To the astrologer, the signs are seen as being grouped by elemental association. The specific rulerships of the signs offer some insight into the more widely encompassing associations of elemental influence. Generally, the four cardinal elements can be divided into their own areas of control. It can be readily seen how the planets and signs fit into these general categories of influence.
The four elements are earth, air, fire, and water.
Earth includes the zodiac signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Earth exerts influence on material possessions, money, business, deep strength, reason, justice, understanding, and stability.
The element of air is home to Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. This is the sphere of travel, communication, movement, learning, writing, faith, intuition, and knowledge.
Fire is host to Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Fire speaks of passion, determination, war, aggression, conflict, hope, and courage.
The final elemental realm of water is the land of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water is the realm of love, emotion, charity, beauty, spirituality, psychic development, intuition, and compassion.
Each scent can be placed in general associations with the ancient elements of earth, air, fire, or water. In many cases, a scent—while exemplifying the virtues of a particular element very strongly—may have hints of an undertone, or a secondary association, with another of the elements.
Accordingly, to calm irrational behavior, an earth oil may be a major component of a blend. Magically, these oils may be used to address physical stability and well-being—for example, material gain, securing a job, or promoting justice in court.
Air oils may be enlisted in the production of an essential blend aimed at promoting easy breathing, helping to clear confusion, or enhancing learning pursuits for the active student.
In addressing phobias, enhancing passion, or raising the energy level, Are oils may be brought into play. This example also brings to light a situation in which the virtues of more than one element are essential. In relieving irrational fears, for example, we may wish to employ the virtue of courage that a fire oil will afford us.
However, because of the virtue of increasing energy, an oil corresponding to fire may actually have the effect of feeding the fear and worsening the condition. Therefore, it is wise to temper the fire with earth. The overall result is that we may gain courage from the fire element while maintaining stability and control with the element of earth.
The virtues of the water element in water oils may be used to increase fluidity, as in cases of poor circulation, or may be used to enhance romantic love and increase psychic development.