The Elements

The signs of the Zodiac represent energies, the twelve basic energies that manifest on this planet. We can divide these energies in four basic types or elements - fire, earth, air and water. Each sign is associated with one of the elements, which results in 3 signs in each group:

• Fire - Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
• Earth - Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
• Air - Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
• Water - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

The elements occur in a repeating sequence through the Zodiac - first fire, then earth, then air, then water, with fire beginning the next sequence:

Fire	Earth	Air	Water
Aries	Taurus	Gemini	Cancer
Leo	Virgo	Libra	Scorpio
Sagittarius	Capricorn	Aquarius	Pisces

We can think of this sequence of elements - fire, earth, air, water - as a cycle, a developmental cycle of an entity composed of four phases. The cycle begins with fire - an initial thrust into being which encounters and overcomes obstacles. The thrust then stabilizes in earth, creating a containing structure. In air the structured entity experiences and reflects on the surrounding environment, developing relationships. Lastly, in water, the entity moves inwards, dissolving into feeling that emcompasses the completed cycle. The next cycle then begins as a new firey impulse emerges from the depths of the previous water phase.

Each of the following descriptions of the elements uses this developmental cycle as its context:

• Fire
• Earth
• Air
• Water