The Qualities Of Elements Of Astrology

The three Qualities defined in Astrology are, after the
Elements, the second major classification that defines the nature
of the Signs. The Qualities assign the Signs into Quadruplicities,
groups of four Signs each that reflect the three common modes
of Signs.

Signs that are 90 degrees apart or opposite each other -- 180
degrees, also known as Signs in Polarity -- have the same
Quality. The Signs that belong to the same Quality generally do
not function smoothly together, despite their likeness -- or
perhaps because of them. They are often uneasy with one
another, but those in polarity complement each other, even
though tension sometimes exists between them.

Within an astrological chart, the Quality describes a person's
attitudes in life and the way they approach projects. The three
Qualities are Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable.

The Cardinal Signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
These four Signs are the initiators of the Zodiac. Their common
characteristics include action and drive; they have initiative and
strong motivation. On a team, Cardinal Signs are the people
who come up with ideas and get the project moving, but they are
not very good at completion and follow-through. The Cardinal
Houses are the First, Fourth, Seventh and Tenth; if a chart has a
number of Planets in these Houses, the chart is weighted toward
Cardinal energy.

The Fixed Signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
These four Signs are the members of the Zodiac who dedicate
themselves to seeing projects through to completion. Their
common characteristics include determination and persistence;
they are stable and self-reliant. On a team, Fixed Signs are the
people who keep a project going and see it through to the end,
but they can also be stubborn and inflexible. The Fixed Houses
are Second, Fifth, Eighth and Eleventh; if a chart has a number
of Planets in these Houses, the chart is weighted toward Fixed
energy.

The Mutable Signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.
These four Signs are the flexible members of the Zodiac, happy
to fill an assigned role. Their common characteristics include
adaptability and changeability; they are flexible and versatile. On
a team, Mutable Signs adapt easily to changing conditions, and
they don't have a particular agenda. They can, however, be
wishy-washy or inconsistent. The Mutable Houses are Third,
Sixth, Ninth and Twelfth; if a chart has a number of Planets in
these Houses, the chart is weighted toward Mutable energy.

Many people don't realize how important the Elements and
Qualities are in true Astrology. It's the combination of Elements
and Qualities that makes the Signs what they are; they combine
in twelve distinct ways, one for each Sign.