Elements of the zodiac (Tattvas)
The twelve signs fall into four elements (tattvas), three signs each: fire, earth, air and water. Each element describes a basic temperament, and with the three qualities it gives every sign its character.
Also known as: tattva, tatva, zodiac elements
Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are energetic, bold and inspiring. Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) are practical, patient and grounded. Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) are communicative, social and led by ideas. Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) are emotional, intuitive and protective.
Each sign also has a quality. Movable (chara) signs, Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, initiate. Fixed (sthira) signs, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, sustain. Dual (dwiswabhava) signs, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, adapt. Element and quality together give each sign its own blend, so no two signs are alike.
Jyotish also speaks of a fifth element, ether (akasha), linked with Jupiter, and gives each planet an element: the Sun and Mars are fire, Mercury earth, Saturn air, and the Moon and Venus water. The Tatva in your Avakhada details is simply the element of your Moon sign.