The twenty-seven nakshatras

0°00' – 13°20' · Mesh

Quick, restless and pioneering — the first star, ruled by the twin physicians of the gods.

Syllables: Chu, Che, Cho, La

13°20' – 26°40' · Mesh

Bearing and enduring; ruled by Yama, it carries themes of restraint, limits and consequence.

Syllables: Li, Lu, Le, Lo

26°40' – 10°00' · Mesh / Vrishabh

Sharp, purifying and direct — fire that cuts away what is false.

Syllables: A, Ee, U, Ae

10°00' – 23°20' · Vrishabh

Fertile, attractive and growing — the Moon's own favourite, associated with abundance.

Syllables: O, Va, Vi, Vu

23°20' – 6°40' · Vrishabh / Mithun

Searching and curious — the deer that is always scenting the next thing.

Syllables: Ve, Vo, Ka, Ki

6°40' – 20°00' · Mithun

Storm-born and transformative; Rudra's star, where destruction clears the ground.

Syllables: Ku, Gha, Na, Cha

20°00' – 3°20' · Mithun / Kark

Return and renewal — literally 'good again'; the star of recovery and second chances.

Syllables: Ke, Ko, Ha, Hi

3°20' – 16°40' · Kark

Nourishing and steady — traditionally counted the most auspicious of the twenty-seven.

Syllables: Hu, He, Ho, Da

0°00' – 13°20' · Sinh

Ancestral authority — inherited position, lineage and the dignity that comes with it.

Syllables: Ma, Mi, Mu, Me

13°20' – 26°40' · Sinh

Rest, pleasure and creativity — Bhaga's star of enjoyment and married happiness.

Syllables: Mo, Ta, Ti, Tu

26°40' – 10°00' · Sinh / Kanya

Patronage and contract — Aryaman governs friendship, alliance and keeping one's word.

Syllables: Te, To, Pa, Pi

10°00' – 23°20' · Kanya

Skilled hands — dexterity, craft and the ability to make what is imagined.

Syllables: Pu, Sha, Na, Tha

23°20' – 6°40' · Kanya / Tula

Brilliant and designed — the celestial architect's star, where form is made beautiful.

Syllables: Pe, Po, Ra, Ri

6°40' – 20°00' · Tula

Independent and flexible — the wind's star, moving freely and resisting confinement.

Syllables: Ru, Re, Ro, Ta

20°00' – 3°20' · Tula / Vrishchik

Goal-directed and determined — the star of the forked branch, holding purpose over comfort.

Syllables: Ti, Tu, Te, To

3°20' – 16°40' · Vrishchik

Friendship and devotion — Mitra's star, which builds through loyalty rather than force.

Syllables: Na, Ni, Nu, Ne

16°40' – 30°00' · Vrishchik

Seniority and protection — 'the eldest', carrying authority and its burdens together.

Syllables: No, Ya, Yi, Yu

0°00' – 13°20' · Dhanu

Getting to the root — investigative, uprooting, unafraid of what lies underneath.

Syllables: Ye, Yo, Bha, Bhi

13°20' – 26°40' · Dhanu

Invincible and persuasive — 'the undefeated', carrying conviction that others follow.

Syllables: Bhu, Dha, Pha, Dha

26°40' – 10°00' · Dhanu / Makar

Lasting victory — success that is earned slowly and then holds, backed by all the gods.

Syllables: Bhe, Bho, Ja, Ji

10°00' – 23°20' · Makar

Listening and learning — knowledge received rather than seized; the star of the ear.

Syllables: Ju, Je, Jo, Khi

23°20' – 6°40' · Makar / Kumbh

Rhythm and wealth — the drum's star, keeping time and gathering resources.

Syllables: Ga, Gi, Gu, Ge

6°40' – 20°00' · Kumbh

'A hundred healers' — solitary, secretive and drawn to hidden causes and cures.

Syllables: Go, Sa, Si, Su

20°00' – 3°20' · Kumbh / Meen

Intense and other-worldly — the one-footed goat, burning with an unusual fire.

Syllables: Se, So, Da, Di

3°20' – 16°40' · Meen

Deep and still — the serpent of the depths, patient, wise and hard to disturb.

Syllables: Du, Tha, Jha, Na

16°40' – 30°00' · Meen

Safe passage — the last star, Pushan's, which shepherds travellers and finishes journeys.

Syllables: De, Do, Cha, Chi