Nakshatras

The Solar zodiac consists of 12 Sun signs. The Lunar Zodiac consists of 27 Moon signs called Nakshatras. These Lunar signs give an added ability to differentiate the effects of the solar signs as well as a deeper look into the psyche of an individual.

Nakshatras are classified as per several attributes like its owner, deity, sex, caste, species etc. The Nakshatra, in which one’s Moon is placed at the time of birth, is called Janma Nakshatra or the birth star. These Nakshatras are further subdivided into four quarters known as Pada, each spanning 3.20 degrees, know as Navamsa. The placement of planets in these padas or subdivisions is studied for finer predictions. Each zodiac sign covers nine Padas in total. Thus we can see that Nakshatras are used for various purposes and one of its major uses is to determine starting point of a dasha or planetary period or cycles that divide the time in major periods and sub periods and to choosing a muhurtha or auspicious time for any important activity.