Elements & Qualities

The twelve signs of the zodiac can be broken down into different groups according to some basic characteristics. The first means of classifying a par­ticular sign is by the element that the sign belongs to. There are four basic elements: fire, earth, air and water. Each element contains three signs. Signs that are of the same element are compatible in nature.

The fire signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. These signs are fiery in nature. They are positive, aggressive, enthusiastic, spontaneous, ardent and creative.

Next are earth signs; these signs are practical and down-to-earth. The earth signs are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. They are pragmatic, conservative, dependable, resourceful, mundane and reliable.

The air signs are the communicators of the zodiac. They are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Air signs are intellectual, social, perceptive, curious, logical, alert and talkative.

Finally we have the water signs; these signs are emotional in nature. The water signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. They are responsive, subjective, receptive, sensitive, intuitive and impressionable.


Another classification of the signs are by their quality or mode of expression. There are three basic qualities; cardinal, fixed and mutable. Each quality contains four signs. Signs that are of the same quality are not compatible and feel uneasy with each other.

The cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. These signs are signs of action. They take the initiative to go out and get what they want. Cardinal signs have the ability to act directly and decisively. They are able to put constructive action into immediate manifestation.

Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius are the fixed signs. These signs are basically fixed in their mode of expression. They are able to achieve results through persistence and determination. At times they can be extremely stubborn and are not easily swayed once they put their mind to something. They are also very stable and self-reliant.

The last group are the mutable signs. They are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. These signs are flexible and can easily adapt to whatever situa­tion they find themselves in. These signs have the innate ability to go with the flow of life. Mutable signs are more concerned with the past than the present or future. They have the versatility along with the expansiveness to enjoy the richness of ex­perience.