The Modalities

Learn about the Modes in Astrology

Discover the 3 Modalities (Modes)

Cardinal signs are the spark of new beginnings— they set things in motion and initiate change. This is the energy of innovation, action, and fresh starts.

Cardinal•Fixed•Mutable

Think of the Seasons... 🌱🌻🍂❄️

Each season has a beginning, middle, and end—and so do the zodiac signs! These are called the Modalities or Modes.

Cardinal = Beginning
The fresh start of each season:
Spring (Aries), Summer (Cancer), Fall (Libra), Winter (Capricorn)
Fixed = Middle
The steady heart of the season:
Spring (Taurus), Summer (Leo), Fall (Scorpio), Winter (Aquarius)
Mutable = Transition
The shifting end of each season:
Spring (Gemini), Summer (Virgo), Fall (Sagittarius), Winter (Pisces)

CARDINAL

Fixed signs are dedicated to the task and dependable. They are the ones who hold strong, keep things steady and stable with determination and endurance.

Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn

Initiators, Assertive, Leadership

Stable, Reliable, Perseverance

Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius

FIXED

Mutable signs bring movement and transition. They know how to shift, adjust and adapt to change.

Flexible, Changeable, Adaptable

MUTABLE

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces

Watch the Video

Each Element expresses itself through all three Modes, forming the twelve zodiac signs.

The Modes reveal how an Element behaves depending on its phase in the cycle—initiating at the beginning (Cardinal), stabilizing in the middle (Fixed), or adapting at the end (Mutable).

Together, they show the rhythm and style behind each sign’s energy.