The Elements

The ancients divided the twelve signs of the zodiac into four groups corresponding with the four elements - fire, air, water and earth. The rapport between any two people partly depends on the way in which their ruling elements interact. However, remember that there is no infallible rule when these principles are applied in such a general way to the abbreviated horoscope.

Two simple examples will explain this point. Capricorn is an earth sign and Sagittarius is a fire sign. Fire and earth have little in common, with the result that some degree of incompatibility often is found between these signs. But a Capricorn person who has a magnificent star pattern between Mercury, the planet of the mind, and Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, it will not be surprising that this Capricorn will have an affinity with Sagittarians.

Aries is a fire sign and Gemini is an air sign. There is a harmonious affinity between fire and air which make these two signs very compatible. However, a Gemini person was born when Mercury, his sign's ruling planet, was in strong conflict with Mars the ruler of Aries. The result is that this Gemini will have negative experiences with several Aries people and feels general incompatibility with this sign.

It is important to know to which element your sign belongs to and how it interacts with others.


FIRE SIGNS (Red)
Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Fire is compatible with fire and air, except in the case of the opposite pairs Aries-Libra, Leo-Aquarius, and Sagitarrius-Gemini. There can be strong initial attraction between opposite signs but after a while, the pendulum may swing the other way causing friction. Fire does not combine readily with water or with an earth sign.


AIR SIGNS (White)
Libra, Aquarius, Gemini

Air is compatible with air and fire, although initial affinity between the opposite pairs Gemini, Sagittarius, Libra-Aries, and Aquarius-Leo as shown in the zodiac wheel, may bring conflict. Air does not have much in common with water or earth.


WATER SIGNS (Blue)
Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Water is compatible with water and earth, except when the pair of signs are on the opposite sides of the zodiac wheel. These are Cancer-Capricorn, Scorpio-Taurus, and Pisces-Virgo. Water has little affinity with fire or air, so they are danger zones.


EARTH SIGNS (Brown)
Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo

Earth is compatible with earth and water, although some conflict may develop with a water sign if it is opposite your earth sign in the zodiac wheel. These pairs are Capricorn-Cancer, Taurus-Scorpio, and Virgo-Pisces. Earth does not mix easily with fire or air.

I'll try to put together all the possible combinations of the twelve signs, which yields a total of seventy-eight pairs. For the mean time, I'll have to psych myself out as this task is easier said than done. Hope to see you on my next post! ;)