Nakshatra 9 of 27
Ashlesha Nakshatra
Ashlesha is ruled by Mercury and presided over by the Nagas, the serpent deities. Its symbol is a coiled serpent: hypnotic insight, kundalini energy, and the power to hold or to squeeze.
| Meaning | the embrace; the entwiner |
|---|---|
| Ruling planet | Mercury |
| Deity | Nagas |
| Symbol | Serpent |
| Degree range | 16°40′ Cancer – 0°00′ Leo |
| Zodiac sign | Cancer / Leo (sidereal) |
| Gana | Rakshasa |
Ashlesha personality
Ashlesha natives possess penetrating psychological insight — they read motives, spot weaknesses, and understand what makes people tick. Used well, this becomes healing, strategy, and profound intimacy. Used poorly, it becomes manipulation. Their emotional world is private and layered; few people ever see all the coils.
Strengths
- Psychological insight
- Strategic mind
- Magnetism
- Healing ability
- Intensity of focus
Challenges
- Manipulation
- Suspicion
- Holding grudges
- Emotional secrecy
The four padas of Ashlesha
Each nakshatra divides into four padas of 3°20′, each mapping to a navamsa (D9) sign that colors how the nakshatra expresses itself. The traditional name syllables for each pada are shown alongside.
| Pada | Degrees | Navamsa sign | Name syllable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16°40′ Cancer – 20°00′ Cancer | Sagittarius | Di |
| 2 | 20°00′ Cancer – 23°20′ Cancer | Capricorn | Du |
| 3 | 23°20′ Cancer – 26°40′ Cancer | Aquarius | De |
| 4 | 26°40′ Cancer – 0°00′ Leo | Pisces | Do |
Moon in Ashlesha
With the Moon in Ashlesha, feelings run deep and stay hidden. You bond intensely and completely — and you need partners who respect that trust, once given, is total and its betrayal unforgettable.
Career paths
- Psychology and psychiatry
- Research
- Politics and strategy
- Medicine and pharmacology
- Occult studies
Ashlesha compatibility
Traditionally harmonious matches for Ashlesha:
Jyeshtha, Revati, Purva Bhadrapada
Pairings that usually take more work:
Is Ashlesha your birth star? Your janma nakshatra is where your Moon was at the moment of birth. Calculate your Vedic chart to find your nakshatra, pada, and current dasha period.