What Element Are You? - Let's talk about Fire!

The elemental analysis is a simple and elegant way of self-understanding and, most importantly, a way to gain knowledge about the things that nourish or deplete our energy field. The best part about the elements is that to understand them you do NOT need any special knowledge from numerous websites or sleepless nights over thick astrological guides.

What does it mean to have a dominant Fire element? What nourishes and depletes it? How people of this temperament get along with others?

Enjoy the reading :-)

What is Fire?

In you haven't already, please be sure to read the introduction to the interpretation of the elements!

The astrological element shows the temperament, what is dear to us and what is easy for us to use in daily life. The emphasis on Fire indicates making swift, decisive steps in life. Acting on the highest gears possible. In order for Fire to function like that, it has unending strength at its disposal. Though after some time it suddenly burns out. Fire folks actually need to burn out, because the unused energy stores within them, turning into dead weight. These people need an active life style that will allow them to dynamically utilize all of their daily energy resources.

One of Fire's major distinguishing features are leadership skills. Even if the Fire folks don't consider themselves leaders, somehow people are drawn to them, looking for guidance.    

The placement of Fire in the natal chart (houses) shows where we can become pioneers; it also points towards areas of life we need to move freely through. People with the Fire element don't want others to tell them what and how to do stuff. Support is accepted, but dependency is a different story.

These people enjoy courageously facing challenges, following their inner impulses and acting according to their will. Yes, their will. Fire folks don't need to be convinced to focus on themselves - they do it with pleasure and even redefine what it means to unyieldingly insist on one's point of view. In many instances, people with the Fire element need instant gratification. To achieve this they are capable of using provocation, pressure or self-exaltation just to have it their way.

The ability of Fire to maximize the amount of pleasure experienced is something all the Earth signs valuing effectiveness could envy for.

Watch out, it burns!

The Fire element consists of three zodiac signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Each of these signs approaches activity differently; Aries is the flame bursting before our very eyes, radiating the heat capable of knocking us down. Leo is the flame of the campfire, not as wild as it was with Aires. It is somewhat contained and the proper kindling (applause) helps to make the warming fire last a long time. Sagittarius is the fire of a "higher degree", burning so hot and intense that it turns white. It is a captivating and magical view, though sometimes it is impossible to practically use this form of a flame.

Contrary to what one might think the issues of the Fire element are not its tendencies to act as one wills (focus on the self), but: a lack of self-control, not thinking about the consequences of one's actions or not considering the perspective of the environment. These problems are clearly seen in Fire's relating-to-others department.

The radiance and charisma of the Fire folks is very appealing and contagious. It is pleasant to feel this warmth. But staying around Fire has its price. Fire folks require fuel (all sorts of inspiration, hype around them) that helps them function on such high gears and infect others with their upbeat energy. Fire is the element of the biggest appetite, not afraid to fulfill its needs. And it most certainly won't fear taking this fuel from others nearby. Being in the company of Fire folks (in a longer perspective) is draining for many, particularly those with a dominant Earth and Water.

People with the Fire element know their worth. No wonder, they are aware of the will to live pumping through their vines. Still many experiences in life e.g. burnouts, teach them how to open to the new and admit to their own weaknesses. Far too often Fire folks are so proud they won't admit that they are suffering or need support. Learning humility helps them get closer to others and respect the (different than theirs) life attitude of those around them.

Imbalance associated with Fire

Many astrological charts bring up the matter of a missing element i.e. charts having no major planet (including the Ascendant) in one particular element. Nowadays we can still find a description of such a situation saying that "we lack something". In case of Fire it would be about "the lack of enthusiasm", which is untrue. 

The lack of an element is an important interpretation clue, pointing towards a  pervasive life issue of an individual. Often times this is a problem one is not conscious of, because this is precisely what the lack of an element is - the lack of conscious attunement to certain energy, way of being. In no case we should talk about the lack of an element, but about the matters we are not in conscious contact with. So we don't invest our time and energy into it, unless when forced.

Lack of an emphasis on a particular element is an indicator of what we should nourish (even in a small degree) to reach balance.

People with insufficient Fire struggle with lack of faith and trust. During those typical, "routine" days it resembles a lack of enthusiasm or unwillingness do face challenges. Seems like a normal thing, not everyone is a warrior. But the true drama shows itself during the difficult life periods - these people need exceptionally much time to "tackle an issue", because they don't have the experience of reaching to their inner strength resources. Facing challenges can be frightening, because this is not their expertise. Even the little complicated issues can turn into lingering periods of doubts. And after all is said and done, they still require time before the effects of harsh events can be acknowledged as past.

Some of them may focus on responsibilities that are not a source of joy, only tasks needing to be crossed off the list (dominance of Earth). Usually their organizing skills and firm stand-on-the-ground approach helps them avoid issues in the first place, but sometimes issues are unavoidable or unpredictable. Their first reaction to emotionally intense circumstances (stress) can be helplessness or feeling of being overwhelmed (dominance of Water). When having jitters they are more likely to dry up than transform emotions into refreshing adrenaline. Some may find it easier to think about various solutions or consider the pros/cons of one's ideas (dominance of Air) than doing the first step towards bringing this idea into life. Too much thinking, not enough doing. 

People with insufficient Fire will benefit from paying attention to any forms of physical activity. Body in motion generates heat (energy of fire) allowing these people to come in contact with their enthusiasm resources.

Exercising should be done with moderation. Fire folk burnout in order to rekindle again - this is their natural way of functioning. Imbalances with Fire can be compensated with e.g. planetary placement in 1st/5th/9th house, though such chart placements don't give equally effective regeneration skills. 

Now people with an excess of Fire (or a big emphasis on it e.g. 10+ points, the presence of Sun/Moon/ruler of the AC in a fire sign) often become too prideful, arrogant and conceited. Recognizing action as the only true form of being, without considering the costs, makes it so that they are seen as rough (Aries) and egocentric. This group will do everything just to not stand still; everything around them has to be in motion. Acting just for the sake of doing something only worsens their contact with the subtle richness of their inner world.

One of the common challenges in Fire folk's lives is finding balance between insisting on one's own point of view, living according to one's impulses and selfishness and egocentrism. 

The influence of Sagittarius allows to balance those egocentric tendencies, as this is a sign with a deep need to engage in social spheres.

Relating to Water

We can observe an obvious manifestation of a certain element or two in any particular individual. Getting to know the charts of everyone in our environment is rather impossible, but if you can distinguish who is acting our which element, it will be easier for you to understand others.

Fire - Water. If the first thing that comes to your mind after reading this is "two opposites", then you are right. For Fire, Water is too calm, it just can't keep up with Fire's tempo. The awareness of emotions (particularly of others) can effectively hamper Fire's ambitions, which makes it have less impact. Its experiences are literally quenched, which makes it so that experience loses its radiance.

Internally, this is a matter of "boiling emotions", big changes of moods and impulsive living out (and expression) of one's emotions. In its best, this combination speaks of mastery of being an "emphatic leader", capable of boldly taking care of one's interest and still convincingly engage in relations. In its worst, it is about the freedom-attachment conflict and explosiveness.

Fire - Earth. Impetuosity versus patience. For Fire, Earth is too boring - always so precise, taking everything seriously. And where's the space for freedom? Earth and its awareness of the existence of obligations can effectively stifle Fire's fervor, reminding it that "this/that cannot be done, it's not how life works". Fire doesn't like to be lectured on how it should burn.

Internally this is a big potential for dreaming big and making it work. Both elements very much enjoy bringing many things into life, but each has a different mode of action. In its best, this connection is about channeling great energy resources in a way that nothing is wasted. This is the quintessence of productivity and energy management,  pushing forward like a roller (or tank). In its worst, it is a potential for a "rough attitude", because these people don't dedicate much time into subtle reflections or validity of their own ideas, preferring effective action mode.

Fire - Air. Harmonic connection. Fire likes the variety of ideas and the life curiosity coming from Air, because it gives Fire the chance to experience new things i.e. to spread around. From Fire's perspective, Air gives exactly what it needs to once again feel the joy. Ideas come into life. On the other hand, constant considerations over the ideas (and not bringing them into life) can ultimately make an already impatient Fire bored.

Internally it is a symbol of a rather optimistic attitude towards life, because these people always search (and find) something inspiring in life. But they can lack the patience needed for long-term maintaining of certain projects. Issue with obligations. Being busy constant burning out and rekindling makes it so that they dedicate little time to make contact with their emotional needs, which makes it hard to find inner peace.