Elements & Modalities of Zodiac Signs Elements & Modalities of Signs Elements & Modalities

Zodiac Signs are classified into elements of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water - the basic building blocks of the entire Universe (apart from "aether", as in Vedic Astrology). They are also classified into modalities of Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable - the states in which the elements occur.
 
These classifications are based on the seasons, and period within the seasons, that the Zodiac Sign falls in. Since, seasons are dependent on the Earth's path and time of revolution around the Sun, these basic classifications help us to understand the influence of cosmic properties.
 
Each of the Zodiac Signs represents a combination of element and modality, to imply the basis of their formation (or formulation). Thus, we have 12 Zodiac Signs as 3 x 4 combinations:

Aries	:	Cardinal Sign of Fire
Taurus	:	Fixed Sign of Earth
Gemini	:	Mutable Sign of Air
Cancer	:	Cardinal Sign of Water
Leo	:	Fixed Sign of Fire
Virgo	:	Mutable Sign of Earth
Libra	:	Cardinal Sign of Air
Scorpio	:	Fixed Sign of Water
Sagittarius	:	Mutable Sign of Fire
Capricorn	:	Cardinal Sign of Earth
Aquarius	:	Fixed Sign of Air
Pisces	:	Mutable Sign of Water

 
The table below illustrates the four elemental signs, and their basic characteristics:

	Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius
	People born under a Zodiac Sign of Fire element, the natives of Fire element, are spontaneous and impulsive. These native have quick and lively emotions, and apply their energies whole-heartedly.
	These people are very driven individuals, who possess a need to express themselves. Confidence and enthusiasm are the driving forces behind these individuals. Very temperamental, they can go from a small flicker to a raging flame in no time.
	Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius
	People born under a Zodiac Sign of Air element, the natives of Air element, are quick and animated. These natives intellectualize their emotions, and apply their energies in diverse ways.
	These people are brilliant and witty, who possess a natural ability to socialize and stand out from the crowd. Communication is the forte of these individuals. With an unnatural capability to conceptualize and their sense of freedom, they can be spontaneous and unpredictable on one hand, and very mysterious and eccentric on the other.
	Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces
	People born under a Zodiac Sign of Water element, the natives of Water element, are sensitive and psychic. These natives have richly imaginative emotions, and apply their energies in depths.
	These people are sensitive, who possess a higher sense of empathy. These individuals can be very emotional and complex, and are known to be in touch with their own emotions, and those of others.
	Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn
	People born under a Zodiac Sign of Earth element, the natives of Earth element, are grounded and tolerant. These natives have deeply rooted emotions, and apply their energies with endurance.
	These people are practical and cautious, who possess a natural connection to the material world. These individuals are very down-to-earth, and primarily concerned with the "real". With a grounded attitude towards life, they are known for their austerity and simplicity.

 
The table below illustrates the three elemental modalities, and their basic characteristics:

	Cardinal Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn
	The beginning of a season is marked by Cardinal signs. Natives born under a Zodiac Sign of Cardinal modality have an urge to take the lead and shape things. These natives are initiators, and act according to their goals and aims.
	These people exhibit independent and domineering behaviour, and are confident, assertive, and self-motivated starters. They prefer to make things happen, rather than merely sit back and watch. However, while they start things with great ease, finishing them is not as easy for them - due to lack of steadiness.
	Fixed Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius
	The middle of a season is marked by Fixed signs. Natives born under a Zodiac Sign of Fixed modality have an urge to build and organize things efficiently. These natives emphasize on maintaining "status quo", and act only in response to circumstances.
	These people exhibit steady and stable behaviour, and are consistent and tolerant. They are psychologically powerful, which gives them the ability to start and finish projects. They prefer to pursue their goals in a safe, slow, and orderly format. However, they are prone to stubbornness, and a strong dislike for change, especially abrupt or unplanned.
	Mutable Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces
	The end of a season is marked by Mutable signs. Natives born under a Zodiac Sign of Mutable modality have an urge to renew, replace, and to seek change. These natives seek to replace one thing with another, and act in accordance to unfolding situations.
	These people exhibit changeable behaviour, and are adaptable - albeit unpredictable. They are also open-minded and welcome new idea, and their flexibility allows them to make the best out of any situation. However, they have a tendency of being ambiguous, which cause them to lose direction.

 
Each of the Zodiac Signs is a combination of an Element and a Modality. These combinations provide the elements and their states or qualities, which signify the "State of Mind", or temperament, of the particular Zodiac Sign, responsible for instinctive character of an individual. However, they do not signify personality traits. The traits are deduced by taking into account the respective ruling planets - that is explained here.