As a predominantly lunar based system, Vedic astrology or Jyotish, places great emphasis on the placement of the Moon over the placement of the Sun. The Moon represents our emotional body. Jyotish tracks the movement of the Moon through the 12 signs of the zodiac and the 27 lunar constellations or nakshatras. Each nakshatra has specific qualities attributed with it. Today, January 16, 2014, marks a spiritually auspicious placement of the Moon. The Moon is in Pushya nakshatra. The Pushya Moon is also strong as we just had a full Moon. Vedic astrology considers full Moons to be very auspicious.
- Pushya nakshatra is situated from 3 degrees 20 minutes Cancer to 16 degrees 40 minutes Cancer. Each nakshatra has an associated symbol and presiding deity. The symbol for Pushya nakshatra is the udder of a cow. Cows are revered as sacred animals in India for their capacity to selflessly provide milk, which can also be turned into butter and yogurt.
The cow is also the only animal which will provide milk to animals which are not its own. Thus, the quality of nurturance is associated with Pushya nakshatra. This innate inclination to nurture can manifest in Pushya dominant individuals (particularly those with Pushya Moon or ascendant natally in Pushya) in a multitude of ways – physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc.
The presiding deity for Pushya nakshatra is Brihaspati, another appellation for Jupiter. In Sanskrit, Jupiter is translated as Guru. Guru is a name that is given to a (often spiritual) teacher. The prefix gu- translates as darkness and the suffix –ru translates as light. Thus a Guru is one who can take us from ignorance to enlightenment. Thus, Pushya also has the auspicious association with spiritual and religious themes. What makes this Pushya Moon even more auspicious is that it falls on Thursday, known as Guruvar (the day of the Guru) in Sanskrit. Indians label this day Guru Pushya nakshatra.
Guru also translates as heavy, a quality (or guna) often attributed to Kapha dosha in Ayurveda. Jupiter has the greatest mass of all the planets in the solar system. Jupiter is considered to be exalted, or at its strongest point, in the sign of Cancer in Vedic astrology. The Pushya Moon is strong today in since it is occupying its own sign of Cancer.
Pushya nakshatra is considered the most humanitarian of all 27. Traditionally, in India, Pushya nakshatra is considered an auspicious day to see your Guru or spiritual teacher. If this is not possible, then it is a day in which religious or spiritual practices can be heightened. Even more auspicious would be if the Moon were full with a Thursday Moon in Pushya nakshatra. The Moon remains in Pushya nakshatra throughout the day today.