Lord: Mercury
Ashlesha
This is a 'Tikshna/Daruna' (sharp and dreadful) nakshatra. It carries Rajo guna.
Key Significations
- Kundalini energy, esoteric knowledge, astrology
- Poison, chemicals and medicines
- Secrecy, espionage, and bringing hidden matters to light
- Binding and encircling (embrace / entwine)
- Skill in reading the minds of others
- Sexual energy and enchantment
Ashlesha natives have a very sharp intellect. Their eyes are highly attractive, and they can detect the flaws of others at once.
Positive Traits
- Remarkable powers of observation and deep intuition
- Skill in turning situations to their own advantage
- A protective instinct that guards family and their own people with their life
- Leadership qualities, and detecting the strategies of others in advance
Negative Traits
- Excessive suspicion of others, and a secretive nature
- When angered, wounding others severely with words (like spitting venom)
- Displaying selfishness and ingratitude at times
Nakshatra in its Rashi Environment
This nakshatra lies entirely within Karkataka (Cancer). Cancer is a water sign, the sign of the Moon.
The sign lord is the Moon (mind) and the nakshatra lord is Mercury (intellect). In jyotisha the Moon holds no enmity towards Mercury, but Mercury holds enmity towards the Moon. Because of this there is always an inner conflict between mind and intellect in Ashlesha natives. Though they are highly emotional, outwardly they appear very logical and hard.
Like a serpent (Ashlesha) in water (Cancer), they conceal many secrets in the depths of their emotions. Cancer ends in the last pada of this nakshatra, which is called "Gandanta" (the end of a water sign and the beginning of the fire sign Leo). This indicates mental and karmic transformation.
Real-World Duties & Professions
- Pharmaceuticals and chemical industries
- Astrologers, practitioners of mantra/tantra, and psychiatrists
- Spies, detectives and secret service agents
- Lawyers and auditors (those who detect loopholes)
- Zoologists, and researchers on snakes and venomous creatures
- Yoga teachers (especially Kundalini yoga)
Bringing the hidden dark corners of society to light, and destroying evil (as poison is itself the antidote to poison).
Research, investigation, pharmacy, and the occult sciences.
Special Astrological Notes
Joints, nails, ears. Nervous disorders, joint pain, poisoning or food poisoning, and mental anxiety.
As this is a dreadful nakshatra, great care must be taken in horoscope matching. It is counted among the Mula group of nakshatras (Gandanta dosha). Appropriate propitiations must therefore be performed at the time of marriage or of birth. (Gotra: Vasishta).
It is not at all favourable for auspicious events (marriage, house-warming). It suits only marching against enemies, administering poisons, operations (surgery), tantric practices, and secret undertakings.
In his texts Varahamihira speaks somewhat harshly of those of Ashlesha, describing them as "omnivorous, sinful, and of a nature that forgets favours done". That is, without philosophical understanding there is a risk of their becoming very selfish.