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Vedic (Jyotisha) · Nakshatra 24

Shatabhisha

Empty circle

Shatabhisha, nakshatra 24 of 27 (6°40′ Kumbha – 20°00′ Kumbha), ruled by Rahu, presided over by Varuna; symbol: empty circle.

Shatabhisha is the 24th of the twenty-seven nakshatras, the lunar mansions of Indian astrology, spanning 6°40′ Kumbha – 20°00′ Kumbha of the sidereal zodiac. Its presiding deity is Varuna, and its traditional symbol is the empty circle. In the Vimshottari system its ruling planet is Rahu, so a person whose moon falls in Shatabhisha begins life in the Rahu period (dasha).

Each nakshatra is classified by gana, or temperament — divine (deva), human (manushya) or demonic (rakshasa) — and Shatabhisha is counted rakshasa. Astrologers use the nakshatra of the moon at birth for naming (each pada has its own syllable), for matching horoscopes before marriage and for choosing auspicious times (muhurta). The descriptions of each nakshatra in Sanskrit texts such as the Brihat Samhita and in modern handbooks vary, and are best read as traditional associations of its deity and symbol.

Personality

healing · independent · philosophical · truthful · secretive · visionary

In Vedic astrology a person whose moon falls in Shatabhisha is described as independent, philosophical and drawn to healing and hidden truths. Its name means 'a hundred physicians' or 'a hundred stars', its symbol is an empty circle, and its deity is Varuna, the ancient god of the cosmic waters and of cosmic law, who sees all things and binds wrongdoers.

Traditional descriptions credit Shatabhisha natives with intelligence, honesty, a scientific or mystical turn of mind, and the capacity to heal and to solve difficult problems; they are said to be truthful, principled and self-reliant. Their weaknesses are said to be secrecy, solitude that becomes isolation, stubbornness, moodiness and a tendency to be harsh or reclusive.

In relationships Shatabhisha is portrayed as loyal but private and sometimes emotionally distant, needing understanding and space. In work it is linked with medicine and healing, science and technology, astronomy and astrology, research and philosophy. Counted among the rakshasa temperaments, its Vimshottari lord is Rahu, whose Navaratna stone is hessonite garnet; the whole birth chart shapes how these traits appear.

Stone: Hessonite

Sources and further reading