Astrology hack for beginners: The four elements
The twelve astrological signs are divided into four categories called elements. In order to be an expert on the astrological signs, you need to have a good grasp on the four elements and how they differentiate from one another. You also need to understand how the elements interact with one another.
*The key to remember: The elements are a metaphor for the nature of the signs who fall into that category.
If we want to describe FIRE signs, we need to think about the nature of the element. Fire is loud, explosive, and bright. You can spot it a mile away. Fire signs are the same way. You will feel their presence as soon as they walk in the room. They are loud, talkative, and carry an energy that attracts others. Fire is quick to blow up, but also quick to go out. In the same way, fire signs are quick to get angry and hostile, but tend to get over things quite quickly, compared to other elements. The down fall of fire happens when it spreads too quickly, and burns itself down in the process. Fire signs will meet their demise when they let their temper and impulse destroy the things they depend on to live and thrive.
If we want to describe WATER signs, we need to think about the nature of the element. Water is free flowing and a symbol of healing. In the same way, water signs live life with their emotions in their sleeve, going with the flow of life and wherever the tug of their emotions bring them. Water signs are natural healers and are empathetic creatures, constantly healing other people’s emotional or physical wounds. The tides are controlled by the moon, and can sometimes be rough or unpredictable. Water signs have a direct connection with the moon, and their mood depends on the moon’s behavior. Water can be beautiful, but also dangerous. Water signs will meet their demise when they let their feelings corrupt them. Their reaction to being hurt can produce a dangerous storm, and will flood everything sacred to them in the process.
If we want to describe AIR signs, we need to think about the nature of the element. Air is an aloof element. We cannot see it, or easily grab it. This is symbolic for air signs, who have a “head in the clouds” approach to life. They are not easily tied down. They go wherever life takes them. And sometimes, it is hard to reach them physically or emotionally, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t here. Air can fit into any space. In the same way, air signs are extremely adaptable and can thrive when being thrown into a foreign environment. Air signs go with the flow and can let go of things very easily because they aren’t tied to the earth’s surface like the other elements. Air signs will meet their demise when they become too detached from the real world, allowing the wind to blow them far from reality where they are disconnected from the ones they love.
If we want to describe EARTH signs, we need to think about the nature of the element. Earth is pretty much the opposite of air. Where air is free flowing, earth is stable in place. Earth is grounded and doesn’t move much from its roots. In the same way, earth signs thrive in familiar environments and struggle in new environments that don’t align with exactly what they are comfortable with. Earth signs offer stability to others, as their word is their law and they are not likely to change one day out of nowhere. Earth is dense and extremely strong. It is the foundation for which we live. We depend on earth signs to bring us logic, reasoning, patience and tradition. But earth signs will meet their demise when the world they know gets turned upside down, and they refuse to change with it. Failure to adapt with change will lead earth signs to crumble apart.
Now we understand the metaphors, but we will need to think about how these elements interact with each other.
Fire needs air to grow, spread, and conquer. Fire signs are the muscle of the operation but they need air: the brains, to believe in their ideas and help them reach new people and cross new boundaries.
Air needs water to as a vessel to flow, connect, and inspire. Stripping the air of its moisture would leave us with an unlivable world. Air signs need water signs to help them bridge their abstract and sometimes chaotic ideas into something beautiful and beneficial to others. Water signs provides air with direction and encourages them to slow down and explore their emotional mind.
Water needs earth as a foundation to flow freely and manifest. Water is at home on the earth, and water can’t survive without a foundation to fill. Water signs will feel heard and seen by earth signs, who provide them with the stability they crave.
Earth needs fire to grow, flourish, and transform. Think about plants needing the sun for photosynthesis. Earth signs need the heat and muscle of fire to build new things, create innovative solutions, and experience positive change.
Follow for a part two geared more specifically on element relationships (good and bad). Thank you for reading and please follow my art account on instagram for more astrology content! @/devin.creates (ig)
