modalities in astrology
the 12 signs are divided into 3 groups of four. each group is assigned a modality. learning about the modalities can help get a better grasp of the traits of the signs individually. these groups are called quadruplicities, because there are 4 signs in each group.
the order the signs are listed in is not accidental! the zodiac starts in aries and ends in pisces. the signs are listed in order by their modality as well! isn’t that cool how everything just lines up? makes it so much easier to memorize. below, the signs are grouped with their modality so it’s not technically in order. the 12 sign order goes: aries, taurus, gemini, cancer, leo, virgo, libra, scorpio, sagittarius, capricorn, aquarius, and pisces. notice how it goes in modality order.
modalities are styles in which the elements can express themselves through. the elements coincide with the four seasons, and each season has a beginning, a middle, and an end. the modalities are that beginning, middle, and end.Â
CARDINAL: aries - cancer - libra - capricorn
the beginningÂ
cardinal signs bring forth power, action, and initiation. these modalities represent the start of the different seasons. aries initiates spring, cancer begins summer, libra takes us into fall, and capricorn starts our winter. cardinal signs are enterprising. since they usher us into each season, they bring a call to action. they want to get things started and get ideas off the ground. cardinal signs can be independent and won’t answer to anyone in pursuit of their goals. they give a certain push.Â
FIXED: taurus - leo - scorpio - aquariusÂ
the middle
the fixed signs bring stability, strength, and focus. these modalities represent the middle of the season, where the power of that season is in full force. taurus keeps things beautiful while spring is in full bloom, leo is a powerful force that comes around when the sun is the strongest in the year during summer, scorpio transforms the landscape as the leaves turn and fall from the trees in autumn, and aquarius remains strong as snow piles up on the hills in the dead of winter. fixed signs are the pillars of the zodiac, they have the power to sustain. their focus allows them to create new ideas and form new pathways. fixed signs are taken seriously.Â
MUTABLE: gemini - virgo - sagittarius - pisces
the end?
the mutable signs bring flexibility, adaptability, and continuity. these modalities represent the transitions between seasons. gemini is the excitement you feel as spring turns into summer and classes let out, virgo brings the start of the fall semester a sense of organization as summer turns into fall, sagittarius is the increasing optimism you feel when the holidays approach as autumn turns into winter, and pisces thaws the snow as the animals come back out to birth new life when winter turns back into spring. mutable signs are able to adapt and change to suit new situations, just as we have to adapt to the new seasons as they appear. they go with the flow and tackle whatever comes their way. mutable signs are able to adjust.Â
