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Cardinal Mode: 4 Ambitious Signs Inspiring You to Hustle

Traits of the cardinal mode signs, Aries, Libra, Capricorn, and Cancer, are a drive to start new things and to take initiative with ambition. They can be restless and inspired to take action in fresh, constructive ways. Cardinal signs are quick to understand and react to situations that arise in life.


How might the cardinal modality influence you in your life? Read on to learn more!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Cardinal mode is one of the 3 quadruplicates in astrology.
  • The energy of cardinal mode is driven and action-taking.
  • Cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.
a woman jumping at the top of a mountain and words that read "go-getter cardinal mode and the signs"

Cardinal Mode in Astrology Meaning

The cardinal, fixed, and mutable modes make up the quadruplicities, or qualities, in astrology and refer to three different ways of concentrating one’s energy when taking action or reacting to circumstances.

The signs of the Zodiac are divided evenly into those three groups and each modality has a different approach to taking action in life.

For the cardinal mode, this approach is to initiate new things and get the ball rolling.

For the cardinal mode, this approach is to initiate new things and get the ball rolling.

Each mode represents a part of a season, and cardinal represents the very beginning of a season when the changes are underway and there is no going back.

Cardinal Mode Traits

Cardinal mode energy is a drive to start new things and pushes for ambition and action.

Does something need to be done?

It’s the cardinal mode that shouts: “Action needs to be taken and you are the one that can do it! Let’s go!

Cardinal mode shapes its 4 signs with these go-getter traits:

  • Constructive
  • Decisive
  • Action-taking
  • Initiative
  • Ambition
  • Proactive
  • Self-starting
  • Driven
  • Opportunistic
  • Restless

How Cardinal Mode Affects You

If it weren’t for cardinal energy, ideas, projects, and even relationships would never get started in the first place.

With no initiative and drive to start something new, we would never grow.

a natal chart showing cardinal mode and that Aries, Cancer, Capricorn, and Libra are all cardinal mode and form a cross on the chart
The 4 cardinal mode signs in astrology.

Just like all planets are represented in us, just at different levels of intensity, we all come with a touch of cardinal mode.

Depending on your birth chart, it’s just more prominent for some, and it lights a fire under them to take action and set new plans in motion.

Cardinal Mode Signs

There are 4 signs of the Zodiac influenced by the cardinal mode.

Each of the cardinal signs represents a different season and the way each of the signs uses this energy feels a bit different.

Also, because the four signs are also influenced by yin or yang energy, an element, and a ruling planet, this desire to set things in motion is expressed in a different way in each one.

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Cardinal Mode in Aries

Aries’ cardinal mode combines with the fire element and is influenced by the sign’s ruling planet, Mars.

Fire is passionate and full of life and Mars propels this sign into life with courage.

For Aries, cardinal mode inspires it to want to be the first to take action.

With intensity, Aries wants to do something new, like new adventures, a new sport, or new positions at work.

It’s not a sign that is content to sit back and think about it, Aries wants to act and act now.

Aries’ DualityYang: assertive, active
Aries’ ModalityCardinal: proactive, self-starting
Aries’ ElementFire: passionate, intense
Aries’ Ruling PlanetMars: bold, courageous
Aries’ SeasonSpring
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Cardinal Mode in Cancer

Cancer’s cardinal mode mixes with the water element and is shaped by Cancer’s ruling planet, the Moon.

Water is nurturing and full of emotion.

The Moon is the land of our unconscious, what drives us without us even realizing it.

For Cancer, the cardinal energy encourages them to add emotion into situations where there was none before.

Cancer is ambitious and has a need to introduce feelings into new circumstances.

With a nurturing spirit, Cancer creates places where people can express their emotions and give themselves permission to feel.

Cancer’s DualityYin: calm, reflective
Cancer’s ModalityCardinal: proactive, self-starting
Cancer’s ElementWater: emotional, imaginative
Cancer’s Ruling PlanetMoon: nurturing, need for fulfillment
Cancer’s SeasonSummer
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Cardinal Mode in Libra

Libra’s cardinal modality combines with the air element and is inspired by the sign’s ruling planet, Venus.

Air is intellectual and great at clever conversation.

Venus asks us to think about taking care of our relationships and to find beauty in the world.

For Libra, the cardinal modality urges them to start new relationships and meet new people.

With diplomacy and fairness, Libra wants to create compromises in those relationships and honor those they are with.

Libra’s DualityYang: assertive, active
Libra’s ModalityCardinal: proactive, self-starting
Libra’s ElementAir: intellectual, logical
Libra’s Ruling PlanetVenus: relationship-driven, aesthetic
Libra’s SeasonAutumn
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Cardinal Mode in Capricorn

Capricorn’s cardinal mode mixes with the earth element and is shaped by Capricorn’s ruling planet, Saturn.

The earth element is stable, reliable, and practical.

Saturn asks us to find a challenge in life and work at it until we see it through.

For Capricorn, the cardinal mode inspires it to aim high in life.

With self-discipline and patience, Capricorn wants to succeed at the goals they have set for themselves.

Saturn’s influence helps Capricorn to be good at actually finishing what the cardinal modality urges them to begin.

Capricorn’s DualityYin: calm, reflective
Capricorn’s ModalityCardinal: proactive, self-starting
Capricorn’s ElementEarth: practical, stable
Capricorn’s Ruling PlanetSaturn: challenging, serious
Capricorn’s SeasonWinter

F.A.Q’s

What does cardinal sign mean in astrology?

In astrology, all of the signs are divided into 3 modes that describe how a sign starts things or handles change. Cardinal is one of those 3 modes and so the term “cardinal sign” refers to the signs of that mode, Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.

What is cardinal mode in astrology?

Cardinal mode in astrology is one way to classify Zodiac signs and represents an energy that is ambitious and driven to start something new and initiate change.

What Zodiac signs are cardinal mode signs?

There are 4 cardinal mode signs and they are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.

What does it mean when cardinal mode is dominant?

When cardinal mode is dominant in a chart, it means that combined, the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn are represented more in important positions than the signs of the fixed or mutable modes are.

Other articles you may enjoy:
Mutuable Modality
Fixed Modality