combust mercury

Retrograde and combust Mercury 2020

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Mercury will be going retrograde from 14th Oct to 3rd Nov 2020 in Libra, he will transit Swati and Chitra nakshatra during this period. And in the present time it is a bit complicated. Mercury goes retrograde for about 3 weeks, thrice a year. Mars goes retrograde once in about 2yrs. Now Mars is already retrograde and has entered Pisces retrograde on 4th Oct, he will go forward on 14th Nov 2020. So these two are in the 6/8 axis, going backwards together. And Mercury is combust from 16th Oct to 2nd Nov. Plus the Sun is debilitated in Libra.

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Mars is the energy of passion, desire to live, take risks, transform, compete and win. Mercury is the thinking process within your mind and the choice of action in your hands. The energy of a retrograde planet cannot be expressed outwards as it has turned inwards into the subconscious self, so often gets bottled up. Both these Mars and Mercury energies going retrograde together are going to create typical psychological issues. Suffocated emotions, internalised stress, frustration, internal rage, inability to express, loneliness, depression, taking unacceptable risks, illogical thought patterns, senseless risky actions. Some of us will face significant failures in life as the passion to Live and the analytical Mind do not cooperate. A tendency for exceptionally risky behaviour or self-harm or suicides can be triggered.

Communication of all sorts is linked to Mercury, so misunderstandings are possible. Tact and understanding are both lost. And inner bitterness and outer arguments afterwards are going to be fuelled by the retrograde Mars which would be intense. The choices available to you may not be appropriate and create more problems. You might take rash decisions and then hasty actions. Think before you speak, always. Spoken and written words both will be confused. This can manifest as mis-reading the question in your exam paper to making serious mistakes in filing your income tax returns. Those appearing for competitive exams must be careful. Your mental processes, logic, analytical skills, understanding will be affected.

Sense of trade can mislead, ie the risks that you take in your business may cause more losses than profits, so businessmen should take due precautions. There is often unexpected expenditure in such retrogrades. In office, you might get into arguments with your co-workers, team-mates as mis-communication coupled with short tempers will disrupt things. Finance related figures should be double checked. Read and understand important communications carefully. Papers or messages might get lost/ misplaced. Your electronic items like mobile, laptop, hard disks etc can get damaged.

At home, mutual trust between siblings, friends, extended family will be low. You might face unpleasant issues caused by them as relationships will show strain. Bitter, illogical arguments are possible so avoid talking about controversial issues or politics. Do not overdo things or react without thinking first, try to be patient. The power to think and the power to act both are affected for everyone. Then traveling will be tiring. Now is not the time to take a vacation or go on a tour. But fit you need to travel, know that there will be delays. Also keep a small first aid kit of medicines with you.  On the health front specifically digestion can get affected. Those suffering from migraines can see an increase. Skin and nervous complaints can get aggravated. If you feel unwell, take proper medical treatment do not postpone going to the doctor.

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Confusions in taking decisions. If possible, always try to finish all major work one week before Mercury goes retrograde. eg shifting house, signing new contracts, new job or appointing new staff, important meetings etc. During a Mercury retrograde, try to stick to the projects which you had started before. There will be issues popping up in these projects, but rather than ditching them try to resolve these issues or wait it out. And this applies to relationships too. If you are in a long-term relationship and feel upset during this retrograde, do not break it off till he resumes his forward movement. Remain patient and try to adjust. In case you meet a potential new partner, romantic or business, during Mercury retrograde, better wait till he goes forward again before committing yourself. Starting any new projects during this period is not good. He will make you re-do them after he goes direct again. At least this time he is retrograde in only one sign Libra. If in case, a planet crosses into another sign while retrograde then all his negative results are intensified. (There are 8 types of planetary movements which I have listed out in this post here.)

If you have your birth Mercury or Mars or Moon in an inauspicious position or your current Dasha/ transits are not favourable, you must take efforts to keep your mood light and happy. Listen to uplifting and relaxing music, Sanskrit shlokas, stotras of your favourite deity, nature sounds etc. Wear clothes of light and bright colors. Keep yourself active but do not overdo it. Do not let your mind get stuck in a rut, if you feel that thoughts are looping in your mind then do something that will break the pattern, avoid over-thinking. Go out for a walk, sit in the fresh air. Try to keep a regular schedule, eat, sleep, work on time. Read light-hearted books or see happy romantic movies if you feel like it. The best way of utilising the energy of the retrograde is to complete any long pending tasks. eg Sorting out old clothes is a good way of utilising Mercury’s organisational skills.

I had written in a recent post that the COVID 19 health issue has stopped its active phase with Rahu/Ketu moving into Taurus/Scorpio. But Mars going retrograde in Aries-Pisces will cause deaths due to misdiagnosis, late diagnosis, carelessness, wrong medicines (intentional or accidental) coupled with human greed and corruption (post here). Intentional misinformation cannot be ruled out in this period. This should get resolved when Mars clearly enters Aries and moves onwards, from Jan 2021. Whenever a planet in retrograde motion enters the earlier sign it causes even more disruptions. So Mars’s current retrograde is rather significant. In this, Mercury too going retrograde will overall worsen the situation. Mercury, if afflicted in any way, always causes problems in medical diagnosis. Mercury being combust by a debilitated Sun means that the people in authority will behave in a high-handed and egoistic manner and might often be wrong. eg If you have your yearly medical check-up coming up, avoid it when Mercury is retrograde or combust. And if you have to get a medical procedure done in this period, opt for a second opinion if possible. In emergencies there is no option, but at least you or your family should recite a small prayer to Mercury before the medical procedure starts.

Now briefly about the Nakshatra, Chitra and Swati. Both are represented by bright single stars in the skies, currently seen on the western horizon after sun-set.

Swati is connected to Rahu and ruled by Vayu. Swati with the retrograde/ combust Mercury will give results somewhat like this. Loss of equilibrium in all ways. The smooth sailing of life will get temporarily turbulent. Medical problems related to the Vaat tendency can be aggravated. Increase in unrealistic materialistic desires and lots of thoughts/ thinking. Mind might desire addictive substances. Increase in aggression which will be primarily directed inwards. Lack of flexibility and compromise in all interactions as selfishness and ruthlessness predominate. Expected achievements will not occur. Losses in financial activities due to unreasonable risks. High degree of restlessness indicated. Avoid blindly following popular trends and mass movements.

Chitra is linked to Mars and its ruler is Tvashta. Chitra with the retrograde/combust Mercury will give these type of results. The systems, laws and the underlying structure within everything will be subject to misinterpretations. More illusions than reality will influence you causing internal frustration. Technical skills will be affected, you might feel like taking short-cuts. Creativity will be stifled. You might feel physically drawn to someone during this period, but this in itself will not be a good foundation for a new long-term relationship. Medicines may cause side-effects. Not a good time for home decoration or buying art/craft. Tact and diplomacy will not be there as imbalance and disharmony exists. If you know some confidential/secret stuff, now is not the time to tell it to anyone. Avoid manipulating others and self-centric behaviour.

Currently Jupiter and Saturn both in transit are in their own houses, so are capable of powerful results. Saturn is beneficial for birth Moon Pisces, Scorpio, Leo till he remains in Capricorn so will help them in several ways. Jupiter in Sagittarius is hemmed by malefics, Saturn and Ketu so is a bit hampered, but still will be of some help. Saturn is aspecting Mercury during this period (23rd Sep to 27th Nov), so lack of confidence while speaking, scattered thoughts, stammering etc will be seen. The act of ‘communication’ will require more effort. You might not want to talk to anyone. Or shut yourself down in personal isolation. Not go out of the house or shut out your loved ones. Saturn is aspecting the retrograde Mars too in this period, adding more negativity to any actions you might take. The power of Passion to Live is retrograde to begin with and also constricted by the nature of Saturn. Getting out of negativity can get difficult. So if you start feeling that it would be good to cut yourself from everything, do reconsider.

Overall this Mercury retrograde/ combust period will be reasonably good for the birth Moon signs Pisces, Leo and Scorpio. The birth Moon signs Aries, Libra, Taurus, Virgo and Gemini need to take care. There might be physical exhaustion and mental stress type of things. The rest of the Birth Moon signs will have an average time. The three Nakshatra, Asleysha, Jeyshtha and Revati are also linked to Mercury’s energies so if your birth Moon is in these you must take adequate care.

Understanding combustion of planets

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Sun is a natural malefic, his energies scorch and dry out. Being too close to this ball of fire is not a pleasant experience. So if planets get too close to the Sun it is called ‘combustion’. 

  • Sun and Moon are the two luminaries of astrology. If Moon gets close to the Sun, it is the no-moon day, Amavasya with very different energies.
  • If Rahu or Ketu get too close to the Sun, it causes eclipses, so again a very different energy. These two are the two completely astral forces represented by the Nodes of the Moon also called Chhaya-graha. 
  • It is when the remaining 5 planets, the Tara-graha, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn get too close to the Sun they are considered to be combust, burnt out and incapable of giving results.

In a birth horoscope if you see a planet is combust do pay attention to what he signifies and how is this energy of combustion going to affect the chart as a whole. 

Sun is the sense of self, self-ego, self-entitlement, all about ‘me’. He doesn’t allow anyone else to share center-stage with him. He is the King, self-referential, self-focussed, royal, not much bothered about others who are his subjects. Combustion is like an eclipse, the Sun eclipses the planet.

The Ascendant and its planetary Lord

If there are combust planets in the birth chart, their effect will last a life time. Check out which houses are owned by the combust planet, these will be adversely affected. Also check the house ruled by the Sun for atypical results.  If the ascendant lord himself is combust the situation is more difficult. Major planets combust or 2 or more planets combust can reduce the longevity. If there are benefic influences on this Sun+planet duo the situation is better. Or if the combustion happens in a house other than the 6th, 8th and 12th houses. Or if the Navamsha provides some better influence. The actual  combustion effect will naturally vary as per the individual chart. As per the Vimshottari Dasha system, the Mahadasha of the planet will not give its expected results, also his sub-periods in other planet’s Mahadashas will be affected. Sun’s Mahadasha will also be atypical as here Sun=Sun+the planet.

When a planet gets too close to the Sun, he is stopped from giving his results independently. He cannot out-shine the Sun. The Sun drowns out his energy with his effulgence. This other planet has to transfer all his essence to the Sun. The Sun dries up this planet and takes on his abilities. So the Sun in such a horoscope will be a Sun tinged with the abilities of this combust planet. Now when you examine the role of the Sun in this chart, you have to think of him as Sun+planet.

Eg Let’s check out the combustion of Mercury in detail.

Mercury being so close to the Sun will be combust in about 25% of the horoscopes. So what happens is that the Sun will draw up all the power of Mercury to give results. It is like he will evaporate Mercury’s essence. The closer he is, more intense is the evaporation. All keywords of Mercury are now appropriated by the Sun. The Sun will decide how to use them. The separate agency called “Mercury’ has stopped existing. So if you have such a Sun in your horoscope, all your Mercury related abilities will be diverted only for your selfish and self-oriented purposes. Mercury is a very important planet, the son of the Moon. Thinking ability, way of thinking, using the memories and data available in your astral self, direction of thought, skills, networking, financial ability, speech, creation of options, boldness to act, siblings, trades, etc. All this will be directed to the self. You will not bother about others while using your Mercury talents. eg You can hurt others with your speech and not be even aware of it or lying is easy if you consider it necessary for your own needs. Mercury controls teamwork, so you fail at this miserably, you cannot work in a group nor can you listen to other’s opinions. Having a good time with siblings and brothers can be impossible. Getting others to cooperate with you can be difficult and you feel that you don’t need their help. But it doesn’t work like that in real life. Everything we do, we need some help from others. The self-ego blinds the analytical processes. Over-confidence and then problems are quite common with this placement. You might waste energy in projects which are logically unable to succeed. This false sense of self-ego over-shadows the intellect. 

And strangely in the background there is low self-esteem too. The planet knows that he has been destroyed by the harshness of the Sun, so exists in a highly uncomfortable state. The Sun is a natural malefic, remember! He feels a mix of defeat, fear, debilitation, inferiority, he is sitting with a malefic and just wants to die! Thus you feel a inner sense of inferior in the matters indicated by the planet. But there is the overshadowing self-referential influence of the Sun. So this mix turns into a superficial exaggerated bravado in the matters controlled by Mercury. You internally know that all your Mercury abilities are hollow but you cannot stop yourself from projecting that you are superior in their context. It can get quite mixed.

You succeed in those aspects of life where you are required to work alone and you need the talents of Mercury. So look for such avenues to make the most of your combust Mercury + Sun power.

Be kind.. to yourself

In transit also planets will get combust, so it is advisable to pay attention to the activities of the planet under combustion. Different planets get combust at varying distances from the Sun. But especially when the distance between it and the Sun reduces to less than 3deg 20minutes arc length (ie one Nakshatra pada distance) be very careful.

So in periods where the planets are combust you will see the following trends around you. Almost everyone will display the change caused by combust planets in transit.

Mercury combust – loss of cooperation, failure of teamwork, self-ego ruining logical plans, faulty conclusions from data because of misplaced confidence, financial markets going down because of over-inflated data. Everyone thinks for him alone.

Venus combust – self-ego wants to be entertained, movies theatres games etc make a profit, failure in personal relationships as both partners become more selfish, legal issues crop up because business partners do not want to share profits equitably, spiritual progress goes slower as individual-ego pops up as you sit for Dhyan. Everyone wants to relate to his own person, do what makes him happy.

Mars combust – personal vitality comes in focus, physical aggression, competitions, rash driving, exaggerated over-confidence, strong belief in one’s competitive abilities. Everyone will fight for what he wants. However as Mars and Sun are buddies, you can make good use of this time to aggressively and competitively progress in some way or the other. However remember that aggression should be directed away from the family/husband/wife/children.

Jupiter combust – there is a crisis of belief, the self-ego dominates the philosophy, is an atheist, doesn’t believe in a higher self, fails to perform the necessary rituals and things connected to eternal religion, are self-guided, do not think that they need guidance from their peers/teachers. Everyone will follow his own personal belief.

Saturn combust – this is potentially highly problematic placement. Sun is Saturn’s father and they do not get along at all. Laziness, procrastination, misplaced belief in one’s abilities, irregular working style, luck, money and social reputation are all affected adversely. Everyone will think that their work alone is perfect.

Combustion in transit affects everyone together as a mass. So before combustion season starts its good to be aware of what is in the offing and be prepared for a over-load of Sun’s scorching energy.

There is an interesting astronomical fact here. Exact combustion is when the planet and the Sun share the exact degree. Here the inner planets, Venus and Mercury can be seen on the disc of the Sun as black dots (superior combustion) or they can disappear behind the Sun’s disc (inferior combustion). The outer planets Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can only disappear behind the Sun’s disc. Practically it does not make a significant difference in the readings.

Just remember that the planet gets absorbed in the Sun. The Sun becomes a complex Sun+planet combine. The abilities conferred by the planet don’t vanish but are used as per the direction of the Sun. So do not ignore combustion, either in birth charts or in transit, it has very significant effects on us.

 

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