The Elements
As we discussed earlier, each of the astrological signs is identified by two basic qualities: the element (Earth, Air, Fire or Water) to which it resonates and the quality of that particular element (Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable).
The Elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water relate to the basic nature of the sign and the manner in which the sign expresses itself. Earth signs tend towards a more physical, material and grounded approach. Air signs rely on their mental processes to navigate through varied situations. Fire signs tend to be action and goal oriented. Driven strongly by passion and will. And, Water signs operate from the place of emotions and tend to follow a more intuitive path.
In their assignment to the astrological signs, they become the foundational basic qualities of the sign that are enhanced and modified towards expression in a unique and specialized way. For example, the Air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) are all strongly guided and motivated by the mental processes, but the addition of the modalities gives a slightly different expression of that process to each of the three. In Cardinal (the initial outpour) Libra, the mental process is in its experimental stage of trial, test, change and seed of thought, thus the balance and weighing of each of the processes. In Fixed (stable and the foundation of middle way) Aquarius, that mental process can take more liberties, expand and move in all directions because it has gathered the necessary information from the initial seed thought to allow movement from a solid ground. And, finally in Mutable Gemini (flexibility, endings and beginnings), the mental process can either take root and expand from this place of center, die off in pursuit of a more refined or different route or be completely transformed.
These Four basic elements are the fundamental ingredients contained within every structure of our Cosmos. Planets, stars, and all life forms are combinations of all the basic elements. They may have one or more of the elements in dominance, but there is always a thread of connection with those elements that are not as overt that enables the more dominant to exist. At a physical level the elements are all around us in the forms of the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the energy that we exert to accomplish a task.**
**Note: There are 5 elements in esoteric and spiritual practice. Spirit- being the fifth- is not attributed to any of the astrological signs. I see Spirit as holding the place of Humanity, or those who we are creating the astrological blue print for. In this way, Spirit is contained in all attributions of a person’s astrological make-up as our bodies hold each of the five elements within our very being.
The Earth Signs
Taurus - Virgo - Capricorn
The energy of the Earth signs is that of solid foundation and connection to the physical world. Money, material comforts and concerns and a very straight forward, no nonsense approach are typical of these signs. Expressed through Taurus, earth presents in a stalwart and at time stubborn approach, remaining steadfast and strong in conviction and opinion. In the sign of Virgo, this earthy nature presents in a calculating and organized perspective that enables the native of this sign to analyze, sort through and come to reasonable and well-thought conclusions. Planning and strategizing are strong suits of Virgo. Expressed through Capricorn, the ability to remain fully present and be thinking ahead with concrete plans and ideas is the natural tendency. Also being Cardinal Earth, the caution is that things are at times slow to form, but once conceptualized and then brought into fruition, they are also extremely difficult to dismantle. Similar to pushing the wagon uphill, but once the crest has been reached, the downhill momentum can be difficult to control.
Esoterically:
Earth is associated with the cardinal direction of the North, the place of midnight, when the sun’s light has moved beyond the horizon of sight and appears to be held in the darkness of night before sunrise. Earth is also associated with all things of the physical realm. Humanity, flora, fauna, crystal and more are all contained within earth. Earth is also the place of manifestation, concrete and tangible outcome. Earth holds within its bound the potential for creation, evolution and sustaining of what has been created. Earth is the energy of the magnet that attracts to itself what it sends forth. Because earth defines the manifest world and all that is contained within, it draws to itself the power of manifestation itself.
Read More: EARTH
The Air Signs
Gemini - Libra - Aquarius
The Air signs fully embrace and thrive in the mental realms. Interactions are first thought through looking for points of inspiration and logic. Expressed through Gemini, this air presents in rapid-fire debate, discussion, action and decision making. Communication of all form is the tool of the Gemini native, wielding it like the most skilled of swordsmen and cutting through any hesitation. In Libra, air and intellect flow from a sense of civility, equity and refinement. The balance of the scales of Libra is not one of equal weight, but rather that of the balance that is achieved when the appropriate amount of grounding is counterpoised with the lightness of higher pursuits. And, in the sign of Aquarius, air soars to new and inventive heights. Invention and the ability to arrive from a-z in a milli-second are the skills of this sign. Natives of Aquarius see the broadest perspective in all matters and are most at home in the mental worlds.
Esoterically:
Air is associated with the cardinal direction of the East, the place of the rising sun or dawn. Air is also associated with mind and intellect, the place that gives rise to the birth of ideas. When we connect with the element of air we are moving through the realms of the mind and just as the breeze carries seeds from location to location that eventually become tree or plant, the seeds of bright ideas and inspiration are carried within the air-like movement of the mind.
Read More: AIR
The Fire Signs
Leo - Sagittarius - Aries
Fire signs are those of action, determination and catalytic energy. Their nature is that of inspiration and igniting any situation with enthusiasm and creative solution. The sun shines ever so brightly on the natives of the Fire signs and non-is more brilliantly lit than that of Leo, the Lion and heart of the Sun. Fire signs enjoy attention and being on the spotlight which makes them good candidates for roles of leadership or trail blazing. Similar to physical fire, if that enthusiasm and drive is not carefully tended and guided it will destroy everything in its path in a non-productive volatile nature. The fiery nature of Sagittarius is one of enthusiasm and spreading the fires of that enthusiasm far and wide. Just as the archer sends multiple arrows out in search of the precise point of the bull's eye, so too Sagittarians share the will to action with all they meet, setting the fires of action as lanterns along the path. In the sign of Aries, fire takes the role of being catalyst, novice and eager participant. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and as such provides the younger perspective of all acceptance and anticipation of what lay around every corner.
Esoterically:
FIRE unlike other the elements cannot exist in physical form without consuming and destroying something else, thus causing transformation of that thing. It is out of that destruction that the potential for the most growth often occurs. Like the legendary Phoenix rising from the flames of ash.
At a purely mundane and physical level Fire is associated with heat. The warmth of the Sun, and the heat of the the wood stove that keeps us warm in wintry weather. When we take it to the mental level, Fire becomes the passion that excites and ignites. It is the catalyst that creates movement and it is the creative spark that leads to new invention or manifest creation. At a spiritual level, Fire carries the seeds of change that are the stuff of initiatory change, action and development of the Higher Will.
Read More: FIRE
The Water Signs
Cancer - Scorpio - Pisces
The Water signs express themselves through the filter and guidance of emotions. These are the most intuitive of the signs and can also be the most most emotionally overwrought if care is not taken to set boundaries in place. In the sign of Cancer, water is most at home moving with the ebb and flow of the moon's pace. Homebodies and loyal to a fault, Cancer natives seek connection at the deepest of emotional levels. Cancer is the first outpourings from the womb of creation. In the sign of Scorpio, the emotions have access to both the higher and the lower realms of self. Scorpio natives have choice of either hiding as recluse and lashing out in defense or rising to the heights of the keen perception of the eagle or the ultimate expression as the Phoenix with the ability to navigate through any situation and use it as a lesson of transformation. In the watery sign of Pisces, this flow of emotions takes the stance of the loving elder or crone. Compassion and self-sacrifice are the natural way of being and boundaries often blur if another is in need. Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, having reached the placed of traversing the energies of the other signs, having finally arrived at Pisces, wisdom is accumulated and the pearls of its product are offered to all.
Esoterically:
Water is associated with the cardinal direction of the West, the place of the setting sun or dusk. It is both the place of endings and also the anticipation of the rising of the lunar energies as night falls. It is closely connected to the similar energies of the Moon and its impulse of ebb and flow, waxing and waning as it moves through its cycles of change. It is the emotional outpour and connection to the intent of mind and action of will that creates successful endeavors, all being held within the foundation of the element of earth. Water is also associated with the emotions and intuition. This is the place of wisdom of the information contained within that holds the spark of quickening (Fire) and nurtures and heals what calls to it’s wisdom. Just as Fire is transformative through the energies of release and burning away that which is no longer needed, water transforms through healing and smoothing the roughened edges and following the depths of the intuitive, instinctual self.
Water at a physical level can cause erosion of the surfaces over which it passes. This erosion is a slow and cumulative process that often serves to change that surface by smoothing or wearing away to reveal what lays below. When we open to our emotional self, we allow the floodgates of inner truth to wash over, change, heal and transform what our mind of intellect has logically and rationally presented.
Read More: WATER
** Esoteric Insights excerpted from:
A Year and A Day on the Wiccan Path online course