The Moon in Pushya

The Moon in Pushya gives a caring, responsible and steady character. The person strives to support and nourish others, and over time their emotions become a source of calm for those around them.

About the nakshatra Pushya

• Position: 3°20′–16°40′ Cancer (the 8th of the 27 nakshatras); for the Moon in the sign, see Moon in Cancer.
• Ruler: Saturn.
• Deity: Brihaspati, the teacher of the gods.
• Symbol: a cow's udder (also a flower, a circle).
• Gana: deva (divine).
• Full description: the nakshatra Pushya.

Mind and emotions

Tradition regards Pushya as one of the most auspicious nakshatras. It lies entirely in Cancer, the Moon's own sign, and its deity Brihaspati gives it wisdom and respect for tradition. The symbol, a cow's udder, speaks of nourishment and generosity. The ruler Saturn adds seriousness, patience and a sense of duty, so the emotions here are not stormy but deep and enduring.

The Moon in its own sign of Cancer and in a nakshatra under the patronage of the teacher of the gods is especially receptive to teaching and ritual: a steady daily routine, family traditions and the chance to support someone are calming in themselves.

Strengths and difficulties

The strengths are reliability, diligence, the ability to care without show, and respect for knowledge and elders. Such people cope well with being the mainstay of a family or a team. Pushya supports teaching, medicine, social work, the food industry, management and work in organisations with a long history.

The difficulty is excessive seriousness and a tendency to worry about the future. Sometimes care turns into overprotection, and conservatism makes it hard to accept the new. It is important to allow oneself joy and not to measure worth by usefulness alone.

Relationships

In relationships the Moon in Pushya is devoted and reliable and tends to build a home for the long term. She expresses feelings through deeds more often than through words. The partner should value this quiet care, and Pushya herself should remember her own needs as well.

The four padas

• 1st pada (3°20′–6°40′ Cancer). Leo navamsha: dignity, a wish for recognition, generosity; care with a note of pride.
• 2nd pada (6°40′–10° Cancer). Virgo navamsha: diligence, precision, an inclination to service and practical help.
• 3rd pada (10°–13°20′ Cancer). Libra navamsha: harmony in relationships, taste, the ability to negotiate and keep the peace.
• 4th pada (13°20′–16°40′ Cancer). Scorpio navamsha: depth of feeling, an interest in the hidden and in psychology, a strong will.

The first mahadasha

The Moon in Pushya opens the Vimshottari cycle with the mahadasha of Saturn, whose full length is 19 years; at birth only the part of it remains that corresponds to the stretch of the nakshatra the Moon has not yet travelled. It is followed by the period of Mercury (17 years). The Saturn mahadasha in childhood can bring early responsibility and discipline; its character depends largely on the position of Saturn.

How Pushya shows itself through the Sun is described on the page The Sun in Pushya. You can find out the pada of your Moon and the dates of the dashas by drawing up a birth chart.