The Duality of Mutable Signs
It’s widely known that the archetype of Gemini is that of a pair of twins, often conjuring the image of a person with two faces. Two minds occupying the same body puts Gemini high on the intellect scale but not always so high on the scales of trustworthiness or reliability. They have a reputation for being fickle but they are not the only ones.
All of the mutable signs carry a strong principle of dualism. Each occupying the last month before the change of season, these signs possess a restlessness and inconsistency of shape that must occur to bring forth the clarity and focus of intention that exists in the following cardinal sign. Cusp personalities in their own right, they carry the flavors of two seasons, often exhibiting the extremes of both. They are in a constant state of change and therefore the native of these signs often fluctuate between two different states respective of the element of the sign.
The duality of the mutable signs can also be seen in their symbolic archetypes. Gemini is of course represented by two actual people, the twins. Sagittarius is represented by a half man ,half animal. Pisces is represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions but connected by a silver thread. Virgo is a symbol of purity living life in an impure world*.
Each of of the mutable signs are drawn in two different directions. Where the duality plays out the most can most easily be seen in the element of the sign.
Twins pretending to be one person
Always changing their mind, Predictably unpredictable, Rationalizers, Strategic, Unsure, Speaking before thinking things through, Can relate to a lot of different perspectives
Earth - Virgo - Two Bodies
Temporary states of the body in the physical world.
Lazy then active, messy but highly organized, health nuts with health problems, feasting and fasting, collecting then throwing things away, different body types at different stages in life
Fire - Sagittarius - Two Spirits
An animal and a man, with a bow and arrow
Wanting to run free, aimless, carnal, wild, careless and carefree; Philosophical, strong moral code of conduct, aspirational, on a mission, out to win.
Water - Pisces - Two Hearts
One fish loves you the other fish loves you not
Showing devotion then showing distance, being dishonest about their intentions, not knowing rather to stay or go, feeling pulled in every direction, feeling many things at once, understanding the many layers of truth
Its not as easy at first glance to identify the dualism in the symbol of Virgo, especially with such varying representations. For me, Virgo is a representation of two opposite states of being, pure and impure; a young child still connected to the source or the higher realm of heaven (Virgo is often depicted with a halo and wings) while living fully in the lower dirt filled realm of earth.
Essentially Virgo is a girl or a young woman, a virgin. Girlhood is a temporary state in which the girl is learning to be a woman. Every girl will eventually grow up or die. So the image of a girl is an image of someone is a temporary state of existence, learning what it means to become something else. Virginity or purity is also a temporary state. A white shirt can only stay white if its never worn and even then it will collect dust on the hanger. So therefore Virgo is like two states of being in one. Virgo tries to maintain this state of purity in an impure world and fluctuates as she puts herself through the ringer reverting back to a perfect state every time she falls in the mud.
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
titsay
amandla
