Learn Astrology: Elements, Modes and Polarities
What Are Elements, Modalities and Polarities?
The Zodiac is divided in a systematic way that divides the signs into three different general categories. The Elements are the traditional Fire/Earth/Air/Water. These are sometimes referenced to as the quadruplicities.
Then each sign is also assigned a Mode or Modality. The three Modalities are Cardinal/Fixed/Mutable and sometimes are referred to as the triplicities.
Finally, the Polarities classify each sign as either Masculine or Active or Yang (interchangeable terms) or Feminine or Passive or Yin.
Note that the zodiac is organized systematically, with the three modalities repeating in the same order -- Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable. Likewise, the elements also repeat in the same configuration -- Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. Same with the Polarities – Active, Passive.
What are Elements?
The Elements tell us a lot about the energy of each sign. Fire is more active, energetic and reactive. Earth is more stable, grounded and slow. Air is very mental and active. Water is very emotional and changeable.
Fire signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Air signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
What are Modalities?
The Modes indicate the function of the Zodiacal sign. Cardinal signs are initiators; it is the energy of beginnings, births and the start of new things. Fixed signs are sustainers; it is the energy of maintenance, endurance and consistency. Mutable signs are changeable; it is the energy of adaptation, fluctuation, change and shifting.
The Cardinal signs -- Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn -- are the initiators of the zodiac. These natural leaders get the party started, instigating new projects and pioneering uncharted territory. They tend to enjoy shaking up the status quo and acting independently. They are the first signs of each quadrant of the classic zodiac, though that might not be the case for your particular natal chart.
The Fixed signs -- Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius -- maintain, stabilize, and complete what the Cardinal signs started. People with a strong Fixed influence have a talent for creating sustainable structures and tend to be practical, persistent, stubborn, and slow to change. They are classically the second sign in each quadrant.
The Mutable signs -- Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces -- are the change agents and communicators. They transform what may have become overly Fixed and extend what has been created out into the world. Mutable types are versatile, flexible, adaptable, and resourceful. They are classically the final sign in each quadrant.
Aries the Ram (March 21 - April 19): Cardinal Fire
Taurus the Bull (April 20 - May 20): Fixed Earth
Gemini the Twins (May 21 - June 20): Mutable Air
Cancer the Crab (June 21 - July 22): Cardinal Water
Leo the Lion (July 23 - August 22): Fixed Fire
Virgo the Virgin (August 23 - September 22): Mutable Earth
Libra the Scales (September 23 - October 22): Cardinal Air
Scorpio the Scorpion (October 23 - November 21): Fixed Water
Sagittarius the Archer (November 22 - December 21): Mutable Fire
Capricorn the Mountain Goat (December 22 - January 19): Cardinal Earth
Aquarius the Water-Bearer (January 20 - February 18): Fixed Air
Pisces the Fish (February 19 - March 20): Mutable Water
The Polarities
This divides the Zodiac is divided into two groups. The traditional terms are Masculine and Feminine, or I prefer, Yin and Yang. You can also use the terms Outer and Inner or Active and Passive. These characteristics alternate from one sign to the next in Zodiacal order.
Active signs tend to a more extroverted and expansive expression of their energy versus passive signs which are more internalized or introverted.
Aries/active
Taurus/passive
Gemini/active
Cancer/passive
Leo/active
Virgo/passive
Libra/active
Scorpio/passive
Sagittarius/active
Capricorn/passive
Aquarius/active
Pisces/passive
By understanding what signs in your chart are passive/yin/feminine you can understand in a deeper way how the energy works. For example, Capricorn being “passive” might not make any sense until you consider that it projects its energy inward, ie discipline and internal drive. Whereas an Aquarius being “active” means that it’s energy tends to be directed to collective works and therefore a more “outer” expression.
It can be extremely helpful to understand the dominance of any of the elements, modes or polarities in your natal chart. Most astrological software can create a listing for you so that you can better understand your tendencies.
For example, if you have a lot of fire in your chart, that will need to be managed in positive ways. You might have a bit of a temper, or tend to act first and think later. If you have a lot of cardinal energy in your chart, then you like to start things. But you might lose patience and not finish projects. If you have a lot of passive energy in your chart people might read you as being more passive in general.
The journey of understanding astrology really is the journey of understanding yourself. The more you can understand the way your spiritual created your soul, the more you can use the energy with wisdom and grace and not constantly be in a state of conflict with yourself.
Want to learn more? Schedule a reading. It really does help.
Blessings,
Jill
