You are probably familiar with the kind of situation in which you say something completely objective and rational, but your partner shows an emotional reaction and feels personally hurt. Or have you ever been annoyed by your wife being so utterly down to earth, when you would like to build castles in the air?

This interesting but almost incomprehensible phenomenon is well-known. Despite their individuality people "allow themselves" to be pigeonholed into certain categories.

Carl Gustav Jung explains this phenomenon by categorising people into four psychological types. According to his theory the conscious self knows four main modes of perception which express themselves differently and more or less strongly in every individual: the thinking function, the feeling function, the sensation and intuitive function. They can be defined as two antithetic pairs: thinking and feeling are rational opposites (in the sense that they evaluate and judge things). Both sensation and intuition are considered irrational functions, because they do not judge, but simply record things. Of course, not all four functions are equally strong within any one individual. One function dominates, while the other tends to be "underdeveloped". In order to become really whole, a person should attempt to develop all four modes of perception. This is an extraordinarily difficult task. Jung writes in Psychological Types:

In astrology, the twelve signs of the zodiac are attributed to the elements of air, water, earth and fire. Liz Greene considers the four elements to be the "pillars of astrology". They inform us about the predominant attitude of a person. If an individual's horoscope is dominated by fire signs, astrologers speak of a fire type. His or her predominant form of perception is "fiery", which is equivalent to the Jungian intuitive type.

The thinking type has a predominant thinking function. This individual considers the world in a rational way. He or she analyses things according to the laws of aristotelian logic, and evaluates them using "objective" criteria. He tends to categorise the phenomena of his environment. He is good at giving or receiving criticism, drawing conclusions or finding evidence.

Viewed astrologically this function is reflected in the air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Liz Greene points out in Relating that the air element is the only one which is not represented by animal symbols in the zodiac. Gemini and Aquarius are human symbols, and Libra an objective measuring instrument. She writes:

Air is the element which is most typically human, the furthest removed from instinctual nature; and it is the human kingdom which has developed or perhaps overdeveloped in the last two hundred years the function of thinking as its great gift.

If in a horoscope more than one planet and / or the ascendant are in air signs, the individual will perceive his environment mainly through the reasoning mind. He is interested in "reasoned" discussion, not in feelings. With a predominance of air, the feeling function often remains "underdeveloped". He might find it hard to decide "on a gut level" or to accept subjective criteria. There can be difficulties in showing emotions or reacting emotionally.

It is important to emphasise that no function is in itself better than any other. All four types have qualities which are necessary for a holistic perception and evaluation of the world. An overdeveloped thinking function which ignores the other functions, leads to emotional coldness, lack of imagination and top-heaviness.

The feeling type is the polar opposite of the thinker. According to the motto "opposites attract", members of both types are often fascinated by each other. As with the thinking function Jung calls the feeling function "rational". It differs from the thinking function in that it evaluates situations and people using emotional criteria. This type is very sensitive to moods and atmospheres.

In astrology, the horoscope of a feeling type would show a predominance of the water signs Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces. All of these signs approach their environment from an emotional point of view. Water types often act on their emotions rather than on reasoned argument. Most important to them is personal well-being - their own as well as that of others. Intuition, compassion and empathy, for example, are typical of cancer and pisces.

The individual with a predominance of water is, as opposed to the air type, endowed with the gift of being open to the dimension of the unconscious. Dreams and imagination are particularly meaningful to this kind of person. Scorpio, for instance, is particularly attuned to the instinctual, dark side of life.

If the feeling function is overdeveloped within a person, he runs the risk of retreating completely from the "lighter" world of thought. He is controlled by subjective drives without accepting reason as a valid measure. Even though the reactions of water types to personal situations are almost unerringly accurate and appropriate (Liz Greene), it is still important for them to accept the importance of the world of logic.

Jungs sensation type represents one of the two irrational modes of perception. "Irrational" is not used in a depreciative sense here - which is what one is tempted to do in our thought-driven time. It simply means that this function does not judge things. He comes to an understanding using his senses. He relies on that which he can see, hear, touch, taste and smell. One could call him the realist among the types who is completely down to earth.

In astrology the sensation function is represented by the earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. They are concerned with what is "real" or concrete. They "grasp" things, in the true sense of the word. The earth person picks up the stimuli of his environment and categorises them. He is practical and sober. The material and physical are his domains. This is where he is strong and has a good sense of what is practicable and appropriate.

The earth type may rely on his senses without even asking whether it "makes sense". He is less open to the dimension of meaning than his opposite, the intuitive type. An example: The two of them walk through the woods together. While the intuitive person appreciates the symbolic power of mother nature, the earth type will measure the trees, maybe considering their value for building furniture.

A person who can only see material things easily loses his connection with the whole. Asked about the meaning of life, he might just shrug his shoulders. Surrounded by things, he does not think about their meaning. Therefore, he is fascinated - positively or negatively - by people of the intuitive type. In order not to waste away mentally or spiritually, he needs to expand his view of reality by adding the dimension of meaning.

Intuition is the strength of this type. As with the sensation type, he is considered irrational in the sense of not judging. But he differs from the former in that his perception is based on mental or spiritual concepts. He receives his knowledge not by collecting and ordering facts, but by spontaneous insights which "erupt" into consciousness.

Fire is the astrological element of the intiuitive type. Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are the zodiacal fire signs. Poeple with a predominance of fire signs tend to be easily inflamed. Their spontaneity is almost proverbial. The Arien is focused on action which leaves everything else aside. Leo people are said to have a childlike directness and immediacy. People with Sagittarius dominating their chart experience the world through visionary insights.

The individual with a dominant intuitive function runs the risk of being restricted by the hard facts of reality. If, in his fervour, he ignores the limitations of the material, his spiritual energy goes into the void. His commitment and farsightedness can make him overlook the obvious. Great visions remain unfulfilled and stuck in the world of the mind.

The half-god Prometheus brought the fire to humans which is the source of their spiritual and mental development. But without utilising this fire in a practical way it would have been useless and disappeared without a trace. In this sense, it is important for the fire type not to remain isolated within spiritual spheres, but to value and cultivate the opposing function of sensation and realism.