Counterparts Series - Ashwini, Chitra and Swati

Now, the first article in Counterparts Series for Nakshatras. As we have seen in Counterparts Series so far - https://www.astrosaxena.com/SignNakshatraCounter, every Zodiac Sign completes or supplements the zodiac Sign in front of it through some guidance, directions or indication. If it is happening consistently for all Zodiac Signs then the same can be happening for Nakshatras too; i.e. Nakshatras in front of each other can also complete/supplement each other and can provide some guidance, direction or indication to us to deal with their energy in more creative ways.

So, let’s understand the first set of Nakshatras which are in front of each other; i.e. Ashwini, Chitra and Swati.

Ashwini – Ashwini Nakshatra is from 0.00 degree to 13.20 degrees in Aries Sign. Ashwini is 1st nakshatra, so it comes with the nature of pro-activeness and be first everytime. It is also nakshatra of Healers or Doctors as its deity is Ashwini Kumars, the metaphysical healers. It is also nakshatra of illusion, cheating and confusion. For more info on Ashwini, please check this - https://www.astrosaxena.com/ashnaksh.

Chitra – Chitra Nakshatra is from 23.20 degree of Virgo to 6.40 degree of Libra. So, Chitra Nakshatra is in front of Ashwini Nakshatra from 0.00 degree to 6.40 degree of Libra. Chitra is nakshatra of creativity, works related with pictures or images, real estate and relationship conflicts etc. For more information on Chitra Nakshatra, please read this - https://www.astrosaxena.com/citnaksh.

Swati – Swati Nakshatra is from 6.40 degree to 20 degree in Libra. So, Swati Nakshatra is in front of Ashwini from 6.40 degree to 13.20 degree of Libra. Swati is nakshatra of independence, Justice, Fair-Play and Business People. For more information on Swati Nakshatra, please check this link - https://www.astrosaxena.com/swanaksh .

As we have always seen that mythological stories always play an important role in interpretation of Nakshatras, so it will be worthy to reproduce the mythological story of Ashwini and Chitra Nakshatras here. Swati doesn’t have any specific mythological story around it.

Ashwini Nakshatra - Very short version of the story as stated in ancient texts, the Sun-God had wife named Sandhya (Sanjnya). She was unable to cope-up with the heat and fire of Sun. So, she created her mirror image (twin-sister) Chhaya to replace herself and went away from Sun-God. When Sun-God realized it and he went after Sandhya to find her, she took the form of a Mare to escape. Seeing this, Sun-God took the form of a Horse and they made Horse-Love at that time. Ashwini Kumars were thus born as twin horsemen who are deity of this nakshatra. From this story, we get lots of indications about Ashwini Nakshatra which we will discuss later in article.

Chitra Nakshatra - So, we are back to the story of Sun, Sandhya (Sanjnya) and Chhaya. This is the time when Sandhya returned to Sun but then again ran away in the form of Mare. Sun followed her and to search her Sun reached the home of Vishwakarma, who was father of Sandhya. Vishwakarma told Sun whereabouts of Sandhya but requested Sun to reduce his glare and heat as that was the main cause of Sandhya avoiding Sun throughout. Sun told that Heat & Fire is part of his nature and he can't do anything about it. Vishwakarma offers his help as divine architect and cuts off some of the Sun-rays to reduce Sun's heat. This is also the story behind Big-Bang Theory as the rays which were cut-off from Sun took shape of other planets.

Interpretation of Ashwini Nakshatra in front of Chitra Nakshatra and Swati Nakshatra – We can see that story of Ashwini Nakshatra and Chitra Nakshatra is a common story. As I have previously stated - https://www.astrosaxena.com/UTMCN that story of Ashwini Nakshatra and Chitra Nakshatra is actually the story of ego conflicts in relationship and subsequent letting-go of ego in relationship.
Ashwini Nakshatra portion of story tells us about the ego clash in relationship when Sandhya leaves the Sun and Sun tries to pursue her. It is actually ego of the Sun rather than Fire/Heat of the Sun which made Sandhya go away as Fire/Heat are representations of Ego only.

Then Sun persuades Sandhya through Love and Affection which shows that Love can temporarily win over Ego or Ego Clashes.

Then Chitra Nakshatra portion of story is more about letting-go of Ego permanently where Lord Vishwakarma cuts of the rays of Sun to lower down his Fire/Heat which is to say that Vishwakarma father of Sandhya thrashes down the Ego of Sun when again Sandhya goes away from Sun second time due to his Ego to resolve the issue permanently between them.

As we can see that whole story of Ashwini/Chitra Nakshatra is about Ego Clashes in relationship and about dominance/control in relationship, hence there shouldn’t be any surprise that Ashwini Nakshatra and Chitra Nakshatra are right in front of each other in Aries and Libra signs.

Now, what message or guidance is Swati Nakshatra is bringing?

As we have seen before, word Swati is combination of two words Swa + Ati. Swa means Self and Ati means Extreme. So, Swati means Extreme of Self or Extremely Independent People. Swati is also represented by Wind, which remains the most independent element as we cannot capture Wind, and its deity is also Pawan Dev (God of Wind).

So, Swati is all about Independence and Freedom. Needless to say that Swati falls in middle of Libra sign which is sign of Relationship. A question was once asked to me – “How come Swati is part of Libra as Swati is all about being independent and free whereas Libra is all about being in relationship?”

So, simplest response to this question can be the same thing which every spiritual being is trying to tell us, i.e. "Love is Freedom". Real Love or Real Relationship always brings Freedom and Independence to its partners.

The most eternal or divine love we all talk about is the love between Radha and Krishna. And it is because when Lord Krishna wanted to leave Vrundavan and go to Mathura on His path of Karma, at that time Radha never tried to stop Him for even a second. She let Him go on His destined path.

Same independence we could see between Gautam Siddhartha and Yashodhara where Yashodhara didn't pursue Siddhartha and didn't try to catch hold of him when Siddhartha decided to leave the palace and his family.

I understand that this philosophy of love is difficult to understand because we are taught by our families, friends, movies and societies that Love is all about capturing, controlling or possessing someone. But it is the act of the most unsecured person. Only an unsecured person would try to capture or control an individual in the name of love/relationship as it gives him a sense of power over other person's life. And we have to agree that we are an unsecured bunch of people, most of us. So, we agree and get aligned with any such theory but that won't change the eternal truth that controlling others is the biggest sign of weakness.

Also, it is not only about romantic relations but we can see the same insecurity even in relationship between parents and children or in any other relationship. It is interesting to note that parents are supposed to make children strong by giving them confidence but parents themselves are suffering from their own insecurities.

So, Swati falling in Libra is not wrong. Our perception and understanding of relationship is wrong that if you are in relationship then you can't be independent and free.

Conclusion - In the end, Ashwini Nakshatra is telling us about ego issues in relationship and Chitra & Swati which are in front of Ashwini are guiding us with solution of letting-go of ego and giving freedom to partner in relationship to balance the energy in between these nakshatras.

Hope this helps.