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