The
crosses, or quadruplicities, or modes, as they have
been called, are a division of the zodiac wheel into
3 groups: Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable. Each sign belongs
to one of these groups. For example Aries is Cardinal,
Taurus is Fixed and Gemini is Mutable, and so on around
the wheel. In this article, you will dicover what
makes the Fixed signs tick, and hopefully in the process,
you will gain a better understanding of those near
and dear to you.
The
Fixed Signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius)
Exerpt from Astrological Crosses in Relationships,
Understanding Cardinal, Fixed & Mutable Energies
by Pauline Edward, Published by Llewellyn, 2002.
"Because
a man does not state in so many words the reason that
leads him to some action, it does not follow that
he is led by no reason. Because he does not even know
the reason, it does not follow that there is none.
And giving himself one, he may be again mistaken and
give the wrong one." Somerset Maugham
When
I first read the above quote, it struck a chord deep
within my spirit. Finally, I thought, as I savored
the words, someone who showed a true understanding
of how the fixed signs work. (Note that I was even
more pleased to discover that Somerset Maugham was
a native of the sign Aquarius, with five planets in
the fixed signs including the Sun and Moon.) These
simple words had expressed something that I had for
a long time felt, but was unable to clearly articulate,
simple words that had the effect of liberating the
spirit, of lightening the load and of erasing the
burden of conformity and expectation. This statement,
I felt, held the essence of the fixed signs.
The
standard definitions of the fixed signs reveal them
to be at best steadfast, determined and reliable,
and at worst, stodgy, dull and boring. The fixed cross
relates to reality as it has been experienced in the
past and as it is perceived in the present moment.
In this way, the strongly fixed individual can be
more connected to immediate circumstances or to the
present than are natives of the other two crosses.
In this relationship to perceived reality, the fixed
signs find the strength and power of their convictions.
"This is the way I see it, this is the way it
is." To the fixed signs, perception is reality
and reality is perception.
The
fixed signs are in fact the creators, the developers,
the producers of the zodiac and are at their best
when involved in an activity which they consider to
be of value. Although for the most part productive,
fixed signs can find themselves trapped in the immediately
perceived reality, and when this occurs, they are
unable to be creative and can be inflexible in their
attitudes and actions. When not actively involved
in an endeavor that appeals to their interests, values
and tastes, fixed sign individuals can be indifferent,
intolerant, unmotivated, introverted, uncooperative,
unproductive and even destructive. If they are stuck
in a rut of dull, day-to-day routine, they can come
to believe that this is the only reality that is possible
for them. When this happens, they develop a sense
of worthlessness and can consider themselves to be
stupid and untalented. Bit by bit, they then sink
further and further into a pit of despair.
A
fixed sign with nothing of significance to do, or
in the face of an unresolvable problem, can become
in effect completely inert. Some might call this lazy,
but disengaged would be a more appropriate term to
describe the state that causes the fixed sign to become
unproductive. The only way out of such a state is
for the person to reconnect with something of personal
interest and value. Fixed signs will usually be found
progressing steadily, even slowly, on a path of personal
satisfaction, at times, they may be found sliding
down into a valley of desperation; whichever their
orientation, it is as easy for them to change their
course as it is to change the course of a steam engine
once it has gathered momentum.
The fixed sign will generally be found to be set in
his ways, busily applying himself to his chosen occupation,
with little or no interest in change or variation
unless such a change would noticeably improve his
current situation. "This is what I do, and I
like it this way. Why should I change? Why reinvent
the wheel? If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
If a certain brand of shoe fits well, is comfortable
and lasts long, she will buy these shoes until the
company stops producing them. If a certain brand of
coffee tastes better than any other, he will trudge
ten miles through a raging blizzard to acquire it.
Unless a change can be seen to somehow enhance the
experience or improve productivity, the status quo
is likely to be maintained. Change for its own sake
or for the sake of action or excitement is not a common
motivator for the fixed cross.
When reason and idealism take precedence over perception,
as is the case in charts with strong mutable and cardinal
emphasis, the process of perception, although fundamental
in nature, can be overlooked or even completely denied
expression. When perceptions are denied recognition,
inner conflict results. Common expressions of this
conflict are: "I felt I should do this, but,
well... it didn't seem to make sense," or, "I
wanted to do the right thing, even if it didn't feel
quite right." For the most part, at a very young
age we are taught to think things through, to use
reason and logic and to consult books and experts
to obtain the answers we need in life. "Use your
head," we are told, and this is what we usually
try to do, to the exclusion of one of our most important
sources of information: our perceptions. The questions
"What do you see? hear? taste? or feel?"
would more appropriately favor the use of perceptions
in evaluating life circumstances, and would prove
to contribute a most beneficial aspect to the process
if added to our educational protocol along with "What
do you think?"
Clearly,
the fixed signs represent qualities that make for
a very personal life experience. We all have something
in our charts in the fixed signs. To learn more about
your chart and your fixed influence, please contact
me for a consultation. Click
here.
To
read more about the crosses, order your copy now:
Astrological
Crosses in Relationships, by Pauline Edward.
