The Four Cardinal Signs

In astrology, there are two ways to group your planets: Triplicities or Elements, and Quadruplicities or Qualities.

1- The four Elements, which describe your nature, are Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. They consist of 4 sets of 3 signs each, which is why they are also referred to as Triplicities.

2- The three Qualities consist of Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable signs. Each one of these three Qualities consists of four signs, so astrologers often refer to them as Quadruplicities.

The total number you have in each of these groups will give you an overall picture of yourself in terms of how self-oriented, stubborn, or flexible you are. The Element grouping will help you understand your nature, i.e., confident, cautious, rational, or sensitive, etc.

Generally, you will find that:

1- The four Cardinal signs correspond with the four seasons. The more planets you have in Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn), the more you like to do things on your own and get things your way. These people often prefer having their own business and are the Executive Signs. However, they also tend to be more self-oriented and must be careful of not being selfish. It also depends on which planets are in the Cardinal signs. For example, Mercury makes one business-minded, while Venus indicates that in love matters you will like to get things your way.

2- If you have many planets in Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius), it shows that you like to control others and are stubborn. You need to be in control in these areas depending on which planet is involved. In love, stubbornness often translates to loyalty.

3- Planets in Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) indicate your degree of versatility and adaptability. Depending on which planet is in the Mutable sign, Mercury makes one versatile and multitasking, whereas Venus makes one adaptable and changeable in love, art, and music.

It is easy to understand how each planet in your horoscope affects you if you analyze it both in terms of its Element and Quality.

For example, Venus in a Water sign will always indicate a very sensitive nature, whether it is in Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces. However, in terms of its Quadruplicity or Quality, Cancer is the most self-oriented (Cardinal), Scorpio the most loyal (Fixed), and Pisces the most changeable (Mutable), but also the most adaptable.

Next, we will discuss the four Fixed Signs and the four Mutable signs: Sagittarius, Virgo, Gemini, and Pisces.