The Moon in Hasta

The Moon in Hasta gives a practical, resourceful mind and skilful hands. The person copes well with concrete tasks, knows how to negotiate and how to turn ideas into a tangible result.

About the nakshatra Hasta

• Position: 10°–23°20′ Virgo (the 13th of the 27 nakshatras); for the Moon in the sign, see Moon in Virgo.
• Ruler: the Moon.
• Deity: Savitar, the solar god, the inspirer.
• Symbol: the palm, the hand.
• Gana: deva (divine).
• Full description: the nakshatra Hasta.

Mind and emotions

Hasta means "hand", and all its symbolism is connected with skill: taking, creating, healing, negotiating. This is the Moon's own nakshatra, so Chandra feels confident here. The nakshatra lies in Virgo, and the mind is analytical and attentive to detail and usefulness. The deity Savitar is the inspiring light of the Sun, which helps to begin undertakings and bring them to completion.

In Hasta the Moon is combined with Mercury, the lord of Virgo, and Mercury is a friendly planet for the Moon. This makes the mind both sensitive and sensible: emotions are quickly turned into action, and anxiety is best relieved by working with one's hands.

Strengths and difficulties

The strengths are craftsmanship, quick wits, a sense of humour, a commercial streak and the ability to learn quickly through practice. Hasta supports crafts, medicine and massage, design, trade, and work with texts and technology. Such people know how to find solutions where others see a dead end.

The difficulties are anxiety, perfectionism and a tendency to control everything. Sometimes the person is so busy that they forget to rest, and self-criticism keeps them from enjoying what they have achieved. It is important to learn to let go of what cannot be changed.

Relationships

In relationships Hasta is caring and attentive and shows love through help and useful deeds. Warm humour and reliability matter to her. Excessive criticism is the main danger; gratitude and gentleness make the union comfortable.

The four padas

• 1st pada (10°–13°20′ Virgo). Aries navamsha: energy, initiative, decisiveness in affairs.
• 2nd pada (13°20′–16°40′ Virgo). Taurus navamsha: practicality, a love of comfort, the ability to earn with one's hands.
• 3rd pada (16°40′–20° Virgo). Gemini navamsha: the most intellectual pada — sociability, wit, dexterity with words.
• 4th pada (20°–23°20′ Virgo). Cancer navamsha: strong emotionality, care for the family, an interest in healing.

The first mahadasha

The first mahadasha for the Moon in Hasta is the period of the Moon (10 years in full). The further the Moon has advanced through the nakshatra, the less of this period remains at birth. Then comes the 7-year mahadasha of Mars. The Moon mahadasha in childhood makes the role of the mother especially important; its quality depends on the strength of the Moon and its connections with other planets.

Compare with the solar version: The Sun in Hasta. The pada of your Moon and the dates when the dashas change are shown by a birth chart calculation.