Mesha is ruled by Mangala (Mars).

This sign is strong at night, by nature – fiery, fixed. Saturn is weakened in Aries. This speaks of Aries’ impatience, inability to distribute their time, and also that Aries, taking on responsibility, often cannot cope with it, they find it hard to complete what they have begun.

Taurus are practical, realistic, somewhat grounded, conservative.

Venus gives them beauty, artistry, a good voice, musical abilities, and a tendency toward sensual pleasures. In this sign the Moon is exalted, which speaks of Taurus’s calmness, prudence, receptivity, and intuition.

Cancer is ruled by Chandra (the Moon).

This sign is strong at night, by nature – water, moveable, feminine. The symbol of the sign is the crab. Cancers are emotional, sensitive, attached to home and family, conservative, and inclined to express dissatisfaction. Cancers are perceptive, restrained, and in their life feelings play a major role. In Cancer Jupiter is exalted, which speaks of attachment to traditions, ritual, inclination toward philosophy, mysticism, and occult knowledge. Mars is weakened in this sign, therefore Cancers are often indecisive, fearful, shy. In danger they retreat – “step back”, but if there is nowhere further to withdraw, they begin to fight desperately.

Simha is ruled by Surya (the Sun).

This sign is strong during the day, by nature – fiery, fixed, masculine. The symbol of the sign is the lion, which indicates a royal appearance and kingly manners. Leos are generous by nature, noble, natural leaders, proactive, have strong health, an independent character, endurance and bravery. Ancient texts assert that those born under Leo are lucky and have the support of God, father, and government. The negative qualities of Leo include egocentrism, excessive self-confidence, pride, and complacency.

Kanya is ruled by Budha (Mercury).

Purity, both external and internal, is its directive. Virgos are timid and indecisive, strict, innocent, and somewhat naïve. In Virgo Mercury is exalted, indicating a critical mind, analytical abilities, attention to detail, a tendency toward commercial activity. Venus is weakened in this sign, so Virgos often find it difficult to build relationships with the opposite sex.

Vrishchika is ruled by Mangala (Mars).

This sign is strong during the day, by nature – water, fixed, feminine. The symbol of the sign is the scorpion, indicating an irritable, vengeful character. Those born under this sign are sharp, clever, caustic. They are attractive, refined, seductive, attached to sexual pleasures. Fiery Mars, ruling a water sign, gives Scorpios a “hot”, passionate, temperamental nature. Ancient texts call this sign of purification and transformation. Often in their lives Scorpios face great difficulties and trials until they are spiritually transformed. In Scorpio the Moon is weakened, indicating emotional vulnerability, touchiness, giving rise to disagreements with the mother. Mars endows Scorpios with courage, the tendency to risk, fearlessness, as well as mystical power governed by will. Therefore among those born under this sign there are many mystics and magicians.

Dhanu (Sagittarius) is ruled by Guru (Jupiter).

This sign is strong at night, by nature – fiery, dual, masculine. The symbol of the sign is the archer, suggesting Sagittarius always pursues unknown, lofty goals. Sagittarians are sincere, ambitious, truthful, optimistic, resilient, persistent, and reliable. They are interested in philosophy and religion, striving for a holy and pure life.

Makara (Capricorn) is ruled by Shani (Saturn).

This sign is strong at night, by nature – earth, moveable, feminine. The symbol of the sign is the mythical creature, a winged crocodile, indicating perseverance and inventiveness in achieving goals, extraordinary personal strength, sloth, endurance, patience, and the ability to exert strong influence on others, as well as great ambition and striving for power. In Capricorn Mars is exalted, so people born under this sign are decisive, can act swiftly and sometimes cunningly. They have a sober, calculative mind and can foresee their own and others’ actions several steps ahead. Shani, who rules this sign, endows Capricorns with loyalty, consistency, and reliability. Capricorns are dangerous opponents and reliable friends. They are selfish, dislike being controlled by others, are not content with little, and strive for power. They rely on gradual progress and the pursuit of their goals.

Kumbha (Aquarius) is ruled by Shani (Saturn).

This sign is strong during the day, by nature – air, fixed, masculine. The symbol of the sign – a woman carrying a water pitcher – suggests those born under this sign serve others and carry a heavy burden. And this burden is the selfishness inherent in Aquarians from birth. However, by Shani’s grace, they encounter situations that allow them to realise their selfishness and change. Aquarians have an interest in mysticism and higher knowledge. They are inconsistent in character, cheerful, and sometimes eccentric.

Meena (Pisces) is ruled by Guru (Jupiter).

Dreamy and impractical, they often experience internal contradiction, indecision, difficulty making choices. Jupiter grants them a leaning and interest in philosophy and religion, giving them teaching abilities. In this sign Venus is exalted and blesses Pisces with attractive and magnetic appearance, artistic talents, and musical ability. Mercury is weakened in Pisces, so Pisces are often unsociable, impenetrable, and live in their own world.

Sidereal and Tropical Zodiacs

In world astrology two zodiacs are used – the sidereal (fixed) and the tropical (moving).

The sidereal zodiac consists of the stars themselves, which are immobile, hence the sidereal zodiac is called fixed. It is used only in Jyotish. This zodiac does not change, and so Jyotish is applicable at all times—it is eternal knowledge. The tropical zodiac is called so because it uses projections of the sidereal zodiac onto the Earth’s tropics. The Earth’s axis is slightly tilted from the Universe’s axis, which passes through the Pole Star and the highest planet of the material world – Satya-loka, or Brahma-loka, abode of Brahma, creator of the Universe. Moreover, the Earth’s axis shifts constantly, and the divergence angle increases. In astronomy, this phenomenon is called the “precession of the equinoxes,” or “precession of the axis.” Accordingly, projections of zodiac signs onto the tropics change constantly, and so the tropical zodiac is called movable.