TL;DR What's a cardinal sign, and what does cardinal mean in astrology? Each of our zodiac signs fall into categories and knowing what those are will help us understand more about ourselves, and who we are most compatible with. The first group is known as the cardinal signs, whose solar seasons coincide with the start of the four seasons of the year . The second group is the fixed signs, whose solar seasons occur midway through their respective seasons . And the third is the mutable signs and they come at the end of spring, summer, fall, and winter .
The three modalities are similar to a sign's ruling planet or element in the sense that they give us a better understanding of its behavior. These three modalities of the zodiac sign are based on how we function and express ourselves in this world. Based on the qualities of each zodiac sign, these three modalities have four zodiac signs in each group including one sign each from fire, earth, air and water element. These are the signs that end the four seasons and are more flexible and comfortable with changes in life when compared to other zodiac signs. Just like cardinal signs are the starters, the fixed signs are the doers, the mutable signs can be rightly called the finished of the lot. If you want to spot a zodiac sign based on their modality, there are a few basic qualities to look out for.
"Cardinal signs are always moving onto the next project, fixed signs are usually stuck in completing projects, and mutable signs can be uncommitted as a result of their relationship to the modalities," Stardust says. Mutable sign Sagittarius, on the other hand, is more go-with-the-flow. When it comes to modality combinations, one isn't necessarily easier than the other – there are pros and cons for each. Being so focused and ambitious cardinal signs may find mutable signs are too easy-going and lacking in direction. Mutable signs on the other hand will view cardinal signs as being too are bossy and, at times, full of bravado. Cardinal and fixed signs are likely to lock horns over change.
However, once cardinal back offs and makes fixed feel needed their vision and stamina will complement each other perfectly. Cardinal signs get things started while fixed signs follow through on the plans — then finally, the mutable signs of the zodiac swoop in to complete things and help us embrace life's inevitable changes. "Mutable signs represent the end of each season and the finality of a project or task at hand," Stardust says. "They are flexible due to their understanding of change." Things don't always go according to plan, but mutable signs can handle the unexpected shifts. Their changeability and adaptability shines when faced with endings, challenges, or shifts, as they can gracefully change course and go with the flow. This can sometimes make them a little whimsical or hard to pin down, but mutable signs have the power to roll with just about any situation.
The three modalities in astrology are cardinal signs, fixed signs, and mutable signs. These classifications represent the unique ways each group of signs expresses their energy, reacts to different circumstances, and operates in the world as they move through life. "The modalities are another way to break down signs and elements," astrologer Lisa Stardust tells Bustle. "They represent the sign and element's ability to move and evolve with time." They describe the mode in which these signs do things and the general methods they use in their approach.
Lesley Hale, an astrologer for Keen.com, says the signs are divided into three different timeframes, with mutables being last. Each represents a certain stage of development and corresponds with the four seasons. In the simplest terms, cardinal signs start each season, mutable signs end every season, and fixed signs are smack dab in the middle of the season, Hale explains. Specifically, however, the modalities can shed light on how we deal with matters of control and conflict. For example, cardinal signs are natural leaders who feel comfortable taking charge and formulating long-term, overarching plans. The fixed signs, on the other hand, are much happier when they already have a plan laid out for them that they can then execute — but heaven help them if someone makes any last-minute tweaks.
Meanwhile, the mutable signs are highly adaptable and can usually roll with changes as they come. When it comes to astrological compatibility with other signs, the four cardinal signs tend to relate best to mutable signs – the four mutable signs being Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. With the four fixed signs , it's a definite clash of progress versus restraint, and of change versus status quo. If you've fallen down the astrology rabbit hole, you likely already know there's a lot more to reading your horoscope than just understanding your zodiac sign. While your zodiac sign (or sun sign, as it's also called), is known in astrology as the main identifier of your personality, preferences, and behaviors, there are plenty of things that impact how it presents itself.
For instance, your birth chart, or the position of the stars and the planets in the sky the moment you were born, has an effect on how you relate to the traits of your zodiac sign. The fixed signs of the zodiac always have their eyes on the prize. These signs are able to capitalize on the cardinal signs' ideas and make them reality by following through on the plans.
"Fixed signs are the 'doers' of the zodiac," explains Stardust. This can make them quite stubborn sometimes, but their hardworking nature outshines that. The four cardinal signs of the zodiac are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. These dynamic individuals all take the initiative in life – these are go-getters, action orientated people, people who will take a leap of faith and just do something instead of wondering about it or planning it. Mutable signs are guided by either Mercury or Jupiter, which gives these signs a predilection toward higher education and travel.
Because they're so chill, they tend to get along with most other signs. When it comes to relationships, though, fixed signs might have difficulties with mutable signs' need for movement. Cardinal signs, on the other hand, may take advantage of mutable signs' go-with-the-flow nature, so being mindful of these potential pitfalls can help build stronger connections. If cardinal or fixed signs are willing to bend a bit, they can learn a lot from mutable signs.
The same elements usually have an easier time of it simply because there's an intrinsic understanding of each other. Air sign family members often share a quirky sense of humour, upbeat temperament and curiosity. A Gemini parent will relish answering the probing questions of an Aquarian child and fostering their inquisitive mind while there's bound to be plenty of laughter, mischief and chatter between parents and amid siblings. The environment between two grounded earth signs is also relatively effortless. A Capricorn parent and Taurus child will revel in each other's company without the need for too much verbal communication, and there's likely to be less squabbling among earth siblings. When it comes to water signs or fire signs though emotions tend to run high.
While there's a tacit understanding between them and the wonderful ability to intuit each other's needs water signs are prone to sulky stand-offs. A Scorpio might become annoyed by Pisces' heightened sensitivity; Pisces may find Cancer to be overbearing while Cancer will battle with a Scorpio's intensity and lack of communication. On a good day life is one big adventure for passionate, enthusiastic and big-hearted fire signs.
However, when an opinionated Sagittarius, straightforward Aries or feisty Leo disagree there's likely to be pyrotechnics, and not the New Year's Eve variety. As long as there is compromise and an effort to avoid bad behavioural patterns the pros usually outweigh the cons. Cardinal signs get things started while fixed signs follow through on the plans — then finally, the mutable signs of the zodiac swoop in to complete things and help us embrace life's inevitable changes.
Each quality is linked to a particular point in the season. The cardinal signs initiate the season, fixed signs hold it in continuation, and the mutable signs wrap things up, and prepare for the seasonal change ahead. Astrological modality is another of the categories the signs fall into and this one groups signs into a category of shared energetic qualities and mannerisms. While each sign is distinct from the next sign, in astrology, cardinal signs all share the same cardinal qualities of having a lot of get up and go, for example.
Below, each modality is defined and each of their signs are described in more detail. And btw, that's why "cusp signs," a.k.a. zodiac signs that straddlele two different signs, don't really exist. "Technically, a planet cannot be stationed in two signs at once," explains astrologer Sanasjia Clervoix. If you feel that you better embody the signs before or even after your sun sign, try getting your full birth chart read to understand where else these energies might exist in your chart, Clervoix suggests.
While reading your horoscope every day is a great way to prepare for potential pitfalls and identify opportunities, astrology is a lot more than just daily predictions. Everything from your birthplace and time to the inborn qualities your sign possesses can affect your karmic journey. And, you might not know that the 12 zodiac signs are broken down into three categories — cardinal, fixed, and mutable — with each category having its own unique set of characteristics. Generally speaking, fire signs are passionate and exuberant, earth signs are practical and grounded, air signs are intellectual and curious, and water signs are intuitive and emotional. Cardinal signs, which include Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, kick off new seasons.
Cardinal signs start things, fixed signs turn those ideas into solid plans, and mutable signs complete the endeavor. "Mutable signs are the end of the season and represent the finality of a project or task at hand," shares Stardust with Bustle. On the one hand, this was a deeply alarming message to receive, especially in an unrelenting block of bold neon text and screaming caps. The 12 zodiac signs are divided into four elements — water, fire, air, and earth — and nearly all of this friend's loved ones, including myself, aren't earth signs at all. They were announcing, under the guise of astrology, that they were cutting out almost everyone who cared about them. The meaning of cardinal signs may be all about action and the meaning of mutable all about flexibility, but cardinal signs need to be mindful not to steamroll over mutable signs.
If mutable signs can be a bit assertive instead of saying "I don't care, you choose" every time, cardinal signs will take notice, and respectfully not cross mutable signs boundaries. Sometimes, mutable sign people love a good leader in a cardinal sign individual and are more than happy to follow. Almost in direct opposition to the fixed signs, mutable signs thrive off change, chance, and chaos, making them the life of the party, says SirCheo. "They are down for just about anything and are willing to try anything at least once," he says. Fixed zodiac signs may not be as good at taking charge as cardinal signs, or as go-with-the-flow as mutable signs, but when it comes to love and dating, they are undoubtedly dedicated and loyal partners. A fixed Scorpio, meanwhile, will be frustrated by a Gemini's inability to commit or a Piscean's lack of endurance.
However, a fixed sign can provide a mutable sign with a stable point of reference so they don't get too carried away while mutable can show fixed signs the merit in letting go and being open to possibilities. With two mutable signs there'll be less motivation and a degree of disorganisation. However if they work as a team and assign each other roles and tasks they can make amazing progress.
Two fixed signs are likely to show a similar lack of progress not through dampened motivation but unwillingness to change. However, when you have two fixed signs working towards a common goal their immense stamina makes them unstoppable. More than one cardinal sign will often vie for supremacy but if they capitalise on their respective strengths and support, not steamroll each other they make a formidable team.
The four mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. (The fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius, and the cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.) The mutable signs are the thinkers and philosophers of the zodiac. You can get the most accurate idea of how you match with a partner by looking at your entire natal charts. Everyone — yes, even you — has some serious Cap energy in them. Everyone — yes, even you — has some moody Crab energy in them. If you're an astro fan, you might know that each of the 12 zodiac signs has an element—fire, water, earth, or air.
Well, that's not the only way to divide the zodiac signs into groups! In fact, all 12 signs are also divided up into groups of what's called qualities or modalities, which is another way to describe each zodiac sign's personality and vibe. The modalities also describe where each zodiac sign falls in the season—at the start, middle, or end.
As the name suggests, the fixed signs of the zodiac universe are immovable, fixated and can also be stubborn. They are the "doers" of the zodiac lot and work really hard to carry out the ideas or vision shared by the cardinal signs. That energy is fully reflected in the mutable signs' adaptable ability to accept things as they are and shape-shift to accommodate the circumstances. Whether it's a project, a conversation, or a whole season, these signs know how to bring things to a natural conclusion. Well, that's not the only way to divide the zodiac signs into groups! The key to understanding cardinal sign compatibility is to understand how the cardinal need to lead expresses itself through each of the elements.
Aries is a fire cardinal sign; here, Aries needs to lead in the way a spark leads – setting fire to the passion of others, inspiring and blazing a trail. Cancer is a water cardinal sign, and expresses this initiative taking through kindness, setting an example for mankind, and opening up new channels of imagination. Libra is an air cardinal sign, and leads through intellect, argument, innovation and ideas. Finally, Capricorn is the earth cardinal sign, and simply exudes authority and leadership through strong practical skills and a high level of wisdom and maturity. In compatibility, mode expressions like these are tinged with romance, and help to explain how two cardinal signs might function as partners.
Air and water are also opposite elements – air signs tend to be logical and verbal whereas water is intuitive and emotive – so there's usually a lot of effort involved. A Scorpio parent will at times be intolerant of a Gemini child's chatter. Similarly, an Aquarius won't relate to the sentimental nature of a Cancer. However, these family members can have a beneficial and balancing influence on each other. Air signs can teach water to experience life without being bogged down by their emotions.
Water, in turn, can encourage air to be emotionally expressive rather than objectify their feelings. In astrology, a cardinal sign is a sign of the zodiac that initiates a change of temperate zone season when the Sun makes its annual passage into them. Angular houses may be cardinal, fixed or mutable, depending on the birth time of the chart, but only Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn are cardinal signs. Your astrological sign reveals a lot about who you are, what your natural tendencies are, and who you harmonize best with. Don't despair if you are stuck working with people who you don't naturally get along with because armed with knowledge of what their zodiac sign is, you can figure out how to get by.
Don't worry if you are friends or lovers with somebody you are not "supposed to be with" due to zodiac signs. You can use knowledge of both of your best and worst traits and make things work! Knowledge of the zodiac teaches us how we all tick, how we love and work, and how to be our best selves. Libra, the seventh sign of the zodiac and the cardinal air sign, is square, or three signs apart from Cancer, which can be a challenging but also potentially activating angle. Both cardinal signs adore companionship, creating a beautiful home life, and all the pleasures and joys that come with having a partner. But as an air sign, Libra's approach to romance tends to be more intellectually-charged, while Cancer prefers to follow their heart over their head, which could trigger misunderstanding.
Do Mutable Signs Get Along But keeping their eyes trained on their mutual love of love can save the day. In relationships, you strive to have balance between you and your partner, and take on a more dominant role. For this reason, it's best to have a romantic relationship with either a fixed or mutable sign, as two cardinal signs together calls for major control issues. The cardinal fixed mutable signsdo not have the broad recognition that the earth, air, fire, and water signs do.
If you are a fervent follower of the astrology universe, you must be well aware of the fact that there are so many layers behind the idea of zodiac signs, ruling planets and horoscopes. In addition to your zodiac sign or sun sign which plays a major role in determining your behavioural traits, there are a lot of other aspects that determine your sign's compatibility and personality. If you've dabbled in the world of astrology, then you know there's way more to this complex system than horoscopes alone. There are the 12 zodiac signs in astrology, and each archetype has unique energies, qualities, elements, and strengths attributed to them.
One way of categorizing the zodiac signs is by their modality, which will either be cardinal, fixed, or mutable. All zodiac signs are divided into one of these three categories — and they can tell us a lot about how we express ourselves in the world. Generally people of cardinal signs have the most harmonius relationships with people of fixed or mutable signs, and don't do well with people of other cardinal signs. However, their soulmates tend to be of other cardinal signs. Their zodiac signs' natural elements don't work together well. Two people in a romantic relationship tend to get along best when they have the same natural element, but mixing elements is sometimes successful, too.
