The Nakshatras in Daily Astrology: Does Today’S Star Have Roots Or Wings?
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Besides their vital role in a natal chart, the lunar mansions also play a crucial part in revealing the specifi c qualities of each day. The Nakshatras in Daily Astrology: Does Today’s Star Have Roots or Wings? by Tamiko Fischer hen Rosa Parks refused to give lunar nakshatra reveals the major plan- Wher seat on the bus to a white etary infl uences they experienced at male passenger in the early evening of birth. This gives a picture of their cur- December 1, 1955 in Montgomery, rent underlying astrological reality and Alabama, the Moon was in Ardra whether they’ve seen life through a lens Nakshatra, one of the most severe and strongly colored by jovial and expansive intense of nakshatras, or lunar man- Jupiter, structured and duty-bound Sat- sions. To those who are familiar with urn, youthful and enterprising Mercury, some of the symbolic and evocative detached and otherworldly Ketu (the qualities of the 27 (or 28) nakshatras Moon’s South Node), comfort-loving of Jyotish,1 the Moon’s sojourn in this and romantic Venus, or another planet’s particular “star” or sector of the zodiac nakshatra contains numerous layers of powerfully permeating dasha infl uence. is strikingly fi tting for an act of defi ance meaning and imagery. These “stars” are that was pivotal in challenging and top- more specifi cally 27 equal divisions of We Share the Same Sky: pling laws that legalized race segregation the zodiac, and each division contains Beyond the Natal Chart in the United States. Ardra (“The a principal star. Each nakshatra mea- Besides their vital role in a natal Moist”) Nakshatra is symbolized as sures 13°20' — a portion that roughly chart, the lunar mansions also play a a teardrop and has associations with corresponds to the daily movement crucial part in revealing the specifi c qual- Rudra, the fi erce and destructive form of the Moon. (See Table, page 70.) ities of each day. Electional astrology, of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva. Under While every planet’s nakshatra place- or the practice of choosing astrologically this star, it is believed that tears are shed ment is signifi cant in a natal chart, it is auspicious timing for any endeavor, is (or upheavals occur) that lead to purifi - the Moon’s nakshatra that is of prime the branch of Vedic astrology known cation. Extending from 6°40' to 20° importance. In India, people readily as Muhurta. In classical Muhurta, an sidereal Gemini, Ardra Nakshatra has inquire about each other’s lunar Janma immense sea of factors add up to make sharp, ferocious, and bitter qualities that Nakshatra (“Birth-Star”), much in the a specifi c moment either naturally prom- naturally encourage severe and drastic same way that we in the West share the ising or obstructive. Since actions tend actions. Who knows how events might details of our tropical Sun signs. to give results according to the astrologi- have unfolded had the Moon been A great deal of Vedic astrology’s cal infl uences under which they are ini- passing through one of the more mild- predictive prowess comes via the Janma tiated, it is desirable to begin endeavors mannered or passive asterisms at the Nakshatra. How so? In Vimshottari — especially those of life-altering sig- decisive moment when Rosa Parks Dasha, the well-known and remarkable nifi cance — at a moment that gracefully was ordered to stand and give up 120-year loop of planetary timing cycles promotes the intention of the activity her seat? and sub-cycles that is a cornerstone and the well-being and discernment For newcomers to Vedic astrology, system for predicting events in the natal of the person performing the action. the nakshatras are probably best known birth chart, the fi rst major planetary Muhurta considerations range from for their highly revealing role in the natal cycle (mahadasha) a person sees at birth being fairly broad (such as whether the birth chart. Truly a crowning glory of is always that of their Janma Nakshatra’s Sun is on its generally more auspicious this system, the nakshatras are uniquely ruling planet, and the subsequent major northern path, for instance) to being Indian in origin and have been in con- cycles unfold in a set order. In other relatively fl eeting (such as whether the tinual use for thousands of years; each words, simply knowing a person’s specifi c hour of the day is governed by April/May 2011 * The Mountain Astrologer 67 dations, doing long-term planning, or called ‘Daruna’ (Horrible) may also be Nakshatras making long-term investments. The performed in those called Ugra-Krur.” solid nature of these stars may slow One can assume that these curi- a naturally malefic planet like Saturn or down travel, the return of lent money, ously violent-sounding descriptions a gentler influence like Jupiter). and other activities where lightness and most likely served in planning military In Muhurta, the Moon’s nakshatra quickness are desirable. strategy. In the context of modern daily is a key consideration for understanding life, these stars favor actions that con- the day’s atmosphere. Symbolically, the Moveable tain an element of intentional violence nakshatras are regarded as the Moon’s The Moveable (Chara) nakshatras or that may require extra courage, such 27 wives, signifying his shakti, or cre- are five in number. They are Punar- as surgery, poisoning (which might play ative potential (yes, the Moon becomes vasu, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishtha, and out as doing needed pest control or a male planet in this context). Life on Shatabhishak. being involved in research on poison- Earth becomes permeated with a unique Activities favored: “… riding an ele- ous medicines), or using weapons and quality and mood as the Moon is em- phant, walking in a garden, and things other sharp instruments. These stars powered by the company of a different which are to be done in the Nakshatras can make for experiences where there is star each night of every 27.3-day-long called Laghu may be auspiciously done.” an element of strong desire or ruthless- sidereal lunar month. As a harem of per- Since astrology was employed in ness behind polite appearances, such petually rotating consorts, the nakshatras courts of royalty, and Jyotish texts were as in situations of slick salesmanship, are the most lyrical, colorful, and sym- often composed with imperial activities office politics, and other modern-day bolic element of classical Muhurta. in mind, descriptions in ancient astrolog- battlefields. ical texts often lean toward the genteel, The Seven Types of Nakshatra very grand, or heroic. In a modern con- Mixed and Ordinary (also called Each nakshatra has a variety of text, the days when the Moon is in these Soft and Hot/Sharp) attributes, but the following seven major energetic stars encourage actions that The Mixed (Mishra) stars are categories greatly determine the types require swiftness, such as travel, sports, two in number. They are Krittika and of activities suited to each star. The driving, and lively negotiations — but Vishakha. quoted descriptions of favorable activi- are not the best influence for ground- Activities favored: “… In these, ties come from Muhurta Chintamani,2 a ing actions, such as setting a foundation, Agnihotra (the burning of the sacred well-known ancient Muhurta text: planting a large tree, or being still. fire), deeds of adulteration (mixing), Vrashotsarga (giving of an ox for get- Fixed/Constant Aggressive/Cruel ting one’s desires fulfilled) may be aus- The Fixed (Sthira) nakshatras are The Aggressive/Cruel (Ugra-Krur) piciously done. And the things which four in number. They are Rohini, Uttara stars are five in number. They are Bha- are to be done in the Nakshatras called Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, and Uttara rani, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ugra (Cruel) may also be effectively Bhadrapada. Ashadha, and Purva Bhadrapada. performed in them.” Activities favored: “… things of a Activities favored: “… ambush These stars are generally best for permanent nature, things concerning (killing someone), burning (of a house, sticking to familiar routines rather than one’s house, sowing of seeds, things etc.), deception (cheating someone), undertaking ventures of major long-term or rites done for getting peace, and the poisoning (giving poison to someone or importance. Are these stars favorable planting of a small garden can be auspi- to one’s own self), using weapons (using for agnihotra worship (the offering up of ciously done.” or making weapons) — these things various pure substances into a sacrificial These steady stars favor actions may be effectively done. And the things fire) because this is a “mixing” of orderly that create stability, such as laying foun- which are to be performed in those and refined human-created ritual with nature’s untamed and roaring fire ele- 68 www.mountainastrologer.com ment? Or maybe, since these stars are effect during some well-known envi- somewhat unfavorable, the atmosphere ronmental catastrophes and historical would readily benefit from this form of events, to see how the day’s nakshatra astrological remedy. The act of giving Since astrology was is deeply revealing. an ox in charity with the expectation of employed in courts of gaining something in return is a lively The Ferocity of Sharp and example of a “mixed” activity, owing to royalty, descriptions in Bitter Stars its mixed intention. ancient Jyotish texts often The Sharp/Bitter (Tikshna) or Hor- rible (Daruna) stars, Mula, Ardra, and Light/Short and Dynamic/Quick lean toward the genteel, Ashlesha, are three of the most severe The Light (Laghu) stars are four very grand, or heroic. and intense nakshatras. It is fitting to in number. They are Ashwini, Pushya, see these harsh stars playing a role dur- Hasta, and Abhijit (see Note 1).