A ‘sign’ in Vedic astrology
12 equal divisions of zodiac of 360-degree band that produce each sign of 30-degree stretch is called a sign that primarily influenced by planets. A sign or ‘rashi’ as is known in Sanskrit is the arena where the celestial bodies traverse and contain 9 parts of lunar mansions called Nakshatras’ (the asterisms of Moon). Each Nakshatra contains 13°20’ of stretch that houses four equal parts called ‘padas’ and each sign or rashi contain two and quarter Nakshatras' in it. The same stretch contains 3 ‘drekkanas’ or decanates of 10 degrees each and is significant in natal and some specialized applications (horary & medical) in Vedic astrology. The sign or rashi greatly influenced by vibrations caused by its lord, lords of Nakshatras’, their deities & the lords of the ‘padas’ of the asterisms and of drekkanas’. The sign or rashi acts as a point of reference and highly indicative in astrological interpretations while it comes in contact with the transiting cosmic bodies into it, and also by the various aspects it receives (by mutual or specific) from various quarters, afflictions, combustions into the bodies transiting in it or to those it aspects.
The 12 signs or rashis align into the bhavas (houses in natal ‘rashi chart’) depending on the ‘Udaya Lagna’ or the rising ascendant that is the ‘first house’ or first bhava. In natal rashi chart the sign that is rising on the eastern horizon at the time of birth occupies the first bhava or house. The other houses are followed in sequence through the rest of the signs of zodiac till the 12th houses cover all the signs
The Vedic astrology follows sidereal astrology and has the sequence of signs beginning with entry of Sun into Aries on 14 April and exits Pisces on 13 April in the following order thus completing a solar year.
Aries or Mesh
Aries, being a positive domain of Mars which is the 1st of the zodiacal order located from 0 to 30 degrees of zodiac and symbolized by the a ‘ram’ representing the head of the cosmic man. Ancient Vedic seers have classified this sign as ‘movable’ in quality and grouped with the others signs of Cancer, Libra and Capricorn and identified with ‘fire element’ triplicity with Leo & Sagittarius. This stretch gives power and boosts new beginnings with great perceptive, directional, motivating skills. Confers ability to plan, design and execute any action that requires courage and determination and also gives the ability to supervise, adhere and monitor the tedious patterns of assignments. It helps to initiate, incubate and transfer the issues, which relate to human life and existence. This stretch exalts Sun and debilitates Saturn and houses two full lunar mansions of ‘Aswini’, ‘Bharani’ and the first part of ‘Krittika’ Nakshatras’.
Taurus or Vrishab
Vrishab – the Taurus, being the negative domain of Venus, which is 2nd zodiacal order, located at the 30 to 60 degrees symbolized by a ‘bull’ with unusual horns and representing mouth of the cosmic man. Ancient Vedic seers have identified this sign as ‘fixed’ in quality and grouped with the others signs of Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius and identified with ‘earth element’ triplicity with Virgo and Capricorn. This stretch exalts Moon and works at strengthening human relationships and partnerships that promote social, conjugal harmony and peaceful existence. This stretch is also known to acquire, preserve and improve all that it comes into contact with respect to human relationships and fosters growth and fertility. This stretch houses 3 parts of ‘Krittika’, full of ‘Rohini’ and two parts of ‘Mrigshira’ Nakshatras’.
Gemini or Mithun
Mithun - the Gemini, being a positive domain, which is 3rd of the zodiacal order located at the 60 to 90 degrees symbolized by ‘twins’ and representing the arms of the cosmic man. Ancient Vedic seers have identified this sign as ‘dual’ in quality and grouped with the other signs of Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces and identified with ‘air element’ triplicity with Libra and Aquarius. This stretch of zodiac is barren, but highly intelligent, seeking motion and dualistic in approach and state. It also causes uncertainty as is prone to cause massive natural calamities and destruction of infrastructure that are presumed as creative destruction to bring a new world order by striking balance. This stretch houses two parts of ‘Mrigshira’, full of ‘Ardra’ and three parts of ‘Punarvasu’ Nakshatras’.
Cancer or Karka
Moon owns the constellation of Karka, Cancer 4th of the zodiacal order located at 90 to 120 degrees of the zodiac symbolized by a Crab and representing the Chest of cosmic man. Ancient Vedic seers have identified this sign as ‘movable’ in quality and grouped with the others signs of Aries, Libra and Capricorn and identified with ‘water element’ triplicity with Scorpio and Pisces. This stretch causes exaltation of Jupiter and debilitation of Mars and corresponds to the issues related to the mental and emotional aspects of the human beings. Degree of social, political acceptance, fame can be ascertained from here. It indicates chest, stomach–especially that of related to the digestive systems are well examined from this slot. This stretch houses one part of ‘Punarvasu’, full of ‘Pushya’ and ‘Ashlesha’ Nakshatras’.
Leo or Simh
Sun owns the constellation of Leo 5th of the zodiacal order located at 120 to 150 degrees of the zodiac symbolized by a Lion and representing the solar (celiac) plexus of cosmic man. Ancient Vedic seers have identified this sign as ‘fixed’ in quality and grouped with the others signs of Taurus, Scorpio and Aquarius and identified with ‘fire element’ triplicity with Aries & Sagittarius. This zodiacal stretch promotes a forceful, dominating, determined mindset that is representing ego, ambition. This zodiac stretch causes great attraction with the members of the opposite sex and known to attribute tendencies towards gambling and speculation. It indicates the heart, spine, spinal marrow, nerves, and anterior and posterior coronary. This stretch houses two full lunar mansions of ‘Magha’, ‘Purva Phalguni’ and the first part of ‘Uttara Phalguni’ Nakshatras’.
Virgo or Kanya
Kanya – the Virgo, being a negative domain, which is the 6th of the zodiacal order located at the 150 to 180 degrees, symbolized by a ‘Virgin’ and representing digestive system of cosmic man. Ancient Vedic seers have identified this sign as ‘dual’ in quality and grouped with the others signs of Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces and identified with ‘earth element’ triplicity with Taurus and Capricorn. This stretch exalts Mercury and debilitates Venus. The intellectual and other properties of this stretch are largely come into force with keen applications that hold vital in interacting with human life to maintain or enhance the energies at the physical level. This stretch houses three parts of ‘Uttara Phalguni’, full of ‘Hasta’ and two parts of ‘Chitra’ Nakshatras’.
Libra or Tula
Tula – the Libra, being the positive domain of Venus, which is 7th zodiacal order, located at the 180 to 210 degrees symbolized by a ‘scales’ or ‘balance’ and representing lower abdomen of the cosmic man. Ancient Vedic seers have identified this sign as ‘movable’ in quality and grouped with the others signs of Aries, Cancer and Capricorn and identified with ‘air element triplicity with Gemini and Aquarius. This stretch exalts Saturn and debilitates Sun. This stretch indicates power, fight for humanitarian causes, leadership and ideas and brings new social orders by revolutions, reforms, fanaticism and changes by constant application of balance. This stretch causes very strong belief in truth and righteousness and evokes the masses to correct the political system and judiciary. This stretch houses two parts of ‘Chitra’, full of ‘Swati and three parts of ‘Vishaka’ Nakshatras’.
Scorpio or Vrischik
Scorpio – the Vrischik, being a negative domain of Mars which is the 8th of the zodiacal order located from 210 to 240 degrees of zodiac and symbolized by the a ‘scorpion’ and representing the sexual organs of the cosmic man. Ancient Vedic seers have identified this sign as ‘fixed’ in quality and grouped with the others signs of Taurus, Leo and Aquarius and identified with ‘water element’ triplicity with Cancer and Pisces. This stretch symbolizes application of physical energy, stamina guided systematically into the causes that uphold the values of society. Due to debilitation of Moon in this stretch of zodiac this is called one of the mystical and dark stretches of the zodiac, which promotes interest and activity into the exploration of the darker side of the human nature through mystical practices of tantra and other forms of occultism. This stretch is associated with high intelligence and perception and also often found to cause overly expressive in emotions that relate and advance in the direction of sexual encounters. This stretch houses one part of ‘Vishaka’, full of ‘Anuradha’ and ‘ Jyestha’ nakshatras’.
Sagittarius or Dhanu
Sagittarius being a positive domain of Jupiter, which is 9th of the zodiacal order, located at the 240 to 270 degrees, symbolized as ‘an archer’ and representing the thighs of the cosmic man. Ancient Vedic seers have identified this sign as ‘dual’ in quality and grouped with the others signs of Gemini, Virgo and Pisces and identified with ‘fire element’ triplicity with Aries & Leo. This stretch manifests the ‘will’ in action and causes the qualities of self-righteousness, discriminating and being overly expressive in criticism at times at times. It tends to create a lot of positive energy in chasing dreams and shaping society at large which also works on the same level at the physical levels in athletics and sports and more expressed in explorations and other forms of outdoor activities. This stretch houses full of ‘Mula’, ‘Purva Ashada’ and first part of ‘Uttara Ashada’ nakshatras’.
Capricorn or Makara
Makara – the Capricorn, being a negative domain of Saturn, which is the 10th of the zodiacal order located at the 270 to 300 degrees, symbolized as ‘mermaid’ and representing the knees of cosmic man. Ancient Vedic seers have identified this sign as ‘movable’ in quality and grouped with the others signs of Aries, Cancer and Libra and identified with ‘earth element’ triplicity with Taurus & Virgo. Mars gets exalted and Jupiter gets debilitated in this zodiacal stretch. Manifests spiritual principles and confers independent evaluation and analytical skills uninfluenced by any quarters and aids in well-defined clarity and expression. This stretch houses three parts of ‘Uttara Ashada’, full of ‘Sravana’ and first two parts of ‘Dhanishta’ nakshatras’.
Aquarius or Kumbha
Kumbha – the Aquarius, being a positive domain of Saturn which is the 11th of the zodiacal order located at the 300 to 330 degrees, symbolized as ‘water bearer’ and representing the lower parts of the leg of cosmic man. Ancient Vedic seers have identified this sign as ‘fixed’ in quality and grouped with the others signs of Taurus, Leo and Scorpio and identified with ‘air element’ triplicity with Gemini and Libra. This stretch is source of unknown, unseen power, occult science. This stretch causes psychic and intuitive abilities. It gives powerful drive to spearhead the social causes for the less fortunate or neglected and often gives recognition with religious bodies. This stretch houses 2 concluding parts of ‘Dhanishta’, full of ‘Shatabhisha’ and first three parts of ‘Purva bhadra’ nakshatras’.
Pisces or Meena
Pisces being a negative domain of Jupiter which is 12th of the zodiacal order located at the 330 to 360 degrees, symbolized by ‘two fishes on the North & south direction’ and representing feet of the cosmic man. Ancient Vedic seers have identified this sign as ‘dual’ in quality and grouped with the others signs of Gemini, Virgo and Sagittarius and identified with ‘water element’ triplicity with cancer and Pisces. This zodiacal stretch causes exaltation of Venus and debilitation of Mercury. This stretch evokes unusual psychic, occult abilities and unnatural, secretive behavioral patterns that cause emotional upheavals. This stretch houses the concluding part of ‘Purva bhadra’ and full of ‘Uttara bhadra’ and ‘Revati’ nakshatras’.
