What Are The Four Elements In The Zodiac?

Ian Parkin is the author of this post.

What are the four elements and what do they mean as seen in astrology and tarot? The tangible, physical reality we are surrounded by is known to be composed of well over a hundred chemical elements and numerous mixtures thereof.  The higher, spiritual planes however are subject to slightly different rules and are believed to be in balance through the agency of four (somewhat opposed) elements - those of Fire, Water, Air and Earth.

Now widely used in Hermeticist teachings, astrology and tarot, they were first defined by philosophers and mystics of Ancient Greece. The energy of each element carries with it a unique set of positive as well as negative influences and affects our lives and our inner being in different ways.

What are the four elements in astrology and tarot?

The four elements in astrology and tarot are: Fire includes the Aries, Leo and Sagittarius signs and the suit of Wands in tarot. Water includes the Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces signs and the suit of Cups in tarot. Air includes the Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius signs and the suit of Swords in tarot. Earth has the signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, with the suit of Coins in tarot.

What are the four elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth revealing in Astrology and TarotWhat are the four elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth revealing in Astrology and Tarot

What does the element of fire represent?

The Element Of Fire

Fire represents strong will and energy, and a more masculine disposition.

The astrological signs under its rule - Aries, Leo and Sagittarius - all tend to possess a choleric temperament, being decisive and vigorous, uncommonly brave and assertive but also excessively passionate and quarrelsome. It is an element at once creative and destructive, igniting the spark of life but well capable of turning everything before it into ashes. On the astral plane, the elementals representative of fire are salamanders and the tarot suit carrying its symbolism is that of wands.

What does the element of water symbolize?

The Element Of Water

Water symbolizes all the emotions, whether those of love or anger, pure bliss or deep grief.

Its thoroughly feminine and somewhat phlegmatic character make it receptive and easily impressed by external influences. The water's realm is that of the subconscious, the soul, and is populated by elementals called undines. People who naturally possess psychic powers are often believed to have a personality infused with its meditative and placid qualities, making them excellent healers too. Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are water signs and cups (or chalices) represent the element in tarot.

What does the element air mean?

The Element Of Water

Air presides over the intellect.

Communication and clarity of mind are its main characteristics and, while they may occasionally tend to overthink, those born under the signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius will always be more inclined to assess a situation from an objective point of view instead of allowing to be guided (or misguided) by emotions. Air is the playground of new ideas, hopes and dreams and its creatures are sylphs. The swords denote this essentially sanguine element in tarot.

What does the earth element control?

The Element Of Earth

Earth as an element controls abundance and prosperity.

Thoroughly stable, it enables fertility and its solid form gives it immense endurance. The earth element's prevalent melancholic nature can give people under its influence an overly cautious and somewhat conservative outlook but overall it is a positive, grounding force. In the astral realm, it is represented by gnomes and, in tarot, coins (also sometimes referred to as pentacles) are the symbols of earth. The element rules over the astrological signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.



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