- Span: 13°20′ Aries to 26°40′ Aries
- Deity: Yama, the god of death and Dharma
- Dasha lord: Venus
- Symbol: Vagina, Womb, Doorway, Boat
- Animal (Yoni): Elephant (male)
- Shakti or power: Apabharani Shakti = power to take things away
Lord Yama is the god of death, being responsible for taking care of souls after death. Usually, entities related to death are feared and seen as evil, but this is not the case here. Yama is also the lord of Dharma, which means justice and honor, in a loose translation. Yama directs the souls after their earthly death, so he has the responsibility of properly rewarding and punishing people for their deeds in life. This obviously relates to a sense of judgment and accountability, as well as fairness, as we wouldn’t want people getting away with bad deeds.
Yama is the brother of Shani (the deity related to the planet Saturn), both are responsible for managing our karmas. But Shani/Saturn does it during life, allowing us to reduce our burden right now. While Yama awards (or punishes) us only after death.
Yama confers a strong sense of justice to this star, more specifically, a strong need for punishment and rules. Bharani figures might be harsh leaders, who are always setting up rules and restrictions or punishing people for even the smallest slights.
All the symbols related to this star denote the transportation from one realm to another, as well as the transformation of things. Bharani is a star strongly associated with transformation, strong changes in life are a big possibility under this star. This also relates to the incubation of things, keeping ideas or projects a secret until they are ripe or ready for revelation, much like a birth. It could also mean taking care of something delicate or precious.
Transformation also relates to creativity and this is a very creative star, with many artists or creative types spawning through here. Being related to life and death, at the same time, this star is associated with all extremes. Male and female, positive and negative, light and darkness, etc. These natives might also have extreme tastes or intense feelings in life.
The name meaning “bearing” again indicates our previously discussed point of incubation, but it also shows burdens. Carrying burdens, carrying secrets, having to bear a strong burden. I associate this star with sexual traumas or sexual assaults, as a lot of times this was a burden seen with these nativities. Of course, it won’t always happen, it depends on other chart factors. Carrying burdens also means holding responsibilities, a lot of times these natives might have strong duties in life, being responsible for complicated matters or situations.
The Elephant confers many meanings to this star. One of them deals with delays and jams, specially related to travel, as this is the burden of a large animal or a large vehicle. This larger than life quality also reflects on the native’s charm, as they tend to impose respect naturally. These are not people to be pushed around by others.
Venus as the planetary ruler complements many of our previous points, specially in regards to creativity, natural charm, but also transformation. Venus, esoterically, is a planet associated with fertility in many ancient cultures. This comes from the fact that Venus periodically goes through a rebirth, from morning star to evening star, and vice-versa. In Vedic culture, Venus is related to Sanjivini Vidya or “the knowledge to raise the dead back to life”, this is a power conferred to Shukracharya (deity of Venus).
Venus also confers a distinctive charm to these natives, even if there isn’t anything strongly attractive in them, they are still magnetic and seen. Usually, I’ve noticed this star related to tomboy women, which is somewhat unusual when you consider Venus as the classical feminine planet. Similarly, I’ve noticed this star quite frequently related to sensual and sex related work, like pornography.
Saturn’s debilitation happens here, at 20° Aries, which is really symbolic considering that Yama and Shani are brothers with distinctive duties related to Karma. Shani deals with releasing the burden of Karma during this life, Yama relates to releasing the burden of Karma through a new incarnation or in the after life. In a way, Bharani would block the proper path of Shani, favoring the path of Yama towards Karma.
On a loose interpretation, this would mean not facing our Karma in the current life, and instead waiting for death to face them. On a practical sense, it deals a lot with a lack of responsibility, these natives might be childish at times; acting impulsively and not taking responsibility for the consequences. It also relates to the meaning of strong transformations, as these natives deal with their karmas through large lessons, and big moments instead of longer smaller issues. Bharani might have a lot of “rebirths” or transformations in life.
In occult symbolism, death symbolizes transformation, as all transformations are similar to small deaths. So it is not surprising that a star ruled by Yama, the god of death, deals with transformation. Here these events either deal with a long incubated idea, or dissatisfaction, or with a sudden harsh event leading the native towards change.
Some loose notes:
- Being a Nakshatra related to Venus, this star tends towards attractive natives of both genders.
- Liking for secrets and secrecy.
- Jealousy and envy issues, both on the giving and receiving end.
- Strong sensual nature, they want to feel things intensively.
- Need for rules, restrictions and punishment. A profound attachment to feeling
- They like to make sudden and strong changes. A Bharani native will usually have, at least, one big transformation in life. Bharani is related to anything sudden or surprising
- Losses or strong complications might trigger these changes.
- Dealing with extremes, happy and sad, light and darkness, etc.
- Carrying a burden, holding strong responsibilities or being relied on.
- A strong memory and good recollection of facts is usually seen here.
Archetypally, this star is associated to handsome and sensual natives, with an unusual beauty to them. They are not conventionally attractive, but something seems to pull you into them.
On a predictive manner, sudden and surprising events are related to this star. Specially in regards to secrets and previously hidden or unknown matters. Judges, harsh figures, punishers can also be seen. The negative side of Bharani deals with an excessive desire for control, or a quest for vengeance, holding grudges is another issue. A big problem for these natives is excessive indulgence, specially in regards to sex.
As a daily star, Bharani is great for creative activities, spontaneous behavior, harsh and strong measures. This is a great day for dealing with neglected activities, things that you procrastinated, as well as for cleaning up or getting rid of old items. Releasing any burden is favored here.
On the negative, Bharani is a terrible day for travel, with a strong tendency towards traffic jams or delays. Gentle and serene activities are not favored. Initiations and beginnings are not favorable here, as the star deals a lot with death and endings. Things started around Bharani usually deal with some kind of burden weighting down said matter.
Examples
Donatella Versace (Ascendant 15° Aries and Sun 17° Aries)
Sister of Gianni Versace, also his creative partner and muse. She had to carry a strong burden after her brother’s assassination, carrying his legacy and leading the brand creatively, all while dealing with the pain from losing her dear brother and friend. Her exaggerated style of make-up and dress is a clear example of the Bharani extremes.
Daniella Perez (Ascendant 22° Aries)
Actress, daughter of a noted Brazilian soap opera writer. While starring in a soap opera, she was brutally murdered by her co-star Guilherme de Padua in December 1992. She suffered 18 stab wounds that pierced through her neck, lungs, and heart; and was left in a vacant lot.
The main reasons behind the murder were envy and jealousy. Guilherme spent months harassing Daniella about getting her mother (the soap’s head writer) to give him more screen time. His wife, on the other hand, was jealous and frustrated with his constant interactions with Daniella and their on-screen love scenes. The couple planned and carried her murder.
Other Examples
- Christie Hefner (Ascendant and Jupiter in Bharani): daughter of Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy. She was the CEO of the company from 1988 until early 2009. Themes of sex and sensuality. Carrying a burden: she took the company out of fiscal troubles and made it profitable again.
- Gloria Vanderbilt (Ascendant in Bharani): lost her wealthy father as a baby at 18 months of age, which lead to a lengthy custody battle in regards to her inheritance and her mother’s lavish spending habits with it. Themes of loss, death, envy and jealousy.
- James Garfield (Moon in Bharani): American president, murdered after serving four months in office. His killer was a disgruntled office seeker, who felt he deserved a position in Garfield’s cabinet. Themes of jealousy and envy.