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The Four Elements and the Meaning of
Fire, Earth, Air & Water in your Horoscope
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Introduction
When we talk about the four elements in astrology, we are referring to the energies of Fire, Air, Earth and Water. Each energetic element is associated with a specific aspect of life:
- Fire represents the spirit.
- Earth represents the body.
- Air represents the mind.
- Water represents the emotions.
The four elements are also known as the “triplicities” because each element lays claim to three zodiac signs. Since each element has its own distinct temperament, the signs that share the same energetic element also share many of its traits. For example:
The Fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) are spirited, enthusiastic, outgoing and spontaneous. They are confident and enjoy being in the spotlight. Negatively, Fire signs can be impatient, arrogant and self-centered.
The Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) are practical, reliable, sensual and cautious. They are grounded and enjoy being productive. Negatively, Earth signs can be rigid, boring and materialistic.
The Air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) are intellectual, analytical, objective and adaptable. They are good communicators and enjoy socializing. Negatively, Air signs can be cold, unreliable and superficial.
The Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) are emotional, creative, intuitive and introspective. They are compassionate and enjoy being of service. Negatively, Water signs can be secretive, manipulative and moody.
Elements in the Horoscope
There are 10 planets in the horoscope as well as numerous asteroids and sensitive points and each one is placed in a specific sign, which in turn belongs to a specific element.
However, for purposes of analyzing the elements we are going to just focus on the ten traditional planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) and the Ascendant.
When interpreting a horoscope, it is important to determine the distribution of the elements because this elemental profile offers key insights into the individual’s character.
Calculating the Elements
There are two steps to calculating the elements. The first step is based on the planets and ascendant and the second step is based on the houses.
For those of you who might find this a little confusing, at the end of this article is a step-by-step example using my own birth chart.
Step 1
The first step is to identify the number of planets in each element as well as the element of the Ascendant (rising sign).
Now, looking at your horoscope:
1. Note the zodiac sign for the Ascendant and each of the 10 planets in your chart.
2. Using the list below, note the element for each one.
Element | Signs |
Fire | Aries, Leo, Sagittarius |
Earth | Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn |
Air | Gemini, Libra, Aquarius |
Water | Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces |
3. Add up the number of planets for each element and note their respective totals.
Congratulations! You have just calculated the initial elemental breakdown!
Step 2
The second step to determining the elemental balance is a house analysis of the distribution of the planets in the horoscope.
Since each house of the natural horoscope is ruled by a specific zodiac sign, it is infused with that sign’s element. Planets that fall in a house not only activate that house’s life areas but it also activates its elemental energy.
Consequently, your house placements may offset a lack, create a preponderance or create a balanced elemental horoscope.
Looking at your horoscope, focus solely on the houses that contain planets, and starting with the first one:
1. Using the list below, note the element for each house.
Element | Houses |
Fire | 1st, 5th, 9th |
Earth | 2nd, 6th, 10th |
Air | 3rd, 7th, 11th |
Water | 4th, 8th, 12th |
2. Starting with the first house that holds planets, count how many planets are in it and assign that number to the element the house represents.
Example: If you have 2 planets in the 1st house (Fire) and 1 planet in the 6th house, it would look like this:
House | Element | Number of Planets |
1st | Fire | 2 |
6th | Earth | 1 |
3. Repeat the process for every house that contains planets in your horoscope.
4. Add up the total for each element. This is your Step 2 elemental analysis.
5. Add these numbers to their counterparts in the Step One analysis to arrive at your elemental profile.
Example: If you had 2 Fire elements in your Step 1 analysis and have 3 Fire elements in this house analysis, you would have a total of 5 Fire elements.
Congratulations! You have just calculated your Elemental Profile!
Your Elemental Profile
In some cases, the elemental profile will remain virtually the same as the initial evaluation, but in many cases it will change due to the addition of the house analysis.
Although there are many possible combinations, below are a few examples to demonstrate the general principle of element distributions.
3/3/3/2 – your elements are well balanced.
2/2/5/2 – there is a preponderance of one element.
0/3/4/4 – there is a lack of one element.
1/2/3/5 – there is a lack of one element and a preponderance of another element.
Your Elemental Profile
If your elements are balanced, it means you have a healthy distribution of the traits and qualities associated with each temperament.
If you have a preponderance (abundance) and/or a deficiency (lack) of an element, then your elements are unbalanced. This means there are certain traits that you need to tone down, and if you have a lack, there are certain traits that you need to develop.
Preponderances and lacks are defined by extremes. The minimum number required for an element to qualify as a preponderance is 4, and to qualify as a lack, the element number cannot be greater than 1.
One of the ways we tend to compensate for a lack of an element is by associating with people who have a healthy amount of it.
For example, if you lack Air in your chart, you probably attract friends who feature Gemini, Libra or Aquarius prominently in their natal charts.
Below is a brief description of each element when it is lacking in the horoscope.
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Below is a brief description of each element when it is preponderance in the chart. |
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Analysis in Action
The following is a step-by-step example using my horoscope. You can click the image to enlarge it.
Step 1
Looking at my horoscope:
1. Note the zodiac sign for the Ascendant and each of the 10 planets in the chart.
Planet | Sign |
Sun | Capricorn |
Moon | Libra |
Mercury | Sagittarius |
Venus | Aquarius |
Mars | Sagittarius |
Jupiter | Libra |
Saturn | Sagittarius |
Uranus | Leo |
Neptune | Scorpio |
Pluto | Virgo |
Ascendant | Gemini |
2. Using the list below, note the element for each one.
Element | Signs |
Fire | Aries, Leo, Sagittarius |
Earth | Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn |
Air | Gemini, Libra, Aquarius |
Water | Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces |
Planet | Sign | Element |
Sun | Capricorn | Earth |
Moon | Libra | Air |
Mercury | Sagittarius | Fire |
Venus | Aquarius | Air |
Mars | Sagittarius | Fire |
Jupiter | Libra | Air |
Saturn | Sagittarius | Fire |
Uranus | Leo | Fire |
Neptune | Scorpio | Water |
Pluto | Virgo | Earth |
Ascendant | Gemini | Air |
3. Add up the total for each element.
Fire (3), Earth (2), Air (4) Water (2)
Congratulations! You have just calculated the initial elemental breakdown!
Step 2
Looking at the horoscope, focus solely on the houses that contain planets, and starting with the first one:
1. Using the list below, note the elements for each house.
Element | Houses |
Fire | 1st, 5th, 9th |
Earth | 2nd, 6th, 10th |
Air | 3rd, 7th, 11th |
Water | 4th, 8th, 12th |
Starting with the first house that holds planets, count how many planets are in it and assign that number to the element the house represents.
House | Element | Number of Planets |
3rd | Air | 1 |
2. Repeat the process for every house that contains planets in your horoscope.
House | Element | Number of Planets |
3rd | Air | 1 |
4th | Water | 1 |
6th | Earth | 3 |
7th | Air | 2 |
8th | Water | 1 |
9th | Fire | 1 |
10th | Earth | 1 |
3. Add up the total for each element. This is the Step 2 elemental analysis.
Element | Total |
Fire | 1 |
Earth | 4 |
Air | 3 |
Water | 2 |
4. Add the totals from Step 1 and Step 2 together to arrive at your elemental profile.
Step 1 | Fire (3) | Earth (2) | Air (4) | Water (2) |
+ | + | + | + | |
Step 2 | Fire (1) | Earth (4) | Air (3) | Water (2) |
Total = | Fire (4) | Earth (6) | Air (7) | Water (4) |
Congratulations! You have just calculated your Elemental Profile!
Evaluating the Numbers
If you compare the numbers, you will see that based upon the Step 1 analysis my strongest element is Air. My second strongest element is Fire and Earth and Water have the same influence as each other.
According to the Step 2 analysis, Earth is my strongest element, then Air, and then Water and Fire is the weakest influence.
When you combine them, Air is my strongest element but now Earth is a close second and Fire and Water are equal.
Since there are no wild extremes here, what this analysis reveals is that my weakest influence is Water, which suggests I need to develop compassion and sensitivity.
Now, those who know me well will confirm that conclusion, and yes, I admit it is true. I have virtually no tolerance for whining or pity parties and have been known to tell people to “stop making a career” out of whatever it is they happen to be complaining about for days on end. (See what I mean.) They will also describe me as objective, logical and highly analytical, and as a general rule I have to agree with them.
Finally, as I consider my friends, since the time I was a child I have consistently attracted friends with Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio as their Sun or Moon sign.
So now that you know a little bit more about me, it’s time to learn a little bit more about you.
Take your time going through the steps, and with just a little practice it will not only become easy for you, but it will open up a new level of understanding for our various relationships.