Uttaraphalguni forms a pair with its previous nakshatra Poorvaphalguni. Hence some traits of Uttaraphalguni may be similar to the traits exhibited by Poorvaphalguni, according to prevalent beliefs of Vedic astrology. The literal meaning of the word Uttaraphalguni according to Vedic astrology is ‘the latter reddish or red one’. As we have already discussed a similar meaning for Poorvaphalguni, it can be said that Uttaraphalguni also possesses some qualities which are similar to its previous nakshatra.
Vedic astrology considers the symbol of Uttaraphalguni as two back legs of a Divan or a couch used for daytime relaxation. Accordingly, this nakshatra is also associated with relaxation like Poorvaphalguni. However, the stage of relaxation represented by Uttaraphalguni is a later and lighter form of relaxation which is conveyed by using two back legs of a couch as its symbol.
It means the native who was sleeping in Poorvaphalguni has wakened from sleep and he is just lying on the couch for some extended relaxation, in Uttaraphalguni. This extended relaxation is not a must needed relaxation like in case of Poorvaphalguni. This second stage of relaxation exhibited by Uttaraphalguni represents will of the native for some extended relaxation, more than the actual need for rest and relaxation.
Hence Uttaraphalguni may be related to the phase of relaxation when the native has renewed his energy and is much more active on mental level. Accordingly, he may be prepared to engage in some activities like thinking about something or making plans about some coming events, talking to someone or watching something like a movie. It means Uttaraphalguni represents the ending phase of relaxation and the native is getting ready for some activity.
Vedic astrology assigns Aryaman who is one of the twelve Adityas (Solar Deities), as the ruling deity of Uttaraphalguni. Aryaman represents traits like kindness, helping others and getting benefitted from others by gaining their favours or help; hospitality, civilized nature and other likewise qualities. Most of these traits are relayed through Uttaraphalguni. Aryaman is also known as a deity who is very keen on making friends and who assigns great value to his friends and friendships. This trait is also exhibited through Uttaraphalguni.
Vedic astrology assigns Sun as the ruling planet of Uttaraphalguni. Hence a number of traits of Sun are also added to this nakshatra. The first quarter of Uttaraphalguni falls in Leo ruled by Sun whereas the last three quarters of this nakshatra fall in Virgo ruled by Mercury. Therefore, influence of Mercury is also added to Uttaraphalguni and many traits of Mercury find release through this nakshatra.
The combined influence of Sun and Mercury on Uttaraphalguni makes it a special nakshatra. This is because Sun and Mercury are known to work very well in the company of each other. The combination of benefic Sun and Mercury in a horoscope forms an auspicious yoga called Budhaditya Yoga. This yoga may bless the native with traits like sharp intellect, intelligence, diplomacy and mathematical skills among other things. Budhaditya Yoga may also render the ability to strike balance between what the soul wants and practical reality.
All such traits represented by Budhaditya Yoga are added to Uttaraphalguni. This is what makes it a special nakshatra. Uttaraphalguni is the only nakshatra which combines the energies of Sun and Mercury, in the last three quarters of this nakshatra, which fall in Virgo. The combined influence of Sun and Mercury blesses this nakshatra with some of the best traits exhibited by this nakshatra.
Since the ruling deity of Uttaraphalguni, Aryaman is also a solar deity; he also possesses many traits of Sun. Therefore, the influence of the ruling deity of Uttraphalguni also works in harmony with the influence of Sun and Mercury on this nakshatra. This makes Uttaraphalguni much more balanced in its approach than the previous nakshatra Poorvaphalguni which works under the influence of opposite types of energies which make Poorvaphalguni volatile and unstable at times.
The influence of Sun is very strong on the first quarter of Uttaraphalguni, falling in Leo. This is because Sun rules Leo as well as Uttaraphalguni. As for the last three quarters, the influence of Sun and Mercury is almost in balance, making it a good zone for a number of activities. People under strong influence of Uttaraphalguni are generally intelligent, practical; good at socializing with people, making friends and valuing their friendships.
Such people may be helpful to people around them and they may also gain favours from such people from time to time. Most Uttaraphalguni people may be independent in nature and they may not like to blindly follow the trends set by others. On the other hand, they may be the ones who may believe in setting their own trends, primarily due to strong influence of Sun on this nakshatra.
Sun is considered as the king among nine planets. Sun is also considered as the most independent planet among navagraha. Since this nakshatra is under strong influence of Sun, it also exhibits this trait of independence. This trait is much stronger in Leo part of Uttaraphalguni compared to Virgo part of this nakshatra.
It is interesting to note that people under strong influence of Poorvaphalguni may believe in following trends rather than setting trends, due to strong influence of Venus on Poorvaphalguni. However, people under strong influence of Uttaraphalguni may believe in setting trends rather than following the trends set by others, due to strong influence of Sun on this nakshatra. Hence there is a clear contrast between these two seemingly similar nakshatras when it comes to the expression of the self. This is because these two nakshatras work under the influences of two opposite types of energies.
Traits of Sun like aggression, anger, the urge to win and conquer; and other likewise traits are exhibited through Uttaraphalguni. However, Uttaraphalguni gives softer expressions of solar energy compared to the expressions given by Krittika. This is because god Agni, the ruling deity of Krittika is a fierce deity. Aryaman, the ruling deity of Uttaraphalguni is softer in comparison. As a result, Uttaraphalguni people are likely to use aggression and anger only when it is needed and they are also likely to calm down easily compared to Krittika people. This tendency may be higher in the Virgo part of this nakshatra, due to added influence of Mercury.
The influence of Mercury brings traits like good communication skills, humor, analytical and practical abilities, intellect and other such qualities to Uttaraphalguni. Accordingly, people under strong influence of Uttaraphalguni may exhibit these qualities of Mercury and they may achieve success in the fields where these qualities are valued. Uttaraphalguni people may be courageous like Sun and intellectual/skillful like Mercury. Accordingly they may succeed in many spheres of lives.
Like in case of other nakshatras, though Uttaraphalguni exhibits a number of good traits, different people may embrace different traits, depending on placements of various planets in this nakshatra, as well as on their overall horoscopes. Looking at planets; Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Ketu may perform better in Leo part of this nakshatra. Moon may perform well in both parts; depending on its navamsha placements. Venus may not perform well in any part of this nakshatra. This is because it is not strong in Leo and it is debilitated in Virgo. Apart from that; Venus may not be much comfortable with the energy of Uttaraphalguni.
Saturn may perform well in Virgo part of this nakshatra and it may not feel comfortable in Leo part of Uttaraphalguni. Rahu may perform well or very well in Virgo part of this nakshatra whereas it may perform below average in Leo part. Mercury may perform above average or well in Leo part of Uttaraphalguni whereas it may perform well or very well in Virgo part of this nakshatra.
It is interesting to note that in many cases; Sun may perform better in Virgo part of this nakshatra, compared to Leo part. This is because Uttaraphalguni is ruled by Sun and the ruling deity of this nakshatra is also a solar deity. The influence of Leo on the first quarter of this nakshatra adds more solar traits. Hence the Leo part of Uttaraphalguni is already loaded with traits which match those of Sun. When Sun is placed in Uttaraphalguni in Leo part, it may become too much to handle in many cases; unless there are strong balancing energies.
Since Sun is mostly about individualism, strong influence of Sun in Leo part of Uttaraphalguni can make the native arrogant, selfish, self-centered and willing to make arguments and disputes. No matter how good a planet may be, too much of its energy may become difficult to handle for most people. In case of Pushya, it was discussed how the placement of Moon in the first house of a horoscope in Cancer in Pushya, in the horoscope of a male native may make him more like a female than a male. The placement of Sun in the first quarter of Uttaraphalguni in a relevant house can make the native too much of a male to be handled by most people. This means excess of any energy is bad in most cases; no matter how good such energy may be.
Even when Sun is placed in Leo part of Uttaraphalguni, the effects observed by different people may be different, depending on placement of this combination in various houses of their horoscopes, as well as on the overall horoscopes. For example, if Sun is placed in the first house of a horoscope in Leo in Uttaraphalguni, the native may not be able to handle this energy unless there are corrective energies in his horoscope. As a result, the native may become too full of himself and he may often come across as selfish and arrogant.
This placement of Sun may still prove good for professional success of the native. However, it may create serious problems in the sphere of relationships, unless there are corrective energies. As mentioned many times; the first house is the core of horoscope and the influence of any strong planetary energy in this house is bound to reflect throughout the personality and lifestyle of the native.
Looking at corrective energies, if Moon is placed in the twelfth house in Cancer in Pushya, some balance may be restored. Likewise, if Mercury is placed in the second house in Virgo in Hasta or it is placed in the third house in Libra in Swati, some balance may be restored. Similarly, if exalted Jupiter is placed in the twelfth house in Cancer in Punarvasu or Pushya, some balance may restored. Looking at Saturn, if it is placed in the eleventh house in Gemini in Punarvasu, some balance may be restored. Considering Venus, if it is placed in the third house in Libra or in the tenth house in Taurus, some balance may be restored. In case more than one of these placements happen in a horoscope, such horoscope may become more balanced.
Mars, Rahu and Ketu may not be able to restore balance in this horoscope on their own. In fact, if these planets are strong in the horoscope, the situation may worsen. For example, if Mars or Rahu is placed in the first house of a horoscope in Leo in Magha or Uttaraphalguni along with Sun in Uttaraphalguni, the native may become even more difficult to handle.
Looking at a different probability, if Sun is placed in the twelfth house of a horoscope in Leo in Uttaraphalguni and exalted Mercury forms Bhadra Yoga in the first house in Virgo; the native may not face the problems mentioned earlier. This is because the placement of Mercury in the first house puts it in charge. Since exalted Mercury is placed in the first house in Virgo; the effect of Mercury on the native may be much stronger than the effect of Sun. Though the native may have tendencies like arrogance and self-centeredness due to placement of Sun in Uttaraphalguni, these tendencies may be subdued and they may not be difficult to handle.
Strong influence of exalted Mercury in the first house may almost always be able to keep such tendencies in check. Hence such placement of Sun in Uttraphalguni may not cause much trouble. Likewise, the overall outcome of Sun in Leo in Uttaraphalguni may be different in different cases; depending on placement of this combination in different houses of horoscope as well as on the overall horoscope.
Compared to this, when benefic Sun is placed in Virgo part of Uttaraphalguni, it may produce very good results, if supported by the overall horoscope. It is the placement of Sun in Virgo in Uttaraphalguni which may give results similar to those given by Budhaditya Yoga. Placement of Sun in Leo part of this nakshatra doesn’t have any influence of Mercury and hence results similar to Budhaditya Yoga may not be witnessed.
In Virgo part of Uttaraphalguni, Sun may be confident but not over confident, it may have self-esteem but less arrogance, it may be calculative and willing to benefit but not selfish enough to hurt other people. This is why Sun may do much better in Virgo part of Uttaraphalguni as it is complemented by much required energy of Mercury.
Looking at another angle, Mercury may produce results, more similar to those given by Budhaditya Yoga, when it is placed in Leo part of Uttaraphalguni. However, when Mercury is placed in Virgo part of Uttaraphalguni, the results may look less like those given by Budhaditya Yoga and more like those given by Bhadra Yoga. This is because the influence of Mercury is stronger in the latter combination, than the influence of Sun. This way, Mercury may perform well in Leo as well as in Virgo part of Uttaraphalguni, though the results may be different.
Similarly, different planets may produce different results when placed in Uttaraphalguni, depending on their compatibility with this nakshatra, sign of placement, house of placement and on the overall horoscope of the native under consideration. Placements of malefic planets in Uttaraphalguni may weaken or corrupt the traits of this nakshatra, depending on the overall horoscope.
Taking an example, if malefic exalted Mercury is placed in the sixth house of a horoscope in Virgo in Uttaraphalguni, the native may misuse the traits of this nakshatra. Such native may use these traits for selfish motives and he may end up facing a number of problems; unless there are strong corrective energies in his horoscope.
Let’s look at performances of various planets in various navamshas of Uttaraphalguni. Starting with Sagittarius navamsha; Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Ketu may perform well or very well here; depending on the overall horoscope. Moon may perform on average or above average in this navamsha whereas Venus may perform on average or below average here. Venus is not much comfortable in Uttaraphalguni as well as in Sagittarius.
Mercury may perform above average in this navamsha. Mercury is very comfortable in Uttaraphalguni and it is comfortable in Leo but it is not strong in Sagittarius. Rahu and Saturn may perform below average or poorly here. Saturn is weak in Leo and not strong in Sagittarius whereas Rahu is weak in Sagittarius and not strong in Leo. Among navagraha; Sun may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Saturn may be the weakest.
Looking at Capricorn navamsha; Mercury, Saturn and Rahu may perform very well here. Both Mercury and Rahu are exalted in Virgo and they are strong in Capricorn. Saturn is strong in Virgo as well as Capricorn. Mars may perform above average or well here; since it is comfortable in Uttaraphalguni and it is exalted in Capricorn but it is not strong in Virgo. Hence it may not perform very well in this navamsha.
Sun may also perform above average or well in this navamsha; since it has great comfort in Uttaraphalguni and it has decent strength in Virgo as well as Capricorn. Moon may perform above average or well in this navamsha. Jupiter may perform below average here; since it is not strong in Virgo and it is debilitated in Capricorn. Venus may perform below average or poorly here; since it is debilitated in Virgo and it is not comfortable in Uttaraphalguni. Ketu may perform below average or poorly here; since it is debilitated in Virgo and it has decent strength in Capricorn. Among navagraha; Mercury may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Venus may be the weakest.
Moving on to Aquarius navamsha; Mercury, Saturn and Rahu may perform well or very well here; since all of them are strong in Virgo as well as Aquarius. Sun may perform on average or above average here. Mars and Jupiter may perform on average here; since none of them is strong in Virgo as well as Aquarius.
Moon may perform on average or above average but not well here; since it is not strong in Aquarius; though it may do well in Virgo and Uttaraphalguni. Ketu may perform below average or poorly in this navamsha and the same may happen in case of Venus. Both of them are debilitated in Virgo. Venus is not comfortable in Uttaraphalguni whereas Ketu is not strong in Aquarius. Among navagraha; Mercury may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Venus may be the weakest.
Considering Pisces navamsha; no planet may perform very well in this navamsha and no planet may perform poorly here. Mercury, Saturn and Rahu may perform well but not very well here. Mercury and Rahu are debilitated in Pisces. Saturn is not strong in Pisces and it is not as strong in Virgo as Mercury and Rahu. Within the sign of Virgo; Mercury and Rahu are the least strong in this navamsha.
Jupiter and Moon may do well in this navamsha since both of them are strong in Pisces and they are comfortable in Uttaraphalguni. Sun may perform on average here, since it is not strong in Pisces. Mars may perform on average or below average here; since it is not strong in Virgo as well as Pisces. Venus may perform on average or above average here and the same may hold for Ketu; since both of them are exalted in Pisces. Within the sign of Virgo; Venus and Ketu are the least weak in this navamsha. Among navagraha; Saturn may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas no planet may be significantly weak in this navamsha.
Himanshu Shangari