If You’re A Mutable Sign, You’re An Expert At ~Going With The Flow~
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If you consider yourself an astrology aficionado, you’ve likely memorized everything there is to know about your "Big Three," a.k.a. your Sun sign, Moon sign, and rising sign. That’s all fine and good—after all, they'll tell you a lot about your personality—but do you also know if you're a fixed, cardinal, or mutable sign?
JICYDK, the 12 zodiac signs are split into three modality groups. Depending on your Sun sign, you're either a cardinal sign (Aries, Libra, Cancer, and Capricorn), a fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius), or a mutable sign (Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces, and Gemini).
Also worth noting: The four elements of the zodiac—fire, air, earth, and water—get divided three times, meaning one sign of each element falls into the category of cardinal, fixed, or mutable. That's why earth sign Virgo, fire sign Sagittarius, water sign Pisces, and air sign Gemini are all mutables.
The word “mutable” comes from a Latin phrase meaning “liable to change.” True to their name, mutable signs are “very flexible, very go-with-the-flow,” says Liz Simmons, a professional astrologer, tarot reader, and contributor to Astrology.com, based in Salem, Massachusetts. “These people tend to be very quick to change or, if things come up last minute, they’re okay with it.”
That's right—mutable signs are the chill friend of the zodiac. Ahead, astrologers explain everything you need to know about these signs, from personality traits to compatibility and beyond.
Okay, so what is a mutable sign, exactly?
You might say the zodiac saved the best for last when it comes to mutable signs. Translation: Each modality represents a different stage of development and are connected to the seasons, says Linda Joyce, a professional astrologer and author of The Day You Were Born: A Journey to Wholeness Through Astrology and Numerology.
Cardinal signs start each season, mutable signs end every season, and fixed signs are smack dab in the middle of the season, says Lesley Hale, an astrologer for Keen.com.
Besides straight-up timing, each sign differs in what they bring to the table, er, universe. Cardinal signs kick off the start of every season and represent new beginnings and fresh starts. "You have a strong inner world," Joyce notes.
The fixed signs pick up in the middle of every season and stabilize things, she adds. "They set solid goals; they are builders who create a foundation. They pick up the ball and start to make it happen," Joyce says.
Lastly (no pun intended), mutables are all about endings. "They learn the hard lessons taught to them by spring, summer, winter, and fall," Joyce says. "All good things come to an end, and mutables are geared toward change." (Basically, Semisonic's "Closing Time" is the soundtrack to their life.)
What are the four mutable signs?
The four mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. And while they all share common characteristics, they are also unique in their own right. Ahead, the experts explain each mutable sign’s characteristics.
Gemini
Dates: May 21 - June 21
Element: Air
Symbol: Twins
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Personality Traits: Geminis, like their fellow mutable signs, are down to try anything once. They can’t stand being bored, so they're quick to embrace change. “They are usually highly intelligent people who are easily adaptable and outgoing,” says Hale. If you have a friend who’s always down to party hop and has no issue chatting up strangers, they’re most likely a Gemini.
Virgo
Dates: August 23 - September 22
Element: Earth
Symbol: Maiden
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Personality Traits: Virgos are born during one of the biggest transition times of the year, which kind of explains...a lot. There’s a major energy shift during this time—from play to work—that’s typical of focused, dedicated, workaholic Virgos. When it’s Virgo Szn, it’s time to make positive changes in the areas of health and work because “Virgos utilize skills and ideas to benefit the world,” says Hale. It’s no wonder that some of the hardest working and influential women in entertainment (ahem, Queen Bey and Zendaya) are Virgos.
Sagittarius
Dates: November 22 - December 21
Element: Fire
Symbol: Archer
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Personality Traits: Sagittarians are honest—to the point of being brutal—at times. And while their comments might sting, this quality is important for igniting change. Like other mutables, this sign is usually about 10 steps ahead of everyone else. Whether it’s planning their next trip or taking that (well-calculated) risk, Sags are all about forward momentum. “If I were to come up with a slogan for Sagittarius, it would be ‘life is an adventure,’” says Hale.
Pisces
Dates: February 19 - March 20
Element: Water
Symbol: Fish
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Personality Traits: Being a water sign, Pisces is the most emotional of the mutables. They are concerned with subtle emotions and have a sixth sense when it comes to other people, explains Hale. As the final and oldest sign in astrology, Pisces rules over the spirit realm, says Simmons, which is why they’re considered the psychics of the zodiac. Overall, Pisces is an artistic healer that can shine important insight necessary for change on their own life and the lives of others.
What are some common mutable sign personality traits?
You already know they're the most flexible signs of the zodiac, but just because they have this characteristic in common, that doesn't mean it manifests the same for each mutable. For a Gemini, this quality pops up in their social flexibility, says Simmons. They naturally have a fun personality and an innate ability to morph themself to fit into any crowd. A Virgo, meanwhile, is kind of like clay: “It’s flexible, but still sturdy,” says Simmons. As for Sagittarius, they are like a wildfire, Simmons says. They’re ever-expanding and always chasing their next goal. Lastly, Pisces is incredibly empathetic and open to all perspectives and people, making them great healers and spiritual advisors.
Mutable signs are also known for being the life of the party. As an air sign, “Gemini really enjoys the liveliness of banter, the liveliness of connection, as well as just the shallowness of talking to someone they barely know,” says Simmons. Fire sign Sagittarius is also very lively, and when it joins forces with Gemini at a social gathering, they can transform any event from drab to fab. Sagittarius brings a lot of light, spontaneity, and enthusiasm to any space they’re in, Simmons adds.
While essential to keeping the zodiac flowing, mutable signs can have some less-than-desirable qualities, too. For instance, focused earth sign Virgo may be so perfectionistic to the point where they procrastinate a task if they feel they can’t get it right the first time, says Simmons. And Sagittarians are so forward-thinking, they may face issues with commitment. They might embark on a new project or adventure, but drop it as soon as something more exciting comes along.
Another hard point for mutable signs (ahem, Pisces, in particular) is that they can be very moody and unpredictable. This trait likely has something to do with these signs getting so absorbed in what’s going on for everyone around them, that they can lose themselves in the process. It’s important for mutables to focus on their own growth before they try to help others, Joyce says. “Sometimes, they need to focus on their own reality,” she adds.
Which planets rule over the mutable signs?
It's helpful to know your modality's ruling planet because that can give you even more perspective on your astrological chart, Simmons says. The mutable signs are ruled by two planets: Gemini and Virgo are ruled by Mercury, while Sagittarius and Pisces are ruled by Jupiter.
As Mercury is the planet of communication, Gemini loves to ask questions and gather information, while Virgo enjoys communicating and using their curiosity for research purposes to be productive. Meanwhile, Jupiter represents benevolence and good luck. So, Sagittarius isn't afraid to try new things and expand their lives with a can-do attitude, while Pisces creates their luck through manifestation and hoping and wishing for something to come true, Simmons adds.
Which modality is most compatible with mutable signs?
In the case of modalities, opposites do attract. Because mutable signs are so changeable, they’re best paired with the fixed signs—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius—who are the complete opposite. Fixed signs are very set in their ways, so they can provide the stability that mutable signs may lack, says Simmons. “The fixed sign can be the reality check that the mutable sign needs to take it one day at a time,” says Simmons.
But a cardinal sign is also not a bad match for a mutable sign. As cardinal signs represent new beginnings, they can offer a mutable sign the ability to take charge of a goal, aspiration, or intention. “Whatever the mutable sign wants to do, the cardinal sign can provide that boost of ambition and action behind that desire,” she adds.
Unfortunately, mutable signs may not play well with their own modality. “While a mutable sign can offer the open-mindedness that another mutable sign may want or need, it can be almost too open—to the point where not a lot will get done in the process,” Simmons explains. Basically, although two mutables may feel the most comfortable together, this pairing may exhibit a lack of accountability.
Meet the Experts: Liz Simmons is a professional astrologer, tarot reader, and contributor to Astrology.com based in Salem, Massachusetts. Lesley Hale is an astrologer for Keen.com. Linda Joyce is a professional astrologer and author of The Day You Were Born: A Journey to Wholeness Through Astrology and Numerology.
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