Vayu, Hindu god of Winds.
  • Span: 06°40′ Libra to 20°00′ Libra
  • Deity: Vayu, the god of wind and Prana
  • Dasha Lord: Rahu
  • Symbol: Plant bulb being blown by the wind
  • Animal (Yoni): Buffalo (Male)
  • Shakti or power: Pradhvamsa shakti = power to scatter like the wind

Swati is ruled by Vayu, the god of wind, who controls Prana which is the essential force of life according to Indian philosophy. The proper flow of Prana into the body is considered essential for good health and longevity, meditation and yoga practices such as pranayama are essential for regulating Prana. When Prana is regulated a person’s mind operates smoothly, with brilliance and intelligence. Vayu is associated with deep thought and intellectual pursuits. For Swati individuals, a high intellect is ascribed from this association.

The main symbol of this star is a plant bulb being blown by the wind. A plant bulb is a young creature, fragile, in the process of growth. Swati is a delicate star, always striving for growth and independence, for reaching maturity. The wind blowing the plant shows adaptability, movement and restlessness; all qualities related to this star. This symbols shows a key point of this star, which is a process of growth and development in life.

The name Swati has many meanings, two main ones being “independent” or “self-going”. This relates to a higher aspect of Swati, where the native tends to roam freely and find fortitude in himself. Overall, a strong aspiration for Swati is freedom and independence. Another meaning is “sword”, which becomes an extra symbol for this star. Swords and arrows in occult symbolism are always related to goals, or a focus. Swords also represent strength and force. Here the main meaning is a goal, and that goal is to be free like the wind.

A lot of times, Swati natives grow into being strong and independent people. But usually they start life, and a chunk of their youth, on the opposite route. They rely a lot on external advice and validation. They don’t understand their own potential and feel hopeless without people near them to help. There is also a trend here towards a lack of focus, trying too many things, having too many projects and never really engaging or finding a focus.

This star usually shows late bloomers, as they grow into something, instead of having everything clear or figured out from the get go. This star has great wealth potential, a lot of wealthy individuals and businessmen are born with this star prominent in their chart.

A negative quality of this star deals with procrastination and inconclusiveness in general. Avoiding decisions, leaving work to be done, engaging with too many projects or ideas, etc. Inconclusive thinking is another issue here, where the native judges two ideas, only to reach no decision; preferring to stay neutral (disengaged) from both.

Again, we go back into the main symbolism, of a bulb. Something aspirational, something with great potential to be grown and harnessed. Swati natives can become strong, independent and successful powerhouses; but their great challenge is beating their internal battle of indecision and insecurity.

The sword here can cut both ways, either showing strength and independence, or showing weakness and self-doubt.

Rahu as the ruler relates this star to radical, transgressive or unusual ideas. Much like the other Rahu nakshatras, Ardra and Shatabishak. Swati, however, is the least radical of the bunch. Venus is the planet of balance, and it mellows a lot of the Rahu extremes. Nevertheless, it is not hard to find Swati dominant natives near the cutting edge of unusual ideas and groups.

Another point that Rahu brings home deals with potential. Rahu represents our hidden potential, that has to be developed in this current incarnation. Swati is the nakshatra most related to the workings of Rahu, as a karmic influence, it deals a lot with finding your place and engaging with the world; instead of dwelling in the past or letting other control your fate.

Some loose notes:

  • Late bloomers: Swati improves with age, the aging process is natural and interesting for these natives.
  • At an early age, they might face hurdles or troubles in life.
  • They could feel lost or without a clear direction in their youth.
  • Their big mission in life is finding independence and inner strength.
  • They might have a key moment in life where someone points (or reminds them of) their potential.
  • Transformation: Swati might be uprooted and transformed by changes around him.
  • Love for freedom in all senses of the word.
  • They favor individuality.
  • They love learning and are very open towards acquiring all kinds of knowledge.
  • Their mother will be a key figure in their life, in one way or another.
  • This is a star that promotes wealth, many wealthy individuals are born under this star.
  • Two sides of the coin:
    • Dynamic achiever: focused, decisive, hardworking, cut-through attitude
    • Procrastinator: extremes of procrastination, inconclusive thinking, laziness, indecisiveness.
    • Again, this is a part of their process of growth. They will usually start life at the low point, eventually growing into an achiever.
  • Unforgiving: they tend towards being extremely unforgiving, they seldom forget slights or faults.
  • Socialites: they love to socialize, and they usually have a vast and diverse network.
  • They favor diplomacy and tact in communication.
  • They might deal with a strong illusion or disappointment in life.
  • They benefit a lot from pranayama practices.

As a daily star, Swati favors any kind of transaction and agreement, such as contracts or trade. It is a great star for public activities, dealing with the public and collaborating. Great for parties and social events. It is a great day to initiate studies. Diplomacy and flexibility are key words for Swati.

Swati is unfavorable for forceful or quarrelsome activities. Aggression and conflict don’t bode well with this star. This is not a good star for travel, as plans might change and things might be dispersed (lost luggage is a frequent occurrence here).

Swati shows something being blown, like the wind, so this is a day where plans might change and we might be scattered into a different direction than we were planning for. Flexibility is very important here, as we could feel destabilized or anxious with change if we are too set on something.

On a predictive manner, planets in Swati will indicate a similarly variable energy. The 10th lord here could show someone ending up in a different career than what they planned for, or taking some big detour in regards to career. The 3rd lord here could show your communications taking a detour, with people finding other meanings or altering your original message. The 4th lord could show someone moving away from where they were born.

Examples

  • Martha Stewart (Swati Ascendant 17°): American lifestyle author and TV host, specialized on domestic life and all its matters, including gardening, cooking and decorating.
    • Late bloomer: started her career and major success in her late 40s, with a peak well into her 50s.
    • Mother as a key figure: she shares the name Martha with her mother, and she learned a lot about home-making from her mother.
    • Burdens in early life: as the eldest daughter, she helped raise her 5 siblings, acting as a surrogate mother at times. Being responsible for chores and a lot of household duties.
  • Christian Dior (Swati Ascendant 12° + Mars at 11°): world famous French fashion designer.
    • Transformation: Dior grew up as a bon-vivant wealthy man, who dabbled in many endeavors including architecture, political science, painting, music, tapestry, fashion and others. Those endeavors were bankrolled by his wealthy father.
    • When his family went bankrupt, around 1935, he was forced to find work to sustain himself, which is when he started to work seriously with fashion and couture. The Swati themes on independence, and growing into yourself, are greatly exemplified here.
  • Johnny Cash (Swati Moon 15°): American country singer, with a legendary voice and career.
    • Burdens in early life: growing up in the aftermath of the Great Depression, his family struggled to make ends meet with their farm. His older brother died in a job while cutting wood, trying to earn $3 for the family.
    • Transformation: Cash struggled for most of his life with addiction, finally winning this fight in 1983.
  • Louise Hay (Swati Moon 7°): American new age author, who advocated healing through managing thoughts and emotions.
    • Burdens in early life: she suffered a lot at an early age, growing up in a poor family, being abused by her step-father and raped by a neighbor.
    • Transformation: much of her life changed after moving to New York, changing her name and learning about transcendental meditation.

See more Nakshatra posts here