Vedic astrology
The 27 Nakshatras
The nakshatras are the 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astrology — the zodiac divided into 27 segments of 13°20′. Your birth nakshatra is the one occupied by the Moon; it shapes temperament and starts the Vimshottari dasha sequence. Each has a ruling planet, symbol, deity and nature.
Ruler: Ketu · 0°00′–13°20′ Aries
1. Ashwini
Ashwini opens the nakshatra cycle, covering the first 13°20′ of Aries under Ketu’s rulership. Its horse’s-head symbol and the twin physician-gods point to speed, healing, fresh starts and pioneering energy. People born with the Moon here are often described as quick, independent and keen to take the lead.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Venus · 13°20′–26°40′ Aries
2. Bharani
Bharani is the second nakshatra, placed in mid-to-late Aries and ruled by Venus. The yoni, or womb of creation, is its symbol, while Yama, lord of dharma and life’s transitions, is its deity. Its themes include creativity, endurance, restraint, birth and transformation. A Bharani Moon is often associated with determination, sensuality and firm principles.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Sun · 26°40′ Aries – 10°00′ Taurus
3. Krittika
Krittika, the third nakshatra, crosses from late Aries into early Taurus. It is ruled by the Sun, presided over by Agni and symbolised by a razor or flame. This combination is associated with purification, ambition and the ability to cut through what is false. People with the Moon here are often direct, driven, protective and highly focused.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Moon · 10°00′–23°20′ Taurus
4. Rohini
Rohini is the fourth nakshatra and lies at the heart of Taurus. The Moon rules it and is exalted here; Brahma the creator is its deity, and a chariot is its symbol. Rohini is linked with growth, beauty, fertility and material abundance. A Rohini Moon is commonly associated with charm, artistry, sensuality and personal magnetism.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Mars · 23°20′ Taurus – 6°40′ Gemini
5. Mrigashira
Mrigashira is the fifth nakshatra, spanning the end of Taurus and the beginning of Gemini. Mars rules it, Soma presides over it, and the deer’s head is its symbol. It describes a gentle but persistent seeker, always curious about what lies ahead. People with the Moon here are often inquisitive, sensitive, charming and somewhat restless.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Rahu · 6°40′–20°00′ Gemini
6. Ardra
Ardra is the sixth nakshatra, located in mid-Gemini and ruled by Rahu. Rudra, the storm, is its deity and a teardrop is its symbol. Ardra deals with upheaval, intense feeling, sharp thought and the renewal that follows a storm. A Moon here is often associated with passion, penetrating intelligence and a willingness to face difficult truths.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Jupiter · 20°00′ Gemini – 3°20′ Cancer
7. Punarvasu
Punarvasu, the seventh nakshatra, bridges Gemini and Cancer under Jupiter’s rulership. Its deity is Aditi, mother of the gods, and its symbol is a quiver of arrows. Its name means “return of the light”, fitting its themes of renewal, safe return, optimism and abundance. People with the Moon here are often warm, wise, adaptable and resilient.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Saturn · 3°20′–16°40′ Cancer
8. Pushya
Pushya is the eighth nakshatra, set in the heart of Cancer and ruled by Saturn. Brihaspati, guru of the gods, presides over it, and its symbols are a cow’s udder or a lotus. Tradition regards Pushya as one of the most auspicious and nourishing nakshatras, associated with care, stability and spiritual growth. A Pushya Moon is often dependable, disciplined and devoted.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Mercury · 16°40′–30°00′ Cancer
9. Ashlesha
Ashlesha is the ninth nakshatra, occupying late Cancer under Mercury’s rulership. The Nagas, or serpent deities, preside over it, and its symbol is a coiled snake. It is associated with perception, persuasion, intuition and kundalini energy. People with the Moon here are often shrewd, deeply intelligent and unusually good at reading motives.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Ketu · 0°00′–13°20′ Leo
10. Magha
Magha is the tenth nakshatra, placed at the beginning of Leo and ruled by Ketu. Its deity is the Pitris, the ancestors, and its symbol is a royal throne. Magha connects lineage, dignity, status and respect for one’s roots. People with the Moon here are often proud, tradition-minded, protective of family honour and comfortable in leadership.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Venus · 13°20′–26°40′ Leo
11. Purva Phalguni
Purva Phalguni is the eleventh nakshatra, located in mid-Leo and ruled by Venus. Bhaga, god of delight and good fortune, presides over it, while the front legs of a bed form its symbol. It is associated with pleasure, rest, romance and creativity. A Moon here often brings warmth, playfulness, generosity and an easy social charm.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Sun · 26°40′ Leo – 10°00′ Virgo
12. Uttara Phalguni
Uttara Phalguni is the twelfth nakshatra, crossing from Leo into Virgo under the Sun’s rulership. Aryaman, patron of contracts and alliances, is its deity, and the back legs of a bed are its symbol. The nakshatra is linked with partnership, generosity and dependable friendship. People with the Moon here are often organised, kind and serious about lasting commitments.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Moon · 10°00′–23°20′ Virgo
13. Hasta
Hasta is the thirteenth nakshatra, situated in the heart of Virgo and ruled by the Moon. Savitar presides over it, and an open hand is its symbol. Hasta is associated with skill, craft, dexterity and the ability to make an idea tangible. People with the Moon here are often clever, hard-working, witty and capable with their hands.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Mars · 23°20′ Virgo – 6°40′ Libra
14. Chitra
Chitra is the fourteenth nakshatra, spanning the end of Virgo and the beginning of Libra. Mars rules it, Tvashtar the divine architect presides over it, and a bright jewel is its symbol. It is associated with design, beauty, brilliance and carefully made form. A Chitra Moon often brings charisma, artistic judgement, style and a talent for building.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Rahu · 6°40′–20°00′ Libra
15. Swati
Swati is the fifteenth nakshatra, positioned in mid-Libra and ruled by Rahu. Its deity is Vayu, the wind, and its symbol is a young shoot bending in the breeze. Swati represents independence, movement, balance and adaptability. People with the Moon here are often self-reliant, diplomatic, flexible and strongly attached to freedom.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Jupiter · 20°00′ Libra – 3°20′ Scorpio
16. Vishakha
Vishakha is the sixteenth nakshatra, extending from Libra into Scorpio under Jupiter’s rulership. Indra-Agni presides over it, and a triumphal archway is its symbol. Vishakha is associated with ambition, determination and sustained movement towards a goal. People with the Moon here are often patient, driven and capable of significant achievement.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Saturn · 3°20′–16°40′ Scorpio
17. Anuradha
Anuradha is the seventeenth nakshatra, located in the heart of Scorpio and ruled by Saturn. Mitra, god of friendship, presides over it, and the lotus is its symbol. It is associated with devotion, cooperation, friendship and success through relationships. People with the Moon here are often loyal, disciplined, sociable and able to make a life far from home.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Mercury · 16°40′–30°00′ Scorpio
18. Jyeshtha
Jyeshtha is the eighteenth nakshatra, occupying late Scorpio under Mercury’s rulership. Indra, king of the gods, is its deity, and an earring is its symbol. Its name means “eldest”, reflecting themes of seniority, protection, responsibility and hidden power. People with the Moon here are often capable, sharp and quietly authoritative.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Ketu · 0°00′–13°20′ Sagittarius
19. Mula
Mula is the nineteenth nakshatra, placed at the beginning of Sagittarius and ruled by Ketu. Nirriti presides over it, and a tied bundle of roots is its symbol. Mula seeks the source of a problem, making it strongly associated with investigation, philosophy, destruction and rebuilding. People with the Moon here are often direct, probing and fearless in their search for truth.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Venus · 13°20′–26°40′ Sagittarius
20. Purva Ashadha
Purva Ashadha is the twentieth nakshatra, situated in mid-Sagittarius and ruled by Venus. Its deity is Apas, the waters, and its symbol is a fan. Known as the “invincible” nakshatra, it is associated with conviction, optimism and influence. People with the Moon here are often confident, persuasive, idealistic and able to inspire others.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Sun · 26°40′ Sagittarius – 10°00′ Capricorn
21. Uttara Ashadha
Uttara Ashadha is the twenty-first nakshatra, bridging Sagittarius and Capricorn under the Sun’s rulership. The Vishvadevas preside over it, and an elephant’s tusk is its symbol. Its theme is “later victory”, meaning durable success earned through patience and integrity. People with the Moon here are often principled, responsible, ambitious and respected.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Moon · 10°00′–23°20′ Capricorn
22. Shravana
Shravana is the twenty-second nakshatra, placed in the heart of Capricorn and ruled by the Moon. Vishnu presides over it, and an ear is its symbol. It is associated with listening, study and wisdom gained through hearing. People with the Moon here are often thoughtful, knowledgeable and good at connecting people with ideas.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Mars · 23°20′ Capricorn – 6°40′ Aquarius
23. Dhanishta
Dhanishta is the twenty-third nakshatra, crossing from Capricorn into Aquarius under Mars’s rulership. The Vasus, gods of abundance, preside over it, and a drum is its symbol. Dhanishta is associated with rhythm, wealth, music and success within a group. People with the Moon here are often energetic, ambitious, musical and effective team members.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Rahu · 6°40′–20°00′ Aquarius
24. Shatabhisha
Shatabhisha is the twenty-fourth nakshatra, located in mid-Aquarius and ruled by Rahu. Varuna, god of the cosmic waters, presides over it, and an empty circle is its symbol. It is associated with healing, privacy, independence and unconventional thought. People with the Moon here are often inventive, self-contained and drawn to mysteries or remedies.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Jupiter · 20°00′ Aquarius – 3°20′ Pisces
25. Purva Bhadrapada
Purva Bhadrapada is the twenty-fifth nakshatra, bridging Aquarius and Pisces under Jupiter’s rulership. Aja Ekapada presides over it, and a two-faced man is its symbol. It is associated with intensity, idealism, vision and transformation. People with the Moon here are often passionate, unconventional and inclined towards deep thought.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Saturn · 3°20′–16°40′ Pisces
26. Uttara Bhadrapada
Uttara Bhadrapada is the twenty-sixth nakshatra, located in the heart of Pisces and ruled by Saturn. Ahir Budhnya, the serpent of the depths, presides over it, and its symbol is twins or the back of a cot. It is associated with calm, wisdom and quiet strength. People with the Moon here are often compassionate, serene and steady under pressure.
Read the nakshatraRuler: Mercury · 16°40′–30°00′ Pisces
27. Revati
Revati is the twenty-seventh and final nakshatra, placed in late Pisces and ruled by Mercury. Pushan, protector of travellers and herds, presides over it, and a pair of fish is its symbol. Revati is associated with completion, nourishment, safe journeys and gentle care. People with the Moon here are often kind, creative, nurturing and protective of others.
Read the nakshatra