Astrology Qualities
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.