The activity of the fire element shows itself somewhat differently in each of the
signs of the fire triplicity. Aries’s fiery nature typically manifests as bravery, curiosity, and
originality. Leo’s comes through in the qualities of leadership and acting ability. Sagittar-
ius’s fiery nature emerges as a striving upward toward high social or religious ideals.
Negative fire people can be egotistical, pushy, and excessively concerned about
the opinions others hold of them. Unless counterbalanced by other factors, excessive
fire in a chart indicates an individual who is overactive, impulsive, and even violent.
Conversely, lack of fire can indicate a person who is low in energy and self-esteem.
One finds the same set of four elements and the same classification of signs by
element in Vedic astrology. The connotations are basically the same as in Western
astrology.
Fire is also one of the five elements of Chinese astrology—earth, water, fire,
wood, and metal. In this system, the elements are not permanently associated with
each of the signs of the zodiac. Rather, each one of the 12 signs of the East Asian zodi-
ac can be a different element. For example, an individual born as a Horse in 1942 is a
water Horse; a Horse born in 1954 is a wood Horse; a Horse born in 1966 is a fire
horse; etc. The connotations of fire in Chinese astrology are similar to the connota-
tions of earth in Western astrology.
Sources:
Hand, Robert. Horoscope Symbols.Rockport, MA: Para Research, 1981.
Sakoian, Frances, and Louis S. Acker. The Astrologer’s Handbook.New York: Harper & Row,
1989.
FIRSTPOINT
First point refers to zero degrees Aries, the point along the ecliptic where the zodiac
begins.
FIRSTSTATION
When, from the perspective of Earth, it appears that a planet pauses and then reverses
direction (i.e., appears to go backward in its orbit), the point at which it pauses is
called the first station.
FISH
The fish (or fishes) is a popular name for the sign Pisces.
FIXEDSIGNS
The 12 signs of the zodiac are subdivided according to three qualities: cardinal, muta-
ble, and fixed. The four fixed signs (the fixed quadruplicity or fixed cross) are Taurus,
Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. The Sun moves through these signs when the seasons are
at their peak: Taurus in spring, Leo in summer, Scorpio in fall, and Aquarius in winter.
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [245]
Fixed Signs