The Ancient Hindu Sages divided the zodiac into 27 Nakshatras or lunar constellations. Each constellation span is for 13 degrees, 20 minutes. The calculation of Nakshatras begins with Ashwini Nakshatra 0 degrees of Aries and ends on 30 degrees of Pisces covered by Revati Nakshatra. The use of Nakshatra is very important in Vedic astrology. Each Nakshatra is divided in four sections called Padas. Knowing Janma Nakshatra is very important as per vedic astrology. Janmanakshatra is the Nakshatra in which the Moon was placed at the time of birth. The Moon travels through a Nakshatra in a day. Each of the nakshatras are believed to be the wives of moon. The Vimshottari Dasha, a 120-year-long planetary cycle is based upon the birth Nakshatra.

As per Hindu mythology, it is believed that there was a King named Daksha who had 27 daughters. Moon married all the 27 daughters (the Nakshatras). However, Moon had a strong drift towards one of his queens more than others— Rohini. As per astrology, Rohini is known as the exaltation point of the Moon. Because of the same reason, the other 26 wives of Moon complained to the King. Regardless of the repeated request of the King, Moon didn’t change his nature. It made the King angry, and he cursed the Moon, making it shrink in the size.

This led to the waning of the Moon. Seeing the consequences, the other deities requested the King to take his curse back and promised him that Moon would visit each of his daughters equally to spend time with them. Because the King cannot draw his curse off completely, he mentioned a remedy to the Moon. He mentioned that in half a month he would be able to restore his strength.

This is the reason why we have Purnima and Amavasya, and the Moon stays in each Nakshatra for an equal amount of time, completing his zodiac orbit in the month.

Whatever activity we begin at a particular moment retains the qualities of relationship with the surroundings of that place and moment of time.  Each moment possesses its own special potency; hence, the importance of starting our enterprises at an auspicious and favorable moment to ensure a more fruitful and successful outcome to our undertakings.  Actually, the beginning of any important enterprise has its own birth chart, and in this chart one can see the life of that enterprise.

Rohini, Uttara-phalguni, Uttara-ashadha, and Uttara-bhadrapada are FIXED constellations and are favourable for digging wells, laying foundations or cities, expiatory rituals, planting trees, coronations, buying lands, meritorious deeds, sowing of seeds, installation of Deities, the building of a temple, or any other activity desirous of a lasting or permanent effect.

Mrigasira, Chitra, Anuradha, and Revati are SOFT or GENTLE constellations good for fine arts, learning, making friendships, sensual pleasures, decorations, sexual union, wearing new apparel, marriage, singing and dancing, processions, auspicious ceremonies, festivities, dealings of agriculture, and journeys.

Ashwini, Pushya, and Hasta are LIGHT or SWIFT constellations and are good for sports, enjoying items of luxury, starting industries, skilled labour, medical treatments, starting education, starting journeys, seeing friends, buying and selling, the performance of spiritual activities, decorations, fine arts, exercise, and for giving or receiving loans.

Aardra, Ashlesa, Jyestha, and Moola are DREADFUL stars and are suitable for success in warfare, invocation of elementals and other spirits, imprisonment, separations, acts of destruction, and the breaking of alliances with superiors.

Punarvasu, Swati, Shravana, Dhanistha, and Shatabhisa are TEMPORARY, MOVABLE, or QUICK stars favourable for undertaking travel, acquiring conveyances, gardening, going on processions, visiting friends, and anything of a temporary nature.

Bharani, Magha, Purva-phalguni, Purva-ashadha, and Purva-bhadrapada are FIERCE or CRUEL, constellations and are suitable for acts of evil, deceit, and conflict, destruction of enemies, incarceration, poisoning, arson, battle, setting fire, acts of destruction, ill-repute, and cruelty.

Kritttika and Vishakha are MIXED constellations and good for routine duties, one’s professional responsibilities, and any activities of day-to-day importance.

Features of Nakshatras:

Based on Sex:

As per astrology, constellations are divided into two categories or sexes, the male Nakshatras and the female Nakshatras. Generally, male ones are more enthusiastic and active than female ones.

• Ashwini, Bharani, Pushya, Ashlesha, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Swati, Jyeshta, Mula, Purvashadha, Uttarashadha, Shravana, and Purva Bhadrapada are considered Male constellations.
• On the other hand, Female Nakshatras are: Krittika, Rohini, Mrigashirsha, Ardra, Punarvasu, Purva Phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Vishakha, Anuradha, Dhanistha, Shatabhishak, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati are the female Nakshatras.

Based on Temperament:

When we see this prospect of Nakshatra, we shall notice three sub-categories. Deva, Manushya, and Rakshasa.

• The Deva Nakshatras are Ashwini, Mrigashirsha, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, and Revati.
• The Manushya Nakshatras are Bharani, Rohini, Ardra, Shravana, and the Purva and Uttara Nakshatras.
• In the category of Rakshasa Nakshatras lies the Krittika, Ashlesha, Magha, Chitra, Vishakha, Jyestha, Mula, Dhanistha, and Shatabhisha Nakshatras.

People who possess more of their planets in the Rakshasha Nakshatra tend to be harsh people. However, those who possess more of their planets in the Deva constellation are soft in nature.

Based on Guna:

In Nakshatra, there are three kinds of guna (energy). Each Nakshatra in Vedic astrology represents a certain guna of the individual. But, it doesn’t occur on a single level but on three different levels.

• The first one is the Rajas. It illustrates the sparking energy which possesses the capacity to incarnate the world. Under the same lies nine stars in astrology and the first four zodiac signs, i.e., Aries, Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer.
• Next comes the Tamas. It represents the soul that enters the world and involves itself in materiality. Basically, we can say that Tamas is all about materialism. It also involves the nine lunar stars and zodiac signs Leo, Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio form the Tamas.
• The last Guna is Sattva. It is the guna of liberation and defines the concept of going much beyond materialism and its roots. The last set also has nine Nakshatras, and zodiac signs Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces compose this Guna.