We often hear mention of the four elements: earth, air, water, and fire. These are ideas that have been used throughout human history, sometimes in relation to spirituality, and other times in pop culture or entertainment media.
The four elements represent distinct groups that are similar, and yet separate. Each possesses unique traits and characteristics, and therefore they interact with one another in different ways.
We’re going to focus on the earth signs. In order to better understand the earth elements, we’ll explore a personality overview, how this sign interacts with air, water, and fire, and we’ll end by exploring how each of the three earth signs differs from one another.
The Three Signs
Each of the elements is associated with three of the twelve zodiac signs, and the earth is no exception. We find that Virgo, Taurus, and Capricorn are the three earth signs.
This isn’t surprising when we consider the personalities that each of these zodiacs is associated with. Earth signs are naturally grounded. They don’t spend a lot of time with their head in the clouds, wondering about what might have been or what could be.
They focus on the present; on the here and now and what is attainable. Of all the elements, the earth is the one most focused on the concrete nature of reality.
Earth signs are:
- reliable.
- dependable.
- calm.
- often relaxed.
To some of the other signs, this seems boring and slow-paced, but it leads to a very productive and practical take on life. Earth, both in terms of the planet and the ground, is one of the most essential components of life.
Its where seeds are planted, where animals build homes, and where we bury our deceased. All of this is possible because while it is slow-moving, it’s also solid and reliable.
Slow and steady wins the race’ is an adage that couldn’t be more applicable to an earth sign. Although they can be accused of being workaholics, and it’s certainly safe to say that working towards a goal can get in the way of developing relationships, those belonging to the earth sign do get results.
However, they are also prone to get stuck in ruts. Earth signs can sometimes feel overly capable, leading to stubborn behavior that only digs them deeper into the rut. So, how well does this grounding sign work with the other elements?
earth signs and Air
The air and earth elements are the perfect combinations of practicality and imagination. Air’s thinking nature allows for outside the box solutions, some of which seem ridiculous and outlandish when compared to the realistic approach of the earth signs.
When an earth sign finds themselves stuck in a rut, the fresh breeze of air can allow them to lift up from the ground, even if just enough to see beyond their usual self-limiting view.
We all need to dream a little from time to time because imagination is the key to creativity. Earth has the opposite effect on the air.
When an air sign loses track of reality, perhaps unable to see the ground due to soaring so high above the clouds, it is the grounding nature of earth that brings back a sense of reality, allowing the air sign to focus on tangible steps towards achieving any goal.
Earth and Fire
The fire and earth elements also work particularly well together. Where earth has a tendency to focus on the present, often putting work before the possibility of adventure, fire is the complete opposite.
When the two are together, fire’s willingness to leap without looking can encourage and inspire the earth signs to take a bit of a chance and explore beyond the world that is immediately in front of them.
Such a relationship also benefits fire, as sometimes this hot-headed sign can lose all sense of structure. When this happens, fire signs can become frustrated, agitated, and lost.
They leap from one project or experience to the next, while failing to enjoy any of them as much as they usually would.
Earth elements allow the fire to plant their feet on the ground, even if just for a moment, creating an opportunity to better plan their future from a more realistic starting point.
Earth and Water
An earth sign can often feel a bit emotionless. It’s not that they lack emotion, but they are so goal-orientated that emotional problems can take a back seat to practical problems.
When water and earth combine, the earth signs loosen up and embrace the emotional nature of their counterpart. This can allow the earth to adapt more appropriately to whatever problem or situation they face, as their structure is less rigid.
Similarly, the earth can help to guide water towards more practical solutions. The emotional nature of the water signs can become overwhelming. Sometimes they require structure and support in order to flow towards their goals.
The grounding nature of earth forces the water signs to see a world that isn’t dominated by emotional influence.
The Three Qualities of the Earth Elements
Each of the four elements is associated with three zodiac signs, and each of these is defined as being either the cardinal sign, the fixed sign, or the mutable sign. These are unique properties that apply to each zodiac sign within each element, separating it from the other two. When it comes to the earth signs, Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo, we will be able to see what traits are associated with each.
1. Practical Capricorn
Capricorn is the cardinal sign for the earth elements. They are a powerful form of authority when it comes to being grounded. They don’t feel the need to imagine unlikely scenarios or waste time on unattainable goals.
They are incredibly goal-orientated, and their time management skills tend to be excellent.
2. Methodical Taurus
Taurus is the fixed sign for this element. They can be slow to take action, but that’s because they believe that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. Their focus is on long-term and long-lasting goals and achievements.
3. Virgo’s Ambition
Finally, we have Virgo, the mutable sign of the earth elements. Virgos are more open to slightly less realistic goals. They are still grounded when compared to the other elements, but they also feel that aiming higher than your current ability is the best way to improve.