  |
|
The 27 Nakshatras (Asterisms or Lunar Mansions)
 Asterisms are patterns of stars that may be contained within a single constellation or consist of stars belonging to different constellations.
Asterism derives from the Greek word for star, aster. In ancient astronomical texts however, aster was used for a combination of stars rather than for a single star...hence the term, Asterisms.
According to our ancient astrological texts, the Zodiac, consisting of 12 constellations, is divided into 27 segments. Each segment, marked by a particular fixed star, is known as an Asterism or in sanskrit, Nakshatra... (meaning "that which does not decay")
The Circle of 27 Nakshatras with Reference to Earth
 "This illustration shows the sequence of the 27 equal segments of the Nakshatras, each consisting of 13 degrees 20 minutes. As seen from Earth, the Moon passes through this circle in about 27 days. Thus it takes the Moon about one day to pass through one Nakshatra."
Source: Maharishi Vedic Astrology
Note: Rather than use my own
course material
I chose the above diagram from Maharishi website purely for its aesthetic value. However there is more detail on the course material, so worth taking a look by clicking on the above link.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Vimshottari Dasa System (see >here<) is based on Moon's Nakshatra position at the time of birth...hence the common term Lunar Mansions, or Constellations of the Moon.
The following table gives the Sanskrit names of the 27 Nakshatras along with the associated guna, the sex of the Nakshatra, the degree of the sign it occupies and its ruling planet (also referred to as its lord).
More on Nakshatras can be seen >here<
Importance of Nakshatra lord in Horoscope
Without doubt the position and strength of nakshatra lord is of vital importance in understanding the full expression of (any) planet. For instance; the below horoscope of Bill Gates (given an A rating on AstroDatabank) shows Jupiter in 2nd house of finances occupying nakshatra of Magha who's lord (Ketu) is placed in 11th house of 'Gains'.
Scriptures assert that Ketu in 11th makes the native learned and wealthy.
 No doubt Bill Gates company (Microsoft) has stood head and shoulders over all competitors; and, as we know, this company has earned him unimaginable wealth...reported to be the richest man in the world.
How do we see this in his chart
 Jupiter, significator for wealth (occupying 2nd house of finances), has 6th house (10th from Moon) as his moolatrikona. As we know, 10th from Moon is explicitly connected with our career. This important 6th house signifies such things as competitive power (ability to overcome competitors), challenges, urge for perfection, turning obstacles into opportunity, colleagues, employees and so forth. It's important (also) to note that 6th, along with 2nd (and 10th), is a Artha houses i.e. connected with wealth. Jupiter's lordship of 9th house is of equal importance as it holds lagna lord Moon. This auspicious house signifies such things as good luck (support of nature), solutions to problems, and opulence. I highlight these attributes of 9th house (particularly) due to Jupiter's placement in 2nd house of finances.As already mentioned, Jupiter sits in Nakshatra of Magha which is ruled by Ketu. Although Ketu (in 11th) occupies his sign of debilitation, he has no less than 3 neecha bhanga points...neecha means debilitation and bhanga means cancellation. 11th is also an Upachaya house where natural malefics (such as Ketu) are said to give good results.Because Ketu (a non-physical planet) cannot act alone; his effect, confined to the house he occupies and planets he conjoins, is seen primarily through his dispositor...the lord of the house he occupies. In this instance, 11th lord Venus (placed in Libra) occupies Nakshatra of Jupiter whilst being conjunct Jupiter's dispositor (2nd lord Sun). Note that, although debilitated in this house, Sun has 4 neecha bhanga points.Exalted 7th/8th lord Saturn is also (closely) conjunct Venus in this house. 7th, as we know, signifies business partners. It was during Ketu dasa, star lord of Jupiter, that Gates cofounded Microsoft with Paul Allen (1975). Like Venus, Saturn too occupies Nakshatra of Jupiter.As 8th lord, Saturn signifies partners wealth, unearned income etc. Even after his retirement money continues to flow...unearned income!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
© Copyright JyotishVidya.com, 2002 - 2012. All Rights Reserved