By Catherine Carlson
A simple way to understand the language of astrology is to view the twelve signs according to the element they represent: Fire, Earth, Air, or Water. We all understand what these elements look, and feel like, and we rely on them to live.
In her book, The Missing Element, astrology teacher Debra Silverman discusses how we all have one or two elements that are less represented in ourselves and invites us to develop those in order to find balance. As you read the signs associated with each element you can easily get a sense of which elements you most embody, and which elements could bring more harmony to your life.
FIRE SIGNS:
Bright, hot, fun, exciting, smoky, magnetic, compelling, or dangerous. Do you know someone who likes to start debates (has a lot of fire!) or, alternatively, someone who has lost their inspiration (lacking fire)? Fire represents energy, passion and inspiration. Famous fire signs: Conan O’Brien, Madonna, Steven Spielberg.
Aries the Ram: Head-ruled Aries “rams” or you could say kick starts the twelve zodiac signs with a spark, setting the rest in motion. It is the most energetic of the fire signs and the sign associated with the athlete, assertiveness, and competition much like its ruling planet—Mars.
Leo the Lion: Leo energy has the magnetic quality of the brightest fire. It can be fun and childlike or dramatic and captivating like a roaring lion. Like it’s ruler the Sun, it brings people together to celebrate. Leo rules the heart and is the most passionate of the fire signs.
Sagittarius the Centaur: The fiery energy of Sagittarius seems limitless. Ruled by larger-than-life Jupiter, Sagittarius has an adventurous nature and desire to expand beyond boundaries. This one most embodies the fiery traits of fun and excitement!
EARTH SIGNS:
Reliable, steady, slow, practical, grounded, hard, or soft. Do you know someone who has an abundance of earth, always working or volunteering? On the flip side, someone who lacks earth can be disorganized. Earth represents the here and now, what we can see and touch. Earth signs tend to focus on food, money, tasks, work, nature, animals, and day-to-day living. Famous Earth signs: Cher, Mother Teresa, Muhammad Ali.
Taurus the Bull:
The first earth sign, Taurus is very connected to nature, gardening, and values. Taurus can move turtle-slow and be stubborn. This sign is ruled by Venus and is most likely to be called “Material Girl,” as it values money and beauty as well as all the sensory earthly experiences—tastes, smells, and luxurious fabrics.
Virgo the Virgin:
All about service and purification of our earthy life from the physical body to the home, Virgo tends toward perfectionism and worry. Extremely detail oriented, many Virgos work in healthcare or food related fields and are very good with animals.
Capricorn the Water Goat: Capricorn’s earthly energy is aligned with work, career, and business. This sign is one of the hardest working. Ruled by Saturn, it understands the payoff through perseverance and wants proof of that success through owning the finest earthly possessions such as a beautiful home, a distinguished car, or multiples of each!
AIR SIGNS:
Breezy, swift, cool, heady, hot, flowing, stuffy, or forceful. Someone with a lot of air can be easy to talk to. Someone who rarely speaks can have a lack of the air element. Air people are movers and schmoozers, with a focus on communication, travel, the mind and intellect. Famous air signs: Prince, Julie Andrews, Galileo.
Gemini the Twins: Gemini is breezy, light, and fast. A natural interviewer, Gemini loves to ask questions. It can appear fickle, like a child who moves quickly from one gift to the next shiny new toy. Gemini’s twin energy means it can be of two minds about things and unable to commit to a favorite (restaurant, team, etc.). These are the readers and lifelong students, absorbing information like a sponge.
Libra the Scales: Libra is always moving in the direction of balance seeking love and harmony, especially in relationship with another person, and in their dress and decor. They are easygoing, peace-seeking, and inspire us to be softer in our communication.
Aquarius the Water Bearer: Aquarius is the sign of the genius as it takes mental activity to a higher level. The air energy is constantly flowing both into the mind and out of it. They can get mental downloads out of nowhere. This is the sign of someone who can not only understand complex ideas, but also invent complex mechanisms.
WATER SIGNS:
Flowing, stagnant, turbulent, deep, constant, and any temperature from frozen to boiling hot! Do you know someone who always cries at weddings or someone who lacks water and never sheds a tear? Water represents the emotional realm, intuition, feelings and memories. Famous water signs: Princess Diana, Leonardo DiCaprio, Einstein.
Cancer the Crab: We begin life in water and Cancer is the sign of the nurturing mother. Just as a crab seeks comfort along the rocky shore, this sensitive and sometimes moody sign likes to be at home with all the creature comforts where it’s safe. Like all water signs, this one requires time alone to restore itself from interacting with the outside world. Ruled by the moon, Cancerian types are most likely to give or need a hug.
Scorpio the Scorpion: Scorpios have an amazing capacity to go into the deeper emotional realms. These are the investigators comfortable with the darker side of life. There is a lot going on beneath the surface of this water sign such as secrets and ancestral knowledge. They are exceptionally resilient but have their limits.
Pisces Two Fish (swimming in opposite directions): Pisces is the most empathic of the water signs. It is so connected to everything it sometimes doesn’t know where they end and another begins. It can feel overwhelming or emotionally flooded. This abundance of water makes them exceptionally intuitive, and some have a talent for the refined arts: classical music, ballet, architecture, and fashion design.
Catherine Carlson is an Astrologer who offers consultations for adults and children. She is an Ann Arbor native who enjoys living locally with her family. She can be reached at catherine-carlson.com or catenka@mac.com.
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A simple way to understand the language of astrology is to view the twelve signs according to the element they represent: Fire, Earth, Air, or Water. We all understand what these elements look, and feel like, and we rely on them to live.