The horoscope represents the zodiacal position of the ascendant and planets at the moment of birth. The chart is a flattened representation of the circular zodiac for easy reading. The zodiacal signs are Mesha/Aries, Vrishabh/Taurus, Mithuna/Gemini, Kataka/Cancer, Simha/Leo, Kanya/Virgo, Tula/Libra, Vrischika/Scorpio, Dhanu/Sagittarius, Makar/Capricorn, Kumbha/Aquarius, Meena/Pisces.

The universality of astrology can be understood by the fact that the above said names mean the same thing. The signs have been classified and grouped as shown in the able below.

The movable signs are active ones. Fixed signs are patient ones. Dual signs are vacillating ones. Fiery signs are aggressive. Earthly signs are toilers. Watery signs are Unstable, Airy signs are artistic. Male born in male signs are stronger and exhibit masculine character. Females born in feminine signs exhibit feminine traits in subtle manner. Eunuchs are born in dual signs. Cancer, Scorpio, Aquarius and Pisces are fruitful signs. Taurus Libra, Sagittarius and Capricorn are semi fruitful signs. Aries Gemini, Leo and Virgo are Barren signs. Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are voice signs (musical). Aries and Scorpio are violent signs. Gemini, Virgo and Aquarius are human signs. Taurus, Virgo and Sagittarius give expertise in Musical accompaniments (such as drums, Guitar, Violin, Flute etc). All Watery signs are mute signs. Mercury afflicted in mute sign causes stammering. Saturn in the ascendant in a mute sign causes impediments in speech.

Planets are also classified in the same manner: -

TWar = warrior caste, Bus = Businessmen, Bra = priest hood, Shu = menial

Trigunas: - The planets exhibit three major characters, Satwa (mild and Good), Rajas = worldly, Tamasik = Blind wallowing in darkness doing bad deeds.

Moon, Jupiter and Mercury are Saatwik, Sun, Venus, are Rajasik , Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu are Taamasik

Ownership of signs: - Planets own the 12 signs of zodiac as under:
Mars owns Aries and Scorpio, Venus owns Taurus and Libra, Mercury owns Gemini and Virgo, Moon owns Cancer, Sun owns Leo, Jupiter owns Sagittarius & Pisces and Saturn is the owner of Capricorn and Aquarius. Rahu and Ketu do not own any house. Rahu is like Saturn and Ketu like Mars.

Planets have relation between them known as friendship, enmity and neutrality. This relation can be permanent or temporary. Tables and charts are available in astrological books showing how to work out the relation ships in a given horoscope.

Benefic and malefic to each Lagna (Ascendant):
Planets owning ‘Houses’ 1,2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, from a given Lagna are its friends. Those owning Houses # 3, 6, 8, 12 are enemies. This chart is also available in astrological books.