A guide to fire, water, earth and air signs: Understanding the Zodiac elements

There's a lot more to astrology than someone's primary Zodiac sign. Beyond your "sun sign," there are other intricacies that can help determine your personality, disposition and approach to relationships.

The 12 Zodiac signs are split into four elements: fire, water, earth and air. Each element houses three signs, outlining additional characteristics that define those born under them. The elements work in tandem with your birth chart to provide further context and nuance to your astrological profile.

No matter if you're an astrological novice or a veteran, this guide can be useful.

How to understand the Zodiac signs, by element

Fire signs

• Aries
• Sagittarius
• Leo

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"Fire is by far the most energetic element," astrologer Narayana Montúfar previously shared in an email to USA TODAY. She describes fire signs as "enthusiastic, sexy, exciting, and fun to be around."

Fire signs bring the heat and won't shy away from initiating things. They can also be impulsive and need to be reminded to pace themselves. 

Water signs

• Pisces
• Scorpio
• Cancer

"Water is the strongest of elements in the natural world," Montúfar wrote. Because of this, water signs have an unparalleled emotional depth. "They are highly sensitive, nurturing, and incredibly resilient," she wrote. 

Air signs

• Libra
• Gemini
• Aquarius

Air signs tend to be intelligent and are seen as dreamers with their heads eternally in the clouds. "Air is the element that connects us to the intellect and anything that involves thinking, writing or speaking," Montúfar wrote.

It is common for an air sign to pursue a career as a journalist or writer, spurred by their desire to process everything and to see situations from different angles.

Astrology's 'Big Three':What your sun, moon and rising sign say about you.

Earth signs 

• Virgo
• Capricorn
• Taurus

"Earth is the most mellow element," Montúfar wrote. They have a stable energy and are good at generating wealth.

"They are careful, slow and strategic," she wrote. "People like being around them because they bring a calm and collected energy to those who need it."

Learn more about each Zodiac sign

Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpio | Sagittarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces

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