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Qualities
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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