Nakshatras: The 27 Lunar Mansions of Vedic Astrology #
The nakshatras divide the ecliptic into 27 specialized zones, providing a detailed map of emotional and psychological development within the Vedic tradition. This article surveys the meanings, planetary rulers, and deities of all 27 nakshatras.
The 27 Nakshatras Overview #
The nakshatras progress through the zodiac in order, with each sign containing approximately 2.25 nakshatras:
Ashwini (0-13:20 Aries). Ruled by Ketu, deity: the Ashwini Kumaras (transcendent physicians). Swift, healing, initiating energy. Characterized by speed, courage, and the capacity for rapid new beginnings.
Bharani (13:20-26:40 Aries). Ruled by Venus, deity: Yama (lord of transformation). Intense, creative, transformative. Characterized by the capacity to contain and nurture powerful energies.
Krittika (26:40 Aries - 10:00 Taurus). Ruled by Sun, deity: Agni (fire). Purifying, sharp, illuminating. Characterized by the cutting quality that separates truth from falseness.
Rohini (10:00-23:20 Taurus). Ruled by Moon, deity: Brahma. Fertile, sensual, creative. Characterized by growth, beauty, and the capacity to attract and manifest abundance.
Mrigashira (23:20 Taurus - 6:40 Gemini). Ruled by Mars, deity: Soma. Searching, curious, gentle. Characterized by the eternal quest for something just beyond reach.
Ardra (6:40-20:00 Gemini). Ruled by Rahu, deity: Rudra (storm). Intense, transformative, intellectual. Characterized by the storm that clears the way for renewal.
Punarvasu (20:00 Gemini - 3:20 Cancer). Ruled by Jupiter, deity: Aditi (mother of gods). Returning, renewing, hopeful. Characterized by the capacity for recovery and the restoration of goodness.
Pushya (3:20-16:40 Cancer). Ruled by Saturn, deity: Brihaspati. Nourishing, supportive, spiritual. Considered one of the most auspicious nakshatras for beginning new ventures.
Ashlesha (16:40 Cancer - 0:00 Leo). Ruled by Mercury, deity: the Nagas (serpents). Intuitive, penetrating, binding. Characterized by serpentine wisdom and the capacity to hold and transform.
Magha (0:00-13:20 Leo). Ruled by Ketu, deity: the Pitris (ancestors). Royal, ancestral, authoritative. Characterized by connection to lineage and the dignity of inherited wisdom.
Purva Phalguni (13:20-26:40 Leo). Ruled by Venus, deity: Bhaga (fortune). Creative, pleasurable, relaxing. Characterized by the enjoyment of life’s beauty and the capacity for artistic expression.
Uttara Phalguni (26:40 Leo - 10:00 Virgo). Ruled by Sun, deity: Aryaman (friendship). Generous, helpful, committed. Characterized by the capacity for friendship, patronage, and reliable support.
Hasta (10:00-23:20 Virgo). Ruled by Moon, deity: Savitar (creative sun). Skillful, dexterous, industrious. Characterized by manual skill and the capacity to create through practical craft.
Chitra (23:20 Virgo - 6:40 Libra). Ruled by Mars, deity: Vishvakarma (transcendent architect). Beautiful, creative, visionary. Characterized by the capacity to envision and create beautiful forms.
Swati (6:40-20:00 Libra). Ruled by Rahu, deity: Vayu (wind). Independent, flexible, diplomatic. Characterized by the windlike quality of adaptability and the capacity for independent movement.
Vishakha (20:00 Libra - 3:20 Scorpio). Ruled by Jupiter, deity: Indragni. Determined, goal-oriented, transformative. Characterized by single-pointed focus and the determined pursuit of objectives.
Anuradha (3:20-16:40 Scorpio). Ruled by Saturn, deity: Mitra (friendship). Devoted, loyal, organizational. Characterized by the capacity for deep friendship and disciplined devotion.
Jyeshtha (16:40 Scorpio - 0:00 Sagittarius). Ruled by Mercury, deity: Indra (chief of gods). Protective, senior, authoritative. Characterized by natural leadership and the protective instinct of the elder.
Moola (0:00-13:20 Sagittarius). Ruled by Ketu, deity: Nirriti (dissolution). Uprooting, investigating, philosophical. Characterized by the drive to get to the root of things.
Purva Ashadha (13:20-26:40 Sagittarius). Ruled by Venus, deity: Apas (water). Invigorating, ambitious, purifying. Characterized by the unstoppable force of water.
Uttara Ashadha (26:40 Sagittarius - 10:00 Capricorn). Ruled by Sun, deity: the Vishvadevas. Universal, principled, victorious. Characterized by final, lasting achievement.
Shravana (10:00-23:20 Capricorn). Ruled by Moon, deity: Vishnu (preserver). Listening, learning, connecting. Characterized by the capacity to learn through attentive listening.
Dhanishta (23:20 Capricorn - 6:40 Aquarius). Ruled by Mars, deity: the Vasus. Wealthy, musical, social. Characterized by rhythm, abundance, and group harmony.
Shatabhisha (6:40-20:00 Aquarius). Ruled by Rahu, deity: Varuna (cosmic waters). Healing, secretive, independent. Characterized by the capacity for solitary healing work.
Purva Bhadrapada (20:00 Aquarius - 3:20 Pisces). Ruled by Jupiter, deity: Aja Ekapad. Intense, transformative, fiery. Characterized by the capacity for radical transformation.
Uttara Bhadrapada (3:20-16:40 Pisces). Ruled by Saturn, deity: Ahir Budhnya (serpent of the deep). Deep, controlled, compassionate. Characterized by wisdom that emerges from depth.
Revati (16:40 Pisces - 0:00 Aries). Ruled by Mercury, deity: Pushan (nourisher). Nurturing, guiding, prosperous. The final nakshatra, characterized by the capacity to guide others and prepare for new cycles.
Integration #
Identifying the natal Moon nakshatra using a Vedic astrology calculator (which employs the sidereal zodiac, differing from the tropical zodiac by approximately 24 degrees) provides a starting point for exploration. The nakshatra’s themes often resonate deeply with the individual’s emotional nature and life patterns.
This article is part of Kerykeion’s learning series on astrological techniques. To explore your birth chart, visit our birth chart calculator.