Astrological Star Signs and Their Elements

Each of the 12 signs of the zodia corresponds to one of the four elements and can be either, Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable in their mode.

" By the bright circle of the golden sun,
By the bright courses of the errant moon,
By the dread potency of every star,
In the mysterious Zodiac's burning girth,
By each and all of these supernal signs,
We do adjure thee, with this trusty blade
To guard yon central oak, whose holy stem,
Involves the spirit of high Taranis:
Be this thy charge. " - MASON

The Element Air
The air signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. The element of air concerned with the intellect ; it is adaptable. Air is good at rationalizing things and dealing with ideas, but air can have difficult with emotions.

The Element Earth
The earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. The earth signs are stable and practical, and they are sometimes thought of as stubborn. They are concerned with the mundane details of the world, and what really exists. They can have trouble with non-tangible ideas, however.

The Element Fire
The fire signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. The element of fire represents action, spirit, and vitality. Fire signs warm whatever they are around with their large spirit, but they can sometimes lack a sensitivity to others.

The Element Water
The water signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water concerns emotions and sensitivity. Water signs are good at feel and being in their emotions but they can sometimes have difficulty dealing with the mundane world or expressing their feelings in words.

(To find out more about the use of elements in Ritual Magick and their Corresspondences, read the following essay Elements In Magick.)

The Cardinal Mode
The cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Cardinal signs are initiatory, very good at beginning things, but perhaps not so good at continuing on-going processes. The cardinal signs represent the four quarters of the zodiac, the beginnings of the seasons, the equinoxes and solstice points.

The Fixed Mode
The fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. These are the signs following the signs representing the beginning of the seasons. Cardinal signs can be very stubborn ("fixed" in their opinions), but are relatively unconcerned with external opinion. When a fixed-sign person changes his or her mind, the decision comes from an internal source, so the decision is usually strongly adopted. While fixed signs are not good at beginning things, the are very good at carrying out a process for the long run.

The Mutable Mode
The mutable signs, also known as the common signs, are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. The mutable signs are concerned with people, thus the name common. While cardinal signs can be seen as originating energy and the fixed signs as concentrating energy, the mutable signs distribute energy. Mutable signs can be seen as flexible or changeable.