Sign Ruler: Aries
Planetary Ruler: Ketu
Symbol: Horse
Deity: Ashwini Kumara
Motivation: Dharma, a path towards righteousness
Star: Hamal, Sheratan (Alpha, Beta Arietis)
Ashwini is the 1st nakshatra, its meaning is the horse rider in Sanskrit. Ashwini represents the beginning, the moment just before creation. The planet ruler is Ketu and the sign ruler is Aries. Being the 1st of the nakshatras, there is a need for new experiences and much energy can be directed towards multiple ventures. Ashwini natives have plenty of drive, they can be highly ambitious with new original ideas, capable of starting many new projects quickly.
The Deity
The deity for Ashwini is the Ashwini Kumaras, known as the horse-headed twins. They were healers, physicians and surgeons to the gods.
What Ashwini represents
Ashwini represents the moment soul and body combine to venture out on a new journey as one. The 1st house is ruled by Aries and is known to represent the head and appearance of a person. Ketu is famously known to have no head. All 3 Nakshatras that are ruled by Ketu have a connection to horses, Magha has the symbol is a palanquin, which horses were known to carry. Mula is in the sign of Sagittarius who is half man, half horse and Ashwini who’s symbol is the horse headed twins. The horse can represent the wandering nature of Ketu and in Ashwini it symbolises the untamed soul. The rider is Aries, the head who will direct the soul in a new path.
Sign ruler: Aries
Aries represent new beginnings, being the 1st there is not much Aries will look back on, they are always looking ahead. There is a certain innocence and purity within them. Mars, their sign ruler is the planet of passion, war and competition, Mars is a soilder in a battlefield. This protective and fiery nature is also seen in Aries. They are ambitious and can take quick action. Fire shows light, purity and energy. They have fighting spirits and do not feel discouraged easily, they aren’t afraid to experience and defeat new challenges with only the end goal in mind. There is a urge to make a mark and be known. Aries can naturally put themselves first and easily become excited with new projects, sometimes making impulsive decisions. They can be impatient but always find a way to inspire others with their confidence, optimism and encouraging energy and drive.
Planetary ruler: Ketu
Ketu is the South node of the Moon and represents the connection we have to past life. Ketu mainly represents detachment from ego and material obsession. It is a shadow planet, like Rahu. Both are outcasts who do not follow the rules. Ketu is searching for complete Moksha, which is freeing the soul from the life and death cycle towards enlightenment and complete liberation. Ketu is without a head, surrounded in darkness, unaware of the material world, there is no desire for it. Without a head, Ketu is not a logical thinker, though he is spiritually in tuned. Ketu allows us to connect to part of our spiritual past, helping us use what we already know for this journey, keeping us spiritually aware whilst we go towards areas of Rahu. Ketu can cause some confusion or disruption to whichever house it is sitting in, only forcing one to look more towards Rahu. Ketu represents horses, dogs, a flag, pineal glad, intuition, vegetarian diet.
Star
Hamal, Sheratan (alpha, beta arietis)
