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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Nakshatras – The Journey of Soul Part-2’.
Swati Nakshatra
Swati nakshatra is 15th among 27 nakshatras. All four quarters of Swati fall in Libra. 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 this nakshatra. Vedic astrology assigns a young plant-shoot being blown by the wind, as the main symbol of Swati nakshatra. The young stage of the plant-shoot represents its delicate stage. Hence delicate becomes a characteristic of Swati nakshatra. The action of strong wind on the young plant-shoot and its effort to survive the wind shows characteristics 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 nakshatra exhibits characteristics 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 nakshatra exhibits characteristics 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 nakshatra, 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 characteristics like self-dependence, hard work and patience; and all these characteristics are exhibited by Swati nakshatra.
Hence Swati is considered as a nakshatra which promotes and supports characteristics like self- dependence, delicacy, flexibility, patience and strength. Therefore, natives under strong influence of Swati nakshatra are capable of building themselves from nothing, even when there is no outside support available.
Though there are other nakshatras which show characteristics 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 natives may use independence as their goal and they may not bother about what they achieve through such independence.
On the other hand, Swati promotes characteristics like independence, self-dependence, patience, the ability to survive and the ability to achieve. It means natives under strong influence of Swati nakshatra 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.
Vedic astrology assigns god Vaayu, the god of wind, as the ruling deity of Swati nakshatra. As already seen in the discussion related to the symbol of Swati nakshatra, 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 nakshatra; many characteristics of Vaayu like strength, flexibility, intellect, indecisiveness and adaptability are relayed through this nakshatra.
As a result, natives under strong influence of Swati nakshatra 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 natives 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 nakshatra. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, learning, music, voice and speech. All these characteristics of goddess Saraswati are exhibited through Swati nakshatra. Vedic astrology assigns Rahu as the planetary ruler of Swati nakshatra. Rahu is generally known as a planet of mysteries but it releases its characteristics like diplomacy, social bonding, ability as well as willingness to learn and other likewise characteristics through Swati nakshatra.
Goddess Saraswati is also considered as the ruling deity of Rahu. Therefore, those characteristics of Rahu which are in harmony with the characteristics 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 characteristics, natives under strong influence of Swati nakshatra 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 nakshatra 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 nakshatra has a strong connection with air element. Accordingly, it is very likely to exhibit characteristics which are airy in nature. For example, natives under strong influence of Swati nakshatra 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.
Swati natives 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, natives under strong influence of Swati nakshatra 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 nakshatra in a horoscope. Likewise, whether such material pursuits are moral or immoral depends on the benefic or malefic nature of planets placed in Swati nakshatra. 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.
Swati natives may have tendency to wait for long periods of time in order to achieve desired results. When their overall horoscopes are supportive, this characteristic may prove beneficial, helping these natives achieve a lot through patience. However, if their overall horoscopes are not supportive, this characteristic of Swati nakshatra may become a negative one. Such Swati natives may keep waiting for desired results, even when there may be no reasonable possibility of materialization of such results.
Swati natives may be good at social skills. Hence they may be found at social get-togethers and parties; socializing with different types of people. Swati natives 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 natives may benefit from professions related to internet, websites and social networking.
Swati natives 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 natives.
Looking at professions, natives under strong influence of Swati nakshatra may achieve success as singers, musicians, actors, writers, poets, dancers, designers, fashion models, architects, politicians, administrative officers, diplomats, revenue officers; professionals dealing in internet industry, website industry, social media industry, telecom industry, event management industry, matrimonial services, match making industry, dating platforms, hotel industry, airline industry, tour and travel industry, liquor industry, tobacco industry, movie industry, television industry, fashion industry; all industries coming under entertainment, luxury and arts; ecommerce industry, logistics industry, international trades; astrologers, consultants, marriage counselors, engineers, doctors, lawyers and many other types of professionals; depending on their overall horoscopes.
Let’s look at some other facts associated with this nakshatra. Swati is considered as a passive and movable nakshatra. It is considered as a female nakshatra. Vedic astrology assigns Butcher Varna and fire element to Swati nakshatra. The Gana assigned to Swati is Deva and the Guna assigned to it is Rajasic. It is a level nakshatra and its Yoni or animal symbol is Buffalo.
Himanshu Shangari