Magha nakshatra
Magha is the tenth nakshatra, spanning 0°00′–13°20′ of sidereal Leo. Ruled by Ketu with the Pitris, the ancestors, as its deities, its symbol is a royal throne: a star of lineage, honour and authority.
Also known as: Makha, Magam, Makam, Regulus, Magha star
Magha means ‘the mighty’ or ‘the bountiful’. Its main star is Regulus, the heart of the Lion, and its symbol is a throne or palanquin. Its deities are the Pitris, the family ancestors, so the nakshatra is tied to heritage, tradition and the respect owed to those who came before.
Magha is one of the fierce (ugra) nakshatras, yet it appears in the classical list of wedding stars, a reminder that muhurat rules weigh each activity separately. Ruled by Ketu, it begins life in Ketu’s seven-year dasha. The month of Magha takes its name from this star.
Its padas give the name syllables Ma, Mi, Mu and Me. Magha begins at the junction of Cancer and Leo, so it is one of six ‘gandmool’ stars, and some families hold a simple shanti puja after a birth here. It is a gentle custom, not a sign of misfortune.