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On noticing the geo-centrically apparent movement of the sun around the Earth, Zodiac has been divided into 12 signs for predictive purpose. First sign of zodiac starts from the vernal equinox, which is an intersecting point of celestial equator and ecliptic.  The classification of signs has been done on the basis of following principles:

There are four elements – Fire, Earth, Air and Water (F-E-A-W). Each element has some traits & meaning. Each sign necessarily possesses an element to exhibit its primary response. On observation each sign has been has been entrusted with an element as follows:

 

Fiery Sign :  Aries,  Leo,     Sagittarius      

Earthy Sign: Taurus, Virgo,  Capricorn  

 

Airy Sign:  Gemini,  Libra,  Aquarius       

 

Watery Sign:  Cancer,   Scorpio,  Pisces

 

Fire is purifying. It indicates purposefulness to gain or achieve something in future with strong will.  It is instinctual, outgoing, active, quick, spontaneous, impulsive, energetic, enthusiastic, courageous, confident, innovative, expressive and aggressive.  Fire is the element of leading capability, jam-packed with commanding nature, forcefulness and ambition. It is enterprising. Fire projects firmness on own point of view, individualistic, self-expressive, generosity.  It has the characteristics to burn so it symbolizes transformation and regeneration also. On spark level, it is outcome of resistance of two things. So, if fire has to take place, it is inevitable, resistance must be there.  If there is resistance, there is struggle. Fire gives power to do struggle and come over this confidently. Fire rises very soon and falls also very quickly so when it has to symbolize emotion like anger, it means quickly rise of emotion with high intensity but simultaneously pacification of the same quickly. It is radiant and vitalizing.  It is an expression of spiritual energy and determination of Spirit.  Obviously, it is life force and corresponds with the Spirit and the spiritual aspects.  Fire provides a sense of security, belief in his capability, warmth, inspiration, new ideas, conviction, high spirit, great faith in self, honesty and enthusiasm. Fire stands for strength & self assertion that lead it to be egoistic, daring, self willed and sometimes totalitarian, reckless in behaviour, self-centered and self-important. The direction point of fire is south in northern hemisphere.  In short, the disposition of fire is full with masculine energy.  It represents red and orange colour.

Earth element is passive, stable, slow moving, physical, solid, structured, grounded, reserved, sensual, practical, realistic, methodical, logical, economical in approach and organized for tangible things. It is full of endurance and strength.  It is stabilizing force.  It symbolizes concrete mind, common sense code and materialization.  Earth element is stand for supportiveness, practicality and reliability.  It corresponds to the physical and materialized world in which we live and is concerned with tangible results and needs.  The earth element is affiliated with traits that provide with the skills and attitude necessary to succeed by understanding the reality and value of situation etc. It is associated with sensuality (engage with life through the five senses) also. It signifies activities related to productivity and growth i.e. physical well-being rather than spiritual attainment.  In Sanskrit literature, Earth means Bhumi which is formed by ‘Bhu’ dhatu.  ‘Bhu’ means desire for ‘to be’ and it’s another meaning is intellect (Buddhi).  So earth element indicates desire to exist or sustain. ‘How to exist’ is an axis around which all working of this element goes on.  Due to this, earth element is related to our basic needs of practical life i.e. food, clothe and shelter. For all these things money is required. So earth element indicates materialistic approach and pursuit for money. To extend the existence there is need of being pre-meditative, calculative methodical, hard working and responsible. If something exists, it should be recognized.  ‘How to be recognized’ is a kind of need that propels an individual, influenced by earth element, to get power and position.  This element grants intellect to work on the mechanism for further survival and distinguished recognition. Due to this, earth element becomes secretive, reserved and introvert also.  Earth is connected with north direction for northern hemisphere.  In short, the disposition of Earth is full with feminine energy. It represents green and brown colour. 

Water element is receptive, reactive, Intuitive, psychic awareness, changeable, fertile, nurturing, contemplative, creative, imaginative, romantic, affectionate passion, emotion, feeling and non-verbal communication, communication with feeling.  It is passive, introverted, unwilling to act, repetitive, unpredictable moodiness and fluctuation in emotion, deeply sensitive and subjective, sentimental, emotional approach towards life, crab mentality, impractical, impressionable and timid in disposition. Being symbolizing emotion, earth element makes a person to take decision on the urge of heart ignoring the urge of head or reason. Water indicates west direction.  It is also feminine in nature.  It represents blue colour.

Air element indicates wisdom, musing, intellectualism, inventiveness mind power, knowledge, life-long student, abstract, conceptual, active, objective, communicative, inquisitiveness, reasoning and mental side of life.  It is social, easy to mingle, Intelligent, doers.  Air element gives idea, balanced approach, thought process, philosophical or arm-chair thinking and attitude. Air element provides originality and versatility to the personality. It gives the feeling of freedom and detachment.  It expresses love of people vision and human interaction and grants acceptance for different perspective. An over expression of air makes a person unrealistic, impractical, lack of emotion, lack of inner peace and harmony due to over active mind and vacillating. It indicates East direction in northern hemisphere.  It is masculine in nature. It represents yellow and white colour.


Under the principle of Quality or Mode of Action, signs have been by divided into three type as follows:

 

Moveable Sign:  1. Aries, 4.  Cancer, 7.  Libra, 10. Capricorn

Fixed Sign:  2.  Taurus, 5.  Leo, 8.  Scorpio, 11 Aquarius

Dual Sign:   3.   Gemini,   6.   Virgo,  9.   Sagittarius,  12. Pisces

 

Moveable signs are called Cardinal or Dynamic signs.  Fixed signs are called Static Signs also. And, Dual Signs are called Mutable or Harmonious Signs.

Cardinal Signs stand for movement or changes.  In these signs there is fire of Aries i.e. action with enthusiasm, Emotion of Cancer i.e. expression of feeling, Air of Libra i.e. expression of mindful thought and Earth of Capricorn signs i.e. action suited with ground reality. Person under the influence of cardinal sign is ambitious, active, responsive, versatile, enterprising, assertive, confident, adaptable, adjustable and capable to overcome on the obstacles.  Such person likes to be independent and popular.  He pursues his dreams with passion and takes initiative.

Fixed Signs are affiliated with status quo. It In these signs there is Earth of Taurus i.e. stability, Fire of Leo i.e. driving power and enthusiasm but changeless, Emotion of Scorpio i.e. unchangeable emotion and Air of Aquarius unchanged arm-chair thinking. It indicates stability, loyalty, authoritativeness, self-reliance, pragmatism, firmness in mental approach, stubborn difficult to change, rigidness and permanence.  This sign shows perseverance and strength of determination. People under the influence of fixed signs are more set in their ways, and more fixed in their views i.e. set values and ideas, uncompromising in nature but they are dependable.  They are likely to have more continuity, and are more difficult to move or change.  They do not readily change their minds, and are not so quick to adjust and adapt themselves i.e. resistant to external influence.  They are expert at ordering and arrangement.

Common Signs are characterized by mental alertness & indecisiveness.  In these signs there is Air of Gemini i.e.  mental ability to analyze the concepts of thought, Earth of Virgo i.e. expression of the mental power to direct work intelligently considering tangible results, Fire of Sagittarius i.e. situation based action with an objective, Emotion of Jupiter i.e. mental ability to analyze emotion, imagination.  It indicates inquisitiveness, adaptability, a learner and a teacher, flexibility, intellectualism, subtle sensitivity, sympathetic approach, argumentation, discrimination, aversion to strenuous work.  They are resourceful and learn from past experience and have inner urge for personal freedom.  They are versatile and concerned for others but simultaneously they are changeable, fickle minded and inconsistent.  They find it very difficult to concentrate.

 
As per the principle of polarity, signs are either positive signs or negative signs.  Positive signs are male or masculine sign and negative signs are female or feminine signs.

 

Positive Signs:   Aries,   Gemini,   Leo,   Libra, Sagittarius,  Aquarius      
Negative Signs:  Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces

 

Traits of Positive Signs: - Positive signs indicate Yang or masculine energy.  A person under the influence of Male Sign is positive.  He takes initiative courageously on the basis of his conviction.  Such person has developed faculty for bringing results through his action done by applying power of will, determination. By dint of these characteristics, people recognize him.  He enjoys his recognition by becoming outgoing and expressing himself extrovertly.  Such persons are self-initiating, assertive and aggressive also. 

Traits of Negative Signs: - Negative Signs indicate Yin or female energy. A person under the influence of Female sign is magnetic, passive, introvert and defensive.  They are receptive and believe in attracting desired things rather than attempting to go out and acquire it.  They need stimulation to act.