Elemental Associations of the Zodiac

The houses of the zodiac are divided into four elemental categories, which are then farther divided by modality within those elements.

Rather than being based on any inherent property of a specific sign, the elements were assigned to the houses in order of appearance in the zodiac beginning with Aries. This explains some of the more unusual elemental associations such as Aquarius being an air sign, and Scorpio being a water sign. A similar pattern is seen for modalities when the signs are arranged in four rows of three.

This process can most easily be seen when the signs are in the standard grouping of three rolls of four. In this case each column is assigned a different element. It is interesting to note that the order that the elements are assigned resembles the cyclical format of an early conjurers circle with each element conquering the element after, and being conquered by the element before. Thus fire overcomes earth, earth overcomes air, air overcomes water, and water in return overcomes fire.

There are some attributes assigned to the zodiac signs based on the elemental associations:
Earth Signs known for their reliability, though greatly valuing tradition, honor and virtue these signs often demonstrate a materialistic streak.
Air Thought is the primary trait for these signs. As such they excel at the abstract but at times have issues with the tangible.
Fire Pure unbridled passion. Fire signs like flair and drama, they rarely do anything small scale. However, they have a tendency to come on strong, and then burn themselves out.
Water Water signs are emotion embodied, they do not just experience emotion they live it.

Elemental:


fire


Earth


Air


Water
Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer
March 21 - April 19 April 20 - May 20 May 21 - June 20 June 21 - July 22
 
Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio
July 23 - August 22 August 23 – September 22 September 23 - October 22 October 23 - November 21
 
Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces
November 22 - December 21 December 21 - January 20 January 21 - February 18 February 19 - March 20
 

←Back

Zodiac Folklore

Next→