Swati Nakshatra

General Characteristics: Sweet, soft spoken, virtuous, compassionate, mild, quiet nature, controls passions and desires, skilled in trade, merciful, charitable. 

Translation: The priest, the sword 
Symbol: Coral - strong intuitive and psychic properties - A young sprout quivering in the wind. 

Animal symbol: Male Buffalo 
Ruling planet: Rahu 
Nature: Deva (god-like) 
Presiding deity: Vayu the demigod of wind, air, breath, and prana. 

Positive Traits: Tender, moral, able in business - clever in trade and commerce, truth-seeking, studious, meek, truthful, humanitarian - cares about others, thinks before acting, accurate, reduces things to their simplest components, uncorrupted, friendly, positive outlook, disciplined, seeks harmony, generous, active in spiritual organizations or humanitarian causes, likes to be around religious or well integrated people, interested in scientific or philosophical thought, independent, traveler, persuasive communication. 

Negative Traits: Do not know their limitations resulting in loss of money, status, and respect, creates debt due to high expenses, discontented due to lofty goals, restless, critical, fault finding, not concerned with family, shy, monastic, self isolating, secretive, hides their passions and sexual urges, gives too much away, absurd creative thinking, vulnerable to the whims of others, hot tempered. 

Career Interests: Business skill, sales, Yoga teachers, priests, legal profession, judges, transportation, travel industry, stock brokers, traders in drugs and alcohol, merchants, independent business person, ascetic - engaged in devotional practice

Chitra Nakshatra

General Characteristics: Attractive, sociable, intelligent, and natural leaders. 

Translation: The brilliant.
Symbol: A bright jewel or pearl reflecting the spirit within us, or a shining light.

Animal symbol: Female tiger.
Ruling planet: Mars.
Nature: Rakshasa (demon).
Presiding deity: Tvashtar or Vishvakarma - the celestial architect of the universe.

Positive Traits: Attractive, artistic, great lovers, independent, natural leader who wants to make an impact on life, sociable, perceptive, high-spirited, elegant, conversant, dignified, judicious, business skills, happy, well dressed and well groomed, well read, drawn to philosophy and social thought, does well outside their place of birth or in foreign countries, handy, incline toward more physical expressions of art such as sculpture, printmaking, competent designer.

Negative Traits: Smug, conceited, easily bored, self centered, attracted to exciting yet negligent mates, quarrelsome, critical, too quick to challenge someone's point of view, corrupt, amoral, may not focus enough on saving money.

Career Interests: Interior design, architects, jewelers, lawyers, judges, priests, religious people, learned in the Vedas, publications, radio, TV, film, armed forces, police detective, painter, photographer, designer, musician, writer, herbalist. 

Hasta Nakshatra

General Characteristics: Purity of thought and deed as well as self-control, active habits, full of resources. 

Translation: The hand 
Symbol: A hand - open hand blessing humanity. 

Animal symbol: Female buffalo 
Ruling planet: Moon 
Nature: Deva (god-like) 
Presiding deity: Savitar - the sun god who imparts creative and transforming energy. 

Positive Traits: Creative, pleasant, humorous, skilled in the arts, charming, practical, attractive, wealth late in life, many relationships, generous, unattached, intelligent, persuasive, cordial, weighs their words to avoid expressing anger, self-motivated, in control, focused on acquisition, good at defending and promoting their own interests, understands the value of social rituals and courtesies, skilled in providing service, thick-skinned, takes advantage of opportunities in new areas or in foreign lands, dexterous, determined, industrious worker, easily changes. 

Negative Traits: Likes competition and conflicts, restless - want spiritual experiences, changeable, con artist, self interest, emotionally unsettled, need to control lower self, unabashed, mistrustful, overindulgence in pleasuring themselves, nasty, mechanical in dealing with those who provide them no advantage, abuse of drugs, controlling, alcohol, and/or food to cope, critical when under stress, suppressed, health issues. 

Career Interests: Painters, artists, craftsmen, scholars, teachers, writers, sales, communications, pr, hospital and volunteer work, healers, travel industry, conference planners, astrologers, palm readers, advisers, ministers, authors, counselors, educators, priests, thieves, rouges.

Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra

General Characteristics: Emphasis on healing others. Earn money by their learning, liked by all, live a life in comfort and luxury. 

Translation: The latter red one or a fig tree 
Symbol: A bed or 2 rear legs of a cot. 

Animal Symbol: Male Cow (bull) 
Ruling Planet: Sun 
Nature: Manushya (human) 
Presiding deity: Aryaman rules leadership, honor, nobility and rules society. 

Positive Traits: Popular, hard worker, ambitious, benefits from those in power, good communicator, successful, friendly, reliable, focused, happy nature, loves luxury and comfort, material desires are fulfilled, capacity for enjoying life, liberal yet has fixed principles, balanced leader, happy, socially adept, generally fortunate, generous, kind, compassionate, courage, endurance, spiritual and mental advancements. 

Negative Traits: Promiscuous, over-giving, egotistical, restless, inconsiderate of others feelings, obstinate, disdainful, bossy, vain, arrogant, takes too much for themselves, stubborn, critical, resentful, a social climber, may be sad or angry under a happy smile, lack belief in their own power.

Career Interests: Social worker, philanthropist, writers, actors, media personalities, healing arts, state health employees, astrologers, astronomers, mathematicians, business minded people, sales.

Poorva Phalguni Nakshatra

General Characteristics : Sweet speech, generosity, a habit of wandering, government service. 
Translation: The Former Red One or A Fig Tree 
Symbol: Swinging hammock - rest and restoration, front legs of a bed, or a post. 

Animal Symbol: Female Rat 
Ruling Planet: Venus 
Nature: Manushya (human) 
Presiding deity: Bhagya - the god of good fortune and prosperity. 

Positive Traits: Creative, intelligent, active, charming, sincere, leadership skills, carefree, focus is on the body, physical approaches to healing, open minded, sweet speech, generous, wants fame and attention, faithful to issues and those they believe in, mystical nature, spokesperson, aristocratic, cultured, refined, gifted in the fine arts, youthful, exuberant, loving, good relationships. 

Negative Traits: Vanity, indulgent, impulsive mind, severe, promiscuous nature, narcissism, reckless, focused on getting what they want, spends carelessly - creates debt, addictive personality, hates being uncomfortable, needs stimulation, becomes depressed if do not get what they want, vindictive, lack of planning, unmotivated. 

Career Interests: Actors, musicians, models, business managers, retail sales, radio, television, photography, cosmetics, jewellery  wedding planners, government service, politicians, teachers, professors, sex and marital therapists, Professions associate with rest and relaxation - theatre  cinema, & classical music. Professions connected with marriage - wedding planner. 

The Tamil Month of Aadi 2013

Aadi Month, is the fourth month in Tamil Calendar and is termed inauspicious by many as the Dakshinayana Punyakalam begins in the month. In 2013, the Aadi Month begins on July 17 and ends on August 17. But several Tamil Hindu rituals and festivals are held in the month of Aadi and therefore it is also auspicious to some people.

Here are the important festivals and auspicious days in Aadi Month in 2013.

Dakshinayana Punyakalam, the night of the Devas, begins on the first day of the month Aadi. It is marked on July 17, 2013. Some communities perform Tarpanam on the day. The sun changes its direction during this period and next six months is the night time of the gods. Due to this reason, no auspicious events are held in the month.

Aadi Chevvai – the Tuesdays in Aadi Masam is highly auspicious.
Aadi Velli – Fridays in the Aadi Masam is also considered auspicious.

Aadi Amavasi (August 6, 2013) – No moon day in Aadi month dedicated to offering Shradh and Tarpan to dead ancestors.

Aadi Pooram (August  19, 2013) – The day is dedicated to Andal. 

Varalakshmi Puja (August 16, 2013) – Worship of Goddess Lakshmi. 

Aadi Perukku (August 3) – The festival is dedicated to Kaveri River and falls on the eighteenth day in Aadi Masam.

Aadi Karthigai (July 31, 2013) – festival dedicated to Lord Muruga.

Pitru Paksha Shraddh Dates in 2013

In Hinduism, Shradh is the rituals performed by relatives for the departed souls of dead ancestors, parents and relatives. Shradh Dates in 2013 as per Hindu calendar followed in India is from September 19 and ends on October 4

Pitru Paksha is a 15 lunar day’s period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors, especially through food offerings. 

According to South Indian Amavasyant calendar it falls in the lunar month of Bhadrapada beginning with the full moon day or day after full moon day. According to North Indian Purnimant calendar this period falls in the lunar month of Ashwin beginning with the full moon day in Bhadrapada or next day of full moon day. 

It is just nomenclature of lunar months which differs and both North Indians and South Indians perform Shraddha ritual on similar days.

September 19, 2013 – Mahalya Pitru Paksha begins - Purnima Shradh

September 20, 2013 – Pratipada Shradh

September 21 – Dwitiya Shradh and Tritiya Shradh

September 22 – Chaturthi Shradh

September 23 – 

September 24 – Panchami Shradh

September 25 – Shasti Shradh

September 26, 2013 – Saptami Shradh

September 27, 2013 – Ashtami Shradh

September 28, 2013 – Navami Shradh - Avidhava Navami Shradh - For women who passed when there husbands were alive.

September 29, 2013 – Dasami Shradh

September 30, 2013 – Ekadashi Shradh

October 1, 2013 – Dwadashi Shradh

October 2, 2013 – Trayodashi Shradh

October 3, 2013 – Chaturdashi Shradh

October 4, 2013 – Mahalaya Amavasi – Most important day of Shradh

The last day of Pitru Paksha is known as Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya amavasya. Mahalaya amavasya is the most significant day of Pitru Paksha. 

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Magha Nakshatra

General Characteristics: Has numerous servants, inclination to worship gods and ancestors, engagement in important work. 

Translation: The mighty one 
Symbol: Palanquin the royal seat upon which the king was carried through his towns, royal throne room. 

Animal Symbol: Male rat 
Ruling Planet: Ketu 
Nature: Rakshasa (demon) 
Presiding deity: Pitris - Fathers of Humanity guardian angels that give protection in the event of calamities. 

Positive Traits: Clear, intelligent, many admirers, positive, conservative, balanced, respectful to others, kind, helps others, love life and parties, dependable, likes to be honored for accomplishments, respectful of traditions, enjoys ceremonies, follows chains of command, does well when praised, likes to be served and given attention. 

Negative Traits: Arrogant, hot tempered, prejudiced, jealousy, severe nature, resentful, has a strong dislike for those who dislike them or who treat them with disrespect, discontented when fail to meet goals, too high standards, susceptible to flattery, cruel to those who don't show them respect, racial superiority, sensuality can create problems. 

Career Interests: Politician, lawyer, heads of corporations, actors, musicians, archaeologists, historians, lawyers, judges, birth registry officials, self-employed, managers. 

Ashlesha Nakshatra

General Characteristics: Motivated by dharma, represents the kundalini or serpent fire located at the base of the spine. 

Translation: The entwiner - to embrace. 
Symbol: coiled snake, circle, or wheel. 

Animal Symbol: Male cat. 
Ruling Planet: Mercury 
Nature: Rakshasa (demon). 
Presiding deity: Ahi - the naga or serpent of wisdom 

Positive Traits: Philosophical, intelligent, versatile, clever, independent, has a number of different jobs, entertainer, learned, leadership qualities, can accomplish much when motivated, good income, mystical, puts great energy into things that interest them, seductive nature, benefit from spiritual work. 

Negative Traits: Mental instability, worrisome, depressed nature, deceitful, non caring attitude, impolite, tactless, unpopular, lacks social skills, rule breakers, hoarding mentality, possessive, secretive, talkative, lacks appreciation, scattered and unproductive, reckless, disconnected, temperamental, lie to serve their needs, vindictive, introspective, reclusive, ungrateful, blunt. 

Career Interests: Politician, lawyer, writer, teacher, astrologer, mystic, snake charmer, zoo keeper, prostitute, pimp, chemical engineers, druggist, junkie, reptile keeper, zoologists, self-serving robbers, greedy politicians and business people, those that gain via sex. 

Pushya Nakshatra

General Characteristics: In control of passions, well liked, learned in various subjects, rich and fond of doing charitable acts. 

Translation: To provide nourishment. 
Symbol: The udder of a cow, flower, a circle, an arrow. 

Animal symbol: A ram. 
Ruling planet: Saturn. 
Nature: Deva (god-like) 
Presiding deity: Brihaspati, the planet Jupiter, lord of sacred speech and prayer. 

Positive Traits: Hard working, creative, tolerant of pain, intelligent, learned, liked by many, spiritual, intuitive wisdom, helps others, make good advisors and public servants, independent, interested in education and humanitarian causes, philanthropic, socially adept, make people feel wanted, selfless, good finances, respected, moderate, have spiritual practice, passionate and defensive about the things they believe in. 

Negative Traits: Stubborn, selfish, arrogant, overly talkative, dogmatic, fundamentalist, overly sensitive, doubtful of their worth due to what others say about them, devotion can turn to victimization, get defrauded by believing in the wrong people, insecurities inhibit growth. 

Career Interests: Government, politics, geologist, aquatic biologist, military police, musicians, artists, rulers, ministers, managing directors, food merchants, clergy, priests.