Ashwini Nakshatra
Ruled by Ketu · Aries · Deva gana
Ashwini is the 1st of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions). It spans 0°00′ Aries to 13°20′ Aries of the sidereal zodiac, which places it in Aries. Its ruling planet is Ketu, its deity is The Ashwini Kumaras (divine twin physicians), and its symbol is a horse's head.
Ashwini nakshatra: personality and nature
Quick, energetic and pioneering, Ashwini is the nakshatra of beginnings and healing. Natives are often described as eager starters who recover fast from setbacks.
Love and relationships
Enthusiastic and direct in affection, though interest can fade if a relationship lacks movement and fresh energy.
Career and work
Commonly linked with medicine and healing, sport, transport, emergency services and entrepreneurship.
What to watch for
Impatience, and starting more things than get finished. As with any placement, the Moon's sign and house, the planets aspecting it and the running dasha change how Ashwini shows up in a particular chart.
The four padas of Ashwini
Each nakshatra is divided into four padas of 3°20′, and each pada falls in one navamsa (D9) sign, which colours how the nakshatra expresses and matters for marriage reading.
- Pada 1: 0°00′ Aries to 3°20′ Aries, Aries navamsa.
- Pada 2: 3°20′ Aries to 6°40′ Aries, Taurus navamsa.
- Pada 3: 6°40′ Aries to 10°00′ Aries, Gemini navamsa.
- Pada 4: 10°00′ Aries to 13°20′ Aries, Cancer navamsa.
Ashwini and the Vimshottari dasha
A person whose Moon is in Ashwini begins life in the Ketu Mahadasha, the full length of which is 7 years. How much of it remains at birth depends on how far the Moon has travelled through Ashwini. The Venus Mahadasha follows. The Vimshottari dasha system derives from the Moon's nakshatra, so this is why the nakshatra matters for timing.
Compatibility: gana, yoni and nadi
In Ashtakoota (Guna Milan) matching, Ashwini counts as Deva gana, Horse yoni (male) and Adi nadi. Gana and yoni describe temperament and instinctive compatibility. Nadi carries the most weight, 8 of the 36 points, and scores zero when both partners share the same nadi. These are read from each partner's Moon nakshatra, so the full pair of charts should be considered together.
For informational and self-reflection purposes only. Not financial, medical, legal, or professional advice.
Is your Moon in Ashwini?
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Ashwini nakshatra: common questions
Ketu rules Ashwini. A Moon here starts the 7-year Ketu Mahadasha in the Vimshottari system.
Ashwini spans 0°00′ Aries to 13°20′ Aries of the sidereal zodiac, so it lies in Aries.
Pada 1 falls in the Aries navamsa; Pada 2 falls in the Taurus navamsa; Pada 3 falls in the Gemini navamsa; Pada 4 falls in the Cancer navamsa.
Ashwini is Deva gana, Horse yoni (male) and Adi nadi.
It depends on your date, exact time and place of birth, because the Moon moves through a nakshatra in about a day. Generate a free Kundli to see your Moon's nakshatra and pada.