Astrology - Elements and Modalities

Astrological Elements

There are 4 elements in astrology.

They are:

Astrological Modalities

There are 3 modalities in astrology, which are also known as 'modes' (short for 'mode of behaviour') and as 'qualities'.

Each sign of the zodiac is associated with ONE of the elements.

Each sign of the zodiac is associated with ONE of the modalities.

The following table shows the unique combination of elements and modalities associated with each of the 12 sunsigns (i.e. astrological signs of the zodiac). The table further down the page explains the characteristics associated with each sun sign as a result of the influences of its particular combination of element and modality.

	Cardinal Signs of the zodiac	Fixed Signs of the zodiac	Mutable Signs of the zodiac

Earth Signs	Capricorn	Taurus	Virgo

Air Signs	Libra	Aquarius	Gemini

Fire	Aries	Leo	Sagittarius

Water Signs	Cancer	Scorpio	Pisces

	Cardinal Signs	Fixed Signs	Mutable Signs

Earth Signs	Capricorn	Taurus	Virgo

Air Signs	Libra	Aquarius	Gemini

Fire Signs	Aries	Leo	Sagittarius

Water Signs	Cancer	Scorpio	Pisces

Above: Table (1) - Astrological elements and modalities associated with each sign of the zodiac

The table above shows the names and symbols of the 12 star signs for ease of finding any particular star sign, then noticing its element and modality from its position (row and column) in the table.

A more powerful use of such a table to learn about the signs of the zodiac includes the main characteristics associated with each element and modality and how they combine to suggest some of the main characteristics of the corresponding sun sign:

3 astrology modalities

4 astrology elements

Cardinal Signs of the zodiac

action, vitality
initiative

Fixed Signs of the zodiac

considerable willpower
resistance to change

Mutable Signs of the zodiac

adaptability
versatility

Earth Signs

Conservative / Cautious
Grounded
Hard-working
Logical
Reliable
Follow rules & regulations

Capricorn

Due to its element:

conservative / cautious, grounded, hard-working, logical, reliable, respect for regulations

Due to its modality:

active, purposeful, likely to take the initiative, impatient, overactive

This crude way to consider star signs is just a way to get started. Read more about the astrological sign of capricorn.

Taurus

Due to its element:

conservative / cautious, grounded, hard-working, logical, reliable, respect for regulations

Due to its modality:

considerable willpower, yet resistant to change

This crude way to consider star signs is just a way to get started. Read more about the astrological sign of taurus.

Virgo

Due to its element:

conservative / cautious, grounded, hard-working, logical, reliable, respect for regulations

Due to its modality:

adaptable, flexible in nature, able to connect, unfocused, restless

This crude way to consider star signs is just a way to get started. Read more about the astrological sign of virgo.

Air Signs

Aloof
Analytical
Communicative
Cooperative
Curious
Intellectual
Sociable

Libra

Due to its element:

aloof, analytical, highly communicative, cooperative, curious, intellectual, sociable

Due to its modality:

active, purposeful, likely to take the initiative, impatient, overactive

This crude way to consider star signs is just a way to get started. Read more about the astrological sign of libra.

Aquarius

Due to its element:

aloof, analytical, highly communicative, cooperative, curious, intellectual, sociable

Due to its modality:

considerable willpower, yet resistant to change

This crude way to consider star signs is just a way to get started. Read more about the astrological sign of aquarius.

Gemini

Due to its element:

aloof, analytical, highly communicative, cooperative, curious, intellectual, sociable

Due to its modality:

adaptable, flexible in nature, able to connect, unfocused, restless

This crude way to consider star signs is just a way to get started. Read more about the astrological sign of gemini.

Fire

Dramatic
Enthusiastic
Inspired
Outgoing
Passionate
Self-focussed
Self-sufficient
Spontaneous
Visionary

Aries

Due to its element:

dramatic, enthusiastic, inspired, outgoing, passionate, self-focussed, self-sufficient, spontaneous, visionary

Due to its modality:

active, purposeful, likely to take the initiative, impatient, overactive

This crude way to consider star signs is just a way to get started. Read more about the astrological sign of aries.

Leo

Due to its element:

dramatic, enthusiastic, inspired, outgoing, passionate, self-focussed, self-sufficient, spontaneous, visionary

Due to its modality:

considerable willpower, yet resistant to change

This crude way to consider star signs is just a way to get started. Read more about the astrological sign of leo.

Sagittarius

Due to its element:

dramatic, enthusiastic, inspired, outgoing, passionate, self-focussed, self-sufficient, spontaneous, visionary

Due to its modality:

adaptable, flexible in nature, able to connect, unfocused, restless

This crude way to consider star signs is just a way to get started. Read more about the astrological sign of sagittarius.

Water Signs

Artistic
Emotional
Sentimental
Indecisive
Non-verbal communication

Cancer

Due to its element:

artistic, emotional, sentimental, indecisive, non-verbal communication

Due to its modality:

active, purposeful, likely to take the initiative, impatient, overactive

This crude way to consider star signs is just a way to get started. Read more about the astrological sign of cancer.

Scorpio

Due to its element:

artistic, emotional, sentimental, indecisive, non-verbal communication

Due to its modality:

considerable willpower, yet resistant to change

This crude way to consider star signs is just a way to get started. Read more about the astrological sign of scorpio.

Pisces

Due to its element:

artistic, emotional, sentimental, indecisive, non-verbal communication

Due to its modality:

adaptable, flexible in nature, able to connect, unfocused, restless

This crude way to consider star signs is just a way to get started. Read more about the astrological sign of pisces.

	Cardinal Signs action, vitality initiative	Fixed Signs considerable willpower resistance to change	Mutable Signs adaptability versatility

Earth Signs Conservative / Cautious Grounded Hard-working Logical Reliable Follow rules & regulations	Capricorn	Taurus	Virgo

Air Signs Aloof Analytical Communicative Cooperative Curious Intellectual Sociable	Libra	Aquarius	Gemini

Fire Dramatic Enthusiastic Inspired Outgoing Passionate Self-focussed Self-sufficient Spontaneous Visionary	Aries	Leo	Sagittarius

Water Signs Artistic Emotional Sentimental Indecisive Non-verbal communication	Cancer	Scorpio	Pisces