Vela

The four elements

Every zodiac sign belongs to one of four elements — fire, earth, air or water — an old language of temperament astrology inherited from Greek natural philosophy. The element is the quickest way to read what a sign is made of. Here is each one, honestly, with the three signs that carry it.

The elements pair with the twelve signs and the three modalities (cardinal, fixed and mutable) to place every sign precisely. Almost everyone is a blend: your Sun, Moon, rising and planets each carry their own element, so the balance across your whole chart says more than your Sun sign alone.