By Jyotidevi (Charlotte Benson)
Nakshatras consist of 13 degree and 20 minute sections of the familiar 30 degree signs of the Zodiac.
This section is the area of the sky which the Moon travels over in a 24 hour period, and the Sun during its 30 day transit. These smaller parts of signs contain much ancient, and very specific, embedded Truth.
Nakshatras are comprised of thousands of fixed stars, and they are associated with almost as many concepts! There are deities, planets, elemental qualities, gunas, ganas, animals, doshas, symbols, myths, sounds, castes, directions, etc. associated with each nakshatra. Knowing about the nakshatras of your Lagna (rising sign), Moon, and Sun can give you much information about your own hidden abilities, and motivations.
Spring has now sprung, in the Northern hemisphere, at least. This is the season for the Indian New Year, signified by the Sun/Moon conjunction in Pisces, on April 7, 2016. This will occur in Revati nakshatra, which spans from 16 degrees and 40 minutes � 30 degrees of Pisces. Batn-Al-Hut (Belly of the Fish) is the marker star.
Wealth and abundance and protection are the characteristics of the last Nakshatra, #27, lovely Revati. Surya the Sun travels across Revati (REV-a-tee) from March 31 � April 13. Revati means �the wealthy,� in both the material, and the spiritual realms. According to Komilla: �Revati people are concerned about Vedic knowledge, and will do anything to protect it.� This makes sense, since this star pattern is contained entirely within the wise Jupiter-ruled sign of Pisces, and its nakshatra ruler is knowledgeable Mercury.
Revati is one of the most positive, least complicated nakshatras. It is said to be good for travelling without fear or worry; planting seeds for future harvests; spiritual development; marriage; deep thinking; and time-travel! Revati was the daughter of the king of an undersea realm. After some time spent in Brahma Loka (another time and space) she returned to Earth and married Balarama, Krishna�s older brother. That�s the short version of an interesting Puranic legend.
Fishes entwined, in the ocean, and flowing in opposite directions, are the symbol for Revati.
An Aditya is one of the 12 forms of the Sun. Pushan, who is the devata, or presiding deity, for Revati is an Aditya � and therefore Pushan marks the important division in the sky associated with equinox of the Sun�s northerly cycle. Guiding and nourishing are Pushan�s specialties. As Revati is the very last nakshatra in the circle of 27 (or 28), Pushan also has the useful ability to guide souls across the gandanta point. As defined by Sam Geppi (Sadasiva), Pushan is one of the most gentle and kind gods, or devatas. Pushan is the guardian of people in the transition stages of life. This seasonal transition from winter to Springing up has always been an important celebration of the return of life/light � in all cultures, across history. We celebrate the natural New Year, the so-called Vedic New Year, at the new Moon in Revati in 2016.
|  | Moksha as motivation; and Kapha ayurvedic dosha, are other influences within Revati. Revati�s sacred animal is a Flying Elephant! This actually makes sense to me, for people with planets here can have a very colorful imagination, giving wings of wisdom and strength, to their visions.
Ashwini Nakshatra (#1) begins the cycle again. This Springing up at this time of year, has always been an important celebration of the return of life/light � in all cultures, across history. Ashwini (ASH-win-ee) spans from 0 degrees � 13 degrees 20 minutes of Aries; the Sun traverses these degrees between April 13 � April 27. Its principal marker stars are Hamal and Sheratan. |
Ashwini is connected with horses, and their trainers. Horses symbolize strong desires, instincts, and the power of the senses. The ability to manage these sensory provocations is the key to success for Ashwini � which is the place where the Sun reaches his highest degree of exaltation, 10 degrees of Aries.
The devata of this nakshatra are the Ashwini Kumara - twin sons of the Sun, golden-eyed physicians to the gods � and are associated with healing, and restoration of youthfulness. The temperament of these luminous twin gods is a complex mixture of innocence and idealism, and of egotism and pride, which can lead to them being misunderstood. Puranas are compiled stories about the gods, and they record that these deities were conceived in a state of pure love, by a reconciled, divine couple.
A horse head is the symbol of Ashwini; the seven horses which draw Surya�s solar chariot are its sacred animals. Dharma (correctness, morals, ethics) is the aim of Ashwini. Its ayurvedic dosha is vata.
Ketu is the mystical planetary energy associated here. This can bring an intense interest in achieving moksha (liberation) because of a certain amount of dissatisfaction and disillusionment with the material world. | | |
Our Sun enters nakshatra #3, Bharani, on April 27. The story continues, in next month�s edition!
Charlotte Benson Biography:
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Charlotte Benson (Jyoti Devi) has been a full-time consulting astrologer since 1972. She holds professional diplomas from the American Federation of Astrologers, the International Society for Astrological Research, the National Council for Geocosmic Research, as well as a certificate from the American College of Vedic Astrology. She is the President Emerita of the Arizona Society of Astrologers, currently serves on the board of the American College of Vedic Astrology, and was recently awarded the title of Jyotish Kovid from the Indian Council of Astrological Sciences and Jyotisha Choodamani from the Raman Foundation, Bangalore. She also received the 2015 Jyotish Navaratna (9 gems of Jyotish) title from ACVA (American College of Vedic Astrology).
www.charlottebenson.com
602 952-1525
Phoenix, AZ USA. |
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