Commanding Signs

Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, and Virgo, because they were deemed more powerful by virtue of their nearness to the zenith. The assumption that these command while the other six obey is hardly warranted, even for this reason – since the Earth is actually at the opposite end of each polarity. Actually they might with more reason be termed the “demanding” signs, with Libra to Pisces termed “commanding” signs, with much the same meaning as that contained in the aphorism that “One does not demand respect: he commands it.” v. Northern Signs. 

DeVore, Nicholas. Encyclopedia of Astrology. New York: Philosophical Library, 1947.