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ELEMENTS
OF ASTROLOGY
Fire:
Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
We refer to the element of fire as the force of Spirit. This
means that through the fiery triplicity, the primal forces
of creative expression are manifested. Fire is the desire
for life, the will to be, and, especially in the case of Aries,
the act of individualizing the self from the rest of Mankind.
It is the element of fire in a horoscope which serves as the
animating force behind an individual’s self-assertions.
| Positive
natural tendency |
Misuse
or exaggeration of trait |
| Courageous and self-assertive |
Ruthless and self-imposing |
| Idealistic and visionary |
Zealot or fanatic |
| Helpful and kind |
Imposes own authority at all
times |
| Simulates creative expression |
Destroys the efforts of others |
| Active life force |
Dissipates life force through
sensual exercises |
| Ardent and strong |
Self-indulgent and loud |
Earth:
Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
We refer to the earthly element as the force of Form (or
Body). Man’s strongest instinct is the will to be and
the first manifestation of that desire is to create something
out of matter to prove his existence. Earthly people do this
through the gathering of material possessions and the actual
building of the physical aspects of Man: his industries, his
homes, and his physical body. It is the element of earth in
a horoscope behind the needs to be practical, cautious, and
very understanding of Man’s ambitions toward material
security and physical pleasures.
| Positive
natural tendency |
Misuse
or exaggeration of trait |
| Provides necessities |
Hoards resources |
| Bestower of opportunities |
Seeks control over others |
| Deep emotional understanding |
Lack of true empathy |
| Good sense of timing |
Manipulation through secrecy |
| Aware of potentiality |
Ultraconservative |
| Delicate and refined |
Coarse and base |
Air:
Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
We refer to the air element as the force of the Mind. People
who are strongly influenced by the airy signs can be calm
and refreshing as a cool breeze. But if their temper is raised,
they react with galelike force, shattering the tranquility
of the world around them. Air is necessary to convey the words
which one person uses to speak to another. It is in its aspect
as a communicating and collectivizing agent that air has its
most important function in astrology. Through air, Man can
reach for ideas in the intuitive mind, and apply them in the
realm of human experience. Mind is man’s most important
tool.
| Positive
natural tendency |
Misuse
or exaggeration of trait |
| Cooperative and gregarious |
Superficial and loquacious |
| Inventive and inspirational |
Imitative and repetitious |
| Intelligent, quick, and alert |
Hyperactive, runabout, and
nervous |
| Objective and humane |
Aloof and cool |
| Full of balanced ideas |
Walks on thin air |
Water:
Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
We refer to the water element as the force of Soul or Emotion.
Soul is, in part, the element of human nature which provides
understanding and compassion for the feelings of others. People
who are extremely influenced by the water element are extremely
sensitive to human sentiment and artistic expression. They
can seep into the subconscious of others and instinctually,
if not intellectually, understand the motives behind other
people’s actions.
| Positive
natural tendency |
Misuse
or exaggeration of trait |
| Compassionate and understanding |
Easily put upon by others |
| Psychic |
Prone to hallucinations |
| Sensitive and impressionable |
Paranoiac and hysterical |
| Artistic and aesthetic |
Sensualist and self-indulgent |
| Romantic |
Can live in fantasy world |
| Seeks to help others |
Seeks to gain control over
others |
| Reserved |
Exaggerates all feelings out
of proper proportions |
The
Mixing of Elements
| Elements |
Tendency |
| Fire and Earth |
The elements can conflict.
However, Earth can provide boundaries for Fire, and Fire
can provide inspiration for Earth. |
| Fire and Air |
These elements are basically
compatible. Fire needs Air, but too much Air can cause
a Fire to get out of control or blow Fire out. |
| Fire and Water |
These elements are antithetical
as Fire turns Water to steam and Water puts out Fire. |
| Fire and Fire |
This combination can give all
impulse but no direction. Too much fire can give too much
self-expression without due consideration for other people’s
feelings or ideas. |
| Earth and Air |
Air tends to stimulate Earth.
Earth must be fully oxygenated for fruit to grow. Air,
however, cannot penetrate the true depths of Earth, and
tends to give only a superficial contact. |
| Earth and Water |
These two elements are very
compatible, as earth needs water in order to be fertilized
for growth of its fruits. The proportions are important.
Too much water results in mud, and too much Earth will
completely absorb the Water, giving it no life of its
own. On the other hand, too little water will result in
a desert, i.e., a dry and unfeeling individual. |
| Earth and Earth |
This is not the best combination,
for it does not supply the stimulus which the earth needs
in order to manifest its latent fruitfulness and creativity.
Too much Earth in any one horoscope will cause too much
suspicion, inertia, and materialism. |
| Air and Water |
Air can only touch the surface
of the sea. Yet Water must be filled with the gaseous
properties of Air in order for it to remain fresh. Water
can feel unfulfilled by Air’s lack of understanding
of its emotional nature. The two elements do manage to
balance each other and are necessary to each other’s
primary function. In human nature, the intellect of air
will service to modify the oversensitivity of water while
the latter will tend to broaden the sympathies of the
more intellectual air signs. |
| Air and Air |
Too much activity with too
little direction can be the result of an abundance of
Air. Without the stability of Earth or the emotionality
of Water, this combination can turn into a whirlpool of
ideas without a practical release into the realm of human
experience. |
| Water and Water |
Although this combination may
give added depth and increased sensitivity, the likelihood
of cross-currents is very prevalent. Feelings can be easily
hurt, indolence can alternate with whirlpools f stirred-up
emotions. In short, too much water leads to instability
and a lack of cohesive and realistic focus on affairs
of living. |
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