Exploring Nakshatras in Vedic Astrology

In the intricate and ancient system of Vedic astrology, Nakshatras hold profound significance as celestial markers that guide our understanding of the cosmic influences that shape our lives. By exploring the essence of Nakshatras, their intricate connection to planetary energies, and the profound impact of the moon's Nakshatra on our minds, we embark on a journey of discovery into the celestial mysteries of Vedic astrology.

What are Nakshatras?

Often referred to as lunar mansions, Nakshatras are twenty-seven distinct celestial divisions that encircle the heavens. Each Nakshatra occupies a specific segment of the sky and is associated with a particular star or constellation.

The measurement of Nakshatras is primarily based on the moon's movement through the zodiac. The moon takes approximately 27.3 days to complete one orbit around the Earth, during which it passes through all twenty-seven Nakshatras. Each Nakshatra is further divided into four quarters or "Padas," resulting in a total of 108 Padas in the celestial sphere. These Padas carry their own unique qualities and attributes, contributing to the intricate tapestry of astrological interpretations.

Although Nakshatras are based on the moon’s movement, each planet and house cusp is also in a particular Nakshatra and Pada, which flavors the overall interpretation and direction they take. However, this is a very rich and complex topic that I will break down in future texts. For now, we will focus specifically on the Naskhatra of the moon.

The Moon's Nakshatra: Illuminating the Mind

While Western astrology often emphasizes the sun as the central luminary, Vedic astrology places greater emphasis on the moon and its Nakshatra. This is because the moon is the mind. Since the mind is the filter for how we perceive the world, it has a major impact on our thoughts, emotions, behaviours and actions. Therefore, the moon and its Nakshatra are key to gaining a deeper understanding of a person’s individual psychology. By understanding the moon's Nakshatra, we gain invaluable insights into the subtler aspects of our psyche and its impact on our lives.

A Brief Description of the 27 Moon Nakshatras

Here is some quick details and character traits for each of the 27 moon Nakshatras. Please note that the sign and degrees in the list are referring to the sidereal zodiac. If you don’t know your moon sign or only know it in the Western tropical system, then use this calculator to find out which Nakshatra you have.

1. Ashwini Nakshatra

   Sign: Aries (0°00' - 13°20')

   Character Traits: Swift, proactive, independent, and possessing a healing nature.

2. Bharani Nakshatra

   Sign: Aries (13°20' - 26°40')

   Character Traits: Determined, ambitious, passionate, and driven towards transformation.

3. Krittika Nakshatra

   Sign: Aries and Taurus (26°40' Aries - 10°00' Taurus)

   Character Traits: Courageous, independent, just, direct, and displaying strong leadership qualities.

4. Rohini Nakshatra

   Sign: Taurus (10°00' - 23°20')

   Character Traits: Charming, sensual, nurturing, steadfast, and attracted, culture to art and luxury.

5. Mrigashira Nakshatra

   Sign: Taurus and Gemini (23°20' Taurus - 6°40' Gemini)

   Character Traits: Inquisitive, adaptable, restless, fickle, procreative power, intellectually curious, and skilled in communication.

6. Ardra Nakshatra

   Sign: Gemini (6°40' - 20°00')

   Character Traits: Energetic, angry, transformative, sharp-witted, and possess profound emotions.

7. Punarvasu Nakshatra

   Sign: Gemini and Cancer (20°00' Gemini - 3°20' Cancer)

   Character Traits: Compassionate, nurturing, protective, interested in expansion, learning and knowledge, inclined towards spiritual growth.

8. Pushya Nakshatra

   Sign: Cancer (3°20' - 16°40')

   Character Traits: Nurturing, intuitive, caring, aware of others, and associated with nourishment and sustenance.

9. Ashlesha Nakshatra

   Sign: Cancer (16°40' - 30°00')

   Character Traits: Mysterious, secretive, intense, tends toward over confidence, and driven by hidden motivations.

10. Magha Nakshatra

    Sign: Leo (0°00' - 13°20')

    Character Traits: Regal, authoritative, ambitious, and motivated by power and recognition.

11. Purva Phalguni Nakshatra

    Sign: Leo (13°20' - 26°40')

    Character Traits: Romantic, creative, social, and associated with luxuries and pleasures.

12. Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra

    Sign: Leo and Virgo (26°40' Leo - 10°00' Virgo)

    Character Traits: Benevolent, generous, virtuous, family-oriented, and concerned with serving others.

13. Hasta Nakshatra

    Sign: Virgo (10°00' - 23°20')

    Character Traits: Skillful, detail-oriented, precise, and possessing artistic and/or occult talents.

14. Chitra Nakshatra

    Sign: Virgo and Libra (23°20' - 6°40' Libra)

    Character Traits: Artistic, creative, charismatic, building, planning and inclined towards refinement and beauty.

15. Swati Nakshatra

    Sign: Libra (6°40' - 20°00')

    Character Traits: Balanced, diplomatic, independent, and associated with good communication skills.

16. Vishakha Nakshatra

    Sign: Libra (20°00' Libra - 3°20' Scorpio)

    Character Traits: Ambitious, competitive, determined, good networker, and driven towards achieving goals.

17. Anuradha Nakshatra

    Sign: Scorpio (3°20' - 16°40')

    Character Traits: Passionate, loyal, deep, good with fine details, and focused on friendships and establishing meaningful connections.

18. Jyeshtha Nakshatra

    Sign: Scorpio (16°40' - 30°00')

    Character Traits: Tenacious, wise, intuitive, issues with control and controlling urges, and driven by the need for transformation and power.

19. Mula Nakshatra

    Sign: Sagittarius (0°00' - 13°20')

    Character Traits: Seeking liberation, adventurous, philosophical, ability to tear things apart and remove things, and associated with root causes.

20. Purva Ashadha Nakshatra

    Sign: Sagittarius (13°20' - 26°40')

    Character Traits: Expansive, determined, optimistic, feeling, searching, and driven by the desire for success and recognition.

21. Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra

    Sign: Sagittarius and Capricorn (26°40' Sagittarius - 10°00' Capricorn)

    Character Traits: Disciplined, focused, ambitious, good natured, noble, and oriented towards achieving goals.

22. Shravana Nakshatra

    Sign: Capricorn (10°00' - 23°20')

    Character Traits: Knowledgeable, intuitive, attentive, expansive and inclined towards learning and listening.

23. Dhanishta Nakshatra

    Sign: Capricorn and Aquarius (23°20' Capricorn - 6°40' Aquarius)

    Character Traits: Independent, creative, visionary, famous, in the spotlight, and associated with wealth and achievements.

24. Shatabhisha Nakshatra

    Sign: Aquarius (6°40' - 20°00')

    Character Traits: Unconventional, scientific, mysterious, repentant, and oriented towards spiritual knowledge.

25. Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra

    Sign: Aquarius (20°00' Aquarius - 3°20' Pisces)

    Character Traits: Spiritual, drawn to austere living and penance, drawn to the occult, intuitive, and concerned with higher realms of existence.

26. Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra

    Sign: Pisces (3°20' - 16°40')

    Character Traits: Creative, self-sacrificing, philosophical, scholarly, drawn to magic, and associated with deep inner transformation.

27. Revati Nakshatra

    Sign: Pisces (16°40' - 30°00')

    Character Traits: Gentle, compassionate, sensitive, and associated with spiritual growth and nourishment.

I find Nakshatras utterly fascinating and a place where “magic” enters into the astrological system. I plan to write posts that go more in-depth into each Nakshatra, including the symbols, planets and deities related to them, as well as how they relate to Muhūrta (the word for electional astrology in the Vedic system). If you’re interested in finding out more, please subscribe and share!