占星学将星座分成：本位、固定和变动三大特质。这三者与四种自然元素(火象、土象、风象、水象)组合之后，就衍生为十二种星座独有的特质。
the three qualities defined in astrology are, after the elements, the second major classification that defines the nature of the signs. the qualities assign the signs into quadruplicities, groups of four signs each that reflect the three common modes of signs.
within an astrological chart, the quality describes a person's attitudes in life and the way they approach projects. the three qualities are cardinal, fixed and mutable.
the cardinal signs are aries, cancer, libra and capricorn. these four signs are the initiators of the zodiac. their common characteristics include action and drive; they have initiative and strong motivation. on a team, cardinal signs are the people who come up with ideas and get the project moving, but they are not very good at completion and follow-through. the cardinal houses are the first, fourth, seventh and tenth; if a chart has a number of planets in these houses, the chart is weighted toward cardinal energy.
the fixed signs are taurus, leo, scorpio and aquarius. these four signs are the members of the zodiac who dedicate themselves to seeing projects through to completion. their common characteristics include determination and persistence; they are stable and self-reliant. on a team, fixed signs are the people who keep a project going and see it through to the end, but they can also be stubborn and inflexible. the fixed houses are second, fifth, eighth and eleventh; if a chart has a number of planets in these houses, the chart is weighted toward fixed energy.
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