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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Nakshatras – The Journey of Soul Part-1’.
Mrigashira Nakshatra
Mrigashira nakshatra is fifth among 27 nakshatras. The first two quarters of this nakshatra fall in Taurus whereas the last two fall in Gemini. The literal translation for the name Mrigashira is ‘head of a deer’ and the main symbol assigned to this nakshatra is a deer. Sometimes, only the head of a deer is also depicted as a symbol of this nakshatra.
From the name and symbol of this nakshatra, it is easy to guess that Mrigashira nakshatra may exhibit many characteristics possessed by deer. These characteristics include shyness, timidity, playfulness, romantic behavior, fickleness, wanderlust and gentleness. Deer have a strong urge to wander and to search for new things. Accordingly, Mrigashira nakshatra also possesses this characteristic of search. This search can be for physical or materialistic pursuits or it can be search for one’s true self or soul and the search for liberation, depending on placements of various planets in this nakshatra, as well as depending on the overall horoscope of the native under consideration.
The ruling deity of this nakshatra is Moon according to Vedic Astrology. It is interesting to see the difference between qualities possessed by Mrigashira and Rohini; as Moon is the planetary ruler for Rohini whereas it is the ruling deity in case of Mrigashira nakshatra. Though Moon is a common factor between both these nakshatras, their behaviors are quite different from each other as Moon relays different sets of qualities through Rohini and Mrigashira nakshatra.
Moon relays characteristics like charm, magnetism, benevolence and prosperity through Rohini whereas it relays characteristics like Moon’s well known changeability and inconsistency through Mrigashira nakshatra. The tendency of Moon to get involved in romantic encounters every now and then is also relayed through Mrigashira nakshatra. Some other characteristics of Moon like tenderness, gentleness and sensuality are also exhibited through this nakshatra.
Vedic Astrology assigns the planetary lordship of Mrigashira nakshatra to Mars which is a fiery planet and which brings sufficient energy to Mrigashira nakshatra in order for it to carry on with its search for one thing or another. The influence of Mars on Mrigashira also introduces characteristics like argumentative nature and disaccord to this nakshatra, as Mars is considered to initiate arguments and disaccords.
The first two quarters of Mrigashira nakshatra fall in Taurus ruled by Venus whereas the last two quarters of this nakshatra fall in Gemini ruled by Mercury. Therefore, both Taurus as well as Gemini and both Venus as well as Mercury have their influences on Mrigashira nakshatra. The first half of Mrigashira nakshatra falling in Taurus exhibits characteristics like creativity and social skills due to influence of Venus. The second half of this nakshatra exhibits qualities like practical skills, calculative nature and humor due to influence of Mercury on this half of Mrigashira nakshatra.
According to scriptures of Vedic astrology, natives under strong influence of Moon in Mrigashira nakshatra are beautiful and they have good sense of humor. Such natives are usually good at social skills, they like to make new friends and extend their social circles. Mrigashira natives may have good communication skills and they may do well in conveying their points across to other people. Natives under strong influence of Mrigashira nakshatra may also perform well in debates and discussions due to influence of Mercury on this nakshatra.
However, such natives may at times be argumentative if the effect of Mars is strong on this nakshatra in their horoscopes. The Taurus part of this nakshatra may be much less argumentative than the Gemini part of this nakshatra. This is because Venus believes in getting things done through charm, diplomacy and mutual understanding. Mercury on the other hand likes to get into arguments and win them.
Mrigashira natives are generally shy in nature and they may take some time to open up to new people or relationships. However, once they start opening up, they are usually very good at holding interesting and long conversations; and keeping their company interesting. Mrigashira natives may love life and beauty in all its forms and many of them may be fond of music, singing, poetry and other such things. Characteristics like shyness and love for music may be enhanced in Taurus part of this nakshatra whereas characteristics like engaging in writings and witty conversations may be enhanced in Gemini part of this nakshatra.
Mrigashira natives may have strong desires for wandering and searching. Hence they may be fond of travel and adventures. The wanderlust may be more prominent in Gemini part of this nakshatra. These natives may have tendency to search and explore many different things and fields throughout their lives.
Though Mrigashira nakshatra exhibits a wide variety of characteristics; different natives may embrace different characteristics, depending on which planets are placed in this nakshatra as well as on their overall horoscopes. Moon gives mixed results in this nakshatra where it can be good for profession and bad for personal life and relationships; especially the ones like marriage and love. Strong influence of Moon in Mrigashira nakshatra on a native can make him have doubtful nature and such native may doubt people or things around him for no solid reasons.
This characteristic of Mrigashira natives may particularly be bad for their love affairs and marriages. This is because the natives suffering from this negative aspect of Moon in Mrigashira nakshatra may have tendencies to doubt their partners every now and then; and they may often do so without solid reasons. Such natives may keep asking for explanations from their partners like where they were, with whom they were what were they doing, and many other such questions. These questions may clearly indicate that they are suspicious about the activities and loyalties of their partners, even when there may be no obvious reasons for such doubts.
Due to such doubtful and suspicious nature, natives with Moon in Mrigashira nakshatra may face difficulties in their marriages, as their partners may find their suspicious nature too much to tolerate at times. Some of these Mrigashira natives may have to face serious problems in their marriages and love affairs by virtue of their suspicious natures. They may witness more than one failed marriage; if there are no corrective planetary energies in their horoscopes.
Moving on, Mrigashira natives generally love life and they know how to enjoy it. Hence they may be fond of physical fitness, they may take care of their dietary habits, and they may maintain exercising schedules in order to remain fit and healthy. Mrigashira natives may be some of the most health conscious type of natives among all 27 nakshatra type natives. For this reason; they may be seen living longer and healthier than many other nakshatra type natives; provided there are no strong opposing factors in their horoscopes.
Mrigashira natives generally engage in creative fields and even if their professional fields are not creative due to the rest of their horoscopes, they may introduce some creativity in such fields. For example, the office of an administrative officer under strong influence of Mrigashira nakshatra may be well organized and various items of creative arts may be found in such office. Such officer may keep coming up with creative ideas and plans to handle various matters or issues in his line of work. He may also create awareness about health and fitness among his colleagues and subordinates.
Looking at professions; natives under strong influence of Mrigashira nakshatra may achieve success as poets, romantic novelists, theatre artists, writers, singers, musicians, actors, fashion models, dancers, TV media journalists, print media journalists, bloggers, bankers, financial consultants, researchers, analysts, professionals engaging in all spheres which include beauty and glamour; designers, sportsmen, politicians, professionals dealing in airline industry, hotel industry, tour and travel industry, telecom industry, internet industry, ecommerce industry, dating and matrimonial industry, movie industry, media industry, television industry, music industry, book publishing industry and many other types of professionals.
Let’s look at some other facts associated with this nakshatra. Mrigashira is considered as a passive and tender nakshatra. It is considered as neutral in gender. Vedic astrology assigns Farmer Varna and earth element to Mrigashira nakshatra. The Gana assigned to Mrigashira is Deva and the Guna assigned to it is Tamasic. It is a level nakshatra and its Yoni or animal symbol is female serpent.
Himanshu Shangari