Earth is one of the four elements of the zodiac, as well as one of the elements of the four Hogwarts Houses. Compared to fire, air, and water, earth is very stable, reliable, and dependable. You can count on these individuals to be there when you need them, and they prize their sense of duty and responsibility. Earth also represents growth and commitment to make things grow. They can be very patient and dedicated. They are also usually perceptive and realistic, highly ambitious and goal-oriented. They have a powerful will to succeed and usually do!
If earth has any downside, it is their tendency towards rigid conservatism and a no-nonsense approach to life. They are primarily focused on the material and physical and seldom on the more abstract and emotional. There may also be a tendency towards extreme materialism. At times, they can be just a bit too predictable because of their conservative side.
In terms of symbolism, earth represents fertility. Remember the Greek “Mother Nature” Goddess Ceres, the goddess of fertility, agriculture, grain crops, and motherly relationships?
In the world of Harry Potter, earth is represented by Hufflepuff House. In Astrology, the earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
Hufflepuffs are kind, loyal, honest/true and fair-minded. They are practical and “down-to-earth.” They are not afraid of hard work and toil, which is sometimes associated with tilling the earth. They are patient while waiting for their efforts to sprout and bear fruit. Hufflepuff is associated with Herbology and plants, remember? Oh, and food. Lots of delicious food!Their mascot is the badger, which builds large tunnels (called a sett) under the earth, which takes a lot of hard work and patience to complete. Badgers often live quiet, peaceful lives, unless they are provoked, but if they do have to fight, then fight they will. Hufflepuff's colors are black and yellow, which, according to Pottermore, represent soil and wheat. Not surprisingly, the Common room is located underground, near the kitchens, and lavishly decorated with plants.
Taurus, the Bull Symbol: ♉Dates: April 19th – May 20th
Quality: FixedBasic Trait: I Have
Those born under the sign of Taurus can be a bit bull-headed and stubborn at times. Once they have made up their minds, they seldom change them. This person can also be very persistent and determined, and once they set their minds to something, they will work hard to achieve it. Patient? They definitely possess this trait in abundance as well. They also have a very practical approach to life and prefer the material world and don't spend their lives living in dreams. This individual is usually kind, loyal, and peace-loving, even placid. They can also be described as reliable, sensible, down-to-earth, and pleasant. They have an artistic side, and their homes are usually lovely and well-decorated. Taurus individuals can be a bit materialistic, and while they are normally peace-loving, if provoked, they won't back down from a fight.
Characters from the Harry Potter series known to have been born under the sign of Taurus: Griphook - May 1st and Horace Slughorn - April 28th and Pomona Sprout - May 15th
Professor Pomona Sprout was the Head of Hufflepuff House and also taught Herbology. She seemed to be a very kind person, giving positive feedback and encouragement to Neville and supporting his talents with plants. She was the Head of the very House that had the honor of sending one of its own to represent Hogwarts in the Tri-Wizard Tournament - Cedric Diggory. She was also the one who knew him the best and spoke to his family after he was murdered. Professor Sprout showed her patience and her determination and focus when several students were petrified by the Basilisk and it became her responsibility to provide excellent care for the Mandrake plants, and wait for them to grow into adults, so they could be used to brew the potion to revive petrified students, ghost and cat. She appeared as someone who prefers to follow the rules, since she didn't make Tonks a Prefect for misbehaving, but at the same time, if she believed the student was justified, she would support them. She punished student Gabriel Truman with only a warning and a box of coconut ice when he got into an argument with a Ravenclaw Prefect over which house a famous Arithmancer sorted to. Professor Sprout would also not hide from a fight when she or another was provoked, and joined the Final Battle with no hesitation, throwing down dangerous plants from the Astronomy Tower on to the Death Eaters.
Virgo, the Virgin Symbol: ♍ Dates: August 22nd – September 22nd Quality: MutableBasic Trait: I Analyze Those born under the sign of Virgo are perhaps the most analytical of the zodiac. They live mostly in their minds, as opposed to their emotions, often spending many hours wondering how to figure things out, or how to improve something. They often aim for perfection, and this can lead to extreme pickiness and bossiness. Because perfection is rarely found, Virgos tend to doubt their own judgment and can have issues with self-confidence, and often do not trust others until that trust has been earned. Virgos are very determined individuals and almost always finish what they start. Need something done? Ask a Virgo. They're methodical, shrewd, logical, intelligent, and willing learners. Many enjoy creating to-do lists and schedules, and actually completing them. They are humble and usually don't seek the spotlight. Virgos are drawn to simplicity and avoid complex situations. The typical Virgo doesn't like expressing their emotions, unpredactibility, or taking unnecessary risks. One final trait of Virgo I should mention is their strong feeling of the humane. Virgos are natural caregivers and they love to feel needed. Many are drawn to a career where they can serve others in some fashion.
Characters from the Harry Potter series known to have been born under the sign of Virgo: Dolores Umbridge - August 26th and Hermione Granger - September 19th
Can there be any doubt that Hermione is a Virgo? Very intelligent and a willing learner – not only did she earn top grades, but remember her love for reading and asking questions? She arrived at Hogwarts already knowing about the Great Hall's charmed ceiling as well as the answers to Professor Snape's questions the very first day of class. Her drive for excellence could make her a bit bossy at times, but she was equally hard on herself and had issues with self-confidence from time to time, especially about her appearance when she was younger. Hermione also valued being prepared, and when she, Ron, and Harry had to leave suddenly after Bill and Fleur's wedding, her bag was packed with everything she predicted they would need. Hermione knew Harry needed her, and she intended to see his search for the Horcruxes through to the very end. She also kept an eye out for how she could be of service, creating S.P.E.W after she learned about the mistreatment of house elves.
Capricorn, the Goat Symbol: ♑Dates: December 21st – January 19th
Quality: CardinalBasic Trait: I Use.
With Capricorn, imagine someone who is very disciplined, calm, self-contained and collected, and who does not like to show their emotions unless they know you really well. They do have deep feelings for others, but they've learned that feeling vulnerable is to feel weak, and to perhaps be hurt, so they don't like showing weakness or vulnerability. When they do allow someone to be close to them, they do it only after much observation, and they take it very seriously. Their need to know who a person is while protecting themselves often leads to a person who is blunt, often serious, seldom superficial, and at times quite secretive. Capricorns are often ambitious and conservative, and work hard to earn respect for their accomplishments. These individuals love feeling needed and appreciated. They are also noted as having active minds and strong powers of concentration. On a less positive note, at times they can be pessimistic, fatalistic and expect to be disappointed. They usually hold a grudge and they hate being made fun of. They can also appear arrogant and rigid.
Characters from the Harry Potter series known to have been born under the sign of Capricorn: Tom Riddle/Voldemort - December 31st and Severus Snape - January 9th
Severus Snape seems to have many of the classic traits of a Capricorn. As a child, he watched Lily Evans before he decided he wanted to get to know her. He seemed neglected at home, but he appeared ambitious and thought his natural and self-taught talents and hard work as a wizard would earn him the respect he deserved at Hogwarts, but he was taunted by other students, which, in typical Capricorn fashion, he resented. His friends in school were others who also had ambitions of power and achievement, just like he'd always wanted, and he thought having power would perhaps win Lily's respect. One time while he was being taunted, in a moment of weakness, he lashed out at her, and for several reasons of her own, he lost her friendship forever, but once a Capricorn loves someone, they tend to hold on to those feelings forever. They also hold on to grudges and never let those go as well. Later as a professor at Hogwarts, natural pessimism, distrust, secretiveness, and strong powers of concentration made it easier for him than most to have no real friends and live in mental isolation, play the role of a spy and to fool most people at some point. He did get to feel needed and to use his skills for good to aid the Order and to protect Lily's son and the other students, although he never let go of his childhood grudges (or his love for Lily).