Modes: Cardinality and The Cardinal Quadruplicity
Start of the Seasons
The signs in the zodiac are divided into three groups containing four signs each, and represent each of the elements (fire, earth, air, water). These groupings are known as the modes or qualities, also referred to as ‘quadruplicites’ since they represent four signs. The three modes are Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable, each describing a phase of a three-part process within each of the four seasons. The chart below provides a reference.
The mode describes the flow of energy within each part of the season, beginning with the time something is initiated. This first mode is known as Cardinal, reflecting the sign occupied by the Sun during the first third of a season. Cardinality represents dynamic energy which initiates change as the new season begins. The signs involved are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, which are associated with the Spring Equinox, the Summer Solstice, the Autumn Equinox, and the Winter Solstice, respectively. We tend to recognize these markers as the beginning of each season when there is a sense of starting a new cycle, and often the acceptance of new challenges that have a particular goal identified.
Modes and Your Approach to Life
The mode suggests a general approach to life, and how one might perceive conflict and deal with it. In the case of the cardinal signs the initiatory qualities are expressed quite differently by each of them, in part since they all represent different elements and certainly the varied qualities suggested by the sign itself. Aries is almost an obvious one to recognize since the sign is concerned with pushing things forward, action and motivation.
In the case of Cancer, who’s traits tend to be less overt, the initiating energy concerns the needs and demands of home, family, and protection. Libra is the sign of relationship so the cardinal energy concerns the need for cooperation and connection with another, or others. Finally, Capricorn’s cardinality is about the need to establish one’s self in the world and be respected for contributions and accomplishments.
Consider that each of the signs represents the start of a season and in some way suggests the types of issues, matters and conflicts inherent with that time of year.
Aries and Libra, initiating the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, show the opposite actions or endeavors of planting (Spring) and Harvest (Autumn). In the case of personality, these opposite signs show up in Aries who is all about forging ahead with an independent spirit while Libra is very much about move forward in some type of relationship with ‘the other’ or ‘another’.
Cancer and Capricorn are opposites and suggest the difference between Cancer’s need for home and family, parents or parenting, and Capricorn’s drive for career, status, and personal recognition. All four are driving forward, in their own way within the areas of life that concern them.
Reflection in the Chart
In considering a chart, we look at the balance or imbalance of modes to provide an indication into one’s general approach to life. With twelve signs in every chart there is often an even distribution of modes, however an overabundance or lack of one mode will signify particular tendencies in the life of the individual. To determine the balance (or imbalance) within a chart we tally up the modes represented by the signs of the planets, considering the luminaries (Sun and Moon), personal planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars), and the social planets (Jupiter and Saturn).
If the chart is heavily weighted towards cardinality, the individual will tend to approach the challenges of life head on and work to overcome, or overpower, them. These natives view such challenges in an impersonal way, considering them to be a product of the outside world which has come into their remit. For them, the matter is not personal and they don’t perceive the issues to be generated from within themselves, or created by them.
Manifestation of Cardinality
Strong cardinality indicates great energy for initiating projects and starting things, but often difficulty in completing them. These individuals are comfortable with change and newness, to the point where if they are not happy they will simply drop something and move on. They are not the type to sit in a rut. Their drive and motivation frequently lands them in positions of responsibility and control as they like to take charge and keep things moving, often at the cost of relationships with others or at the expense of insufficient planning. Such individuals do well with the support of another, or a team, who can accept the handoff of what has been started and make it happen. The CEO of a company, for example, with strong cardinal energy will benefit from a personal assistant who is able to keep them organized and on track, helping to keep things moving along.
A lack of cardinality within a chart can indicate an individual who lacks personal drive and initiative, relying on others to create a spark and begin something that they can grab onto and then participate with. One of the challenges these individuals often face is an inherent need to avoid crises or conflicts, manifesting in a myriad of difficulties. The imbalance of cardinality however, suggests an abundance of something else which often provides strength of a different kind. Thus, the other two modes of Fixity and Mutability will be covered in future posts.
For now, I invite you to consider the degree of Cardinality in your own chart. Is it balanced, overly abundant, or lacking? Consider how the quality (balance or imbalance) has manifested in your life.
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