The fundamental fact is that Vedic astrologers conceive of and use signs differently than Western astrologers, and that the differing sections of space actually have divergent meanings. We see this in the classical Vedic interpretations of the signs. In Mantreswara’s 16th century classical work, Phala Deepika1, the sign Aries is seen as associated with fear of water, for example, a quality not typically ascribed to Tropical Aries in Western astrology.
In Vedic astrology each house is equivalent to one sign, so the terms sign and house became quite interchangeable. This is called the Whole Sign House System, in the West, or a Rashi chart, in Jyotish. For example, if the Ascendant occupies any degree of Taurus, the entire First House becomes the sign of Taurus.
Aries: | round eyes, weak knees, poor appetite, concealing facts, fear of water and sexy |
Taurus: | heavy thighs, sacrificing, happy middle – end of life |
Gemini: | fond of dance & music., likes being indoors, sexually indulgent, a mind reader |
Cancer: | henpecked, many friends, walks fast, few sons, owns many houses, wealthy |
Leo: | large chin, reddish eyes, obeys his mother, wanders in hills, angry at trifles |
Virgo: | drooping arms & shoulders, few children, takes advantage of others’ wealth |
Libra: | spiritual, intent on being first, brave, two names, merciless in arguments |
Scorpio: | lotus marks on feet, sick early in life, separated from parents, honored by rulers |
Sagittarius: | short, always engaged in work, destroys his enemies, won over by kindness |
Capricorn: | weak legs, vitality, lazy, affairs with older women, wanderer, lucky, shameless |
Aquarius: | greedy, clever at causing hurt to others, fond of perfumes, fluctuating finances |
Pisces: | drinks a lot of water, scholar, sharp vision, fond of spouse, grateful, very lucky |