The Nakshatras: Lunar Mansions in Vedic Astrology
The Moon follows a path through twenty-seven distinct stellar regions during its monthly cycle. The nakshatras, or lunar mansions. Each nakshatra operates as a unique archetypal field, governed by a presiding deity whose mythology and attributes the expression of any planet occupying that space.
Where the twelve zodiac signs provide broad framework, the nakshatras offer deep psychological terrain. The Moon spends approximately one day in each nakshatra during its roughly 28-day circuit around the zodiac.
Each nakshatra carries its own symbolism, ruling planet (nakshatra lord), and presiding deity. Nakshatras are a sophisticated tool for understanding psychological patterns, timing, and the specific quality of experience indicated by planetary placements.
In Vedic cosmology, the nakshatras personify as the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha Prajapati, all married to Chandra (the Moon), establishing the archetypal foundation for understanding lunar nature: receptive, changeable, and responsive to the distinct qualities of each nakshatra domain.
NAKSHATRA 1: ASHWINI - "The Horse Goddesses" Degrees: 0°00' to 13°20' Aries Deity: The Ashwini Kumaras Symbol: Horse's Head Shakti: To Quickly Attain One's Goals Quality: Light and Swift Planetary Period Lord: Ketu NAKSHATRA 2: BHARANI - "The Bearer of New Life" Degrees: 13°20' to 26°40' Aries Deity: Yama Symbol: The Womb or Female Regenerative Organs Shakti: The Power to Take Things Away Quality: Fierce Planetary Period Lord: Venus NAKSHATRA 3: KRITTIKA - "The One Who Cuts" Degrees: 26°40' Aries to 10°00' Taurus Deity: Agni or Surya Symbol: Axe or Sharp Weapon Shakti: The Power to Burn Quality: Mixed Planetary Period Lord: Sun NAKSHATRA 4: ROHINI - "The Red One" Degrees: 10°00' to 23°20' Taurus Deity: Brahma or Prajapati Symbol: Chariot or Ox Cart Shakti: The Power to Create or Make Things Grow Quality: Fixed Planetary Period Lord: Moon NAKSHATRA 5: MRIGASHIRA - "Head of a Deer" Degrees: 23°20' Taurus to 6°40' Gemini Deity: Chandra (Moon) Symbol: Deer Head Shakti: The Power to Give Fulfillment or Joy Quality: Soft Planetary Period Lord: Mars NAKSHATRA 6: ARDRA - "The Moist One, or One Who Howls" Degrees: 6°40' to 20°00' Gemini Deity: Rudra Symbol: Diamond or Teardrop Shakti: The Power of Making an Effort Quality: Sharp Planetary Period Lord: Rahu NAKSHATRA 7: PUNARVASU - "Return of the Light" Degrees: 20°00' Gemini to 3°20' Cancer Deity: Aditi Symbol: The Bow and Quiver of Arrows Shakti: The Power to Gain Wealth Quality: Movable Planetary Period Lord: Jupiter NAKSHATRA 8: PUSHYA - "The Star of Nourishment" Degrees: 3°20' to 16°40' Cancer Deity: Brihaspati Symbol: Lotus Flower, Udder of a Cow Shakti: The Power to Create Spiritual Energy Quality: Light and Swift Planetary Period Lord: Saturn NAKSHATRA 9: ASHLESHA - "The Embracer" Degrees: 16°40' to 30°00' Cancer Deity: Sarpas or Nagas Symbol: Coiled Serpent Shakti: The Power to Inflict with Poison Quality: Sharp, Dreadful Planetary Period Lord: Mercury NAKSHATRA 10: MAGHA - "The Great One" Degrees: 0°00' to 13°20' Leo Deity: Pitris Symbol: Throne or Palanquin Shakti: The Power to Leave the Body or Die Quality: Fierce Planetary Period Lord: Ketu NAKSHATRA 11: PURVA PHALGUNI - "The Former Reddish One" Degrees: 13°20' to 26°40' Leo Deity: Bhaga Symbol: Front Legs of the Marriage Bed or Hammock Shakti: The Power of Procreation Quality: Fierce Planetary Period Lord: Venus NAKSHATRA 12: UTTARA PHALGUNI - "The Latter Reddish One" Degrees: 26°40' Leo to 10°00' Virgo Deity: Aryaman Symbol: Back Legs of the Marriage Bed Shakti: The Power of Prosperity through Union Quality: Fixed Planetary Period Lord: Sun NAKSHATRA 13: HASTA - "The Hand" Degrees: 10°00' to 23°20' Virgo Deity: Savitri Symbol: The Hand Shakti: To Put the Object of One's Desire in One's Own Hand Quality: Light and Swift Planetary Period Lord: Moon NAKSHATRA 14: CHITRA - "The Bright One" Degrees: 23°20' Virgo to 6°40' Libra Deity: Tvastar Symbol: Pearl or Jewel Shakti: The Power to Gain Honor in Work Quality: Soft, Mild, Tender Planetary Period Lord: Mars NAKSHATRA 15: SWATI - "The Sword" Degrees: 6°40' to 20°00' Libra Deity: Vayu Symbol: Blade of Grass Shakti: The Power to Scatter Like the Wind Quality: Moveable Planetary Period Lord: Rahu NAKSHATRA 16: VISHAKHA - "The Fork Shaped" Degrees: 20°00' Libra to 3°20' Scorpio Deity: Indragni Symbol: Triumphal Archway Shakti: The Power of Achievement and Manifestation Quality: Mixed Planetary Period Lord: Jupiter NAKSHATRA 17: ANURADHA - "After Radha" Degrees: 3°20' to 16°40' Scorpio Deity: Mitra Symbol: The Lotus Shakti: The Power of Worship Quality: Soft, Mild, Tender Planetary Period Lord: Saturn NAKSHATRA 18: JYESHTA - "The Eldest" Degrees: 16°40' to 30°00' Scorpio Deity: Indra Symbol: Circular Amulet, Earring, Umbrella Shakti: The Power to Gain Courage, Rise Above Peril, and Conquer Quality: Sharp, Dreadful Planetary Period Lord: Mercury NAKSHATRA 19: MULA - "The Root" Degrees: 0°00' to 13°20' Sagittarius Deity: Nirrti Symbol: Bunch of Roots Shakti: The Power of Destruction Quality: Sharp, Dreadful Planetary Period Lord: Ketu NAKSHATRA 20: PURVA ASHADHA - "Early Victory" Degrees: 13°20' to 26°40' Sagittarius Deity: Apah/Apas Symbol: Elephant's Tusk/Winnowing Basket Shakti: The Power of Invigoration Quality: Fierce, Severe Planetary Period Lord: Venus NAKSHATRA 21: UTTARA ASHADHA - "Latter Victory" Degrees: 26°40' Sagittarius to 10°00' Capricorn Deity: Vishvadevas Symbol: Planks of a Bed Shakti: The Power to Give Unstoppable Victory Quality: Fixed Planetary Period Lord: Sun NAKSHATRA 22: SHRAVANA - "To Hear" Degrees: 10°00' to 23°20' Capricorn Deity: Vishnu Symbol: The Three Footsteps of Trivikrama, and the Ear Shakti: The Power of Connection of All Things Quality: Moveable Planetary Period Lord: Moon NAKSHATRA 23: DHANISHTA - "The Star of Symphony" Degrees: 23°20' Capricorn to 6°40' Aquarius Deity: Vasus Symbol: The Musical Drum Shakti: The Power to Bring People Together Quality: Moveable Planetary Period Lord: Mars NAKSHATRA 24: SHATABHISHAK - "A Hundred Healers" Degrees: 6°40' to 20°00' Aquarius Deity: Varuna Symbol: 1,000-Petal Lotus Shakti: The Power of Healing Quality: Movable Planetary Period Lord: Rahu NAKSHATRA 25: PURVA BHADRAPADA - "The Former Lucky Feet" Degrees: 20°0' Aquarius to 3°20' Pisces Deity: Aja Ekapada Symbol: Front Legs of a Funeral Cot Shakti: The Power to Raise Spiritual Fire in an Individual Quality: Fierce Planetary Period Lord: Jupiter NAKSHATRA 26: UTTARA BHADRAPADA - "The Latter Happy Feet" Degrees: 3°20' to 16°40' Pisces Deity: Ahirbudhyana Symbol: Back Legs of a Funeral Cot Shakti: To Bring Rain Quality: Fixed Planetary Period Lord: Saturn NAKSHATRA 27: REVATI - "The Wealthy" Degrees: 16°40' to 30°00' Pisces Deity: Pushan Symbol: Fish Shakti: The Power of Nourishment Quality: Soft, Mild, Tender Planetary Period Lord: Mercury