Division of Zodiac in Horoscope – 12 Signs Explained
How the Zodiac is Divided in a Horoscope
The Zodiac is a circular belt of the sky that extends about 8° on either side of the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun). In astrology, this belt is divided into 12 equal parts known as zodiac signs. Each sign measures 30 degrees, and together they form a complete circle of 360 degrees, which is used to construct a horoscope or Janam Kundali for predictive analysis.
How the Zodiac is Divided
The zodiac starts from the point of Aries (0°) and proceeds anticlockwise. The 12 divisions and their degrees are as follows:
Zodiac Sign Degrees Covered Element
Aries 0°–30° Fire
Taurus 30°–60° Earth
Gemini 60°–90° Air
Cancer 90°–120° Water
Leo 120°–150° Fire
Virgo 150°–180° Earth
Libra 180°–210° Air
Scorpio 210°–240° Water
Sagittarius 240°–270° Fire
Capricorn 270°–300° Earth
Aquarius 300°–330° Air
Pisces 330°–360° Water
Each of these 12 signs is further divided into Padas (quarters), Nakshatras (constellations), and subtle divisions like Drekkana, Navamsa, Dwadasamsa, etc., in Vedic astrology to provide deeper insights.
Importance of Zodiac Signs & Degrees
Degrees show the exact position of planets in a sign.
Planets at early (1°–3°) or late (27°–29°) degrees show different strengths.
The sign determines temperament, qualities, health, and nature.
Each sign belongs to one of four elements — Fire, Earth, Air, Water — representing temperament and energy style.
The traits of a person are shaped by which zodiac sign occupies their ascendant and planets in the birth chart.
Role in Predictions
The division of the zodiac is crucial for calculating houses, planetary positions, and aspects in a horoscope. It helps determine a person’s:
Personality and physical features (Ascendant sign)
Career, marriage, wealth, children (based on 12 houses)
Mahadasha, transit and yogas (depending on sign and degrees)
Compatibility and timing of events (Dashas and Gochar)
DESIGNS OF KALACHAKRA OR HOROSCOPE
The scientific foundation on which Kala Chakra, as used by ancient sages of India, is based centres round the nature of the rotation of earth. The Western Astrologers have named it as Horoscope.
There are two methods of casting a horoscope, SAYANA SYSTEM and NIRYANA SYSTEM.
Sayana System : Some astrologers are of the opinion that the motion of the earth with the Sun at the centre should be taken into consideration and the successive signs should be placed in the horoscope in anticlockwise direction because the earth moves on its axis around the Sun in anticlockwise order from West to East. This is known as Heliocentric (Helios-Sun) or Sayana system.
Niryana System : For the sake of exactitude clockwise direction in placing successive signs is preferred by other section or astrologers. They regard earth as the centre (fixed) and the other planets move around as apparently in opposite direction. This is known as Geocentric (Geo-Earth) or Niryana system.
West India
In different parts of India different designs are in use, in majority of cases the drawing of kalachakra is in a way that they are distinguishable regionally. The designs used in North and West India are of similar design to that which were in use by the chaldeans. Casting of horoscope under Niryana system and the use of the same in anticlockwise direction is conventionally practiced in many parts in India.
THE SHODASA VARGAS
The Vargas. The Zodiac is composited of 360 degrees of the celestial space. 30 degrees constitute one sign of the Zodiac. Each of such signs is further subdivided into a number of other division, these kind of divisions are known as Vargas. These are based on the assumption that planets get decrease or increase in their strength and capacity to produce evil or good effects in a horoscope, according to their particular positions within a sign. They become highly potent occupying certain kinds of divisions owned by them, or by planets which are their friends or in own place or exaltation or fall.
The Shodasa Vargas : These kinds of divisions are really sixteen in number. But in India, different numbers are adopted by the astrologers, a few uses ten or others use seven known as Dasa Varga or Sapta Vargas, depending on customs for predictions. Generally Sapta Vargas are used effectively.These Shodasa Vargas are known as (1) Rasi (2) Hora (3) Drekkana or Decanate (4) Chaturthamsa (5) Panchamsa (6) Shastamsa (7) Sapthamsa (8) Ashtamasa (9) Navamsa (10) Dasamsa (11) Ekadamsa (12) Dwadasamsa (13) Shodasamsa (14) Thrimsamsa (15) Shashtiamsa and (16) Ghatikamasa.
Saptavargas. Out of above vargas, Saptavargas are in common use which are known as (1) Rasi (2) Hora (3) Drekkana (4) Sapthamsa (5) Navamsa (6) Dwadasamsa and (7) Thrimsamsa; which we shall now explain in details as these are not commonly available. Rasi is commonly known as a sign of 30 degrees or an arc of 30°.
Hora or - of a sign or an arc of 15 degrees.
Drekkana of Decanate, an arc of 10 degrees.
Sapthamsa is 1/7 portion of a sign or an arc of 4 2/7 degrees.
Navamsa is an arc of 3 1/3 degrees or 1/9th part of a sign.
Dwadasamsa is 1/12 th portion of a sign or an arc of 2 1/2- degrees.
Thrimsamsa is 1/30th portion of sign or an arc. of one degree.
Vargottama is the name given to that particular amsa in a Rasi which bears the same name as that of Rasi itself.
Strength. A planet's position whether in a friendly house, its own or exaltation house is to be considered. When a planet attains 2 Vargas it is called Parijata, which will make the native respectable, endow him with many good qualities, wealth, happiness, power and dignity. The union of 3 vargas is termed Uttama it indicates, the native will be modest, clever and of good behavior. The planet attains 4 vargas is called Gopura, Indicates good intellect, wealth, land, cows and house. When 5 vargas are combined it is called Simbasana, which will enable the native to become a friend of kings, persons with authority and power or at par with them. The union of 6 vargas is called Paravata indicates good conveyances, princely life, and happy. The combination of 7 vargas is called Devaloka indicates like a king or a king widely renowned, also for his good qualities. If a horoscope is weak in Vargas, reverse results are indicated.
How the Zodiac is Divided
The zodiac starts from the point of Aries (0°) and proceeds anticlockwise. The 12 divisions and their degrees are as follows:
Zodiac Sign Degrees Covered Element
Aries 0°–30° Fire
Taurus 30°–60° Earth
Gemini 60°–90° Air
Cancer 90°–120° Water
Leo 120°–150° Fire
Virgo 150°–180° Earth
Libra 180°–210° Air
Scorpio 210°–240° Water
Sagittarius 240°–270° Fire
Capricorn 270°–300° Earth
Aquarius 300°–330° Air
Pisces 330°–360° Water
Each of these 12 signs is further divided into Padas (quarters), Nakshatras (constellations), and subtle divisions like Drekkana, Navamsa, Dwadasamsa, etc., in Vedic astrology to provide deeper insights.
Importance of Zodiac Signs & Degrees
Degrees show the exact position of planets in a sign.
Planets at early (1°–3°) or late (27°–29°) degrees show different strengths.
The sign determines temperament, qualities, health, and nature.
Each sign belongs to one of four elements — Fire, Earth, Air, Water — representing temperament and energy style.
The traits of a person are shaped by which zodiac sign occupies their ascendant and planets in the birth chart.
Role in Predictions
The division of the zodiac is crucial for calculating houses, planetary positions, and aspects in a horoscope. It helps determine a person’s:
Personality and physical features (Ascendant sign)
Career, marriage, wealth, children (based on 12 houses)
Mahadasha, transit and yogas (depending on sign and degrees)
Compatibility and timing of events (Dashas and Gochar)
DESIGNS OF KALACHAKRA OR HOROSCOPE
The scientific foundation on which Kala Chakra, as used by ancient sages of India, is based centres round the nature of the rotation of earth. The Western Astrologers have named it as Horoscope.
There are two methods of casting a horoscope, SAYANA SYSTEM and NIRYANA SYSTEM.
Sayana System : Some astrologers are of the opinion that the motion of the earth with the Sun at the centre should be taken into consideration and the successive signs should be placed in the horoscope in anticlockwise direction because the earth moves on its axis around the Sun in anticlockwise order from West to East. This is known as Heliocentric (Helios-Sun) or Sayana system.
Niryana System : For the sake of exactitude clockwise direction in placing successive signs is preferred by other section or astrologers. They regard earth as the centre (fixed) and the other planets move around as apparently in opposite direction. This is known as Geocentric (Geo-Earth) or Niryana system.
West India
In different parts of India different designs are in use, in majority of cases the drawing of kalachakra is in a way that they are distinguishable regionally. The designs used in North and West India are of similar design to that which were in use by the chaldeans. Casting of horoscope under Niryana system and the use of the same in anticlockwise direction is conventionally practiced in many parts in India.
THE SHODASA VARGAS
The Vargas. The Zodiac is composited of 360 degrees of the celestial space. 30 degrees constitute one sign of the Zodiac. Each of such signs is further subdivided into a number of other division, these kind of divisions are known as Vargas. These are based on the assumption that planets get decrease or increase in their strength and capacity to produce evil or good effects in a horoscope, according to their particular positions within a sign. They become highly potent occupying certain kinds of divisions owned by them, or by planets which are their friends or in own place or exaltation or fall.
The Shodasa Vargas : These kinds of divisions are really sixteen in number. But in India, different numbers are adopted by the astrologers, a few uses ten or others use seven known as Dasa Varga or Sapta Vargas, depending on customs for predictions. Generally Sapta Vargas are used effectively.These Shodasa Vargas are known as (1) Rasi (2) Hora (3) Drekkana or Decanate (4) Chaturthamsa (5) Panchamsa (6) Shastamsa (7) Sapthamsa (8) Ashtamasa (9) Navamsa (10) Dasamsa (11) Ekadamsa (12) Dwadasamsa (13) Shodasamsa (14) Thrimsamsa (15) Shashtiamsa and (16) Ghatikamasa.
Saptavargas. Out of above vargas, Saptavargas are in common use which are known as (1) Rasi (2) Hora (3) Drekkana (4) Sapthamsa (5) Navamsa (6) Dwadasamsa and (7) Thrimsamsa; which we shall now explain in details as these are not commonly available. Rasi is commonly known as a sign of 30 degrees or an arc of 30°.
Hora or - of a sign or an arc of 15 degrees.
Drekkana of Decanate, an arc of 10 degrees.
Sapthamsa is 1/7 portion of a sign or an arc of 4 2/7 degrees.
Navamsa is an arc of 3 1/3 degrees or 1/9th part of a sign.
Dwadasamsa is 1/12 th portion of a sign or an arc of 2 1/2- degrees.
Thrimsamsa is 1/30th portion of sign or an arc. of one degree.
Vargottama is the name given to that particular amsa in a Rasi which bears the same name as that of Rasi itself.
Strength. A planet's position whether in a friendly house, its own or exaltation house is to be considered. When a planet attains 2 Vargas it is called Parijata, which will make the native respectable, endow him with many good qualities, wealth, happiness, power and dignity. The union of 3 vargas is termed Uttama it indicates, the native will be modest, clever and of good behavior. The planet attains 4 vargas is called Gopura, Indicates good intellect, wealth, land, cows and house. When 5 vargas are combined it is called Simbasana, which will enable the native to become a friend of kings, persons with authority and power or at par with them. The union of 6 vargas is called Paravata indicates good conveyances, princely life, and happy. The combination of 7 vargas is called Devaloka indicates like a king or a king widely renowned, also for his good qualities. If a horoscope is weak in Vargas, reverse results are indicated.
