Free tool
Rashi and nakshatra calculator
Your rashi (sidereal Moon sign) and birth star from your date and time of birth.
Rashi and nakshatra calculator
Positions from Astronomy Engine, the same planet tables as the full chart. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Rashi and nakshatra
Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, which is fixed to the stars. It now sits about 24° behind the tropical zodiac of Western astrology (the Lahiri ayanamsa), so most people's Vedic Moon sign is the sign before their Western one. The Moon's sidereal sign is your rashi; the lunar mansion it stands in is your nakshatra, or birth star, divided into four padas.
The 27 nakshatras
- 1. Ashwinispeed, healing and fresh starts
- 2. Bharanibearing burdens, restraint, birth, creativity
- 3. Krittikacutting through, purifying, sharp protection
- 4. Rohinigrowth, beauty, fertility and charm
- 5. Mrigashirasearching, curiosity and gentleness
- 6. Ardrastorm, hard effort and renewal through struggle
- 7. Punarvasurenewal, the return of light, generosity
- 8. Pushyanourishment and care; the most auspicious nakshatra
- 9. Ashleshainsight, binding power and hidden wisdom
- 10. Magharoyalty, ancestry and authority
- 11. Purva Phalgunipleasure, rest, love and creativity
- 12. Uttara Phalgunipatronage, friendship, marriage and duty
- 13. Hastaskill, craft, cleverness and healing hands
- 14. Chitrabeauty, design and brilliance
- 15. Swatiindependence, flexibility and trade
- 16. Vishakhadetermination, single aim and achievement
- 17. Anuradhafriendship, devotion and success far from home
- 18. Jyeshthaseniority, protection and power
- 19. Mulagetting to the root, breaking down to rebuild
- 20. Purva Ashadhainvincibility, purification and conviction
- 21. Uttara Ashadhafinal victory, integrity and leadership
- 22. Shravanalistening, learning and connection
- 23. Dhanishtawealth, rhythm, music and fame
- 24. Shatabhishahealing, secrets and independence
- 25. Purva Bhadrapadaintensity, idealism and transformation
- 26. Uttara Bhadrapadadepth, wisdom and restraint
- 27. Revatinourishing, safe journeys and completion
Why the birth time matters
The Moon moves about 13° a day and changes sign every two to three days, so on some birthdays the birth time decides the Moon sign. The calculator tells you when that happens. The rising sign and the houses need the exact time and place: use the rising sign calculator.
Questions and answers
How do I find my rashi?
Enter your birth date and, if you know it, your birth time. The calculator works out where the Moon stood in the sidereal zodiac stood on that day.
Is the Rashi and nakshatra calculator free?
Yes. Everything on Sophiology is free and needs no account.
Why is my Vedic sign different from my Western sign?
Vedic astrology measures the zodiac from the stars (sidereal), Western astrology from the seasons (tropical). The two are now about 24° apart, so a planet in the first 24° of a Western sign is usually in the sign before it in Vedic astrology.