They get the job done.
- The 12 signs of the zodiac all fall into one of three modalities, cardinal, fixed, or mutable
- The fixed signs fall in the middle of each season. They include Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.
- Fixed signs are known to be dependable, stubborn, intense, and tenacious.
If you’ve ever met someone so fierce they were a bit intimidating, but so dependable you felt you could trust them with your life, they were probably a fixed sign.
The 12 signs of the zodiac all fall into one of three modalities—cardinal, fixed, or mutable—which influence things like energy levels, what motivates you, and your general approach to life. The modalities are taken from the phases of the astrological year, with the cardinal signs beginning every season (i.e. Aries kicking off spring), fixed signs falling in the middle of the season (i.e. Taurus in spring), and the mutable signs ending the season (i.e. Gemini closing out spring and transitioning into summer).
Ahead, we’re unpacking the fixed signs, which are none other than Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. And while it might seem like these four signs have nothing in common, they’re more similar than you might think.
Fixed sign traits
The fixed signs are the ones to call when you need to get the job done. Where the cardinal signs get the ball rolling and the mutable signs tie up loose ends, the fixed signs are the ones that bring the force and diligence necessary to see things through.
We have Taurus, who lands in the middle of spring, Leo, representing high summer, Scorpio in the depths of autumn, and finally, Aquarius taking up the middle of winter. As you might have noticed, each fixed sign is a different element—earth, fire, water, and air, respectively.
Without getting too technical, signs of the same modality form squares or oppositions on the zodiac wheel with each other, which are harsher angles or “aspects” that can cause tension between the signs. That said, just because these four share a modality doesn’t mean they’ll get along.
In fact, one quality the fixed signs are known for is stubbornness and pride. They can definitely struggle to yield or compromise, but that tenacity is part of what makes them so powerful. They’re grounded, a bit type-A, and often intense.
Do keep in mind, however, that your opposite sign (AKA “soulmate sign”) will always be the same modality as you (which are Taurus and Scorpio, and Leo and Aquarius, in the case of the fixed signs). In other words? These four signs are either besties, lovers, or sworn enemies.
Here’s a breakdown on all four fixed signs for more information.
Taurus
Taurus is the second sign of the astrological year, coming after Aries and marking the middle of spring. Represented by the Bull, Taurus is known for its slow but steady work ethic, grounded and practical approach, and of course, their stubbornness.
Often considered the most stubborn sign of all, Taurus’ fixed-earth quality makes them extremely reliable at best, but lazy and bull-headed at worst (pun intended). And as an earth sign ruled by the planet of love, beauty, and pleasure, Taurus is a sensual creature who enjoys the finer things in life. We’re talking quality clothing, delicious food, and whatever other luxuries they can come up with.
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Leo
Representing fixed-fire, we have none other than Leo, the king of the jungle. Leo season is high summer, when the sun (Leo’s ruling planet) shines the brightest, strongest, and longest. Of course, if you’ve ever met a Leo, it only makes sense that their ruling planet is their spotlight.
Leo is all about confidence and charisma, with their fire element relating to their passionate, action-oriented approach. They’re ambitious, fierce, and they do it all with a regal flair. But before we make Leo sound too proud, know they are generous as well. Leos radiate warmth and are often friendly and charming, and while they do love attention, they also have a traditional side that values a bit of convention.
Scorpio
Marking the middle of fall and peak spooky season vibes, Scorpio is the next fixed sign. It’s only fitting that Scorpio season arrives when the veil is thinnest, because this sign is all about mystery, death and rebirth, and transformation.
Scorpio represents fixed water, with water being the element of emotions, intuition, and memory. Scorpio is also ruled by Pluto, the planet of rebirth—with Scorpio tasked with the transformation of emotions. They can struggle with emotions getting stuck or “fixed,” which often looks like obsession, possessiveness, and jealousy. But at their best, Scorpios are deep, creative, passionate people who aren’t afraid to look into the shadows.
Aquarius
Last but not least, Aquarius rounds out the fixed signs and represents fixed air. Ruled by Uranus, the planet of rebellion, innovation, and radical change, it’s really no wonder Aquarius is thought to be the quirkiest sign of them all.
They wear their individuality like a badge of honor, constantly keeping a bird’s-eye-view on humanity and pushing progress forward. Ironically, despite this sign’s preoccupation with being unique, they’re often extremely humanitarian.
As an element, air isn’t very “fixed,” so Aquarius embodies an interesting paradox; They’re open-minded and progressive, but they can be stubborn and extremely strong-willed. Of course, this is why they’re so great at creating change.
Cardinal vs Fixed vs Mutable
Now that we’ve covered everything to know about the fixed signs, you might be wondering about the cardinal and mutable signs. Here’s a quick look:
- Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn): Starting the season with trailblazing energy and enthusiasm.
- Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius): Landing in the middle of the season with hard-working, sometimes stubborn energy.
- Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces): Ending the season by tying up loose ends and transitioning to the next.
The cardinal signs are the folks with the big ideas, grand plans, and vision. They’re great at getting things started and “rallying the troops,” but they often need the support of the fixed signs to see things through. They’re self-starters and trendsetters, and they’re typically natural leaders.
The mutable signs, meanwhile, are known for being the adaptable signs of the bunch. Their whole role is wrapping up their season and preparing for what’s to come next. They’re often open-minded, flexible, and adventurous, but can struggle to stick to one plan, project, or routine.
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