Zodiac Qualities/Modes

[Denise Morgan (Helping Hand)]

Zodiac Qualities/Modes: There are three Qualities defined for each zodiac sign in Astrology. They are the Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable Qualities.

After Elements they are the second major condition defining the nature of your zodiac sign.

The Qualities group the zodiac signs into three groups of four signs, each group reflecting the Mode or Quality of the signs they contain.


Combinations of Signs, Elements and Qualities
Many people don't realize how significant the Elements and Qualities are in Astrology. It's the combination of Elements and Qualities in your Zodiac Sign that makes you what you are. They combine in twelve distinct ways, one for each Sign.


Combinations of Zodiac Signs, Elements and Qualities
Sign--------- -Element----------- Quality
Aries-------- -Fire ----------------Cardinal
Taurus------- Earth --------------Fixed
Gemini------ -Air -----------------Mutable
Cancer -------Water -------------Cardinal
Leo -----------Fire ----------------Fixed
Virgo ---------Earth --------------Mutable
Libra ---------Air -----------------Cardinal
Scorpio -------Water -------------Fixed
Sagittarius ----Fire ---------------Mutable
Capricorn -----Earth -------------Cardinal
Aquarius ------Air ----------------Fixed
Pisces --------Water --------------Mutable



Signs that belong to the same Quality generally do not get along together. They are often uneasy with one another.

Signs with differing Qualities tend to complement each other, even though tension sometimes exists between them.

Quality describes a persons attitudes in life and the way they approach lifes challenges and the way they conduct their day to day activities.


The Cardinal Quality - Zodiac Signs
The Cardinal Signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. These four Signs are the beginning of the Zodiac. Their most common traits include action and drive; they have initiative and strong motivation.
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 Quality - Zodiac Signs
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 traits include determination and persistence; they are stable and self-reliant.
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 Quality - Zodiac Signs
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 traits include adaptability and changeability; they are flexible and versatile.
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.

 

木 Wood * The planet Jupiter
* The east, spring
* The color green
* Liver and gallbladder
* Generous, warm, persuasive, co-operative, seeks to expand and grow
* Idealistic, ethical, enthusiastic, seeks to explore

Wood governs the Tiger, Rabbit, and Dragon.

火 Fire

* The planet Mars
* The south, summer
* The color red
* Circulatory system and heart
* Dynamic, energetic, passionate, enterprising, adventurous, restless
* Competitive, leadership skills, strong, single-minded, loves a good laugh

Fire governs the Snake, Horse and Sheep.


土 Earth

* The planet Saturn
* Center, three enclosures, change of seasons
* The color yellow
* Digestive system, spleen and stomach
* Patient, prudent, stable, reliable, hard-working, ambitious, stubborn, and very energetic
* Disciplined, logical, governed by service and duty to others

Earth governs the Dragon, Rat, and Ox. It is the central balance of the elements and can lend qualities to all 12 animals as well.

金 Metal

* The planet Venus
* The west, autumn
* The color white
* Respiratory system and lungs
* Determined, self-reliant, unyielding, strong, persistent, forceful
* Reserved, needs personal space, sophisticated, seeks pleasure

Metal governs the Monkey, Rooster, and Dog.

水 Water

* The planet Mercury
* The north, winter
* The color black
* Skeletal/excretory system and lungs
* Diplomatic, charming, intuitive, compassionate, sensitive, creative
* Flexible, compliant, good at communication, intellectual

Water governs the Pig, Rat, and Ox.

Element cycles
Interactions of Five Chinese Elements - Cycles of Balance and Cycles of Imbalance

The doctrine of five phases describes two Cycles of Balance, a generating or creation (生, shēng) cycle and an overcoming or destruction (克, kè) cycle of interactions between the phases.

Generating:

* Wood feeds Fire;
* Fire creates Earth (ash);
* Earth bears Metal;
* Metal collects Water and
* Water nourishes Wood.

Overcoming:

* Wood parts Earth;
* Earth absorbs Water;
* Water quenches Fire;
* Fire melts Metal and
* Metal chops Wood.

 

Constellation Astrological sign Dates of Sun's presence Solar stay in constellation Brightest star in constellation Astrological birthstone[11] Astrological tropical zodiac[12] Astrological duration (in days) Astrological sidereal (Jyotisha) zodiac Astronomical observations[13] [14] Aries Aries Aries March 21 – April 20[15] 30 April 14 – May 14 Aries, April 18 – May 13 25.5 days Alpha Arietis diamond Taurus Taurus Taurus April 21 – May 22 31 May 15 – June 14 Taurus, May 13 – June 21 38.2 days Aldebaran emerald
Gemini Gemini Gemini May 22 – June 23 31 June 15 – July 16 Gemini, June 21 – July 20 29.3 days Pollux alexandrite
Cancer Cancer Cancer June 23 – July 23 32 July 17 – August 16 Cancer, July 20 – August 10 21.1 days Beta Cancri pearl
Leo Leo Leo July 23 – August 23 31 August 17 – September 16 Leo, August 10 – September 16 36.9 days Regulus peridot, ruby
Virgo Virgo Virgo August 23 – September 23 31 September 17 – October 17 Virgo, September 16 – October 30 44.5 days Spica sapphire
Libra Libra Libra September 23 – October 22 30 October 18 – November 16 Libra, October 30 – November 20 21.1 days Beta Librae opal
Scorpius Scorpio Scorpio October 23 – November 21 30 November 17 – December 15 Scorpius, November 20 – November 29 8.4 days Antares topaz
Ophiuchus not recognized in astrology n/a n/a n/a Ophiuchus, November 29 – December 17 18.4 days Alpha Ophiuchi n/a
Sagittarius Sagittarius Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 30 December 16 – January 14 Sagittarius, December 17 – January 20 33.6 days Epsilon Sagittarii turquoise
Capricornus Capricorn Capricornus December 22 – January 20 29 January 15 – February 12 Capricornus, January 20 – February 16 27.4 days Delta Capricorni garnet
Aquarius Aquarius Aquarius January 20 – February 19 30 February 13 – March 14 Aquarius, February 16 – March 11 23.9 days Beta Aquarii amethyst
Pisces Pisces Pisces February 20 – March 21 30 March 15 – April 13 Pisces, March 11 – April 18 37.7 days Eta Piscium Aquamarine

Quartz crystals – Arkansas quartz