Introduction to Raashi.
The zodiac signs are called Raashi in Jyotish.
Raa (as pronounced in fRAnce).
Shi (as pronounced in SHE).
The word is said to be derived from Ram and his spouse Seeta.
As also from Rahu and Sikhi (Sikhi is another name for Ketu).
Raashi also means a heap. Here it means a heap of stars or a cluster of star forming a particular zodiac sign.
The whole zodiac belt is divided into twelve equal parts of 30 degrees each (a circle of 360 degrees divided by twelve).
The Zodiac belt- Bhaa chakra.
It was observed that the increase and decrease in daylight was due to lateral motion of the sun from north to south and vice-versa. The Zodiac belt in the celestial sphere extends to about 8° on either side of the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun among the stars. The width of the zodiac was determined originally so as to include the orbits of the Sun and Moon and of the five planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) that were known to the people of ancient times.
Diagram 1:


It was further observed that, when the Sun is exactly at the center of these two extreme points, the day and night were of equal length. This is termed as equinox. There are two equinox in a year. One is the vernal equinox and the other is the autumnal equinox. The Vernal equinox is at the centre or mid point while traveling from south to north. Autumnal equinox is vice-a-versa. The Vernal equinox is also called spring equinox.

The Sun travels from extreme south point towards extreme north point is called, Uttarayana’. Here “Uttar” means north and “Ayana” means movement. Similarly, the Sun’s movement from extreme north point towards extreme south point is called the Dakshinayana. Here again, “Dakshin” means south and “Ayana” is movement.
Hence in one year or one complete rotation of the Earth around the Sun gives us four points.

1. Extreme north point of Sun or the Summer solstice.
2. Autumn equinox.
3. Extreme south point or the Winter solstice.
4. Spring equinox point.

Now we have four points, by which we get four divisions of the zodiac (Bhaa chakra).
Each division is of ninety degrees. And here is the most important part of Jyotish,

The Rig Veda I.XXII.XVIII states:
trini pada vi chakrame vishnur gopa adabhyah ato dharmani dharayan
In three great strides Vishnu the protector, who is undefeatable upholds the perennial principles of sanaatan dharma or eternal righteousness.
Meaning in three steps Vishnu covered the whole cosmos.

Simplistically speaking this means that from each of the four points if we imagine Vishnu taking three steps then we get the twelve signs of the zodiac.
Diagram 2:


But if we really want to understand what the above mantra means in Astrological perspective, then we have to understand a few things.

The cosmos is infinite. How can we see infinity?
Simply place two mirrors facing each other perfectly. Each will reflect the other infinitely.  

Let us imagine two mirrors facing each other. One at the vernal equinox point and the other at the solstice point, placed in a straight line. Vishnu takes the first step and this is Mesha. He takes the second step and covers the second sign, then the third step on the third sign. The mirror opposite to him will reflect this, as also the mirror behind but- in reverse order.
Here you need to have a very good visualization. If you can visualize this properly then you have learnt a great secret of Jyotish.
Suppose 123 are the three steps taken by Lord Vishnu
We put two mirrors facing each other and Lord Vishnu takes three steps between these two mirrors. It will be reflected in the mirror like this:
321|123|321

Now imagine the reflection of the images of the mirror in each other. Forget for a moment the original steps taken by Lord Vishnu. The Mirrors will reflect each others image like this:
123|321|   |321|123

This is the same as the original three steps of Lord Vishnu and completes the cycle. Or In other words, that which is finite in the infinite.

Diagram:



This is how the twelve Raashis are made.
This concept has great use in Jyotish even in advanced stages and it is better that the learner gets it very clear in his mind right now.

Q1: What does the word Vishnu mean?
Q2: Which story in Hindu mythology depicts these three steps?
Q3: Is the day and night really equal on the day of equinox? Why is it so?

To do:
Learn and find out more about the orbital motion and the axial rotation of the Earth and its effect on the seasons.

Tropical and Sidereal zodiac.
Jyotish uses the Sidereal zodiac or the ‘Nirayana’ system. ‘Nir’ means without and ayana means motion, so basically it means fixed zodiac.
It is fixed w.r.t the background of the fixed stars.
Whereas the Sayana zodiac (tropical) is not fixed but moves (‘Sa’ means with and ‘ayana’ means motion, which means moving zodiac). This system is widely followed in the western countries. The tropical zodiac starts at a point where the equinox (spring) occurs and this is the starting of Aries.
But if you are able to observe the equinox point somehow, against the background of the stars then, you will observe that the point does not coincide exactly at the same point in the background of the stars but precedes it or the fixed point in the background of stars is receding (going backwards). This phenomenon is called- The Precession of the Equinox.
The rate of the precession is about 50.3 seconds of arc per year or 1 degree every 71.6 years.
In simpler words If we look up and see a star at exactly midnight on March 21st and come back to the same spot 72 years later again on March 21st exactly at midnight the star will seem to have "moved backwards" (1 degree).
At some point in time the two zodiacs coincided, but now there is a great difference between the two. This value is called the ‘Ayanamsha’ (Aayanamsha).The value is taken differently by different authorities in Jyotish and it is a very controversial subject.
Not going into too much technical detail, we will be using the Sidereal zodiac (Nirayana) and Ayanamsha we will follow is the ‘Chitra paksha’ or Lahari’s Ayanamsha for the entire length of this course.

To do:
Download the free software ‘Jagannath hora’ and install it in your computer. The help file is a veritable Jyotish course in itself. It is totally free and the best Jyotish tool you will find. This software uses the Lahari ayanamsha by default. Use it to make your own chart (stick to the Rashi chart for now) by entering your birth data.
We will be using this software for all our Jyotish calculations.

Limbs of the body and Raashi chakra.

The Raashi chakra is personified as the Kaal purusha (Time personified) in some traditions and as Lord Vishnu in the tradition i have learnt.
We are taught that the first thing to do when looking at a chart is to bow before it because it is a representation of Lord Vishnu.


The Raashis starting from Mesha onwards have the limbs of the Lord mapped onto then in the following manner.
Mesha = Head.
Vrishabha= Face.
Mithuna=Arms.
Kark=Heart
Simha=stomach.
Kanya=Hips.
Tula=space below the navel (sexual organs)
Vrischika= Hidden parts (Procreative and Anus)
Dhanus=Thighs.
Makara=Knees.
Kumbha=Shank and ankles.
Meena=feets.

For individual horoscopes, the body parts are also studied from the
bhava (twelve houses) reckoned from the lagna (ascendant). The body part indicated by the houses from lagna corresponds to those reckoned from Mesha or the Kaalapurusha.


P.P (Predictive principle):Beneficial planets connected to the houses/signs indicate proper growth and/or protection to the body part while malefic planets connected to such houses/signs indicate improper growth and/or damage to the body part. In general, damage to body parts from external agents or sources is indicated by the raashi (signs) of  the Kaalapurusha while damage or malfunctioning of body parts caused by internal agents or sources is indicated by the houses reckoned from the lagna.

Example:
Suppose a horoscope has Mangal, Shani and Rahu in Vrishabha then, that person to whom the horoscope belong may have some weakness/scar visible on the face.
But suppose Vrishabha is in the fifth house then, the person may have some internal problem in the stomach. Like some digestive problem etc. This has uses also in horary (Prasna Shastra).

Note: When ever a predictive principle is given, we will use the short form as 'P.P' and the principle itself will be given in bold green.

Description of signs and its ruler or lord.
Mesha: is symbolized by a ram. It indicates hills and places having mineral wealth and precious stones. It is ruled by Mangal.
Vrishabha: is symbolized by the bull. It indicates plateaus, plains, farms, cowshed, forests and such other Placed inhabited by quadrupeds. It is ruled by Shukra.
Mithuna: is symbolized by a couple. The woman is carrying a veena (stringed musical instrument carried by Sarasvati (the Goddess of learning), while the man wields the gadaa (mace or metal club). Gambling dens, pleasure haunts, bars, and such places where people meet for entertainment. It is ruled by Budha.
Karka: is symbolized by a crab. Rivers are indicated by the sign while others opine ponds & lakes. Primarily, it is the cradle of all civilizations and indicates sand banks as well where crabs dwell. It is ruled by Chandra.
Simha: is symbolized by a lion. Mountain caves and dense jungles is the abode of the lion. It is ruled by Surya.
Kanya: is symbolized by a woman standing in a boat with a lamp and corn. Gardens, Pasture lands, green fields ready for harvest are indicated by Kanya in addition to living rooms of women. It is ruled by Budha.
Tula: is symbolized by a person carrying a balance. All markets, bazaar, stock market and areas where traders sell their valuable merchandise are indicated by Tula. It is ruled by Shukra.  
Vrischika: is symbolized by a scorpion. The lair of the scorpion is near filthy places, noxious reptiles prefer swampy and dirty areas and poisonous snakes live in underground holes in secluded places. Deep wells and such places where the water is very stationery (Scorpio is a fixed sign) and can become poisonous are also indicated, drainage system, manholes. It is ruled by Mangal and Ketu.
Dhanus: means a bow and is symbolized by a man who having a horse body below the torso and carrying a bow. This symbol divides the sign into two parts where one half is human and the other is animal (horse). Horse stables or barracks for war elephants and chariots are indicated by Dhanus. In the modern context it is the garage, parking lots and the battle field. It is ruled by Guru.
Makara: is a kind of sea-monster with the body of a crocodile (other views - shark, dolphin) and the head of a deer. It is regarded as the emblem of Kaama deva, the love god and the vehicle of Varuna.  It indicates rivers, shallows and marshy places, cremation grounds, burial grounds. It is ruled by Shani.
Kumbha: is symbolised by a man carrying a water pot. Places where vessels are kept like the kitchen or store rooms, warehouses and other storage places are indicated by Kumbha in addition to toilets and latrines where water has to be carried for cleansing. It is ruled by Shani and Rahu.
Meena: consists of two fishes in an inverted position with their tails conjoined to the head of the other indicating revival after a fall or the power of rejuvenation. The sea, large rivers are indicated by this sign as well as places of rejuvenation and cure like hospitals, spiritual retreats. It is ruled by Guru.

The places ruled by the Raashis are the background where events happen.

An easy way to remember the Lordships (Raashi adipati) is:
We already know the Solar system and the order of the planets from Sun (Surya).
Sun (Surya)
Mercury (Budha)
Venus (Shukra)
Earth (Prithvi)
Mars (Mangal)
Jupiter (Guru)
Saturn (Shani).
Forget or ignore earth and you will get the following lordships (two raashi for each)



See Simha ruled by Surya and Kark ruled by Chandra replacing Surya because of polarity principle.these are the two luminaries.
The next sign from Simha is ruled by Budha.
Same way the next sign in reverse from Karka is ruled by Budha.
And so on for the other signs as per the order of planets in the Solar system.
Important: Many people don’t accept dual lordships for vrischika and Kumbha, but we will take them to be lorded by both Mangal and Ketu for Vrischika and Shani and Rahu for Kumbha.
So the final lordships will be as below:

Mobility of the Raashis.

The (twelve) signs reckoned from Mesha are successively Chara (movable), Sthira (fixed) and Dwishbhaava (dual) in nature.
This means Mesha is Chara, Vrishabha is Sthira, Mithuna is Dwishbhaava and this is repeated again cyclically for other remaining Raashis.
The following diagram will make this clear.



Pundit Sanjay Rath gives the following explanation for the mobility of the Raashis (Plural of Raashi).
‘The word chara means movable and implies excessive energy, acceleration and the power of creation that goes along with excess energy. The word sthira means fixed and implies low energy, deceleration to the stage of stopping and the power of destruction. The word dwishbhaava means having a dual nature’ and indicates balanced energy level. In an ideal state his can mean a body in perpetual motion. Some astrologers use the word mutable’ or changeable for the dual signs and this is definitely not correct from the Jyotish viewpoint. In fact, chara raashi are more mutable as they are movable signs.
All motion is relative to another and in the context of horoscopy, it is relative to the observer on earth. Compare two runners who run a cross country race and a 100 meter race. The cross country runner wins if he is able to maintain his pace at a uniform balanced level throughout the long run while the 100 meter race is won if the runner can pump in a huge burst of energy. The cross country runner should have stronger dual signs indicating his running style while the 100 meter runner should have movable signs indicating his style.  
Imagine a three-lane highway with cars at various speeds traveling in it. It is natural that the fast cars will fall into the right express lane while the slow cars will stick to the safe left lane. The cars traveling at middling speeds will stick to the middle lane.
Accidents are prevented if these cars stick to their lanes. In a sense, the cars in the different lanes are ‘cooperating’ with each other or working mutually to maintain their relative speeds at high, middling or low levels respectively. If they cooperate and drive at a uniform ‘fast’, ‘middling’ or ‘slow’ speed respectively, they will reach their destination (analogous to achieving their objective) without an accident.’

P.P
Another use is to see the distance (Say for travels), Chara is far away foreign lands, Sthira is in the city and Dwishbhaava is inside the country itself.
In Prasna (Horary) it is used to see the lost object distance or about the whereabouts of a missing person or thief.
It is also used to judge whether a remedial measure will be effective or not.
If a bad combination (Yoga) is formed in a Chara Raashi then it can be easily overcome by corrective behavior or remedies. If the combination (Yoga) is formed in Sthira Raashi then it is difficult to overcome. If it forms in the Dwishbhaava Raashi then with some efforts it may be overcome.
It has also uses in judging the longevity of the native - with Chara showing high level of energy and full longevity, Sthira shows low energy level and short life and Dwishbhaava shows middle level of energy and middle life. The use of this for judging the longevity will be shown later in the course.