Signs (Rashi)

One of the twelve 30° divisions of the zodiac. Jyotish measures them from the sidereal zodiac — fixed against the stars — which is why a Vedic Sun sign is usually one sign earlier than the Western one for the same birth.

Aries, the first rashi. 0°–30° of the sidereal zodiac. Fire, movable, ruled by Mars. The Sun is exalted here and Saturn debilitated.

Taurus, the second rashi. Earth, fixed, ruled by Venus. The Moon is exalted here.

Gemini, the third rashi. Air, dual, ruled by Mercury.

Cancer, the fourth rashi. Water, movable, ruled by the Moon. Jupiter is exalted here and Mars debilitated.

Leo, the fifth rashi. Fire, fixed, ruled by the Sun — the only sign the Sun rules.

Virgo, the sixth rashi. Earth, dual, ruled by Mercury — which is also exalted here, the only graha exalted in a sign it rules. Venus is debilitated here.

Libra, the seventh rashi. Air, movable, ruled by Venus. Saturn is exalted here and the Sun debilitated.

Scorpio, the eighth rashi. Water, fixed, ruled by Mars. The Moon is debilitated here. Some traditions give co-rulership to Ketu.

Sagittarius, the ninth rashi. Fire, dual, ruled by Jupiter.

Capricorn, the tenth rashi. Earth, movable, ruled by Saturn. Mars is exalted here and Jupiter debilitated.

Aquarius, the eleventh rashi. Air, fixed, ruled by Saturn. Some traditions give co-rulership to Rahu.

Pisces, the twelfth rashi. Water, dual, ruled by Jupiter. Venus is exalted here and Mercury debilitated.

The four movable signs — Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn — which begin each season. Associated with initiation and change. The Western equivalent is "cardinal".

The four fixed signs — Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius — falling in the middle of each season. Associated with persistence and resistance to change.

The four dual or common signs — Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces — which close each season. Associated with adaptability. The Western equivalent is "mutable".