The modalities repeat themselves in order around the zodiac circle, beginning with Aries as the first Cardinal sign. For example, Aries is the only Cardinal Fire sign. The other Fire signs, Leo and Sagittarius, are Fixed and Mutable, respectively.
Modality is just one tool to interpret someone’s birth chart with. A sign’s element and planet placements also factor into a person’s overall traits. Understanding how modality impacts each zodiac sign is important to learning astrology.
Those born under Cardinal signs have great planning skills and little trouble getting others to rally around them. Cardinal signs, like all signs, have strengths and weaknesses. They may struggle to slow down, appreciate the present, and enjoy themselves.
Aries (March 21–April 19): Fire sign and first sign of spring Cancer (June 22–July 22): Water sign and first sign of summer Libra (September 22–October 23): Air sign and first sign of fall Capricorn (December 22–January 19): Earth sign and first sign of winter
Fixed sign folks often make dedicated friends and partners for life, no matter the circumstances. Fixed signs have more endurance to see things through and persevere through adversity than Cardinal or Mutable signs.
Taurus (April 20–May 20): Earth sign and middle sign of spring Leo (July 23–August 22): Fire sign and middle sign of summer Scorpio (October 23–November 21): Water sign and middle sign of fall Aquarius (January 20–February 18): Air sign and middle sign of winter
Mutable signs aren’t associated with “the end” of something so much as the transition or transformation of one thing into another. People born under Mutable signs are said to have the ability to sense new things before they arrive.
Gemini (May 21–June 21): Air sign and last sign of spring Virgo (August 23–September 22): Earth sign and last sign of summer Sagittarius (November 22–December 21): Fire sign and last sign of fall Pisces (February 19–March 20): Water sign and last sign of winter
Libra (Cardinal) is more assertive than the other Air signs. They communicate more clearly and directly and have confidence in their ideas. Aquarius (Fixed) is more rigid than Libra or Gemini. They believe their ideas are the correct ones and have more niche, specific hobbies and interests. Gemini (Mutable) has a reputation for being the “flaky” Air sign. Their modality accents their indecision and varied interests.
Opposite signs are 180-degrees away from each other on the zodiac wheel and share related elements—Air is opposite Fire, and Water is opposite Earth. The shared modality and compatible elements helps opposite signs build mutual understanding.
