Foundations
Nakshatras
The twenty-seven lunar mansions of Vedic astrology — their deities, symbols, lords and padas, and why the Moon's nakshatra matters so much.
The Moon passes through about one nakṣatra each day. Twenty-seven of them divide the sky into segments of 13°20′, each with its own deity, symbol and planetary lord, and each split into four padas. The nakshatra of your Moon sets the start of your Vimshottari dasha and colours the whole chart.
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Ashwini Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Ashwini, the first nakshatra (0°–13°20′ Aries): the Ashvin twins, Ketu's rulership, traits, the four padas, compatibility and the Moon in Ashwini.
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Bharani Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Bharani, the second nakshatra (13°20′–26°40′ Aries): Yama, Venus's rulership, the power to bear and transform, the four padas and the Moon in Bharani.
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Krittika Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Krittika, the Pleiades (26°40′ Aries–10° Taurus): Agni's fire, the Sun's rulership, the birth of Kartikeya, traits, padas and the Moon in Krittika.
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Rohini Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Rohini (10°–23°20′ Taurus): the Moon's beloved, Prajapati the creator, Krishna's birth star, its traits, the four padas and the Moon in Rohini.
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Mrigashira Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Mrigashira, the deer's head (23°20′ Taurus–6°40′ Gemini): Soma, Mars's rulership, the searching mind, traits, the four padas and the Moon here.
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Ardra Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Ardra, the moist one (6°40′–20° Gemini): Rudra the storm god, Rahu's rulership, tears that renew, traits, the four padas and the Moon in Ardra.
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Punarvasu Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Punarvasu, the return of the light (20° Gemini–3°20′ Cancer): Aditi, Jupiter's rulership, Rama's birth star, traits, padas and the Moon in Punarvasu.
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Pushya Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Pushya, the nourisher (3°20′–16°40′ Cancer): Brihaspati, Saturn's rulership, the most auspicious nakshatra, traits, padas and the Moon in Pushya.
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Ashlesha Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Ashlesha, the embrace (16°40′–30° Cancer): the serpent deities, Mercury's rulership, depth and perception, gandanta, padas and the Moon here.
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Magha Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Magha, the mighty (0°–13°20′ Leo): the ancestors, Ketu's rulership, Regulus and the throne, traits, the four padas and the Moon in Magha.
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Purva Phalguni Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Purva Phalguni (13°20′–26°40′ Leo): Bhaga, god of fortune and delight, Venus's rulership, rest and romance, the four padas and the Moon here.
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Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Uttara Phalguni (26°40′ Leo–10° Virgo): Aryaman, god of contracts and marriage, the Sun's rulership, loyalty and service, padas and the Moon here.
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Hasta Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Hasta, the hand (10°–23°20′ Virgo): Savitr the golden-handed Sun, the Moon's rulership, skill and craft, Mercury's exaltation, padas and the Moon here.
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Chitra Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Chitra, the bright jewel (23°20′ Virgo–6°40′ Libra): Tvashtr the divine craftsman, Mars's rulership, Spica, design and beauty, padas and the Moon here.
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Swati Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Swati, the independent one (6°40′–20° Libra): Vayu the wind, Rahu's rulership, freedom, flexibility and trade, the four padas and the Moon in Swati.
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Vishakha Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Vishakha, the forked star (20° Libra–3°20′ Scorpio): Indra and Agni, Jupiter's rulership, single-minded purpose, the four padas and the Moon here.
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Anuradha Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Anuradha (3°20′–16°40′ Scorpio): Mitra, god of friendship, Saturn's rulership, devotion and loyalty in hard places, the four padas and the Moon here.
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Jyeshtha Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Jyeshtha, the eldest (16°40′–30° Scorpio): Indra, king of the gods, Mercury's rulership, Antares, seniority and protection, padas and the Moon here.
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Mula Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Mula, the root (0°–13°20′ Sagittarius): Nirriti, Ketu's rulership, the galactic centre, getting to the root of things, padas and the Moon in Mula.
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Purva Ashadha Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Purva Ashadha (13°20′–26°40′ Sagittarius): Apas, the cosmic waters, Venus's rulership, invincible conviction, the four padas and the Moon here.
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Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Uttara Ashadha (26°40′ Sagittarius–10° Capricorn): the universal gods, the Sun's rulership, lasting victory, Makar Sankranti, padas and the Moon here.
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Shravana Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Shravana, the listener (10°–23°20′ Capricorn): Vishnu's three strides, the Moon's rulership, learning by hearing, Onam, padas and the Moon here.
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Dhanishta Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Dhanishta, the wealthiest (23°20′ Capricorn–6°40′ Aquarius): the eight Vasus, Mars's rulership, rhythm, music and prosperity, padas and the Moon here.
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Shatabhisha Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Shatabhisha, a hundred physicians (6°40′–20° Aquarius): Varuna, Rahu's rulership, healing, secrecy and research, the four padas and the Moon here.
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Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Purva Bhadrapada (20° Aquarius–3°20′ Pisces): Aja Ekapada, Jupiter's rulership, fierce idealism and transformation, the four padas and the Moon here.
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Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Uttara Bhadrapada (3°20′–16°40′ Pisces): Ahir Budhnya, serpent of the depths, Saturn's rulership, calm wisdom and patience, padas and the Moon here.
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Revati Nakshatra: Meaning, Deity, Traits and Padas
Revati, the last nakshatra (16°40′–30° Pisces): Pushan, guide of travellers, Mercury's rulership, Venus's exaltation, gandanta, padas and the Moon here.