In astrology, a triplicity is a group of three signs belonging to the same element. In Western astrology each sign of the same triplicity is 120 degrees apart, forming angles to one another called trines, which are each equivalent to the 360 degrees of the circle divided by three. Trines are considered to be very powerful and yet very comfortable, free-flowing connections. This suggests that the signs in each element are very comfortable and compatible with one another and tend to have many of the same qualities in common.
Each triplicity is governed by a planetary ruler, which varies according to the sect of the chart. Triplicity rulerships are one of the most important essential dignities of each planet.
Signs within each element's triplicity
In traditional Western astrology there are four triplicities based on the classical elements. Beginning with the first sign Aries which is a Fire sign, the next in line Taurus is Earth, then to Gemini which is Air, and finally to Cancer which is Water -- in Western astrology the sequence is always Fire, Earth, Air, & Water in that exact order (except in sidereal astrology, where currently Pisces is the first sign). This cycle continues on twice more and ends with the twelfth and final astrological sign, Pisces. The elemental rulerships for the twelve astrological signs of the zodiac (according to Marcus Manilius) are summarised as follows:
Elements in classical astrology
In traditional astrology several factors concerning the elements were considered of particular importance. These include Triplicity Rulerships and Triplicity by Season.
Triplicity rulerships
In traditional astrology, each triplicity has several planetary rulers, which change with conditions of sect--that is, whether the chart is a day chart or a night chart.
Triplicity rulerships are a very important essential dignity--one of the several factors used by traditional astrologers to weigh the strength, effectiveness and integrity of each planet in a chart. Many Hellenistic astrologers (for example, Dorotheus of Sidon[1]) considered triplicity rulership the most powerful and demonstrable of the several essential dignities of a planet.
Triplicty rulerships (using the "Dorothean system") are as follows:[2]
'* (Ptolemy[3] later modified the rulerships of Water triplicity, making Mars the ruler of the water triplicity for both day and night charts--and William Lilly concurred.)[4]"Participating" rulers were not used after the Hellenistic period. [5]
One way in which triplicty rulerships were used by earlier astrologers was to divide a person's life into three periods: early, middle, and late. The condition of the triplicity ruler that is in sect in the chart is evaluated when considering the tenor of the early part of life; the ruler out of sect is examined for the middle of life; and the last third of life is evaluated by looking at the condition of the participating triplicity ruler. [6]
In medieval systems of astrology, each essential dignity was given a different weight. Domicile rulers were given 5 points of weight; exaltation rulers were given 4 points; and triplicity rulers were assigned 3 points of weight. This gives some idea of how much power medieval astrologers accorded to each essential dignity. [7]
Triplicity rulerships are not however, given much attention by modern astrologers.
Triplicities by season
In ancient astrology, however, triplicities were more of a seasonal nature, so a season was given the qualities of an element, which means the signs associated with that season would be allocated to that element. The seasonal elements of ancient astrology are as follows:
- Spring - Earth - Aries, Taurus, Gemini
- Summer - Fire - Cancer, Leo, Virgo
- Autumn - Air - Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius
- Winter - Water - Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces
These associations are not given any great importance in modern astrology, although they are prominent in modern Western Neopaganism, Druidism and Wicca
Elements in modern astrology
In modern astrology, the elements have become associated with different personality types. These are summarized in the following tables:
|
The four elements |
|
Fire
(E)xtroverted (J)udging |
Earth
(I)ntroverted (J)udging |
Air
(E)xtroverted (P)erceiving |
Water
(I)ntroverted (P)erceiving |
Individual focus
Agreeableness |
Aries
ENTJ - Mobilizing |
Taurus
ISTJ - Certifying |
Gemini
ENFP - Motivating |
Cancer
INTP - Designing |
Group focus
Conscientiousness |
Leo
ESTJ - Enforcing |
Virgo
INFJ - Guiding |
Libra
ENTP - Devising |
Scorpio
ISTP - Instrumenting |
Humanity as a whole
Openness |
Sagittarius
ENFJ - Educating |
Capricorn
INTJ - Entailing |
Aquarius
ESTP - Persuading |
Pisces
INFP - Conciliating |
| Positive personality traits |
Confidently progresses
Through starting conversations, they tell others what they should do. These people have the confidence to get results they can be proud of. They are persistent on the actions to be done and downplay any fear they may have of failing.
|
Performs reliably
Down-to-earth people are conservative about what to do and are determined to get practical results, and they tend to do so in a resourceful manner. They persistently aim on the point of doing actions in the first place and tend to have little emotional impact from any trouble they have from carrying a task forward.
|
Perceptive to suggestions
These people are flexible about what to do and like to discuss about how to get ideal results. While cautious and objective about the possible future, they recuperate easily from past change. They are persistent on understanding the behavior of social groups.
|
Perceptive to the feelings of others
Discussions about how to get nurturing results are the main attraction to these people, so it is important for them to be responsive to others and their wants. They do so in a emotionally sensitive manner. They are persistent in helping individuals under emotional stress.
|
| Negative personality traits |
Overly demanding
They can be very controlling of others to the point of being seen as arrogant and lacking sympathy for those they lead. They also tend to take credit for the work of others who realize their demands.
|
Resists change
Their conservative views about what needs to be done limits their participation in discussion, as very few changes in their methods are seen as necessary to achieve the same goal. As a result, others may see them as dull and materialistic.
|
Lacks a true standing
Their flexibility about what ought to be done arises from a lack of personal support for the action. By lacking a foundation for taking action, these people are seen as superficial and impractical. They do not wish to be settled and struggle to obtain freedom.
|
Relies on indulgences to avoid defending oneself
If their emotions become too strong, these signs can become addicted to drugs, alcohol, food, or anything that keeps them from being on the defense. Along with their empathy, also comes a tendency to be hindered by other people's emotional issues.
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Notes
- ^ Dorotheus of Sidon, Carmen Astrologicum, tr. by David Pingree. Originally published in Teubner series (Leipzig, 1976). Re-published by Ascella Publications (London, 1993). Re-published by Astrology Classics (Bel Air, MD), 2005.
- ^ Late Classical Astrology: Paulus Alexandrinus and Olympiodorus (with the Scholia of later Latin Commentators). [Translated by Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum.] Archive for the Retrieval of Historical Astrological Texts [ARHAT] [1], 2001. P.6. (This is a translation of Paulus' Introduction along with the Commentary by Olympiodorus and related Byzantine scholia.)
- ^ [2] Claudius Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos online [tr. by Frank Egleston Robbins] in the Loeb Classical Library, 1 volume, Greek text and facing English translation: Harvard University Press, 1940. Pp. 79-83.
- ^ William Lilly, Christian Astrology, Book 3: An Easie And Plaine Method Teaching How to Judge upon Nativities, 1647. 2nd ed., 1659. Re-published by Astrology Classics (Bel Air, Maryland), 2004; by Ascella Publications, ed. D. Houlding, London, 2000; and [in facsimile of 1647 edition] by Regulus Press, London, 1985. [orig.] P. 104.
- ^ Joseph Crane, A Practical Guide to Traditional Astrology. ARHAT publications (Reston, VA). 1997, 2007. ISBN 9-780966-226614. Pp.6-10.
- ^ Crane, Ibid.
- ^ J. Lee Lehman, Essential Dignities. Whitford Press (West Chester, PA), 1989. ISBN 9-780924-608032. Pp. 132-138.
See also
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