Astrology: Elements, Modes, and Polarities

Jump to: Elements | Modes | Polarities

THE ELEMENTS

Also known as The Triplicities.

Astrology's four elements, Fire, Earth, Air, and Water, are the basic building blocks of all material structures and organic wholes. Each element represents a basic kind of energy and consciousness that operates within each of us. These four elements interweave and combine to form all matter. All four elements exist in every person, although each person is consciously more attuned to some types of energy than others.

Each element modifes a trplicity of three planets in a particular way:

FIRE modifies Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
EARTH modifies Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
AIR modifies Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
WATER modifies Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

FIRE

The element of fire corresponds to the active life force, the principle that animates and energizes. Fire represents the energy of spirit. Individuals with an emphasis on fire often express themselves through direct action and inspire others with their visions. Fire seeks to realize its identity.

The energy of fire is hot, moving, and dramatic. It is an energy we exhibit with fiery passions, flaring tempers, heated debates, blazing beliefs, and great warmth. The fire type lives from the heart, approaching life with natural confidence and and optimism, inspired by the quest in life. There is a true romanticism in fire, which is greatly excited by what lies just over the fence or across the world--the greatest adventure, the perfect lover, the enlightened teacher. The fire signs have different goals but they share a similar style in pursuing them.

The fiery perception is visionary and intuitive. When operating from fire energy we go with the hunch, follow our initial response impetuously and enthusiastically, leaving our rationalizations until later. To be in tune with this way of operating we need to be in tune with ourselves; in other words, we need to be self-centered. The latter term is often used as an accusation against fire types, but to be centered within ourselves is not in fact a negative process; it is something we can all benefit from. It is true, however, that being over-fiery can result in a lack of sensitivity in relating to others. When fired up, we revel in our own dynamism and intensity, and can easily forget that not everyone is so strong in their sense of personal identity and mission. We can best use our fieriness to inspire ourselves and others with the belief that anything and everything is possible. This is the talent which lies behind the leadership qualities of the fire signs.

The fire signs enjoy the limelight and are not self-conscious. It is the fire part of ourselves which demands to be recognized and which feels angry and frustrated when taken for granted. When we feel this way it is important to express and act upon it, otherwise our fiery self can become bitter and low in energy. Fire needs fuel, and the fire in us needs new experiences, recognition, and joy to prevent burnout and apathy. Without fire life can become meaningless, and identity crises may immobilize us. To feed our fire we must greet each day as an opportunity to create our life anew.

Fire Keywords
ENERGY, ANIMATION, ENTHUSIASTIC, ARDENT, FORCEFUL, CREATIVE, EXCITING, EGO

EARTH

An attunement to this element indicates that the individual is in touch with the physical senses and the here-and-now reality of the material world. The earth signs tend to rely more upon their senses and practical reason than upon the inspiriations, theoretical considerations, or intuitions of the other signs. Their innate understanding of how the material world functions gives the earth signs more patience and self-discipline than the other signs. Although the earth element is one of the passive elements, it--like water--has strength of endurance and persistance that enables earth signs to always look out for themselves.

Earth represents the energy that gives form and substance to creation. Individual's with an emphasis of earth often express themselves by mastering the world of common-sense reality, actualizing their dreams, and supplying their basic survival needs. Earth seeks to provide material substance.

Earth's energy is instinctive, formative, and grounded. To be earthy is to be in touch with the senses through which we know and connect with our world. The Earth signs represent the "doers" of the zodiac who, with their feet on the ground, show the way to making visions and ideas become real. The earthy type has the realism and practicality to perceive how the world works, and this enables her to participate effectively in the scheme of things.

The earthy person has great persistence and self-discipline in following her goals, along with patience and stability which comes from an understanding of the slow, organic nature of growth. There is a natural humility inherent in the earthy perception which stems from an awareness of place in the universe. It is an awareness which never undervalues the cog in the wheel. Those people who have an emphasis in earth in their charts are often attracted to manual skills and crafts, because these combine practicality with creativity, and open the way to self-sufficiency. We use our earth energy to find ways to stand on our own two feet. The earth worker has an instinctive respect for and sensual delight in the material she uses, because she values the gifts of the Earth. The earthy perception can see that ecological awareness makes sound sense because the world, which sustains and nurtures us, must be protected.

Earthy people are at home in their bodies, and enjoy pampering themselves, perhaps with gentle massages, fragrant baths, and tasty meals. Over-identification with this physical awareness, however, can lead to a mistrust of what lies beyond the physical plane, which earthy types can show through a fear of death or a scepticism about spiritual matters. With too much earth, we can get stuck in the mud or bogged down, losing vision through over-concern for the practical details. Without earth, however, there is no matrix of life, no ground to stand on. When we feel ungrounded, it is time to attend to the material resources which sustain us.

Earth Keywords
PRACTICAL, STABLE, DEPENDABLE, RESOURCEFUL, CAUTIOUS, CAPABLE, DOWN-TO-EARTH

AIR

The element AIR is the life energy which has been associated with breath. The air realm is the world of archetypal ideas behind the veil of the physical world, the energy which shapes the patterns of things to come. Whereas the fire signs are concerned with "willing" something into being, the air signs focus their energy on specific ideas which have not yet materialized, and--by concentrating on these ideas--ensure that they eventually will materialize. So although the air signs are often accused of being impractical dreamers, they are playing a part in the actualization of creation on the broadest social level, for their ideas can eventually touch the lives of others.

Individuals with an emphasis of air often express themselves by sharing and communicating their ideas to others. Air seeks to make social and intellectual connections. With air energy we freely connect; ideas, people, and cultures come together through the communicating skills of the air element. Despite the emphasis on ideas and ideals, air types are people-oriented, loving company and conversation, and with strong social needs.

To let in air we need to open our windows, and the airy type is always open to new ideas and insights to increase her knowledge of the world, ensuring broad-mindedness. The airy world is an ideal one; we all build castles in the air, but strong air types can build entire cities in their search for perfection. The air element emphasizes humanity, for none of the symbols associated with the Air signs are animal, and the prime airy concern is the progress towards greater civilization. The ideals of our airy selves can lead to pain, however, for if our heads are in the clouds, contact with earthy reality can produce jolting shocks.

When we observe the world from an aerial view, we gain a broader perspective by being able to distance ourselves. We use our detached airy energy to be more objective. Airy people an act as the eye in the tornado, remaining still and calm within life's activity as they serenely view its patterns. However, airy people often feel frightened by what they perceive as the irrational and overwhelming nature of the emotions, which threatens their position of detachment. Others may accuse the airy persons of being *cold*, but they misunderstand the airy need for maintaining openness, fairness and harmony in their relationships with with others.

If we lack air, we feel suffocated, for we cannot communicate with others, gain fresh insights or plan for a better world. When we are feeling like this, we should circulate more, to open ourselves up to the breezy energy of change.

Air Keywords
INTELLECT, DETACHED, OBJECTIVE, PENSIVE, PEOPLE-ORIENTED
Air energy works with ideas and LOGIC, but tending to be UNSENTIMENTAL, and somewhat INCONSISTENT--bouncing from one idea to the next without much perseverance.

WATER

The element water is the awareness that various intangible factors play a greater role in life than is commonly believed. The water signs are in touch with their feelings, in tune with the nuances and subtleties that many others do not even notice. The water element represents the realm of deep emotion and feeling responses, ranging from compulsive passion to overwhelming fears to an all-encompassing acceptance and love of creation. Since feelings by nature are partly unconscious, the water signs are simultaneously aware of the power of the unconscious mind and are themselves unconscious of much of what really motivate them. When they are in tune with the deeper dimensions of life with full awareness, they are the most intuitive, psychically sensitive signs. In that case, the water signs are in touch with the oneness of all creation and are able to help ohers by means of an empathetic responsiveness to the feelings of fellow beings.

Water represents the energy and power of unconscious forces that motivate us. Individuals with an emphasis of water often express themselves through their sympathy, compassion, and intuitive awareness. Water seeks emotional and soul understanding.

Water's energy is flowing and strong. There is an ancient primeval force around water which is reflected in the number of creation myths which begin with a flood. Water contains hidden depths and mystery. The animals associated with the Water signs--the Crab, the Scorpion, and the Fish--are all very ancient creatures, usually well-hidden from the human world and strongly instinctual. The watery side of ourselves is our emotional nature and our unconscious; it is our sensitivity, our vulnerability, and our imagination.

Watery people have a very natural empathy for others, as well as a subtle perception of the complexity of human beings and their motivations. They will naturally seek out close one-to-one relationships of all sorts in which they can explore their emotional selves. Often the watery person needs to feel contained within a circle of security. This can take the form of a committed relationship, a special private space, or spiritual practice. A predominance of water in the chart often gives healing and counseling ability, for watery people give support, listen well, and accept the full range of human emotions.

The watery perception is subjective, seeing the world in personal terms as a collection of people similar to those already known. While this can lead to difficulties in perceiving broader social issues, the watery nature understands the emotional realities we all share--which go beyond cultural and sexual divisions.

Through water we feel our way into the world, often non-verbally; crying, embracing, making love, painting, and playing music. These are all activities watery types carry out with ease and imagination, and which act as a release for the floodgates. When we feel ourselves left high and dry it is to these activities we can turn, to reconnect with the waters of life.

Water Keywords
EMOTIONAL, INTUITIVE, SUBJECTIVE, DEPTH, PASSION, SENSITIVITY
Water conforms to the shape of the vessel containing it; as such it tends to be somewhat UNSTABLE.

CREDITS:
Portions by Terrastel, aka Jamie Brydone-Jack
Astrology, Psychology, and the Four Elements by Steven Arroyo
Astrology for Yourself by Demetra George and Douglas Bloch
Your Super-Star Course: Natal Astrology by Ove Sehested
The Knot of Time by Rivers and Gillespie

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