In Vedic Astrology there are 12 signs and 27 Nakshatras. Zodiac signs are controlled by the Sun & show the fixed foundation nature of its ruling planet and of any planet posited there in an astrology chart. Nakshatras are fixed constellations controlled by the Moon and show how the planets use their emotions and mind within that foundation. Every zodiac sign is made up of 3 Nakshatras adding up to 30 degrees in length. When the Moon or any other planet moves in the sky it travels from one zodiac to the next until it reaches Pisces then starts over again with Aries. This is the never ending cycle of the zodiac. The Moon changes zodiac signs about every 2.5 days. As it travels through a sign it passes through each of the 3 Nakshatras. For instance, when Moon is at 0 degrees Aries it is in the Nakshatra of Ashwini. When it reaches 13 degrees 20 min of Aries it is in Rohini Nakshatra and at 26 degrees 40 minutes it enters Krittika Nakshatra. Each Nakshatra is important in its own way and has its own set of qualities, ruled by its own deity, planet, Guna etc. The knowledge surrounding the understanding of Nashatras is vast and truly infinite.
What I want to talk about today are the Nakshatras that share a sign and how they are the connecting threads to the entire zodiac. Krittika is the first Nakshatra that shares the divide between Aries and Taurus. Krittika begins at 26 degrees 40 minutes of Aries and ends at 9 degress 59' of Taurus. Krittika is the common denominator of Aires & Taurus allowing a planet's transit to ease into the next sign. Lets analyze this connections of signs by first establishing what each sign represents.
Aries is the original placement of the 1st house ruled by Mars. It represents your physical body, your head & your ego. The energy of Mars gives Aires its fiery, impulsive & go-getter nature. Aires is where we are focused on ourselves as an individual. It represents the first phase of our life here on earth. A native with Sun in Aries will be athletic & impulsive but a native in Aries in the Nakshatra of Bharani, ruled by Venus, will be athletic in a more sensual way and impulsive with sexual desires and partners. The Nakshatra simply places a focus on the basic foundation qualities of the Zodiac signs.
Taurus is the original sign of the 2nd house and represents family, speech, security & resources. Coming from the ego of our individual selves in Aries, we enter Taurus to learn about the value in things. Values from our family, values from our resources and security from those values are the lessons of Taurus. A native with Sun in Taurus will be practical and in the Nakshatra of Krittika will be keenly precise when it comes to sifting out anything that inhibits that practicality.
The word krittika comes from the root kṛtta / kartati, meaning “cut, divide.” The word is also derived from the root krt meaning "assemble, accomplish". The symbol of Krittika is a sharp blade. This can be interpreted as using a keen tool of precision to accomplish comprehension. Krittika is ruled by the Sun and its deity is Agni, the god of fire.
So how is Krittika the Nakshatra of transition from Aries to Taurus? Krittika sits in the last 3º 20' of Aries and continues into Taurus till 10º. The qualities of Krittika are what guide the transition from Aries into Taurus. It connects the ego to the sense of security that Taurus brings. With Aries being the sign of self , identity and ego the focus is very selfish and inward. Using the "sharp blade" of Krittika are we then able to analyze and decipher our raw individualistic nature to become the true qualities of Taurus which is that of family, values, wealth and stability. Krittika uses the pure energy of the Sun to be be very blunt, critical and straight to the point to achieve its goal. Using the active, go-getter energy of Aires and the practical, forward charging energy of the bull Taurus, Krittika is a very powerful Nakshatra. Natives with Moon or Sun in this Nakshatra will not sugar coat the problem but rather take on the matter at hand with an objective precision. If the planet is in the Aires side of Krittika the native will have more energy influenced by Mars and if it is in the Taurus side of Krittika the native will have more of an energy of that of Venus.
Next week I will cover the Nakshatra Mrigishira and its connection between Taurus and Gemini.
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