The twelve signs of the zodiac are ruled by the four elements. In a repeating sequence though the zodiac they are : fire, earth, air and water.

Put briefly, Fire initiates, earth consolidates, air communicates and water feels.

Each element is important, and balance comes when all are working in harmony.

In a birth chart all the planets and the rising sign and midheaven are assessed by their element. There is often a focus on two elements.

We can find balance by being in relationships with a person with the elements we lack, or by working with the qualities ouselves.

If we are low in one element we can over-compensate.
For example a person low in fire can be over dramatic; life always seems like a rollercoaster.

Low in earth there is a real need for physical security. The person has to own possessions and places high value on them.

Low in air there is a tendency to talk too much, everything is over analysed and there is a constant mental chatter going on.

Low in water tends to be over emotional, rather than processing their feelings they are overwhelmed by them.

In Vedic System the signs are also classified by element as the doshas of Dharma, (fire, purpose) Artha (earth, material, money) Kama (air, desire, relationships) and Moksha (water, enlightenment).