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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Nakshatras – The Journey of Soul Part-1’.
Ashwini Nakshatra
Ashwini nakshatra is the first among 27 nakshatras. All four quarters of this nakshatra fall in Aries. The literal meaning of the word Ashwini is ‘one who possesses horses’, ‘one who tames horses’ or ‘horse like’.
Vedic astrology assigns the symbol of a horse’s head to Ashwini nakshatra. Ashwini Kumaras are assigned as the ruling deities of this nakshatra. They are celestial twins and they are called the gods of medicine in Vedic mythology. They are often seen riding on horsebacks to go to people who need their help. Ashwini Kumaras possess characteristics like helpfulness, truthfulness, youthfulness, charm, elegance, extravagance and magical healing abilities. All these characteristics are relayed through Ashwini nakshatra.
As can be seen, horses have close relationship with Ashwini nakshatra. Horses are strong, muscular, swift, loyal, stubborn, nervous and sturdy creatures. All these characteristics find expression through Ashwini nakshatra. Horses were used for travel. Hence Ashwini nakshatra has liking for all types of travels. Ketu is the ruling planet of Ashwini nakshatra. All four quarters of Ashwini nakshatra fall in Aries. Characteristics of Ketu like new beginnings and initiatives are relayed through Ashwini nakshatra. Mars and Aries add energy, fire, aggression, initiative, courage and impulsiveness to Ashwini.
The astrological or the karmic playground enclosing 360 degrees features a journey; the journey of karmas, the journey of planets, the journey of desires, the journey of good and evil; and the journey to liberation. This journey begins with the beginning of Aries or to be more specific; with the beginning of Ashwini nakshatra. Therefore, Ashwini nakshatra can be considered as that point in time when the mankind has just come into existence and it is trying to figure out the basic elements as well as the basic details which are necessary for survival.
The beginning stages are generally not complex and they are easy. It means what is actually needed is well defined. Ashwini nakshatra represents all these characteristics. It means natives under strong influence of Ashwini nakshatra are generally the most straight forward and clear type of natives among all native types. Just like the first humans knew what they wanted for survival and they aimed for such things without any pretences or diplomatic covers; Ashwini natives know what they want and they go for such things, in the most primal manner.
It means Ashwini natives may not believe in beating around the bush or making pretences. They may be outright in their approach and outspoken in their speech. This may look bad in the sense that they may often end up hurting other people. However, it is good in the sense that they are naive, innocent and clear like children or like the first humans. Therefore, Ashwini natives may look too straightforward at times; they are generally clean from within.
For example, if such natives don’t like a quality or an act of yours; they may say so right in your face. This may not only make them look offensive in some cases; it makes them honest also. Even when they like a quality or act of yours; they may give you the due credit. It means these natives may be trustworthy and they may prove valuable for you, if you are evolved enough to handle the good and the bad about you. A diplomatic friend on the other hand may keep praising you even when you are wrong. This practice of his reduces your chances of improving yourself; since he may always make you feel that everything about you is already good.
When the first humans were born, they had to depend on characteristics like vigour, bravery, courage, the ability to take risks, competitive spirit and other such characteristics in order to ensure their survivals. During those times, primal methods of hunting were used as nothing else was available and hence, these characteristics were most required for survival. Ashwini nakshatra embraces all these characteristics and natives under strong influence of this nakshatra are generally loaded with courage, bravery, competitive spirit and other characteristics mentioned earlier. For them, the hunt is always on.
Hence Ashwini natives may be fit to achieve success in defence services of every type, various types of sports and competitions; sports which make use of horses like horse racing and polo; and other such sports or fields of profession where such characteristics are valued. Just like the first humans invented a number of new things and concepts for survival; Ashwini natives may be good at being pioneers in many spheres of life. They may take pride in new adventures, new journeys; new challenges and almost in anything new.
Ashwini natives may possess good healing abilities and they may engage in professions related to various types of healing, depending on their overall horoscopes. Hence these natives may heal people on various levels like on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level. Therefore, natives under strong influence of Ashwini nakshatra may practice as doctors of all types, consultants, therapists, psychiatrists, healers of various types, astrologers, tantrics, psychics, spiritual gurus and other likewise professionals.
Since Ashwini nakshatra falls in the sign of Aries which is the most energetic sign among all zodiac signs, it may bless the natives under its strong influence with loads of energy. Such energy may help them achieve success in defence services, various types of sports and in many other spheres. However, the same energy may often become too much for them to handle. As a result, Ashwini natives may come up as impulsive, adamant, impatient, stubborn and rash.
Moving on, Ashwini nakshatra may render good sense of health, fitness and medicine to the natives under its strong influence. As a result, Ashwini natives may achieve success as fitness trainers, coaches, doctors, dieticians, physicians and other such professionals who deal in the sphere of health, fitness and medicine.
Though a nakshatra may try to render a number of characteristics to a native under its influence, not all the characteristics are likely to be forwarded to such native; due to planetary intervention. Likewise, Ashwini nakshatra may try to render all the aforementioned characteristics to a native under its influence. However, the native may receive or use only those characteristics, which are allowed by the planet or planets placed in this nakshatra as well as by his overall horoscope. For example, If Mars is placed in the first house of a horoscope in Ashwini nakshatra, the native may be brave, courageous and he may possess other such characteristics which can make him fit for defence services.
However, if Mars is placed in the eleventh house in Ashwini nakshatra, the native may or may not be physically brave, depending on his overall horoscope. Such native may engage in business and he may have an aggressive approach or a brave and courageous approach in business. It means he may not be afraid of taking risks and he may feel comfortable taking on his competitors or rivals in business. Likewise, the characteristics exhibited by the native may be different than the ones originally meant by Ashwini nakshatra, depending on the placement of Mars in it, in various houses of horoscope as well as on the overall horoscope.
Ashwini nakshatra exhibits a number of characteristics. However, different natives may embrace different characteristics, depending on placements of various planets in this nakshatra, as well as on their overall horoscopes. Looking at planets among navagraha; Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Ketu may perform very well in Ashwini, when supported by overall horoscope. Moon, Venus, Mercury and Rahu may perform well in Ashwini; when placed in favorable navamshas and supported by overall horoscope. Saturn is not comfortable with the energy of Ashwini. Placements of malefic planets in Ashwini may cause a number of problems for the native, depending on his overall horoscope.
Looking at professions, natives under strong influence of Ashwini nakshatra may be seen practicing as army officers, police officers, naval officers, air force officers and other defence officers; sportsmen, doctors, actors, dancers, singers, musicians, writers, explorers, researchers, astrologers, tantrics, healers, psychics, fire fighters, pioneers in various fields; professional dealing in fitness industry, medical field, engineering field, information and technology, travel industry, pharmaceutical industry, professions related to horses, cars and especially the ones which run very fast, aviation industry and many other types of professionals; depending on their overall horoscopes.
Taking an example, if a benefic combination of Mars, Mercury and Rahu is placed in the tenth house of a horoscope in Aries and a couple of these planets are placed in Ashwini; the native may become an air force officer, provided the rest of his horoscope is supportive. Such native may be well recognized for his command over the fastest, the trickiest and the most dangerous moves in his field; and he may complete a number of important and dangerous missions for his country.
Let’s look at some other facts associated with this nakshatra. Ashwini is considered as an active and quick nakshatra. It is considered as a male nakshatra. Vedic astrology assigns Vaishya Varna and earth element to Ashwini nakshatra. The Gana assigned to Ashwini is Deva and the Guna assigned to it is Sattwic. It is a level nakshatra and its Yoni or animal symbol is Horse.
Himanshu Shangari