The Three Modalities

There are 3 "modes", or "modalities" in astrology. The three modalities are Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable. Modalities have to do with the way a sign operates (their modus operandi). There are four signs which operate in each mode. Each mode has one sign from each of the elements.

Cardinal mode: Cardinal signs initiate action. You can count on them to be always starting something! The cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.

Fixed mode: Fixed signs stabilize and secure whatever was initiated by the Cardinal signs. The fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.

Mutable mode: Mutable signs adapt what was initiated by the Cardinal signs and stabilized by the Fixed signs. They change these energies, then disperse them to the world. The mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.