The Zodiac
24.3
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Emanating from the Center
This creation process of the Zodiac from Earth is sometimes depicted as a spiral-shaped, phased outpouring (1.3). In the drawing below, it is shown as
fig. 24.3.1 The spiral of the Zodiac and its twelve portals
emerging from a coiled-up snake. At the circumference, on different levels of the spiral, the twelve inpouring portals give access to the coiled-up body. In this drawing, the emergence of the Signs from the snake starts with the Sign of Leo (24.1). The inpouring portals of the Cardinal Cross reach deep into the inner coil of the spiral (24.2). The other inpouring portals reach into the layer of the surrounding Zodiac. On the diagonal angular points, outside of the Zodiacal context, the four animals of the Fixed Cross have been added in their function of rulers. Their (ego-centric) Center quality grants them a key part in this self-creating process.
Portals and elements
So the four suspension points together form the Cardinal Cross of the Zodiac. Based on their anchoring function, this initiating foursome gives this Cross an extra dimension (15.2). It is sometimes called the objective Cross, or the Cross of founders and initiators.
Yet, because of their distinctive constellations at each of these four moments in the year, these four portals differ from each other in an energetic sense. That is why they have been associated with the elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water (24.3.a). Based on this fourfold inpouring, they constitute a creative power in the Signs of Aries, Capricorn, Libra and Cancer.
The Three Crosses
For the Fixed and the Mutable Cross, the four elements follow the same order along the circumference. Therefore these Crosses, too, represent a creative power. In this self-creating process, the Fixed Cross plays a central role in the anchoring of our individuality, the incarnating ego (24.3). The third Cross is called the Mutable Cross.
One essential characteristic of the three Crosses is their relation to the Center, or Earth. The Signs of each foursome always cross this midpoint. Therefore their integration, the point where they diverge and converge again, lies in the center, i.e. in Man himself. So their function implies an activity of the Self and – if indicated by the overall horoscope structure – also creativity.
The Cardinal Cross
The Cardinal Cross (the Signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) offers the background for constructive, legislative and organizational structures, such as working models and coordinate systems. This Cross operates in the realm of the factual, concrete conditions for action, which fall under the laws of objectivity. Its solidifying, objectifying quality gives this Cross an impersonal, ordering, Saturnian character (6.2). On this Cross we find the chief inspector, the headmaster, the head of a department or state – in short, all those who act according to protocols, contracts or traditions.
The Fixed Cross
The Fixed Cross (the Signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius) offers the background for expressions of a strictly individual nature. The influence of this Cross expresses itself in everything that rotates, calling forth its own world. This is the Cross of surrender and conversion, of inspiration and art, as well as of crises, the Phoenix and friendship – in short, of everything that cannot be reasoned out, organized, or otherwise objectified outside of the Self. This Cross, as implied in the term ‘Fixed’, has a stable, absolute quality, which characterizes it as a Solar quality (7.3).
The Mutable Cross
The Mutable Cross (the Signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces) offers the background for communication and mental effort. Its influence manifests in the forming of opinions, connection, restoration, healing, education and the teaching profession. All that can be observed and transferred to third parties, within a specific frame of reference, becomes visible against the background of this Cross. This Cross constitutes the link between subjective observation and the objective, verifiable context. Because, unlike the other two Crosses, it is not fixed to an anchor point of its own (reflected in the terms ‘Mutable’ or ‘Changeable’), it is the perfect intermediary between the Fixed Cross and the Cardinal Cross.
Because of this intermediary function, this Cross has a Lunar quality (7.3). On this Cross we find the world of science, as well as all means of communication, the free press and (mental) health care.
Creative potential
Each of the Crosses represents a Self-activity; in their tensional coherence they all realize the middle point and therefore have a creative potential. In the trinity of Center, radius and circumference (6), the Fixed Cross functions as the Center, the Mutable Cross as the radius (transferring agent, Moon) and the Cardinal Cross as the circumference (Saturn) (7.3).
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