The rhythm of day and night, the ebb and flow of the tides governed by the phases of the Moon, the wandering of the planets across the sky – all of this follows recurring patterns. Our ancestors linked these patterns to the phenomena they observed every day: the weather, the seasons and human destiny too. This is how astrology was born – the study of cosmic patterns, expressed symbolically in the form of cosmograms, or horoscopes.
From the priests of Mesopotamia to the modern zodiac
Astrology is one of the oldest branches of occult knowledge. It developed in Mesopotamia, where it was practised by priests trying to predict future events. Over time it became the domain of mathematicians, because casting a horoscope requires establishing exactly where the celestial bodies were at a given moment – and that means a great many complicated calculations.
A horoscope can be drawn up for almost any situation in life. Astrologers use it to choose the right moment for an important decision and to describe a person’s character: their strengths and weaknesses, talents, career path and relationships with others. Modern Western astrology uses twelve zodiac signs, each corresponding to one constellation.
The four elements of the zodiac
Fire, earth, air and water are the four elements from which – according to the ancients – the world and everything living in it is made. Since antiquity, each sign of the zodiac has been assigned to one of them:
- Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
- Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
- Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
- Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Signs of the same element share many traits. The fire signs, for example, are sociable and full of humour, while for the water signs every new idea has to make its way through many layers of intuition and emotion. Below we describe both the strengths and the challenges of each element.
Fire – courage and leadership
The fire signs are associated with courage and leadership. Fire people are brave and not afraid to press ahead. They have quick reflexes and are intelligent, generous and devoted to their loved ones – and also more sensitive than they seem. They react to opposition with anger, dejection or bitterness. They find it hard to accept hardship because they love luxury. If they do not keep themselves in check, they can be unpleasant and arrogant towards those they consider weaker, which means they easily intimidate others.
Earth – practicality and perseverance
People of this element are practical, diligent and hard-working, and they are happiest when doing something useful. You can rely on them, although they sometimes take a long time to get going. They are perceptive and cautious. They need security – material and emotional – and they are prepared to go to great lengths to achieve it. They may sometimes seem dependent on others, which stems mainly from a fear of uncertainty. They have a creative spark, though each earth sign expresses it differently. In true love they are responsible, but it often takes them many years to find it.
Air – the mind and communication
This element includes the signs of the intellectuals, in whom mental activity and an interest in abstract ideas outweigh the physical realm. Geminis and Librans are very sociable – they can spend a good part of the day talking, getting things done or gossiping with friends. Aquarians are excellent partners for deep discussions, though they often need solitude to think everything through.
The air signs can be restless and tense, which is why they need change and constant movement. Geminis like to fret over trifles, Librans sometimes have such a muddle in their heads that they themselves do not know what is happening to them, and Aquarians can react explosively when their plans fall through.
Water – depth of feeling and intuition
Water people are not effusive, but their feelings run very deep and intense, even if this does not show on the surface. They often bottle up grievances, only to explode with anger at a completely unexpected moment – their loved ones know their changeable moods well. They form strong bonds with family and friends and take care to maintain them. They have excellent intuition and sense everything happening around them, which makes life much easier for them. They are unpredictable and can find a clever way out of any situation.
The twelve archetypes of the zodiac and their planets
Each sign can be summed up in a few keywords that capture its archetype – the fundamental role it plays in the zodiac circle. Alongside, we give the planet that rules it according to astrological tradition.
- Aries – the leader and pioneer; enterprising, hungry for action and adventure, sometimes a loner, can be highly strung. Planet: Mars.
- Taurus – the builder; practical, patient, valuing material possessions and comfort. Planet: Venus.
- Gemini – the speaker; witty, sometimes restless, loving travel and new challenges. Planet: Mercury.
- Cancer – the carer; sensitive to the needs of others, imaginative, attached to home. Planet: the Moon.
- Leo – the actor; loves being the centre of attention, stubborn, dramatic, generous and warm, values the good life, romance and flirting. Planet: the Sun.
- Virgo – the perfectionist; meticulous, attentive to detail, sincere and trustworthy. Planet: Mercury.
- Libra – the mediator; unites opposites, values beauty, can be mysterious and hard to reach. Planet: Venus.
- Scorpio – the transformer; intense feelings, an interest in life’s mysteries and hidden knowledge. Planets: Pluto and Mars.
- Sagittarius – the traveller and wanderer; independent, witty, loving nature and new experiences. Planet: Jupiter.
- Capricorn – the climber; hard-working, ambitious, patient and cautious, appreciates black humour. Planet: Saturn.
- Aquarius – the reformer; a fair-minded free thinker, emotionally independent. Planets: Uranus and Saturn.
- Pisces – the dreamer; emotional, imaginative, given to contemplation, loving art and beauty. Planets: Neptune and Jupiter.
Element, archetype and the whole horoscope
The element and archetype of your Sun sign are a good starting point for getting to know yourself, but they are not the whole truth about a person. In a complete birth chart, the positions of the Moon, the ascendant and the other planets also matter – which is why two people of the same sign can be surprisingly unalike.
First published (Polish original): 31 March 2010. Written by astrologers and esoteric specialists working with our editorial team; edited and translated for HOROSCOP.SPACE. © All rights reserved.
