Modalities of the Signs

Each zodiac sign is categorized into one of three modality groups: cardinal, fixed, or mutable. These modes can tell you how each sign handles conflict, takes actions, and how they just move about in their lives. Each sign is different, of course, but signs that share a modality have certain characteristics that can help us understand the stars, and ourselves, a bit better.

Each modality consists of four signs with each sign being a different element. A cardinal sign will never come right after or before another cardinal sign. The modalities take their turns and create an alternating cycle. Each one comes up 4 times a year, having one happen during every season.

I have listed each sign and modality in order, starting with Aries, and listed them according to their placement in the zodiac cycle along with their elements.

Cardinal Signs

1. Aries - fire

4. Cancer - water

7. Libra - air

10. Capricorn - earth

Cardinal probably makes you think of the bird, bright red and hard to miss. It’s a good way to describe the cardinal signs. They tend to be the bold initiators of change, just in different ways.

Aries (the ram) likes to act quickly and face the situation head on

Cancer (known as the mother of the zodiac) takes action by being protective and nurturing

Libra (the scales of justice) prefers to strategize and take action in a diplomatic way

Capricorn (known as the father of the zodiac) knows how to utilize and provide the right resources.

These signs don’t sit back and wait for things to happen, these movers and shakers blaze the way forward. They do, however, also need to be careful of being impulsive or trying to reinvent the wheel.

Fixed Signs

2. Taurus - Earth

5. Leo - Fire

8. Scorpio - Water

11. Aquarius - Air

The fixed signs are exactly what they sound like: fixed, strong, and stable. They hold down the fort while the storm blows through. These signs are extremely loyal and stick to their guns.

Taurus (the bull) prefers to sit still and strong, soaking up the earthly pleasures of life

Leo (ruled by the Sun) shines bright and forever like a lighthouse in a storm

Scorpio (the scorpion) is intense and elusive, protecting its secrets under thick, unmoving layers of ice.

Aquarius (the water bearer) is the consistent flow of energy and progression, the stable wind that keeps the stream moving

These signs are unwavering, stoic, and will stick to their morals through anything. While stability is a great thing, fixed signs need to watch for being too stubborn.

Mutable Signs

3. Gemini - Air

6. Virgo - Earth

9. Sagittarius - Fire

12. Pisces - Water

Mutable signs are basically chameleons. They can adapt to fit any situation and are very resilient to changing circumstances. They know to observe the moving environment around them and make changes accordingly.

Gemini (the twins) can be one thing and the complete opposite at the same time

Virgo (the maiden) is neat and precise. No detail gets overlooked. Their extreme perception makes them great at being proactive and taking control of problems.

Sagittarius (the archer) is often described as a wildfire. They can take the fire within them and use it to drive several different aspects of their life.

Pisces (the fish) reminds me of a mermaid. They can dive to the deepest depths of their inner world and navigate it with no issues while still being connected to the outer world.

These signs excel at responding to change but need to be aware of being fickle or restless when faced with a situation that requires them to stay still and trust the process.