The 12 signs of the Zodiac are separated into 3 qualities which are Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable. By studying the combination of different planets, the three different qualities and the elements of a person’s sign, astrologers can also draw a complete personality profile of a subject.
Cardinal: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Enterprising and outgoing.
Fixed: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Resistant to change.
Mutable: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. Adaptable and changeable.
Each sign of the same quality expresses its quality differently. For example, Aries and Cancer are both Cardinals, but Aries is of Fire and Cancer of Water. Therefore, both Aries and Cancer show signs of enterprising, but Aries will show an initial enthusiasm towards enterprising in the beginning whereas Cancer will steadily show the quality through emotions.