Considering that we talked about the Sacred Feminine last time with Sehu, I thought it appropriate to follow up with an article about the Lunar Zodiac.  Although most people are aware of the Chinese Zodiac, they usually don’t know that there are multiple Zodiacs—originating not only from different cultures, but even within the same culture.   In this issue, we’re going to focus on the Moon’s Zodiac, or the Lunar Zodiac, as we’re approaching the sign Cancer this month, a sign ruled by the moon.

The Lunar Zodiac is one of the oldest zodiacs known to humankind.  The Solar Zodiac, that we use, is based on the “orbit” of the sun around the Earth.  The Lunar Zodiac is based on the Moon’s orbit around the earth every 28 days.  When the orbit of the Moon, not just its position, intersects with the orbit of the Sun, we have eclipses, i.e., lunar and solar.  It’s at these points, called the North and South Nodes, that we find keys to understanding how we can grow faster or what’s holding us back in our evolution as souls. 

In many cultures, before the ancient Greeks came to use mainly the Solar Zodiac, the Lunar and Solar Zodiac were used in tandem.  The Sun was usually associated with the masculine principle and the Moon with the feminine.  So it’s not surprising that with the rise of the patriarchy that the Lunar Zodiac has been used more by other cultures that maintain a strong spiritual connection with the Sacred Feminine.  One such culture that still maintains a close connection to the Lunar Zodiac comes to us from Mother India.

The Lunar Zodiac is called the Nakshatras in Vedic or Indian astrology.  They are quite powerful and can deepen your understanding of yourself.  In this article, I will provide a breakdown of how your Lunar Zodiac sign from the Nakshatras matches up with your Solar Zodiac sign.  This is just to give you a taste about Nakshatras. However, you should note, just like every other aspect of astrology, you do have personal Nakshatras which may have nothing to do with the month or Sun sign of your birth.  I should also mention that Vedic astrologers use the Zodiac based on the positions of the constellations, not the signs. This means that let’s say you’re born with a Moon in Leo.  Depending on the degree, your personal Nakshatra could be Pushya or Ashlesha.  But it doesn’t depend just on the sign, but the degree.  This is very important.   If you’re interested in learning more, one of the most accessible presentations of these Zodiacs can be found in Vedic Astrologer Komilla Sutton’s book, Indian Astrology.   

If you’re interested in a personal consultation with a vedic astrologer, there is one I can recommend if you contact me at astrobrother@inbox.com.   (I am not a Vedic astrologer, though I have a great amount of respect for this form of astrology.) 

There are 27 Nakshatras, although there are some special cases where there is a 28^th one used—nearly a single nakshatra for every day of the moon’s orbit around the earth.    In this article, I’d like to provide the Nakshatra name, the corresponding Solar dates for each Nakshatra, the corresponding Solar sign, and a brief description.  I hope this proves helpful in deepening your understanding of yourself and the vastness of astrology and its approaches.

Uttara Bhadra (March 17-March 31, Pisces/Aries): Often very spiritual and wise people, even from a young age.  With courage and strength, they can usually fulfill whatever goal they set for themselves, including great wealth.  However, they must be careful not to become too self-indulgent.

Revati (March 31-April 13, Aries):  These people will make incredible sacrifices for others and work hard.  They’re not afraid to venture into the unknown as they have sharp intellects and reserves of inner strength.  They should keep up their self-confidence and be wary of others who mistake their goodness for weakness.

Ashwini (April 13-April 27, Aries/Taurus):   These people are both charming and can lead charming lives.  They’re always on the look out for more action and challenges.  Often there are a lot of healers born in this Nakshatra.  They can let themselves be overly concerned with mistrustful or suspicious people.

Bharani (April 27-May 11, Taurus): Like Taurus, these Bharanis are often very sensual, though do pay attention to the spiritual as well.  They enjoy the good things in life, but there can be too much of a good thing.  Yoga is a recommended practice for them as it cultivates balance and temperance. 

Krittika (May 11-May 25, Taurus/Gemini):  Strong warrior energy and fire in these people.  They can be all or nothing, and love to be full-on, like some actors.  With Krittika having some additional influence from Mercury, these fierce warriors also have remarkable intelligence.  They must be mindful of their tempers, however.

Rohini (May 25-June 8, Gemini):  The energy from Rohini conditions a person toward a love of beauty and bestows a great sensitivity to those around them.  This prompts them to be emotional and prone to suggestion.  Likewise, they must be careful of substance abuse as they are can be pulled under (almost literally) by drugs.

Mrigasira (June 8-June 21, Gemini):  Those with this Nakshatra are fond of using their amazing mental and physical abilities in the arena of competition.  Mostly they love the excitement of competition or learning something new.  This can prompt inconsistency in the personality and the trait to be a jack/jill of all trades and a master of none.

Ardra (June 21-July 5, Gemini/Cancer):  Ardra takes all the strengths of Mrigasira, but isn’t so much into the thrill of competition and excitement at all costs.  This doesn’t mean, however, that they’re not exciting!  Sometimes they get confused by this, but, ultimately, they become more integrated when they match their drives with a deeper, more spiritual understanding. 

Punarvasu (July 5-July 19, Cancer):  One of the “nicknames” for this “sign” is the Universal Mother.  They’re so named because these people can be very caring and nurturing.  The downside is that they usually NEED a project or a person to nurture or help.  Once these people develop a healthier relationship to change and release they can lead more fulfilling lives. 

Pushya (July 19-August 2, Cancer/Leo): Pushyas are very much in touch with their creative and moral source, but there is conflict between their high moral/creative standards and what they must accept on a practical/Earth-bound level.  They take their responsibilities seriously, but may get too caught up with them.

Ashlesha (August 2-August 16, Leo):  These people are often very independent and believe in using their formidable good looks, intelligence and grace to get what they want.  They must avoid being mean and cultivate more intimacy in their relationships.

Magha (August 16-August 30, Leo/Virgo):  Power is very attractive to those born under the Nakshatra of Magha.  This doesn’t necessarily make them power hungry or cruel.  In fact, these people see power as means to serve the community and can be too idealistic about the costs of obtaining power.  As long as they don’t trust too many with too much or arrogantly assume too much, they can be very successful leaders.

Purva Phalguni (August 30-September 13, Virgo):  These people are usually fairly fortunate and their vitality nets them a good measure of popularity.  They tend to stay positive, but they shouldn’t be afraid to go against the grain every now and then.  They may confuse their natural positivity with the need to be liked by everybody.

Uttara Phalguni (September 13-September 26, Virgo/Libra): Those born under this Nakshatra are dutiful, charitable, and reliable people.  Like Virgo, they can be perfectionists and expect others to work as hard, if not harder than they do.  Despite their steadfastness, their lack of confidence may make them nervous and restless, so they may not step up to a task unless they know for sure they can stick with it.

Hasta (September 26-October 10, Libra):  Beneath the beautiful, accomplished and happy-go-lucky veneer of Hasta is a deep and profound dissatisfaction with the “ways of the world.”  This need to fulfill this dissatisfaction can lead them to be selfish, moody and dependent on others for emotional support and encouragement.

Chitra (October 10-October 23, Libra/Scorpio):   The Chitra Nakashatra gives birth to natural leaders, with a strong flair for dramatic presentation in style, dress and manner.  They are usually socially and politically progressive, but may find it difficult to settle down into one idea, thing or person. 

Swati (October 23-November 6, Scorpio): The “Swatis” feel compelled to achieve much and are capable of doing so.  (Bill Gates is a Swati).  They, like Chitra, love to break new ground, but may be better suited for converting ideas into money-making ventures.  However, they’re ambition may know no bounds and could confuse them or wear on their moral and spiritual centers.

Vishakha (November 6-November 19, Scorpio):  Like Scorpio, Vishakha has a strong unsettled, conflicted quality to its nature.  They’re entranced by the deeper issues of life and are always on the lookout for even deeper answers to their questions.  This prompts a restlessness of spirit and keeps them from fully engaging all the dimensions of their lives.

Anuradha (November 19-December 2, Scorpio/Sagittarius):  They are also conflicted, but along sharper lines:  spiritual yet very materialistic, kind and spiteful, upbeat and then despondent.  They work hard, but are not very good at enjoying life and living it up.  They must also learn that it’s okay to be complex, but being complicated just makes things so much harder.

Jyeshta (December 2-December 15, Sagittarius):  These are also very bright people who understand that the only constant is change.  This gives them a great ability to anticipate trends and make important changes in their lives and for others.  They must be careful of bending rules and be ethical in all that they do.

Mula (December 15-December 28, Sagittarius/Capricorn):  Mulas thrive in pioneer situations and can adapt immensely well.  They understand energy, of all kinds, on a very deep level, and usually have great reserves of it as well.  They can be disciplined, but their demand for change is quite high and may find less energetic folks too boring.

Purva Ashadha (December 28-January 11, Capricorn):  Those born under this powerful and irrepressible constellation excel in entertainment and the arts.  Change is the only real constant in their lives, yet they strive for some measure of immortality in their work.  They realize all too well that it’s only through being open to change that they grow and achieve more the purity they desire in life.

Uttara Ashadha (January 11-January 24, Capricorn/Aquarius): They are usually brilliant, with high-minded ambitions.  However, despite their lofty intentions, they can be a bit lazy and self-indulgent.  And though they revere the truth, in whatever form, they can be a bit narrow-minded on their perception of what is the truth. 

Shravana (January 24-February 6, Aquarius):  These people are well attuned to the needs and aspirations of others.  They listen to the words that are spoken more from the heart, and they can read well between the lines.  (For instance, Oprah Winfrey is under this constellation.)  They are tough, but they do have softer interior. 

Dhanishta (February 6-February 19, Aquarius/Pisces):  They can balance well spiritual aspirations with material involvements.  They often live to serve others, and find it hard to think of themselves as selfish.  It’s often difficult for them to tune into what they want out of their lives rather than what others want for them.

Shatabishak (February 19-March 4, Pisces):  The natives of this nakshatra are said to be on a mission impossible.  They both expect more from themselves and others than is generally perceived to be possible AND yet they can often achieve what others think is impossible to achieve.  They often don’t appreciate their own accomplishments enough, however.  This lowers their self-confidence and esteem.

Purva Bhadra (March 4 – March 17, Pisces):  You appear calm and peaceful, but you will fight a giant to help someone who’s being treated unjustly.  You also excel at writing.  Be careful not to deplete your energy by waging too many wars for others.  It’s important to look after yourself and particularly keep a careful eye on your money as you can be gullible for what appears to be a good cause.

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