Trace Back to Elements
| CARDINAL | FIXED | MUTABLE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yang/Positive | FIRE | Aries | Leo | Sagittarius |
| AIR | Libra | Aquarius | Gemini | |
| Yin/Negative | EARTH | Capricorn | Taurus | Virgo |
| WATER | Cancer | Scorpio | Pisces |
Also known as The Quadruplicities.
Each of the four Elements manifests in three vibrational modalities: cardinal, fixed, and mutable. Each mode reflects a stage in the life cycle: birth (Cardinal), sustained life (Fixed), and transformation (Mutable). Hence, when we combine the four elements with the three modalities, we have twelve primary patterns of energy which are called the zodiacal signs. Each of the twelve signs has a unique element/mode combination.
Cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
Fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
Mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
The Cardinal signs are also important points in the yearly cycle of the sun's passage through the zodiac. The Spring or Vernal Equinox occurs at the point when the Sun enters Aries, Summer Solstice when the Sun enteres Cancer. The Autumn Equinox occurs when the Sun enters Libra, and the Winter Solstice when the Sun enters Capricorn.
The three modalities describe a 3-fold cyclic process. The Cardinal phase initiates and generates energy. The Fixed phase stabilizes and concentrates energy. The Mutable phase adapts and distributes energy.
The elements and modes may be distinguished in the following manner: the ELEMENTS describe how energy manifests as form; the MODES depict how energy manifests as movement (specifically centrifugal, centripetal, and spiralic).
Cardinal comes from the Latin word for hinge, and it is on the four signs Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn that the zodiac hinges. Aries and Libra begin at the equinoxes, while Cancer and Capricorn start at the solstices, so they mark the seasons in the same way as the cardinal points of the compass mark the directions.
Cardinal activity is initiating, being geared toward making a new start, as often happens with the arrival of each season. Astrologically the cardinal signs are intensely active, enthusiastic in their pursuit of life's experiences. When a chart has a strong emphasis on the cardinal signs, the person's life is lived at a rapid action-packed pace. Cardinal sign people prefer to channel their energy into external events, and the way they respond is to react immediately. This can lead to a crisis-driven way of life. However, this is preferable to boredom for a cardinal type.
The cardinal signs represent centrifugal radiating energy and correlate with the principle of "action in a definite direction". The essential nature of Cardinal energy movement is to initiate action, start things, get things going. The POSITIVE cardinal signs--Aries and Libra--are concerned with action in the present, based upon future considerations. The NEGATIVE cardinal signs--Cancer and Capricorn--are concerned with the past.
[C's Note: Positive and Negative Signs are covered next.]
Cardinal Keywords
FORCEFUL. The real sense of cardinality is difficult to cram into one word
(and forceful itself isn't the greatest). A compass has four PRINCIPAL points
on its face: east, west, north, south. These are the "cardinal" points; they
are the important points which initiate the naming of directions around these
points. In general the cardinal quality provides an ENERGY and a sense of
OUT-GOINGNESS; it will INITIATE action but will LACK FOLLOW-THROUGH.
The fixed signs arrive at the height of each of the four seasons--a time of their most powerful expression. These signs are the anchor points of the zodiac. Following on from the initiating impulse of the cardinal signs, the fixed signs provide depth and meaning, through the establishment of a strong sense of values. From this foundation the fixed signs operate with stamina, loyalty, determination and perseverance. The fixed signs are not easily compromised; they have deeply ingrained habits and find change difficult. The most common response of fixed energy is one of resistance, and "letting go" can be a problem in all areas of life. The revolutionary fixed sign Aquarius makes it clear that this need not imply a conservative outlook, rather a definite vision and purpose.
The fixed signs represent centripetal energy; that is, energy radiating inward toward the center. These signs are associatied with the principle of inertia in their mundane manifestation, but they are also known for great powers of concentration and perseverance when the energy is used for creative activity or spiritual development. Of the 3 modes, the fixed is most centered on the here and now. The essential nature of Fixed energy movement is to preserve and sustain what was started in the Cardinal phase. Whereas Cardinal signs start projects, fixed signs finish them. The former act; the latter draw action to them.
Fixed Keywords
STEADFAST. One who is fixed in his ways adequately describes this quality.
Other words are INERTIA, IMMOVABLE, and DETERMINATION. There is POWER here,
too, as the sun shinging through a maginifier has the power to burn if that
glass is "fixed" in one place for a while. A good synonym is FOCUSED.
The mutable signs coincide with the times of change in the seasons; when what has once been firmly established breaks down to clear way for the new. It is an unpredictable time which calls for adaptation.
The mutable signs dissolve the fixed quality of the signs preceding them. Mutable energy is open to change, quickly responding to new circumstances and ideas. Strongly mutable types--who have an emphasis on Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces--in their charts, are mentally active people whose focus is towards knowledge. They want to change their consciousness, and are always looking for ways to make improvements in themselves and in their lives. Mutable energy gives a versatile and impressionable approach. There is a noticeable duality in all the mutable signs, which gives them a talent for seeing both sides at the same time. However, taken to the extreme, mutable energy can set up a cycle of restless indecision which is hard on the nervous system.
The mutable signs are correlated with the principle of harmony, and may be conceived as spiralic patterns of energy. Pisces and Virgo symbolize spirals of energy directed downward; thus, these signs are connected to the past in some way. Gemini and Sagittarius symbolize spirals of energy directed upward; these signs are future oriented. The essential nature of Mutable energy movement is to take what was initiated in Cardinal and stabilized in the Fixed phase, and adapt these energies to the changing conditions of time and space.
As the spoke of the wheel links the hub to the rim, the mutable person is the perfect go-between, making contacts and connections wherever s/he travels. Contrary to the fixed predecessor, the individual is flexible and adaptable, thriving on change and variety.
Mutable Keywords
ADAPTABLE. Other concepts are CHANGEABLE and VERSATILE, sometimes
INCONSISTENT. There is also a sense of serving here; the servant must ADAPT
to the master's wishes.
CREDITS:
Portions by Terrastel, aka Jamie Brydone-Jack
Astrology, Psychology, and the Four Elements by Steven Arroyo
Astrology for Yourself by Demetra George and Douglas Bloch
Your Super-Star Course: Natal Astrology by Ove Sehested
The Knot of Time by Rivers and Gillespie
Return to Chantrea's Astrology Page
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