Quality
From Astrowiki-en
Another important division of the zodiac next to the division into elements. The three qualities are: cardinal, fixed and mutable. Every fourth sign has the same quality - for example, the first, fourth, seventh and tenth signs are all cardinal signs. Because they always stand in a relationship of 90 degrees to each other they form a cross.
The cardinal cross is made up of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Cardinal stands for active creative energy. If an individual has an emphasis on cardinal signs in their horoscope, they are likely to enjoy new ideas and courses of action but may lack the staying-power to achieve the initial aims. Then comes the fixed cross of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Fixed energy preserves and stabilises. An individual with an emphasis on fixed signs in their horoscope tends to be steady and persevering and likes to hold on to any gains but can be in danger of missing the right moment to let go. And finally comes the mutable cross of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. In the mutable cross the old is being dissolved to make way for the new. An individual with an emphasis on mutable signs in their horoscope tends to be flexible and is able to bring things to a conclusion to make way for the new, but may also find it difficult to assert themselves and make the best of opportunities that may arise.
Everything that manifests in material form must first develop, then stabilise and finally dissolve. The individual qualities are associated with three planets: Jupiter represents cardinal, Saturn fixed and Mercury mutable energy. The qualities add different nuances to the four elements: Each fire sign can appear in combination with one of the three qualities, as can the earth, air and water signs.
Many ancient cultures speak of the threefold unity of a creative force, stabilising force and finally a dissolving (or destructive) force as three aspects of the divine. It also stands for the division in soul (cardinal), body (fixed) and spirit (mutable). In Hinduism Brahma is the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer. This equates to the division into God the Father, Sun and Holy Spirit in Christian teaching. However, the Holy Spirit is the power that dissolves rather than destroys as is the case with Shiva. In the English language the word God is made up of the first letters of the words Genesis, Obtain and Destroy.
