Elements, Modes, and Polarities

These are the three components that make up a zodiac sign, and they tell us a lot about the nature of a person.

The Elements

The elements consist of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. I wrote in-depth on each of these in my blog, An Overview of the Elements. So, if you are interested in a full description of each element, please read this blog post first.

The elements give us insight into whether a person is introverted or extroverted, emotionally sensitive or mentally inclined, more likely to be an adventurous free spirit, or a practical, level-headed businessman.

These traits are hard-wired into each zodiac sign, so if someone has more of one element making up their chart, those specific qualities of that element will be most obvious to outsiders and most dominant in that person’s personality.

The Modes

The modes consist of three qualities that emanate from a sign based on where it falls within a season. All the signs that initiate us into a season are called Cardinal signs. The word Cardinal implies moving forward and embracing a new beginning. These are the signs of the zodiac that set things in motion. They are also called the “starter signs” for this reason. The Cardinal signs include Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.

There is always going to be one Fire, one Water, one Air, and one Earth sign per mode.

You will also notice in the image below, that all the Cardinal signs form a cross on the wheel. This is called the Cardinal Cross and it reminds us that Aries sends us into Spring, Cancer marks the beginning of Summer, Libra escorts us into fall, and Capricorn takes us into winter.

The second mode to discuss is the Fixed mode. The Fixed signs include Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. These signs are referred to as “Fixed” because they come at the middle of a season when things are in full expression and nothing’s changing anytime soon. This Mode is stable and reliable, but not as flexible as the other two.

A fun fact: if you’re familiar with the traditional Tarot deck, you may have noticed that the four Fixed signs make up the images on both The World card and The Wheel of Fortune card.

The third and final mode is called Mutable. The Mutable signs are named as such because they are more adaptable. They take us out of one season and into another. This is why these signs have been described as easy-going, open-minded, and flexible. They have an easier time “going with the flow” than the other two modes. The Mutable zodiac signs include Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.

Each mode carries with it very specific energies. Below is a list of keywords to describe these qualities:

Cardinal: Initiating, assertive, impulsive, good at starting but not as good at finishing

Fixed: Reliable, dependable, steadfast, stubborn, strong-minded, resistant to change

Mutable: Adaptable, flexible, go-with-the-flow, open-minded, accepting of change, emotionally fickle

Here is a list of all the signs that pertain to each mode:

• Cardinal: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn (These make up the Cardinal Cross)

• Fixed: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius

• Mutable: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces

The Polarities

Lastly, we reach the polarities. The polarities can best be described as opposites. And yes, while opposites attract, they are not always the best match.

The wheel below shows the polarities (+/-) of all the signs. All Water and Earth signs have negative (Yin) polarities while all Air and Fire signs have positive (Yang) polarities. This is why we say Fire and Air make a better match than Air and Water or Air and Earth. It’s all about the polarities which tell us about someone’s energy.

Two positive or two negative signs will always get along better than a positive and a negative. Good questions to ask for further clarification are: Are two people more forward and direct (Fire and Air)? Or more passive and calm (Earth and Water)? Are they more content with mental pursuits or socializing activities (Air and Fire)? Or would they prefer a quiet night at home or camping out in the woods (Water and Earth)?

Now, all that said, just because you are a Water sign doesn’t mean you don’t like a good party! And just because you’re a Fire sign doesn’t mean you don’t ever need your alone time to clear your head. These are just the “dominant tendencies” of certain polarities. And we can’t forget to do this type of analysis for our Sun, Moon, and Rising signs when looking for planes of connection with other people. You are not just your Sun sign; you are a multifaceted being with many different personalities! It all depends on what part of you we’re looking at.

Now you can see how two people might be in a partnership who don’t see eye to eye (Air and Earth for example) but if their modes are the same (Gemini and Virgo) they will still share a similar outlook versus Gemini and Taurus, which do not. These are the subtle differences you want to start noticing in your chart about you and your partner. A good piece of advice when you’re looking for a long-term mate is to remind yourself of this helpful adage, “Opposites attract but sames stay.”

Astrology is layered like an onion; it takes time, research, and study to fully grasp the nature of each sign. Putting it all together is like adding all the ingredients into a recipe. You can’t get the full flavor until every last component is mixed in. So take your time to learn about your signs. This is an art and a science, not a memorization game.

It’s helpful to learn how to trust your gut when you read descriptions and definitions too, because some may not ring true for you. That’s okay, others will. Don’t give up. Take one step at a time, learn one area of your chart, and then move on to the next. It would be impossible to apprehend everything about yourself in just one reading. Just like your partner cannot expect to learn everything about you in one day, it will take you more time and effort to examine your chart and uncover all the intricate layers that make you who you are. But fear not my friend, it is so worth it in the end! After all, life’s a journey, not a destination, so enjoy the learning process!