Astrology 102 - Second Lesson
Beginner Level Astrology Lesson from The Astrology Translator
Hiya! I’m back to do the second part to my Beginner Level Astrology Lessons from “The Astrology Translator”. If you haven’t already, take a look at the first one—Astrology 101. I covered a TON of ground in that one, and it was the basis for this follow-up lesson here. This one is going to be a shorter lesson than the first. And you can tack it on to the fundamental basics of the first one.
As we learned in the last lesson, each astrological sign has planetary rulers, and they each rule their own house. And I broke that all down there. Now, I want to talk to you about the elements and modalities of each sign.
Elements
You are probably familiar with the elements—Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Well there are 12 signs and 4 elements, so if you do the math you can see that there will be 3 signs per element.
Fire - Fire signs are known for their intense energy, ambition, courage, enthusiasm, boldness, straight-forward honesty, and being zesty and feisty. They often take center stage and attract others with their charisma. They do not shy away from risks and are often inspirational, passionate, impatient, warm, and easily-angered.
Aries
Leo
Sagittarius
Earth - Earth signs tend to be the most down-to-earth and grounded. They are known to be steadfast, pragmatic, determined, secure, practical, logical, stabilizing, reliable, and stubborn. These traits make them a force to reckon with. Earth signs have a steadying quality to them—they are cool, slow-paced, loyal, responsible, and nourishing.
Taurus
Virgo
Capricorn
Air - Air signs are curious, good communicators, adventurous, innovative, intellectual, very social, big thinkers, and ever-changing—much like the wind. They tend to make great researchers, teachers, and journalists. They are usually the social butterflies who get everyone to connect and communicate—and they typically know all the good gossip because they are talkative information super-highways!
Gemini
Libra
Aquarius
Water - Water signs are known for creativity, sensitivity, intuition, deep connections, being romantic, in touch with emotions, imaginative, moody, and adaptable (going with the flow). They feel things deeply and tend to pick up on the emotions and feelings of others around them. They are usually great listeners and can typically show a lot of empathy—making them great confidants.
Cancer
Scorpio
Pisces
None of this is to say:
that an Air sign can’t be emotional- ask my Libra friend who finally started allowing themself to cry in front of people a few years ago ;)
that an Earth sign can’t be intellectual-ask my Taurus dad who literally only wants to talk about intellectual things
that a Fire sign can’t be empathetic- ask me, an Aries, who feels all of your feelings too—OR
that a Water sign can’t be bold- ask my Scorpio mom who boldly and loudly proclaims that she is wanting “under-the-table” cash to the entire Fazoli’s restaurant.
But, the traits of the element that the sign belongs to tend to be the primary overall energy of the sign. The face we tend to step forward with usually looks a lot like the description of the element we are.
However, remember from the first lesson, you have every sign in your chart, you have a Sun, Moon, and Rising sign. And where the planets are in your chart make a difference. And going into how these elements impact all of those different parts of your chart is more advanced than we are going to get. For our sake, I would say that focusing on your Sun, Moon, and Rising sign and their elements will tell you a lot.
For example, I am an Aries Sun, Cancer Moon, and Taurus Rising. Throughout my life most people who know me have observed me to come across in primarily those Fire attributes, since that is my Sun sign and the core of who I am. Especially when I was younger. As I have grown older and started moving more into my Rising sign energy, some people have commented on seeing more of those Earth traits coming through as I have matured. And people who know me very well get glimpses of my inner hidden Moon sign Water properties.
Also, the more I have learned about myself through astrology, the more I have come to accept who I am. I have thusly worked to show people more sides of me than just the Fire side. But, my natural instinct is usually the Fire stuff. And that’s primarily what new people get when they meet me—mixed in with more Earth Rising sign energy as I am getting older. (This all makes sense when you read my first lesson.)
So those are the elements. But, how do we differentiate each of the three signs within each element? This is where modalities come in.
Modalities
There are 3 modalities*. There are 12 signs. So, there are 4 signs in each modality (which is a flip-flop of the elements—which were 4 elements and 3 signs in each.) With these distinctions, in combination with the elements, each sign gets it’s own vibe.
Cardinal signs - The first sign of each season. Known for being initiators and leaders. Action-oriented. The start of something. Impatient.
Aries (start of Spring)
Cancer (start of Summer)
Libra (start of Fall)
Capricorn (start of Winter)
Fixed signs - The middle sign of each season. Known for being anchors and harnessers. Good execution and concentration. Stubborn.
Taurus (middle of Spring)
Leo (middle of Summer)
Scorpio (middle of Fall)
Aquarius (middle of Winter)
Mutable signs - The last sign of each season. Known for being adaptable and dispersing. The end or last stage of something. Easily influenced.
Gemini (end of Spring)
Virgo (end of Summer)
Sagittarius (end of Fall)
Pisces (end of Winter)
Ok, so, now that you know what elements and modalities are, and which signs fall under each—let’s get into the last section. I’m gonna break down how each sign fits their element and modality combined.
Elements + Modalities = Individual Signs
Aries - one of the Fire (action) signs, one of the Cardinal (initiation) signs, but the only sign that is a Cardinal Fire! They initiate action! If you ask me, Cardinal traits and Fire traits are similar (action & initiation), so Aries are a double whammy of that same energy. In the stages of an actual fire** (which I will go through for each fire sign) - Aries are the spark that starts the fire. That initial, beginning flame that gets it all started. Being the ruler of the 1st house, the house of self, there is a very independent self-starter energy with all of this combined.
Taurus - one of the Earth (security) signs, one of the Fixed (anchor) signs, but the only sign that is Fixed Earth! They anchor security! What does that mean? Taurus are known for their appreciation of comfort and luxury, and their need for security and material possessions. So they like to really persevere and nail down the sense of security. Like the Aries, I find the element and modality here to be incredibly similar (grounded, secure, and anchored). So it is just an extra potent grounded energy—doubly solid. If you think of Earth signs as a tree (which I will do for each Earth sign), the Taurus would be the solid trunk. Being the ruler of the 2nd house, the house of resources, this is a very solid “creature comforts” and “secure the resources” type of energy.
Gemini - one of the Air (communication/intellect) signs, one of the Mutable (flexible/disperses) signs, but the only Mutable Air sign! They disperse information. Mutable loves to share, Gemini loves knowledge. That’s why they always know and tell you the new scoop! Once again, I find Air energy (think go with the flow and wind) and Mutable energy (go with the flow and easily influenced) to be very similar energies. So Gemini’s probably feel extra Air-y/go with the flow-y. Air signs are a communication/phone network, and in that scenario Gemini’s are the smart phone. The tool that is used to disperse all of the communication and information to all the people. Gemini rules the 3rd house, which is the house of communication, so can you see the triple communication whammy here? Air = communication, Mutable = communication, 3rd house = communication.
Cancer - one of the Water (feelings/emotions) signs, one of the Cardinal (initiators) signs, but the only Cardinal Water sign! They initiate caring/feeling—esp. through familial bonds (since Cancer is ruler of 4th house—family/home). I don’t find the energy of Cardinal and the Energy of water to be particularly similar, but they are not at odds or paradoxical either. In a body of water, Cancer would be like a river or stream—flowing actively, directly, and energetically. Like I said above, Cancer rules the 4th house so they initiate a lot of their water-y attributes in their home and family life.
Leo - is Fire (bold/passion) and Fixed (harnesses) = Fixed Fire! Leo’s as fixed fire signs harness self-expression. They are solidly comfortable with self-expression and are radiant and warm (ruled by the Sun so this makes sense)—helping others around them feel anchored in their presence. These fire and fixed energies (bold and stable) feel pretty complementary to me. In the fire scenario they are the campfire. This fire has already started and is going strong and keeping everyone warm and burning radiantly and solidly. It isn’t a small spark, and it isn’t a fire gone out of control. It is contained and bright. This makes sense since Leo rules the 5th house of self-expression and creativity.
Virgo - is Earth (grounded) and Mutable (flexible/disperses) = Mutable Earth. Virgo disperses skills. Skills are very concrete and tangible, which is part of being Earth. As mutable it disperses. Virgos make good teachers for this reason, too. Like Gemini, it is also ruled by Mercury (communication/information). So they both like to learn and teach. But since Virgo is an Earth sign, it takes that dispersing of communication and information and grounds it more in something tangible. Earth being solid and steady, and mutable being adaptable and easily-influenced do feel like contradictory energies to me. So Virgo’s may struggle with a bit of push/pull between being anchored and go-with-the flow. In the tree analogy it is the branches—they are part of that earthly tree that is rooted into the ground, but they branch out up top and sway in the wind and disperse leaves and shade. Virgo rules the 6th house of work—so the fact that they disperse skills makes sense.
Libra - is Air (communication) and Cardinal (initiator) = Cardinal Air. Libras initiate relationships and connection. Since Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of love and relationships, it likes to take it’s Cardinal initiating skills, it’s Air communication skills, and it’s Venus relationship skills and put all those together. Libras love a good harmonious social gathering! In the communication network/phone scenarios it would be represented by two people talking on the smart phone. It is the connection of people in that scenario. Good thing Libra is the ruler of the 7th house of relationships, huh? Are you starting to see this puzzle all come together from the previous 101 lesson?
Scorpio - is Water (emotions) and Fixed (harnesses) = Fixed Water. Scorpios harness emotional intensity. If you have ever heard the phrase “still water runs deep”, this would be the perfect explanation for this Fixed Water sign. When water is flowing it has a place to go and spread out—which is the sitch for Cancer and Pisces. However, for Scorpio, it is fixed, anchored, grounded, unmoving. But… it’s water… Unmoving, anchored water can be a paradoxical energy. This can cause all of the watery emotions to get stuck. So, instead of flowing far and wide, they go down really deep. Like looking down a well and not being able to see the bottom. There is always so much beneath the surface with a Scorpio. In the body of water scenario I will say they are like a well—deep unmoving water with an unseen bottom—it gets rained in and people take from it, but it doesn’t get to flow. However the source** I used for this likens it to a swamp—unmoving, stagnant water. I share that other analogy with nothing but love, as I empathize with the fact that it is probably complicated to go through life with such intense emotions going down so deep in the water and not getting the opportunity to flow out and cleanse fully. And I appreciate all you do to hold our emotions/water for us, too—whilst simultaneously having us take water from you. I know it is a heavy burden. With all that being said, it makes sense that Scorpio rules the 8th house of death/rebirth, big transformations, mental health, taboos, intensely felt experiences, deep interactions, growth and change, and mystery (to name a few). They usually tend to make good mental health workers.
Sagittarius - Fire (passion) and Mutable (disperses) = Mutable Fire. Ruled by Jupiter - the planet of expansion and wisdom - Sag’s disperse wisdom and enthusiasm. With fire being so bold and mutable being so flexible, this energy together can be a little chaotic. It isn’t paradoxical like the fixed water was, and it isn’t complementary like the fixed fire, and it isn’t harmonious/similar like the mutable air. It is just a bit chaotic. In the fire scenario, this is a forest fire. Fire dispersing and unable to be contained. Which is why Sag’s are adventurous travelers. Taking their enthusiasm far and wide. With Jupiter’s influence of expansion and wisdom, they take that big energy out into the world for us. Ruling the 9th house of travel, wisdom, higher learning, expansion, etc makes sense.
Capricorn - Earth (grounded) and Cardinal (initiates) = Cardinal Earth. Ruled by Saturn the planet of responsibility and boundaries. Thusly, Caps initiate long-term plans. They have that active, starting initiative being a Cardinal, but they have that long-term, anchoring, staying power being an Earth, and so they can get shit started and see it through without getting bored and impatient (wonder what that’s like?!) And with Saturn giving them so much structure and responsibility, no wonder they are the rulers of the 10th house—career and reputation. You know? Grown-up shit. Cap’s are so good at adulting. CEO’s of the zodiac. In the tree sitch, they are representative of the “upward growth” of the tree.
Aquarius - Air (communication) and Fixed (stable) = Fixed Air = stabilizes ideas. Ruled by Uranus (innovation) and Saturn (responsibility), Aquarius’ are the inventors and tech wizards. A famous Aquarius is Thomas Edison. Air likes to be unpredictable and flow around. Fixed likes to be anchored and stable. While these ideas seem opposing, somehow Aquarius find a way to make it work. With Uranus’ innovation and rule-breaking and Saturns rules and restrictions, you would think those are paradoxical, too. But, again, Aq’s make it work. It is why they can be the little eccentric aliens we all know and love. In the network/phone system scenario for Air signs, they are the network or the server. The all-encompassing, high-level, techy side of communication that brings the whole community and world together. I guess it makes sense then that they rule the 11th house of community, groups, technology, and humanitarianism.
Pisces - Water (emotions) and Mutable (disperse) = Mutable Water. Ruled by Neptune, the planet of subconscious and intuition to name a couple, Pisces as a Mutable Water sign disperses intuition. Intuition is a very emotional/water feeling, and since Neptune rules intuition, and Mutable disperses things—it feels like harmonious energies that make sense together. However, these components are really vast, all-encompassing, kind of vague, and otherworldly. So, as a body of water, Pisces gets the ocean. Uncontainable, deep, flowing, moving, vast, all-encompassing, otherworldly water full of little Pisces mermaids and Drew Barrymore (a famous Pisces who cries openly on her show all the time while hugging people non-stop).
You see, my explanations started out shorter and more simple. Kind of like the age groups I gave each zodiac sign in the last lesson. But, as we move on in the chart and they get more mature, they start to get more complex and nuanced. The Aries is the newborn baby of the zodiac and Pisces is the little old woman with a lifetime of knowledge and experiences seeing beyond the veil into the otherworld.
If you look at the last lesson and this lesson, you can really see how these things share qualities with their rulers, houses, planets, elements and modalities. Gemini = Mutable (disperses) and Air (communication/information). Ruled by Mercury—planet of communication and information. Rules 3rd house—house of communication, information, learning, etc. Often, if you can remember one thing about them, then you have a pretty good handle on the rest.
Even for a more complex one like Scorpio, you could still distill it down to the following: Fixed (anchored) + Water (emotions) + Pluto (transformation) + Mars (intense) + 8th sign in the zodiac = 8th house—deep emotional transformation/mental health. It is ok to not learn every single adjective under the Scorpio umbrella. You can distill it down to things that connect and make sense when you are first starting out. The above is a simplified version that can help you in these beginning stages.
I hope this helps on your journey to learn astrology. And, if you aren’t on a journey to learn astrology, I hope it was at least a little interesting and entertaining. Who knows, it could help you at a trivia night sometime or something?
As usual, please comment with any questions you may have, clarifications you need, mistakes I made, or to tell me that something just does not make sense at all and I will try to clear it up for you!
I think my next Astro lesson post will be a cheat sheet where I distill the last article and this article down to a really short, very few key words only, quick reference guide. Now that it has all been thoroughly explained with all of my little examples, tricks, tools, scenarios, and analogies to help it make sense—imma create a short key facts guide of it all to help it stick. Stay tuned!
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*References in Chani Nicholas’ book, You Were Born For This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance, were used for the modalities.
**Reference for many of the examples of each sign’s element and modality in comparison to fire, trees, cell phones, and bodies of water are attributed to The Royal Cusp.
Check out some of my other most recent YouTube Celtic Reiki vids! Guess what? I am level 2 attuned now!
Haha.. me? Chaotic energy all over the place?? No way! “I wish there were three of me to go around” -said your Sagittarius friend just the other day.