Here, at the beginning, we describe what modalities are and identify the one of each sign. However, the core of this content comes later, towards the end. There, we reflect on how everything in astrology is interconnected and address some important FAQs. These FAQs are significant because they are frequently asked and because they clarify common misconceptions. So, stay tuned until the end!
Regarding the FAQs: If you have any more questions to ask, please drop them in the comments below. You can also share your comments or thoughts in the same section! We’d love to read them!
What are the Modalities in Astrology?
Let’s start with a little bit of theory.
The modalities (or quadruplicities) refer to the positions of the signs in the zodiac circle and thus to the seasonal cycle. There are three modalities, cardinal, fixed and mutable, and each one includes four signs. Although they seemingly group together four very different signs, in reality, they relate them to time and cyclicality. The similarity of the signs lies in their role in the natural progression of time.
Understanding the modalities provides deep insights into how each sign functions. For instance, knowing that a sign is cardinal helps explain its proactive and leadership qualities. Recognizing a fixed sign helps one appreciate its loyalty and steadfastness, while understanding a mutable sign reveals its adaptability and versatility.
Although this characteristic is not very well-known and is usually mentioned by professionals, understanding, knowing, and integrating the modality of a sign is one of the most important keys to comprehending how a sign will express its characteristics.
Cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn
Cardinal signs are the initiators of the zodiac. They mark the beginning of each season and are known for their dynamic energy and drive to start new projects.
Aries initiates spring with a burst of energy.
Cancer begins summer with nurturing warmth.
Libra starts autumn with a focus on balance and relationships.
Capricorn kicks off winter with a disciplined, goal-oriented approach.
Fixed signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius
Fixed signs are the stabilizers of the zodiac. They fall in the middle of each season and are known for their determination, reliability, and persistence.
Taurus embodies the solid growth of spring.
Leo radiates the unwavering heat of summer.
Scorpio delves into the depths of autumn.
Aquarius upholds the steady chill of winter with innovative ideas.
Mutable signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces
Mutable signs are the adapters of the zodiac. They mark the end of each season and are known for their flexibility, resourcefulness, and ability to embrace change.
Gemini adapts to the transition of spring to summer with intellectual curiosity.
Virgo prepares for the shift from summer to autumn with meticulous attention.
Sagittarius navigates the move from autumn to winter with a quest for new horizons.
Pisces eases the passage from winter to spring with empathetic intuition.
How signs express their Modality in their own way: Examples
Here arises a question: how is it possible that such different signs are part of the same modality? Well, it’s easy. Let’s explain this with a couple of examples.
For instance, consider Gemini and Virgo; they are part of the same modality despite being very different signs. Gemini is an air sign, while Virgo is an earth sign. Both share the importance of Mercury as their guiding planet, yet their expression of this planet is very different. However, they both belong to the same modality, the mutable signs. As mentioned, they both operate at the end of each season, preparing the ground for an upcoming transition. In completely different ways, they move in a common terrain and use their characteristics to facilitate inevitable change. Gemini does this through words, intellect, and the need to communicate, while Virgo uses their analytical skills and desire to understand mechanisms. What they have in common is their ability to adapt (through different means) to transitions. This characteristic is less evident in fixed signs, which prefer to build, nurture, and enjoy stability.
We can make a similar comparison with Leo and Taurus, both of which share the same modality, fixed signs. They are very different from each other: Taurus is governed by Venus and is an earth sign, while Leo is governed by the Sun and is a fire sign. One is stubborn and prefers comfort, while the other is driven towards creativity and self-expression. Yet they have something in common: because they share the same modality, they are both particularly steadfast in their ideas or positions and are both uncomfortable with changes they cannot control or predict.
These are only two examples demonstrating how it’s possible for such different signs to belong to the same modality. We could say the same about other pairs of signs, which are both distant and similar at the same time.
What each modality dislikes, sign by sign
By analyzing the main characteristics of the modalities, we have seen the tendencies of the signs. However, to better understand the core of this division, let’s look at what each sign dislikes doing specifically because of their modality.
Cardinal Signs:
- Aries: Dislikes waiting and delays. Prefers action over planning, and can get frustrated by indecisiveness.
- Cancer: Dislikes conflict and confrontations. Prefers peace and harmony, and can be uncomfortable with sudden changes.
- Libra: Dislikes making tough decisions, especially those that could upset others. Avoids disharmony and prefers to keep things balanced.
- Capricorn: Dislikes unpredictability and lack of structure. Prefers order and clear goals, and can be impatient with disorganization.
Fixed signs:
- Taurus: Dislikes sudden changes and disruptions to routine. Prefers stability and can resist adapting to new situations.
- Leo: Dislikes being ignored or undervalued. Prefers recognition and can struggle with situations where they are not in the spotlight.
- Scorpio: Dislikes superficial interactions and dishonesty. Prefers deep, meaningful connections and can be distrustful of insincerity.
- Aquarius: Dislikes restrictions and limitations on their freedom. Prefers independence and can rebel against conformity.
Mutable signs:
- Gemini: Dislikes monotony and routine. Prefers variety and can become restless with repetitive tasks.
- Virgo: Dislikes chaos and disorder. Prefers structure and can be uneasy with messiness or lack of control.
- Sagittarius: Dislikes confinement and being tied down. Prefers freedom and can become frustrated with limitations or responsibilities.
- Pisces: Dislikes harsh realities and conflicts. Prefers peace and can withdraw from situations that are too intense or confrontational.
Reflecting on diversity and unique expressions
There are some reflections we’d like to share for better contextualization.
The zodiac circle is a perfect synergistic system. Each sign is a natural succession of the previous one and a preview of what is to come – even Aries, which is the first sign, is also the follower of Pisces. The zodiac is a circle, not a finite line!
No astrological symbol exists in isolation; each symbol is related (either contrasting or complementary) to others. This applies to the houses, ruling planets, axes, elements, and, of course, modalities.
Even though many signs share characteristics, each of them expresses these traits differently, just as we are all unique in our own ways. Saturn, for example, is an important planet for Libra, Capricorn, and Aquarius, yet the quality of its dignity (exaltation, dominance, etc.) means that Saturn’s expression varies. In Libra, it is rigor in judgment; in Capricorn, it is resilience; and in Aquarius, it is determination.
The same principle naturally applies to the division of elements. There are three fire signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, just as there are three signs each of earth, air, and water. However, not all signs express the qualities of their element in the same way because they are extraordinarily different. The beauty of astrology is that it teaches us diversity as a value and uniqueness as a natural quality to nurture. Aries expresses its fire through impulse, Leo through giving, and Sagittarius through seeking knowledge. Similarly, not all Sagittarians will express their quest for knowledge in the same way because each will have characteristics that add shades to their natal chart.
Ultimately, our natal charts are unique, and it is said that the same birth chart might reappear only every 4,000 years! If you want to calculate your UNIQUE natal chart, you can use the uniquely designed free birth chart calculator from Born Under Saturn (us, eheh!). You may like the design or not, but what’s for sure is that it’s definitely original!
The interplay of Astrological axes and Modalities
Something a bit more advanced to specify is the relationship between astrological axes and modalities. For those familiar with these concepts, you’ll notice that each modality group contains four signs but only two axes due to the geometric nature of the zodiac.
Let’s take a step back for those who may not be familiar with axes. Astrological axes are fundamental lines that divide the astrological chart into six pairs of opposing houses, forming the framework for understanding an individual’s life and experiences. Each axis highlights the dynamic interplay between opposing forces, providing deeper insights into the balance and tension within a person’s astrological chart.
Practical examples of axes? Sure! One example is the Ascendant-Descendant axis, which is the 1st house – 7th house, represented by Aries and Libra respectively. This axis represents the self (Ascendant) and relationships (Descendant). The Ascendant indicates personality and outward appearance, while the Descendant signifies partnerships and interactions with others.
There are also other important axes:
- Imum Coeli-Midheaven (4th-10th houses, Cancer – Capricorn). This axis deals with the private (IC) and public (MC) spheres.
- 2nd-8th houses (Taurus – Scorpio). It explores personal resources and shared resources.
- 3rd-9th houses (Gemini – Sagittarius). This is about communication and knowledge.
- 5th-11th houses (Leo – Aquarius). This focuses on personal expression and collective involvement.
- 6th-12th houses (Virgo – Pisces). It addresses daily routines and the unseen realm.
With this understanding, you will notice that for each modality group, there are four signs but only two axes. Since one axis is the opposite of the other, these signs, even if “distant from each other,” are always in communication.
For example, the first-seventh axis, Aries-Libra, is part of the same modality. This reinforces the important idea that each sign contains characteristics of its opposite. Even though we tend to think of opposition as a symbol of irreconcilable differences, it is actually a potential for dialogue between two opposite parts that, when united, can create wholeness.
FAQs about Modality in Astrology
Since astrology is full of symbolic systems, it can be really difficult to try to put together all the similarities and differences. This is especially true for the modalities, which is a quality not always discussed and can be complex to understand. Here is a series of FAQs that we hope will be useful for better navigating the world of modalities.
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, feel free to drop more questions (or thoughts) in the comment section below. We’re happy to read you and answer.
1. What’s the difference between Modalities and elements?
In astrology, elements refer to the fundamental qualities of the signs:
- Fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius),
- Earth (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn),
- Air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius),
- Water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces).
These elements describe the core nature and energy of the signs, such as being fiery and passionate, grounded and practical, intellectual and communicative, or emotional and intuitive.
Modalities, on the other hand, describe how these energies are expressed and how signs interact with the world. The three modalities are Cardinal (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn), which initiate and lead; Fixed (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), which stabilize and sustain; and Mutable (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), which adapt and transform.
While elements define the essence of a sign, modalities explain the manner in which this essence is put into action.
2. Is there a better or worse Modality in Astrology?
Of course not. Nothing in astrology is inherently good or bad; it’s all about attributes and qualities. Certainly, there are personal preferences, as with everything, but modalities are qualities, like colors; they are not value judgments.
3. Is there a dominant Modality in a natal chart?
Absolutely, just as there is a dominant planet and element. To understand which modality dominates a natal chart, we can simply identify the most prevalent modality, that is, the signs that are most occupied by placements (in some cases, there might be a tie).
Naturally, this is the simplest calculation, but an astrology scholar will know that it’s often not just about mathematics but also the ability to give more or less importance to one value over another.
4. Can the right career be identified through the Modality of the Sun sign?
Yes and no. The Modality of our Sun (the sign where the Sun is) is certainly very important and generally defines key parts of our character. However, the best way to understand career and work tendencies is to observe which sign the sixth and tenth houses fall into (and of course, if and which planets they host). The modality of that sign will obviously help in understanding the symbol better.
Feel free to drop more questions in the comment section below.
Further reading on Astrology Basics
Do you want to learn how to read a birth chart? Or can you read one but don’t feel 100% confident? Here is your PDF step-by-step guide on how to read a birth chart.
Are you sure you don’t have any misconceptions about astrology? Here are 9 common astrology mistakes many beginners make.
You know the importance of the Moon in the birth chart but want to discover more? Continue reading about having a weak or strong Moon in a birth chart.
