The Elements

Astrological signs are categorised by their ancient, elemental identities of

fire (spirit & energy),

air (intellect & communication),

water (emotion & nurture) and

earth (material things & security).

These elements are considered the building blocks of existence at all levels. They interpret a much broader range of experience than the "chemical elements" of modern science, and should not be confused with them. They are also known as the quadruplicities.

Each sign is also identified by its quality, that is whether it is

cardinal (creative),

fixed (determined) or

mutable (changeable) in character.

These features are known as the triplicities and are usually interpreted in conjunction with the elements or quadruplicities.

The Fiery signs, for example, are Aries, the Ram (cardinal-fire), Leo, the Lion (fixed-fire) and Sagittarius, the Centaur (mutable-fire). The other signs follow a similar pattern.