A person with a lack of earth may find it difficult to live
in the 'real' world and to keep themselves grounded. Their
expectations in general may be a little unrealistic.
Airy people are usually natural communicators.
On a positive note they are great and conceptual tasks and
often tend to 'have their head in the clouds'! I usually
find that people with this element emphasised are extroverted
and enjoy being exposed to different ideas, knowledge is
quite important to them. On the down side though, they may
be so busy living in their head that they lose touch with
reality. The lack of air in a birth chart can indicate difficulty
in the expression of that person. Communication of ideas
and the ability to conceptualise may prove difficult.
Key Words:
intellectual * rational * curious * idealistic
* unemotional * animated * uninvolved * conceptual * devoid
of feeling * very sensitive * needs to communicate * social
* objective * impersonal * distant * opinionated * air has
least obvious bad qualities * theoretical * abstract * needs
to socialise * needs to share ideas
Water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) = emotional
When the water element is emphasised in a
person's natal chart they are usually quite emotional -
even if they don't show it (still waters run deep). Confinement
is not something these people deal well with, they are usually
quite resourceful. On a positive level watery people are
caring, emotional and artistic, but can also tend to exaggerate
feelings out of proportion and live in a fantasy world.
When a person's chart lacks water, there is the tendency
for them to find it difficult to understand the feeling
side of life and to show compassion to those around them.
