Intro to Nakshatras — Part 2
The Primacy of Myth
I encourage you to read Part 1 before you continue with this article.
The Power of Myth in Understanding Nakshatras
Before we embark on our journey through the 27 Nakshatras—astronomically known as asterisms—and how they can offer insights into our lives and the lives of those around us, we must first explore the foundational technology upon which all astrology is built: Myth.
In the modern world, the word myth is often equated with fiction or fantasy, but the ancients saw it differently. Myths were not mere stories; they were vehicles for truth—truth that was not merely intellectual but experientially known. Joseph Campbell, the renowned scholar of comparative mythology, beautifully captures this in his book The Power of Myth:
Mythology is not a lie, mythology is poetry, it is metaphorical. It has been well said that mythology is the penultimate truth — penultimate because the ultimate cannot be put into words. It is beyond words. Beyond images, beyond that bounding rim of the Buddhist Wheel of Becoming. Mythology pitches the mind beyond that rim, to what can be known but not told.” — Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth
In the Vedic tradition, mythology plays a central role in astrology. The grahas (often translated as planets) are not just celestial bodies; they are divine agents—avatars of Vishnu—executing the will of the cosmic intelligence. The Sanskrit word graha means "that which absorbs" or "receives," which is far more nuanced than the English term planet.
The Cosmic Framework: Grahas, Nakshatras, and the Zodiac
Most people are familiar with their zodiac sign, which can be determined using either the tropical or sidereal system. But beyond the zodiac lies a more intricate and ancient framework—the Nakshatras.
Think of the Nakshatras as distinct realms, each with its own unique nature, blessings, and challenges. As the grahas move through the sky, they pass over these Nakshatras, absorbing their qualities. This imprint is then projected through the zodiac signs, which serve as the constellations through which we interpret their influence.
In Vedic Astrology, just as each graha has a mythic story, each Nakshatra also carries its own mythology. The overarching myth tells us that the 27 Nakshatras are the wives of the Moon. Each of these celestial wives has a unique relationship with the Moon, and their stories provide profound insight into the nature of the Nakshatras themselves.
The Focus of This Series: Your Janma Nakshatra
While every planetary Nakshatra placement in a birth chart has significance, this series will focus specifically on your Janma Nakshatra—the Nakshatra in which the Moon was placed at the moment of your birth.
As we explore each Nakshatra, pay close attention to the myths associated with them. These myths hold the primary keys to understanding how each Nakshatra manifests in life.
One theme we will return to again and again is the primacy of Myth—not as a relic of the past, but as an active force shaping our perception, our destiny, and our connection to the cosmos.
Find Your Moon’s Nakshatra
If you don’t yet know your Moon’s Nakshatra, now is a great time to find out. Many astrology websites and apps can provide this information for free. My personal favorite is the Cosmic Insights app, which offers an easy way to create a profile and follow along with this series.
Let’s begin.