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The zodiac has been divided into 12 divisions -

[BPHS, Ch. 4, Sl. 3-5]
3. Names of Raashi
The 12 Raashi of the zodiac in order are (1) Mesh, (2) Vrishabh, (3) Mithun, (4) Kark, (5) Sinh, (6) Kanyaa, (7) Tulaa, (8) Vrishchik, (9) Dhanu, (10) Makar, [also called Brahm Raashi], (11) Kumbh and (12) Meen.

4-4½. Limbs of Kaal Purush
Kaal Purush (or Time personified) has his limbs, as under with reference to the 12 Raashi, respectively: (1) Head, (2) face, (3) arms, (4) heart, (5) stomach, (6) hip, (7) space below navel, (8) privities, (9) thighs, (10) knees, (11) ankles and (12) feet.

5-5½. Classification of Raashi
Movable, Fixed and Dual are the names given to the 12 Raashi in order. These are again known, as malefic and benefic, successively. Similarly are male and female. Mesh, Sinh and Dhanu are bilious Raashi. Vrishabh, Kanyaa and Makar are windy Raashi. Mithun, Tulaa and Kumbh are mixed, while the rest are phlegmatic.

Jal and nir-Jal Raashi
4 (Kark), 8 (Vrishchik) and 12 (Meen) are Jal Raashi and
1 (Mesh), 5 (Sinh) and 9 (Dhanu) are Nir-Jal Raashi

[BPHS Ch. 8, S. 1-3]
1-3. Raashi Drishti
O Maitreya, now detailed are the Drishti, emanating from the Raashi, Mesh etc. Every Movable Raashi Drishti the 3 Fixed Raashi, leaving the Fixed Raashi adjacent to it. Every Fixed Raashi gives Drishti to the 3 Movable Raashi, barring the adjacent Movable Raashi. And a Common Raashi gives a Drishti to the other three Common Raashi. The Graha in a Raashi gives the same Drishti, as the Raashi (in which the Graha is) does.

[Phala Deepika Ch. 1]
6. Lords of the 12 Signs
Aries - Mars
Taurus - Venus
Gemini ­- Mercury
Cancer ­- The Moon
Leo ­- The Sun
Virgo ­- Mercury
Libra - Venus
Scorpio ­- Mars
Sagittarius - Jupiter
Capricorn ­- Saturn
Aquarius - Saturn
Pisces - Jupiter

4. The end portions of the signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are known as Raashi Sandhi. There are other learned who apply this term to the end portions of all signs.

5. The dwelling of the 12 signs
(1) Aries - forest
(2) Taurus - agricultural land with water
(3) Gemini - bedroom
(4) Cancer - chasm with water
(5) Leo - mountain
(6) Virgo - land with water and food crops
(7) Libra - house of a Vaishya
(8) Scorpio - cavity or a hole
(9) Sagittarius - residence of the king
(10) Capricorn - watery forests
(11) Aquarius - the spot frequented or used by potters and
(12) Pisces - water, in that order.
[Notes from translator - Generally this information proves useful in queries regarding theft of articles or missing persons etc.]

8. Rise of the Signs
Some Signs rise with their back (Prishthodaya), they are Aries, Taurus, Cancer and Capricorn.
Some signs rise both from their back and front (Ubhayodaya) are Gemini and Pisces.
The rest appear with their heads are called Sheershodaya signs - Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Aquarius

The Prishthodaya signs Taurus, Cancer, Aries and Capricorn and the Ubhayodaya sign Gemini fall under the jurisdiction of the Moon and are termed as nocturnal (strong at night).
The other signs are governed by the Sun and are known as diurnal signs (strong during day time) - Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Aquarius and Pisces.

9. Some More Classification of Signs
The following are some further classifications and indications of the twelve signs:

* Earthly Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) do not adapt easily.

[Kalyana Varmas Saravali, Ch. 3, Sl. 1-12, 20-25, 37-41]
1-2. At the time of Pralaya (Destruction) the Universe plunged into darkness and was flooded with water, when all of a sudden the Sun-God with his brilliant rays appeared in the Universe. He created all the planets and the 12 months.

3-4. Description of the 12 Raashi --
The names of the 12 Raashi are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. The Sign Aquarius resembles a man holding a pot, while Gemini is compared to a couple holding Veena and mace. A pair of fish is the imagination about Pisces. Sagittarius is compared to a man having a hip, like that of a horse and holding an arch in his hands. Deer-faced Sign is Capricorn. Virgo resembles a virgin sitting in a boat with a lamp in her hands. A male holding Scales in his hand represents Libra. The other Signs are identical with their names.

5-6. The Limbs of Kaal Purush and Their Use --
The Signs Aries etc. represent the limbs of Kalapurusha, as under: Aries head, Taurus face, Gemini arms, Cancer heart, Leo stomach, Virgo hip, Libra space below navel and private parts, Scorpio private parts, Sagittarius thighs, Capricorn knees, Aquarius ankles, Pisces feet. If at birth one has benefic planet in a particular sign, the particular limb will be strong. A malefic makes such a limb weak.

7. Synonyms of 12 Raashi --
Kriyaa, Tavuru, Jutuma, Kulira, Leya, Pathona, Jook, Kaurpika, Tauksha, Akokera, Hridaya Roga and Antya are the other names given, respectively, to Raashi from Aries onwards.

8. Synonyms for Houses --
Riksh, Rasi, Ghar, Kshetra, Bha and Bhavan are identical names given to a House by the sages.

9-10. Zodiacal Halves, Their Lords and Effects --
The Raashi Chakra with 12 Raashi is called Bhagana.

Six Signs counted from Leo to Capricorn consist of Solar Half and the Sun rules this Half-Zodiac.
Six Signs in the reverse order from Cancer to Aquarius are Lunar Half and ruled by the Moon.
Barring Cancer and Leo, planets from Mars to Saturn get one Raashi each in each Half.

If at birth more planets occupy the Solar Half, the native is brilliant and, if more planets are in Lunar Half, he is soft, good and lucky.

11. The Rulers of Raashi and Navaansh --
Mars, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Saturn and Jupiter are the Lords, respectively, of Aries to Pisces. The Navaansh for these Raashi are calculated from Aries, Capricorn, Libra and Cancer in their order.

20-21. Raashi - Benefic, Malefic, or Gandant and Their Effects --
From Aries onwards alternatively the Raashi are known, as Malefic and Benefic on the one hand and male and female on the other hand. These are also classified, as Char (Movable), Sthir (Fixed, Immovable) and Dwi-Swabhaav (Ubhaya, Dual, Common) Raashi. The ending portions of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are called Gandant.

It is said, that one born in Gandant will not survive. He will either lose his mother, or he will end the dynasty, i.e. he is the last of his descent and will not have any children. If, however, he survives, he becomes a king with many elephants and horses.

22. Directions of Raashi --
The four Raashi from Aries onwards indicate East, South, West and North, while the remaining Raashi repeat in the same way. A journey undertaken by a person towards the direction indicated by the Lagna, or the Moon (at the commencement of journey) yields fruitful results.

23. Dig Bal and Kaal Bal --
Human Signs, quadruped Signs, Scorpio and watery Signs are, respectively, strong in the directions commencing from the East. Further during night-time quadruped Signs, day-time human, or biped Signs and the second half of Capricorn, Scorpio, Cancer and Pisces are strong at the time of daybreak and of nightfall.

24. Day and Night Signs --
Gemini, Cancer, Capricorn, Aries, Taurus and Sagittarius are night Signs. Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Aquarius, Pisces and Virgo are day Signs. The Signs Cancer, Capricorn, Aries, Sagittarius and Taurus are called Prishthodaya, which rise with hind part. Sheershodaya Signs (rising with head) are Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Virgo, Aquarius and Gemini. The Sign Pisces is Ubhayodaya (rises with both head and hind part).

25. Strength of Raashi by Aspect --
If a Raashi is aspected by its Lord, or by a planet, that is friendly to its Lord, or by Mercury, or by Jupiter, it is said to be strong. Planets other than the above do not lend strength by aspect.

37-38. Long, Medium and Short Ascensions of Signs --
Pisces, Taurus, Aries and Aquarius are Signs of short ascension. Gemini, Sagittarius, Cancer and Capricorn are of medium ascension. The long ascension Signs are Scorpio, Virgo, Leo and Libra. The head and other organs of the native will be similar to the Sign ascending at birth and other relative Signs. The planets occupying such Houses will also influence the form and shape of the various organs.

39. Favorable Directions for Journeys --
The direction ruled by the Lord of a Raashi becomes Plava direction for that Rasi. This is Yavanas school of thought. If the king undertakes his journey towards such direction, indicated by the Rasi concerned, he attains quick success.

40-41. Colors of Raashi --
From Aries onwards the following 12 colors are allotted to the various Raashi, respectively, red, white, green, pink, brown, gray, variegated, black, golden, yellow, deep-brown and white.

(1) Aries - Red
(2) Taurus - White
(3) Gemini - Green
(4) Cancer - Pink
(5) Leo - Brown
(6) Virgo - Gray
(7) Libra - Variegated
(8) Scorpio - Black
(9) Sagittarius - Golden
(10) Capricorn - Yellow
(11) Aquarius - Deep Brown
(12) Pisces - White

If an idol of the Lord of the Ascendant is made in the color allotted and is worshipped, the native will destroy his enemies, just as Lord Indra destroyed the demons.

[- and, last but not least, the Ansh (divisions) within the Raashis: -]

12. Sub-Divisions Essential --
The effects of a horoscope should be predicted according to the divisions of Houses. Without knowing the strength of such Lords, one cannot lay even a step forward in the direction of astrology.

2. The Zodiac - The 12 Signs (Raashi)

The Raashi are based on the monthly motion of The Sun and the monthly Sun/Moon conjunction which happens roughly each 30 days (New Moon). Each month (approximately) the Sun crosses 30° (1/12 part of the whole zodiac), and each month the Moon reaches the Sun after a whole sojourn through the zodiac, the whole 360° cycle.

Raashi are therefore solar based and ruled by the Sun (whereas Nakshatras, the lunar mansions, are lunar based, ruled by Moon).

Raashi spread the energies of a particular 'heap' of fixed stars they contain. They are orientated on the zodiacal signs but not identical with them as the zodiacal signs we see in heaven are of very different lengths, furthermore it is very difficult or nearly impossible to set limits or borders between them.

The idea of Raashi (and their Ansh, parts) and Nakshatra depend on clear mathematical divisions of the zodiac, in the case of Raashi division made by 12, astronomically related to Sun's movement. Other mathematical divisions are those by 27 (Nakshatra) or 108 (Navaansh). These three divisions are the most important ones in astrology.

Divisions of Raashi (called Varg, with Ansh/parts of signs) are those dividing 30° of a Raashi by 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 40, 45 and 60, with particular rules of sign mapping to Raashi Ansh.

Classification of Raashi by Quality / Movement/ Direction:  -- 
'Movable' / Cardinal signs, initiating: Aries/Mesh, Cancer/Kark, Libra/Tulaa, Capricorn/Makar
'Fixed' signs, securing: Taurus/Vrishabh, Leo/Sinh, Scorpio/Vrischik, Aquarius/Kumbh
'Dual' signs, exploring: Gemini/Mithun, Virgo/Kanyaa, Sagittarius/ Dhanu, Pisces/Meen

Movable/Cardinal Quality: energetic, establishing, initiatives
Fixed Quality: stable and stabilizing, securing, accumulating
Dual Quality: extending, informing, change and exchange

Classification of Raashi by Element (Tattwa):
Fire signs, energetic: Aries/Mesh, Leo/Sinh, Sagittarius/ Dhanu
Earth signs, materialistic: Taurus/Vrishabh, Virgo/Kanyaa, Capricorn/Makar
Air signs, combining: Gemini/Mithun, Libra/Tulaa, Aquarius/Kumbh
Water signs, integrating: Cancer/Kark, Scorpio/Vrishchik, Pisces/Meen

Fire Element: active and energetic aim fulfillment, ambitions, self oriented
Earth Element: practical, putting into manifestation, accumulating material wealth
Air Element: communicating, learning and extending, theoretical
Water Element: emotional, relating to inner world, socially oriented

Each sign is a combination of quality and element, for example:
Aries: 'Movable' (initiating) and 'Fire' (energetic) and has particular attributes as described above in the ancient scriptures quotations.

The 12 Raashi are:
RAJAS Raashi \ (1st cycle - beginning, energetic, creative):
00°00' - 29°59': (Raashi 1) *Aries* (Mesh) - Movable/Fire
30°00' - 59°59': (Raashi 2) *Taurus* (Vrishabh ) - Fixed/Earth
60°00' - 89°59': (Raashi 3) *Gemini* (Mithun) - Dual/Air
90°00' - 119°59': (Raashi 4) *Cancer* (Kark) - Movable/Water

TAMAS Raashi (2nd cycle - establishing, stable, materially oriented):
120°00' - 149°59': (Raashi 5) *Leo* (Sinh) - Fixed/Fire
150°00' - 179°59': (Raashi 6) *Virgo* (Kanyaa) - Dual/Earth
180°00' - 209°59': (Raashi 7) *Libra* (Tulaa) - Movable/Air
210°00' - 239°59': (Raashi 8) *Scorpio* (Vrishchik) - Fixed/Water

SATTWA Raashi (3rd cycle - finishing, purifying, spiritual):
240°00' - 269°59': (Raashi 9) *Sagittarius* (Dhanu) - Dual/Fire
270°00' - 299°59': (Raashi 10) *Capricorn* (Makar) - Movable/Earth
300°00' - 329°59': (Raashi 11) *Aquarius* (Kumbh) - Fixed/Air
330°00' - 359°59': (Raashi 12) *Pisces* (Meen) - Dual/Water/Ether

Drishti (Aspects) of Raashi:
Raashi are influencing each other by aspects. Each movable Raashi (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) aspects the fixed Raashi (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) except the one adjacent (close-by) to it. Reversely, each fixed Raashi aspects the movable Raashi except the one adjacent to it. Dual Raashi (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) aspect each other. The aspects given by Raashi to other Raashi does include as well the planets posited in it and in the aspected Raashi.

Example 1: Aries (movable/cardinal sign) automatically gives Drishti to Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius (fixed signs) but not to Taurus because it is a sign close-by to it.
Example 2: Leo (fixed sign) automatically gives Dristhi to Aries, Libra and Capricorn (movable signs) but not to Cancer because it is a sign close-by to it.
Example 3: Sagittarius (dual sign) automatically gives Drishti to Gemini, Virgo and Pisces (the other dual signs).

Mool-Trikon (MT):
A Mool-Trikon is the root, the source of a planet's energy.

Exaltation and Debilitation Signs and Degrees:
Each planet has a particular sign and an exact degree, where he functions in his best way possible. This condition is called Exaltation. In the same way planets also obtain a worst placement in zodiac, which is posited directly opposite to their exaltation signs.

Note: Assignation to Deities of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto is suggestion by Revati - these deities well describe the nature of them. Vaayu is Deity of the wind, Apas Deity of the water, Rudra the Deity Storms (of destroying and transformation).

Lordships of Raashi:
Each Raashi is influenced by one particular planet, called its 'Lord' or 'Regent'.
(Raashi (1) Aries (Mesh), main sign of Mars, co-lordship by Pluto
(Raashi (2) Taurus (Vrishabh), 2nd sign of Venus, Mool Trikon of Moon
(Raashi (3) Gemini (Mithun), 2nd sign of Mercury, Mool Trikon of Rahu
(Raashi (4) Cancer (Kark), main sign of Moon
(Raashi (5) Leo (Sinh), main sign of Sun
(Raashi (6) Virgo (Kanyaa), main sign of Mercury
(Raashi (7) Libra (Tulaa), main sign of Venus
(Raashi (8) Scorpio (Vrishchik), 2nd sign of Mars
(Raashi (9) Sagittarius (Dhanu), main sign of Jupiter, Mool Trikon of Ketu
(Raashi (10) Capricorn (Makar), 2nd sign of Saturn
(Raashi (11) Aquarius (Kumbh), main sign of Saturn, co-lordship by Uranus
(Raashi (12) Pisces (Meen), 2nd sign of Jupiter, co-lordship by Neptune

Planets in Raashi
Planets are better placed in some signs (friendly signs) and worse placed in other signs (unfriendly) signs. This placement describes the planetary state, the Avasthaa of a planet (how he is feeling - radiant, glad, happy or unhappy, disturbed, furious). Planets in friendly signs/Ansh are acting like friends and giving better results whereas planets in unfriendly or hostile signs or Ansh are providing more difficult experiences (like a person you do not like or even an enemy).

Planets can be strong (good strength) and weak (low strength). This strength is calculated in Shadbal, a very differenciated method of ascertaining different strength of planets. Another method is Vinshopak Bal, indicating the hidden strengths of planets and the particular strengths for special life areas. Vinshopak Bal is based on divisional charts, containing the positions of Graha and Upagraha in the Ansh (parts) of the Raashi.

A Graha and Upagraha are always posited
- in a Raashi
- in various divisions of a Raashi (Ansh)
- in a Nakshatra
- in a Bhaav (field, House)

Why are Dual (Dwi-Swabhaav) Raashi considered to be stronger than Fixed (Sthir) Raashi
And which in turn are considered to be stronger than Char (Movable) Raashi?
Are all Dual Raashi - Mithun, Kanyaa, Dhanu, and Meen equally strong or within that group there is a sub-order of strengths?
Should one sub-order under each 'group' (Char, Sthir and Dwi-Swabhaav) based on the relative Kendra strength order recommended in Jyotish?

Possibly more usage of senses in coordination at the time of need might be the case of Dual signs. Prithvi Tattwa depend and count their patience. Fire and water is not so. Dual Raashi are found to have open mind and take circumstances prevailing before they take decision. The order of the strength within dual signs naturally considers their Tattwa with Jal Raashi (Water Tattwa) having the lowest quotient with Vaayu, Prithvi, Fire preceding in with higher quotient .

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