Meet the 4 Mutable Signs, the Open-Minded Shapeshifters of the Zodiac
- - - Meet the 4 Mutable Signs, the Open-Minded Shapeshifters of the Zodiac
Sarah ReganJune 28, 2025 at 9:01 PM
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The Gist -
The 12 signs of the zodiac all fall into one of three modalities: cardinal, fixed, or mutable.
The four mutable signs come at the end of each season. They include Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.
Mutable signs are known to be changeable, open-minded, and adaptable.
Out of all the zodiac signs, there are four known to be more flexible and go-with-the-flow, if not a bit scatterbrained. These are none other than the mutable signs.
If you need the refresher, the 12 signs of the zodiac all land in one of three modalities (cardinal, fixed, or mutable), with your sign's modality influencing everything from what motivates you, to how you approach life in general. The modalities are determined by the seasons of the astrological year, with the cardinal signs beginning every season (i.e. Libra beginning fall), fixed signs falling in the middle of the season (i.e. Scorpio right in the middle), and the mutable signs ending the season (i.e. Sagittarius wrapping up fall and transitioning into winter).
Here, we're taking a closer look at the mutable signs, which are none other than Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. An unlikely grouping? It might look like it, but you'd be surprised what these signs have in common.
Mutable Sign Traits
Coming at the end of their respective seasons, the mutable signs embody a sense of transition. Where the cardinal signs are all about initiating, and the fixed signs supply the drive and power, the mutable signs come in to tie up any loose ends—and enrich or improve things along the way.
We have Gemini, coming at the tail end of spring, Virgo, representing the end of summer, Sagittarius winding down fall, and lastly, Pisces marking the end of winter (and the astrological year as a whole). If you're privy to the astrological elements, you may have noticed each mutable sign is a different element. Gemini represents mutable air, Virgo is mutable earth, Sag is mutable fire, and Pisces, mutable water.
Yet, despite being different elements, the mutable signs are all known to be flexible, which is why they're often considered the shapeshifters of the zodiac. These are the people who can easily adapt to any situation, talk to just about anyone, and have a wealth of knowledge and experience to show for it.
Of course, signs of the same modality do form squares or oppositions with each other on the zodiac wheel, which are essentially tense angles or "aspects" that can cause friction between the signs. Signs that square each other are often known to clash, which can definitely be true for the mutable signs, although their flexible natures help them to be a bit more easy-going.
Not to mention, your opposite sign on the zodiac wheel (AKA your "soulmate sign") will always be the same modality as you, by creating a balance of polarity on that axis. These are Gemini and Sagittarius, and Virgo and Pisces in the case of the mutable signs. All that to say, it can be a toss-up whether these signs will get along with each other or even be compatible, but they definitely have adaptability going for them.
Ahead, find a full breakdown of all four mutable signs.
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Gemini
Gemini is the third sign of the astrological year, marking the end of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Represented by the twins, Gemini is known for being talkative, witty, and yes, a little two-faced.
But don't let their reputation fool you; What some people call two-faced, others recognize as changeability. If "containing multitudes" was one sign's motto, it would be Gemini, who definitely does not see their curiosity and openness to the world as a bad thing.
In fact, it's what makes them who they are. Often considered the most social sign, Gemini is constantly buzzing with excitement to experience everything (and anyone) they can. And as an air sign ruled by the planet of communication and information, Gemini is incredibly smart as well.
Virgo
Representing mutable-earth, we have none other than Virgo—the devoted perfectionist of the zodiac. Virgo season comes at the end of summer, so if you can imagine the feeling of back-to-school energy, that's very much Virgo's vibe.
They're detail-oriented and grounded thanks to their earthly element, but with mental Mercury as their planetary ruler (like Gemini), Virgo is also something of a brainiac. Always striving to improve and optimize everything, when a Virgo puts their mind to something, you can safely bet they'll be the best at what they can deliver.
The kicker is, while Virgos do naturally excel, their own expectations and standards can be their biggest source of misery. However, if they can accept that perfection doesn't exist, they're ultimately practical and selfless people.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius is the third mutable sign, arriving just in time for fall's finale. As if marking one last hurrah before the cold of winter creeps in, this sign is known for being the most adventurous and free-spirited in all the zodiac.
Sagittarius represents mutable fire, so it's no surprise you can't pin these folks down. Like a fire that can't be contained, Sagittarius refuses to let anyone or anything stand in the way of their own growth. They are ruled by Jupiter, after all, which is literally the planet of expansion, so don't expect them to ever get boxed in.
Not to mention, they're symbolized by the ever-seeking archer, always reaching for broader horizons. (Siri: Play Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves!) Sure, they might be relatively unreliable and brash compared to some other signs, but that's what makes them so fascinating.
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Pisces
As the last sign of winter just before the Astrological New Year, Pisces balances out the mutable signs as mutable water. Ruled by Neptune, the planet of dreams, imagination, and spirituality, these folks exist in an idealistic world of their own—even if they struggle to achieve the same results in reality.
This quality can definitely make them a bit naive (like, in a rose-colored glasses way), but it's also what makes them sweet and compassionate. With water as their element, Pisces is an emotional and sensitive creature, but their mutability can sometimes make them vulnerable.
Represented by two fish, it's as if Pisces has no armor, which can manifest as a lack of emotional boundaries. Nevertheless, they're easily the most mystical sign, providing the zodiac wheel with a much-needed dose of the divine.
Cardinal vs Fixed vs Mutable
Now that we've covered everything to know about the mutable signs, you might be wondering about the cardinal and fixed signs. Here's a brief explainer:
Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn): Starting the season with leadership, energy, and enthusiasm.
Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius): Landing in the middle of the season with hard-working, sometimes stubborn energy.
Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces): Ending the season by tying up loose ends and transitioning to the next.
The cardinal signs are your ideal people with grand plans and vision. They're the ones to call when you want to get something started, in terms of embodying leadership qualities or simply getting friends together. They need the support of the fixed and mutable signs to see things through, but they're the self-starters and trendsetters of the zodiac.
The fixed signs, meanwhile, are like the workhorses of the zodiac, with the necessary power to push through their season. They tend to prefer structure and routine over going with the flow, so they rely on the cardinal signs to get things started—and for the mutable signs to take over and spruce things up. These folks are known to be stubborn, determined, and loyal.
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Source: AOL Lifestyle
