002. What to Start with When Studying Western Astrology (Beginner’s Guide)
In my previous blog, I covered five tips for the beginner astrologer as they step into the world of learning astrology. While those tips are valuable in their own right, they do not necessarily provide clear direction on where to begin. How one starts learning astrology can be subjective, and depending on which astrological teacher or mentor you speak with, the response may vary.
When approaching Western astrology as a student, it is my firm belief that the core roots must be understood first before the archetypes reveal themselves in their entirety. With this in mind, the five core principles that should be studied first, in no particular order, are Modality, Elements, Gender (Polarity), Rulership, and Houses.
Understanding Modality in Western Astrology
Modality, also known as quadruplicity due to there being four signs in each group, describes how a sign operates in terms of initiation, stabilization, or adaptation. Traditionally, these are referred to as Movable (Cardinal), Fixed, and Double-Bodied (Mutable).
The twelve zodiac signs in Western astrology are oriented around the seasons, which provides essential context for understanding modality.
Cardinal Signs and Seasonal Beginnings
The Cardinal Modality is associated with the beginning of the seasons and represents action, initiation, and movement. The four cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.
Aries marks the Spring Equinox, while Libra marks the Fall Equinox. Cancer corresponds with the Summer Solstice, and Capricorn with the Winter Solstice. These seasonal turning points highlight the initiating and activating quality of cardinal signs.
While this seasonal framework differs in some Eastern traditions, this article focuses on Western astrology as it developed historically and is practiced today.
Fixed Signs and Seasonal Stability
The Fixed Modality is associated with the middle of the seasons, when conditions are stable and consistent. The fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.
These signs are often described as determined, persistent, or resistant to change. Taurus represents the heart of spring, Leo the peak of summer, Scorpio the depth of autumnal transformation, and Aquarius the core of winter, a time historically associated with innovation and collective survival.
Mutable Signs and Seasonal Transition
The Mutable or Double-Bodied Modality is associated with the end of each season, when conditions become variable and transitional. The mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.
Mutable signs are highly adaptable and capable of holding dual states. Gemini bridges spring into summer, Virgo transitions summer into fall through harvesting and refinement, Sagittarius shifts fall into winter, and Pisces dissolves winter into spring, preparing the way for renewal.
Understanding modality provides insight into how energy moves through each sign, but it is only one piece of the foundation.
The Four Elements in Astrology and What They Represent
The four elements, also known as triplicities, describe the underlying temperament or attitude of the zodiac signs. The elements are Fire, Earth, Air, and Water, each traditionally classified as hot, cold, wet, or dry.
Fire Signs: Passion and Action
Fire is hot and associated with vitality, movement, transformation, and expression. The fire signs are Aries (Cardinal), Leo (Fixed), and Sagittarius (Mutable).
Aries initiates fire through action and momentum. Leo sustains fire through creativity and presence. Sagittarius disperses fire outward through exploration and expansion.
Water Signs: Emotion and Intuition
Water is wet and connected to emotion, intuition, and the unseen realms. The water signs are Cancer (Cardinal), Scorpio (Fixed), and Pisces (Mutable).
Cancer initiates emotional engagement and protection. Scorpio holds emotional depth and transformative power. Pisces adapts water energy through dissolution and fluidity.
Air Signs: Thought and Communication
Air is cold in nature and linked to intellect, perception, and communication. The air signs are Libra (Cardinal), Aquarius (Fixed), and Gemini (Mutable).
Libra initiates air through relational awareness and balance. Aquarius stabilizes air through objectivity and conviction. Gemini adapts air through dialogue, curiosity, and mental flexibility.
Earth Signs: Structure and Material Reality
Earth is dry and represents the physical world, productivity, and tangible results. The earth signs are Capricorn (Cardinal), Taurus (Fixed), and Virgo (Mutable).
Capricorn initiates long-term structure and discipline. Taurus stabilizes material value and growth. Virgo adapts earth through organization, refinement, and efficiency.
Gender and Polarity in Astrology
Gender, also referred to as polarity, categorizes signs as either Masculine (Yang) or Feminine (Yin).
Fire and Air signs are masculine and outwardly expressive. Water and Earth signs are feminine and inwardly receptive. Masculine signs include Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Libra, Aquarius, and Gemini. Feminine signs include Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo.
Historically, polarity was used to predict literal gender. In modern practice, it is understood symbolically as the balance between active and receptive energy.
Planetary Rulership in Western Astrology
Rulership is often one of the more challenging concepts for beginners. Traditionally, each sign was governed by one of the seven visible planets. With the discovery of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, modern astrology reassigned some rulerships, though the foundational logic remains intact.
Originally, the houses were referred to as places, and the signs were known as the houses of the planets. Planets act as rulers of their signs and influence any planets placed within them.
For example, Mercury in Cancer must operate according to the Moon’s rulership. Understanding planetary rulership is essential for interpreting charts with depth and cohesion.
Understanding Houses and Life Areas in Astrology
The houses, originally called places, divide the zodiac wheel into twelve sections representing areas of life. Each house provides situational context for planetary placements and transits.
Every sign appears somewhere in the chart, even if no planets occupy it at birth. While the natal chart captures a moment in time, planets continue moving afterward. Tracking these movements is known as observing transits.
Even empty houses remain active through their planetary rulers and ongoing transits, making them an essential component of chart analysis.
Why Aspects Come Later in Astrology Study
You may feel tempted to jump ahead, but aspects should come later. Aspects describe how planets interact with one another. While they are fundamental, attempting to interpret aspects without understanding modality, elements, polarity, rulership, and houses often leads to confusion rather than clarity.
By beginning with these five core principles, you build a strong foundation for astrology study. From there, chart interpretation becomes more precise, layered, and meaningful, allowing each placement and house to be understood within its proper context.
Corey Neulieb, Founder of Pathway Light by Corey
Corey Neulieb is a traditional astrologer, astrology educator, and consulting practitioner who has been studying and practicing astrology seriously since 2020. His work draws primarily from Western and Hellenistic traditions, with an emphasis on historical techniques, foundational symbolism, and experiential learning.
In addition to teaching and writing, Corey offers astrology consultations that focus on practical application, clarity, and long-term understanding. His consulting work informs his educational approach, grounding astrological concepts in lived experience and repeated observation rather than abstract theory alone.
Corey’s teaching philosophy centers on the belief that book study forms only part of the learning process. While structured study is essential, meaningful astrological understanding develops through experience—working with charts, tracking cycles, and reflecting on how symbolism manifests over time. Through writing, education, mentorship, and consultation, Corey aims to support students and clients in building a thoughtful, grounded, and enduring relationship with astrology.
