27 Moons Project: Hasta Nakshatra
...the key to understanding your mind and the mind of others
In Vedic astrology, the moon is divided into 27 divisions called Nakshatra. The moon is our mind and therefore how we filter all thoughts, impressions and experiences. Knowing our Moon Nakshatra and the Nakshatras of others is key to understanding and appreciating how we think and approach the world. If you don’t know your Nakshatra, you can find out what it is here.
Happy Moon Monday!
For the next half a year, I’ll be writing a post about the current Nakshatra of the moon every Monday, the day naturally ruled by the moon.
If you don’t know what Nakshatra are, check out this post first.
For now, let’s dive into the Nakshatra the moon is currently in this lovely Monday.
This Monday’s Nakshatra: Hasta
Hasta is the thirteenth Nakshatra in the Vedic lunar zodiac, spanning from 10°00' to 23°20' in Virgo. It is governed by the Moon.
The term Hasta translates to hand in Sanskrit, emphasizing the significance of this Nakshatra's association with skills, craftsmanship, and dexterity. The Sanskrit transliteration is Hastā and the word is pronounced like “pasta.”
Hasta is made up of the five stars Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Epsilon-Corvi
To gain insights into the mindset of individuals with their moon in this Nakshatra, let's explore its symbols, deity, and general keywords.
Symbols
As mentioned above, Hasta is all about the hand.
Hasta Nakshatra is symbolized by the palm, which suggest abilities to create and master. This symbol reflects the innate talents and potential for skilled work that individuals born under this Nakshatra possess.
These are people who literally prefer to take the “hands-on” approach. They naturally seek and absorb knowledge and put those hands to work getting the work done with precision and attention to detail.
Another symbol for Hasta is the fist.
However, this does not mean that this Nakshatra is a fighter or in any way aggressive. Think more of a fist as the form that is made when we are holding something in our hands. Hasta natives are always doing something, the tools they hold varying from a pen to a paint brush to a hammer to a scalpel.
More on this when we talk about their skills below.
First, let’s take a look at their ruling deity.
Ruling deity
When it comes to Nakshatras, knowing the ruling deity gets you closer to understanding their inner nature than the sign they are in.
The ruling deity for Hasta is Savitr, which is a form of Sūrya, the Sun god.
As Savitr, Sūrya is revered as the source of all creation, the primordial force that generates and sustains life in the cosmos. The Sanskrit root "su," meaning "to generate" or "to create," encapsulates the essence of Savitur's divine nature. He is the divine artist, painting the canvas of existence with the vibrant hues of light and energy.
But Savitur is not only about creativity.
In the famous Gayatri Mantra, Savitur is invoked as the supreme creator, the one who illuminates the mind and awakens the intellect.
Just as the Sun's rays nurture the earth, fostering growth and vitality, Savitur's divine energy nurtures the inner landscape of the human soul, facilitating spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Similarly, Hasta Nakshatra natives have an inherent creative force and often actively seek spiritual experiences.
Skills and interests
Hasta natives are often gifted in the arts, with craftsmanship, or any other skill–creative or otherwise–that takes dexterity and a meticulous approach.
On the one hand, they are calm people who enjoy being of service. They have a selfless nature, a soft smile and a magnetism that attracts others. In general, they are not fans of confrontation. They love traveling and foreign cultures. In most cases, they prefer simple living to the opulent and grand.
Although mild mannered, Hasta natives may find themselves in positions where others work against them or they are drawn into the very conflicts they would rather avoid.
Their single-mindedness can sometimes cross the line into focusing too much on their own self-interest – and they can use their cunning to make things go their way, for better or for worse.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
practical and skillful
good at solving problems
creative, charming and attractive
careful, polite communicators
self-motivated, energetic and capable
pleasant demeanour and a good sense of humor
service-oriented and generous
adaptable and open to new experience/cultures
relationship-focused and interested in spirituality
Weaknesses
may struggle financially, especially early in life
may be a restless wanderer
many romantic relationships, possible commitment issues
problems with addiction (drugs, alcohol, sexual)
cunning/manipulative in pushing their own self-interest (sometimes to the point of being a con artist)
Famous people with their moon in Hasta
Sylvia Plath
Swami Vivekananda
Emma Stone
Leonardo DiCaprio
Ted Cruz
Tori Amos
Maya Angelou
Jay-Z