The Nakshatra known as Hasta (the “Hand”) comprises the area of the zodiac from 10 to 23 degrees Virgo. Hasta consists of the five stars of the constellation called Corvi (the “Crow”), which lies just below the constellation of Virgo. The name Hasta is derived from the resemblance of these five stars to the fingertips of the hand. By the reckoning of sidereal astrology, the Sun and Jupiter are currently transiting Hasta, stationed at 11 and 10 degrees Virgo, respectively. The new moon will be this Friday at 5:llpm PDT, as the Sun and Moon are conjunct at 14 degrees Virgo in Hasta Nakshatra. The presiding deity of Hasta is Savitar, a solar god whose name means “the impeller”, or “the first rays of the morning sun.” One of the many things the hand symbolizes is the first light of the rising sun. Savitar is the form of the sun that imparts awakening, regeneration, and creative energy—a kind of wake up call from the universe. The particular energetic quality associated with Hasta is called hasta sthapaniya agama shakti—“the power to place what we desire in our hands.” The ruling planet of Hasta is the Moon, so the new moon on Friday promises to be a particularly fruitful time for taking our lives into our hands and manifesting our desires.
The hands are the most flexible part of the human body and one of the most complex and interesting. Anatomically, the hands are so important that a greater portion of the brain is dedicated to them than any other part of the body. The ancient art of hand analysis is based on the belief that a wealth of information is stored in the hands. Jyotish, Vedic astrology, is divided into several parts, one of which is called nimitta (omens). Part of nimitta is palmistry, which is known as Hasta Samudrika Shastra—“the ocean of signs and symbols found in the hand.” The fingers of the hand, for example are related to different planets—the base of the thumb with Venus; the index finger with Jupiter; the middle finger with Saturn, the ring finger with the Sun; and the pinkie finger with Mercury. The heel of the palm opposite to the thumb is called the “Mount of the Moon.” The first time I went to see a Vedic astrologer he looked closely at my “Mount of the Moon” and found a lot of concentric circles. Based on that he said, “I can see you are a great devotee of the Divine Mother.” The overall shape of the hand and length of the fingers also indicates an individual’s dominant element—Air, Fire, Water, or Earth. The fingers are also related to the Pancha Koshas (the five bodies), the Pancha Vayus (the five vital airs) and the four fruits of life—Dharma, Kama, Artha, and Moksha (in this case the thumb is not considered). Palmistry is a fairly complex and interesting subject that can also be a good way to get to know our selves and other people a little better. The Sun’s transit of Hasta over the next 12 days and Jupiter’s for the next two months indicates an excellent time to study the fate that is in our hands.
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