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Just like the Rashis, the
Nakshatras also break up the zodiac
into equally spaced segments.
There are 27 Nakshatras, each taking
up 13'20". The Nakshatras are also called
lunar mansions, as the Nakshatra position of
the Moon is an important use of Nakshatras.
Each Nakshatra has a symbol, various
attributes, and a planetary ruler.
In order to clarify the use of
Nakshatras, we will first explain the major
differences between the use of Rashis and
Nakshtras.
Rashis are used to break up the
chart into houses, as one Rashi corresponds
to one house (the topic of the following
lesson).
Nakshatras
do not correspond to any house, or to
anything comparable. The attributes of
the Rashis are highly symmetric, with the
order of male-female, and movable-fixed-dual
repeating in a consistent pattern. The
attributes of the Nakshatras are not like
that at all, and their significance is not
easily derived from a mathematical pattern
as in the case of the Rashis.
Rashis are fully responsible for the
dignity of the Graha, such as being in
exaltation, in Moolatrikona etc. Nakshatras
play no role at all in determining the
dignity or any other attribute of the Grahas.
Rashis are used in the birth chart
as well as in the divisional charts (vargas).
Nakshatras are generally only used in the
birth chart, and not in the divisional
charts.
Rashis are used in many of the
strength calculations that constitute
ShadBala, but Nakshatras are not used at
all.
The astronomically corresponding
factor to a Rashi is the Solar month,
whereas the Nakshatra is closest to the
lunar day. (It takes one month for the Sun
to pass through one sign, and it takes one
day for the Moon to pass through one
Nakshatra.)
Signs
aspect each other. Nakshatras do not have
aspects. Nakshatras play a major role in
the timing of the chart, and their order
acts like a clock, activating the effects of
the Grahas in the chart in a very particular
order. The Rashis also have a similar
relationship to the Grahas, but much less
emphasized/used.
In general, one can say that the
Rashis divide the zodiac to reveal more
visible, objective aspects of the chart, and
create a division of houses that represent
the major areas of life where the Grahas act
in.
Nakshatras divide the zodiac to
reveal a more subjective cycle that is
particularly relevant to understand our
awareness and perception.
The qualities of the Nakshatras
are mostly derived from the symbols and
mythological associations indicated in the
Vedas. The accuracy and validity of these
derived qualities can only be verified by
the practicing astrologer
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