Mula Nakshatra: “The Root Star”

The Crucible of Transformation

by Katya Faris, MA, MA

Uma’s Upayas on Amazon

FREE Sidereal Chart Calculator

In the celestial tapestry of Jyotish, the 27 Nakshatras form the very heart of lunar astrology, offering profound insights into our soul’s journey. The eighteenth of these lunar mansions is Mula, a name that translates simply, yet powerfully, to “the Root.” Ruled by the shadowy planet Ketu, Mula is not a gentle star of beginnings, but one of profound endings and the radical uprooting necessary for true rebirth. It is the cosmic fire that burns away the old, compelling us to dig deep into the darkest soil of our being to find the seeds of our ultimate liberation. This article explores the fierce and transformative energy of Mula as it manifests in the real lives of individuals and the world at large.

The Attributes of the Root Star

Mula Nakshatra is a place of immense power and intensity, located at the very core of the sidereal zodiac, and at the core of our Milky Way Galaxy, “The Galactic Center”.

• Rashi (Zodiac Sign): 0° to 13°20′ Sagittarius
• Ruling Planet: Ketu (the South Node of the Moon)
• Ruling Deity: Nirriti, the goddess of calamity, dissolution, and sorrow. She represents the necessary destruction that precedes creation.
• Symbol: A bunch of roots tied together, or an elephant goad (Ankusha). The roots signify digging for core truth, while the goad represents the prodding and sometimes painful guidance towards our destiny.
• Fixed Star Association: The Galactic Center (Sagittarius A*)
• Color: Cream or Light Brown (earth tones that reflect its grounding, root-oriented nature)
• Animal Symbol: A male dog, often representing loyalty to a cause but also potential ferocity and a “underdog” status.
• Guna (Quality): Tamasic (inertia, destruction, leading to regeneration)

The Galactic Center: The Cosmic Womb

Mula’s association with the Galactic Center is perhaps its most awe-inspiring attribute. This point in space is the rotational center of our Milky Way galaxy. In Vedic astrology, this is seen as the cosmic womb—the source of all creation and the point to which all things ultimately return. This gives Mula its profound spiritual paradox: it is both the point of utter annihilation and infinite possibility. Energy and matter are pulled into its vortex, broken down to their most fundamental state, and potentially reborn. In a human life, this translates to experiences that feel like being pulled into a black hole—total loss, disintegration of identity, and catastrophic change—only to emerge, Phoenix-like, with a completely new understanding of existence.

The Color of Mula: Cream and Light Brown

While often associated with dark or black due to its destructive side, a more nuanced view aligns Mula with cream and light brown. These are the colors of raw silk, unbleached cotton, and rich, fertile earth. It is also the color of the “Vanilla Sky”, which is a blended color of all of the Universe. They represent purity at a fundamental, unadorned level—the essence that remains after all color and decoration have been stripped away. Wearing or surrounding oneself with these colors can be calming for a Mula-influenced individual, reminding them of the stable, grounded core that exists beneath the tumultuous cycles of their life. It connects them to the “root” itself, the simple, foundational truth from which all else grows.

The Myth of Mula: The Churning of the Ocean

Once upon a time, the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) found themselves weakened and mortal. They sought the nectar of immortality, Amrita, which lay at the bottom of the cosmic ocean. To retrieve it, they agreed to work together in a monumental effort known as the Samudra Manthan, the Churning of the Ocean.

The Mountain and The Serpent
They used the great Mount Mandara as the churning rod and the cosmic serpent Vasuki as the rope. The Devas held the tail of the serpent, and the Asuras held its head. As they began to pull back and forth, the mountain rotated, churning the ocean with unimaginable force.

The Poison of Destruction
The first product of this great churning was not nectar, but a deadly, suffocating poison known as Halahala. This venom was so potent that it began to consume the universe, threatening all of creation. Terrified, the Devas and Asuras appealed to Lord Shiva, the supreme ascetic and transformer. Moved by compassion for the world, Shiva gathered the poison and drank it, holding it in his throat. The poison turned his throat blue, earning him the name Neelakantha (the blue-throated one). He contained the destruction, preventing it from spreading, but he did not eliminate it. He integrated it.

The Emergence of Treasures
Only after this act of containing the destructive force did the ocean begin to yield its treasures: the celestial cow Kamadhenu, the goddess of wine, the moon, the divine elephant Airavata, and finally, the physician of the gods, Dhanvantari, who emerged holding the pot of Amrita.

This myth is the essence of Mula. The churning itself is the intense, often painful process of life that Mula natives undergo. The first and most potent result is poison—the suffering, loss, and calamity ruled by Nirriti. Like Shiva, the Mula individual must learn to “drink the poison,” to face the darkest aspects of life without being destroyed by them. This act of containment and transformation is what ultimately allows the “nectar” of wisdom, healing, and immortality of spirit to emerge. The suffering is not pointless; it is the necessary precursor to the deepest treasures.

Mula in the Birth Chart: The Wounded Healer

In clinical practice, Mula is one of the most challenging yet spiritually potent lunar placements. When the Moon resides here, the core emotional nature (Chandra) is infused with the dissecting, liberating, and often disruptive energy of Ketu.

Mula Moon individuals often have a rough life, characterized by extreme reversals of fortune that force them to start over repeatedly. These aren’t minor setbacks; they are “slash and burn” events that clear the entire field of their life. This is a form of spiritual fertilization, where intense fire is needed to crack open the hard seeds of karma, allowing for rebirth. Because they begin life in their Ketu Mahadasha, their early years are frequently marked by suffering—separation from homeland, chronic health issues, or the absence of a parent. Nothing comes easily; they must work hard for everything they have.

This profound sense of loss creates two primary paths: it can lead to a bitter, cynical personality prone to biting sarcasm, blaming others, and even cruel behavior. Or it can catalyze a profound inward journey, turning them into “wounded healers.” Having been through the fire themselves, they develop a deep empathy and a powerful drive to help others navigate similar ordeals. True to its “Root” nature, these healers are often drawn to foundational, earth-based therapies like herbalism, root medicine, and indigenous plant practices. Their teaching ability is heightened by Jupiter’s rulership of Sagittarius, allowing them to impart hard-won wisdom.

Case Studies: Mula Moon Clients

1. The Trauma-Informed Healer: This client has her Moon in Mula in the 10th house, conjunct Mars, Neptune, Jupiter (her Moon’s lord), and her Midheaven (MC). Her childhood was marked by significant difficulty, creating the classic Mula “poison.” Instead of self-medicating, she consciously chose the spiritual path, transmuting her pain into healing power. She now works as a massage therapist and Reiki healer at a clinic, specializing in helping clients who have experienced the same kind of childhood trauma she endured. Her 10th house Mula placement manifests as a career (10th house) rooted in healing deep, core wounds (Mula).
2. The Entrepreneurial Alchemist: This second client also has a Pisces Ascendant, placing her Mula Moon in the 10th house of career, conjunct her MC. She, too, is a massage therapist helping people heal from trauma, but she also does movement therapy and yoga, and she owns her own business. Her healing modalities are eclectic and technologically advanced, incorporating PEMF frequencies, aromatherapy, and gemstones—a true Mula-style digging into multiple root systems for answers. Her Lagna lord, Jupiter, is retrograde in the 4th house, which Parashara indeed links to cancer. Tragically, this manifests as her mother having cancer, showing how planetary placements can reflect difficult realities, while also giving her the resources (4th house) to overcome sadness and finances to support her business.

Famous People and Events with Moon in Mula

1. US Presidential Election 2024 (Moon in the 7th House):

This election cycle, with Mula Moon in the 7th house of partnerships, foreign affairs, and open enemies, will be fundamentally about uprooting and transforming (Mula) the nation’s key alliances and treaties. The public mood will be intensely focused on getting to the “root” of political corruption and dismantling existing power structures (Nirriti’s influence). The campaign will likely be marked by brutal, “slash and burn” tactics against opponents, aiming for a complete overhaul of the political landscape rather than minor reforms.
2. Adele (Moon in the 7th conjunct Saturn Rx, Uranus Rx, and Neptune Rx, opposite Venus):
The iconic British singer known for her powerful voice and soul-baring ballads about heartbreak and resilience.

Adele’s Mula Moon, conjoined with restrictive Saturn and disruptive Uranus, points to a childhood and emotional life marked by sudden changes, limitations, and a profound sense of rootlessness. Its opposition to Venus on her Ascendant creates a core tension between her deep need for emotional security and her public persona of charm and romance. Her music is the quintessential Mula therapy—digging into the roots of heartbreak, loss, and betrayal to create powerful anthems of catharsis and rebirth that resonate with millions.

3. Mukesh Ambani (Moon in the 3rd House):
The Indian billionaire businessman and chairman of Reliance Industries.

With Mula Moon in the 3rd house of courage, enterprise, and initiative, Ambani’s drive (symbolized by the elephant goad) is to uproot and dominate entire industries at their foundational level. His business strategies, most famously with Jio, involve completely dismantling existing telecom models to rebuild them from the ground up, perfectly demonstrating the “slash and burn” fertilization of Mula applied to the world of commerce and communication.
4. Jacques Chirac, Former President of France (Moon in the 12th House):
The former President of France who served from 1995 to 2007.

The 12th house governs loss, isolation, secrets, and the subconscious. Chirac’s Mula Moon here manifested as a career involving the dissolution of old political traditions, but also profound personal endings. His final years were marked by the loss of his public life through illness and legal troubles, a classic 12th-house/Mula ending where his past was dug up and his legacy was forced through a transformative, and often hidden, reckoning.
5. Ry Cooder (Moon in the 1st House):
The legendary American musician, known as a “roots music” virtuoso and collaborator on albums like the Buena Vista Social Club.

With the Mula Moon placed in the 1st house of self and personality, Cooder’s entire identity is that of a “root digger.” His life’s work in music has been to unearth and revitalize nearly forgotten American roots music traditions—from blues and gospel to Tex-Mex and Hawaiian. His intense, research-oriented focus is a pure expression of a 1st house Mula Moon, making the search for foundational musical truths his core public identity.
6. Lauren Spierer Disappearance (Moon in the 7th house in opposition to Sun, Venus, and Saturn):
This refers to the tragic 2011 case of Lauren Spierer, a 20-year-old Indiana University student who vanished after a night out and was never found; 4:30am is noted as the time of disappearance, and was the time used for this chart.

This tragic event, with Mula Moon in the 7th opposing a cluster of planets, reflects the nakshatra’s most destructive potential. The Moon’s placement signifies a profound, irreversible rupture (Mula) in a partnership or public encounter (7th house). The oppositions to the Sun (life force), Venus (relationships), and Saturn (structures, death) created a perfect storm of calamity (Nirriti), where a young woman’s life was tragically and mysteriously uprooted.
7. Gabe Dixon (No time of birth):
An American singer-songwriter and pianist known for his soulful, introspective rock and pop music; plays keys for the Tedeschi Trucks Band.

Even without a house placement, Gabe Dixon’s Mula Moon fuels his songwriting and musical expression. His music often delves into themes of searching, longing, and seeking foundational truths, both personally and spiritually. The raw, emotional quality in his performances and lyrics points to the Mula-driven need to dig deep into the roots of human experience to find material that is authentic and transformative.
8. Judy Garland (Moon in opposition to Mercury Rx, Venus, and Pluto):
The legendary actress and singer, immortalized as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and known for her powerful voice and tumultuous personal life.

Garland’s life is a tragic textbook example of an unbalanced Mula Moon. The oppositions created a perfect storm: mental anxiety and communication breakdowns (Mercury), relationship turmoil and a search for love through material comforts (Venus), and intense power struggles and control by the studio system (Pluto). Her Mula Moon’s search for roots and security was constantly uprooted by these intense pressures, leading to a life of extreme highs and lows, and a premature end, reflecting the destructive potential when the “poison” is not transformed.
9. Germany (Moon conjunct Saturn and Ketu, opposition to Rahu in Gemini):
The chart for the modern Federal Republic of Germany.

Germany’s Mula Moon, conjunct the restrictive Saturn and spiritual Ketu, points to a national soul that has undergone profound, karmic uprooting and discipline. Its opposition to Rahu in Gemini creates a compulsive drive for intellectual and communicative expansion that has repeatedly led to crisis. This configuration perfectly mirrors the 20th-century German experience: being torn from its roots, undergoing the utter destruction of war and division (Mula/Saturn), and subsequently rebuilding itself from the ground up into a new European power.
10. Adolf Hitler (Moon conjunct Jupiter and Ketu, opposition to Rahu in Gemini):
The dictator of Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1945, whose actions led to World War II and the Holocaust.

Hitler’s chart demonstrates the most dangerous manifestation of Mula. The Moon conjunct an exaggerated, fanatical Jupiter and the spiritual bypass of Ketu created a twisted, root-seeking ideology obsessed with racial purity. Its opposition to Rahu in Gemini generated a compulsive, demonic drive to communicate (Gemini) propaganda and a distorted vision of history, leading to the annihilation of millions. This is Mula’s destructive, uprooting power on a genocidal, historical scale.
11. Anthony Hopkins (Moon conjunct Sun, Mercury Rx, and Venus on Ascendant):
The Oscar-winning Welsh actor known for his powerful performances, most famously as Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs”.

Hopkins has channeled his Mula Moon into his art with breathtaking precision. Its placement on his Ascendant, conjunct his core identity (Sun), makes his intense, digging, and sometimes terrifyingly detached (Ketu) emotional nature his public brand. He excels at roles that require unearthing the dark roots of the human psyche, such as Hannibal Lecter, transforming personal demons and a deep study of character into acclaimed art.
12. South Korea (Moon in the 3rd house in opposition to Venus and Uranus in Gemini):
The chart for the Republic of Korea.

South Korea’s Mula Moon in the 3rd house of technology, communication, and courage explains its remarkable trajectory. The nation has completely uprooted and transformed itself from a war-torn agrarian society into a global tech and cultural powerhouse. The opposition to Uranus and Venus in Gemini drives a sudden, innovative, and highly stylish (Venus) expression in its media and pop culture (Gemini), a “Korean Wave” that has radically changed the global landscape.
13. Elizabeth Lea (No time of birth):
An American musician known as a trombonist and vocalist for the “Tedeschi Trucks Band.” As a musician,

Elizabeth Lea’s Mula Moon likely drives her to dig into the foundational, “roots” elements of her music, whether it’s the core rhythmic structures or the emotional bedrock of a composition. The Mula energy gives her the focus to deconstruct and master the essential components of her craft, allowing her to build her performances from a place of deep, intuitive understanding rather than superficial flair.
14. Freddie Mercury (Moon in the 2nd House):
The legendary lead vocalist of the rock band Queen, known for his powerful voice and flamboyant stage persona.

In the 2nd house of voice, values, and wealth, Freddie’s Mula Moon gave him a voice and a creative vision that could dig deep into the soul of his audience. His music with Queen was a root-level exploration of identity, tragedy, and triumph. The 2nd house placement also speaks to his ability to generate immense wealth by fundamentally changing (Mula) the very landscape of rock music, creating a new, more theatrical and complex foundation for the genre.
15. Rupert Murdoch (Moon conjunct Saturn on Ascendant, opposition Jupiter and Pluto Rx):
The Australian-American global media mogul behind News Corp and Fox News.

Murdoch’s Mula Moon conjunct Saturn on his Ascendant is the source of his ruthless, disciplined drive to uproot and control the very foundations of global media. This placement gives him a grim determination and an emotional detachment that allows him to dismantle competitors and reshape entire news landscapes. The opposition to Jupiter and Pluto supercharges this, giving him a colossal appetite for media empire-building and transformative, often controversial, power.
16. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Moon in the 7th house, opposition Mercury and Uranus):
The Austrian-American actor who became a Hollywood star and later the Governor of California.

Arnold’s Mula Moon in the 7th house propelled him to completely uproot and transform every field he entered: bodybuilding, acting, and politics. The opposition to Mercury and Uranus on his Ascendant gifted him with a sudden, innovative, and highly communicative style that allowed him to break barriers (Uranus) and convince the public (7th house) to accept his radical transformations, from Austrian immigrant to American icon.
17. Charlie Sheen (Moon in the 8th house – MKS, opposition Jupiter):
The American actor known for his roles in Platoon and Two and a Half Men, and for his very public personal struggles and meltdowns.

The Moon is in its “dead” placement (Marana Karaka Sthana-MKS) in the 8th house, which rules crisis, taboos, and self-destruction. Sheen’s very public meltdowns, addictions, and scandals are a direct manifestation of an unbalanced Mula Moon in the 8th. The opposition to an exaggerated Jupiter exacerbated this, leading to extreme philosophies, a bloated sense of entitlement, and a very public unravelling that nearly destroyed his life and career. However, it is also a Gaja-Kesari Yoga, so Jupiter also protected him.
18. Jeffrey Starr (Moon conjunct Neptune on Ascendant):
A makeup artist, internet personality, and entrepreneur who founded the cosmetics brand Jeffree Star Cosmetics.

With Mula Moon conjunct Neptune on his Ascendant, Jeffrey Starr’s public identity is a complex blend of intense root-digging and Neptunian illusion. He deconstructs (Mula) conventional standards of beauty and gender, creating a new, transformative persona from the ground up. This placement fuels his entrepreneurial success by allowing him to see and uproot the foundational assumptions of the cosmetics industry, while the Neptune connection adds a layer of glamour, visionary artistry, and escapism.
19. Martha Stewart (Moon in the 3rd House):
The American retail businesswoman and television personality, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

Martha Stewart’s Mula Moon in the 3rd house of communication, hands-on skills, and commerce is perfectly expressed in her life’s work. She dug into the roots of domesticity—cooking, gardening, homemaking—and systematized them, uprooting them from mere chores and replanting them as an aspirational lifestyle. Her drive (3rd house initiative) was to get to the essential, foundational truth of every craft and then communicate it to the public. The highs and lows of Mula can be seen in her incarceration which uprooted her business and life, but she used the time to teach (Jupiter) other women how to use the resources at their disposal, a very Mula theme.
20. Justin Timberlake (Moon conjunct Neptune in the 5th House):
The American singer, songwriter, and actor who rose to fame in the boy band *NSYNC and became a successful solo artist and actor.

In the 5th house of creativity, romance, and performance, Timberlake’s Mula Moon conjunct Neptune drives him to dig deep into the roots of pop music to reinvent his sound and persona. This placement gives his creative process an intense, research-oriented quality, while the Neptune influence adds a layer of soulful, sometimes psychedelic, glamour. It signifies a career of transformative rebirths, from boy-band roots to a solo soul-man and actor.
21. Melania Trump (No time of birth):
The current and former First Lady of the United States, and a former model.

Without a birth time, we can still see the Mula Moon’s influence in Melania Trump’s life narrative. Her journey involved a radical uprooting from her homeland and a complete transformation of her identity, language, and public role. The Mula energy suggests a deeply private, self-contained individual who has undergone extreme changes to forge a new life from its very roots, often appearing detached (Ketu) from the political world she married into.
22. Lainey Wilson (Moon conjunct Rahu, Uranus Rx, Neptune Rx, opposition Ketu):
The award-winning American country music singer and songwriter known for her “Bell Bottom Country” sound.

This is a highly charged, karmic Mula Moon placement. Conjunct Rahu, Uranus, and Neptune, Lainey Wilson’s emotional drive and music are focused on a compulsive (Rahu) and sudden (Uranus) transformation of country music’s roots, infused with a dreamy, authentic (Neptune) quality. The opposition to Ketu suggests her path involves letting go of past tradition to forge a new, uniquely personal sound that feels both innovative and deeply rooted.
23. Amy Winehouse (Moon conjunct Neptune in the 8th house – MKS):
The late, legendary British singer-songwriter known for her deep, soulful vocals and jazz-influenced style, as well as her public struggle with addiction.

Winehouse had her Mula Moon in the 8th house of crisis, taboos, and death, in its MKS, or “dead” placement, and conjunct nebulous Neptune. This is a recipe for using substances (Neptune) to drown the profound pain, rootlessness, and intense emotional crises (8th house) of the Mula Moon. Her heartbreaking demise is a stark example of the Mula “poison” (addiction) overcoming the individual before the “nectar” of artistic transformation could be fully sustained. Her music, however, remains a raw testament to that digging, root-level soul-searching.

Remedies for Mula Nakshatra

The intense energy of Mula requires conscious channeling and remediation to harness its transformative power without being consumed by it.

• Worship of Goddess Kali or Nirriti: Confronting the energy of destruction consciously through devotion can be profoundly empowering. Praying to these goddesses helps one understand the necessity of dissolution in the cosmic cycle.
• Service to the Underdog: Caring for stray dogs (its animal symbol) or volunteering at animal shelters can pacify the negative effects and cultivate the positive loyalty of the canine.
• Root-Based Healing: Engaging with herbalism, gardening, or studying indigenous plant medicine grounds the Mula native and turns their innate digging tendency into a healing practice.
• Chanting Mantras: The Mula Nakshatra specific mantra, or chanting the root mantra for Ketu, “Om Kem Ketave Namah,” can help balance its energy.
• Acceptance of Impermanence: The most powerful remedy is a conscious spiritual practice that embraces the truth of Mula: that all things must end to make way for the new. Meditation on non-attachment is key.

Conclusion

Mula Nakshatra is not for the faint of heart. It is the cosmic refiner’s fire, a spiritual crucible that tests the soul to its absolute limits. Its journey is one of radical deconstruction, where the very foundations of one’s life are torn asunder. Yet, within this sacred chaos lies its ultimate purpose: to force us to release all that we are not, to burn away the dross of illusion, and to discover the indestructible, root-level truth of our own being. For those who navigate its storms with courage and consciousness, Mula does not just bring suffering; it bestows the priceless gift of unshakable wisdom and the power to heal a wounded world, precisely because they themselves have been so profoundly wounded, and so profoundly reborn.