Analysing with Astrology : Nakshatra

Since we have understood Rashi let's get deeper into it. As we know Rashi or zodiac is a 30 degree part of the celestial globe, each 30degree is further divided which gives rise to keen precision in analysis using vedic astrology. 

Nakshatra also captures 360 degrees of celestial globe like zodiac, but there are 27 nakshatras, each nakshatra covers only 12 degrees 30 minutes of the globe.

The 27 nakshatras are said to be 27 wives of Moon, since moon visits each nakshatra per day,.completing the cycle of a month.

Similar to zodiacs, nakshatras are also ruled by planets.

No nakshatra is ruled by Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

Nakshatras shows special characteristics similar to zodiac.

The below is the list of Nakshatras including their names. Astronomical names, lord, deity and the rashi which it belongs.

NAKSHATRA	ASTRONOMY	NAKSHATRA LORD	NAKSHATRA DEITY	RASHI
ASHWINI	β and γ ARIETIS	KETU	ASHWINI KUMAR	MESH
BHARANI	35,39,41 ARIETIS	SHUKRA	YAM	MESH
KRITIKA	PLEIADES	SURYA	AGNI	MESH VRISHABH
ROHINI	ALDEBRAN	CHANDRA	BRAMHA	VRISHABH
MRIGASHIRSH	ORION	MANGAL	CHANDRA	VRISHABH MITHUN
ARDRA	BETELGUESE	RAHU	RUDRA	MITHUN
PUNARVASU	CASTOR POLLUX	GURU	ADITI	MITHUN KARKA
PUSHYA	γ, δ and θ CANCRI	SHANI	BRIHASPATI	KARKA
ASHLESHA	δ, ε, η, ρ, and σ HYDRAE	BUDH	SARPA	KARKA
MAGHA	REGULUS	KETU	PITRA (ANCESTORS)	SINHA
PURVA PHALGUNI	δ and θ LEONIS	SHUKRA	BHAGA (GOD OF MARITAL)	SINHA
UTTAR PHALGUNI	DENEBOLA	SURYA	ARYAMAN	SINHA KANYA
HASTA	α, β, γ, δ and ε CORVI	CHANDRA	SAVITI (SUN)	KANYA
CHITRA	SPICA	MANGAL	VISHWAKARMA	KANYA TULA
SWATI	ARCTURUS	RAHU	VAYU	TULA
VISHAKHA	α, β, γ and ι LIBRAE	GURU	INDRA	TULA VRISHCHIK
ANURADHA	β, δ and π Scorpionis	SHANI	MITRA	VRISHCHIK
JYESHTA	α, σ, and τ Scorpionis	BUDH	INDRA	VRISHCHIK
MULA	ε, ζ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ, μand ν Scorpionis	KETU	NIRRTI	VRISHCHIK DHANU
PURVASHADH	δ and ε Sagittarii	SHUKRA	APAHA	DHANU
UTTAR ASHADH	ζ and σ Sagittarii	SURYA	VISVADEVAS	DHANU MAKAR
SHRAVAN	α, β and γ AQUILAE	CHANDRA	VISHNU	MAKAR
DHANISHTA	α to δ Delphini	MANGAL	ASHTAVASUS	MAKAR KUMBHA
SHATIBHISHA	γ AQUERII	RAHU	VARUN DEV	KUMBHA
PURVA BHADRAPADA	PEGASIS	GURU	AJIKYAPADA	KUMBHA MEEN
UTTAR BHADRAPADA	γ PEGASIS α ANDROMEDAE	SHANI	AHIR BUDHYAAN	MEEN
REVATI	ζ PISCIUM	BUDH	PUSHAN	MEEN

Since there are 27 Nakshatras, each Zodiac possess 2.25 nakshatra.

27 nakshatras / 12 zodiacs = 2.25 nakshatras

NATURE:

Out of 27 nakshatras there are some auspicious and few are inauspicious.

THE BELOW ARE THE NAKSHATRAS WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED AS INAUSPICIOUS / ASHUBH

ASHUBH NAKSHATRA	ASHUBH YOG
JYESHTHA	VAIDHRITI
MULA	VYATIPATA
MAGHA	SHULA
ASHLESHA	GAND

Note:
1. Shani, though is a malefic planet, is the lord of benefic/shubha nakshatras (pushya, anuradha, uttara bhadrapada)
2. Jupiter, though is a benefic planet, is the lord of malefic / ashubha nakshatras (Punarvasu, Vishakha) 
3. Mercury owns difficult nakshatras (Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati)

Note:
1. At the cancer-Leo cusp, the ashlesha nakshatra ends in cancer and a completely new nakshatra (Magha) starts in Leo. This is not a gradual transition from one rashi to another. The planets falling in this cusp give difficult results.
2. Similar cusps are observed at the junction of Scorpio-Sagittarius and Pisces-Mesha rashis

THE THREE GUNAS

There are three gunas or types of energy.

1.     First, there is Rajas. Rajas is the energy spark of the soul which is incarnating in the world. Rajas gives activity.

2.     Then there is Tamas. The soul, which comes into this world, immerses itself into materiality. Tamas is about materiality and the material world.

3.     After the soul has encountered materiality, it is time for the soul to liberate itself. The energy of liberation is called Sattva. Sattva is about going beyond the material world. It is about the soul wanting to return to its heavenly home.

Each Nakshatra represents certain gunas. And it does so not only on one level, but on three levels.

FIRST LEVEL

1.     First, we have a group of 9 Nakshatras that represent Rajas energy on a primary level. These Nakshatras coincidence with the signs Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer. Aries is the first fire sign, Taurus the first earth sign, Gemini the first airsign and Cancer the first watersign.

2.     Then there comes a groups of 9 Nakshatras which represent Tamas on a primary level. These Nakshatras coincidence with the signs Leo, Virgo, Libra and Scorpio. Leo is the second fire sign, Virgo the second earth sign, Libra the second air sign and Scorpio the second watersign.

3.     Finally, we have a group of 9 Nakshatras which represent Sattva on a primary level. These Nakshatras coincidence with the signs Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. Sagittarius is the third fire sign, Capricorn the third earth sign, Aquarius the third air sign and Pisces the third watersign. .

SECOND LEVEL

Now each group of 9 Nakshatras can be divided into 3 groups of 3 Nakshatras. This represents the gunas on a secondary level.

In each groups of 9 Nakshatras the first three Nakshatras represent Rajas on a secondary level, the second three Nakshatras represent Tamas on a secondary level and the third three  Nakshatras represent Sattva on a secondary level. We see that the order of Rajas, Tamas and Sattva, which we saw at the primary level, repeats itself on this level.

THIRD LEVEL

There are 3 groups of 9 Nakshatras. Because each group of 9 Nakshatras has been split into 3 groups of 3 Nakshatras we have a total of 9 groups which consist of 3 Nakshatras.

These groups of 3 Nakshatras represent the tertiary level. The first Nakshatra of such a group represents Rajas, the second Nakshatra Tamas and the third Sattva.

THE GUNAS AT THREE LEVELS

What we have here is a rather complicated system in which each Nakshatra represents certain gunas on different levels.

Let us look at the first Nakshatra of Ashwini. On a primary level Ashwini represents Rajas,because the Nakshatra of Ashwini is in the range of the signs Aries to Cancer.

On a secondary level, Ashwini represents again Rajas, because it is part of the first group of 3 Nakshatras within the range of Aries to Cancer.

And also, on a tertiary level Ashwini represents Rajas, because it is the first Nakshatra of the first group of 3 Nakshatras.

Therefore we say that Ashwini is Rajas – Rajas – Rajas.

The next Nakshatra Bharani is Rajas – Rajas – Tamas

Only the tertiary level has changed.

Next comes Krittika which is Rajas – Rajas – Sattva.

Again only a change at the tertiary level.

Then we come to a new group of three Nakshatras, which causes for a change at the secondary level. This group does not have Rajas at the secondary level but Tamas.

Of course at the tertiary level, we start again with Rajas.

So Rohini is Rajas – Tamas – Rajas

And Mrigashirsha is Rajas – Tamas – Tamas

And Ardra is Rajas – Tamas – Sattva.

Now we come to the third group of Rajas Nakshatras at the primary level. These have Sattva on the secondary level:

Punarvasu is Rajas – Sattva – Rajas

Pushya is Rajas – Sattva – Tamas

and Ashlesha is Rajas – Sattva – Sattva.

Ashlesha, which is located at the end of the sign Cancer, is the last of the Rajas Nakshatras at the primary level.

The next Nakshatra has Tamas at the primary level. It is the Nakshatra of Magha which is placed at the beginning of Leo.

Magha is Tamas –Rajas –Rajas

Purva Phalguni, which is next, is Tamas –Rajas –Tamas

It is the lord of the Nakshatra in which the Moon at birth is placed which decides which is the first dasa of the life of the person. Therefore, these Nakshatra lords are important.

THE NAKSHATRAS AND THE FOUR AIMS OF LIFE

Life has four aims:

1.     Dharma: doing what you are supposed to do. Fulfilling your soul in daily activities

2.     Artha: generating income and wealth so you can provide shelter and food for your body.

3.     Kama: going after your desires.

4.     Moksha: liberating your soul.

Every Nakshatra represents an energy in which one aim is stressed. Therefore, by looking at which planets are in which Nakshatras we can find out which aims of life are stressed in the life of a person.

At first sight there seems to be a connection between these aims and the elements. It is easy to see a connection between fire and Dharma, earth and Artha, air and Kama and moskha and water. However there is another division of Nakshatras in tattvas (elements). This is a different division then the division in aims of life.

The way the Nakshatras are divided among the aims of life is interesting. At first, the order of the aims is the same as the order of the signs which represents the connected elements in the zodiac.

We all know that the first sign in the zodiac is Aries (fire), then Taurus (earth), Gemini (air) and Cancer (water).

Now the first Nakshatra Ashwini is a Dharma Nakshatra, the second Nakshatra Bharani is a Artha Nakshatra, the third Krittika is a Kama Nakshatra and the fourth Rohini is a Moksha Nakshatra.

Then however something different happens. The fifth Nakshatra Mrigashirsha is also a Moksha Nakshatra and from then, the order is going backwards. So the sixth Nakshatra Ardra is a Kama Nakshatra, the seventh Punarvasu is an Artha Nakshatra and the eighth Pushya a 
Dharma Nakshatra.

Now we have returned at the ‘first aim’ Dharma again. The ninth Nakshatra Ashlesha is still a Dharma Nakshatra. From then, we go onwards: the tenth Nakshatra Magha is Artha, the eleventh Purva Phalguni is Kama, the twelfth Uttara Phalguni is Moksha.

From then, the same thing happens as with Rohini. Again the next Nakshatra Hasta is a Moksha Nakshatra and from then, we go backwards: Chitra is Kama, Swati is Artha and Vishakha is Dharma.

As can be expected there follows another Dharma Nakshatra which is Anuradha, then we have an Artha Nakshatra Jyeshta, a Kama Nakshatra Mula and a Moksha Nakshatra Purvashadha.

At this point, something happens which may surprise us. At first what happens is very much what we would have expected. There comes another Moksha Nakshatra, which is Uttarashadha, but then we  seem to skip the Kama Nakshatra and go right to an Artha Nakshatra which is Shravana and then we come to a Dharma Nakshatra which is Dhanista.

Of course, it is interesting to know why we skip the Kama Nakshatra. The answer seems to be that in the past there used to be a system of 28 Nakshatras. The 28st Nakshatra is Abhijit. This Nakshatra  is located between Purvashadha and Shravana. It is the only Nakshatra of which 
the main star Vega is located far away from the ecliptic. That is also why it is hard to locate it on the ecliptic and probably one reason why it is skipped.

However, some fifteen thousand years ago Vega used to be the polestar. In the past, this Nakshatra could be very important. The fact that the deity which belongs to this Nakshatra is Brahma, the creator, seems to underline this. Today, this Nakshatra is sometimes used for religious purposes,but is not a standard part of the system.

However, let us go back to the order of Nakshatras. We have arrived at Dhanishta, which is a Dharma Nakshatra. Now we will find as expected another Dharma Nakshatra, which is Shatabhishak. Then comes an Artha Nakshatra Purva Bhadrapada, a Kama Nakshatra Uttara Bhadrapada and we end with a Moksha Nakshatra Revati.

DIAGRAM: AN OUTLINE OF THE 27 MOON CONSTELLATIONS USED IN VEDIC ASTROLOGY/JYOTISH
(NAKSHATRA)

constellation	size	ruler	gunas	Purpose
1. Ashwini	0.13.20 Aries	Ketu	RRR	D
2. Bharani	13.20-26.40 Aries	Venus	RRT	A
3. Krittika	26.40 Aries-10 Taurus	Sun	RRS	K
4. Rohini	10-23.20 Taurus	Moon	RTR	M
5. Mrigashirsha	23.20 Taurus-6.40 Gemini	Mars	RTT	M
6. Ardra	6.40-20 Gemini	Rahu	RTS	K
7. Punarvasu	20 Gemini-3.20 Cancer	Jupiter	RSR	A
8. Pushya	3.20-16.40 Cancer	Saturn	RST	D
9. Ashlesha	16.40-30 Cancer	Mercury	RSS	D
10. Magha	0-13.20 Leo	Ketu	TRR	A
11. Purva Phalguni	13.20 Leo-26.40 Leo	Venus	TRT	K
12. Uttara Phalguni	26.40 Leo-10 Virgo	Sun	TRS	M
13. Hasta	10 Virgo-23.20 Virgo	Moon	TTR	M
14. Chitra	23.20 Virgo-6.40 Libra	Mars	TTT	K
15. Swati	6.40-20 Libra	Rahu	TTS	A
16. Vishakha	20 Libra-3.20 Scorpio	Jupiter	TSR	D
17. Anuradha	3.20 -16.40 Scorpio	Saturn	TST	D
18. Jyeshta	16.40-30 Scorpio	Mercury	TSS	A
19. Mula	0-13.20 Sagittarius	Ketu	SRR	K
20. Purvashadha	13.20- 26.40 Sagittarius	Venus	SRT	M
21. Uttarashadha	26.40 Sag.-10 Capricorn	Sun	SRS	M
22. Shravana	10-23.20 Capricorn	Moon	STR	A
23. Dhanishta	23.20 Cap.-6.40 Aquarius	Mars	STT	D
24. Shatabhishak	6.40-20 Aquarius	Rahu	STS	D
25. Purva Bhadrapada	20 Aquarius-3.20 Pisces	Jupiter	SSR	A
26. Uttara Bhadrapada	3.20-16.40 Pisces	Saturn	SST	K
27. Revati	16.40-30 Pisces	Mercury	SSS	M

Here in above diag. 
S = Satvik
R = Rajas
T = Tamas

In the diagram of the Nakshatras, which you can see above,
you will also find a column which gives information of which purpose of life belongs to which 
Nakshatra. 

D = Dharma, A = Artha, K=Kama and M = Moksha.

There is something, which strikes me if I look at the table of the Nakshatras. The first Nakshatra Ashwini is Rajas-Rajas-Rajas and is a Dharma Nakshatra.
The Nakshatra Chitra is Tamas-Tamas-Tamas and is a Kama Nakshatra. The last Nakshatra Revati is Sattva-Sattva-Sattva and is a Moksha Nakshatra.
Therefore, there seems to be a connection between Rajas and Dharma, Tamas and Kama and Sattva and Moksha. This connection is logical if you look at the characteristics of the gunas and the purposes of life.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NAKSHATRAS

The symbolism of the Nakshatras is rich indeed. In addition to a planet, deity, symbol, aim of life and guna each Nakshatra also corresponds with a certain animal, animal type, caste, sex, temperament, dosha, tattva (element) and even wind direction.

Deities, planets and symbols are mentioned in my booklet the Hindu lunar zodiac, aims of life and gunas in the above paragraphs. I will now give a quick overview of the sexes, temperaments and animals. When interpreting Nakshatras I sometimes make use of these.

There is no real orderly system like with aims of life and gunas when dividing the Nakshatras among the sexes, temperaments and animals.

SEXES

Male nakshatras are: Ashwini, Bharani, Pushya, Ashlesha, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Swati, Jyeshta, Mula, Purvashadha, Uttarashadha, Shravana and Purva Bhadrapada.

Female Nakshatras are: Krittika, Rohini, Mrigashirsha, Aardra, Punarvasu, Purva Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Vishakha, Anuradha, Dhanishta, Shatabhisha, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati.

Male Nakshatras are more active than female Nakshatras. It is notable that sometimes male Nakshatras are governed by female deities and the other way around.

TEMPERAMENTS

Deva (godly) nakshatras are Ashwini, Mrigashirsha, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Revati.

Human nakshatras are Bharani, Rohini, Ardra, Shravana and all the Purva and Uttara Nakshatras.

Rakshasa (demon) nakshatras are Krittika, Aslesha, Magha, Chitra, Vishakha, Jyestha, Moola, Dhanishta, Shatabhisha

People who have many planets in demon Nakshatras maybe more harsh then those who have planets in the deva Nakshatras which are mostly soft.

However we have to keep in mind that devas are not necessarily good and demons are not necessarily bad. In fact they both have their role in creation to play and are equally important.

If there were no demons, it would be impossible to deal with our karmic problems. In that case, we would probably be playing harp all-day and enjoying the sunshine. Not much spiritual growth  would result out of that.

ANIMALS

There is a connection between certain animal species and the Nakshatras. This is something that can be interesting to know about. You can look in which Nakshatra you have your ascendant, Moon or Sun and look at the corresponding animals. You may choose one (or more) of these as your ‘totem animal’.

You can meditate on this animal. When you see it, you can look at its characteristics. You can read books about the way it lives. When you see a program about this animal do not miss it because by watching the program you will learn more about yourself. Personally, I think it is funny and revealing to learn about yourself just by watching a certain animal.

Here comes the list. First I mention an animal and after that the Nakshatras which according to Indian tradition correspond with this animal.

As with most connections at first the reason why a certain animal belongs to a certain Nakshatra may not be clear. However, the reason is always there. Rather than writing a long essay about  what might be the reasons I would ask you to think about this yourself. There are several 
books in which you will find descriptions of the Nakshatras like my booklet the Hindu lunar zodiac.

With these descriptions at your proposal, it may not be too difficult to find out the rationale for these connections. If you feel it is difficult, just meditate on it. If things get tough, you can see it as a Zen koan.

Animal	Corresponding Nakshatras
Horse:	Ashwini (the horsewoman), Shatabhisha
Elephant:	Bharani (the bearer), Revati
Goat:	Krittika, Pushya
Serpent:	Rohini, Mrigashirsha
Dog:	Ardra, Mula
Cat:	Punarvasu, Ashlesha
Rat:	Magha, Purva Phalguni
Cow:	Utter Phalguni, Uttara Bhadrapada
Buffalo:	Hasta, Swati
Tiger:	Chitra, Vishakha
Deer:	Anuradha, Jyeshta
Monkey:	Purva Shadha, Shravana
Mongoose:	Uttarashadha
Lion	Dhanishta, Purva Bhadrapada