The Meaning of Air in Astrology

Always 100% human crafted content. Updated 04/07/25

The air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. All of them are masculine. As they share the same element and gender, they have plenty in common. Those with air dominating their birth chart should be able to relate to a lot to the traits associated with it which I elaborate on below.

Positive Traits Associated with Air

Air signs are known for their sharp minds and intellectual prowess

…Which they normally aren’t afraid to demonstrate, especially at social gatherings. They thoroughly enjoy chatting, and although they might talk a bit too much, they often have genuinely interesting things to say. Participating in discussions on all kinds of subjects is normally tremendous fun for them. 

They require mental stimulation as much as they need air to breathe

So they’re constantly on the look out for new things to learn and do. As far as they are concerned, the world around them is a treasure trove of learning opportunities in which to immerse themselves. Like children, they’re infinitely curious about the world around them and they love learning all they can to expand their own awareness and the awareness of others in their conversations with them. 

Close-mindedness is one of their pet peeves

Air is very open-minded and tolerant and those with a lot of this element in their birth chart will be naturally inclined to understand things from numerous different perspectives, some of which might be very different to their own. They’re naturally gifted with exercising objectivity and reserving judgement. As understanding and fair minded as they are, they may view intolerance in others as a sign of inferior intellect.

Similarly to the fire signs, they’re highly independent

They want to live life entirely on their own terms so as to get the most out of it, and relish every moment of it, too. From a young age, many air types dream about leaving the nest, however comfortable it may be, to go out and learn all about the world and meet lots of new people. They desire to have as many interesting and fun experiences as they can, especially before potentially setting down. 

Negative Traits Associated with Air

Being so flexible and airy, air types can change their minds, and their moods, very quickly

Sometimes, they know why this is; someone may have said something unsavoury to them, or done something they shouldn’t have, but other times, they might not even know what caused them to experience a sudden change of heart. It may even have been the atmosphere. Many air types are very emotionally sensitive. Some are even psychic. A change in the atmosphere can be sensed by them and can alter their mood.

They can be flighty, scatty, and pretty messy too as they spend so much time lost in their thoughts

And because they can become so mentally preoccupied they might neglect the feelings, needs and wants of others. They may come across as a bit distant or easily distracted. They can also take a very long time to reach a firm conclusion as they often overthink most situations and conversations, sometimes to the frustration of those around them. As they are rarely doing one thing, or in one place for too long, they might also occasionally appear to be rather inconsistent. 

What Air Types Admire The Most in Others

Air types like to observe other people acting with integrity. Although it may seem a bit idealistic, they want to live in a world, or at least in a country, where everyone is treated fairly and equally. Seeing people being kind and considerate towards one another and doing things for the planet fills them with joy. Kind people who are tolerant towards different races, genders, and lifestyles are especially admired by them. If someone can be pleasant towards someone whose background, race, spiritual beliefs, gender, or lifestyle is completely different to theirs, in their books, that person is fabulous.

Colors for Air Dominant People

Light and vibrant colours such as pastels are preferred by air types. They also like light metallic colours such as silver. Pale natural shades such as natural cotton and hessian also attract them. Aquarius is additionally, especially drawn to striking turquoise.

Plants and Herbs for Air Dominant People

As they are often so busy and easily distracted, they might not necessarily have too time time to spend tending to plants. Low maintenance ones like parlour palms and aloe vera might be more suitable. Plants which are also light and airy in appearance with fine leaves and an ethereal look about them also appeal to air dominant types. Examples of these include baby’s breath, babysitter’s dream, and maidenhair ferns.

The sort of herbs they are drawn to are ones which help to soothe their nervousness and flightiness such as calming lemon balm, lavender, chamomile, valerian, and rose hip. Most often, they enjoy using these herbs to make soothing teas.

What Do Air Types Enjoy Doing?

Because air types require a great deal of mental stimulation, virtually all the time, they’re always doing something, or thinking about what they want to do next. Sitting still for too long bores and frustrates them to no end. Mostly, they stimulate themselves by learning new things and visiting new places so they can expand their horizons and have new things to talk about.

They enjoy discussions on a very wide variety of subjects from politics and religion to needlework and artificial intelligence and everything in between. They love getting to the root cause of matters and will often spend a lot of time figuring things out. 

Challenges and mysteries also stimulate them because they provide a good mental workout. Problem solving seems to be their forte, as long as the problem holds their interest for long enough. 

Gemini Air Sign

Gemini is quick witted, smart, and observant. Despite their intelligence, Geminis can often come across as childlike because the sign is delightfully playful and humorous. There’s an unmistakable lightness about them, as if they’re free from any of life’s problems. They’re also as curious about the world as a child normally is. Being so smart and observant, they can learn a lot about a lot very quickly and they tend to be good at retaining the things they learn. Their communication, while often quite quick, is excellent. This is the sign of the wordsmith. Anything they think or feel is often perfectly articulated. 

However, every sign has its downside. Their moods can change as quickly as the wind so those in their company might be left wondering what they said or did wrong. They can also be scatty and messy as their minds often wonder and so much time is pent in their thoughts. Gemini energy needs mental stimulation more than any other sign. They quickly lose interest in things once they no longer capture their attention. They can also tire mid-conversation if they suddenly feel uninterested in what’s being discussed. 

Gemini is ruled by cerebral and swift Mercury, which never strays too far from the Sun. This sign sits between Taurus and Cancer as its the 3rd sign of the zodiac. It’s linked to the third astrological house of intellect and communication. Its symbol in the zodiac is the twins (the identical type). The glyph is a pair of connected upright lines which resembles twins ♊. It’s also of mutable quality which means that its especially flexible, adaptable, tolerant, and open-minded.

Libra Air Sign

Libra possesses an undying need for justice to prevail hence why this sign is symbolised by the scales of justice. While they understand that life is unfair, they strive to make it as fair as possible. Listening to every side of an argument is very much their strong suit as they like to weight everything up before making a decision. 

They love anything that stimulates their senses and feels indulgent or sensual such as good food and drink, music and dance. Filling the world, to whatever extent they can, with beauty and harmony makes them feel content. Many do this through creative work such as painting as well as through simple acts of kindness toward people and animals.

When Libran energy is off balance, it can be selfish, materialistic, and over indulgent. If the energy isn’t assertive enough, it be painfully slow to make a decision because too much time is spent evaluating everything. This sign can also overthink and become riddled with worry when it really needn’t!

Libra is ruled by sensual and indulgent Venus. It lies between Virgo and Scorpio. Its symbolised by a set of scales ♎. Sometimes, the scales are held by a woman—aka the lady of justice. It’s the only sign in the zodiac to be represented by an inanimate object as opposed to a human, mythical creature, or animal. It’s linked to the seventh house of partnerships and as such, strong connections with others, such as friendships and relationships are often deemed very important from a young age. 

Aquarius Air Sign

There is a touch of genius with Aquarius. These people are very clever and are naturally adept at seeing things differently from others. They’re natural innovators and inventors. They’re fast learners and enjoy sharing their knowledge with virtually anyone who will listen. They have a strong sense of what is right and wrong and, like their Libran cousins, will fight for justice and equality. 

However, being of fixed quality, this sign can also exhibit stubbornness. Once formed, their opinions may be immovable and they can think of themselves as always being right. The plant which rules the sign, Uranus, can infuse the sign with unpredictability and sudden outbursts especially when there is a feeling of unfairness or discrimination. 

The archetype for Aquarius is a human pouring water from a large vase. The glyph depicts the waves of the sea ♒, although Aquarius is an air sign. It’s ruled by both Uranus and Saturn. Before Uranus was discovered, Saturn was the sole ruler. These days, some astrologers regard Uranus as the sole ruler. Personally, I think that Saturn still bestows some influence. Uranus is seen as the strangest planet in our solar system mainly because we don’t yet know much about it but it also sits on its side, which looks a bit odd. In astrology, Uranus is understood to be revolutionary and progressive but also strange, distant, and unpredictable.