The four Zodiac Elements...Fire, Earth, Air and Water...are also known as the Triplicities since there are three signs belonging to each Elemental category. Thus, this trio of Signs share something of a similar basic character. These Elements are also known as the Four Humors, utilized in Astro-Meteorology to describe a type of wind and in other matters associated with the weather. Empedocles, a Fifth Century Greek philosopher, originated the terms "Fire," "Earth," "Air" and "Water," explaining the nature of the universe as an interaction of two opposing principles called "Love" and "Strife" who manipulated the four Elements. Empedocles also stated that these four Elements were all equal and of the same age, each ruling its own province and each possessing its own individual character. Thus, different mixtures of these Elements produced the different natures of things.Many historic philosophers and alchemists also believed that the four Elements exhibited themeselves in humankind as four varying natures and that one would be more prevalent in each individual than the other three. Elemental signs are basic, being general or generic in nature. The related characteristics may be tempered by other factors, but the Elemental influence nonetheless refers to core human behavior and temperament. The Elemental quality associated with a Sign is dependent upon which of the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac the Sun was residing at the time of an individual's birth.
NOTE: In the Wiccan culture and some other Western traditions, there is also a Fifth Element known as Pure Spirit, "Quinta Essentia," or Akasha. Akasha is the life force...the basic substance of the Universe and the soul or spiritual being of an individual. It is the subtle spiritual essence that pervades all space...not precisely ether, but an ether-like substance of a spiritual rather than material nature which, in ancient writings, is said to operate by mean of sound or vibration. Thus, it is often identified with the Element of Air, but in a spiritual sense...the "Breath of God" concept. Essentially Akasha stands apart from the Four Elements of the Zodiac and is not depicted within an individual's horoscope. Akasha hints at the freedom of mankind and is a reminder of the "great mystery of the eternal."
Cancer is governed by the Element of Water...an Element it shares with the Signs of Scorpio and Pisces. Water is also the ruler of the Fourth, Eighth and Twelfth Houses of the Zodiac. Water is linked to emotion and the subconscious. Believed by many to be the strongest and most enduring Element, Water is associated with love, purification, intuition, compassion, family, mysteries of the self and psychic ability. In a physical sense, all life is dependent upon Water and it is symbolic of the universal womb, the Great Mother, birth and fertility. This Element is equally life-giving and life-destroying...used to cleanse or purify in both a physical and psychic sense. Water is able to adopt many forms...it can be liquid or gaseous (as in steam) or even frozen...it can be as gentle as a tiny babbling brook or as violent as a thundering tidal wave. Water is indicative of the emotional response to a situation, as well as being sensitive and inspiring of intuition. This Element remembers the past and foresees the future. It is said to correspond to the emotional side of an individual's nature...humans being equally as changeable, subtle and able to infliltrate as is Water itself. Water natives possess the ability to gauge moods, sense the atmosphere of an environment and act accordingly. The approach of these individuals is based upon emotion, where experience is registered through feelings and evaluated by the emotional responses made to such feelings. This Element also describes what is known as instinct...or the part of an individual which is animal and includes the workings of the body which are outside the bounds of willpower...digestion, heartbeat and the instincts of survival and procreation, for example. The traditional symbol for Water is a triangle pointing downward.
Water individuals tend to feel things very deeply but remain emotionally reserved, regardless what outward impression may be given. However, still waters do run deep and there is a certain mystery which has always been associated with Water Signs. Such subjects are prone to fall silent or become withdrawn when they are attempting to sort things out, and it usually takes quite some time for others to become well-acquainted with those ruled by this Element since Water natives tend to reveal themselves very slowly. Water Signs realize that their intense emotions hold tremendous power and are apt to handle their feelings with extreme care. In love, water signs "fall" wholeheartedly and are more than generous with their devotion. Being sensitive, they are highly romantic...even sentimental. Often blessed with psychic powers, those governed by Water have the ability to read the true intentions of others by simply tuning-in to gestures and body language. Those ruled by Water will always trust actions more than they trust the spoken word. This Element is the universal solvent, cleansing and sustaining life on earth, breaking down substances, dissolving them and then taking on their qualities. In much the same way, a Water Sign native will listen to the problems of others and then take on those problems as though they were his or her own. This ability to sympathize and empathize is a truly wonderful trait and individuals governed by Water offer those in need their full attention, a shoulder to cry on and some excellent advice. Because Water Signs give of themselves so readily, it is necessary for them to have regular time alone in order to regain their center.
The Element of Water is said to rule the soul and possess a strong aversion to being confined. Thus, those who fall under its influence will often assert their immense desire for freedom...no matter how gently such may be expressed. Water Signs will be imaginative and very creative and their observations regarding the human condition quite often inspire masterpieces of painting, music, photography, literature or dance. Working in a studio or a small self-employed business (usually connected to the creative arts) holds much appeal for those ruled by Water, although their on-target intuition frequently assures success in financial areas also. Water natives are intuitive, sensitive and tend to feel more intensely than those born under the other three Elemental jurisdictions. These are emotional and nurturing souls who, somewhat like a river, "run deep." Actions are usually based on sense rather than logic or intellect. Basically, Water Signs are concerned with compassion and understanding, since the receptive talent of such individuals is extraordinarily high. Those governed by this Element are able to absorb the feelings of those around them, process the information and then put forth a plan or solution which will be conscientious to all. Since Water Signs sense the feelings of others and are acutely aware of their surroundings on an emotional level, they tend to live in a somewhat spiritual world where everything and anything can become sacred. Thus, given such a protective and nurturing nature, Water natives frequently find it difficult to draw the line between what they should care about and what they should leave alone.
The major problem of those ruled by Water is their sensitivity. They are prone to break under stress if their sensitivity cannot be controlled and may seek escape through drugs, alcohol or some other type of addiction. These subjects also have a tendency to harbor grudges due to this same lack of control. Nevertheless, for the most part, the influence of Water manifests itself in an artistic manner, with those under its influence desirous of aesthetic beauty...and a wish that everyone be happy as a result of that beauty. Yet, much like still water can become stagnant, Water individuals who are inactive are not at their best. They feel most fulfilled when they are helping others...something they are usually able to accomplish in an enchanting, considerate and even romantic fashion. On the negative side, there is a tendency for those who fall under the jurisdiction of this Element to brood. They are susceptible to mood swings and, at their worst, can grow to be self-indulgent, controlling and hostage to something of a fantasy world. Of all the Signs, those ruled by Water are able to see things most clearly. In short, they are the psychics of the Zodiac...ones who prefer to specialize in private relationships. Individuals who fall under the jurisdiction of Water are fluidly-feeling souls and their range of dispositions moves readily from "ice storm" to "placid river" to "hot steam." These natives adore the comforts of home and family and are, in general, strongly nurturing of anything that has life. With compassionate instincts, the Water subject is drawn to care for whomever or whatever appears to be weak, defective or on the "losing side."
Adept in the world of feelings and rarely unduly frightened by any emotion which might be encountered, Water individuals are often mutually attracted to those governed by the Element of Air (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius). These Air subjects require support when encountering deep feelings and past memories, being apt to minimize the value of emotional experiences, while Water natives require assistance in the realm of logic and reason...qualities upon which they can draw heavily from the more verbal Air individual. However, Air tends to be a rather superficial Element and when the approaches of Air are perceived as being too icy and hostile, Water will shut itself off by forming a sheet of ice, thereby preventing the coldly analytical intellect of Air from looking into the depths of Water's soul. However, when these two Elements do connect in a favorable fashion, the results are often manifested in the form of artists who know how to express the images of the soul through words or music. This Elemental combination can also produce the true spiritual helpers and guides. Nevertheless, Water natives customarily dislike the strong boisterous personality which is inherent in the Air character. This personality aversion also applies to those governed by the Element of Fire (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius), but to an even greater extent and Water tends to flee from the heat of Fire Signs. In short, this is a combination which "steams." Water quickly feels overpowered by Fire's direct nature and often, Water finds itself with hurt feelings. Yet, the momentum of Fire...the inherent optimism and joy of life...can sometimes rouse Water from its apathy. Since trust is of paramount importance to Water, perhaps the most compatible Element is Earth (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn), which is frequently able to provide such a quality. Earth may bring to Water the much needed stability, structure and consistency to keep this Element contained in a more healthy and calm manner. However, this will apply only as long as Earth can prevent itself from "drying out" the Element of Water since there is a tendency for Earth to suppress, by way of unimaginative and factual thinking, the inner correlation that Water senses.
ASPECT/POLARITY: Feminine, which is not a reference to gender but to the associated type of energy. In the case of the feminine aspect, the energy is receptive and traditionally conceived as being less active and focused on the emotional/material world, lending sensitivity and emotional depth to the character. Feminine signs (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces) are nocturnal or night-oriented by nature, viewed in the same light as the Yin (or dark) polarity of the Tao.
Within each of the Triplicities or Elements is found a category known as the Qualities...also referred to as the Quadruplicities, Modes or Common States. There are three Qualities: Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable. Each Quality addresses the manner of expression which will be displayed by the individual who falls within its jurisdiction, based upon which of the four Elements predominates. Thus, the Element (either Fire, Earth, Air or Water) will dictate the core characteristics, while the Quality (Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable) will dictate the way in which those characteristics are expressed.
Cancer is a Cardinal Quality sign (a quality it shares with Aries, Libra and Capricorn). The world "cardinal" derives from the Latin for "hinge" and the four Signs which fall under its jurisdiction are, in essence, the Signs upon which the entire Zodiac hinges, marking the Seasons in much the same manner as the Cardinal points of the compass mark the directions. The job of Cardinal Signs is to initate the Season...the leaders or "scout signs" which bring forth the individual Seasons of the year. As the first Zodiac Sign of Summer, Cancer is the initiator of this Season. Cardinal Signs govern creativity, being pioneering and enterprising, indicative of a restless, self-motivated and ambitious character. Those who fall under the jurisdiction of a Cardinal Quality are intensely active and enthusiastic in their pursuit of life's experiences. Indeed, such natives are inclined to live life at a rather rapid, action-packed pace. They prefer to channel their energies into external events and their response is apt to be immediate reactions which can result in a crisis-driven way of life. Nevertheless, this is infinitely preferable to bordedom in the eyes of the Cardinal individual. Passionate about getting things moving, these individuals are active and quick. Many projects are started courtesy of the Cardinal initiative...although a vast number of such projects never seem to reach completion. This is due to the fact that Cardinal individuals are much more fond of beginning things rather than actually finishing them. Nonetheless, Cardinal Signs will never be found "slacking off." They are brimming with vim, vigor and rampant energy while possessing a drive and ambition which is unmistakable. Enthusiastic with a zest for life, the Cardinal individual can sometimes appear to be domineering and may forget about the "pack" when focusing busily on a personal endeavor. These are clever souls with an immense desire to win. They know how to use their abilities and dislike delay. Cardinal Signs represent centrifugal radiating energy and correlate with the principle of "action in a definite direction." The essential nature of Cardinal energy movement is to initiate action, get things started and get things going. Cancer is a negative Cardinal Quality Sign, concerned with the past. These natives can, at times, be somewhat domineering but such a trait is part-and-parcel of such individuals' best qualtiies. In summary, Cardinal Signs are independent, spontaneous and forceful.As a Water Sign with Cardinal Quality, Cancer individuals possess a nurturing nature and the desire to preserve and protect the family, which is the smallest yet most important unit upon which society is built. The sharing of love with spouse and children is paramount to Cancer natives and they will take the role of provider very seriously indeed. The role of the Cancer subject is to actively explore the entire realm of human emotion. They are motivated to explore new emotional states and experiences. Cancer is the most subtle of the Cardinal Signs in terms of expressing independence and ambition. Nonetheless, such qualities are equally as powerful within this native as they are in the other Cardinal Signs...Cancer simply appears more outwardly gentle. There is little doubt that those governed by Cancer are moody, but this over-simplifies somewhat the ability of such individuals to accept, initiate or even embrace change when it is deemed to be necessary. Cancer natives have a capacity for sympathy and compassion that is unmatched by any other Zodiac Sign (with the possible exception of Pisces, another Sign ruled by the Element of Water). Those ruled by Cancer possess a wide emotional spectrum and generally experience an inner life which combines higher highs and lower lows than any other member of the human race. That having been said, Cancer natives would probably not want it any other way.
