In Vedic astrology, the zodiac is usually read in a sidereal framework, so the sign boundaries are different from the popular tropical dates used in much Western astrology. A rashi gives a field of expression: it colors how a planet behaves, how a house functions, and how a person approaches experience.
A sign should not be judged alone. Jyotish becomes accurate when you connect the rashi with the house it occupies, the planet that rules it, the dignity of any planets placed there, and the running dasha.
Mesha (Aries)
Mars | Fire | Approx. Apr 14 - May 14
Mesha begins the zodiac with movement, courage, and the urge to act directly. In a chart, it often shows how a person starts new tasks, responds to pressure, and faces competition. When Mars is disciplined, Mesha gives brave initiative instead of avoidable haste.
Vrishabha (Taurus)
Venus | Earth | Approx. May 15 - Jun 14
Vrishabha stabilizes what Mesha begins. It values security, comfort, resources, and a measured pace, so it can show patience in finance and commitment in relationships. If afflicted, its strength can harden into stubbornness or over-attachment.
Mithuna (Gemini)
Mercury | Air | Approx. Jun 15 - Jul 16
Mithuna is curious, verbal, and flexible. It often points to learning style, conversation, trade, writing, and the ability to handle two tracks at once. Strong Mercury makes this sign skillful and adaptive, while weakness can scatter attention.
Karka (Cancer)
Moon | Water | Approx. Jul 17 - Aug 16
Karka is protective, receptive, and strongly tied to emotional memory. In practice it often speaks through home life, nourishment, belonging, and how a person seeks safety. A healthy Moon gives care and sensitivity; a troubled Moon can make mood and security concerns dominate choices.
Simha (Leo)
Sun | Fire | Approx. Aug 17 - Sep 16
Simha seeks dignity, visibility, and centered leadership. It often reflects self-respect, authority, creative confidence, and the wish to act from the heart. When the Sun is steady, Simha inspires others; when imbalanced, it may seek recognition before substance.
Kanya (Virgo)
Mercury | Earth | Approx. Sep 17 - Oct 17
Kanya refines, organizes, and corrects. It is linked with craft, health routines, analysis, and the practical intelligence needed to improve a system piece by piece. Strong Kanya serves through precision, but stress can turn that precision into worry or over-criticism.
Tula (Libra)
Venus | Air | Approx. Oct 18 - Nov 16
Tula weighs balance, exchange, and fairness. It often becomes important in charts where partnership, negotiation, design, or public dealing play a large role. A strong Venus gives grace and social intelligence here, while weakness may produce indecision or dependence on approval.
Vrishchika (Scorpio)
Mars | Water | Approx. Nov 17 - Dec 15
Vrishchika goes beneath the surface. It is associated with secrecy, resilience, healing, crisis-management, and deep emotional intensity. When handled well, this sign transforms pain into strength; when disturbed, it can hold suspicion long after a situation has passed.
Dhanu (Sagittarius)
Jupiter | Fire | Approx. Dec 16 - Jan 13
Dhanu seeks meaning, direction, and a larger moral horizon. It often shows up in education, philosophy, faith, travel, teaching, and the desire to live by principles. Strong Jupiter gives wisdom and generosity, while weakness can make conviction outrun judgment.
Makara (Capricorn)
Saturn | Earth | Approx. Jan 14 - Feb 12
Makara climbs slowly and steadily. It is linked with responsibility, structure, endurance, work hierarchy, and results that come through time. A strong Saturn here gives realism and stamina; if pressured, the same sign may feel burdened or overly cautious.
Kumbha (Aquarius)
Saturn | Air | Approx. Feb 13 - Mar 14
Kumbha thinks in systems, communities, and long-range patterns. It can describe social awareness, reforming instinct, unusual networks, and the ability to detach from personal drama in order to study the bigger structure. When imbalanced, that detachment can become emotional distance.
Meena (Pisces)
Jupiter | Water | Approx. Mar 15 - Apr 13
Meena softens boundaries and opens imagination, empathy, and spiritual longing. It often speaks through compassion, artistic feeling, faith, and the need to withdraw at times from a noisy world. Strong Jupiter brings grace and trust here; weak grounding can make direction unclear.
How to read a rashi
Start with Lagna, because the rising sign sets the house framework for the whole chart. Then compare the Moon sign for emotional tendencies and the Sun sign for vitality and purpose. When the same sign repeats across Lagna, Moon, or important houses, its themes become louder in life.
- Sign = style of expression, house = life area, planet = actor.
- The ruler of a sign tells you how that sign’s promises are delivered.
- Dasha and transit decide when a sign becomes active.
Elements and temperament
Fire signs tend to move first, Earth signs consolidate, Air signs connect ideas, and Water signs respond through feeling. In Jyotish, these elemental tones are practical rather than abstract: they often show how a person handles stress, relationships, money, and decision-making.
Approximate sidereal dates
The date ranges below are approximate and can shift slightly by year and ayanamsa choice. For an exact sign, always calculate from birth details rather than relying on a general calendar date.