Quadruplicities

The third grouping of the signs is made up of three groups of four, called quadruplicities. Each group (shown in the table below), represents a quality - Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable - signifying the sign's attitude to life.

Cardinal

Also known as moveable signs.

Originating from the Latin word for 'hinge', the word 'cardinal' describes those signs that mark the turning point of a temperate season. These signs are considered forceful and dynamic and providing leadership.

Cardinal signs are initiators - knowing what they want and how to go about getting it. They like to initiate action and have a strong sense of motivation. They are excellent at coming up with ideas for projects, but unfortunately often fail to follow these through.

The four cardinal signs are:

• Aries
  Begins the spring in the northern hemisphere, and the autumn in the southern hemisphere. Aries is said to be the Sign in which the Cardinal Quality is best-expressed, as it is strongly associated with energy, enterprise and new beginnings.
• Cancer
  Begins the summer in the northern hemisphere, and the winter in the southern hemisphere. In Cancer, the Cardinal Quality is said to be expressed in the desire to nurture, mother and protect.
• Libra
  Begins the autumn in the northern hemisphere, and the spring in the southern hemisphere. Librans tend to express their authoritative Cardinal Quality in a charming and subtle fashion.
• Capricorn
  Begins the winter in the northern hemisphere, and the summer in the southern hemisphere. Being an Earth Sign, Capricorn is thought to have somewhat more perseverance than the other three Cardinal Signs.

Fixed

Fixed signs, as their names indicate, appreciate routine and can be rigid or stubborn in their attitudes. They are, however, tenacious, loyal and dedicated. They can be slow to get started but are determined and persistent and will always finish whatever project they start. Fixed signs tend to direct their energies inward rather than outward.

The four fixed signs are:

• Taurus
  Being an Earth sign, Taurus is said to be the most patient and determined of all the Fixed Quality Signs.
• Leo
  As a Fixed Fire sign, Leos are supposedly much less impulsive than Aries subjects and not as prone to wanderlust as Sagittarians.
• Scorpio
  Scorpio is thought to deeply internalize emotions and pursue goals with much willpower, keen insights and perception.
• Aquarius
  While Aquarians are generally considered to be an erratic and spontaneous Sign, there is also a distinct lack of flexibility in their character due to their Fixed Quality.

Mutable

Also known as bicorporeal or double-bodied signs.

Mutable signs coincide with the times of change in the seasons, and as thus associated with versatility and change.

Mutable signs are flexible, resourceful and happy to fill any assigned role. They are versatile and enjoy variety, adapting easily to changing conditions. However, they can also be complex, unstable and inconsistent, with a tendency to get wrapped up in tiny particulars. However, they also tend to be easy going - forgiving and forgetting quickly.

The four mutable signs are:

• Gemini
  As an air sign of the mutable quality, Geminis are said to have the best communication skills of all the signs of the Zodiac. Many astrologers also believe Gemini to be the sign in which the duality associated with the mutable quality is most clearly defined.
• Virgo
  A mutable sign of the element of Earth, Virgo is strongly associated with detail, precision, research and the preservation of health.
• Sagittarius
  A fiery mutable quality sign, Sagittarius is associated with learning and travel.
• Pisces
  Pisces individuals are said to express their mutable duality in an emotional manner characteristic of water signs, fluctuating from one emotional extreme to the other.