We've all grown up with the idea of astrology, yet most people think that astrology just means looking up your daily horoscope. While this is the most common form of participation in the study of the cosmic influences on us, what makes up our specific astrological chart depends on much more than our Sun signs alone.

Each Sun sign is based on an element in nature: Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Along with your zodiac sign, they help define many things in your life from certain traits you have, to who your ideal love match is and why. These elemental influences on the sign help to "steer" that sign to a type of personality.

The 12 zodiac signs are divided into these four elements, with each sign and element working together to show you things about yourself you may have never known. Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are Earth signs; Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are Fire signs; Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are Water signs; Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are Air signs.

RELATED: How Many Zodiac Signs Are There & What Makes Each Horoscope Unique

What Are The Air Signs?

If you've ever described someone as an "airhead," you're probably talking about someone who is an Air sign. 

The Air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, prone to "ethereal thinking." This means Air signs tend to be spiritual, heady thinkers who are always in their own head. Hence, airheads!

In astrology, Air signs are the thinkers, communicators, and analyzers as they synthesize and probe. They live by the mantra “live and let live,” and their intelligence helps them make decisions easily.

The dates for the Air signs: Geminis are born between May 21 and June 20, with the summer heat bringing out their free nature. Libras are born between September 23 and October 22, and feel free as the seasons change. Aquarius are born between January 20 and February 18, where the winter cold revives them. 

Air Sign Traits

What is it that underlies this Air element, and how does it manifest in these three Sun signs? Well, it's obvious that air means breathing. Breath is about taking in life; it's also about seeking inspiration, which literally means "breathing in."

Air signs tend to think things out, where they spend much time in the realm of thought. Air means space, openness. You'll also find a great need in Air signs for both cleanliness and open-mindedness. As Air can get in anywhere, so can the mind of the Air signs of the Zodiac.

What does Air sign mean in astrology? Simply put, it means the zodiac signs belonging to this element share common traits of loving independence, deep intelligence, having a need for privacy and adventure, and are also intense, forward-thinking, imaginative, helpful, and a bit snobbish.

Being with an Air sign is never boring, as they tend to be unpredictable and keep the people close to them on their toes. Their confidence, honesty and respectful nature get them far in life, and they walk to the beat of their own drum, making them truly unique individuals.

Unique Characteristics of Zodiac Air Signs: Gemini, Libra & Aquarius

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

Symbol: The Twins

Planetary Ruler: Mercury

Modality: Mutable

Power Color: Yellow

Core Personality Traits: Geminis are known for being intelligent, outgoing, adaptable, nosy, unreliable, impulsive, and indecisive.

Strengths: Adaptable, social, intelligent, funny, curious, energetic

Weaknesses: Childish, restless, indecisive, superficial

Geminis are able to roll with the punches when faced with adversity, are very adaptable to their surorundings, and can work through even the most stressful of situations. They are charming and charismatic, and incredibly intelligent.

But because they are somewhat mysterious, you can't always tell what's on their mind. As the communicator of the Zodiac, Gemini relies upon their Air sign mentality to find a way to get their point across.

Also keen on seeing all sides of an argument before taking a side, they don't sign on for anything with their heart alone; they make well-informed decisions based on fact and intellect. This is how Gemini gets themselves into their famous indecisiveness — after weighing all sides for value, they tend to confuse themselves so much that they end up not choosing anything.

Libra (September 23 - October 22)

Symbol: The Scales

Planetary Ruler: Venus

Modality: Cardinal

Power Color: Pink

Core Personality Traits: Libras are diplomatic, idealistic, social, clever, indecisive, unreliable, and vain.

Strengths: Clever, diplomatic, social, idealistic, fair

Weaknesses: Self-pitying, non-confrontational, unreliable, vain, indecisive.

Libra is a great communicator, but they are less interested in facts and truths as they are about getting their own point across — whether you care or not. Libra wants you to like them; they are a little neurotic about getting your approval. 

Libra is exceedingly kind, calm and charming, but this is a bit of an act; the truth is, they don't want you to look to deeply into them for fear of discovering that they aren't as ideal as they'd like you to think.

The Air element comes into play here through their paranoia. As it's typical of the "air head" to be living inside their mind, the mind isn't always the best place to dwell, especially if you're a bit paranoid or neurotic. But, as an Air sign, Libra is a critical thinker and also very philosophical.

RELATED: Why Gemini, Libra, & Aquarius Have Strong Work Ethic

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

Symbol: The Water Bearer

Planetary Ruler: Saturn

Modality: Fixed

Power Color: Blue

Core Personality Traits: Aquarius are visionary, intelligent, original, cold, condescending, overly idealistic, and unpredictable.

Strengths: Courageous, intelligent, reliable, assertive, humanitarian, eccentric

Weaknesses: Mysterious, extreme, temperamental, overthinking, detached, loner

Aquarius is a creative free spirit. They want to retreat into their minds where they don't have to deal with anyone, so to the outside world, the best bet is to let them be.

Some creatures cannot be controlled, and Aquarius (our biggest "air head" so far) is right up there with the bunch who don't listen to you but have great ideas of their own. 

Oh, they'll drive you crazy and you won't understand the method of their madness, but if you push an Aquarius, you lose an Aquarius. They don't wish to be handled.

Air Sign Compatibility with Fire, Earth, and Water Signs

Air signs are attracted to people who are open communicators, are versatile, open-minded, honest, respectful of their alone time and privacy, have a need for adventure and want to have fun. Air signs are extremely flirty as well, and are likely to flirt back if they like you.

This makes them most compatible with other Air signs, as well as Fire signs — as in "fanning the fire," since the two elements complement each other.

Fire and Air: While Air signs can always keep the bigger picture in mind, Fire signs go straight into the action and work towards any goals they set. Air signs are attracted to Fire signs, as air feeds fire and they both help each other grow. 

Earth and Air: Earth helps Air become more practical, while Air inspires Earth to free their mind up and think more openly. Earth and Air are both laid-back and respectful, and because Earth signs are grounded they are able to bring Air signs down from the clouds.

Water and Air: Water and Air balance each other out, in both cerebral thinking and feeling. Air signs help the Water signs to better express their emotions, and Water signs help Air signs find their creativity.

Air and Air: Air signs get along well with other Air signs because they understand their intelligent, imaginative and free-thinking nature. They embrace each other's freeness, as they themselves are free.

Gemini Compatibility

Best Love Matches: Aries, Leo, Libra, and Aquarius

Geminis are adventurous and intelligent, and need a partner that can keep up with their appetite for life. Being playful and open-minded, Geminis are never closed off to any sign as a potential partner — it will just take the right one to understand their spirit and never-ending hunger for knowledge.

Libra Compatibility

Best Love Matches: Gemini, Libra, Leo, and Aquarius

With Libra's deep curiosity and confidence, they will settle for nothing less than the best for themselves. They value equality and justice, and will not tolerate being close to someone who doesn't feel the same way. Libra's best match is someone who can ground them and think through things more than Libra's spontaneous nature allows them.

Aquarius Compatibility

Best Love Matches: Sagittarius, Gemini, Libra, and Aries

Aquarius' passion, creativity, and intellect cause them some unease in a relationship, as they need someone who can keep up with their strong personality and desire to help humanity. They desire a match with whom they can connect intellectually, and accept their cool-headed personality.

RELATED: The Zodiac 'Decan' For Gemini, Libra, And Aquarius — How To Find Your Sub-Sign (And What It Says About You)

Ruby Miranda is a New Yorker who learned astrology, I Ching and all types of cartomancy and numerology from her crazy, gypsy mother. She currently writes for a wide range of esoteric publications.