Elements

In order to design a complete delineation of the influence of each sign and planet it is compulsory to possess a grasp of the nature of each element. The elements are known as the triplicities and you must be able to combine the influence exerted by these with that of the Quaternaries to do your client justice. Comprehension of the significance of the elements is of considerable value when delineating a chart. According to the dominating element so you find the dominating characteristics of the person. All great Greek philosophers employed this basis when they constructed their thesis that the complete man consisted of the interweaving of the four categories into which every human activity can be placed.

The qualities and elements contained in the signs which posit the Sun, Moon and the planets are gradually developed by every stimulation that reaches the native through these points of receptivity. Every planet and all the angles combine with each other planet as they pass through a chart, resulting in an accent. In other words, there are a dozen points of receptivity that are daily stimulated by an accent from each planer’s electromagnetic radiation.

All twelve signs of the zodiac are distributed among the four elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water. The combinations are known as triplicities.

I. THE ELEMENT OF FIRE

   The three Fire Signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. The Fire Signs are very much similar to the element of Fire. They impart movement, phosphorescence and radiance. These zodiacal signs of Fire are directly affiliated with the qualities of fanaticism, zeal, love, eagerness, passion, courage, enterprise, individuality, faith, and spirituality. It is of great significance that this triplicity has its beginning in the Cardinal Sign Aries, ruling the eastern hemisphere or sunrise, the beginning of self. Hence the keyword of the Fire Signs is self. Although the word self may connote a vain egotistical person, it can also refer to one who is very refined and knows his place. It sometimes indicates a person who has matured his intrinsic powers to such an advanced state that he is obviously a highly individualized person. He is not outright conceited nor is he ostentatious with his talents yet he knows within himself that he has certain powers under his control. All the plus and minus that concern the basic self of the native are postulated by this element of Fire.

   By its very nature Fire tends to move upwards and unlike Water it does not come back down to its own level again. It continues this upward motion. Fire Signs are always seeking impossible ventures and trying to reach the plane of the attainable. They possess a distinct drive to be just (the best) in whatever they undertake. Natives of Earth Signs tend to be very Leary of Fire Sign people and often consider them dangerous. The Earth native beholds the Fire Sign's enthusiasm as a hindrance because it renders the person less aware and careful of the nature and frivolity of the material objects that block the path to true happiness. Water is the single most effective weapon against Fire. Just as it can extinguish the robust flames of a Fire, Water can also dampen Fire just by its very presence. Water Signs and Fire Signs cannot be polarized. Although it is true that Water Signs are detrimental to Fire Signs if the Fire is strong enough and has generated enough heat it just might vaporize the effect of the water. Astro Motive Astrology by Astrologer Dr. C K Singh

   Water and Earth can be polarized. Fire and Water cannot. Air and Fire can be polarized whereas Air and Earth cannot. Fire, Earth, Air, Water are all interacting with one another and hence deciding the fine points of the personality.

   The inspirational Fire Signs group is almost universally symbolized by the Lion. (Not to be confused with the symbol for the sign Leo which is the lion's tail)

II. THE ELEMENT OF EARTH

   The Three Earth Signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. The Earth Signs emit a tremendous degree of stability. They, like the very earth itself, are dependable, reliable and possess a determined power to gather and collect, to discriminate and to build. The Earth Signs form the basis for supply in the world. The triplicity has its beginnings in the sign Taurus and it depicts life as seen by others and knowledge that the public has concerning public activities. The keynotes of this triplicity are those of possessions, materials, property, goods, information, tools, and servants. It is by such standards that the average person forms opinions concerning a person's basic substance.

   The Earth Signs signal the source of supply available to the native. Just as the earth cannot produce vegetation or animal life, nor maintain life without water, so too Earth Signs demand the presence of Water Signs in order to insure proper functioning. By the same token that too much water on the earth causes floods and destruction, so too in the Zodiac too many Water Signs will tend to limit or nullify the positive qualities of the Earth Signs. Since air is also very necessary to all life on earth, we find that Earth-Air Sign combination will produce positive effects for the native. Fire which can be so destructive to the earth stands in direct opposition to the Earth. The Earth-Fire Sign relationships can be as dangerous as forest fires for those people who have not learned to control their various qualities.

   The "earthiness" of the materialistic or practical Earth Sign group is represented by a thick-necked bull. (Not to be confused with the symbol of the bull for the sign Taurus)

III. THE ELEMENT OF AIR

   The three air signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Air Signs are similar to air because they generate the ability of circulation. They create an aura of relaxation when around people and situations. The Air Signs are most naturally associated with the channels of communication, thought, adaptability, and the gift of making and sustaining relationships with ease. This triplicity has its beginning in Gemini and it characterizes the influence of other people on the native. The keyword of the Air triplicity is other people. The Air native will feel comfortable at home when in the company of other people and he is afforded the vital opportunity to execute his innate powers of communications. Included in those other people are partners, friends, relatives, and nearby acquaintances. The air native will undoubtedly possess a precise talent for adaptability and will be able to modify himself to accommodate any changes on the social level. He is easily the most versatile person in the Zodiac and his true substance will emanate only as he shines in the company of others.

   The Air Signs tend to exist in a constant state of motion and are comparable to the air because of this fact. They arduously maintain that reason and logic have a greater potency than the material aspects of human life. A Fire-Air Sign combination can affect tremendous mental development and upon occasion produce new and striking mental concepts and in isolated cases even the genius state can be reached. Just as air is necessary before fire can bum so the Air Signs act as a monumental stimulus to Fire Signs. Conversely the enthusiasm of the Fire Signs sharpens the reasoning faculties of the Air Signs igniting the mental processes. However, in order to make these concepts feasible for mankind it is of the utmost importance that some Earth Sign Planets are present somewhere in the Horoscope to modify and direct the progress. Earth, however, lies in square to Air tending to initiate some conflict between thought and practice. In order to inspire humanity, ideas must be linked to emotion, but emotion is despised by reason. For this reason, the square of Air to Water is difficult to harmonize. Astro Motive Astrology by Astrologer Dr. C K Singh

   The intellectual or mental Air Sign group is almost universally represented by a man, usually pouring water out of a jug, symbolizing the gift of the water of knowledge to a thirsting world. (Do not confuse with the similar Zodiac sign of Aquarius)

IV. THE ELEMENT OF WATER

   The three Water Signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Places. The Water Signs, like water, impart the ability to flow smoothly, or possibly with tremendous strength depending on the nature of the terrain, or the wind. The water element is sometimes noted for grace, or power. The Water Signs are signs of heavy emotion, psychic power, and soul development. The Water triplicity commences with the Cardinal Sign Cancer, hence, emotion is the keyword. In Cancer the emotion essentially concerns the domestic side of life, in Scorpio it is directed towards partner and in Pisces the emotional of the element is directed towards all people particularly those in distress. In Cancer this emotion provides the home with all its intricate needs. In Scorpio this emotion results in a strong desire to probe life itself and it may also express itself in spiritual longings.

   The Water triplicity is intimately connected with the House of Endings, for Cancer governs old age, Scorpio death, and Pisces the sorrows or rewards that come as a direct result of our actions.

   The Water Signs possess the distinct trend of returning back to the level from where they started. Just as flood waters will always return to a normal tide level so too the Water native who gives up in an emotional outburst will always come back down again to the level of quiescence. They are without desire, as a rule, for leverage. They are generally engulfed in an aura of complacency and tend to carry a burden rather than fight to solve its riddle. They are constantly digging themselves into ruts from which they need some Fire or Earth assistance to extricate themselves. However, if these practical Earth types prove to be too dominant insisting upon their own solution, Water signs grow very moody and they might even resort to violence.

   The elements assume momentous value when we try to discover whether or not two people have harmonious natures. You can see why Planets well distributed among the Signs of different elemental temperaments produce the well-rounded individuals.

   When delineating any horoscope, it is essential that we count the planets in the various elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water. We should then count the planets according to their qualities - Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable. The construction of a very simple diagram will simplify this process and undoubtedly clarify any confusion you might encounter.

1. CARDINAL

   Fire - Expression of zeal in enterprise, and a marked enthusiasm for new ideals or work

   Earth - Earth - Expression of enterprise but maintaining the practical nature of the Earth element

   Air - Expression of mental originality

   Water - Expression of feeling and dramatic power

2. FIXED

   Fire - expression of changeless zeal and driving power

   Earth - expression of stability of purpose. Non-progressive unless the remainder of the chart indicates otherwise.

   Air - expression of changeless ideals or purpose

   Water - expression of changeless emotions

3. MUTABLE

   Fire - indications of mental eagerness yet subject to change

   Earth - expression of the mental power to direct work and to consider supply.

   Air - the expression of the mind's ability to analyze the concepts of thought

   Water - the expression of the mind's ability to analyze emotion and imagination.

Planetary dignities, exaltations, and falls

A planet is dignified when it is posited (located) in the sign it rules naturally. For instance, when we find Mercury in Gemini, we know that Mercury is dignified and hence it possesses more inherent power.

   A planet is in its detriment when it is posited in the sign exactly opposite to the one which it rules. It forfeits some of its power because its nature is not in harmony with the nature of the opposite sign. This fact of dignification and detriment of a planet when it is in the sign it rules is the final conclusion of the thousands of observations recorded through the years by Astrologers. This same explanation is true for exaltations and falls as described below.

   There is one particular sign for each planet, aside from the one it normally rules, in which it expresses its nature very harmoniously. This is the sign of its exaltation. Planets posited in the signs opposite their exaltations are in their fall and they cannot express their true nature.

Exaltations and falls (explanation)

   Sun exalted in Aries - the qualities of the Sun and of Aries are compatible hence the Sun can very effectively express itself when in Aries. The Sun is the giver of life and motive power and the source of energy whereas Aries is active and quick.

   Sun in Fall in Libra - Libra is extremely melancholy, never rushing, and possesses the ideal of poise. When the Sun would wish to rush forth, the very nature of Libra is to hold back and consider. We can see why the Sun is in constant limitation in Libra and why it is in its fall here.

   Moon exalted in Taurus - the Moon rules fecundity and growth whereas Taurus is the sign of supply. In Taurus the Moon has an additional helper. Taurus is like a storehouse of beneficial goods for the Moon.

   Moon in Fall in Scorpio - Scorpio signified change, destruction, and death and is in direct contrast to the dreamy watery Moon, the planet of growth. It is obvious then why the Moon is in its fall in Scorpio.

   Mercury Exalted in Aquarius - the planet Mercury can best express its ability for thought and action when combined with the love and determination of Aquarius. Mercury lends finesse and exactness to the creative thought and action of Aquarius.

   Mercury in Fall in Leo - When in Leo Mercury is operating in a sign which does not understand the practical intellect nor does it deal with concrete thought.

   Venus Exalted in Pisces - Venus is the principle of attraction, coordination and harmony. Pisces is the sign of poetry. When Venus is in Pisces it confers rhythm so that poetry can emulate music. Visions of sheer beauty are captured and revealed.

   Venus in Fall in Virgo - Virgo is the seeker of exactness in form and sometimes tends to overlook the soul of the beauty Venus portrays. For this reason Venus is in its fall here.

   Mars Exalted in Capricorn - Mars affords creative energy, while Capricorn has the patience to organize and construct material things with this energy.

   Mars in Fall in Cancer - the fire and enthusiasm of Mars are not welcome to watery Cancer which likes to dream and grow as it wishes.

   Jupiter Exalted in Cancer - Jupiter represents the principle of expansion, hence it combines favorably with Cancer which is desirous of growth and increase.

   Jupiter in Fall in Capricorn - The cautiousness and limiting nature of this sign hinders the expansive nature of Jupiter. Astro Motive Astrology by Astrologer Dr. C K Singh

   Saturn Exalted in Libra - the principles governing Saturn signal the scientific mind weighing and studying every statement. Libra, the sign of balance, makes a perfect home for Saturn.

   Saturn in Fall in Aries - the patient Saturn has very little in common with the impetuous Arian.

   Uranus Exalted in Scorpio - Uranus bestows the powers of insight and clarity and is at ease in the powerful sign Scorpio which is essentially that of new changes of consciousness and the ability to penetrate the secret of nature.

   Uranus in Fall in Taurus - Uranus is much too disturbing for the placid Taurian who wants everything to stay where it is put.

   Neptune Exalted in Cancer - Neptune exerts influence in the illusion of love and the delusion of power. In Cancer, Neptune finds its most comfortable home of love.

   Neptune in Fall in Capricorn - Neptune is very much out of place in Capricorn because Capricorn is not interested in what is cloudy or indefinite.

   Pluto Exalted in Aries - Both Aries and Pluto love change and all that is new.

   Pluto in Fall in Libra - the sign of the balance, seeks neither change nor anything new.

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