There’s more to astrology than simply your son sign, commonly called your zodiac sign, and among these are the elements of fire, water, earth, and air – find out what these triplicities reveal about you!
Four primal elements in astrology
Science may be concerned with the periodic table of 118 chemical elements, but since ancient times, astrology has been concerned with only four basic elements: Fire, water, earth, and air.
There was good reason for focusing only on these four basic elements, as they were those which early mankind dealt with on a day-to-day basis. Think about it… there is the element of the earth beneath your feet. The element of air felt by the wind in your face.
The element of water raining down from the sky or moving along a stream. And in the darkness, the element of fire to generate light and heat.
The elements and triplicities
In astrology, the twelve signs of the zodiac are grouped into four groups of three known as the triplicities. Each group of three signs is paired with an element to give us the fire signs, water signs, earth signs, and air signs.
Each grouping of three zodiac signs are placed under a single element to which they share common traits.
The signs of the elements
1. Fire signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
Fire signs share common traits that also possess qualities we associate with fire such as strength, passion, boldness, and energy.
Fire signs are energetic, courageous, and competitive, possessing strong driving confidence. Like heat, they can sometimes be quick-tempered, but also warm and passionate. Ultimately, fire signs balance their positive and negative traits to great effect.
2. Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
As earth is literal ground, Earth signs are known for being grounded, practical, sensible, rational, reliable, loyal, and stable. This immovable and firm earthen quality, like stone, also relates to stubbornness.
At the same time, they are sensual, enjoy earthly pleasures, and can be somewhat indulgent. However, earth can also erupt, like a volcano, and these signs have a tendency for furious outbursts.
3. Air signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
As air is an invisible quality, and air signs are connected to mental functions and communication. They are known for being adaptable, curious, insightful, and creative. They are also idealistic and often focused on the common good, seeking to bring balance and harmony.
However, because their thoughts are ever flowing, they can sometimes be indecisive or have difficulty making decisions or commitments.
4. Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.
Water signs are connected with emotions and thus are sensitive, empathetic, compassionate, intuitive, and secretive. Water signs operate in the unconscious realm of the mind. They tend to act on their instincts and put strong trust in their intuition.
Like water, they nurture and support. But water can also be unpredictable, even threatening, and so can these signs.