The Qualities
From New Age Village
THE QUADRUPLICITIES, OR 'QUALITIES,' SYNTHESISER A STUDY of the three quadruplicities or 'qualities,' by which the signs are classified as Cardinal or Movable, Fixed, and Mutable or Common, affords an important clue to unraveling the mysteries of the Nativity; and time spent in considering them carefully will be well repaid. The philosophy of the subject, in their bearing upon the three aspects of man's nature as the mirror of the universe and of the divine Trinity, has been dwelt upon in previous chapters; and the practical application of the ideas to the horoscope will now concern us.
It will be readily understood that the three ' qualities,' although always the same in themselves, may be employed either for evil or for good, as may almost any power or faculty possessed by man. It therefore follows that the manner in which they impress themselves upon a very backward and unevolved soul will not be quite the same as that in which they are exhibited by a highly evolved and well-balanced person. This is true of the planets also, and in fact holds good in every department of Astrology.
If most of the planets are in any one of the three quadruplicities, that particular ' quality' will be strongly impressed upon the native, and will constitute a type of personality or Temperament. There are thus three characteristic temperaments corresponding to the three qualities; and their general relationships are exhibited in the following table: FIXED MUTABLE CARDINAL Sun Moon Ascendant Will Wisdom Action Desire Thought Self-consciousness
The ACTIVE TEMPERAMENT is bestowed when the majority of planets ire in cardinal (movable) signs. This is perhaps the most pronounced and acute of the three groups, and stands for energy, activity, change, ardor, enthusiasm,—self-consciousness realized in a life of action. Persons with this temperament are easily spurred into activity, either by the force of circumstances or by their own inherent nature, and they generally come more or less prominently before the world because they prefer a life of action to inaction. Generally speaking, their Karma requires to be worked out in action more than in feeling or thought; but this activity may be turned in almost any direction according to the kind of horoscope. If operating in the life of the outer world this type gives the ' practical man' or ' man of action,' in any rank of life from the laborer to the statesman. When combined with feelings, desires and emotions, the movable quality spurs these into great activity. With an intellectual type of personality they give a character that may accomplish great things through a fertile, restless, insatiable mind.
Cardinal signs also give opportunity, and denote ambition, progress love of fame and recognition, much energy, alertness and quick perception. They produce a reforming and pioneering spirit, with readiness of response to changes in the world around them. They are the most pronounced and acute of the three groups of signs; and without this movable influence the other two qualities might remain latent Indefinitely.
The evil side of this temperament arises out of its proneness to change without a sufficiently weighty reason, from its instability, restlessness, excitability, over-activity, unwise enthusiasm, lack of caution and concentration, insufficient restraint, hastiness, ill-regulated or destructive activity, or a reckless, adventurous spirit. In the early stages of soul evolution, this is the kind of influence that is liable to manifest; but, with greater experience, the energy of these signs is turned into work devotedly and untiringly performed. Yajfta, or the Yoga of Action as Sacrifice, is the ideal mentioned in the Hindu scriptures that seems to belong here.
The nature of the separate signs forming the cardinal group should be noticed if the planets happen to be concentrated in one of them instead of being scattered throughout the group. In such a case as this, also, the planet ruling the sign in which they are concentrated is sure to impress its nature strongly upon the character, no matter where it may be placed. ARIES gives impulse, excitability, activity, desire for leadership or to be at the head of things, assertiveness; also devotion to persons or causes, but there is also some liability to arouse enmity through disputatiousness. CANCER gives more silent ambition and quiet persistence, a conserving of energies but much inner activity, mostly of the feelings, for the mind is largely swayed by the emotional and sensational element. There is often ability for business or for practical science, and great tenacity of purpose. LIBRA is more co-operative and less separative than Aries. The activity may take a more intellectual, imaginative, or artistic direction in this sign, with devotion to an ideal, which may be embodied either in a person or a cause. CAPRICORN is political, official, or scientific, with strength of will, steady resolution, and ideals that are generally quite capable of being reduced to practice The e is much ambition, a good deal of self-will and egoism, but also practical ability and a desire to work for the multitude rather than the few, notwithstanding that there is a distinct striving after rank and high station, with its attendant exclusiveness and sometimes a certain amount of snobbery. Extremists of all kinds often have all or nearly all their planets in one of the three groups of signs; and when this is the cardinal group and angles are occupied, a more or less public career, for good or ill, is certain. When the planets are confined to one of the other two groups a marked or very distinct type of personality is produced, each after its kind. What is known as the strong or dominant personality is not always formed in this way, however; for it may be due to one or more planets being exactly on the cusps of the first, tenth, or seventh houses; or to a large number of planets being grouped in signs ruled by one planet only, such as Aries and Scorpio, or Gemini or Virgo. This produces a distinct type, according to the planet ruling the two signs, especially if the luminaries and the ascendant are involved in the grouping.
THE FIXED TEMPERAMENT arises from the majority of planets being placed in the fixed signs. This is, in principle, the opposite of the Active Temperament, and is characterized by firmness, inertia and changelessness. In any nativity it will incline the native to become more or less set, to run in a groove, and, if the horoscope does not show any modifying flexibility, to be over-determined and somewhat dogmatic. It denotes ' grit' and thoroughness, and when energized, gives the power to be firm, rigid, and unyielding in either good or evil according to the moral growth. The tendency of these signs is to hold together, organize, build up,, accumulate, and make steady rather than to scatter, disrupt or change as do the cardinal signs; but, like the latter, they may result in either good or bad traits. Thus there may be manifested either patience or indolence, firmness or obstinacy, strength of will or stubbornness,, conservation or bigotry, concentration or sluggishness. In the sphere of action, this temperament means work steadily and perseveringly performed. In the department of the intellect, it gives a profound and comprehensive mind suitable for dealing with serious subjects, of steadfast views and often a good memory. With desires and feelings it has very close affinity both for good and evil; for, according to moral growth, so may its influence vary, from passions-and emotions of every description almost, good or bad, up to supreme strength of will, self-control, and mastery both of self and others. There: may be either dignity or pride, and a love of power apart from ambition.
Although naturally slow to move, people with this temperament often rush out into action in order to obtain some desired end or object;. and under sufficient stimulus they may act with suddenness or violence,, much as does the planet Uranus. But, in a good horoscope, there will be sincerity, thoroughness, reliability and conscientiousness.
Fixed signs have some affinity with the artisan or trading caste, but in a higher application, they may signify the king or anyone who-has authority over others. If considered separately: TAURUS will add to the obstinacy, and incline to jealousy and stiff-neckedness, sometimes to pride. LEO gives love of power, great persistence, determination, self-reliance, ardent feelings, but sometimes austerity. SCORPIO increases positiveness, pride, extravagance, love of dominating others, with resentment or vindictiveness in an unfavorable horoscope. AQUARIUS, although refining the temperament, sometimes tends to sloth and indolence, and the mind is apt to get too fixed, to run too much in a groove. The native may be very agreeable and companionable (as may any of the fixed signs if benefics are prominent), but he has very decided opinions of his own, and a quiet way of carrying out his own plans undeterred by opposition or unpopularity. THE HARMONIOUS TEMPERAMENT comes from the majority of planets being in Common or Mutable signs. On the surface this may not seem the best name to give to what is often a monotonous temperament, but it tends towards harmony and peace more than discord. It has more affinity with intellect than with desire or action, but it may vary a good deal in its nature; it is not easy to describe or to understand, and the persons who exhibit it are not easy to know. It is sometimes a rather useless temperament for those who have to mix with the world, if unassisted by the cardinal quality. The intellect it gives may vary greatly, from the superficial, changeable and unpractical to the profound and comprehensive; but in most cases it is accompanied by a considerable amount of finesse, subtlety, and reserve. In some natures this may amount to craft, cunning, deception, stealth, lack of candor and duplicity ; but in others it may show as insight, understanding, intuition, ability to look beneath the surface of things, to grasp the underlying unity amidst apparent outward diversity; the tactful diplomatic mind on the one hand, or the comprehensive philosophic mind on the other. It often manifests, with this understanding, a very profound and wide sympathy and a large tolerance that seeks to include all humanity, the sinner as much as the saint, and the unfortunate more than the prosperous. The idea of ' the brotherhood of humanity' seems to belong largely here and to be based more upon intuition than upon Karmic emotion.
The tendency of these signs is to develop a methodical, sympathetic, sensitive, nervous and highly-strung nature, but there is apt to be too much duality, a proneness to vacillation, irresolution, to ' sit on the fence' and to shirk responsibility. They have points both of resemblance with and of difference from the other zodiacal signs. They resemble the cardinal signs in being often productive of change; but this is generally due to their adaptability and duality of nature, or to indifference and drifting, and is of quite a different character from the prompt, rapid and decisive change of the movable quality. They lack both the obstinacy and the strength of will of the fixed signs, and yet they may show a monotonous uniformity of action and a quiet phlegmatic life that looks very much like deliberation and firmness.
The mutable signs require a great deal of support from other influences to bring out the best that is in them, among which are aptitude for details, mental flexibility and ingenuity, and an easy adaptability to circumstances. Because these persons are rather lacking in decision but are apt in comprehension they usually make better and more fortunate servants than masters; and they would be well advised to be content to play 'second fiddle' and not to aim at positions of power or responsibility. They make good agents, intermediaries, interpreters, commentators; counselors, advisers, arguers, secretaries, diplomatists and tacticians, and many make impartial judges, critics, editors, arbitrators and generalisers. They can till any position in which they carry out or express the will of another, interpret another's ideas, or act as go-betweens, either mentally or in the more literal sense of traveling; but if placed in positions of authority are apt to display a lack of breadth and power, and show a proneness to be 'niggling' over matters of detail, and to be more particular regarding trifling distinctions than fundamental principles, and for this reason are far less desirable persons for such posts than those who have a good supply of the fixed sign 'ballast.'
The two Mercurial signs are prone to continual repetition of past experiences in consciousness, hence to worrying, anxiety, day-dreaming, and sometimes absent-mindedness; but they tend to go beneath the surface of things, for good as well as for evil. They easily adapt themselves to intellectual, literary, scientific and philosophical studies; and, if Mercury is strong or angular, may make omnivorous readers and prolific authors. Virgo adapts itself to a business career rather better than does Gemini, but sometimes inclines to carping and faddiness, and to become too critical and analytical. Gemini children often show much aptness for books and lessons, and later in life considerable versatility and flexibility of mind, sometimes garrulity in speech or writing. Both Gemini and Virgo have a natural tendency either to great reserve or else to attach themselves to a stronger will, to whose nature they easily adapt themselves; hence partnership, friendship, companionship, devotion, sociality, founded, however, more upon adaptability and understanding than upon emotion. But they are both rather difficult to know, and one may live with them for years without fully understanding them.
The Jupiter signs are rather more open and on the surface, being fond of the beautiful, the harmonious, the peaceful, the properly balanced and proportioned. They are somewhat inclined to precision in forms, customs and etiquette, to fine clothes, beautiful houses and rooms, neatness and orderliness, to pride, dignity, pomp, show, correctness and orthodoxy. A prominent Mars or Uranus, however, will easily upset this tendency in Sagittarius, and will give rebelliousness, rashness and perversity; while Pisces may become, under other influences, indolent, inert, flaccid, talkative and indifferent. Both often display an active imagination; and a good many people who possess clairvoyance or some psychic gift are either born under these signs or have important planets stationed in them. Priests, judges and physicians often either have Sagittarius or Pisces rising, or else Jupiter angular, or several planets in these signs.
Of these three qualities the Cardinal is perhaps the most important, for it quickens, energizes, and stirs into life and activity the other two. The Fixed signs, while denoting stability and firmness, are apt to remain latent and inert; they require the stimulating properties of the movable signs to bring out the powers locked up within them. The Mutable or Common signs, while producing concordance, rhythm and harmony, cause a monotonous recurrence and repetition, which has a tedious and iterative effect, and needs to be broken up by the disturbing and invigorating movable signs.
On the other hand, the Cardinal signs by themselves are too discontinuous, too unrestful, and need the steadying influence of the Fixed group and the balance and impartiality of the Mutable.
The Cardinal signs energies and vitalize; the Fixed bring back to stability and stolidity; the Mutable are intermediate in nature, harmonizing and adjusting. In a very general sense, if the idea is not materialized too much, the Fixed signs may be compared to motionless solids; the Cardinal to gas in rapid motion; and the Mutable to the liquid state, intermediate between the other two. The three, when properly balanced, correspond to the laya state or latency, which preceded the dawn of creation and which will follow its close.
It is the combination of these groups that denotes the quality or kind of vehicle through which the native is manifesting his mind, feelings or actions. Taken separately, the Fixed signs have to do with the Will power, the motives, the heart and the foundation of the man. They govern the trunk of the body, and, in a general sense, favor what is known as the Vital temperament.
The Cardinal signs have to do with the direct forces, the guiding and propelling tendencies, and the brain generally. They govern the head and favor what is known as the Mental temperament.
The Mutable or common signs are the servers, agents, conveyers, and have to do with carrying out the orders of the heart and brain. They govern the nervous system, the limbs of the body, and favor what is known as the motive temperament.
To combine these groups is the greatest work of art an astrologer can accomplish, and gives at once the key to the line of least resistance normally adopted by the native. In the example horoscopes these combinations will be explained. In concluding this chapter it will be well to note that affinities are built up by these combinations.
A person born with the majority of planets in fixed signs gains by coming into contact with another having the majority of planets in Cardinal signs, for this reason: the active qualities stir into life and manifestation the qualities of the fixed group, and the two work better together, having a united force of great strength. What the one gains in stimulation the other gains in solidification and steadiness. Neither should hurt the other, unless the law of complements is totally ignored or misunderstood. Each, therefore, has his mission in life, and the one can supply the needs of the other.
If the Cardinal signs produce in the one intolerance and too much impatience, the desired effect cannot be accomplished. Similarly if the fixed signs produce too much obstinacy and aloofness, or if the Mutable signs become too irritable and rebellious. Each must be prepared to give and take, and then mutual benefit is assured.
In a general sense, and for all practical purposes, Uranus may be considered the head or ruler of the fixed group, Mercury ruler of the Mutable, and Mars of the Cardinal; but only in a general and not in a particular sense.
If any difficulty arises in Seciding as to which group should be considered as containing the majority of the planets, give preference to that containing the Sun or Moon, and give a 'casting vote' to the Ascendant.
It sometimes happens, for instance, that the qualities are evenly balanced, the nine planets being evenly distributed throughout the signs, i.e., three in Cardinal, three in Fixed, and three in Mutable: this gives what is known as a balanced temperament. It is not always good, except in the case of advanced souls who know how to use the three qualities; it is, therefore, sometimes very good but at others very inimical to progress, for balance sometimes means inertia—lack of power to tilt the scale to one side or the other. In the advanced soul it would mean readjustment of all qualities, thus producing a harmonious blending of all sides of the nature.
In a very young or undeveloped ego it would denote stagnation, requiring a very exceptional environment to act upon and disturb the balance for progressive purposes. In the advanced it would mean a balancing of the temperaments. In the ordinary person the life would be too even and unprogressive, or rather progress would be exceedingly slow and the life very tame. Excess of one quality over another always denotes an eventful life. In the case of Prince Bismarck the balance of the temperament was justified, but here as in most cases the rising sign had the 'casting vote' and gave him the tendency toward the fixed quality.
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