Zodiac Sign Modalities & Elements
One of the main ways I structure and understand astrology is the modalities. Modalities are groupings of signs broken down into three groups: Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable. Each modality group is associated with particular traits and has a representative from each of the four-element categories: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water.
Fire: (Spirit/Passion) | Earth: (Body/Sensation) | Air: (Mind/Thinking) | Water :(Heart/Emotions) | |
Cardinal: Initiating Leading Assertive | Aries | Capricorn | Libra | Cancer |
Fixed: Determined Willful Persuasive | Leo | Taurus | Aquarius | Scorpio |
Mutable: Adaptable Flexible Imaginative | Sagittarius | Virgo | Gemini | Pisces |
Zodiac signs in the same modality tend to have interesting dynamics with each other as they each are operating with similar traits but through very different means based on their element. This often draws signs of the same modality together into unique and meaningful relationships.
For example, take a Scorpio and an Aquarius. Scorpio is fixed water and Aquarius is fixed air. They both tend to approach life with the fixed modality traits of tenacity, focus, and precision; however, the way they go about their experiences will be different. Scorpio will tend to harness the power of their emotional (water) cunning to achieve their ends while Aquarius will use their decisive minds (air).
When it comes to relationship compatibility signs opposite each other are in the same modality while having complementary elements: Earth-Water and Fire-Air. These signs tend to have an easier time finding common ground while zodiac signs in a different modality and element, such as Capricorn and Gemini, tend to have to make greater strides in order to understand each other.
Knowing how the different signs relate to each other can be a good lesson for learning about ourselves as we often have many dissimilar placements in our own charts. So learning to appreciate the variety of approaches, moods, and perspectives can be very useful in cultivating consideration and graciousness for ourselves and others.
There is much information that can be drawn from looking at the dominant or not-so-dominant elements and modalities found in our natal charts. Taking these tendencies into account is one of the main ways I determine how to approach chart synthesis.
Zodiac Signs – Keywords
Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo |
Initiating Headstrong Bold Brave Impulsive Assertive Energetic | Indulgent Sweet Earthy Sensuous Dependable Peaceful Persistent | Cerebral Heady Analytical Performing Curious Spontaneous Witty | Sensitive Comforting Imaginative Concerned Nurturing Emotional Secretive | Commanding Creative Passionate Courageous Playful Heartfelt Generous | Deliberate Dedicated Specific Thorough Analytical Discerning Helpful |
Libra | Scorpio | Sagittarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces |
Harmonizing Social Refined Tempered Charming Diplomatic Artistic | Deep Soulful Powerful Intense Mysterious Moody Investigative | Seeking Expanding Direct Expressive Intellectual Adventurous Optimistic | Introspective Reserved Driven Resourceful Disciplined Sincere Principled | Visionary Structured Innovative Eccentric Independent Restless Aloof | Whimsical Compassionate Unifying Escapist Sensitive Impressionable Idealistic |
Planets – Keywords
The planets in astrology are the characters and characteristics that populate existence. They represent different parts of life, identity, personality, and experiences.
Moon☽ | Sun ☉ | Mercury ☿ | Venus ♀︎ | Mars ♂︎ | Saturn ♄ |
Mood Feelings Emotions Sensations Nurturing Illumination Subtly Psychic Mystery | Identity Expression Self Spirit Ego Personality Vitality Consciousness Purpose | Mind Learning Speaking Listening Writing Language Words Student Teacher | Attraction Likes/Dislikes Receptivity Sweetness Aesthetics Beauty The sublime Affection Love Social Relating | Drive Libido Sex Impulse Passion Desire Anger Resentment Vitality Heat Blood Iron | Structured Disciplined Achieving Protective Boundaries Obstacles Restrictions Commitments Teacher |
Jupiter ♃ | Neptune ♆ | Uranus ♅ | Pluto ♇ | North Node ☊ | South Node ☋ |
Belief Big patterns Leadership Spirituality Philosophy Expansion Celebration Joviality Abundance Growth Wealth Luck Authority | Glamour Delusion Illusion Artistry Photography Dreams Mystery Mysticism Spirituality Psychic Inspiration Longing Oceans | Unexpected Mind Memory Eccentric Genius Trauma Cell memory Lightning Sudden change Explosion Individuality | Evolutionary Slow change Transforming Changing Shifting Implosion Shadow Power Control Compulsion Obsession | Soul patterns Healing Pathwork Soul’s journey Revelations Life path Direction Spiritual wounds Shadows A key | Soul patterns Thought loops Repeating Dark night of the soul The past Family ties Innate gifts Spiritual wounds Shadows Past lives |
The Houses – Key Meanings
The houses in astrology are the areas of life where events play out. They represent the setting, location, and place both physical and non-physical.
1st House | 2nd House | 3rd House | 4th House | 5th House | 6th House |
Self-Expression Style Appearance External Leading | Resources Values Money Belongings Work The body | Local community Learning environments Friends Relatives | Home Family Origins Inner-self Roots Ancestry | Kids Performance Dating Creativity Inner-child Pleasure Procreation | Routines Schedules Health Wellness Colleagues Self-care Workplace |
7th House | 8th House | 9th House | 10th House | 11th House | 12th House |
Mirroring Relationships Business Partners Contracts Long term partnership | Shared resources Transformation Death Endings Differentiating Secrets | Authorities Social norms Travel Philosophy Spirituality Higher Ed Expansion Government University Religious places | Legacy Public image Career Life’s work or interests What you are known for Social Media | Political views Group participation Hopes Dreams Wishes Friend | Altered states Meditation Deep mind Endings Merging Mental health Union |
How I prepare for a reading: My process of channeling the chart
Here is my approach to chart preparation for a reading. I start by calculating the chart then making a note of the placements listed below. I then clear my mind and let the spirits I work with commune with me while I stream of consciousness write about the chart. This along with the knowledge of my studies over the years allows for a flow and direction to emerge from the chart analysis. I trust that what needs to be brought to the surface will come forward and any important information gets covered. I then like to add in some lists of keywords, archetypes, and other correspondences that align with the birth chart for additional information that I can bring into the reading space.
- Rising sign’s ruling planet’s house and sign
- Modality and element of the Sun and Moon signs
- North and south node’s by house and sign
- North and south node’s ruling planets by house, sign, and aspects
- Pluto generation, house, and aspects
- Major aspect patterns
- And sometimes Chiron placement
This method ensures that each reading will touch upon the planets that are most prominent and important at the time of the reading. I typically use the Whole Sign house system but every once in a while I use the Porphyry house system if it feels right. I also use very wide orbs; sometimes using the traditional astrology method of whole sign aspects. The main way I approach a chart is through intuition supported by technique.
Astrology Book Recs
Finding Our Way Through the Dark: the Astrology Of the Dark Goddess Mysteries Demetra George – Acs Publications – 1995
Healing the Soul: Pluto, Uranus, and the Lunar Nodes Mark Jones – Raven Dreams Press – 2011
Asteroid Goddesses: the Mythology, Psychology and Astrology Of the Re-emerging Feminine Demetra George-Douglas Bloch – Ibis Press – 2003
Astrological Houses; The Spectrum of Individual Experience Dane Rudhyar – Doubleday and Co. – 1972
The Soul Speaks: the Therapeutic Potential Of Astrology Mark Jones – Raven Dreams Press – 2015
Astrology for the Soul Jan Spiller – Bantam Dell – 1997/2008
The Astrological Neptune and the Quest For Redemption Liz Greene – Samuel Weiser – 2000
Chiron and the Healing Journey: an Astrological and Psychological Perspective Melanie Reinhart – Starwalker Press – 2010
The knot of time: astrology and the female experience Lindsay River-Sally Gillespie – Harper & Row – 1989
The collected works of CG Jung
The Astrology Of Fate: Fate, Freedom and Your Horoscope Liz Greene – Thorsons – 1997
Pluto: The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul, Volume 1 Jeff Green
