THE ASTERISMS OR LUNAR MANSIONS

The nakshatras are the central axes around which Hindu astrology revolves. Their origin is unknown. Even the Vedas give exhaustive references to them. Planetary influences are significantly altered under the impact of the asterisms. These lunar mansions, as they are called, should be studied carefully.

The Moon has a special relationship with the nakshatras. The association of the Moon with different asterisms fundamentally alters the character of a horoscope. The very nature of the Moon becomes different in certain nakshatras. When a planet is placed under the direct radiation of a lunar mansion, it is necessarily the planet's basic nature which flows to the recipient: instead, a nakshatra influence reaches the individual. The planetary periods in the life cycle of an individual, which are a peculiar contribution of Hindu astrology, flow from the position of the nakshatras. These characteristics of the nakshatras make them very special, requiring careful examination of their nature and mode of operation.

At one time there were twenty-eight nakshatras forming the circle of 360°; but at some historical epoch of which we know but little, one of them was omitted.

Presently, Hindu astrology recognizes twenty-seven nakshatras. Beginning with the initial point of the 0° of Aries, each nakshatra consists of 13° 20' on the path of the ecliptic. Each nakshatra is further divided into four parts known as padas, which means "feet." Each nakshatra as well as each pada is associated with a different planet. All these factors must be carefully appraised in order to predict the future of the individual.

The three gunas - sattwa, rajas, and tamas-also affect each nakshatra differently. Within the primary flow a guna, there will be a secondary and tertiary flow from the other two. These attributes reveal the inner propensities of the asterisms in their various shades and nuances.

The nakshatras are also categorized according to the four basic motivations of a human being, artha (meaningful action), kama (passional action), dharma (righteous action), and moksha (liberation, karma-less action). When a nakshatra is so categorized, it reveals the general impulse of that nakshatra.

Each nakshatra has a dual role. When an individual passes through involutionary stages of development, the effect of the asterism will be of one kind, while its impact on those who are on evolutionary paths will be different, though related to the same basic impulse.