Nakshatra 9 of 27
Ashlesha Nakshatra
The embrace. Ruled by Mercury, presided over by The Nagas, serpent beings.
Quick Answer
Ashlesha is the 9th of the 27 nakshatras. It spans 16°40' Cancer to 0°00' Leo in the sidereal zodiac, is ruled by Mercury, presided over by The Nagas, serpent beings, and its symbol is a coiled serpent.
Ashlesha at a Glance
- Sidereal span
- 16°40' Cancer to 0°00' Leo
- Tropical span in 2026
- 10°54' Leo to 24°14' Leo
- Ruling planet
- Mercury
- Deity
- The Nagas, serpent beings
- Symbol
- A coiled serpent
- Name means
- The embrace
The Quality of Ashlesha
Ashlesha is the serpent's embrace. It perceives what lies under the surface and holds on with great tenacity. That perception can protect or entangle, and Ashlesha matures by turning its insight inward with honesty.
What are you holding onto, and what would loosening your grip reveal?
The Four Padas of Ashlesha
Each pada is a quarter of 3°20' and sets the navamsa (D9) sign.
| Pada | Sidereal Span | Navamsa |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16°40' Cancer to 20°00' Cancer | Sagittarius |
| 2 | 20°00' Cancer to 23°20' Cancer | Capricorn |
| 3 | 23°20' Cancer to 26°40' Cancer | Aquarius |
| 4 | 26°40' Cancer to 0°00' Leo | Pisces |
When the Moon Is in Ashlesha
The Moon passes through every nakshatra once a sidereal month, about every 27.3 days. Lahiri ayanamsa.
| Enters (ET) | Leaves (ET) | Enters (IST) | Leaves (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM ET | Nov 2, 5:16 PM ET | Nov 2, 4:30 AM IST | Nov 3, 3:46 AM IST |
| Nov 29, 12:29 AM ET | Nov 29, 11:12 PM ET | Nov 29, 10:59 AM IST | Nov 30, 9:42 AM IST |
| Dec 26, 9:42 AM ET | Dec 27, 7:34 AM ET | Dec 26, 8:12 PM IST | Dec 27, 6:04 PM IST |
| Jan 22, 9:01 PM ET | Jan 23, 6:23 PM ET | Jan 23, 7:31 AM IST | Jan 24, 4:53 AM IST |
The Sun in Ashlesha, 2027
The Sun enters Ashlesha on August 3, 2027 at 7:02 AM ET (4:32 PM IST) and stays until August 17, 2027 at 4:43 AM ET (2:13 PM IST). It returns to the same nakshatra on nearly the same dates every year.
Neighboring Nakshatras
Before Ashlesha: Pushya, ruled by Saturn. After it: Magha, ruled by Ketu. See all 27 nakshatras.
Questions About Ashlesha
What Is the Lord of Ashlesha Nakshatra?
Mercury rules Ashlesha, the 9th of the 27 nakshatras. In the Vimshottari dasha system, someone born with the Moon in Ashlesha begins life in the Mercury period.
Where Is Ashlesha Nakshatra in the Zodiac?
Ashlesha spans 16°40' Cancer to 0°00' Leo in the sidereal zodiac, 13°20' of arc. With the Lahiri ayanamsa in 2026, that corresponds to 10°54' Leo to 24°14' Leo in the tropical zodiac.
What Are the Deity and Symbol of Ashlesha?
The presiding deity of Ashlesha is The Nagas, serpent beings. Its symbol is a coiled serpent. The name means "the embrace".
What Are the Four Padas of Ashlesha?
Pada 1 runs 16°40' Cancer to 20°00' Cancer (navamsa Sagittarius); Pada 2 runs 20°00' Cancer to 23°20' Cancer (navamsa Capricorn); Pada 3 runs 23°20' Cancer to 26°40' Cancer (navamsa Aquarius); Pada 4 runs 26°40' Cancer to 0°00' Leo (navamsa Pisces).
When Is the Moon in Ashlesha Next?
The Moon is next in Ashlesha from November 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET (4:30 AM IST on November 2) until November 2, 2026 at 5:16 PM ET (3:46 AM IST on November 3). It returns about every 27.3 days.
When Is the Sun in Ashlesha in 2027?
The Sun enters Ashlesha on August 3, 2027 at 7:02 AM ET (4:32 PM IST) and leaves on August 17, 2027 at 4:43 AM ET (2:13 PM IST), using the Lahiri ayanamsa.
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