Earth signs : Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo

What are the Earth signs in Astrology?:

Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo

Why are they called Earth signs?:

In Astrology, the signs are grouped in four triplicities based on theirelement. The triplicities are water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces),fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), air signs (Libra, Aquarius, Gemini) and earth signs (Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo). Each has the three Zodiac signs associated with that element.

What are the general characterstics of the Earth signs?:

It's common to hear someone described as "earthy." Such a person blends in with their natural habitat. They're sensual, meaning they engage with life through the five senses. It takes time to sense the dense physical world, and earth signs can operate at a slower, more thorough pace than the other elements.

They're oriented toward what's real, and often this makes them very productive, able to create tangible results. But if there are no balancing elements, earth's extremes could lead to being a work-a-holic, hoarding of possessions, pettiness, getting stuck in the mundane, stubbornness, etc.

How are the three Earth signs different?:

In their triplicity, or grouping by element, they differ in that each belongs to another group known in astrology as "qualities." The qualities are Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable. Capricorn is a Cardinal sign, known for its initiatory nature, Taurus is a Fixed sign, and it sinks into the Earth perhaps the deepest, and Virgo is a Mutable sign, characterized by changeability.

Earth and Water :

Earth signs can help the emotional Water signs find tangible outlets for imaginative gifts. Like the banks to a flowing river, the Earth sign can guide the Water sign toward a goal. Water can help Earth by softening its rigid structure. If you think of how a potter uses water to soften, and then re-shape clay on the wheel, you get the picture. Water nourishes the ground of Earth with a feeling of being cared for, and this can add a dimension of meaning to their lives.

Earth and Fire :

Earth signs gain from the inspirational quality of Fire, and this adds a sense of adventure and a touch of the hero's journey to their life story. They'll be energized by Fire, as long as it doesn't scorch them by being too much, too soon. A little Fire goes a long way with Earth. On the other hand, Fire can be guided by Earth's mastery of structure. All those brilliant ideas can begin to take shape with Earth as your worldly advisor.

Earth and Air :

When Earth meets Air, it's like opening the window to let the fresh air in. It can be exhilarating to Earth to be lifted up, if only temporarily, to see from the lofty heights of fantasy and rapid ideation. But if Air doesn't offer Earth anything tangible, only pies in the sky, there could be a loss of respect. As with the other signs, Earth brings Air down to ground level, and offers practical ways to take concept to reality. Air can find Earth stuffy and slow, but will begrudgingly respect the way they get things done.

Earth and Earth:

Here is a power duo, able to build empires, plan things down to the last detail and always with one eye on preparing for the future. Theirs is a world full of things to see, touch, hear, taste and feel together. But two Earth signs can fall into the trap of working for tomorrow and not living for today. They'll avoid this by seeking out sensual pleasures, and making time for relaxing in their "garden."

Keywords:

practical, useful, structure, productivity, tangible, grounded, sensual, tactile, dependable

The Earth Element in Astrology:

Those with Earth signs often seem to inhabit their physical bodies which can be described in new-age terms as "grounded." Whatever their ground is -- whether it is a high-rise office building or rural cottage -- they're sending out feelers through the senses. The physical is the densest plane, and they're masters at assessing and organizing tangible things.

One expression of Earth sign qualities, and I'm envisioning a hippie chick here, might be someone who is easy-going and languid, aware of the local flora and fauna, often have leaves in their hair or dirt on their hands. They're intimately attuned to the dance of nature, and love to spend time outdoors.

But Earth signs can just as easily work their magic in urban places, since they're often centers of a certain kind of high-level productivity. The focus on the tasks at hand make them vulnerable to the "all work and no play" cul de sac of life. They're more apt to base their reality on what is around them in form, instead of creating personal myths or assigning symbolic meanings to everything. That's why too much of a good thing -- Earth -- can be stifling to things like inspiration, going on faith, a sense of purpose.

Earth signs are here to shape, manifest, cultivate and revel in Earthly delights. Their gift to others is bringing form to ideas, making them a balancing partner for an idle dreamer with potential. They tend their own garden, and inspire others to make the most of theirs.