When I first started studying astrology I was both fascinated and overwhelmed – so much information, so much detail, so much knowledge – and where to start? I then, thank God, got my hands on a book by Stephen Arroyo:”Astrology, Psychology and the four elements”
Pivotal for understanding astrology is understanding the astrological elements: fire, earth, air and water. I usually start my natal chart readings with a little introduction of the elements, followed by how they present themselves in your chart. That gives already a good overview about your predisposition, how do you ” tick”, what is easy for you and what not-and what do can actively do to balance and align yourself and your life.
In general every element is present in your natal chart, but in different proportions. Planets, signs and houses correlate with a specific element. It depends on how many and which planet is in which sign, in which house and making which aspect. For determining how the elements are distributed in your chart I would recommend to ask a professional astrologer.
It is important to say that a deficiency or emphasis of an element is neither “good” nor “bad”, it says something about your general orientation, what is easier or harder for you, what attracts you, where and how you feel comfortable, and also where and how not. It can help you a lot to know and understand your deposition. Often this is an “aha” moment that leads to more self-acceptance and self-love on the one hand, and on the other hand also carries practical possibilities. You can compensate for both, an emphasis and a lack of an element, at least in part – you just have to know how. Balancing your elements leads to more balance, harmony and contentment in your life.
Here is a brief presentation of the elements:
FIRE
Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Planets: Sun, Mars, Jupiter
Houses: 1st, 5th and 9th house
Fire is connected with our self-expression, with the warm energetic radiant life principle.
Positive expression: people with a lot of fire are usually active, dynamic, motivated, idealistic, courageous, warm, lively, creative, inspired, enthusiastic, optimistic and often generous. They like to laugh, a lot and often also loud. Here you can find charismatic, energetic and humorous personalities.
Negative Expression: Fire can be prone to selfishness, egotism, insensitivity, pride, impatience, impulsiveness, and to exaggeration. People with an emphasis on Fire can take up a lot of space, and be perceived by others as being too loud and generally "too much".
Little Fire: People with little fire can have a tendency not to trust life and themselves. They often have difficulty motivating themselves; there can be a tendency to depression. One tends to be shy or reserved. Sometimes there is also a lack of zest for life and/ or the ability to take life and oneself with humour. A weak digestion can also be an outcome, as digestion "needs fire" to function well.
WATER
Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Planets: Moon, Pluto, Neptune
Houses: 4th, 8th and 12th house
Water is connected with our feelings/emotions, with healing and regeneration.
Positive Expression: A lot of Water often expresses itself in heightened sensitivity. You empathize with others; one is often perceived as warm, intuitive and adaptable. Often water-people have healing abilities, a rich imagination and are attuned to spiritual dimensions. They are able to give a lot, are loving and helpful.
Negative expression: Water people can be very volatile and subjective. They are quick to take things personally, are easily hurt and can be irrational and secretive. Much Water can lead to over -dramatic expression, to emotional instability and excessive impressionability. They can be very moody, as they are often very much at the mercy of their own feelings. There is often great need to protect oneself that can lead to paralyzing fears and shyness.
Little water: often expressed by a "dry" character: Compassion is more difficult and other people's feelings may be perceived as fundamentally too dramatic and unpleasant. Also, one has a harder time accessing one's own feelings. One may be perceived as unempathic and cold. This often makes relationships difficult, and can lead to loneliness and isolation. There is a tendency to store both physical and emotional toxins.
AIR
Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Planets: Mercury (the Gemini side of Mercury), Venus (the Libra side of Venus), Uranus.
Houses: 3rd, 7th and 11th house
Air is associated with our thinking and perception
Positive Expression: Air is related to abstract and logical thinking, communication and planning. People with emphasis on Air element often love to talk, have a talent for languages and linguistic expression, a love of art, many ideas and can comprehend and understand very diverse points of view. They often have an open, curious and quick mind, can organize and plan well, and are flexible and adaptable.
Objectivity, rationality, perspective, and the ability to communicate and work with many different people are also among Air Element abilities.
Negative expression: One has many ideas -but does nothing practically. Unrealistic ideas, restlessness, headiness can occur. People with a lot of air can also be eccentric, fanatical and over-intellectual. One can do nothing until it is completely thought through, which can lead to a paralyzed will.
Little air: one has no distance and objectivity, and therefore makes the same mistakes over and over again. Self-reflection and reflection in general is difficult for people with little air element, or is simply ignored. Other characteristics are slowness in verbal expression, difficulty in understanding points of view other than one's own, difficulty in cooperating with others and assimilating new ideas.
EARTH
Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.
Planets: Venus (the Taurus side of Venus), Mercury (the Virgo side of Mercury), Saturn.
Houses: 2nd, 6th and 10th
Earth is connected with the physical form and manifestation, the ability to deal with the material world.
Positive Expression: Earth-cantered people are connected to the physical senses; they are sensual and enjoy what the material world has to offer. They are often persistent, reliable, efficient, practical, patient, disciplined and good at dealing with material necessities. They are often perceived as a "rock of strength", and they are able to see their ventures through to the end, even when it is difficult.
Negative expression: Earthy people can be overcautious. They often hold on to attachments or things too long, are too concerned with security at the expense of liveliness, can be stubborn and stern. Fun and play is difficult, there is a tendency to cynicism and scepticism as there is often a missing of a positive vision and feeling of a deeper meaning. They can be unimaginative, "narrow in mind" and too controlled.
Low Earth: can lead to low grounding, not being in touch with one's body and senses and not taking good care of the body's needs (extremes of eating, sleeping, exercising, etc.). People with low Earth Element can be impractical, may not get their life together well, may not persevere, may start a lot and not finish anything. Sometimes there is difficulty in finding one's place in the world, "space cadets".
What I would like to add
What I would like to add again is that I don’t speak about your Sun sign only. You might be a Taurus, that means Earth element, but you have your Moon, your Mercury and your Venus in Gemini, which is air element. On top of it you have a Libra ascendant, again air element. Then air element will be much more present in your life and personality then earth. You will still be a Taurus, but it might be more hidden, maybe more difficult for you to access. This would be somebody that I might tell in the beginning of a reading:
“You probably never really felt like a Taurus and could not identify with many of the traits it’s supposed to have. On the contrary you probably feel more like a Gemini or a Libra. So after telling you a bit about your air element emphasis let’s see where that Taurus energy is hiding and how you can express it. It’s after all your Sun sign, your essence, and to find positive ways to express it will feel very good.”
Only based on the elements you can already give good advice and practical tips. Elements can be balanced and substituted partly. For example if somebody has very little fire he/ she/ they might feel easily depressed, or have a feeling of meaninglessness in life. For this person it often helps a lot to get into a routine of exercise, preferably fast and dynamic movements that make you sweat. That generates fire. Also sunshine or a fireplace might be helpful. He / she/ they will feel much better, more joyful and more motivated to take action and make other positive changes in their life. Interesting enough people with little fire often know that already, but it doesn´t mean that they apply it. To understand the connection and impact, and to get keys how to implement helpful routines is often a life changer.
Good reading material for people interested in the astrological elements is the book from Stephen Arroyo that is mentioned above: ”Astrology, Psychology and the four elements”. If you want to dive even deeper and are interested to get a good foundation in astrology I would also recommend the element series from Steven Arroyo ( the book of fire, the book of water , the book of air and the book of earth).