NAKSHATRA 9 OF 27 · KARKA RASHI
Ashlesha Nakshatra
The ninth star of the zodiac. The coiled serpent: intuition, insight and hidden depth.
RULING PLANET
Mercury
PRESIDING DEITY
Ahideva (Serpent God)
SYMBOL
Coiled Serpent
ZODIAC SPAN
16°40′ – 30°00′ Cancer
ABOUT ASHLESHA
Ashlesha is the ninth of the 27 Nakshatras. It is ruled by Mercury and lies in Cancer (Karka), from 16°40′ to 30°00′. Its presiding deity is Ahideva, the serpent god, and its symbol is the coiled snake. It is a star of evolution, growth and healing energy, with a cryptic nature. According to the Valmiki Ramayana, Lord Rama’s twin brothers Lakshmana and Shatrughna were born under this nakshatra.
The power of Ashlesha is the serpent’s venom. It is believed that a divine offering to the serpent god helps one drive away enemies, and that those born under this star make powerful warriors with powerful weapons.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Natives of Ashlesha are known for intuition, insight, perception and wisdom. Sage Vashishta is the preceptor of this nakshatra.
They are born with a strong personality and great strength of mind, and they are free living. At times they may seem callous or even cruel, and they can become very harsh towards those around them. In social interaction they show grace and polish and will go to any length to climb the social ladder, using flattery skilfully to draw people towards them.
STRENGTHS
These natives are truthful, quick to seize opportunities and slow to trust others. They have intriguing speech and are very intelligent, with signs of great leadership. They are lucky, popular and religious by nature, and generous in making no distinction between rich and poor, good and bad. They are soft spoken, meek and shy in countenance.
Their power of observation and intuition is strong. They plan carefully, make calculated moves, and stay prepared to control even a terrible situation.
CHALLENGES
The influence of Ketu on this nakshatra can make natives selfish, miserly and ungrateful. They can be crafty, greedy and deceitful, and stubborn enough to ignore all advice.
They are moody, short tempered and harsh in speech, and they can use cunning and guile to reach their aims, which makes them difficult people to deal with.
CAREER
The petroleum industry, chemical engineering, law, politics and psychology. With Mercury, the planet of knowledge, as the lord of this nakshatra, natives do very well in business and make shrewd advocates and good orators.
HEALTH
Natives may be prone to joint pains, hysteria, jaundice and indigestion, and to problems of the bones, elbows, knees, nails and ears.
REMEDY FOR ASHLESHA NATIVES
Show reverence to serpents, or perform serpent rituals such as Sarpa Homa, to gain the favour of this nakshatra. In India, Naga Panchami is the special day for worshipping serpent deities and making offerings of milk at their shrines.
Practising Kundalini yoga is the best way of rising above the negative qualities of this nakshatra. Repeat the root mantras “Om Kham” and “Om Garn” 108 times when the Moon transits Ashlesha and during its lunar month. This is believed to reduce suffering and bring enlightenment.
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