Sydney Astrology School

ASTROLOGY LEVEL 1 - WEEK 2

THE ELEMENTS

The signs are divided into 4 essential energies.

The pattern of these 4 energies is repeated in order 3 times around the chart.
(4 x 3 = 12).
The elements relate to both signs and houses.

Fire - Aries A, Leo E, Sagittarius I

In nature fire brings light and energy, and fire signs want to do the same. Fire
signs are very self-full meaning they need to satisfy the desires of the identity.
Fire is volatile, dramatic, exciting, spontaneous, explosive and hard to contain.
Fire relates to the energy of the individualized self.
Fire signs need to have freedom to impact their environment and to be able to
express themselves fully. People with strong fire charts need life to be exciting,
full of colour, action, adventure and drama, otherwise they may feel restless,
frustrated and angry.

Earth - Taurus B, Virgo F, Capricorn J

Earth deals with the material and the practical and what we call ‘reality’. People
with strong earth charts are interested in producing, being useful, and seeing
tangible results. They want to master the physical world to create order, safety
and material security as they cherish what is known and familiar. Earth signs
have a strong work ethic moving at a slower, methodical and more deliberate
pace. Earth signs are more tuned into the physical senses and are associated
with our basic needs, working with and through the physical body and the
material.

Air - Gemini C, Libra G, Aquarius K

The element air is approached through the mind; I think therefore I am. The
nature of air is expansion. People with strong Air charts expand through
exchanging ideas, being social, forming bonds, and having a quick mind. People
and relationship are important to Air signs with a need to connect minds and
transport thoughts. This involves intellectual stimulation, communication curiosity,
thinking, learning, studying and expressing ideas.

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Water - Cancer D, Scorpio H, Pisces L

Water relates to the emotional body and feelings and these signs are motivated
by their need for closeness, connection, and a sense of belonging. They are
interested in relationship in order to satisfy their deep need for emotional
security, they like to be needed and often fear rejection and abandonment. Water
as an element is fluid, shifting and changing, and so too are emotions and
feelings, fluctuating from highs to lows without a logical reason. People with
strong water charts are highly sensitive, intuitive, healing and often quite creative

FIRE Aries, Leo, Sagittarius External, Active Houses 1, 5, 9

EARTH Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn Material, Practical Houses 2, 6, 10

AIR Gemini, Libra, Aquarius Cerebral, Social Houses 3, 7, 11

WATER Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces Internal, Emotional Houses 4, 8, 12

THE MODES

The SIGNS are divided into 3 modes. The pattern of these 3 modes is repeated
in order 4 times around the chart. Each quadrant of the chart therefore will
contain a series of modes representing the beginning, middle and end of four
‘mini cycles’ which align with the seasons.

Cardinal – Aries A, Cancer D, Libra G, Capricorn J

The cardinal signs mark the beginning of the 4 seasons and the desire to move
and initiate.
Cardinal signs are SELF orientated, they have a desire to act and begin things
and set in motion. The corresponding ANGULAR houses, 1, 4, 7, and 10,
represent the 4 major spheres of our lives. Our personal identity (1st house), the
home and family background (4th house), our personal relationships (7th house),
and our careers (10th house).

Fixed - Taurus B, Leo E, Scorpio H, Aquarius K

The fixed signs mark the peak (middle) of the seasons. They are SECURITY
orientated, with a desire to stabilize, consolidate and mature. Fixed signs can be
willful, determined and persevering; They can also be very stubborn and rigid.

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The corresponding SUCCEDENT houses, 2, 5, 8, and 11, add substance to our

personal identity through defining our possessions and resources (2 nd house);
affirm and strengthen the sense of ‘I’ (5th house); increase our power by delving
deeper into ourselves (8th house); and enhance our awareness of ourselves as
social beings and our need for freedom (11th house).

Mutable - Gemini C, Virgo F, Sagittarius I, Pisces L

The mutable signs mark the ending of the seasons and are LEARNING to
change, diversify and extend. Mutable signs can be very chameleon like,
adjusting and adapting quickly to the needs of the environment at that time.
There can be restlessness in their natures when attached to results. The
corresponding CADENT houses 3, 6, 9, and 12 are the areas where there is
input, exchange, and distribution of thoughts and observations.

CARDINAL Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn New

FIXED Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius Sustaining

MUTABLE Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces Changeable

MODES also correspond with the HOUSES.

The correct name however when we refer to these modes in relation to a house
are

ANGULAR House 1, 4, 7, 10 New

SUCCEDENT House 2, 5, 8, 11 Sustaining

CADENT House 3, 6, 9, 12 Changeable

The elements represent the basic energies in the world, the modes (or qualities),
represent how they are applied ie. their mode of action.
Each sign has a different element and quality combination.

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10
11 9
Cardinal Fire
Earth Mutable

12 Fixed
Fixed 8
Air J I Water
K H
Mutable
Water Cardinal
L G Air 7
1 Cardinal A F
Fire Mutable
F
Earth
B
Fixed C D E
Earth Fixed
6
2 Fire
Mutable
Air Cardinal
Water

5
3
4

A Aries Fire/Cardinal B Taurus Earth/Fixed C Gemini Air/Mutable

D Cancer Water/Cardinal E Leo Fire/Fixed F Virgo Earth/Mutable

G Libra Air/Cardinal H Scorpio Water/Fixed I Sagittarius Fire/Mutable

J Capricorn Earth/Cardinal K Aquarius Air/Fixed L Pisces Water/Mutable

POLARITIES (Yin /Yang)

These alternate around the chart, starting with Aries being yang and ending with
Pisces being yin. A yang sign has a more outward or masculine expression.
These signs tend to direct their own affairs. They are either Fire or Air.
A yin sign has a more inward or feminine expression. These signs are more
receptive, allowing life to happen to them. They are either Earth or Water

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YANG (male/ external) Aries, Gemini, Leo, Fire and Air

Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius

YIN (female/ internal) Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Earth and Water

Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces

AXIS of OPPOSITES

This means that the 2 signs opposite each other have opposing view about an
issue. An example of this might be if we were discussing the issue of colour, one
sign says its white, and the other says its black, but they are both still talking
about the same subject i.e. colour. The issue becomes the ‘bridge’ of
commonality.

SIGNS BRIDGE POLARITY GENDER

Aries - Libra Self Me - Us Yang

Taurus - Scorpio Security Mine - Ours Yin

Gemini - Sagittarius Understanding Facts - Ideals Yang

Cancer - Capricorn Foundation Subjective - Objective Yin

(Home/World)

Leo - Aquarius Individuation Personal Expression Yang

- The Collective Mind

Virgo - Pisces Ego detachment Discrimination - Dilution Yin

- (Earth/Spirit)