Institute of Vedic Astrology – a leading online Astrology and Vastu training  institute in India talks about importance about 12 signs and their significance in an individual’s life. Institute of Vedic Astrology reviews the twelve astrological signs belong to a particular element in one of its states. This will impart us with twelve completely distinct fundamental types of Signs. The various unique qualities will provide the background to the various planetary positions. Each horoscope has varying planets in once again different signs; there can usually never be an “exclusive” Aries or exclusive Gemini. Each horoscope has varying, complicated combinations of parts which will show up as character traits. The Institute of Vedic Astrology specializes in classifications of astrological signs and uses jyotish Shastra to make accurate predictions about a person’s life. They also have highly effective astrology courses for people interested in the same.Figure 1: 12 Signs in Astrology

If we are to better understand all the signs in their complexity it is necessary to account for the conventional expressions of the elements, along with the features which belong to the planet associated with the said signs. Here are a few of the most well-known classifications of the 12 Signs in Astrology:

1. Signs can be grouped according to the levels of flexibility as Movable, Fixed and Dual.

Movable Signs: Include Capricorn, Libra, Cancer and Aries which represents activity, movement, adaptability, Dissatisfaction leading to accelerated change, and independence, reform and change in general.

Fixed Signs: Include Aquarius, Scorpio, Leo and Taurus which stand for rigidness, resistance to change bordering on headstrong, Calm and resolute in general. They also represent stringent, fixed opinions on religion along with preference to long term employment and more.

Dual Signs: Include Pisces, Sagittarius, Virgo and Gemini which stand for an amalgamation of the two classes mentioned above. This means such people are bound to have a dual nature of sorts and are oriented towards learning and have inclinations towards reading and writing. They will also be open to learning new ideas and are good at multi-tasking, whilst exploring various options most of the time.

Figure 2: The Planets Inhabiting the 12 Signs

2. Signs can also be grouped according to the various elements – Fire, Earth, Wind and Water

Fire Signs: Include Sagittarius, Leo and Aries which represent Dominance, Aggression and being an extrovert. It also stands for Passion, Energy, Frankness and qualities of Leadership. They love to explore and include activity in their life and turn out to be visionaries in the long run.

Earth signs: Include Capricorn, Virgo and Taurus which represent highly analytical, methodical and practical and rise to the top gradually but for sure. They are down-to-earth and prefer reality to imaginative pursuits and are fact-oriented and persistent with a great amount of resilience. They are also great planners and make good top management personnel.

Air signs:  Include Aquarius, Libra, and Gemini which stand for intellect, accelerated thinking, good speaking ability and love to explore and travel. They move quickly both literally and figuratively and come with a great deal of social skills and love peace and harmony.

Water signs: Include Pisces, Scorpio and Cancer which represent emotion, intuition, passion, and creativity. They also stand for nurturing and care along with being an introvert and are dreamers blessed with limited reserves of energy and do not consider facts and go with their gut.

Signs and their ownership-

Virgo – Mercury (MK sign) & Rahu (co-ruler)

Libra – Venus (MK sign)

Taurus – Venus

Gemini – Mercury

Scorpio – Mars and Ketu (co-ruler)

Cancer – Moon

Aries – Mars (MK sign)

Leo – Sun

Sagittarius – Jupiter (MK sign)

Capricorn – Saturn

Aquarius – Saturn (MK sign) and Rahu (co-ruler)

Pisces – Jupiter

3. Signs can be grouped according to the Gender of the person:

Odd signs are designated as Male: Aquarius, Sagittarius, Libra, Leo, Gemini and Aries and lean towards aggressive, extroverts, communicative and expressive.

Even signs are designated as Female: Pisces, Capricorn, Scorpio, Virgo, Cancer, and Taurus and lean towards being calm and quiet along with a nurturing quality while being introverts and also emotional.

4. Signs can be grouped according to the inherent nature of the person also known as “Guna” and are of three types:

Saatvik Signs: Include Pisces, Sagittarius, Leo and Cancer and relate to high moral standards and, is associated with higher wisdom and truth and also are altruistic in both thought and actions. These are pure souls closest to enlightenment. These are houses ruled by the Sun, Moon and Jupiter.

Raajsik Signs: Include Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, and Libra and are associated with passion and desire along with energy and power and stand for action and adventure. They are activity oriented and are action driven.

Taamsik Signs: Include Aquarius, Capricorn, Scorpio and Aries which relate to focus on sensual pleasure and sense gratification. Other concepts include Tantra and other Occult practices integrated with some form of Carnal pleasure.  The worst of the lot will include inherent cruelty and Ignorance. These are houses ruled by Mars and Saturn.

5. Other Miscellaneous Classifications for Signs:

Violent Signs: Include Capricorn, Scorpio, and Aries which are houses ruled by Mars and Saturn and tends towards Destructive tendencies. When these are affected in a  horoscope and will show up as violent characteristics.

Barren Signs: This is specifically applies to the female gender, and the signs being Virgo, Leo, Gemini, and Aries – they relate to conception and the lack of it.

Fruitful Signs :these are opposite to the Barren signs, include Pisces, Scorpio and Cancer which are the water signs and stand for a healthy level of conception.

Shirshodaya Signs: these are signs which rise head first, including Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Aquarius and tend to give results in the first half of Dashas which are predictive tools.

Prishtodaya Signs: these are signs that rise with the back including signs such as Capricorn, Sagittarius, Cancer, Taurus, and Aries. These planets tend to  yield results in the second half of their Dashas

Ubabodaya Signs: these are signs which rise on both sides and the sign tends to yield results in the middle half of their dashas.

The ways to classify signs are multi-fold in nature and the list of classifications just goes on. Astrology enthusiasts can, with a basic understanding of planet and sign characteristics, generate fundamental equations to determine overall sign natures. You can also join Institute of Vedic Astrology Indore’s online 1 Year Post Graduate Diploma course in Vedic Indian astrology.