What's Your Zodiac Element?

Unlock the secrets of your astrological element

Are you a fiery character, a practical earth sign, an emotional water personality, or a light-hearted airy soul? The secret of your personality type is held within your astrological element. When you are 'in your element' you are doing something you enjoy, meaning you find it easier to succeed. So knowing your zodiac element can help you play to your strengths. Of course, too much of a good thing can leave you unbalanced and lacking other areas. So looking at the traits of the other elements can help you identify qualities it might be beneficial for you to develop.

The elements

Representing all life on Earth, the four elements of the zodiac are: fire, earth, water and air. The elements are the building blocks of life. Each depends upon the other for survival or balance - just as your personality can be enhanced or balanced by somebody else's personality. The twelve signs of the zodiac are organized into four elemental groups, each containing three star signs. So fire is Aries, Leo, Sagittarius; air is Gemini, Libra, Aquarius; earth is Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo; water is Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

Element: FIRE

Star signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Key traits: Inspired, creative, courageous

The red hot heat of this element means fire signs burn brightly with an inspiring force. This means they are lively and entertaining with a powerfully optimistic love of life. Loyal friends or passionate lovers, you'll never have a dull moment with these spontaneous folks. Fire signs have a strong spark of creativity which can light the way to achieving great things in life. Underneath a fire sign's wild side is a strong moral code and interest in esoteric ideas. But fire can destroy as well as create. An unbalanced fire sign can rage out of control, being egotistical, selfish or bossy. Air and earth sign qualities balance fire.

Element: AIR

Star signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Key traits: Intellectual, social, communicative

The thinkers of the zodiac, air signs love to analyze new ideas and new information. Curious souls who have a thirst for knowledge, air elements value balance and justice above all things. Usually calm idealists, air can rise up to see all sides of a situation, ensuring the best solution is found. So if you need a complex idea explaining to you - ask air! Great communicators, air loves to circulate and socialise so it tends to have a wide circle of friends. But air element is insubstantial on its own. Unbalanced air signs can be cold and detached, inconsistent or even cruel. Fire and earth balances air.

Element: EARTH

Star signs: Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo

Key traits: Grounded, practical, ambitious

Earth signs are the kind of people anyone would be lucky to call a friend. Earth is dependable, responsible and practical with strong ideas for solving any problem. No risk takers here, instead earth makes steady progress forward on a sensible, logical path to success. Definitely ambitious, earth's slow and steady approach make these signs the most likely to achieve their dreams. Earth is not phased by obstacles, this element knows how to navigate around any hurdles. But earth is not all work and no play, though, because these signs have a highly sensual side and enjoy life's little luxuries to the max. But earth needs other elevating elements to balance it out. Unbalanced earth becomes obsessed with materialism, selfish or too cautious. Fire and water balance Earth.

Element: WATER

Star signs: Cancer, Scorpio Pisces

Key traits: Sensitive, imaginative, spiritual

Emotions run deep within watery signs, this means water can empathise and nurture like nobody else. Water is intense, so if you are the focus of this sign's attentions they can make you feel like you are the only person in the world. Ideas ebb and flow with water, making it an adaptable element. Egalitarian and idealistic, water likes to look for solutions in everybody's best interest. Water relies on its highly developed intuition, rather than logic. Spirituality is a big part of this sign's life, with many water element signs devoting much of their lives to a spiritual quest. This element can be the elemental sign of the artist and dreamer, so water loves beauty in all its forms, especially expressed through art. But water can become stagnant. Unbalanced water lacks drive, can become moody, even a fantasist. Air and earth balance water.