27 Moons Project: Pushya Nakshatra
...the key to understanding your mind and the mind of others
In Vedic astrology, the moon is divided into 27 divisions called Nakshatra. The moon is our mind and therefore how we filter all thoughts, impressions and experiences. Knowing our Moon Nakshatra and the Nakshatras of others is key to understanding and appreciating how we think and approach the world. If you don’t know your Nakshatra, you can find out what it is here.
Happy Moon Monday!
For the next half a year (or however long it takes), I’ll be writing a post about the current Nakshatra of the moon every Monday, the day naturally ruled by the moon.
If you don’t know what Nakshatra are, check out this post first.
For now, let’s dive into the Nakshatra the moon is currently in this lovely Monday.
This Monday’s Nakshatra: Pushya
Pushya Nakshatra is the eighth Nakshatra in the Vedic lunar zodiac, ranging from 3°20' to 16°40' Cancer. It is governed by Saturn.
The term Pushya translates to "nourishing" or "providing nourishment" in Sanskrit, underscoring this Nakshatra's themes of nourishment, growth, and prosperity. The Sanskrit transliteration is Puṣya.
Pushya is distinguished by three stars, Theta Cancri, Gamma Cancri, and Eta Cancri, symbolizing the nurturing qualities associated with this Nakshatra.
To understand the psyche of individuals with their moon in Pushya Nakshatra, let's delve into its symbols, deity, and overarching themes.
Symbols
Pushya’s symbols include a cow-udder, flowers and a circle. Like Purnavasu, the Nakshatra that precedes it, Pushya moon nakshatra natives tend to be spiritually-minded and actively seek out knowledge.
However, while Purnavsu natives focus on creativity and giving “birth” to the new, Pushya is more about sustenance, nourishment and growth. In this way, it is often more about upholding spiritual truths and seeking to enrich the lives of others through advising or teaching rather than creative expression or innovative breakthroughs.
However, the arrow is also a symbol for Pushya. Perhaps this speaks to a certain sharpness and single-mindedness also inherent in this nakshatra. Although Pushya natives are wise and often natural-born teachers, they can sometimes be dogmatic and the type of person who can never stop teaching, even when they aren’t specifically in a teaching, advising or guiding role.
Ruling deity
When it comes to Nakshatras, knowing the ruling deity gets you closer to understanding their inner nature than the sign they are in.
The presiding deity for Pushya Nakshatra is Brihaspati. Brihaspati is the divine priest and counselor of the gods. He is revered as the guru (teacher) of the deities and is associated with wisdom, knowledge and divine guidance.
Brihaspati represents the expansive and benevolent aspects of Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system. He is depicted as a wise sage adorned in golden robes, carrying a rosary and a sacred text, symbolizing his role as a source of spiritual wisdom and enlightenment.
Brihaspati's influence bestows blessings of wisdom, intellect, and spiritual insight on those born under Pushya Nakshatra. Individuals with their moon in Pushya often exhibit a deep reverence for knowledge and spirituality, seeking to expand their understanding of the universe and guiding others on their spiritual paths.
Just as Brihaspati nurtures the gods with his wisdom and guidance, natives of Pushya Nakshatra are often inclined towards nurturing and guiding others in their journey towards enlightenment and self-discovery. They possess a natural inclination towards teaching, counseling and imparting wisdom, therefore embodying the qualities of Brihaspati.
Skills and interests
No doubt about it, Pushya natives are often spiritual seekers who also feel called to guide others along this path. Since Brishapati is the lord of speech, they may particularly be drawn to mantra or other forms of prayer. Devotion, connecting to the divine or spiritual teachers and gaining knowledge and authority in spiritual or religious fields – these are the type of pursuits you’ll often find Pushya natives undertaking.
However, not every person with their moon in Pushya nakshatra leads with their spiritual side. In some cases, they may share their knowledge to assist and help others, for example, as consultants, business advisors or strategists.
Although often spiritual or committed to fostering and bringing out the best in others, Pushya natives most definitely don’t frown at wealth and luxury. After all, you can feel as in tune with the universe staring out onto the sea while standing on the heated tiles of your villa as you can in a cave up on the mountainside, right? No reason to say no to a little pampering.
Last but not least, those with the moon in Pushya nakshatra like to be involved with and surrounded by other people. They are often concerned with how they appear to others and are worried about the image they project out into the world – something less scrupulous people may sometimes exploit.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
knowledgeable and wise
seeks to help and support others, charitable
spiritual, has deep faith and devotion
interest in benefitting the world and humanitarian causes
self-less and nurturing
gifted teacher and advisor
wealthy and popular
gentle and softhearted
hardworking, law-abiding and upright
Weaknesses
tendency to overindulge
dogmatic or fundamentalist about their beliefs
overly talkative, can never shed the teaching role
indecisive and insecure
cares too much about what others think of them
arrogant and self-righteous
gullible and easily deceived
too sensitive
stubborn and resistant to the new
Famous people with their moon in Pushya
Queen Latifah
Tom Hanks
James Joyce
Gloria Steinem
Tom Cruise
Joseph Campbell
Halle Berry
Patrick Swayze
Nancy Reagan
Paris Hilton
Ansel Adams
Rebeccah Dean is a Vedic astrologer and writer based in Berlin. To find out more about Rebeccah or book a Vedic astrology consultation, swing by rebeccahdean.com