Ashlesha Nakshatra
Entanglement and liberation
I am deeply intuitive, like the Nagas, Divine serpents.
With my penetrating gaze I see through your hidden intentions.
My intuitive power often leads me to discovery of some rare secrets.
I am sensitive and vulnerable – but if you try to hurt me, I will protect myself.
I am one of the most transformative lunar mansions.
I have the power to transform all the poisons within myself.
I might not give you much stability and comfort in life.
But I will bless you with Divine wisdom and connection with the Source.
I will teach you how to let go of your attachments, like a snake is shedding his skin.
I can bind you or liberate you.
Ashlesha nakshatra, star ruled by Nagas, Divine serpents, is one of the most challenging and most misunderstood lunar mansions. It is also the most vulnerable and the most sensitive of all the stars, which can often make its energy overly introverted and overly protective. Dwelling at the very end of Cancer, it forms an intense gandanta point with Magha nakshatra, which is said to be located in our energy body right at the center of our third eye. Before we experience final freedom, release and detachment of Magha nakshatra, it is here, in Ashlesha, that all our inner attachments, poisons and layers of our ego, are getting intensely purified and finally need to be left behind. Like snake is leaving its old skin, so here we learn what are our own limitations that we need to let go of.
Here, in Ashlesha nakshatra, we are confronted with most vulnerable parts of ourselves and we learn how to acknowledge and honour our own boundaries, limitations and wounds.
During churning of the ocean of milk, representing the process of churning our own consciousness, it was the poison that emerged as the first one on the surface – and it was Lord Shiva, the king of yogis and friend of serpents, who happily accepted it and drank it all – but he kept it in his throat, not allowing it to create danger to his environment, but neither allowing it to pollute his inner space. Similar is the lesson that vulnerable Moon in Ashlesha nakshatra is trying to teach us.
It is also believed in Vedic tradition that serpents, who take a vow to never inflict their poison on anybody, are developing powerful yogic powers. Moon in Ashlesha teaches us this healthy self-restriction in our thoughts, words and actions, which leads to powerful inner transformation and development of strong will power. This is why for people born with this placement daily practice of meditation and yoga, as well as bringing more awareness and conscious non-violence into their thoughts, words and actions, will not only become great remedies, but will also lead them to developing inner spiritual power and powerful intuition. Days, when Moon is dwelling in this lunar mansion, are also highly recommended for all types of spiritual practices and introspection. Do your best not to act impulsively on days, when Moon dwells in Ashlesha, as you may regret it later.
Divine and shadow qualities
Ashlesha nakshatra and Nagas
Divine qualities
- intuition
- sensitivity
- power of word
- independence
- penetrating intellect
Shadow qualities
- oversensitivity
- vulnerability
- protectiveness
- deep attachments
- alienation
Ashlesha Nakshatra In-depth
1. Deep insights into Ashlesha Nakshatra
2. Spiritual aspect of Nagas
3. Practical approach to understanding the nakshatras
Divine influence
Shakti: vishashleshana shakti – power to embrace the poison
Basis above: approaching
Basis below: dancing, trembling
Desire: to overcome enemies
Planetary ruler: Mercury
Special degrees
Yogatara: 18:00 and 20:40 Cancer (1 and 2 pada)
Mars’ debilitation: 28:00 Cancer (4 pada)
Mrityu bhaga: 22:00 Cancer (2 pada)
Ashtamamsha: 3 pada
Visha nadi: 23:46:40 – 24:40 Cancer (3 pada)
Amrita nadi: 29:06:40 – 30:00 Cancer (4 pada)
Nature
Gunas: rajas – sattwa – sattwa
Nature: tikshna (sharp)
Gaze: adho-mukha (downward facing)
Gana: rakshasa (demonic)
Varna: mleccha (outcaste)
Gender: female
Motivation: dharma (righteousness)
Symbolism and omens
Symbol: coiled serpent, circle, wheel
Omens: snake, worm, eel, poison, poisoning, medicine, healing herb, spider, creeping creature, water creature, embrace, mantra
Body connection
Body part: joints, nails, ears
Chakra: anahata (heart chakra)
Healing tree: champaca
Resonance with weekdays
Monday: shobhana yoga
Tuesday: sarvartha siddhi yoga
Wednesday: amrita yoga
Thursday: shubha yoga
Friday: mrityu yoga
Saturday: mrityu yoga
Most supported activites
- Introspection
- Meditation
- Healing
- Writing
- Unclutching from old attachments
- Grieving
- Any liberating process