The 27 Moons Project: Pūrvaphālgunī 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, 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: Pūrvaphālgunī
Pūrvaphālgunī is the eleventh Nakshatra (lunar mansion) in the Vedic lunar zodiac. It extends from 13°20' to 26°40' in the sign of Leo and is lorded by Venus.
The name "Pūrvaphālgunī" translates to "The Former Reddish One," reflecting the radiant and alluring nature of this Nakshatra. It is linked to the following 12th Nakshatra, Uttarāphālgunī, which has similar attributes.
Let’s look at what kind of mind natives with their moon in Pūrvaphālgunī have by examining this Nakshatra’s symbols, deity and general key words.
Symbols
Each Nakshatra has several symbols that can help you visualize their deeper meaning. For Pūrvaphālgunī, the symbols include the front legs of a bed, a swinging hammock and a fig tree.
Close your eyes and imagine how theses images make you feel. Rested, carefree and relaxed? Exactly!
Pūrvaphālgunī resonates with the theme of relaxation, leisure, and the pursuit of pleasure. Think of how you’d feel at the beginning of a lovely vacation, with nothing but sun, surf and good times in the week ahead. That’s the energy of Pūrvaphālgunī.
But Pūrvaphālgunī natives like to share all those good times with others. Relationships and sexuality are particularly important to natives with this moon Nakshatra. Fun, carefree times are to be had in beds and hammocks, after all!
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 ruling deity of Pūrvaphālgunī is Bhaga, a god associated with prosperity, marital bliss, and good fortune. The word "Bhaga" itself translates to "fortunate" or "happy," emphasizing the positive and auspicious nature of this deity.
In Vedic tradition, Bhaga is one of the Ādityas, who are considered offspring of the cosmic goddess Āditi and the sage Kashyapa. Ādityas are celestial beings associated with various aspects of nature and cosmic phenomena. Bhaga is particularly revered for his benevolent qualities, and he is often invoked to bestow blessings of good fortune and abundance.
Natives with their moon in Pūrvaphālgunī have qualities similar to Bhaga, such as generosity, affection, and a strong sense of community. They are often endowed with a warm and charming demeanor, making them natural leaders in social settings.
Skills and interests
Pūrvaphālgunī are adventure- and pleasure- seeking and very relationship-oriented. Combined with their good will and natural charm, they would an ideal tour guide, diplomat, philanthropist, matchmaker or sex and relationship therapist.
Those born under Pūrvaphālgunī are naturally creative and have an in-born love of the arts. This nakshatra encourages creative expression and an appreciation for aesthetic pursuits, making these individuals natural performers and artists. Even if someone born with the moon in Pūrvaphālgunī doesn’t work in a creative field, they will lose interest quickly if their job does not at least leave room for creative thinking.
Recognition and being noticed for their efforts is important to these individuals. In general, this will be more important for motivating them than financial gain. They can also become easily demotivated and discouraged if they feel they aren’t recognized or praised for what they do.
They are not big fans of conflict, but are skilled at smoothing down any ruffled feathers with their charm and staying calm in heated situations.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
charismatic and charming
fun-loving and adventurous
romantic and affectionate
open-minded and freedom-loving
generous and well-liked
good speaker and natural leader
refined and sincere
youthful, creative and exuberant
Weaknesses
prone to too much partying and/or promiscuity
impulsive and reckless
can be overly indulgent
can have issues with addiction and careless spending
may need constant attention and admiration
unmotivated and easily discouraged
difficultly planning
overly vain
Famous people with their moon in Pūrvaphālgunī
John F. Kennedy
John Travolta
Robert Redford
Shirley MacLaine
Madonna
Nathalie Portman
Robert Crumb