The Earth signs Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are the builders of the zodiac. A birth chart that's heavy in the Earth element indicates an individual who's attuned to their physical senses and the here-and-now material world.
The Traits and Characteristics of the Earth Signs
The Earth signs are no-nonsense, pragmatic, and focused on the material world. It's the Earth signs that ground you and allow you to stay calm and centered in the midst of life's twists and turns. Earth is associated with the signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
Positive Traits of Earth Signs
Earth signs want to achieve in the material world, and their positive traits enable them to be successful.
- Goal-oriented
- Authentic
- Productive
- Pragmatic
- Dependable
- Determined
- Sensible
- Calm
Negative Traits of Earth Signs
Negatively the Earth signs can be rigid and follow a strict set of rules, which can result in some negative traits.
- Hardheaded
- Materialistic
- Cold and calculating
- Harsh and overly demanding
- Judgmental and critical
- Structured and regiment
- Miserly and money-grubbing
What Earth Signs Need
Earth signs want to be accomplished, productive, and successful, but all work and no play can lead them to be dull, sad, or depressed unless they take time to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. What the Earth signs need most is to balance their hard work and striving with imagination, sunshine, play, and laughter.
Earth Signs and Compatibility
The elements are key to relationship compatibility. When two signs have a mutually harmonious interchange of elemental energy, it indicates there's an experience of satisfaction, vitalization, and completeness in the coupling. The zodiac signs that are the most harmonious Earth signs are other Earth signs and the Water signs, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.
Earth and Water
Perhaps the best match for an earthy person is a watery partner who gives love purely and unconditionally. This flies in the face of the Earth's more practical concerns. However, this difference is precisely why an Earth/Water partnership is so beautiful. The Earth person is stable, predictable, grounded, structured, orderly, and deliberate, while the Water person is emotional, transparent, flexible, and reflective. Earth guides the flow of water while water nourishes the earth. They each hold the other's missing piece. This is a couple who can form a deeply fulfilling, loving, and lasting bond.
Earth and Earth
Two earth signs together create a perfect balance between sensible and sensual. Each brings out the best in the other. Though their relationship can be slow to develop, gradually the caution and conservatism give way, the earth moves, and the heavenly aspects of their earthy relationship are revealed. The only problem with this coupling is that they can both pay more attention to their work than they do to each other.
Earth and Air
Earth and Air signs can get along well because the Air partner can lift their Earth partner up and show them what new ideas and imagination can do. The Earth partner can teach the Air partner the importance of being practical as well as how to turn their ideas into reality. However, this pairing will take compromise.
Earth and Fire
The Fire signs partner can inspire their Earth partner to be more adventurous, while an Earth sign partner can encourage a Fire partner to be more organized, practical, and cautious. The trick for making this relationship work is to find a balance between the stability Earth needs with the excitement Fire needs.
Earth Sign Careers
The earth signs take on duties and obligations, make a plan, and take the necessary steps to achieve success. As workers, they are efficient, organized, realistic, patient, self-disciplined, productive, persistent, and dependable. They are best in careers with an organizational structure and where they can have a sense of practical accomplishment.
How the Earth Signs Differ
Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo are grouped in the Earth element because they share the same Earthy traits and needs. However, they have three different modes of behavior. It's the three modalities, Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable, that separate one from the other.
The Traits of Capricorn
Capricorn, the tenth sign of the zodiac is the Cardinal Earth sign. Capricorn initiates and has an impersonal determination to get things done. Its key traits are self-control, caution, reserve, and ambition. Capricorn is wise, patient, loyal, and disciplined. The symbol for Capricorn is the Sea-Goat. Its glyph depicts the hoof of a mountain goat and the tail of a fish.
The Traits of Taurus
Taurus, the second sign of the zodiac, is the Fixed Earth sign. Taurus stabilizes and has a personal "I have" focus. Its key traits are possessiveness, retentiveness, steadiness, and the appreciation of pleasant physical sensations. Taurus is artistic, stable, and trustworthy. The Symbol for Taurus is the Bull. Its glyph depicts a Bull's head with horns.
The Traits of Virgo
Virgo, the sixth sign of the zodiac, is the Mutable Earth Sign. Virgo seeks perfection and moves on when the time is right. Its key traits are analysis, discrimination, helpfulness, humility, and a need to serve. Virgo is meticulous, intelligent, and modest. The symbol for Virgo is the Maiden or Virgin. Its glyph depicts a Maiden carrying a shaft of wheat.
The Earth Houses
In astrology, the Earth houses are the second, sixth, and tenth astrological houses. These areas of life have to do with thriving and surviving in the material world. The Earth signs are the natural rulers of these houses.
- Taurus rules the second house of personal finances and material possessions
- Virgo rules the sixth house of health, wellness, organization, and daily routines, which includes your job
- Capricorn rules the tenth house of career achievements, public image, social status, and legacy
Is Earth Your Dominant Element?
Most birth charts have a combination of elements, which means the element of your Sun sign may or may not be your dominant element. Of course, any individual with their Sun in an Earth sign is all about practicality, but astrology is more complex than your Sun sign only. As an example, a person with a Capricorn Sun may be air dominate, which means their worldly endeavors could involve talking to others and expressing their common sense ideas. The way to determine your dominant element is to look at your entire chart. Astrotheme.com has a free tool that can easily determine your dominant element.
