The Four Elements in Tarot and Astrology #
The classical four elements—Fire, Water, Air, and Earth—form the foundation of both Tarot and Astrology. This shared elemental language creates deep connections between the two systems, allowing insights from one to illuminate the other.
Fire: Spirit and Action #
In Astrology #
Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
| Sign | Mode | Expression |
|---|---|---|
| Aries | Cardinal | Initiating fire, the spark |
| Leo | Fixed | Sustained fire, the hearth |
| Sagittarius | Mutable | Spreading fire, the torch |
Planetary Rulers: Mars (Aries), Sun (Leo), Jupiter (Sagittarius)
Fire Qualities:
- Initiative and action
- Courage and confidence
- Creativity and self-expression
- Enthusiasm and inspiration
- Will and assertion
In Tarot #
Suit: Wands (also called Rods, Staves, or Batons)
Domain: Passion, creativity, action, career, spirituality
Card Range:
- Ace of Wands: Pure fire potential
- 2-4 of Wands: Aries decans
- 5-7 of Wands: Leo decans
- 8-10 of Wands: Sagittarius decans
- Courts: Fire personalities and aspects
Fire in Readings #
When Wands dominate a reading:
- Action, initiative, and new beginnings are emphasized
- Creative projects are central
- Energy is high and dynamic
- The person or situation is fire-oriented
Fire in Charts #
When fire signs dominate a chart:
- Natural affinity with Wands cards
- Creative, action-oriented personality
- May need to develop water (emotion) and earth (grounding)
- Wands cards speak directly to core nature
Water: Emotion and Intuition #
In Astrology #
Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
| Sign | Mode | Expression |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer | Cardinal | Initiating feeling, the spring |
| Scorpio | Fixed | Deep feeling, the well |
| Pisces | Mutable | Flowing feeling, the ocean |
Planetary Rulers: Moon (Cancer), Pluto/Mars (Scorpio), Neptune/Jupiter (Pisces)
Water Qualities:
- Emotion and sensitivity
- Intuition and psychic ability
- Nurturing and protection
- Depth and mystery
- Healing and compassion
In Tarot #
Suit: Cups (also called Chalices or Hearts)
Domain: Emotion, relationship, love, intuition, creativity
Card Range:
- Ace of Cups: Pure water potential
- 2-4 of Cups: Cancer decans
- 5-7 of Cups: Scorpio decans
- 8-10 of Cups: Pisces decans
- Courts: Water personalities and aspects
Water in Readings #
When Cups dominate a reading:
- Emotions and relationships are central
- Intuition is guiding the situation
- Matters of the heart are prominent
- The person or situation is water-oriented
Water in Charts #
When water signs dominate a chart:
- Natural affinity with Cups cards
- Emotionally sensitive, intuitive personality
- May need to develop air (objectivity) and fire (action)
- Cups cards speak directly to core nature
Air: Mind and Communication #
In Astrology #
Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
| Sign | Mode | Expression |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini | Mutable | Adapting mind, the breeze |
| Libra | Cardinal | Initiating balance, the wind |
| Aquarius | Fixed | Sustained vision, the sky |
Planetary Rulers: Mercury (Gemini), Venus (Libra), Uranus/Saturn (Aquarius)
Air Qualities:
- Thought and intellect
- Communication and exchange
- Social connection and relationship
- Objectivity and analysis
- Ideas and ideals
In Tarot #
Suit: Swords (also called Blades or Spades)
Domain: Mind, conflict, truth, challenge, communication
Card Range:
- Ace of Swords: Pure air potential
- 2-4 of Swords: Libra decans
- 5-7 of Swords: Aquarius decans
- 8-10 of Swords: Gemini decans
- Courts: Air personalities and aspects
Air in Readings #
When Swords dominate a reading:
- Mental activity and communication are central
- Challenges and conflicts are present
- Truth and clarity are being sought
- The person or situation is air-oriented
Air in Charts #
When air signs dominate a chart:
- Natural affinity with Swords cards
- Intellectual, communicative personality
- May need to develop water (emotion) and earth (grounding)
- Swords cards speak directly to core nature
Earth: Matter and Manifestation #
In Astrology #
Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
| Sign | Mode | Expression |
|---|---|---|
| Taurus | Fixed | Sustained matter, the mountain |
| Virgo | Mutable | Adapting form, the harvest |
| Capricorn | Cardinal | Initiating structure, the foundation |
Planetary Rulers: Venus (Taurus), Mercury (Virgo), Saturn (Capricorn)
Earth Qualities:
- Material reality and resources
- Body and physical experience
- Work and craftsmanship
- Stability and security
- Practical manifestation
In Tarot #
Suit: Pentacles (also called Coins, Discs, or Diamonds)
Domain: Material, work, body, resources, practical matters
Card Range:
- Ace of Pentacles: Pure earth potential
- 2-4 of Pentacles: Capricorn decans
- 5-7 of Pentacles: Taurus decans
- 8-10 of Pentacles: Virgo decans
- Courts: Earth personalities and aspects
Earth in Readings #
When Pentacles dominate a reading:
- Material matters and work are central
- Practical concerns are prominent
- Resources and stability are themes
- The person or situation is earth-oriented
Earth in Charts #
When earth signs dominate a chart:
- Natural affinity with Pentacles cards
- Practical, grounded personality
- May need to develop fire (inspiration) and air (vision)
- Pentacles cards speak directly to core nature
Elemental Balance #
In Readings #
A balanced reading includes all four elements:
- Wands: The energy and drive
- Cups: The emotional component
- Swords: The mental aspect
- Pentacles: The practical reality
Elemental Excess: Too many cards of one suit may indicate imbalance Elemental Lack: Missing suits may indicate what’s needed
In Charts #
A balanced chart includes placements across elements:
- Fire: Motivation and creativity
- Water: Emotion and intuition
- Air: Thinking and communication
- Earth: Grounding and manifestation
Chart-Reading Connection: Your chart’s elemental balance influences which suits feel natural and which require development.
Elemental Dignities in Readings #
Compatible Elements #
- Fire and Air: Support each other (fire needs air to burn)
- Water and Earth: Support each other (water nourishes earth)
Challenging Elements #
- Fire and Water: Tend to cancel/complicate each other
- Air and Earth: Tend to be indifferent to each other
Using Dignities #
When interpreting adjacent cards:
- Compatible elements strengthen the reading
- Challenging elements suggest tension or complexity
- Consider how elements interact in the narrative
Affirmation #
I recognize the four elements as a unified language spoken by both Tarot and Astrology. Fire, Water, Air, and Earth move through my birth chart and through the cards on my table. I develop balance across all elements while honoring my natural elemental gifts.
The elements form the deepest connection between Tarot and Astrology. Understanding their qualities in both systems creates a unified symbolic language for interpreting life’s experiences.