The Elements

 

September 2, 2005

 

http://cainer.com/ericfrancis/sept2.html

 

Hello Eric,

 

Many years ago I obtained an astrology chart. Many of my planets are in 'Air' signs -- i.e. Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury & Saturn in Aquarius, with Libra rising...  and just one planet in an 'Earth' sign.

 

Surely I should be living totally in my head -- all dreams and ideas and no grounding? However, the reality is that although I do my fair share of dreaming, I have a determined approach to all that I undertake, and manage to implement concepts quite nicely. Could you explain how this can be so?

 

Many thanks

 

Lynne

 

 

Dear Lynne,

 

There are a few ways to look at this.

 

Let's start with the most basic. We are not our charts, nor are we at the mercy of our charts. There are no firm rules for what makes a certain person a certain way. There are only tendencies, and then there are the actual ways that people live out their astrology. This is one of many reasons why we need to engage in a dialog with our charts -- that is, we talk to them, they talk to us, and between the two (maybe with a little help from an astrologer) we can figure out some basic messages of the astrology.

 

You have a strong Aquarius chart. Part of what astrology has lost in assigning the rulership of Aquarius to Uranus is the ancient idea that Saturn is truly important to this sign, and Saturn offers the most grounded and practical energy there is. There is nothing airy-fairy about Saturn in Aquarius, and to the extent that it's "in its head" it is often there with solid ideas, backed up by experience.

 

Usually (in modern times) Saturn is associated with Capricorn, an Earth sign, so you can associate that earthy energy of Saturn with the particular way you respond to life. This is not true of all Aquarians, but Saturn is offering you a stabilizing, grounded and level headed energy to work with.

 

Your chart is not lacking for Earth signs. Like everyone born in the mid-1960s, you have the conjunction of Uranus and Pluto. But this is a pretty special kind of Earth energy: it's about the need to respond to the condition of the world in an innovative, even revolutionary way -- but in an absolutely practical way, as Virgo would dictate. It is in my view extremely unfortunate that more of the Pluto in Virgo generation has not thrown off the yolk of the corporate world and taken up its role in the healing of the planet.

 

You also have the Moon's South Node in Capricorn. This is a true endowment of Earth energy, and it clues an astrologer into the fact that you have a solid footing in tradition, that you are aware that history has in fact actually happened, and that you're grounded in your ideas.

 

Finally, using this basic chart, you have Vesta in Capricorn. Vesta is a planet that has a lot to do with lifelong commitments, the willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good, and what you could call purity of purpose.

 

We could go on looking at other planets; I will include a snipped URL that will show you where some of the other helpful energies are -- you may identify some in Earth signs. Whatever these planets may mean, you can be sure they are grounding you with Earth energy.

 

For those who are not familiar with the astrological elements, here is a brief overview:

 

Earth signs are associated with grounded energy, as the name implies. Practical matters like food, nourishment, farming implements, cattle, and one's house and possessions are traditionally associated with this element. The Earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. The associated suit of the tarot is pentacles.

 

Air signs are associated with ideas and their development, as well as communication, writing, dialog, conflict, and all forms of media. The Air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Interesting that two of these signs have strong associations to Saturn. Saturn is exalted in Libra and is the original ruler of Aquarius. Saturn does very well in Gemini as a result of this strong affinity with Air signs. The associated suit of the tarot is swords.

 

Fire signs are associated with passion, initiative, enterprise, distinction, and the questing energy that is at the core of the human psyche. The Fire signs are Aries (the first sign), Leo and Sagittarius. Note that Leo is the one sign ruled by the sun, which is the body at the center of our solar system and thus our whole concept of reality. The associated suit of the tarot is wands.

 

Water signs are associated with the unconscious, feelings and emotions, compassion, the deepest level of needs, fear and a kind of primal creativity. Water is the source of life as we think of it; a drop of ocean water contains traces of every element. The Water signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. The associated suit of the tarot is cups.