The 27 nakshatras · 9/27
Ashlesha
The coiled serpent: penetrating insight, magnetism and strategic instinct.
- Degrees (sidereal)
- 16°40′ Cancer – 30°00′ Cancer
- Rashi
- Karka (Cancer)
- Lord (dasha)
- Mercury
- Deity
- the Nagas, the serpent deities
- Symbol
- a coiled serpent
- Gana
- Rakshasa (fierce)
Ashlesha closes Cancer and is ruled by the Nagas, the serpent beings who guard hidden treasure and secret knowledge. Its name means the embrace, and its symbol is a snake coiled and ready: Ashlesha holds tightly and sees deeply.
The Moon here gives penetrating insight into people, a strategic mind and a hypnotic kind of charm. These people read motives quickly and can be very persuasive. Mercury as lord sharpens wit, language and a gift for psychology, research or medicine, especially anything to do with remedies and poisons.
The serpent’s lesson is about trust. Ashlesha protects itself well; its growth lies in letting go of control and using its insight to heal rather than to hold power over others.
The four padas
Each pada is 3°20′ wide and takes the colour of one navamsa sign.
| Pada | Degrees | Navamsa |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16°40′ Cancer – 20°00′ Cancer | Sagittarius |
| 2 | 20°00′ Cancer – 23°20′ Cancer | Capricorn |
| 3 | 23°20′ Cancer – 26°40′ Cancer | Aquarius |
| 4 | 26°40′ Cancer – 30°00′ Cancer | Pisces |
When the Moon is next in Ashlesha
The Moon passes through each nakshatra about once a month and stays about a day. The next times, as of the last update: Times are in UTC.
- Sun, 29 Nov 2026 05:29 → Mon, 30 Nov 2026 04:12
- Sat, 26 Dec 2026 14:43 → Sun, 27 Dec 2026 12:34