While the Sun’s movement is connected to the 12 zodiac signs (a solar division of the horoscope into 12 parts, with the Sun passing through all signs in one year), the Moon’s movement is connected to the 27 nakshatras (a lunar division of the horoscope into 27 parts, with the Moon passing through all signs within 27-28 days). The nakshatras are very important in Vedic astrology, as they influence a person’s thinking, character, intuition, and desires.
The word nakshatra contains three meanings: night, destruction, and protection, meaning protection from destruction at night. Nakshatras are a nighttime division of the sky into 27 houses in the zodiac, with each house containing 13 degrees and 20 minutes. If we multiply 27 by 13 degrees and 20 minutes, we get 360 degrees, which constitutes the full circle of the zodiac.
Nakshatras are groups of stars, called lunar mansions, that are used for horoscope reading and obtaining deep information about a person’s nature, inclinations, habits, and many other things. The nakshatras are divided into groups based on their directional view: looking down, up, or forward.
Adho Mukha – Nakshatras looking down, a group meant for investigating deep questions, learning something profound, delving into spiritual matters, and are also intended for meditation, grounding, and burial. Nakshatras belonging to this group include:
Bharani, Krittika, Ashlesha, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Vishakha, Mula, Purvashadha, Purva Bhadrapada.
Urdhva Mukha – Nakshatras looking up, this group is used for success in matters directed upwards (towards the sky). It’s about getting a job, increasing status, career improvement, airplane travel, planting, and financial investment. Nakshatras belonging to this group include:
Rohini, Ardra, Pushya, Uttara Phalguni, Uttarashadha, Shravana, Dhanishta, Shatabhisha, Uttara Bhadrapada.
Tiryanga Mukha – Nakshatras looking forward, meant for supporting matters that require continuation or continuity, improvement of something serious (production, creation). Nakshatras belonging to this group include:
Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Jyeshta, Revati.
When we combine the solar type of horoscope division with the lunar type, we get 108 parts, called Navamsha or padas. Each nakshatra is divided into 4 parts of 3 degrees and 20 minutes each. These parts are called padas. Each pada carries the characteristics of a particular zodiac sign, starting from Aries. The four padas are symbolically associated with the four goals of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. The first pada is always a fiery pada, the second – earthy, the third – airy, and the fourth – watery. Likewise, the padas correspond to the goals of a person’s life. If a person has more planets in the first pada in the horoscope, then Dharma (duty, spiritual purpose) is important to them; in the second – Artha (material matters); in the third – Kama (fulfillment of desires); and in the fourth – Moksha (the end of the life cycle and death).
