A Comprehensive Guide to the Lunar Mansions
Apr 19, 2022
Astrologers are familiar with the 12 signs of the solar Zodiac – Aries, Taurus, Gemini and so on. But did you know there is also a lunar Zodiac, that’s far older than the solar one?
Each night as the Moon travels along her orbital path, she appears amidst a new handful of stars, called “asterisms.” These baby constellations are the basis of a 28-sign lunar Zodiac.
In India the lunar zodiac constellations are called nakshatras, but in Western astrology they are known as the Mansions of the Moon, or just lunar mansions for short.
In Medieval and Renaissance astrologers saw the lunar mansions as an important tool for choosing the best times to take action – whether mundane or magical.
To make the lunar mansions a little easier for me to use, I gave them all nicknames to help me remember their essential meanings.
Arabic Name |
Image |
Meaning |
Begins |
Ends |
|
1: Al Sharatain |
The Lance |
To passionately pursue a course of action |
0° Aries |
12°51’22″ Aries |
|
2: Al Butain |
The Olive Branch |
For diffusing anger and resolving conflicts |
12°51’22″ Aries |
25°42’51″ Aries |
|
3: Al Thurayya |
The Lady |
To receive blessings, good fortune and support |
25°42’51″ Aries |
8°34’17″ Taurus |
|
4: Al Dabaran |
The Rider |
For strength and tenacity overcoming obstacles |
8°34’17″ Taurus |
21°25’40″ Taurus |
|
5: Al Hak'ah |
The Crown |
For applying creativity and intelligence |
21°25’40″ Taurus |
4°17’09″ Gemini |
|
6: Al Han'ah |
The Lovers |
For inspiring love |
4°17’09″ Gemini |
17°08’34″ Gemini |
|
7: Al Dhira |
The Open Hand |
For generosity and abundance |
17°08’34″ Gemini |
0° Cancer |
|
8: Al Nathrah |
The Eagle |
To achieve victory |
0° Cancer |
12°51’22″ Cancer |
|
9: Al Tarf |
The Eye |
For separation and division |
12°51’22″ Cancer |
25°42’51″ Cancer |
|
10: Al Jabhah |
The Lion |
To dispel sadness and inspire courage |
25°42’51″ Cancer |
8°34’17″ Leo |
|
11: Al Zubrah |
The Bracelet |
For respect, prestige and charm |
8°34’17″ Leo |
21°25’40″ Leo |
|
12: Al Sarfrah |
The Dragon |
For self-improvement through conflict |
21°25’40″ Leo |
4°17’09″ Virgo |
|
13: Al Awwa |
The Alchemist |
For passionate and creative union |
4°17’09″ Virgo |
17°08’34″ Virgo |
|
14: Al Simak |
The Harvest |
To separate the wheat from the chaff |
17°08’34″ Virgo |
0° Libra |
|
15: Al Ghafr |
The Scribe |
For trade and communication |
0° Libra |
12°51’22″ Libra |
|
16: Al Jubana |
The Scales |
To gain wealth through negotiation |
12°51’22″ Libra |
25°42’51″ Libra |
|
17: Iklil al Jabhah |
The Monkey |
For protection from deceivers, loss and theft |
25°42’51″ Libra |
8°34’17″ Scorpio |
|
18: Al Kalb |
The Caduceus |
To heal or prevent illness |
8°34’17″ Scorpio |
21°25’40″ Scorpio |
|
19: Al Shaulah |
The Stinger |
For discernment |
21°25’40″ Scorpio |
4°17’09″ Sagittarius |
|
20: Al Na'am |
The Hunter |
For success in attaining your goals |
4°17’09″ Sagittarius |
17°08’34″ Sagittarius |
|
21: Al Baldah |
The Closed Door |
To end a situation |
17°08’34″ Sagittarius |
0° Capricorn |
|
22: Al Sa'd al Dhabih |
The Winged Messenger |
For freedom from constraints |
0° Capricorn |
12°51’22″ Capricorn |
|
23: Al Sa'd al Bula |
The Jackal |
To destroy what imprisons you |
12°51’22″ Capricorn |
25°42’51″ Capricorn |
|
24: Al Sa'd al Su'ud |
The Mother |
To nurture yourself and your projects |
25°42’51″ Capricorn |
8°34’17″ Aquarius |
|
25: Al Sa'd al Ahbiya |
The Butterfly |
For protection, patience and hope |
8°34’17″ Aquarius |
21°25’40″ Aquarius |
|
26: Al Fargh al Mukdin |
The Muse |
To inspire love and beauty |
21°25’40″ Aquarius |
4°17’09″ Pisces |
|
27: Al Fargh al Thani |
The Water Wheel |
For the ebb and flow of fortune |
4°17’09″ Pisces |
17°08’34″ Pisces |
|
28: Al Batn al Hut |
The Fish |
To gather riches and resources |
17°08’34″ Pisces |
0° Aries |
