The elements of the signs: meaning of Fire, Earth, Air and Water

Do you know the relationship between the elements of the signs astrological? The 12 astrological signs are divided into four elements: Fire, Earth, Air and Water.

Thus, the sequence in the zodiac is always Fire, Earth, Air and Water, as everything begins as an inspiration (Fire), which materializes (Earth), spreads (Air) and then dissolves (Water).

Elements of the signs and their meanings

Each element responds to our internal functions and some may be more developed and visible than others.

In a very simplified way, we can say that the nature of each of the astrological elements are as follows:

Fire and its signs:

Earth and its signs:

Signs of this element: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn; Earth characteristics: practicality, ability to achieve and deal with reality

Air and its signs:

Signs of this element: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius; Air Characteristics: thinking, sociability and mental clarity.

Water and its signs:

What are complementary elements?

Soon, from the above sequence, pairs are formed in the zodiacal wheel, which will always connect a Fire sign to an Air sign and an Earth sign to a Water sign. These are called “complementary elements”.

It can be said, then, that Fire’s ardor and idealism are compatible with Air’s sociability and curiosity, while Earth’s search for material security, in turn, is harmonious with Water’s need for emotional security.

In this way, it is important to understand that the true opposition between the signs and their elements is between Fire (intuition) and Earth (sensation) and between Air (reason) and Water (emotion). By explaining the functions, you will understand why. Learn more here about combining elements and see examples.

Elements of signs: dynamics between Fire and Earth

Fire basically has an idealistic and colorful view of life. Every person who believes in ideals can have this element highlighted, which also generates a strong creative potential.

The Earth, in turn, responds to material issues. People who have this prominent element soon understand how things work and try to adapt to them. There is a realism, as opposed to the idealism of Fire.

Fire is daring and believes in leaps and miracles. Earth believes in the laws of probability.

Balance between Fire and Earth

A person can have these two very strong elements. Can be highly idealistic (Fire) and builder (Earth). It can be practical in material things (such as adapting to the job market, taking care of health) and also daring and creative.

However, most of the time, one prevails over the other. That is, it is more common to have very idealistic people, but without practicality, and people with practicality, but with dreams and ideals that fade under the weight of excessive pragmatism.

Finding a balance between the two elements is a challenge. Fire is driven by ideals and Earth by evidence.

Excessive Fire and Earth

Fire believes in enchanted princes/princesses, frogs and heroes. This can sometimes be excessive.

But the Earth, in its excess, can also be conformist and accept what comes and what it has. “My partner is very average, but that’s what I have, even though I’m not even a little in love with him/her”, could be a statement from someone who is living on Earth too much.

In this way, a statement by Fire in excess can revert to the opposite: “I don’t like anything out there”, whether in relation to work, love or friendships.

Elements of the signs: dynamics between Air and Water

Like Fire and Earth, Air and Water are also different elements. Air enjoys the mind, being intellectually stimulated, and exchanging with others.

It transits through the terrain of reason and concepts: “this is right, this is how things should be”. The head is the guide of Air, an element that also needs stimulation and space.

Air is our portion connected to social life, friends, acquaintances, social networks, news, books, etc. Water is our intimate side. Family, home, close people, warmth.

Water is also our emotion, something like “I don’t know if it’s right or wrong, but it’s what I feel”.

Balance between Air and Water

Air acts by what it thinks, Water by what it feels. It also tends to be more comfortable in the mind, while Water is more comfortable in the emotions. In addition, Air is easier to detach, Water is not.

While Air says: “Despite my feeling, I will separate from you because my head says so”. Water, on the other hand, says: “Despite my thoughts pointing to factors contrary to us being together, my feeling does not let me separate from you”.

Another difference is impersonality. Air tends to be more objective: “I like this person, but I know that he is like that, with these flaws and these qualities”.

Thus, it also takes things less personally, as it deals with general models. It is part of Air to love accumulating knowledge.

Excess water and air

Water, in its excess, denies evidence. “No, my child is not this or what everyone is saying about him/her, he/she is wonderful.” When in distortion, Water is blind and/or enslaved by emotions.

However, Air in its excess also cuts off emotional flow and compassion, including towards oneself. Everything is the rational, everything is the head.

In short, important feelings and needs can be denied in this process. Difficulty connecting can be something to do with Air.

He is good at connecting on the surface, but has more difficulty with deep connections, showing and experiencing emotions that can sometimes be difficult and dealing with vulnerability – territory, in turn, where Water is completely at ease.

It is important to understand that time can also change the balance of the elements.

Therefore, a person who suffers from excessive idealism (Fire out of balance) and little practicality can, starting in his thirties or forties, rebalance the elements inside.

Thus, it learns with the abilities of the Earth to fit better in reality, sowing and reaping better material results.

In this way, someone who was very guided by reality can also, later on, awaken to their Fire side, full of elements such as their essence, dreams and passions.

Elements of the signs help us to know our strengths and weaknesses

In this way, in my experience, by understanding how the principles linked to the elements within you work, it is possible to identify your strengths and weaknesses.

For example: “I know I’m slower with practical and material things; apart from my regular job, I am slow to schedule exams and do things that depend on arrangements.” Earth is the element that gives connection to the material world.

An individual with Fire as his least strong element is very much guided by external models, as he only finds security in them.

On the other hand, the self-confident idealist is already a Fire type, but who sometimes suffers from not fitting in with reality, which is something of Earth.

Seeking balance throughout life with the elements of the signs

In this way, the ideal is that, throughout your life, you try to improve in the element that would be your weakness.

The very earthly person, for example, may have a hobby in which he can express his creativity. Here, you can find out which hobby is right for you.

In turn, the very idealistic person, but impractical, needs to learn to achieve what he wants, whether in the field of friendships, relationships, work or money.

Sometimes, for example, the person has become more practical with work and money, but not with everything else. Sign that she still needs to deal better with the element that is not her strong point.