The 28 nakṣatras
Nakṣatras: the Moon's star fields
Nakṣatras (nakshatras) are the lunar mansions of Vedic astrology: 27 equal star fields of 13°20′ each, which the Moon moves through at roughly one a day. Each carries its own deity, symbol, ruling graha (planetary force) and quality. A twenty-eighth, Abhijit, is read by Vedaz as a quiet overlay.
The nakṣatra your Moon occupied at birth, your janma nakṣatra, is one of the first patterns a Vedaz reading explores. Find yours with the free calculator.
- 1 · 0°00′–13°20′ AriesAśvinīthe horse-born · Ketu
Quick beginnings and the instinct to help. A terrain of first steps, movement and healing energy.
- 2 · 13°20′–26°40′ AriesBharaṇīthe bearer · Venus
Carrying what is heavy and what is creative. A terrain of thresholds, restraint and life-giving force.
- 3 · 26°40′ Aries–10°00′ TaurusKṛttikāthe cutter · Sun
The Pleiades. Clarity that cuts away what no longer serves. A terrain of refinement and honest seeing.
- 4 · 10°00′–23°20′ TaurusRohiṇīthe red, the growing one · Moon
The Moon's favourite mansion. Growth, beauty and fertile ground for ideas, bodies and gardens.
- 5 · 23°20′ Taurus–6°40′ GeminiMṛgaśirāthe deer's head · Mars
Gentle seeking. A curious, searching pattern that follows a scent toward what feels alive.
- 6 · 6°40′–20°00′ GeminiĀrdrāthe moist one · Rahu
Storm and renewal. A pattern that feels deeply, clears the air and lets something new take root.
- 7 · 20°00′ Gemini–3°20′ CancerPunarvasureturn of the light · Jupiter
Coming home again. A terrain of renewal, second chances and steady optimism.
- 8 · 3°20′–16°40′ CancerPuṣyathe nourisher · Saturn
Care that sustains. A pattern of nourishing, protecting and offering steady support.
- 9 · 16°40′–30°00′ CancerĀśleṣāthe embrace · Mercury
Depth and perception. A pattern that reads beneath the surface and holds what it finds closely.
- 10 · 0°00′–13°20′ LeoMaghāthe mighty · Ketu
Lineage and dignity. A terrain shaped by those who came before, and the seat you take among them.
- 11 · 13°20′–26°40′ LeoPūrva Phalgunīthe former red one · Venus
Rest, pleasure and creative joy, held as sacred rather than indulgent.
- 12 · 26°40′ Leo–10°00′ VirgoUttara Phalgunīthe latter red one · Sun
Agreements and generosity. A pattern of partnership, patronage and keeping your word.
- 13 · 10°00′–23°20′ VirgoHastathe hand · Moon
Skill and craft. Intelligence that lives in the hands: making, healing, shaping.
- 14 · 23°20′ Virgo–6°40′ LibraCitrāthe brilliant · Mars
Design and form. A pattern that sees beauty in structure and builds it with care.
- 15 · 6°40′–20°00′ LibraSvātīthe independent one · Rahu
Freedom and flexibility. Bending without breaking, and finding your own direction.
- 16 · 20°00′ Libra–3°20′ ScorpioViśākhāthe forked branch · Jupiter
Focused purpose. A terrain of aims, determination and choosing which path to commit to.
- 17 · 3°20′–16°40′ ScorpioAnurādhāfollowing Rādhā · Saturn
Devotion and friendship. A pattern that blooms through loyalty, even in difficult ground.
- 18 · 16°40′–30°00′ ScorpioJyeṣṭhāthe eldest · Mercury
Responsibility and protection. The elder's pattern: holding others, and learning to be held.
- 19 · 0°00′–13°20′ SagittariusMūlathe root · Ketu
Getting to the root. A terrain of inquiry, release and returning to what is essential.
- 20 · 13°20′–26°40′ SagittariusPūrva Āṣāḍhāthe early victory · Venus
Conviction and purification. Waters that cleanse, and a quiet confidence that carries you.
- 21 · 26°40′ Sagittarius–10°00′ CapricornUttara Āṣāḍhāthe later victory · Sun
Lasting commitment. A pattern of integrity, patience and work that endures.
- 28th · 6°40′–10°53′20″ CapricornAbhijitthe victorious · no planetary ruler
The hidden twenty-eighth mansion, a narrow star field of quiet completion. Vedaz reads it as an overlay rather than a timing input.
- 22 · 10°00′–23°20′ CapricornŚravaṇahearing · Moon
Deep listening. A pattern of learning, oral wisdom and knowledge passed carefully between people.
- 23 · 23°20′ Capricorn–6°40′ AquariusDhaniṣṭhāthe most abundant · Mars
Rhythm and music. A terrain of timing, generosity and moving with the beat of a group.
- 24 · 6°40′–20°00′ AquariusŚatabhiṣāthe hundred healers · Rahu
Healing and solitude. A pattern that restores through quiet, research and the unseen.
- 25 · 20°00′ Aquarius–3°20′ PiscesPūrva Bhādrapadāthe former blessed feet · Jupiter
Intensity and transformation. Fire that tests and purifies, and an idealism that wants to serve.
- 26 · 3°20′–16°40′ PiscesUttara Bhādrapadāthe latter blessed feet · Saturn
Depth and stillness. Oceanic calm, wisdom held at the bottom of the sea.
- 27 · 16°40′–30°00′ PiscesRevatīthe wealthy, the shining · Mercury
Safe passage and completion. The last mansion, a nurturing pattern that guides others home.
How Vedaz reads the nakṣatras
Each page draws on the Vedaz Nakshatra Codex. It describes the terrain of the star field, how it may show up when supported and when under stress, a queer-affirming lens, and a practice to try. None of it is a prediction. A nakṣatra describes a pattern, and you decide how to live it.
Questions
What are nakshatras?
Nakṣatras are the 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astrology: equal divisions of the sky, each 13°20′ wide, that the Moon passes through roughly one per day. Each has its own deity, symbol, ruling graha and quality.
Are there 27 or 28 nakshatras?
Most systems use 27 equal nakṣatras. Some older texts add a 28th, Abhijit, a narrow field around the star Vega that overlaps Uttara Āṣāḍhā and Śravaṇa. Vedaz reads Abhijit as an overlay rather than a timing input.
How do I find my nakshatra?
Your birth nakṣatra (janma nakṣatra) is the one the Moon occupied when you were born. Use the free Vedaz Moon nakṣatra calculator with your birth date, time and time zone.