The earth rotates on its own axis and this rotation is done in one day or 24 hours. Earth revolves round the sun and this takes one year for one complete revolution. The path of the earth round the sun is called the ecliptic and the zodiac is a belt in the neighbourhood of celestial equator extending 8 degree on either side of the ecliptic and measuring 360 degrees. The zodiac surrounding the earth is circular in shape and is divided in to 12 equal parts of 30 degrees each for the purpose of Astrology and each division is called sign (RASIS) and are named as under.
HINDU NAME CORRESPONDING ENGLISH NAME
Mesha – Aries (0-30 deg)
Vrishaba – Taurus (30-60 deg)
Mithuna – Gemini (60-90 deg)
Karkataka (Kataka) – Cancer (90-120 deg)
Simha – Leo (120-150 deg)
Kanya – Virgo (150-180 deg)
Tula – Libra (180-210 deg)
Vrischika – Scorpio (210-240 deg)
Dhanus – Sagittarius (240-270 deg)
Makara – Capricorn (270-300 deg)
Kumbha – Aquarius (300-330 deg)
Meena – Pisces (330-360 deg)
Each sign derived its name from its resemblance to the group of stars formed in each division.
THE CONSTELLATIONS
The Zodiac is divided in to 27 nakshatra zones (or) constellations of 13 deg 20’
min each for the purpose of Astrology. These Nakshatras are fixed stars and self-illuminated.
They are named as under:
1.Ashwini 2.Bharani 3.Krittika 4.Rohini 5.Mrigasira 6.Aridra 7.Punarvasu 8.Pushya 9.Ashlesha 10.Magha 11.Purvaphalguni 12.Uttaraphalguni 13.Hasta 14.Chitra 15.Swati 16.Vishakha 17.Anuradha 18.Jyestha 19.Moola 20.PurvaAshadha 21.UttaraAshadha 22.Shravana 23.Dhanishtha 24.Shatabhisha 25.Purva Bhadrapada 26.Uttara Bhadrapada 27.Revati
The nakshatras (or) constellations are divided into 4 equal parts and each part is called nakshatra pada. Rasi is equal to 9-nakshatra pada.
A Horoscope is a map of the heavens for a given moment which may be the birth time of the child (or) the time of an event taking place (or) the time of the query. Horoscope will contain the details of planetary position, Rasi chart, Navamsa chart and Dasa Bhukti details. Horoscopes are prepared with the help of Almanacs (or) Ephemeris. Rasi chart is a map of heaven which shows the planetary position at givenmoment of time of birth of child (or) time of inquiry.
Lagna means the rising Sign at the time of birth. Rasi means the sign occupied by the moon at the time of birth.
The rasis are also called Houses (or) Bhavas.
The Lagna sign will represent the first house.
When we count from Lagna clock-wise, the second sign is called second house. Like wise the twelve houses are considered while analyzing the horoscope.