Foundations
Signs
The twelve signs of the zodiac, sidereal and tropical — their elements, rulers, temperaments and the difference between the two zodiacs.
The zodiac is a circle of twelve equal signs, each thirty degrees wide. Vedic astrology measures it against the fixed stars (sidereal); Western astrology measures it from the spring equinox (tropical). Today the two differ by about twenty-four degrees, which is why your Vedic and Western signs often disagree — both can be read honestly, as long as we say which one we mean.
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Aries (Mesha) in Astrology: Traits, Myth and Meaning
Aries, or Mesha: the first sign, ruled by Mars, where the Sun is exalted. Its traits, myth, nakshatras, and how it works as Sun, Moon or rising sign.
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Taurus (Vrishabha) in Astrology: Traits, Myth and Meaning
Taurus, or Vrishabha: the fixed earth sign ruled by Venus, where the Moon is exalted. Its traits, myth, nakshatras and role as Sun, Moon or rising sign.
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Gemini (Mithuna) in Astrology: Traits, Myth and Meaning
Gemini, or Mithuna: the dual air sign ruled by Mercury. Its traits, the myth of the twins, its nakshatras, and how it works as Sun, Moon or rising sign.
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Cancer (Karka) in Astrology: Traits, Myth and Meaning
Cancer, or Karka: the cardinal water sign ruled by the Moon, where Jupiter is exalted and Mars debilitated. Traits, myth, nakshatras, rising sign.
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Leo (Simha) in Astrology: Traits, Myth and Meaning
Leo, or Simha: the fixed fire sign ruled by the Sun. Its traits, the lion of myth and sky, its nakshatras, and how it works as Sun, Moon or rising sign.
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Virgo (Kanya) in Astrology: Traits, Myth and Meaning
Virgo, or Kanya: the mutable earth sign ruled by Mercury, where Mercury is exalted and Venus debilitated. Traits, myth, nakshatras and role as rising sign.
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Libra (Tula) in Astrology: Traits, Myth and Meaning
Libra, or Tula: the cardinal air sign ruled by Venus, where Saturn is exalted and the Sun debilitated. Traits, myth, nakshatras, and Libra as rising sign.
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Scorpio (Vrishchika) in Astrology: Traits, Myth and Meaning
Scorpio, or Vrishchika: the fixed water sign ruled by Mars, where the Moon is debilitated. Its traits, myth, nakshatras and how it works as a rising sign.
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Sagittarius (Dhanu) in Astrology: Traits, Myth and Meaning
Sagittarius, or Dhanu: the mutable fire sign ruled by Jupiter. Its traits, the archer of myth and sky, its nakshatras, and its role as rising sign.
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Capricorn (Makara) in Astrology: Traits, Myth and Meaning
Capricorn, or Makara: the cardinal earth sign ruled by Saturn, where Mars is exalted and Jupiter debilitated. Traits, myth, nakshatras, Makar Sankranti.
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Aquarius (Kumbha) in Astrology: Traits, Myth and Meaning
Aquarius, or Kumbha: the fixed air sign ruled by Saturn (and Uranus in modern astrology). Traits, myth, nakshatras, the Age of Aquarius, rising sign.
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Pisces (Meena) in Astrology: Traits, Myth and Meaning
Pisces, or Meena: the mutable water sign ruled by Jupiter, where Venus is exalted and Mercury debilitated. Traits, myth, nakshatras and Pisces rising.