A Guide to Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius

An astrologer breaks down the action-oriented element.

While each of the 12 zodiac signs has its own M.O., signs that fall under the same element—like air, fire, water, and earth—share similar perspectives and mirror one another in terms of what they value and how they move through the world. Knowing which element rules your sign can give you insight into your personality and desires. It can also help you figure out which signs you’ll be most compatible with. So let’s dive into the fire signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

From your go-getter career mentor to your friend with big dreams and travel plans, the fire signs in your life inspire you to, well, get fired up and take bold steps to fulfill your desires. People who have fire sign placements tend to be among the most dynamic, charismatic, and passionate of the zodiac.

Keep reading for a complete primer on fire signs.

What to Know About the Elements

Again, the 12 zodiac signs are broken down into four elements. There are three signs per element. In the fire bunch, those three are:

• Aries, symbolized by the Ram
• Leo, symbolized by the Lion
• Sagittarius, symbolized by the Archer

Another layer to consider: Within each element, there's one of each quality, or quadruplicity: cardinal, fixed, and mutable. The quality that a sign falls under speaks to the sign's basic energy. Cardinal signs are the initiators of the zodiac (but can struggle with follow-through), fixed signs tend to be the most resolute (but also stubborn), and mutable signs are the most adaptable (but also wishy-washy).

Of the fire signs, Aries is the cardinal sign, Leo is the fixed sign, and Sagittarius is the mutable sign.

Fire Sign Traits

While earth signs are generally pragmatic, water signs are very much in their feelings, and air signs tend to be focused on interpersonal and intellectual pursuits, fire signs are action-oriented.

At times hotheaded and impetuous, a fire sign's inner light glows brightly, fueling their desire to move quickly and decisively toward achieving their goals. Passionate, assertive, and competitive, they tend to embrace the philosophy that bigger, brighter, louder, and more is preferable. And each in their own way, the fire signs seek out and revel in the spotlight.

Aries (March 19-April 19)

• Symbol: The Ram
• Ruling House: First House of Self
• Ruling Planet: Mars, the planet of action, energy, and sex
• Compatibility: Aries often hits it off with a similarly adventurous Sagittarius, “see-and-be-seen”-loving Leo, or curious, on-the-go Gemini.

The first fire sign of the zodiac—and the first sign overall—Aries are known to be energetic, impulsive, curious, direct, and at times innocent. They're natural-born fighters who are innately athletic and wired to go into battle, whether that's to achieve social justice, to beat their own best time at that half-marathon, or to "win" their case in an argument over which TV show is the best of all time. They're the person most likely to broach a contentious subject at a party to stir debate. After all, Aries see an argument as pure recreation—well, as long as they're ultimately declared the winner.

Aries is also thought of as the "baby of the zodiac." As the first sign, and as the ruler of the First House of Self, Aries tend to be slightly "me"-centric. And their ruler, Mars, often colors their perspective as impulsive and aggressive. They want what they want, which is to win and to be first, and they would prefer to move as fast as humanly possible toward that end. Their rep as an initiator also stems from them being one of the four cardinal signs (the others being Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn). Aries' dynamism, impulsivity, and appetite for victory make them exciting, fun, courageous, and fearless.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

• Symbol: The Lion
• Ruling House: Fifth House of Romance and Self-Expression
• Ruling Planet: The sun, which oversees confidence, identity, and self-image
• Compatibility: Leo often hits it off with a similarly big picture-loving Sagittarius, passionate Aries, or romance-loving Libra.

The second fire sign of the zodiac (and fifth sign overall), Leos are charismatic, self-assured, optimistic leaders who often radiate joie de vivre. As the fixed (a.k.a. most resolute) sign of the fire bunch, they can certainly be hard-headed. However, they're also rock-steady, tending to get set in their ways and requiring extra motivation to change course midstream.

Ruled by the vitality-bringing sun, they adore opportunities to run whatever show they're most drawn to. They'll naturally slide into an executive position, decide they can make a real difference by running for local government, or aspire to see their name as the headliner of a hit production. But just as readily as they might seek to lead and soak up attention and applause, they'll shine their blinding, perpetually warm inner light on those around them.

As the ruler of the Fifth House of Romance and Self-Expression, Leos adore the flirtatious, lighthearted, playful side of love—like having crushes, writing love notes, sexting, and showering the object of their affection with loads of luxurious gifts. They're also naturals at creative pursuits, whether that's painting, dancing, writing, acting, or directing their own play.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

• Symbol: The Archer
• Ruling House: Ninth House of Adventure and Higher Learning
• Ruling Planet: Jupiter, the planet of abundance
• Compatibility: Sag often hits it off with a similarly lively Aries, fun-loving Leo, or free-spirited Aquarius.

As the third fire sign—and ninth sign overall—Sagittarians are all about over-the-top self-expression, adventure, learning, philosophizing, a positive outlook, seemingly organic fortune, and strong, direct opinions. Informed by truth-seeking Jupiter, Sag harbors an insatiable wanderlust that ideally results in globetrotting adventures and lifelong learning about cultures apart from their own.

The mutable one of the fire group, Archer placements are flexible, open to going with the flow, and typically willing to hear all sides of an issue before making a decision—much like fellow mutables Virgo (earth), Gemini (air), and Pisces (water).

Sagittarians will motivate you to embrace a YOLO-esque perspective. They are the multi-hyphenate entertainers of the zodiac, gifted and interested in everything from comedy to acting to songwriting. They generally strike those around them as gregarious, lively, and dynamic. Like everyone else, though, they have their dark moments. They just tend to cope by channeling their pain into their art.