You may know your astrology sign but do you know its element?
No worries. Most people don’t.
We are so much more than our Sun sign. Each of us is a composite of ALL the planets at the moment of our birth. And each of these planets, like our Sun, is in a particular sign.
For example, you might be a Capricorn Sun with your Moon in Libra, Mercury in Sagittarius, and so forth…
Your Sign and the Elements
Every sign is one of four elements: earth, air, fire or water.
Your natal chart shows how each planet is influenced by an element. The significance of these elements cannot really be overstated.
Say, for instance, you have five or more of your planets in fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), you are prone to action and enthusiasm. A dominance of Fire planets may have you leaping into projects, jobs, relationships without thinking enough about consequences. While this quality is great for taking initiative, it can also render unintended results later on.
Ideally, there is a balance of earth, air, fire and water in an astrology chart.
But because we are human, here to learn lessons in the school of life on planet earth, that is usually not the case. Almost always, we possess less of one element than the others; and sometimes, there is a complete absence, or lack, of an element.
So what happens then?
Let’s use the example of cooking:
Too much of one ingredient, say pepper, and your casserole is inedible. Or too little sugar and your pie is bland, flavorless.
When a dominance of three elements renders a lack of the fourth element, one of two behaviors occur:
BLIND SPOT
There is a void, a blind spot or unawareness in the person’s behavior. (Think of a mad scientist working feverishly in his lab foregoing food, sleep, and er, perhaps personal hygiene, while in hot pursuit of his ideas)… OR
OVERCOMPENSATION
There is an overcompensation in the person’s behavior for the missing element. It presents as an itch that must be scratched relentlessly.
The mad scientist’s blind spot, in this case, is neglecting his body (earthly needs/earth element). This stems from denial or repression that there is even an issue (his body) to deal with.
OR
The guy or gal who overcompensates for a lack of earth might work out several hours a day at the gym, perpetually seeking that perfect body, watching every bite of food they intake, overspending on healthcare and body products, might even have a “little work done” in the way of plastic surgery.
The missing element in our astrological chart is one of the biggest clues to our behavior. Knowing this is equally important as understanding a dominance of planets in a particular element.
So, what is your missing or reduced element? Do you have one?
First, know your elements and their qualities:
EARTH
sensation
AIR
thinking
FIRE
action
WATER
feeling
Behavioral Characteristics of Missing Elements
Below is an outline of possible behavioral characteristics for those with missing elements. It includes the blind spot behavior, as well as the overcompensation:
Lacking Earth:
Impractical, ungrounded or unrealistic conclusions and actions. Reluctance to find a job, save money, take care of their body and material assets (i.e., hoarding, overeating, etc.)
OR
Working three plus jobs to manifest ideas and dreams; the miser; scrimping on tiny expenses for fear of never having enough; focusing intensely on one or two parts of the body, or material assets (someone who owns four or more homes, personal collections, etc.).
Lacking Air:
Inability to detach and be objective about a topic, problem, finding a solution, or relationship.
OR
Overly wound mentally. Hyper knowledgeable about one or two very specific fields or areas of expertise. Over-educated with several degrees.
Lacking Fire:
Reluctance to the point of lethargy or withdrawal from the world. Unwillingness to follow through and act on any decision.
OR
Continually jumping into circumstances without asking questions or having a thorough understanding of a situation or relationship.
Lacking Water:
Unemotional and indifferent to the needs of others. Uncaring, insensitive and refusal to emotionally relate to people, regardless of connection (spouse, child, family, co-worker, friend).
OR
The over-giver. Someone who can’t or won’t set boundaries and limits with others who drain them on every level: emotionally, mentally, physically.
Do any of these sound or feel familiar?
Of course, this is only one piece of the puzzle that interweaves with everything in your Natal chart - which planet is in which sign, element, or house, as well as your rising sign (ascendant), nodes, etc. It is an amazing thing!
If you want to learn more about your astrological chart or astrology in general, book a session with Hilary… you will not regret it.
AUTHOR: Hilary Harley is an Astrologer & Reiki Master. She offers astrological counseling and Reiki energy healing to help clients reach their highest potential. By understanding the role that planetary cycles play in their lives, they are empowered to make better decisions resulting in more rewarding and fulfilling lives.