- Span: 20°00′ Libra to 03°20′ Scorpio
- Deity: Indra and Agni (yes, two)
- Dasha Lord: Jupiter
- Symbol: Forked Branch, Archway or a Spindle
- Animal (Yoni): Tiger (male)
- Shakti or power: vyapana shakti = power of vast achievement
The name Vishakha refers to something split, or branched. Vish can mean something spread, extended or all encompassing. Akha refers to a sword or a hoe (the tool). Together, this means a blade with multiple sides. Or a forked branch, which is one of the main symbols here. Vish can also refer to accomplishing or achieving, and achievement is a very important point in regards to this star. A final meaning of Vish deals with entering a place or settling in a place.
The meaning and symbolism here refers to a forked branch, a Y-shaped object. A secondary symbol, which relates to entering a place, deals with an archway. The final symbol is a spindle, which is another possible translation for the word Vishakha itself.
The symbols indicate the nature of life and desire. The Y-Shape shows choices, divisions and turning points, where we come from a common thread but must select a distinct path. The Archway shows the achievement or arrival. The spindle shows the spinning nature of life and the universe, with cycles and movement.
Going more in depth on each symbol, the Y-shape stands out as the main one, as it refers to the dualities present on this nakshatra. Unlike other nakshatras, this one has two deities. Agni, which is the deity behind Krittika nakshatra, the god of fire; and Indra, the deity behind Jyeshtha nakshatra, the god of war and the leader of the gods.
The duality here represents an inner conflict. Indra is the god of luxury, with palatial buildings, while Agni is the god of sacrifice and penance. In life, this acts as a conflict between boastfulness and achievement, compared with humbleness and detachment.
The symbol of the archway deals with a notable structure, like the triumph arch or the pearly gates of heaven. This shows achievement, something great being accomplished. It can also show the archway of an altar, where marriage is celebrated.
The problem with achievement? A cowboy’s work is never done. You work hard towards something, but there is no rest afterwards. Either another goal appears, or you simply have to keep working to maintain that. With marriage, this is specially true. No matter how many fireworks and helicopter rides the ceremony has, the real work begins afterwards. Staying together, sharing a life, tackling problems, dealing with flaws and pet peeves, not murdering your partner, etc.
The final symbol of the spindle shows the Wheel of Dharma or the cycle of life. As this nakshatra deals a lot with achievement, conquering things, the idea of a cycle is inevitable. Desire, followed by achievement, followed by a new desire restarting the cycle.
The shakti of this star refers to all encompassing achievement, vast achievement. This is a very powerful nakshatra for achievement. These natives usually accomplish a lot in life, this is also a powerful day for getting things done. Achievements here reach far and wide.
Some loose notes:
- Strong desires for power, achievement and leadership.
- Big need for partnership and marriage.
- Intense relationships and need for love.
- Longing and pinning for lovers.
- Very active, strong and forceful character.
- Excellent placement for material achievements and progress in life.
- Strong work ethic or endurance
- Excesses and indulgences can be an issue.
- Food, alcohol, sex, etc.
- Polarities and inner conflict, double energy
- Penance vs Opulence
- Hard work vs Glamour
- Humble vs Bragging
- Very knowledgeable and intelligent.
- Urge for change and transformation in life.
- Can be a coward
- sacrificing others for his own good
- Grass is always greener syndrome, they might never be satisfied with what they already have.
- Career wise:
- Being very determined, they tend to thrive on most fields.
- A preference for professions where they can use their charm and wits is present.
- For instance, a Vishakha doctor would lean towards management or leadership positions. Heading councils and boards, rather than just dealing with patients.
- They will seldom stay in the background, or settle for the average position. Managers rather than workers.
- They tend to change careers or fields, usually for greener pastures.
- Competitive sports and politics are fields where they are frequently found.
- At some point in life, these natives will tend to get involved with politics.
Through the symbols discussed above, we understand that desire and achievement are the main points of this nakshatra. Most of it lies in the sign of Libra, the natural 7th house, which represents kama and desires. Libra naturally promotes strong desires, specially for material possessions and marriage. This nakshatra highlights this desirous aspect of Libra.
Vishakha deals with a native that is always longing for the great victory. For the palace, the wealth, the perfect spouse, the top of the tops on everything. That comes allied with great skill, endurance and work ethic. So these natives usually work hard to get what they want. Similarly, this star tends to promote achievement and victory. As the Archway represents arriving, reaching a higher ground.
The concept of a split or a branch, however, is the most important point. On desires, it represents the endless stream of them. Once an achievement is made, a new desire arises, maybe multiple desires. You move to a better neighborhood, now you need a better car. Also, you might need better furniture. Once you have enough furniture, you might need a bigger better house for it.
The split specially represents the uncommon point of two deities, specially two deities with mostly dissonant meanings. Agni represents penance, Indra represents opulence. Agni is the initial force, also a permanent presence. Indra is a position, temporarily occupied by a soul, ephemeral.
The split meaning is, not shockingly, split. On one side, it represents the division of a desire/goal into multiple desires/goals. On the other hand, it represents a dual nature of sorts, where the native swings between two extremes. A humble, gentle character, or a boastful and highly desirous person.
Vishakha also tends to indicate strong love relationships. These natives have a strong craving for romantic love, as well as marriage. This star is all about goals, and love is one of these goals.
Natives tend to put all their efforts, all their strength, into their relationships. For good and bad. On the positive, they are very dedicated partners who will do a lot for their loved ones. On the negative, they can become obsessive at times, engaging in odd and controlling behaviors.
As usual, let’s delve into the negative. The main problem with Vishakha is excess and its derivative actions.
On the most obvious ground, that can show indulgence. The native might be excessive with food, alcohol, drugs or sex. Addictions and troubles can arise from these excesses. A negative trend here is also about cowardice, sacrificing others for your own good.
But a big excess comes from a vicious life pattern, where the native is always aiming for the next big thing, never enjoying what he already has. There is a hard time finding satisfaction here, finding solace in what you have. The native is always longing for something more, for a new mountain not yet conquered.
Problems of insecurity, not feeling good enough can arise out of this. Developing gratitude for what you already have goes a long way for Vishakha natives. Learning to appreciate what you have achieved, rather than feeling small because you could’ve achieved more. There will always be someone with more, that doesn’t mean that what you have is not good, or that you are not worthy or valuable.
As a daily star:
Vishakha days tend to either be a time of intense indulgence or effort. It can either be a day where you are just partying, having food, alcohol, sex and enjoying life. Or it can be a day where you are working towards achieving something. It tends to either be the busy little worker, trying to become somebody, or the somebody who is enjoying life.
On the work and achievement grounds, this is a great day to reach any goal. Reading these descriptions is one thing, an important one at that, but living them is another. I recently went through a Vishakha day where I had a complicated task to solve. Something that I didn’t want to do, a responsibility that just showed up, but it had to be dealt with. It was something that could end up taking more than 8 hours of work, depending on how things went. Well, it took about 2 hours and it was done to perfection.
The energy here is favorable towards any concentrated and clear effort. It is a great time to concentrate, tackle problems and deal with important projects.
→ Favorable activities with Vishakha: Exerting force, making efforts to achieve a goal. Favorable for clear goals and targets. Getting things done. Defining goals or making resolutions. Harsh activities. Anything needing focus, mental or physical. Favorable for parties, ceremonies, specially those that deal with honors or pomp. Romance and seduction.
→ Unfavorable activities with Vishakha: Negative for travel, anything requiring diplomacy or tact, as this is a fierce and forceful energy. Not good for initiations or marriage.
On a predictive manner, Vishakha represents an imposing and determined force. With the 2nd house, this could mean that the family of the native is very controlling, and that they tend to impose their will on the native. With the 7th house or Venus, this could show multiple marriages, as the person might not be satisfied, always seeking the perfect partner.