Choosing a favorable time for starting an endeavor (muhurat) is a very important aspect of a person’s life, as these events will influence their fate in the future. Starting a business, beginning construction or purchasing a home, studying, holding a wedding ceremony, going on a vacation or a business trip—all these events can become auspicious thanks to knowledge. Therefore, it is so important to know where the Moon is in the horoscope. The nakshatras provide an opportunity to obtain deeper information about a person (they divide each zodiac sign into groups of stars, and each has its uniqueness), and they help distinguish which people assist in their development, and who will drag us down or even prove dangerous for us.
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:
