- Span: 00°00′ Aries to 13°20′ Aries
- Deity: Ashwini Kumaras (twin celestial physicians)
- Dasha lord: Ketu
- Symbol: horse head, Horse carriage lead by 2 horses carrying 2 people
- Animal (Yoni): Horse (Male)
- Shakti (Power): Shidravyapani Shakti = power to quickly attain one’s objectives
The Ashwini Kumaras are twin brothers, named Dashra and Nasatya. These brothers are said to have knowledge of all herbs, the skill to cure any disease or solve any problem. They are associated with health, medicine, sciences in general and the rise of dawn. Their stories usually deal with rescuing or helping mortals in trouble. These gods are also related to speed and travel, as they need to move quickly to help those in need.
Their chariot is said to have three chariot boxes, three wheels, three turnings and three wheel rims. This portraits a strong association with the number 3. The Ashwini Kumaras are specially concerned about marital problems, including sexual and fertility issues. This nakshatra promotes fertility. Besides this main deity, Ganesha, the obstacle destroying elephant god, could also be related to this Nakshatra. As the problem-solving symbolism is here, as well as the rulership by Ketu ─ a planet related to Ganesha.
Ketu is a mysterious graha, related mostly to our past and reincarnation, it is known as the “headless planet” and it deals a lot with faith. Ashwini infers a strong sense of faith in the native, making him believe that anything is possible. At times, this could lead to mistakes and wreckless behavior, as the native sees himself above consequences; believing that things will eventually work-out for him. A strong intuition also comes forth from this Ketu influence. Overall, Ketu signals a strong sense of wonder and fascination in the native, which leads him towards attempting the impossible.
The symbol of the horses is strong here, being reinforced many times, and it mostly relates to speed and transportation. Obviously, the more explicit meaning comes forth, relating it to sports, cars, racing and other speed related activities. Mostly, it relates to a quickness in life. Ashwini will always try to find the quickest and easiest path, they don’t enjoy being slowed down or jumping through hoops. The speed also indicates coming first, this Nakshatra deals a lot with being a pioneer, achieving something that hasn’t been done before.
The name Ashwini can be translated to “one who owns horses” or “one who tames horses”, which brings us to an important point, the other side of the horse symbolism. On the positive, horses are strong, swift and loyal creatures. On the negative, they are stubborn, nervous, and erratic at times. The journey of Ashwini always deals with taming your senses, taming your erratic trends. Usually, this involves learning how to concentrate and focus your energy, as these natives could be scattered at times. Starting things and never finishing them is a frequent issue here.
The negative side of Ashwini deals with the problem of quickness. Some matters need more time, more consideration and thought. Ashwini is usually not equipped for that, which might lead to bad decisions made in a hurry. It could also create unpredictability for those around the native, as he makes sudden decisions. Ashwini benefits a lot from people that can ground him, and help him navigate things on a slower pace.
Archetypally, this star is associated to anything youthful, full of life, fast, bright and rising. Usually, these natives might look younger than their real age.
Behaviorally, a child-like nature is possible in many ways, with the native having habits or tastes akin to a child. This could include dislike for textures, foods and smells. Unusual sleeping and eating habits are possible too. For instance, a native might only eat a certain kind of food, or he might eat the exact same thing everyday. Eating in small amounts tends to be a habit as well.
Some loose notes:
- They love starting things, they don’t love finishing things
- Unfinished projects or unfinished matters are a big problem here
- Natives with a strong presence of Ashwini in their charts would favor from short and quick things, rather than long and extended ones.
- Career wise, anything that requires quick efforts and quick projects.
On a predictive manner, we can relate Ashwini to healing, medicine, communication and all matters that require a quick response time. Ashwini is also related to anything that is first, new, innovative or fresh.
Timing will be a big factor in the life of this native. Usually, someone with a strong Ashwini will have great timing. On the opposite, someone with complications related to this star could always be late or always at the wrong place. A curious, but worthy mention, is that these natives could be involved with matchmaking or connecting people.
As a daily star, Ashwini is great for any new beginning or new venture. It is a good day for learning all matters, but specially those related to healing. It is a great day for rejuvenation, treatments or health related matters. A great day for exercise and physical activities. Travel is greatly favored on this day. On the negative side, this is not a good day for slow activities or matters that require patience. It is also a bad day for all kinds of endings and finalizations.
Examples
Amelia Earhart (Ashwini ascendant 11° Aries)
Amelia Earhart was a pioneer plane pilot, being the first woman to obtain an aviator’s license, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, as well as many other speed and altitude records set by her.
She was energetic from childhood, in typical Ashwini fashion. Amelia dropped out of finishing school and college, following a trend of not finishing things also present in this star. She discovered aviation while preparing to become a war nurse, prompting her to give up on that project, instead focusing on flying.
Kary Mullis (Ashwini ascendant 0° Aries)
Kary Mullis was an American chemist and Nobel Prize winner. He invented the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. By hobby, he was a surfer from his youth, and he had many unconventional lifestyle choices and opinions; including a belief in Astrology, which he even mentioned in his autobiography.
Astrology has some scientific basis and probably has done more than psychiatry to help people understand their lives.
Kary Mullis
Here we have the innovative face of Ashwini, with the invention of a new scientific technique, as well as the youthful and forceful trends of the star. Kary had a strong liking for the unconventional, and he was never afraid to question dogma in regards to science. He also maintained a life long passion for surfing.
Other Examples
- Louise Brown (Ashwini ascendant 8° Aries): British nurse born out of the first successful in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in the world. Innovation, fertility and health/healing themes.
- Rafael Nadal (Ashwini Moon 6° Aries): Spanish tennis player. Sports and speed themes
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (Ashwini Moon 2° Aries): American First Lady, wife of US President John F. Kennedy. Had a strong passion for horse riding, riding horses most of her life, since she was one year old.
- Nikola Tesla (Ashwini ascendant 11° Aries): Serbian-American inventor and engineer, responsible for many fundamental innovations in regards to electricity and modern life.
