Zodiac and Zodiac Signs.

We often find ourselves checking predictions of our zodiac signs in newspapers or magazines. Do we really know what are zodiac signs or for that matter what a zodiac is? Let us try to investigate!

Well! Zodiac is an imaginary belt of the heavens, extending about 8° on each side of the ecliptic, within which are the apparent paths of the sun, moon, and principal planets. It contains twelve constellations and hence twelve divisions and these are called signs of the zodiac. These zodiac signs are represented by twelve animals; figures of these are seen in the sky.

The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac.

ENGLISH---------- Sanskrit----------Symbol--------------Ruler

1. ARIES-----------MESH------------RAM----------------MARS.

2. TAURUS-------VRISHBHA-----BULL---------------VENUS.

3. GEMINI----------MITHUNA-------TWINS------------MERCURY.

4. CANCER--------KARAKA-------CRAB--------------MOON.

5. LEO---------------SIMHA-----------LION--------------SUN.

6. VIRGO------------KANYA---------VIRGIN------------MERCURY.

7. LIBRA------------TULA-------------BALANCE--------VENUS.

8. SCORPIO-------VRISCHIKA---SCORPION-------MARS.

9. SAGITARIUS---DHANU--------BOW----------------JUPITER.

10. CAPRICORN---MAKARA------CROCODILE-----SATURN.

11. AQUQRIUS-----KUMBHA-------POT-----------------SATURN.

12. PISCES----------MEEN-----------FISHES------------JUPITER.

This table shows that two signs are ruled by one planet. For example- Mars rules Aries and Scorpio. Each zodiac sign has certain attributes assigned to it which gets reflected in the nature of native.

Every zodiac sign exhibits certain attributes .These attributes are specific to that zodiac sign. Zodiac signs are classified into various categories depending upon the expression of energy in them.

1. Odd /Even:

• All odd signs are active signs. They reflect positive, energetic and Rajasic nature. Natives of these signs are outgoing and expressive and get their work accomplished easily.

• Even signs are yin in nature. They are feminine passive and negative signs. Their energy is internalised and not very expressive. They are Tamsic in nature.

Both positive and negative signs are necessary and nothing like good or bad is implied. Negative side of the planet is embodied in that part of the orbit which is gaining cosmic energy and the positive side is the one where the energy is being emitted.

2. Movement of Energy: Each sign relates to the three major qualities: These qualities relate to the manner in which the native expresses his energy and it further gets reflected in his nature.

• Movable- char.

• Immovable- Fixed.

• Mutable- Dual.

• Movable signs –show dynamism, initiative, expression, impulsiveness and aggression. Though they are go getters but show insensitivity and wilfulness. They are dominating in nature and are born leaders. They have difficulty sticking to jobs and relationships. They need to develop consistency and stability.

• Immovable signs- are firm, stable, determined, consistent, have strong faith. They are emotional and have a strong feeling nature. However, they lack initiative, tend to be lazy and also tend to get rigid in their views. They need to develop initiative and welcome new ideas.

• Mutable Signs- The dual nature implies they can go either way. They have the choice to be either active or passive. They are ambivalent unpredictable and keep swaying. These natives are flexible, adaptable, have many talents, interests and skills. They are communicative and good negotiators and prove to be good businessmen. However, they need to set aside their thoughts and focus on their actions.

Signs and the Elements: Each sign relates to one of the four elements i.e. Earth, Water, Air and Fire.

• Earth Signs-Exhibit a sense of form, order and utility and materialism. They indicate much work to be done with hands or with our physical body. At a higher level planets located in the earthy signs give the capacity to realise one’s inner potential, but at the lower level it may indicate souls who have just entered the human realm from animal kingdom. Well placed planets in earthy signs gives good capacity to do hard work and physical purity. Ill-placed planets in earth a sign constricts and blocks the path to success. The earthy signs are – Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.

• Water Signs: Exhibit the energy of love affection and attachment. They can be intuitive and seek emotional regard and recognition. The main fulfilment comes through relationships which can be with family, friends or social recognition. Natives with many planets in the water sign are gregarious and find it difficult to create boundaries and lack clarity. At the higher level water signs exhibit wisdom faith, devotion and compassion. However, on the lower level they give sentimentality, greed and attachment. Well placed planets in water signs give positive feelings of love and creativity. Negatively placed planets can breed deep-seated emotional turmoil and stagnation. Water signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

• Fire Signs:- Exhibit strong will, ambition and determination as well as good perception and critical mind . People with many planets in the fiery signs seek power and like a display of force and drama. They like to be popular and also like to dominate people around them. Fiery signs need to develop real Independence, clarity and understanding not just to dominate over or rule over others. On a higher level, planets in the fire signs give Independence and inside strong judgement and high values. On the lower level, they make a native destructive, argumentative and self promoting. Well placed planets in the fire signs give illumination freedom and enlightenment. Wrongly placed planets in the fire signs can be burnt up and show the will in turmoil and complication. Fire signs are Aries Leo and Sagittarius

• Air Signs: Natives with planets in Airy signs are often intellectuals; they show versatility of movement and change at the mental level. They seek communication and realisation of ideas and ideals. Their love for knowledge is remarkable. They are speculative and not concerned with practical results. Energies are usually scattered and find it difficult to manifest something in reality. On a higher level, planets in these signs increase idealism and aspiration and longing to go beyond this world. On a lower level they keep the native confused and ungrounded not willing to face the facts of life and about themselves. Well placed planets in the airy signs give comprehensiveness, balance and sensitivity. Wrongly placed planets in these signs have their energy dispersed and exhibit disturbance and lack of consolidation. Natives may have mental or nervous problems .Airy signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.

Western Astrology emphasizes on the Sun sign only. So the predictions that we read are based on the position of Sun when the native is born. On the other hand Vedic Astrology takes into account three zodiac signs –viz. Ascendant, Moon Sign and the Sun sign.

Ascendant sign is that zodiac sign which rises in the horizon at the time of native’s birth. This is also called as the lagan. This is very important and refers to the physical body, immunity, general health and status of the native. Much can be deciphered from this zodiac sign. Ascendant changes in every two hours.

Moon Sign: The next zodiac sign of importance is the Moon sign. It is that zodiac sign where Moon was positions at the time of native’s birth. Moon stays in one sign for two and a half days. Position of Moon reflects the mind or the thought process of a person.

Sun Sign: The third zodiac sign is the Sun sign. This is that sign where Sun was positioned at the time of birth. Sun stays for one month in one sign. This depicts our life purpose- the very reason for our incarnation on this earth as Sun represents our soul.

Hence in Vedic Astrology we study all the signs before we can predict the nature or event in the native’s life!