Nakshatras in Cancer
Sidereal Cancer contains parts of three nakshatras: Punarvasu, Pushya and Ashlesha. A planet placed in Cancer always also occupies one of these lunar mansions, and the nakshatra usually says more about how the placement behaves than the sign alone.
Note: this is the sidereal zodiac used in Vedic astrology, which currently sits about 24° behind the Western tropical zodiac — your Western Cancer planets may fall in a different sidereal sign.
7. Punarvasu (20°00′ Gemini – 3°20′ Cancer)
Lord: Jupiter · Deity: Aditi · Symbol: Bow · Gana: Deva
Punarvasu is ruled by Jupiter and presided over by Aditi, the boundless mother of the gods. Its symbol is a quiver of arrows: resources that leave and reliably return.
Padas falling in Cancer: pada 4 (0°00′ Cancer – 3°20′ Cancer).
Full Punarvasu profile →8. Pushya (3°20′ – 16°40′ Cancer)
Lord: Saturn · Deity: Brihaspati · Symbol: Flower · Gana: Deva
Pushya is ruled by Saturn and presided over by Brihaspati, the teacher of the gods. Symbolized by a flower and the cow's udder, it is traditionally the most auspicious of all 27 nakshatras.
Full Pushya profile →9. Ashlesha (16°40′ Cancer – 0°00′ Leo)
Lord: Mercury · Deity: Nagas · Symbol: Serpent · Gana: Rakshasa
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.
Full Ashlesha profile →Want to know which of these is your birth star? Calculate your Vedic chart to find your exact Moon nakshatra and pada.