Influence Of The Elements
THE CARDINAL SIGNS
The Cardinal Signs, Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn
begin the Seasons. Aries and Libra mark the Spring Equinox and Autumn Equinox, according to Hemisphere. Cancer and Capricorn
mark instead the Solstices of Winter and Summer, of course depending also on the Hemisphere. They are motivated, physically
and mentally active, sometimes even hyper active. To feel fulfilled and happy they need purpose and goals, something to aspire
to and achieve. Negatively they can be bossy, pushy, interfering, manipulative, overly ambitious, agitated and anxious. Positively
they are hard workers, natural leaders and role models, great at the job of inspiring less motivated people. Goal oriented
action is the key word here. Adept at initiating activities and create something new, they need to develop the will to carry
on and complete what they've began. Their gifts are initiative, inspiration, the pioneering spirit.
ARIES is the most actively physical of the Fire
Signs, Aries is open, honest, impulsive, instinctual, enthusiastic, full of initiative, daring, idealistic, intuitive, but
also often inconsistent, aggressive, impatient, insensitive, selfish. Its naivety and idealism helping others to forgive its
undisguised faults. Ardent, uninhibited, easily aroused in love, this Sign enjoys the adrenaline rush of risky adventures,
and the victorious feeling of a difficult conquest. He/she can also be inconstant, easily bored, even rude. Novelty will keep
the love life of this Sign more interesting. Passion and individual freedom are the driving forces in all aspects of life.
Gift of true instinct.
CANCER, most motivated of the Water Signs, works
hard to make its position secure. This Sign is known for its sensitivity, psychic abilities and creative imagination. Caring,
nurturing, capable of great sacrifices for loved ones and pet causes, this Sign can also become emotionally demanding, even
manipulative, seeking general approval, a sense of belonging, out of fear of isolation or rejection. In love Cancer looks
for secure affection, someone to mother or to be mothered by, usually forming strong and lasting ties. Moods swings, irrational
fears and emotional dependency are the main obstacles to this Sign’s spiritual progress. Gift of giving.
LIBRA is goal oriented, seeking to achieve a balanced relationship between the outside world
and its own psyche. Endearing manners, fairness and diplomacy are helpful traits. But when too eager to weight both sides
of a question Libra becomes very indecisive and ineffectual. Endowed with a keen aesthetic eye, this refined Air Sign may
be sometimes too impressed by beauty, missing the essence of people or situations. In love Libra is idealistic and romantic
to a fault, often losing sight of its own individual needs for the sake of relationship. It needs to become more assertive,
to counteract the ‘peace at all costs syndrome’. Gift of true fairness and justice.
CAPRICORN is the most ambitious of the Earth Signs, achieving its goals by careful planning
and efficient use of time and resources. Responsible, self disciplined, a natural leader, it can serve its community well.
But this Sign is also given to bouts of depression, fear of failure and cynicism. Although sensual Capricorn opts for commitment,
married life, children, the protective, parental feelings being strong. While emotional or sexual frustration are sometimes
the cause of a mean, cold or authoritarian attitude. Rigidity and an excessive concern with material security the greatest
obstacles on this practical Sign’s spiritual path. Gift of endurance.
THE FIXED SIGNS
The Fixed Signs, Taurus, Leo,
Scorpio and Aquarius are the ‘mid-season’s Signs’. They have to do with concentration of energy.
These are strong minded people, with a lot of staying power and often inflexible will. This inflexibility perhaps the greatest
obstacle in their spiritual journey. Positively they know how to preserve energy and to use to great advantage their inner
resources and organizing abilities. Their stability is often a source of security for others who tend to lean on them. Negatively
they can be too lay back, lazy, wilful, stubborn, tyrannical, stagnant and reluctant to change, even when change is absolutely
necessary or unavoidable. Their gift is the power of concentration and contemplation.
TAURUS
is the most fixed of the Fixed Signs, and is well known for its will of iron. But it is also the most relaxed of the Earth
Signs, capable of experiencing a sense of deep contentment and peace. Naturally contemplative it may attain to great concentration
of thought and intensity of feelings. Capable, artistic, practical, it can become self indulgent and lazy if motivation is
lacking. In love Taurus is tender and sensual, capable of constant affections, but it needs to trust the complete loyalty
of the other person not to become controlling, jealous and possessive. A wilful, unbending, intolerant attitude is this Sign’s
greatest challenge. Gift of concentration.
LEO is the most
emotional of the Fire Signs. This Sign is cheerful, fun to be with, warm hearted, giving away generously of its abundant vitality.
It is self confident, possessing great organizing abilities and an unbound creativity that command respect. The heart rules
the head in this spontaneous Sign. But it can be also selfish, domineering, vain, immodest, credulous, proud, fond of social
display, patronizing, with a rather fragile ego. In relationships Leo needs demonstration of love, admiration and esteem.
Passion coupled with loyalty and stability. While excess of feeling, anger, pride, selfishness are the challenges. Gift of
vision (the Sun god).
SCORPIO is the most
wilful, least ‘fluid’ of the Water Signs, aware of both the depths and highs of human feelings. An insightful
mind and subtle psychic powers incline Scorpio to probe mysteries, looking for secret motives in people’s hearts. This
tendency gives Scorpio depth of understanding, the moral strength to support others, but also a suspicious heart that needs
to learn trust. In relationships Scorpio seeks real intimacy, passion, loyalty, but it can become possessive. Love is often
a transforming experience. This Sign has the gifts of psychological penetration, sense of justice, resilience to hardship,
depth of feeling, loyalty to own beliefs.
AQUARIUS
is the most concentrated of the Air Signs, a quiet achiever, non aggressive, often physically timid. Original thinker, with
an impartial mind. Prone to ideologise everything, if contradicted its mind can become unmovable. Considered of others, but
also naïve and idealistic, it expects the best from human nature, often becoming disappointed by a not so perfect reality.
In love Aquarius is fair, friendly, also emotionally detached, dispassionate, or uncaring, undemonstrative. It would prefer
someone very independent. Indifference, scepticism could limit its spiritual progress. Gifts of refinement, true democratic
spirit, teaching abilities.
THE
MUTABLE SIGNS
The Mutable
Signs Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces are the ‘end of season’s Signs’, symbol of
their capacity to change and adapt to new circumstances and relationships. These are eclectic, multifaceted people, who can
learn readily from past experiences and mistakes, but who may also lack initiative and staying power (qualities of the Cardinal
and Fixed Signs). Negatively in fact they tend to waver and doubt, thus becoming ineffectual, easily led, irresolute, even
untrustworthy. They tend to scatter their energies about, becoming wasteful and confused, a sense of direction and clear goals
often lacking. They are adept at jobs that require a quick mind, dexterity and rapid response to people’s thinking.
GEMINI is the most versatile of the Air Signs, needing constant mental stimuli
to satisfy its restless, curious temperament. Able to learn from everyone, this Sign is socially popular, having the innate
talent to be a different person to all. In relationship it needs independence and a light hearted atmosphere. When things
become too predictable Gemini can become fickle, the temptation to ‘move on’ being often very strong and conducive
to many short lived relationships. Restlessness and a certain fear to explore the depths of feelings are the downside of this
easy going character. Its best qualities: sense of humour, intelligence, facility of expression, artistic gifts. Its best
qualities: sense of humour, intelligence, facility of expression, artistic gifts.
VIRGO is the most flexible of the Earth Signs, willing to put its practical skills at the
service of other people. Unassuming, rather timid by nature, it often prefers to live a retired, even solitary life. Routine
and work may be boring to some, but not to a strongly Virgonian person who will enjoy the beauty of method and ritual. If
emotionally unfulfilled Virgo can become too critical, exacting, cynical, calculating. In relationships it needs a lot of
encouragement to overcome shyness and emotional/sexual blockages, wanting to feel needed and useful. Best qualities: exceptional
manual dexterity, and a true modesty that shines despite great talent.
SAGITTARIUS
is the most intuitive of the Fire Signs, displaying an uncanny ability to foresee the future, uttering prophetic words, often
unwillingly. It is a seeker after knowledge or adventure or both, knowledge itself being an adventurous quest for this Sign.
Optimistic, open, gregarious, frank, fond of debate, a true believer. But negatively it can be wasteful, opportunistic, uncompromising,
blunt, overbearing, unreliable. Sagittarius needs freedom and philosophical agreement in relationships, risk taking, fun.
Passionate lover, but often non committal, if you love a Sagittarius let him/her free. Gift of the last Fire Sign ‘the
questing spirit’.
PISCES is the most
adaptable of the Water Signs gentle, creative it needs to merge into something larger than itself, be it a crowd, a creed,
the psyche, the Spirit or Nature. Sympathetic, imaginative, Pisces finds difficult sometimes to cope with the demands of a
practical life. It can thus become an escapist, avoiding responsibilities, or falling into addictions. Easily led or victimized,
too passive, because of a weak sense of self. Pisces needs romantic, inspiring relationships, soul-mateship, and also some
practical help, emotional acceptance, nurturing. Pisceans forgive and feel true sympathy, their link with the Spirit World
is strong, though often unconscious.
