Classification of Signs (Rashi- राशी)

1. Elements Fiery, Earthy, Airy and Watery Signs

Agni-अग्नी, Prithvi-पथ्ृ वी , Vayu-वायू ,Jal-जल
This is one of the most important classifications of astrological sign for predictive purpose. It
helps in describing the temperament and basic personality of each sign of the zodiac by
classifying them into one of the four ancient and traditional elements, fire, earth, air, and water.
Each of the four elements has three signs assigned to it.

Fire signs Agni-अग्नी (The Inspirational and Physically active

Group)Aries, Leo and Sagittarius These signs tend to be confident, action oriented, outgoing,
forceful, active, strong, adventurous, enthusiastic, expansive and optimistic. Negatively they tend
to be impatient, wilful, reactive, blunt, careless and foolhardy.

Earth signs Prithvi-पथ्ृ वी (The Practical and Productive Group) Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn

The earthy signs represent sense of responsibility and reliability. These signs tend to be
organized, practical, realistic, ambitious, hardworking, methodical, disciplined, analytical, stable
and steady. Negatively they tend to be stubborn, lazy, reserved, critical, fussy, pessimistic and
snobbish. 

Air signs Vayu-वायू (The Mental and Socially Oriented Group) - Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
The airy signs represent mental and social experiences. These signs tend to be communicative,
quick-witted, adaptable, versatile, flexible, relationship oriented, cooperative, sociable, balanced,
tolerant and original. Negatively they tend to be babbling, nervous, superficial, indecisive, aloof
and eccentric. 

Water signs Jal-जल (The Emotional and Family Oriented Group) Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces 
 The watery signs represent feelings, imaginative and creative experiences. These signs tend to
be sensitive, sympathetic, domestic, compassionate, benevolent, intuitive, artistic and receptive.
Negatively they tend to be moody, clinging, secretive, escapist, impractical and unrealistic

2. Flexibility- Movable, Fixed and Dual Signs चर, स्थिर, द्विस्वभाव

Movable Signs चर are enterprising and outgoing. They initiates change and make things
happen. They are interested in promoting change and bringing new things into the world. They
like to take charge of situations and do not like subordinate roles. They like changes and reform.
Negative traits for this mode are they can be restless and overactive.
Fixed Signs स्थिर are focused and determined and have stamina for persistence action. Once
their mind is focused on a thing they will tenaciously pursue it in practical manner with will
power till it is completed. They are very firm in their attitude and once an opinion has been
formed they are not likely to change it. Negative traits for this mode are they can be resistant to
change, requires long time to come to a decision and are very stubborn.
Dual Signs द्विस्वभाव are adaptable, changeable, flexible and versatile. Their nature can be
described as a balance between fixed and movable signs. They adept themselves as per their
surroundings and current needs. Negative traits for this mode are they can be fluctuating and
indecisive.

3. ‘Guna’ (inherent nature) of Saatvik, Raajsik & Taamsik

Saatvik signs – Cancer, Leo, Saggitarius & Pisces – These are related to Higher spiritual
thinking and behavior, Seeking out higher wisdom and truth, Meditating, Focussing,
Worshipping God or Nature, Universality and Altruism in Thoughts and actions, Pure, Learned/
Wise, etc.   [Houses ruled by Sun, Moon & Jupiter]
Raajsik signs –  Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra- These are related to Action and adventure,
Passions/ desires, Energy, Seeking power/ Money / Fame, Ambitious and Materialistic (vs.
spiritual)     [Houses ruled by Mercury & Venus]
Taamsik signs – Aries, Scorpio, Capricorn and Aquarius – These are related to Pleasing the
senses, Seeking lower order gratification of senses in form of intoxicants/ drugs/ Heavy food,
Seeking pleasure in Carnal desires, Also when negative Tantric or lower order deity worship and
Satanic practices, Loving occult and misusing power, Cruel in nature, Ignorant, etc. [Houses
ruled by Mars & Saturn]

4. Dualities –Gender - Positive or Masculine and Negative or Feminine Signs

The twelve signs are divided into two groups. All the twelve signs are either Positive and
Masculine Signs or Negative and Feminine signs. All the odd number signs of Aries (Mesha),
Gemini (Mithuna), Leo (Simha), Libra (Tula), Sagittarius (Dhanus) and Aquarius (Kumbha) are
Positive or Masculine or Day signs and the even signs Taurus (Rishabh), Cancer (Karka), Virgo
(Kanya), Scorpio (Vrischika), Capricorn (Makara) and Pisces (Meena) are Negative or Feminine
or Night Signs. Thus all the Fire and Air signs are Positive, Masculine and Day signs and all the
Earth and Water signs are Negative, Feminine and Night signs. Masculine signs are extroverted
and active and Feminine signs are receptive and introverted.

Some other miscellaneous classifications

Fruitful-Signs
All watery signs of Cancer (Karka), Scorpio (Vrischika) and Pisces (Meena), called fruitful
signs. Any of these signs on 5th house cusp without any affliction to it or to its lord and Jupiter
in natal horoscope is indicative of several children being born, numbers of which will depend on
how strong the concerned houses and planets are.
Barren Signs
Aries (Mesha), Gemini (Mithuna), Leo (Simha) and Virgo (Kanya) are called barren or sterile
signs. These are opposite of fruitful signs. Barren signs related to the afflicted 5th house and its
lord is indication of being childless.

Voice Signs Air signs Vayu-वायू

Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, all airy signs are also called voice signs. As for voice or sound,
there has to be an airy medium, this is the reason of all airy signs being voice signs. Voice signs
coinciding with the second house and placement of Venus in it suggest voice suitable for singing
and a similar occurrence in tenth house suggest career related to voice like singer, ventriloquist,
commentator, mimicry artists, etc.

Mute or Dumb Signs Water signs Jal-जल

All watery signs namely Cancer (Karka), Scorpio (Vrischika) and Pisces (Meena) are called
mute signs or mute signs. This can be due to the fact that water is not a good medium for sound
and hence mute. Watery sign on afflicted ascendant or second house, Mercury afflicted by Saturn
placed in any of these signs or Mercury in ascendant or second house in these signs in affliction
can cause speech problems, stammering or other speech impediments.
Violent Signs
Aries (Mesha) and Scorpio (Vrischika) are violent signs. They are full of courage and confidence
and are eager to take risk. The difference is Aries in violent on physical level and Scorpio is on
emotional level.

Bestial Signs
Aries (The Ram), Taurus (The Bull), Leo (The Lion), Capricorn (The Goat) and the second half
of Sagittarius are symbolized by the figures of animals and thus are called the bestial or four-
legged signs. First half of Sagittarius is represented as a human and second half by horse;
therefore only second half of Sagittarius is termed as bestial.

Human Signs
Gemini (The twins), Virgo (The virgin), Aquarius (The water bearers) and the 1st half of
Sagittarius (Centaur) are human signs as they are represented by human forms. Thus, the signs
that are not bestial are human signs apart from Libra which is represented by a non-living thing,
the Scales.

Double-bodied or Dual or Bi-corporeal Signs

The double-bodied signs, also called the dual signs or bi-corporeal signs are Gemini, Sagittarius
and Pisces. This is because the “double” symbols for these signs. Gemini is represented by the
Twins, Sagittarius by a figure part human and part horse or centaur and Pisces by two fishes.
Virgo was included in this category, but not anymore in modern times. Thus all three signs
belonging to this category are the mutable signs. A double bodied sign on the cusp of seventh
house can indicate two marriages and on the cusp of fifth house can indicate birth of twins.
Shirshodaya Signs – Rising head first – Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Aquarius – Planets
in these signs will tend to give results in the First half of their ‘Dashas’.
Prishtodaya Signs – Rising with Back – Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Saggitarius, Capricorn –
Planets in these signs will tend to give results in the Second half of their dashas.
Ubhayodaya Signs – Rising both side – Pisces – Planets in this sign tend to give results in the
Middle half of their dashas

Signs of Long and Short Ascension

The slant of 23.4 degrees of the Earth’s axis causes a variation in time taken for different signs to
rise or ascend over the horizon (particularly at middle latitudes). The signs requiring more time
are rise are referred to as signs of long ascension and those requiring less time are called signs of
short ascension. In the Northern Hemisphere, the signs of long ascension are Cancer, Leo, Virgo,
Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius. The longest times taken to rise among these are Virgo and Libra.
The signs of short ascension are Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini. The
shortest times taken to rise among these are Pisces and Aries. The signs of long ascension in the
northern hemisphere are seen as of short ascension in the southern hemisphere.

Difference in calculations Vedic and Western zodiac signs

The earth’s equator shifts backward through the signs of the zodiac at the rate of about 51″ of
longitude per year. This is called “precession of the equinoxes.” Because of this phenomenon,
the theoretical Aries of the western zodiac drifts further and further from the Aries used by Vedic
astrologers — at the rate of about 1 degree every 72 years.

The tropical (Western), and the Vedic Aries were on the same zodiacal plane around 285 AD.
Because of the precession of the equinoxes, at present, there is approximately a 23 degree
difference. Thus all of the planets in a Vedic horoscope, including the rising sign, will be about
23 zodiacal degrees earlier than they would be in a Western chart.
The two systems will be the same every 26,000 years approximately (25,772 years to be precise).
However in between these years, the systems will continue to have a divergence. This divergence
will cause the relative start and end points of the zodiac signs to be different.
The astrological scriptures described this Precession by a Sanskrit word called
as ‘Ayanamsa’ (translated as AYAN = movement, AMSA = component) or Movement
Component. Vedic astrology takes into account this difference in its calculations and Ayanamsa
is the longitudinal difference.
In the Vedic astrology scriptures these difference in calculations is explained in detail and the
Tropical system is called ‘Sayana’ & Sidereal system is called ‘Nirayana’.

One very important point to note is that the sages who wrote the earliest known vedic astrology
texts (Bhrigu Parasara Hora Shastra) mathematically quantified the Ayanamsa (Precession of the
equinoxes) at least 2500 yrs before Hipparchus (the Greek astronomer) studied and quantified it
in astronomy/ physics by observing the relatively ‘fixed’ star SPICA in the constellation Virgo
around 190 BC.