27 Moons Project: Śravaṇa 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. If I haven’t written about your Nakshatra yet, I will in the future, so stay tuned!
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 or why they matter, 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: Śravaṇa
Śravaṇa Nakshatra is the twenty-second Nakshatra in the Vedic lunar zodiac, spanning from 10°00' to 23°20' Capricorn. It is governed by the Moon.
The term Śravaṇa translates to "hearing" or "listening," reflecting this Nakshatra's themes of learning, communication, and the transmission of knowledge. It is pronounced “Shrah-vah-nah” and is sometimes spelled Shravana.
Śravaṇa is represented by an ear, symbolizing the Nakshatra's qualities of keen listening, perceptiveness and receptivity to guidance and wisdom.
To understand the psyche of individuals with their moon in Śravaṇa Nakshatra, let's explore its symbols, deity, and overarching themes.
Symbols
The symbols for Śravaṇa is the ear. Natives with their moon in this Nakshatra are gifted listeners who always have an open ear for others. They are also often skilled orators adept at saying what others would like to hear.
The second symbol for this Nakshatra is three foot steps. On one hand, this speaks to the ability to move forward with work and ideas. On the other hand, it symbolizes the ability to connect all things and people together–even when it doesn’t seem possible to do so. This symbol of the three foot steps ties in with the deity associated with this Nakshatra.
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.
Śravaṇa Nakshatra is ruled by Vishnu, the preserver and protector of the universe. Vishnu embodies the principles of order, righteousness, and sustenance. This deity's influence brings a strong sense of duty, moral integrity, and a desire to maintain harmony and balance.
This Nakshatra’s symbolism also ties into one of Vishnu’s avatars named Vamana.
Vamana: God of the three steps
Vishnu avatars are the ten principal incarnations of Vishnu, who descends to Earth in various forms to restore cosmic order whenever it is threatened by evil or imbalance. One of these form is Vamana, the dwarf Brahmin, who is also known as the God of the Three Steps.
Vamana's legend tells of how he requested three paces of land from the demon king Bali. When his request was granted, Vamana expanded to cover the entire universe in just three steps, thus restoring cosmic order. This tale emphasizes the themes of expansion, growth, and the transformative power of knowledge and humility.
Śravaṇa natives who resonate with Vishnu and Vamana's qualities are often seen as wise, perceptive, and compassionate. They possess a natural ability to listen and understand others, often becoming the go-to person for advice and guidance.
On a more general note, Vishnu's association with Śravaṇa Nakshatra, particularly in the form of Vamana, encourages individuals to seek knowledge and stay connected to a higher purpose, but also think strategically.
Just as Vamana's three steps encompassed the entire cosmos, Śravaṇa natives are encouraged to broaden their horizons, embrace their potential, and understand the expansive nature of wisdom. They are reminded that true power lies in humility and the ability to perceive the greater good, aligning their actions accordingly.
Skills and interests
People with their moon in Śravaṇa Nakshatra excel at social work and public speaking. They are half-glass-full people who tend to always look on the bright side of life. These are social networkers who thrive on bringing people and ideas together. Their love for knowledge and communication also makes them excellent writers and teachers.
Natives of Śravaṇa Nakshatra are committed to the well-being of others. However, they must also be wary of becoming overly absorbed in their roles as guides and protectors, ensuring they maintain a balance between giving and receiving, and not lose sight of their own needs.
These people tend to have a talent for organization, solving problems and getting things done. They are not the type of people who will leave a task unfinished or forget to cross their t’s and dot their i’s.
This Nakshatra symbolizes the balance between listening and speaking, reminding us of the importance of open-mindedness and the power of communication.
That said, Śravaṇa Nakshatra moon natives do sometimes have a dark side: they may use their enormous people power and communication skills for ill, and manipulate others for their own gain.
Strengths
cheerful and optimistic
a caring humanitarian
skilled writer, speaker and communicator
always a smile for everyone
excellent listening and organizational skills
generous, hardworking and helpful
spiritual and philosophical
enjoys helping, guiding and teaching others
Weaknesses
too forgiving and trusting
tendency to over organize
neat freak and a perfectionist
manipulative, spreads malicious gossips and rumors
gives too much, both in time and money
may sometimes have toxic positivity
tendency to think everything will work out in the end
Famous people with their moon in Śravaṇa
Henry Ford
Muhammed Ali
Niccolò Machiavelli
Angela Merkel
Diane Keaton
Denzel Washington
John Lennon
Charles Manson
Britney Spears
Melanie Griffith
Michelle R. Dean is a Vedic astrologer and writer based in Berlin. To find out more about Michelle or book a Vedic astrology consultation, swing by here.