Opposing signs in astrology represent contrasting approaches toward a common goal.  The pair of Cancer and Capricorn share a theme of (self) parenting.  Just like their rulers Moon and Saturn, each of them approaches the matter from a completely different standpoint.

The concept of self-parenting is most often seen in “inner child” therapy literature.  Put simply, it means we take over the role of parenting our inner child (the child-like part of our emotions) when we become adults – so Moon and Saturn not only represent our parents, but also how we parent ourselves as adults later on.

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Water element represents our capacity to feel.  Following the discussions on Fire, Earth and Air elements, I’ll share some tips and observations for working with the water element in your natal chart.  As before, note which houses in your horoscope have their cusps occupied by the water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.)  If you have planets in water signs, pay attention to the houses they occupy as well.

Tips & Observations Regarding the Water Energy in Your Horoscope

1) Seek Inner Values: The water part of us is not motivated by outer rewards such as fame or material success.  Rather it’s moved by deeply personal values that fulfill your soul.  Without paying attention to your internal desires and motivations, you may end up with a lot of outer success but still feel empty inside.

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Following the discussions on Fire and Earth elements, I’ll share some tips and observations for working with the air element in your horoscope.

Identifying the Air Energy in Your Birth Chart

Note which house cusps in your horoscope are occupied by the air signs: Libra, Aquarius and Gemini.  If you have planets in one of these signs, look at the houses they occupy as well.

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Following the discussion on the Fire element in astrology,  I’ll share a few tips & observations for working with the earth element in your horoscope.

Identifying the Earth Energy in Your Natal Chart

In your horoscope, take a mental note of houses whose cusps are on the earth signs: Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo.  If you have natal planets in the earth signs, then also note the houses they occupy. Keep Reading >>

In order for us to be fulfilled, all 4 elements (fire, earth, air & water) within our natal chart need to be functioning in a positive way.  In this post I’ll share a few tips and observations for managing the fire energy in your horoscope.

Identifying the Fire Energy within Your Natal Chart

Everyone has Aries, Leo and Sagittarius (the Fire signs) within their horoscope.  Make a mental note of the house cusps that these signs occupy in your horoscope.  If you have any planet in a Fire sign, then pay attention to the house it occupies as well.  Keep Reading >>

Elemental Attunement and Compatibility
If we consider the horoscope as a map of our psychic energy system, then a dominance in one or two elements will suggest that we’re naturally attuned to that element. 

Of special importance are the two “lights” – the Sun and the Moon.  Sun’s elemental energy is the fuel that we burn, and the Moon’s elemental energy represents what we need in order to feel emotionally fulfilled.

The idea of elemental compatibility is very simple: If you have a Sun in a certain element (Fire for example), then you tend to get energized by the presence of someone who also has the Sun in the same element (Fire), or at least in a compatible element (Air in this case.)

If, on the other hand, if you are in a prolonged contact with someone who is attuned to an incompatible element from yours (Water or Earth in this example), then you may start to feel drained, and may need to get some space in order to regain your energy.

Just to review the basics, Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are compatible with Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius), and Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) are compatible with Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.)  Each element is, of course, compatible with its own element.  All other combinations are considered incompatible.

Why Some Couples Should Not Sleep on the Same Bed
I’m sure you’ve seen married couples that seem to spend all of their time together, wherever they go.  If you find out their birth dates, you’ll probably find that their horoscopes have a very similar (or compatible) elemental attunement.  They energize each other, or are very comfortable in each other’s presence.

On the other hand, there are some married couples that hardly see each other – they sleep on a separate bed or have separate bedrooms.  In some cases the couple meet only on weekends because of work arrangement.  And somehow this does not bother them.  Rather, when one of the couple retires and starts spending more time at home, it seems to create more problems between them.

If we can find out their dates of birth, we’ll probably find that their elemental attunement is not compatible with each other – so they need to give each other some time and space to recharge, and allow the other person to have the room to be who they are, without interfering with each other’s energy system.

This seems like such a simplistic idea, but empirically it seems to have some validity.  Now let’s take it a step further and consider your own horoscope:

The Elements of Your Natal Sun & Moon
If your Sun and Moon occupy the signs in the same or compatible elements, then there is a natural harmony within your energy system, which makes it easier for you to spend a long time together with someone who is compatible with you.

If, on the other hand, your Sun and Moon occupy the signs in incompatible elements, then there is a disruption in the energy system, creating a seasaw effect (i.e. forcing you to switch between two incompatible elements.)  This means that whoever you’ll have a relationship with will likely be compatible with 1/2 of your energy system, and be incompatible with the other half.

To be sure, you could be with someone with a very similar set of Sun-Moon blend as you, which may make things a little easier – but still, half of you will be drained by the other person, while the other half may be energized.  Either way, this means you’ll need to allow each other some time and space for recharging, in order to maintain the integrity of your psychic system.

According to Stephen Arroyo, the most compatible energies seem to be those belonging to the same element (e.g. Fire and Fire), but preferably of a different sign (e.g. Aries and Leo, or Leo and Sagittarius.)  The exact same signs seem to lose any sense of energy flow or movement between them, which may cause stagnation or loss of perspective.

The compatible energies (Fire and Air, or Water and Earth) work well together for a long time, but they still require some time of separation in order to maintain energetic integrity.  People with incompatible energies (e.g. Water and Fire) could learn from each other a great deal – but this tends to be more of a short, growth oriented interaction rather than a prolonged, comfortable intimacy.

Summary: Working With Elemental Compatibility
Simply looking at the elemental compatibility between the couple’s Sun signs could reveal a great deal about their energetic interaction, and how much space they need to allow each other.  Compatibility between their Moon signs is also important in gauging how emotionally comfortable the couple can be with each other, especially in a domestic setting.

When considering these ideas in the context of your own relationships, do they seem valid to you?  Have you known couples that spend a great deal of time with each other to also have their Suns and Moons in compatible elements?  How about the couples that sleep separately and/or spend very little time together with one another?  Please share through emails or comments!

(photo by Josh Liba)

As a sign ruled by the Sun, Leo tends to be a dominant voice in our psyche when we have a planet or two in it.

Any planet occupying the Lion’s sign has an energy that burns for personal recognition. This part of us needs to be appreciated by others. When the desired recognition is not forthcoming, feelings get hurt and tempers can flare up.

If you know someone with a planet or a stellium in Leo, you can assume that this thrust for personal recognition is there no matter how quiet and unassuming a person looks. So how do we meet this need?

5 Simple Ways to Love the Leo in Everyone

• Let them know they’re important to you – this can mean remembering birthdays, giving them a call to show that you care, or doing something special for them.
• Show respect to their opinions and feelings – if you act as if their views do not matter, you will invite trouble.
• Always thank them for what they do for you, and let them know how much you appreciate them – Leos especially do not like being taken for granted.
• Point out their special talent, ability and strong points – Leos respond beautifully to genuine compliments, and will respond in kind.
• If possible, recognize their good quality or contribution in front of others.

People with a healthy Leo complex tend to automatically behave in the ways describe above, because they want and expect similar behavior in turn from you.

A Stifled Leo Energy
Some parents might teach their children that it’s not good to think so highly of themselves. Others are outright abusive and tell their young that they’re stupid, will never amount to anything, etc, etc. Children of these families may learn to suppress their innate Leonine urge to stand out and freely express themselves. As a result, they may adopt a critical attitude toward their own (or other people’s) creative and emotional expression.

The antidote for such “plumbing issues” might be to express praise and appreciation for yourself and others. If you have a few planets in Leo, then chances are that you recognize your ability to make other people feel special and appreciated. By giving others what you want (i.e. appreciation & recognition) you’re more likely to receive the same gift from others.

When Leo Is Mixed With Other Elements
If there is a strong Virgo or other Earth component as well as Leo, then the person will likely perform a lot of work and services in the silent hope of winning personal recognition. Even when this person looks very professional and self possessed so as to not need any outside approval, a word of appreciation and acknowledgment for her competence and hard work goes a long way.

If there is a strong Cancer or other Water components in addition to Leo, then the person would want to be recognized for his/her caring heart. Acknowledge her emotions, and praise her for having a big heart.

If there is a strong Libra or other Air components beside Leo, the need for personal recognition will be fulfilled through entertaining and communicating with others. No matter how smooth and confident he seems, he’d still appreciate praise for his humor, wit and thoughtfulness.

Conclusion:
A healthy Leo archetype within our psyche is a special, precious and vulnerable part of us that can give and receive generously. We can make others – and ourselves – happy by simply learning to recognize, praise and appreciate the good qualities in each other – a worthy challenge.

Do you or your loved ones have planets in Leo? What else besides the above makes your inner Lion roar with happiness? Please feel free to share with emails or comments…