The Moon in Ashlesha

The Moon in Ashlesha gives a perceptive, intuitive mind that easily reads people's hidden motives. This placement endows the ability to influence and persuade, as well as a strong need for security.

About the nakshatra Ashlesha

• Position: 16°40′–30° Cancer (the 9th of the 27 nakshatras); for the Moon in the sign, see Moon in Cancer.
• Ruler: Mercury.
• Deity: the Nagas, the serpents.
• Symbol: a coiled serpent.
• Gana: rakshasa.
• Full description: the nakshatra Ashlesha.

Mind and emotions

Ashlesha is "the entwining one"; its deities are the Nagas, wise serpents, keepers of secret knowledge. The nakshatra lies in Cancer, so the Moon here is in its own sign, but surrounded by serpent symbolism: the emotions are deep and many-layered and not always visible from outside. Mercury as the ruler gives a sharp, strategic intellect and good speech. Tradition classes the end of Ashlesha, at the border of Cancer and Leo, as gandanta — the transitional points between the water and fire signs.

In myth the Nagas are both dangerous and wise: they guard treasures and secret knowledge. Hence the duality of this Moon — she can both heal and wound with a word, and the choice depends largely on how safe the person feels.

Strengths and difficulties

The strengths are psychological insight, the ability to see the essence, the gift of persuasion and the ability to keep a secret. Such people do well in psychology, research, medicine and pharmacology, negotiations, politics and work with information. Tasks that require a cunning mind and patience come easily to them.

The difficulty is suspiciousness and a defensive reserve: the person may expect a trick and therefore keep their distance. Sometimes there is a wish to steer a situation covertly. Growth comes through trust and honest openness, which Ashlesha learns to dose.

Relationships

In relationships this Moon is deep, easily attached and jealous. She needs to feel safe, and she subtly notices the slightest changes in the partner's mood. Frankness and predictability help her to lower her guard.

The four padas

• 1st pada (16°40′–20° Cancer). Sagittarius navamsha: ideals, an interest in philosophy and teaching; perceptiveness serves the search for truth.
• 2nd pada (20°–23°20′ Cancer). Capricorn navamsha: pragmatism, ambition, the ability to use knowledge to reach goals.
• 3rd pada (23°20′–26°40′ Cancer). Aquarius navamsha: unusual interests, independence, an inclination to research.
• 4th pada (26°40′–30° Cancer). Pisces navamsha: the strongest intuition and sensitivity; the last part of the pada falls in gandanta.

The first mahadasha

The Vimshottari dasha is counted from the Moon's nakshatra, so the life of a person with the Moon in Ashlesha begins with the mahadasha of Mercury, whose full term is 17 years. How much of it remains after birth depends on how much of the nakshatra the Moon has already passed: at the start of the nakshatra almost the whole term, near its end very little. Next comes the mahadasha of Ketu (7 years). The Mercury mahadasha in childhood usually favours study, speech and communication with peers.

The solar version of this nakshatra is described on the page The Sun in Ashlesha. An online birth chart calculation will help you find out the pada of your Moon and the dates when the periods change.