" Empedocles, a fifth century BCE Greek philosopher, originated the terms Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. He explained the nature of the universe as an interaction of two opposing principles called love and strife manipulating the four elements. He stated that these four elements were all equal, of the same age, that each rules its own province, and each posseses its own individual character. Different mixtures of these elements produced the different natures of things.

"As recently as a few thousand years ago, Western scientists considered the whole earth to be made of 4 elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Even though science has taken a different turn, we can still use this ancient wisdom to make sense of the world."

"Fire, Air, Earth, and Water, the four elements, sometimes called the Triplicities, play an important part in astrology. The term triplicities comes from the fact that there are three signs associated with each of the four elements.

"Astrology is mainly concerned with a narrow “belt” of space around the Sun’s apparent path across the sky. We call this belt the Zodiac and we divide it into twelve equal portions called Signs. Each sign is unique and has its own influence. They can, however, be grouped according to certain similarities. One way is by Element, or basic character. The other way to group signs is by Quality, or by how they tend to act. "

Chinese astrology, like almost all other Chinese disciplines, reposes on four main pillars, which call for some succinct comments. These pillars are: the concept of Yang and Yin, the notion of the Five Elements, the patterns of all cosmic transformations, and finally the Chinese calendar.