Indian Nakshatra System of Zodiac/Astrology

The following chart provides my analysis of the qualities associated with those born under the 12 different zodiac signs and their mutual compatibility with each other.

 {THIS ARTICLE IS ABOUT THE WESTERN SYSTEM OF DIVIDING THE YEAR INTO 12 SIGNS. FOR THE INDIAN SYSTEM OF 27 SIGNS, PLEASE CLICK HERE }

 The qualities of any particular sign is determined by the following three factors:

 1. The row (the vertical position) it falls in (which determines their outlook towards life),

2.  The column (the horizontal position) it falls in (which determines the main qualities of those born under the sign) and

3.  Its position in the consecutive series of flexible, moderately flexible and inflexible signs.

To understand mutual compatibility and mutual attraction, it is therefore, important to know a little about all the three.

COLUMNS

The simplest to understand is columns (see chart below). It's pretty straight forward. If you were born from the end of May to the end of September (four months), you are mostly likely to be more intelligent. (The Indian word is 'sattvic', which literally means pure.) The corresponding Zodiac signs are Gemini to Virgo (Gemini, Cancer, Leo and Virgo). 

The second column is that of passion. The sanskrit word is 'rajas', literally translated to mean 'motion' or 'active'. These are the four signs (months) that come after Virgo (Libra onwards). These signs act more on the basis of their sentiments and passion than their thought process or brain. They also tend to be the angriest signs around. Included here are the four signs from Libra onwards - Libra, Scorpio, Saggitarius and Capricorn.

The third column is that of 'tamas' or inertia. They are free from overpowering passions and emotions, but they are also usually less intelligent than the 'sattvic' signs. However, the absence of strong passion makes them 'brain led' as well, though the brain may not be the most powerful. However, in the long run, people born to these signs usually achieve more than those in the rajasic and many in the sattvic groups mainly due to their ability to keep working quietly away. They are also the 'cutest' of the three groups, with innocent and cherubic looks in many cases.

FLEXIBILITY (repeating series)

The second factor is flexibility. Every sign (every month) differs in the amount of mental flexibility of those born under it. Those under flexible signs are able to control their emotions and hide them. Those under inflexible signs cannot hide their passions and emotions (such as lust, jealousy, love, maternal feelings etc.). Each flexible sign (such as Gemini and Virgo) is immediately followed by a moderately flexible sign and then by a inflexible or rigid sign. The rigid sign is then followed by flexible sign and so on..

FAMILY

This is perhaps the most important factor that determines compatibility, much more than the division into sattvic, tamasic etc. and the flexibility issue. Like flexibility, this also occurs in a series. However, unlike it, this one repeats with every four signs, not three. In other words, the same family (element) recurs on the fourth sign. For example, the Earth family, to which Virgo belongs, will repeat after four signs (months) from Virgo, i.e., Capricorn and four signs from there, i.e., Taurus.

AIR and FIRE Gemini, Libra and Aquarius (fourth signs from each other) are the air signs. The main characteristic of air is that of flexibility at the core. Air signs are the most flexible and detached signs in the entire Zodiac. Air and Fire are similar, since both are inherently more flexible and detached. The main difference is that Air is self-oriented, a bit introverted, while Fire looks outwards, cares more about what people think and say about them. Fire is extroverted and derive their happiness in a large part from what society accords to them. Leo, Saggitarius and Aries are Fire signs.

WATER and EARTH Unlike Air and Fire, Water and Earth are the possessive or clingy signs. They tend to get attached and want stability, unlike Air and Fire who hate too much stability and stagnation. Like Air and Fire, Water and Earth are differentiated by their focus. Water signs are more self-focussed and introverted and Earth signs are more externally focussed and entroverted. Water signs are less empathetic than Earth signs, since they are internally focussed. Earth signs tend to have their ambitions, like Fire signs, tied up with achievements in society, such as making a lot of money and name. Both Water and Earth signs tend to be more inertial and difficult to influence than Air and Fire, which are more easily influenced by others. 

As a result of the above factors, generally each of these family tends to place a higher priority on one of the following:

AIR: Thrill of trying different things

WATER: Thrill of having a 'full life' (with a lot of emotions for the self), but clingy and super sentimental

FIRE: Approval from others (through great deeds)

EARTH: Approval from others (through material possessions), very possessive and materialistic

COMPATIBILITY  ISSUES, COMMON PITFALLS

The general theory of compatibility is that signs of the same family (same row, in the following charts) are compatible with each other on a long term basis due to shared goals. On a short term basis, inflexible signs are attracted to flexible signs across the families (gemini, an air sign, to taurus, an earth sign) and vice versa. These are however, short lived as different priorities pull the partners in different directions.

Also, the introvert families (Air and Water) tend to run into problems if they get involved with the extroverted families (Fire and Earth) and the latter will start calling them 'too selfish'.

Possessive, clingy families (Water and Earth) tend to run into problems with freedom loving families (Air and Fire) as the former try to control the latter, while the latter tries to preserve its freedom by fighting back.

Earth signs typically exhibit the trait of 'ownership' of their mates. For them, love is all about 'owning' their mate. This creates problems, especially with Fire and Air signs.

Fire signs tend to end in trouble due to their need for external validation and admiration. This need for approval sometimes leads to seeking of reassurance from the members of the opposite sex about their desirability, which is perceived as flirting, especially by possessive families of Earth and Water.

Air signs end up in 'flirt' trouble due to their need for constant change and excitement, which sometimes leads them to explore new relationships 'on the side'.

Water signs end up in trouble due to their extreme need for sentimental gratification. Most other families (Air, Fire and Earth) are unable to fullfill the sentimental needs of the Water sign, which can result in the latter seeking emotional satisfaction outside the relationship.

 {THIS ARTICLE IS ABOUT THE WESTERN SYSTEM OF DIVIDING THE YEAR INTO 12 SIGNS. FOR THE INDIAN SYSTEM OF 27 SIGNS, PLEASE CLICK HERE }

EXPLANATION OF THE CHARTS

HORIZONTAL GROUPS: COMPATIBLE SIGNS WITH SAME OUTLOOK ON LIFE, FOUR MONTHS FROM EACH OTHER

VERTICAL GROUPS: SIGNS WITH SIMILAR ABILITIES, BUT DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO LIFE