Fire, earth, air, water—no, we're not talking about Captain Planet. We're discussing zodiac sign elements and what yours means for you.
By Molly Pennington, PhD, Reader's Digest
You can think of the 12 zodiac signs as neighbors. They each have their own personality and characteristics, meanings based on myths that started in antiquity and have been honed in practice ever since. Each falls into one of four zodiac signs elements: fire, earth, water, or air. These, too, are like a community, says astrologer Alice Sparkly Kat, author of Postcolonial Astrology. Consider how you get along better with some of your neighbors and how you might vibe less with others.
Wherever your sign sits on the zodiac wheel, the fourth sign to its left and the fourth sign to its right will be in the same element. They form a triangle, and as Sparkly Kat says, “the most stable aspect in astrology is the triangle.” This zodiac compatibility is why the best friend for your zodiac sign often shares the same element as you.
You actually have all the zodiac elements in your full natal chart, but knowing your sun sign element is a great starting point. (Your sun sign is determined by the month and day of your birth, and it’s what most people refer to when they ask what sign you are.) It can reveal your zodiac sign’s power color, the best dog breed for your zodiac sign, your favorite candy, and even what you should be for Halloween this year. Read on to learn the zodiac signs elements and find out how they apply to you.
Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius
Bold. Spirited. Passionate. Fire signs are fiery. They’re bright, artistic, and intense. Fire signs are known for their confidence, especially when the going gets tough. Sparkly Kat advises that “fire signs want to think fast on their feet, and they don’t mind pressure.” You’ll find these signs are brave and independent. They’re filled with optimism and the kind of courage that fuels action.
In relationships
Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius in combination create sparks. Fire signs make excellent duos in friendships, romances, or any other kind of partnership. These zodiac signs have adventurous, energetic relationships filled with passion—and they’re not scared of conflict. In fact, they may find inspired debate, what some would think of as fighting, totally exciting. Fire signs cultivate community through group projects, where they take the lead and inspire others to act.
Top values
Fire signs take pride in spontaneity. They’re willing to take risks when it comes to finances, occupations, and projects. That’s because they deeply value what makes them feel passionate and enthused. They often value courage in themselves and others. Those are just some of the zodiac signs’ career strengths. If you’re a fire sign, you probably still love the things you bought on a whim. Fire signs are not afraid to splurge, especially if an object inspires its spirit. Make sure you’re not too impulsive!
Self-care strategies
Fire signs best engage in self-care through impromptu creativity. Pull out paints and create something vibrant and abstract. Sports with a competitive edge, even if it’s beating your own personal best, are also enjoyable. Fire signs thrive with instinctive action. A campfire or candle flames may prove to be a great way to relax. Follow your bliss.
Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn
Grounded. Cultivated. Practical. Earth signs are definitely down-to-earth. They are the gardeners of the zodiac. And they probably think of everything as a garden, from their family to their friendships. Earth signs recognize that communities need care, tending, and feeding. “When you’re an earth sign, you want to build something slowly,” says Sparkly Kat. “You don’t have to see results tomorrow; you believe in the long haul.”
In relationships
When Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn get together, the chemistry is fueled with mutual respect for one another’s rationality. Every community needs level-headed earth signs to remember the details and to keep everyone’s feet on the ground. When it comes to romance, earth signs will recognize in each other a steady realism that they can depend upon. And you can bet every friend group or work cohort needs an earth sign to keep everyone on task and focused.
Top values
Earth signs value having their ducks in a row. They also care about details. If you’re an earth sign, you might remember everyone’s birthdays, their favorite kinds of cake, and the best gifts for their zodiac signs. You value possessions that will last and luxuries that are worth the money because they were created with care. Earth signs value sustainability, secret ingredients, and classics that endure. Be careful of being too materialistic. One thing about earth signs is they’re practical, but they also go big when it matters to them.
Self-care strategies
If you’re an earth sign, you’re mindful of tending to others, but it’s also important to take good care of yourself by choosing a hobby that fits your zodiac sign. Gardening, in various forms, is an ideal pastime. Plant seeds. Get your hands in the dirt. Walk barefoot on grass and earth. That’s the kind of self-care that makes you feel right at home.
Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius
Witty. Social. Intellectual. Air signs (one of them being the rarest zodiac sign) can be a touch spacey. Their heads are in the clouds or thinking through solutions or pondering the future. Sparkly Kat explains that when you’re an air sign, “you’re influenced easily by other people, but you listen to others equally because you listen to everyone and have interesting ideas bouncing around.”
In relationships
Air signs often find challenges the most interesting aspects of relationships of any sort. They’ll be wooed by partners or friends who keep them curious. They’ll also appreciate someone who is really great at talking. When it comes to groups, air signs want to work for the greater good, and they love parties—even if they sometimes watch from a distance so they can think about what’s best for the group as a whole.
Top values
If you’re a Gemini, Aquarius, or Libra (one of the most polite zodiac signs), your two favorite things are likely people and ideas. Of all the zodiac signs elements, this one yields wonderful teachers and party planners. Both activities cultivate community and allow air signs to express their passions. They can imagine a better world, and they are most fulfilled when they can get busy creating it. They sometimes run the risk of too much detachment, so they value things that are truly meaningful or highly functional.
Self-care strategies
If you’re a water sign, you may have a tendency to be overwhelmed by empathy. Boundaries are essential for self-care. Block off “you” time and stay committed to space so you can recharge and renew. Get yourself a luxury bath bomb, dim the lights, let the steam rise, and take a long soak. You’re sure to feel rejuvenated. Of course, swimming or hanging out by the beach or a lake will also prove naturally soothing.
Read more: What Your Zodiac Sign Says About Your Intimacy Life
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