The 4 elements: which one are you?

The four elements describe the four unique personality types associated with the zodiac signs. The elements have a profound influence on basic character traits, behaviour, emotions, thinking and intuition. They are reflected in our relationships, our ambitions or lack of them, and the unexpected twists and turns that add spice to our lives.

Astrology aims to help us focus our energies, understand our positive traits and manage our negative ones. We can use this knowledge to realise our full potential and live our best life. We all need air to breathe, water to cleanse us and support our growth, fire to shelter us from the cold and nourish us, earth to live with all living things and to grow our food. All the elements are equally important, and you'll find a more detailed description of each below.

Earth

Signs : Taurus, Capricorn, Virgo

Tarot : Pentacles

Magical correspondance to put on your altar : Salt, sand, earth

Predominance: Sensation

Feel the earth beneath your feet, the soil that supports all forms of life. Look at the power and beauty of the mountains, a symbol of the earth's stability and solidity. Every day we experience the physical world, walking on this earth, appreciating the beauty and bounty of Mother Earth and feeling the comfort of being on solid ground.

Associated with the signs Taurus, Capricorn and Virgo, Earth represents the practical and realistic material side of our nature, seeking to affirm a stable, secure and structured environment in which we can function. Earth is patient and reliable. It is solid and strong. Being on solid ground encourages you to look for the most practical and logical answer to a problem.

Earth can be a stabilising force in a relationship, contributing structure and organisation to achieve balance and harmony. Earth supports growth - watch plant life grow from an acorn to an oak tree; similarly, humans grow from youth to maturity and achieve immense growth in all facets of life.

The over-expression of this element can be seen in a stubborn and rigid personality, striving to remain in life's comfort zone, afraid to take risks.

risks. It also translates into a love of the material side of life, the comfort of material well-being. Material value can be overestimated and this can lead to a stressful and worrying situation.

Weaknesses: attachment, greed, materialism, resistance to change, too much attention to detail and lack of overview.

The Air

Sign : Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Tarot: Swords

Magical correspondance to put on your altar: Incense

Predominance: Reflection (thought)

The Air element is associated with the signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. It seeks to establish itself in the realm of the intellect. It is through the process of reflection that we develop ideas. It is through the influence of this element that we learn to communicate. Thanks to air, we acquire and share knowledge.

Air brings inventiveness, originality and versatility to the personality. It gives a sense of freedom and detachment, and reaches the mental self. Enjoy this gentle, refreshing breeze, let your thoughts flow freely and nurture the creative moment. Air expresses the love of people, the ability to intellectualise, to appreciate the differences between people, to accept different perspectives without which there would be a lack of vision and human interaction.

Thoughts are a continuous force in our lives. It is associated with meditation, where deep breathing is essential to achieve this level of stillness, energy and relaxation. Air is used for transport, flight and sailing. Let your thoughts soar to achieve your intellectual goals.

An over-expression of Air's influence can be seen as living in a dream world with unrealistic goals and fanciful flights of fancy. Air should seek to maintain practicality and develop coherence in its relationship with the real world.

Weaknesses of this element: lack of emotion, depression, lack of connection with the higher self, overactive mind that blocks inner peace and harmony.

Fire

Astrology: Leo, Sagittarius, Aries

Tarot: Wands

Magical correspondance to put on your altar: Candle

Predominance: Intuition

The signs Leo, Sagittarius and Aries are associated with the element Fire. It represents the vital force that shines within us. This element projects self-expression, creativity, courage and enthusiasm. Feel the comforting warmth of a fire or the heat when you come in from the cold.

We need fire to satisfy the fundamental need to cook our food. Fire provides a sense of security, warmth and inspiration that is shared with those around it. Fire boosts self-confidence, enabling you to tackle problems without hesitation. Without fire, there's no radiance, no conviction, no expression. A spark can illuminate new ideas, serve as a beacon to light the way to achieve goals with conviction and enthusiasm.

Excessive expression of fire can turn assertiveness into aggression, boldness into reckless behaviour, and so on. When the influence of fire is out of control, it seeks to consume everything in its path.

Weaknesses: lack of interest, selfishness, excessive egocentricity, self-importance.

Water

Astrology: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Tarot: Cups

Magical correspondance to put on your altar: Water cup

Predominantly: Feelings/Emotions

The Water element is associated with the signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces and influences consciousness and the subconscious forces that act on our lives. The water element pours itself out onto others. This makes it possible to feel one's pain and suffering and to offer sincere compassion.

Psychic awareness is also present in water signs and shows itself from time to time with astonishing precision. Water seeks to heal and nurture those around it. Unchecked, this element can send emotions on a turbulent path leading to mood swings and unpredictable ups and downs, like the crest and trough of a wave.

Water signs need serenity and calm, like a gentle river that nourishes everything in its wake and at the same time leads to the discovery of new paths. When over-expressed, we can tend to be over-emotional, deeply sensitive and subjective. With too much emotion, depression can result.

Weakness can result from being over-protective and possessive of those close to you; a cold attitude and lack of dynamism can occur.

Would you like to know more about magic and the elements? Check out my course Become a witch ;)

Be magic!

Elysabel