Rashi/Rasi is a space of 30 degrees in the zodiac which in a horoscope is signified by a ‘house’. It commences in relation to a fixed star in the sky and proceeds dividing the Zodiac into 12 equal segments of 30 * each. The first one is called Aries /Mesha (the Ram).It is a star group which gives the appearance of Ram from the earth. Similarly the other signs are called as Taurus the bull, Gemini the Twin, Cancer the Crab, Leo the lion, Virgo the virgin, Libra the Scale, Scorpio the Scorpion, Sagittarius the centaur, Capricorn the crocodile, Aquarius the Water pot, and Pisces the inverted pair of fish. The 12 Rasi's are classified under different heads to show their nature which help the astrologer to give correct predictions.

The table given below shows the classification:

These classifications are very useful in answering the prashna or on the spot questions.
It is generally very interesting to note that a male born in female sign exhibits more of feminine qualities and a female born in male sign has masculine qualities.

The signs are also grouped under the four elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water. They are also grouped direction wise. Signs owned by benefic planets such as Jupiter, Venus, Moon and Mercury are benefic signs while those owned by Mars, Sun, Saturn are malefic ones.
Rahu and Ketu are part owners of Aquarius and Scorpio signs.

The first 6 signs from Aries to Virgo or invisible signs and those from Libra to Pisces are visible signs. On the same principle the first six signs in any horoscope are invisible and the remainder six is visible signs. These are helpful in calculating the longevity of a person.

In a horoscope, the signs are also serially Dharma (righteous) Artha (wealth) Kama (Desires) and Moksha (liberation) based. Predominance of planets in specific group indicates the ambition of that person as per his individual horoscope.

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