The 27 nakshatras · 3/27
Krittika
A cutting, purifying flame: sharp discernment and high standards.
- Degrees (sidereal)
- 26°40′ Aries – 10°00′ Taurus
- Rashi
- Mesha (Aries) and Vrishabha (Taurus)
- Lord (dasha)
- Sun
- Deity
- Agni, the god of fire
- Symbol
- a razor or a flame
- Gana
- Rakshasa (fierce)
Krittika straddles Aries and Taurus and takes its name from the Pleiades, the star cluster known in Greece as the seven sisters. Its deity Agni is the sacrificial fire that cooks, purifies and carries offerings to the gods, and its symbol is a blade: Krittika cuts away what is impure.
The Moon in Krittika gives sharp perception, high standards and honesty that can sting. These people protect fiercely and nourish generously, much like the six Krittikas of myth who raised the war god Skanda, but they do not tolerate pretence.
With the Sun as lord, Krittika seeks clarity and recognition. Its lesson is to let the flame warm as well as burn, and to temper criticism with care.
The four padas
Each pada is 3°20′ wide and takes the colour of one navamsa sign.
| Pada | Degrees | Navamsa |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26°40′ Aries – 30°00′ Aries | Sagittarius |
| 2 | 0°00′ Taurus – 3°20′ Taurus | Capricorn |
| 3 | 3°20′ Taurus – 6°40′ Taurus | Aquarius |
| 4 | 6°40′ Taurus – 10°00′ Taurus | Pisces |
When the Moon is next in Krittika
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.
- Mon, 23 Nov 2026 20:31 → Tue, 24 Nov 2026 17:55
- Mon, 21 Dec 2026 07:38 → Tue, 22 Dec 2026 05:15