The 4 Astrology Elements: Fire, Earth, Air & Water Signs

The four astrology elements, fire, earth, air and water, have a strong influence on the traits of each zodiac sign. 

In western astrology, the astrological elements are like zodiac family trees. Each family of astrology elements has its own set of traits and characteristics that influence the zodiac signs. 

Read on to discover what the four elements mean and how they influence the traits of the astrological signs…

The Four Astrology Elements: Meanings & Personality Traits

The Fire Signs

Aries, Leo & Sagittarius

Passionate, generous and full of life, trailblazing fire signs light up the room with their full-on personalities. Fire zodiac signs have a developed sense of self that displays an outward confidence to others. 

People born under the element of fire are creative individuals who love to take risks and turn ideas into action. Fire signs bring a high energy approach to situations and they are the initiators of the zodiac. 

At their best, fire signs are dynamic, loving and innovative people. They share their great warmth and energy with everyone they meet.

But at their worst, fast-paced fire energy is in danger of burning out both themselves, and their bridges with others.

Although fire signs are fun to be around, they also have a quick temper. There’s a masculine energy that surrounds fire signs and they’re not afraid to fight for a cause.

Fire signs struggle to slow down and think first, act later. But doing so saves fire element signs a whole lot of heartache and unnecessary drama!

The Earth Signs

Taurus, Virgo & Capricorn

Grounded earth signs like to keep things real and on a practical, level playing field. Earth signs are good planners who like to have a schedule and routine to keep things organised. 

When it comes to projects and relationships, earth signs like to do the groundwork. Earth signs lay a strong, stable and solid foundation that great things can be built upon.

Earth element people prefer a slower, manageable pace that gives them time to perfect things. When earth signs have ambitions, they’re more than happy to work towards goals over the long term. 

Earth signs are loyal, dependable and practical people who keep everyone around them grounded in the realities of the situation.

The downside of this is that earth energy can be overly negative, critical and materialistic. Earth signs are often unwilling or unable to see alternative angles, making them seem stubborn and inflexible to others.

The Air Signs

Gemini, Libra & Aquarius

Air signs have boundless enthusiasm, optimism and idealism. It’s easy to get caught up in adventures with air signs, who captivate the attention of others with ease. 

Friendly air signs bring a breath of fresh air to social interactions. Their intellectual curiosity allows them to hold conversations with people from all walks of life. Having a mental connection with other human beings is of great importance to air signs in their relationships. 

Often at the forefront of new ideas, air signs can sometimes get bored before things start to take off. The potential of their ideas is more exciting to an air element than the practical realities of implementation. 

Air signs are frequently guilty of being all talk and no action. This behaviour epitomises the ‘airhead’ persona that floats along in a bubble of their own.

Beware of bursting an air sign’s bubble, for they will be quick to move on to the next best thing. Loyalty is not a strong point of these social butterflies, who flutter through life in a non-committal fashion. 

The Water Signs

Cancer, Scorpio & Pisces

Emotional and intuitive water signs have hidden depths, making them the most mysterious and sensitive signs of the zodiac. 

When a water sign makes waves in your direction, they will drown you with devotion. A reckless abandon takes over when a water element makes you the object of their affection or attention. 

Water signs prefer meaningful connections to surface level relationships, and they are passionate lovers when involved at a deeper level.

Loving, emotionally-intense and protective of those closest to them, water signs can also be super-secretive. It can be hard to ever really know what a water sign is thinking and feeling.

With nostalgic tendencies, water signs are slow to let go and hold on to the past. Sensitive water signs will retreat and withdraw if they feel wounded or betrayed.

The water sign’s need for revenge on anyone who has wronged them can also be a real problem.

Astrology Elements in Your Birth Chart

Once you know which element your star sign belongs to, it’s a good idea to explore your whole astrological chart.

You can discover the dominant astrological elements in your zodiac wheel with a free natal chart reading.

The zodiac sign elements in your birth chart will usual reveal that one or two elements are more dominant.

The element of your Sun sign is important, but also pay attention to your Rising sign and Moon sign elements.

Birth charts that are dominated by planets in fire, earth, air or water signs indicate that you will be more influenced by the traits of that astrological element.