Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

These lunar mansions appear in Chinese and Arabic astrology but have not
received much attention in Western or European astrology. Each of the
twenty-seven asterisms consists of 13° 20' of the zodiac and is divided into
four quarters of 3° 20' extent. The asterisms are classified in various ways,
as according to basic attribute, primary motivation, sex, caste, species and so
on. They are particularly revealed by their presiding deities, ruling planets
and their symbolic form.
Each of the twelve signs of the zodiac consists of two and a quarter
asterisms. The asterisms and the signs of the zodiac both begin from the
same point. The beginning of the first Nakshatra or asterism of Ashwini is
the same as that of the first sign Aries. Each sign contains the combined
influence of the asterisms falling within it. Compared to the signs, the
asterisms or Nakshatras possess a deeper effect. The signs are merely "a
heap, mass, or collection" of influences as their Sanskrit name Rashi
suggests.
The planets are the cosmic creative powers. Each planet radiates certain
specialized forces. The planets make their impact on the zodiacal field. This
specialized circle divided by the signs and asterisms is the negative or
passive field of influence, while the planets are the positive or active forces.
The signs and asterisms create the necessary milieu, the environment, while
the planets are the precipitating factors.
Prakriti, the female creative impulse, is the force that sustains the general
background of the zodiac. Prakriti produces the basic conditions on which
the seeds sprinkled by Purusha, the male consciousness factor, fructify and
grow. The asterisms and signs of the zodiac, are the passive creative potency
whereas the planets are the active or generating forces. The planets are
active causes whereas the signs and asterism are the material substratum of
the action. The asterisms and signs constitute the horizontal arm, while the
planets represent the vertical arm in the cross of cosmic creation.
See the Appendix for information on the sex, class, specie, temper-ment,
Animal type, directions, primary, secondary and tertiary qualities, rulers of
the sign, rulers of the individual Nakshatras and rulers of the quarters of the
Nakshatras as well as a summary of the symbols, presiding deities, primary
and movitating impulses, and characteristics of the Nakshatras.