You're subjecting the symbology of the signs to their characteristic elements in terms of comparison of the elements and how signs based on how the element expresses itself in that sign can show characteristics of sub elements?
Aka: Pisces has a airy quality to it because of it's ease of socializing.
I get your point of view. I actually sympathize because Astrology has many different ways of being broken down as a theoretical metaphysical science.
Now what I personally believe is that if the aspects of the sign can be either initiated or overcome, depending on wether you have many trines or squares or oppositions, the full expression of the sign's highest potential can and will show itself. The same would go for someone with many trines as if they used their ability, whatever it is, they could be great.
For example, I could say imo that Keanu Reeves in Hollywood is the most highest expression of a Virgo I've ever seen, he is full in line with his natural inclination to service and his modesty and lack of vanity; loving charity really cooardinate to that sign.
I could say Darrel Dimebag is a real subjective expression of a actual Leo and radiated with it's highest expression: 'Showmanship, attention, drama, artistic expression'
Do not feel so misjudged by the people here Julian it is indicative as a Aries who I've had much a experience with you simply have a more personal, mechanical way of breaking things down; seem as if you're trying to break things down from how you find them. Others here are showing what they believe they know and believe in, even if it maybe less inclined to a more 'Personal, this is how I find it, I'm not so concerned how others find it' approach. Some people like to try to be traditional.
I understand you otherwise. You're independently breaking it down for yourself and learning through self experience. That's how I learn.
Otherwise, I believe that the mc points to the energy of the chosen occupation in life, but it can also hint at underlying job details. my midheaven is in Aries so there is a pattern of being alone, going it alone; with a fervent passion in a hobby.
The rising sign I believe denotes to how we will get there, so naturally I am hardworking and want to reach the pinnacle with my sun in Capricorn, my rising Leo says 'We will get there naturally, have boldness and confidence, I am passionate about this, I love life lets do what is only fun' and many a time I'd like sharing or showing my expression with others based on the achievements I do.
Basically I think it all comes down to those 3 contingents imo. But in order to express the highest form of those 3 aspects of a chart we need to uncover and face or utilize the aspects in a chart's aspects, however I don't believe just because everyone achieves success, they will indolently lay back, think of money and riches I think this only goes for a negative connotation of a sign's element.
For example I think of a Leo was to rise to success, he would be grand, sharing, flattering with his public, but a Capricorn or a gemini would be very different: Take Jim Carrey or Johnny Depp, Johnny Depp loves immersing himself in other characters no matter how silly and even has gone to schools to see little children in his Captain Jack Sparrow costume, which shows he's more interested in the people side. A taurus maybe infatuated with the money however, be very opinionated and most of the time calm and mingling with the ladies. Keanu Reeves shows that Virgo expression imo.
I think the more negative aspects would only show themselves in a chart that hasn't fully undergone the trials of it's aspects and gained confidence or has basically mistreated it's Saturn, the true source of real confidence based on hard work.
That's all my formulated view on this.
, on the other hand and the most aggressive, the leader of the three fire signs and the one with the most energy... etc.
is the most aloof of the bunch, the most sociable. I mean the air signs were pretty much meant to be the communicators; the bridges between people. Libra's house, the descendant, pretty much signifies communication with others. 
is all about this. I'd say 
takes it too far and has too egoistical purposes, and 
is pretty much the opposite, just focusing on others. Scorpio has this fire sign side to it (ruled by Mars) so that's why it's selfish. Pisces has this air sign thing to it, related to Jupiter's ease of socializing. Cancer rules the fourth house, related to family, to bonds between people (emotional bonds)...
, which rules the 10th house which rules profession and stuff.
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