The Elements and Modalities

Much has been written about the elements and the modalities by Stephen Aroyo and many
others. The purpose of this discussion is only to relate these concepts to the Zodiacal signs,
to which they primarily associated. There are four elements: fire, earth, air and water. The
modalities, which correspond to the Vedic gunas are: cardinality, fixity and mutability. The
elements and modalities are related to ancient concepts of how the material world is formed
and structured. The elements are passive substance and relate to basic qualities of
matter. The modalities are active states of motion.
In the Zodiac, the elements and qualities are superimposed on each other through the
progression of the signs and the houses. Since the elements are even in number and the
modalities are odd in number, each modality successively imbues each element. This
produces the magical number twelve. (Note that four and three also produce the liberating
number seven and that the relationship between the numbers three and four are symbolized
in the pyramid.)

Fire
The fire element is associated with energy and with the activating spirit. Its quality is
outgoing, as fire naturally seeks to expand. Fire is associated with the motivating force of
life. Its life-spiriting nature generates enthusiasm and a penchant for action. Fire generates
warmth, which is comforting and activates the emotions. The fiery emotions tend to be
outgoing and to blaze up and die down quickly. These fiery emotions can have intense power
for good or destruction. The fire signs are: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. -- Gargatholil

Earth
The earth element is associated with solidity and groundedness. Its qualities are stable
and enduring. It is the densest element and the most affinity with the physical world. Its
density makes it less penetrable than the other elements. The earth element brings
cohesiveness and is associated with form and structure (which are the abstract phenomena
that hold things together). Density, solidity and structure result in less reactivity,
responsiveness and openness than is the case with the other elements. Being the heaviest of
the elements, it is the least likely to be moved. It is the strongest of the elements and, thus,
capable of supporting weight. It therefore is the symbolic foundation of the created
world. Earth is also the element of which building blocks are formed and which are used to
erect structures. Thus, the earth element is associated with usefulness and practicality. The
earth signs are: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn. -- Gargatholil

Air
The air element is associated with the mental realm and with communication. It is the
least dense of the elements, as the mental realm contains the least admixture of materiality
of the three realms (physical, astral and mental). The qualities of the air element are its
perviousness, its freedom of movement, its ubiquitousness and its lightness. It is so pervious
that light and sound travel through it. Without air, there would be no communication. It

touches everything, even being dissolved in water and penetrating the soil. Thus, it is
inclined toward social energy and relationships. The air signs are: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
-- Gargatholil

Water
The water element is associated with the emotions. Its qualities are fluidity, taking the
shape of its container, moistness, lifegivingness, and power. Because it is fluid and malleable,
it tends toward changeableness. Its moisture soothes and quenches thirst. Water brings
things to life and is sustaining and is therefore associated with caring and nurturing. Yet
water, when directed or harnessed, possesses incredible power. Water can also be perfectly
still, in which case its tendency is inward. Its tendency to fill empty and, otherwise, hidden
cavities symbolizes a need for security, particularly emotional security. The water signs are:
Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces. --Gargatholil

Cardinality
The cardinal modality symbolizes forward direction and is associated with activity. It is
the rajasik guna of Vedic cosmology. The cardinal modality is also associated with the
initiation of development cycles. It is the thesis of the Hegelian dialectic. Qualities associated
with cardinality include confidence, directness of approach and movement toward some
goal. The cardinal signs are: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn. -- Gargatholil

Fixity
The fixed modality symbolizes inertia and is associated with retentiveness. It is
the tamasik guna of Vedic cosmology. The fixed modality is associated with the consolidation
phase of development cycles. It is the antithesis of the Hegelian dialectic. Qualities
associated with fixity include strength, security, immobility and permanence. The fixed signs
are: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius. -- Gargatholil

Mutability
The mutable modality symbolizes balance and duality. Balance (i.e., the equilibrium
state between action and inertia) implies duality, since there must be two sides to
balance. The mutable modality is the satvik guna of the Vedic cosmology. It is associated
with the culminating phase of development cycles. It is the synthesis of the Hegelian
dialectic. Qualities associated with mutability include pendulum motion, equipoise, instability
and uncertainty. The mutable signs are: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces. -- Gargatholil

The Houses

Dane Rudhyar and others have written extensively about the houses and their
meanings. Traditionally, the houses are seen to represent specific life activities or areas of
experience. Rudhyar has conceptualized the house structure as a progression through the
developmental phases of life. There are twelve houses, corresponding to the twelve Zodiacal
signs and the twelve states derived by combining the sequence of elements and modalities.