The literal meaning of the word Swati is ‘independent’ or ‘self-going’. Vedic astrology translates the meaning of this word as independent, delicate and self-going.
Each of these seemingly different meanings of the word Swati has its influence on Swati. Vedic astrology assigns a young plant-shoot being blown by the wind, as the main symbol of Swati. The young stage of the plant-shoot represents its delicate stage. Hence delicate becomes a trait of Swati. The action of strong wind on the young plant-shoot and its effort to survive the wind shows traits like strength, flexibility, independence, patience and fighting spirit.
The young plant is trying to survive against the wind and to keep itself rooted. In order to do so, it needs flexibility, strength and patience. Hence Swati exhibits traits like strength, flexibility, fighting spirit, patience and independence. Survival of a plant through storms or problems means the plant is going to grow to its fullest potential, over a longer period of time. Hence Swati exhibits traits of growing at slow but steady pace; fighting and surviving the obstacles on the way.
A coral is also taken as a symbol of Swati, according to some beliefs of Vedic astrology. Coral is known as a plant which grows by itself with the help of some micro-organisms and it does not need any external factors for its growth and survival. This symbol exhibits traits like self-dependence, hard work and patience; and all these traits are exhibited by Swati.
Hence Swati is considered as a nakshatra which promotes and supports traits like self- dependence, delicacy, flexibility, patience and strength. Therefore, people under strong influence of Swati are capable of building themselves from nothing, even when there is no outside support available.
Though there are other nakshatras which show traits like independence and fighting spirit like Ashwini, Swati is unique in its own way. Ashwini is independent but it doesn’t care whether or not it survives. It means Ashwini people may use independence as their goal and they may not bother about what they achieve through such independence.
On the other hand, Swati promotes traits like independence, self-dependence, patience, the ability to survive and the ability to achieve. It means people under strong influence of Swati may work for survival and growth; and independence may be among one of the tools they use to achieve their goals. In other words, Ashwini fulfills its wish when it achieves independence whereas Swati fulfills its wish while being independent.
Hence independence is the final destination for Ashwini whereas it is a method of reaching the final destination for Swati. Looking at it from another angle, Ashwini is happy in being independent and making efforts, not caring about results in most cases. On the other hand, Swati ensures that it achieves results through traits like independence, patience, flexibility and strength. It means Swati may be better in comparison to Ashwini, when it comes to deliver results, especially materialistic results.
Vedic astrology assigns god Vaayu, the god of wind, as the ruling deity of Swati. As already seen in the discussion related to the symbol of Swati, Vaayu or wind has a lot to do with this nakshatra. Vaayu is one of the five main gods residing in Swarg Loka (Heaven). He is in charge of air element which is one of the five main elements known as earth, water, fire, air and ether. Since Vaayu is the ruling deity of Swati; many traits of Vaayu like strength, flexibility, intellect, indecisiveness and adaptability are relayed through this nakshatra.
As a result, people under strong influence of Swati may be strong, flexible and intellectual. At the same time, they may be good at the art of socializing and accommodating; since they may be flexible and adaptive. Air has no shape and it can fit into any space and in any shape. Hence Swati people may be able to fit into a number of different situations and they may able to handle a number of different types of people.
Goddess Saraswati is considered as the second ruling deity of Swati. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, learning, music, voice and speech. All these traits of goddess Saraswati are exhibited through Swati. Vedic astrology assigns Rahu as the planetary ruler of Swati. Rahu is generally known as a planet of mysteries but it releases its traits like diplomacy, social bonding, ability as well as willingness to learn and other likewise traits through Swati.
Goddess Saraswati is also considered as the ruling deity of Rahu. Therefore, those traits of Rahu which are in harmony with the traits of goddess Saraswati are more likely to be relayed through Swati, as this nakshatra is under the combined influence of goddess Saraswati and Rahu. Due to these traits, people under strong influence of Swati may do well in creative fields as well as in fields which deal with some type of learning or teaching. When supported by overall horoscope, strong influence of Swati may produce some of the best singers, dancers and musicians; among other creative artists.
All four quarters of Swati fall in Libra which is an air sign ruled by Venus. Venus is known as a social, diplomatic and indulgent planet. It is important to note that the main ruling deity of Swati is Vaayu who is the ruler of the air element. The planetary ruler of Swati is Rahu which is also considered as an airy planet. All quarters of Swati fall in Libra which again is an air sign.
Hence Swati has a strong connection with air element. Accordingly, it is very likely to exhibit traits which are airy in nature. For example, people under strong influence of Swati may take long in order to make decisions. This is primarily due to strong airy nature of Swati, as air is associated with indecisiveness and instability.
Therefore, Swati needs support from fire element to make decisions and then execute them. At the same time, it needs support from earth element in order to stick to its actions. This is because fire element is good at initiating things and converting thoughts into actions, but it generally doesn’t care much about taking such actions through to the end.
Hence people under strong influence of Swati should have strong planets which represent initiative, like Sun and Mars. At the same time, they should also have strong planets which represent stability, like Saturn. Sun and Mars may help Swati people make quick decisions and then convert them to actions. Saturn may help Swati people stick to such actions and take them through to the end. In an extreme case when four or five planets are placed in Swati in a relevant house of a horoscope and Sun as well as Mars is weak; the native may not achieve much. Such native may think a lot and he may not be able to convert his thoughts into actions.
Swati people may have tendencies to show off. This is because Rahu and Venus have strong influence over Swati and both these planets are known as indulgent ones. Rahu is especially known for acts of showing off. The combined influence of Venus and Rahu makes Swati an indulgent nakshatra. Accordingly, people under strong influence of Swati may be seen pursuing and indulging in many types of materialistic pursuits.
Whether such material pursuits are within limits or beyond limits depends on which planets occupy Swati in a horoscope. Likewise, whether such material pursuits are moral or immoral depends on the benefic or malefic nature of planets placed in Swati. When working strongly without any planetary influences which means when rising in the ascendant without any planets placed in it; Swati may make the native somewhat more indulgent but not immoral.
However, if it is occupied by planets like Mars, Venus, Rahu or Ketu, Swati may become over indulgent. If such planets are malefic in nature; Swati may become over indulgent as well as immoral. In such cases, natural traits of Swati may be corrupted and it may work in ways; which may not do justice to the general image of this nakshatra.
On the other hand, placement of Saturn in Swati may help it behave in balanced and moral ways; provided Saturn is benefic in the horoscope under consideration. Placement of Moon in Swati may make it somewhat more indulgent but not immoral; provided Moon is benefic in the horoscope under consideration. Placement of Jupiter or Mercury may swing this nakshatra either way; depending on the overall horoscope of the native under consideration. Since Sun gets debilitated in Libra, it may not do much to affect the traits of Swati, when placed in it.
Swati people may have tendency to wait for long periods of time in order to achieve desired results. When their overall horoscopes are supportive, this trait may prove beneficial, helping these people achieve a lot through patience. However, if their overall horoscopes are not supportive, this trait of Swati may become a negative one. Such Swati people may keep waiting for desired results, even when there may be no reasonable possibility of materialization of such results.
Taking an example, if Moon is placed in the first house of a horoscope in Swati along with malefic Ketu, forming Grahan Yoga; and Sun, Jupiter, Mercury and Mars are weak or afflicted in the horoscope; the native may face problems. Such native may not be able to decide how much to wait and when to move on. As a result, he may keep waiting for certain results or for some people; even when there may be no realistic hopes of achieving them. This may end up creating problems for the native.
Looking at a different probability, if a benefic combination of Moon and Mars forms Chandra Mangal Yoga in the first house of a horoscope with Moon in Swati; and Saturn as well as Sun are strong in the horoscope, the results may change. The native in this case may know when to wait and when to move on, and he may not face problems due to waiting too long.
When Swati is not supported by suitable planetary energies in a horoscope, people under its strong influence may have inability to make decisions in time. They may also have inability to convert their ideas to practical work or execution, though their ideas may be very good and capable of producing favourable results if executed in time.
Therefore, one of the biggest challenges for people under strong influence of Swati may be that they need to learn to make decisions in time and then execute such decisions in time. By doing so, these people may achieve a lot in their lives and they may make best use of energies of Swati.
Strong influence of Swati may bless the people with very good and innovative ideas; and all they need to do is to execute such ideas. Therefore, the difference between successful and unsuccessful Swati people may very well be the ability or inability to make decisions and then execute such decisions. In most cases, such ability is rendered by suitable benefic planets in a horoscope; as Swati on its own may not be able to make and execute decisions in time, in many cases.
Swati people may be beautiful and attractive due to influence of Venus; if this nakshatra rises in the ascendant. Swati people may be good at the art of diplomacy as diplomacy is primarily an airy trait. Diplomacy needs flexibility and air is known to be very flexible. Apart from that, both Rahu and Venus are known as diplomatic planets. Accordingly, their influences on Swati make it exhibit traits like diplomacy and flexibility.
Swati people may be good at social skills. Hence they may be found at social get-togethers and parties; socializing with different types of people. Swati people may be very much inclined to social networking. In the present times, the concept of social networking websites like Facebook is growing, primarily because of influence of Swati. Both Venus and Rahu love to socialize; where Rahu rules internet and websites. It means Swati people may benefit from professions related to internet, websites and social networking.
Looking at the bigger picture, Swati has a great deal of contribution in shaping up today’s world and society. This is because people are choosing to practice social networking more and more through internet, websites and applications. All this may be seen as strong influence of Swati on people as well as on society as whole. Hence Swati may be considered as a nakshatra which makes social bonds and networking happen, especially through internet, phones and other such concepts.
Therefore, a number of people having big social networks are likely to be under strong influence of Swati. Swati people may be good at making adjustments in most situations due to their flexible natures. As a result, they may be better at making and keeping their social relationships. It should be noted that in present times; Swati promotes social networking more through media like internet, mobile phones, websites and applications. This is because Rahu has strong influence on the current phase of time. Since Rahu prefers virtual concepts more than physical concepts, social networking is being promoted through virtual platforms like internet.
Looking at it from another angle, Rahu rules the Maya or Illusion element of nature. Everything happening over internet is more like illusion than the real thing. This is why more and more virtual phenomena like virtual assistance, virtual teaching, virtual gaming experience and virtual sex are taking place.
When it comes to pure influence of Venus; it likes the real thing and it doesn’t believe much in virtual thing. It means a native under strong influence of pure Venus is more likely to believe in social networking through parties, social gatherings, get-togethers and other such concepts, instead of going for options like internet and other such media.
Even when it comes to relationships; Venus believes in physical touch and it doesn’t believe much in doing things virtually. Hence a native under strong influence of Venus and weak influence of Rahu may still believe in traditional type of dating where lovers meet, talk and enjoy. One such native may not be much fond of getting in touch with his lover through text messages and applications of various types.
Since Swati is ruled by Rahu and it is influenced by Venus; these energies operate through a common platform. Hence Venus adds the need to socialize and Rahu adds the need to virtualize. As a result, people under strong influence of Swati may be skilled at socializing, especially through virtual platforms like internet. It should be noted that this trait may change in some horoscopes, depending on placements of various planets in Swati.
Swati people are generally patient. They can make investments and wait for long periods of times for those investments to mature and bring fruits. These investments may be financial, emotional, professional or other types of investments, depending on placements of various planets in Swati; and on overall horoscopes of these people.
Due to the trait of patience exhibited by Swati, Saturn gains maximum strength in Swati. It means Saturn achieves its point of maximum exaltation in Swati; within the sign of Libra. This is because Saturn loves nothing more than patience and discipline; and Swati is loaded with patience. Therefore, it is in Swati where Saturn may do its best work, though such work may be positive or negative; depending on functional nature of Saturn in the horoscope under consideration.
Looking at an interesting fact; Saturn is exalted in its sign of placement as well as navamsha; when it is placed in Libra navamsha of Chitra. However, it may still be stronger and it may perform better when it is placed in Capricorn or Aquarius navamsha of Swati. This is because Chitra is an aggressive nakshatra whereas Swati is a patient nakshatra. Hence Saturn may feel more comfortable in Swati than in Chitra. When assessing the strength of a planet; its comfort in a sign, nakshatra as well as navamsha should be duly checked.
Moving on, Sun is known as the planet of quick decision and execution. Sun is also considered as the peak of individualism among navagraha. On the contrary, Libra is a sign which strongly promotes the concept of society, leaving little space for individualism. It means the general traits of Sun are in opposition to those of Libra, in this particular aspect.
Sun wishes to focus on the self, whereas Libra wants to focus on society and relationships. Since there is an obvious clash between priorities, the combination of Sun and Libra doesn’t work well on its own. As a result, Sun gets debilitated in Libra and within Libra also, it feels choked in Swati.
Looking at an interesting fact; Sun is debilitated in its sign of placement as well as navamsha; when it is placed in Libra navamsha of Chitra. However, it may still be weaker and it may perform worse when it is placed in Aquarius navamsha of Swati. This is because Chitra is an aggressive nakshatra rules by Mars and Sun is very comfortable in this nakshatra. On the other hand, Swati is a patient, flexible and social nakshatra. Hence Sun may feel much discomfort in Swati. Apart from that, Sun may feel choked when placed in Aquarius. As the combined result of these factors; Sun may perform worse in Aquarius navamsha of Swati than in Libra navamsha of Chitra.
Though Swati exhibits a number of 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; Moon, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Saturn and Rahu may do well in Swati. Jupiter may perform well in this nakshatra, if the overall horoscope is supportive. Sun and Ketu are generally not suited for energy of Swati. Placements of malefic planets in Swati can cause various types of problems for the native, depending on his overall horoscope.
Let’s look at performances of various planets in various navamshas of Swati. Starting with Sagittarius navamsha; Venus, Rahu and Saturn may perform well or very well here whereas Mercury may perform well but not very well here. Mercury is not as strong in Libra as Venus and Saturn; and it is not as good in Swati as Rahu.
Moon, Jupiter and Mars may perform on average or above average in this navamsha; depending on the overall horoscope. Ketu may perform on average in this navamsha. Sun may perform below average here and if the overall horoscope is supportive; it may perform on average here. Among navagraha; Venus may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Sun may be the weakest.
Looking at Capricorn navamsha; Venus, Saturn, Mercury and Rahu may perform well or very well here; since they are all strong in Libra as well as Capricorn. Moon may perform above average in this navamsha; since it is very comfortable in Swati and it has decent strength in Libra as well as Capricorn.
Mars may perform well in this navamsha whereas Jupiter may perform poorly here. Mars is exalted in Capricorn whereas Jupiter is debilitated in this sign. Sun may perform below average or poorly in this navamsha whereas Ketu may perform on average in this navamsha. Among navagraha; Saturn may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Sun may be the weakest in this navamsha.
Moving on to Aquarius navamsha; Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Mercury may perform well or very well here; since they are all strong in Libra as well as Aquarius. Moon may perform on average or below average in this navamsha; since it is not comfortable in Aquarius.
Mars may perform on average or below average here and Jupiter may also do the same; since both of them are not strong in Libra as well as Aquarius. Ketu may perform on average here. Sun may perform poorly or very poorly in this navamsha; since it is uncomfortable in Libra, Swati and Aquarius. Among all 108 navamshas of 27 nakshatras; Sun may deliver its worst performance in this navamsha. Among navagraha; Saturn may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Sun may be the weakest.
Considering Pisces navamsha; Venus may perform very well here whereas Saturn may perform well or very well in this navamsha; depending on the overall horoscope. Venus is exalted in Pisces whereas Saturn is not strong in this sign. Mercury and Rahu may perform well or above average in this navamsha; since both of them are debilitated in Pisces.
Moon may perform well in this navamsha; since it is strong in Pisces and it has fair strength in Libra. Jupiter may perform above average here; since it is strong in Pisces but not strong in Libra. Mars may perform on average or below average here whereas Ketu may perform above average or well in this navamsha. Ketu is exalted in Pisces. Sun may perform below average or poorly in this navamsha. Among navagraha; Venus may be the strongest in this navamsha whereas Sun may be the weakest.
Himanshu Shangari