Astrology: Basics – Part One

The Signs of the Zodiac

  ARIES (the Ram)  –  Triplicity: Fire  –  Quadruplicity: Cardinal

  TAURUS (the Bull)  –  Triplicity: Earth  –  Quadruplicity: Kerubic

  GEMINI (the Twins)  –  Triplicity: Air  –  Quadruplicity: Mutable

  CANCER (the Crab)  –  Triplicity: Water  –  Quadruplicity: Cardinal

  LEO (the Lion)  –  Triplicity: Fire  –  Quadruplicity: Kerubic

  VIRGO (the Virgin)  –  Triplicity: Earth  –  Quadruplicity: Mutable

  LIBRA (the Scales)  –  Triplicity: Air  –  Quadruplicity: Cardinal

  SCORPIO (the Scorpion)  –  Triplicity: Water  –  Quadruplicity: Kerubic

  SAGITTARIUS (the Archer)  –  Triplicity: Fire  –  Quadruplicity: Mutable

  CAPRICORN (the Sea-Goat)  –  Triplicity: Earth  –  Quadruplicity: Cardinal

  AQUARIUS (the Water-bearer)  –  Triplicity: Air  –  Quadruplicity: Kerubic

  PISCES (the Two Fish)  –  Triplicity: Water  –  Quadruplicity: Mutable

Triplicities (Elemental Groupings)

A “Triplicity” refers to a group of three zodiac signs.  There are four triplicities in total (12/3=4).  The four triplicites are governed by one of the four elements:  Earth, Air, Fire and Water.  The Triplicities represent the Elements operation in the Zodiac, and each Triplicity has assigned to them both positive and negative “traits”.

• Fire = Aries, Leo and Sagittarius
  • Positive Traits:  eager, enthusiastic, fiery, impassioned, independent and spontaneous.
  • Negative Traits:  can be too forceful, domineering and overbearing.
• Earth = Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
  • Positive Traits:  conservative, dependable, earthly, practical, sensual and stable.
  • Negative Traits:  can be dull, overly materialistic, possessive and slow.
• Air = Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
  • Positive Traits:  able to communicate well, idealistic, intellectual, logical, objective and open-minded.
  • Negative Traits:  can be cold, impractical and insensitive.
• Water = Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces
  • Positive Traits:  compassionate, complex, emotional, intuitive, receptive and sensitive.
  • Negative Traits:  can be moody, easily influenced, self-pitying and wavering.

 

 

Quadruplicities (“Quality” Groupings)

The four letters “QUAD”, just like “TRI” would imply threes, implies fours.  The Quadruplicites are groups of 4 zodiac signs.
There are three Quadruplicities: Cardinal, Kerubic (Fixed) and Mutable.
Cardinal refers to the signs that rule the changes of the seasons (Aries = Spring, Cancer = Summer, etc – reverse for Southern Hemisphere).
Kerubic or Fixed signs refer to the signs that rule the Middle Month of each Season.
Mutable signs refer to the signs that rule the closing month of each season.
As with the Triplicities, each of the Quadruplicity groupings have both positive and negative traits assigned to them.

• Cardinal = Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn
  • Positive Traits:  Cardinal Signs are active, ambitious, enthusiastic, fervent, independent, and initiating. Mentally they are quick and insatiable.
  • Negative Traits:  They can be domineering, impetuous, thoughtless and without the ability to follow through with projects they have started
• Kerubic = Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius
  • These Signs are able to concentrate, are accumulative, determined, persevering, and stable. Their goals are reached slowly but steadily. They are perceptive and have excellent memories.
  • Negative Traits:  They can be egotistical, obstinate and too firmly ingrained in their ways and opinions.
• Mutable = Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces
  • Positive Traits:  adaptable, changeable, intuitive, subtle, understanding, and versatile. Mentally, they are clever and flexible.
  • Negative Traits:  They can be cunning, deceptive, fickle, and unreliable.