nakshatra

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.

Sasa yog, Saturn in 2020-2025, spiritual aspects

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Sasa yog is one of the Panchapurush yog also called the Pancha-Mahapurush yog.

  • It occurs when Saturn is in Libra (his sign of exaltation), Capricorn or Aquarius (own signs) and also lies in the 1st, 4th, 7th or 10th house of the birth chart.
  • It will get cancelled if Saturn is conjunct Ketu or if Jupiter is conjunct Saturn in the chart.

Obviously this is a rather rare planetary combination, but for the next 5yrs Saturn is going to transit Capricorn and Aquarius. He enters Capricorn in Jan 2020 and exits Aquarius in Mar 2025. So for about 30% of the babies born during this period, Saturn can give his Sasa yog results (subject to the conditions). The power of the Sasa yog will depend on the power of the Saturn (refer the Navamsha and the Ashtakvarga tables). Some of these babies will be quite extraordinary on the spiritual front and some of them will be evidently different on the material fronts too.

Saturn in his own sign or his sign of exaltation is capable of giving extraordinary results. The 1st house represents the rising degree, 10th house is the degree at the zenith, 7th house is the degree of the zodiac which is setting and 4th house is the degree at the nadir at the time of your birth. These 4 positions release tremendous amounts of energies. Each of of these houses is a part the Dharma trikon, Moksh trikon, Kama trikon and Artha trikon respectively. Saturn in his own sign or sign of exhalation in these houses at birth, will create extraordinary individuals with special responsibilities. This is the real meaning of the Sasa yog.

Normally these 4 positions correspond to sunrise, mid-day, sunset and mid-night. The sunrise, midday and sunset are called the tri/ three-sandhya periods where everyone is required to do Gayatri mantra jaap. The midnight is a sandhya of the highest intensity, only genuine spiritual aspirants will use the energies of the midnight.

Saturn is the son of Sun and his wife Chhaya. The Sun has two wives, Sanjana/Usha the energy of dawn and Chhaya the energy of the dusk. His son by Sanjana is Yama, he controls the Pirtulok and supervises the karmic work which we are required to perform when we live as spirits in the Pitrulok. His son by Chhaya is Shani/Saturn, he supervises our karmic work when we are born on the Martyalok ie Earth.

Saturn is deepest understanding of karma, the disciplined work needed to rebalance the karmic bindings. The solidification of the divine spark/ Sun/ individual soul. Saturn is linked to the Pruthvi mahabhoot. He linked to the conscious energies of the Mooladhar chakra, he is survival. He is responsible for the endurance of the Sthool sharir, the physical body, the anna-mai-kosh. He regulates the society and the environment that one lives and works in. He is the Father who teaches you how to live and flourish in the world (especially if you were born after sunset and before sunrise). The auspiciousness of material stuff in life needs a strong Saturn in the horoscope. Transits of Saturn are necessary to time important events like prizes, jobs, marriage and conception of children. He is fair, patient, disciplined and helps you unravel the bindings of your own karma. His role in the horoscope is very important. Most people are scared of Saturn and rightly so. He is responsible for so much that if he goes inauspicious, crucial things in our lives will go wrong.

Saturn’s real nature is actually quite esoteric. If you think deeply, what is the innermost deepest goal of life and the act of living? It is to experience, transcend and finally to observe. This is the real job that Shani performs. He ensures that you systematically experience, transcend and then finally become the Sakshi. He represents the laying of the bindings of ignorance and also release by realisation of inner knowledge. His names are Shani, Manda, Mrutyunjai, Mahakaal, Mahagraha, Kaalpurush, Kroorgraha, Brahmamaya, Toya, Bhishma, Krishna, Kala-jnya, Krusha-tanu, Sananda, Kala-krut, Yogeshwar, Kala-atmanah, Siddheshwar, Vaam-drashta, Vakra, Ati-kroor, Rashinaath, Rashigaya, Rashibhokta, Rashibhramankarana, Sameer, Yamagraj, Tvashtha, Sangharaka Rahu-sakha etc. These are all Sanskrit words so are definitions not just plain names. These define Saturn’s nature in detail.

Sasa yog, Saturn in 2020-2025, spiritual aspects

As per the texts, Sasa yog is supposed to make one a king, a minister, a military general, wanderer of the hills and the woods, cruel natured, bountiful, can defraud others, spirited, devoted to the mother, brave etc. But these are literal translations of the Sanskrit shlokas. Devbhasha Samskrutam is a palimpsest, there are deeper meanings always. As we cannot read it or understand the original words now, we have to use logic and practical experience in understanding these astrological combinations. Sasa yog opens a direct channel to the flow of divine inspiration into the person. And this energy is put to work, it is utilised very intensely in the spiritual plane. This person’s ego is astrologically and psychologically different. There is a high degree of individuality, self-assurance, quiet confidence, inner potential and untapped power, this does reflect on the material planes too. But the real effect of the Sasa yog are always on the inner psychic levels.

The Sasa yog is possible only with the following ascendant signs and in these positions,

  • Aries – Libra is the 7th house
  • Taurus – Aquarius is the 10th house. (Saturn is Yogkarak for Taurus ascendant so very auspicious.)
  • Cancer – Libra as 4th house, Capricorn as 7th house
  • Leo – Aquarius is 7th house
  • Libra – Libra is the 1st house, Capricorn is 4th house (Saturn is Yogkarak for Libra ascendant so very auspicious. One of my brothers, Swapnil has this. He is probably the most balanced man I know. And most importantly he is willing to be happy in everything and in every situation.)
  • Scorpio – Aquarius is 4th house
  • Capricorn – Capricorn is 1st house (a young man, practically family, has this)
  • Aquarius – Aquarius is 1st house

For analysing the Sasa yog in depth we have to look into the Nakshatra/ lunar mansions involved. Their characteristics and ruling deities will influence the Saturn in very deep ways. If you analyse this the planets connected to these Naksahtras are Mars, Rahu, Jupiter and Sun/Moon. Their Nakshatra devata are also quite typical. Also their symbols are quite symbolic.

Libra consists of – last 2 of the 4 quarters of Chitra, entire Swati and the first 3 of the 4 quarters of Vishakha.

  • Chitra – This is ruled by Tvashtra and carries the influences of Mars. Tvashtra is basically the DNA, your internal architect. DNA is a highly cryptic molecule and its structure etc can be manipulated by the use of Mantras. Evolution is always internal as your mantra jaap actually changes your DNA. Mars is again the pran/vital energy directed by Saturn.
  • Swati – This is ruled by Maruta and influenced by Rahu. Marut are the conscious energies of pran/vital energies. Rahu is desire for experience. Under the influence of Saturn, Rahu’s wild leaps are contained and his mindless desires are regulated. The energy of desire is a powerful tool and Saturn uses it well. The pran are channelised and the Rahu-desire is turned towards Realisation.
  • Vishakha – Its nakshatra devata is Agni and associated with Jupiter. Agni is the power of motion. Jupiter is the energy which provides Agni its fuel. Humility and an appreciation of the lower classes (Saturn’s folks) reduces self-centred behaviour and selfishness. Jupiter’s traits of universal inclusion, benevolence, kindness and real knowledge is ignited by the influence of Agni which finally results in Illumination.

Capricorn consists of – 3 of the 4 quarters of Uttara-ashadha, entire Shravan and 2/4 Dhanishtha.

  • Uttarashadha – Ruled by Vishvedeva and the Sun. This grants inner humility. A sense of the immenseness of the energies pervading the universes and later the immensity of the Soul. The individual soul is granted a glimpse of the Ultimate and if the rest of the horoscope permits is allowed Moksh. The hidden qualities of the ego are allowed expression.
  • Shravan – Ruled by the Nakshatra deity Vishnu and linked to the Moon. Intensely sensitive, intuitive, receptive, willing to learn/the perfect disciple, harmony with the inner self seen at the third eye/ Ajnya chakra, able to hear the inner Anahata-nada/Om, a capacity to control the lower chakras in sadhana, inwardly able to restrain his organs of sense/action.
  • Dhanishtha – Ruled by the eight Vasu-s and Mars. The eight Vasu-s are part of your own body (post here).  Removal of imperfections thus individual soul realises the Ultimate. The expansion of the limited consciousness. Dhanishtha is represented by the Mrudunga, a drum which continually emits the sound of Om.

Aquarius consists of – remaining 2/4 Dhanishtha, entire Shatataraka and 3/4 Poorva-bhadrapada.

  • Shatataraka – Ruled by Varun and Rahu. Varun is the ruler of the cosmic waters (Jivan or life) and Rahu is again the energy of desire. The flow of experience is restricted by Saturn as the desire to dive in deep exists. Emotionally controlled. Valuing truth and selfless-service. Interested in metaphysics desires to solve the puzzle of life, fearless. Saturn gives structure to these energies and finally he gets to the bottom of things and eventually understands creation in its entirety.
  • Poorvabhadrapada – Ruled by Aja-ek-pada and linked to Jupiter. This deity can be roughly understood as the ’unborn singular time/space’. Jupiter and Saturn together bring in the detachment of Sanyas, devotion, hope and luck. Impartial, logical, clever, visionary, imaginative and a fighter with spiritual depths.

Sasa yog, Saturn in 2020-2025, spiritual aspects

The outward characteristics of Sasa yog can be a bit disconcerting as the person might come across as dominating, self-assertive, unbending, rigid, etc. Much will depend on the ascendant sign, the ascendant lord, the birth Moon. Then the sign /house in which such a Saturn is placed/ aspecting is important. This is a very general reading,

  • If the Sasa yog Saturn is in the 1st house, then there is a restriction on the creation of new karma and the illusion of duality is exposed (he restricts the 3rd house). There is disinterest in marriage and often these might prefer remaining single (aspect on the 7th house). The personality is rigid, self-confident, powerful and purposeful. Can adopt unconventional means to achieve his ends. Later the life purpose is directed away from the material to the spiritual as contentment in life is denied (aspect on 10th house).
  • Saturn in the 4th house with Sasa yog, reduces the impact of enemies and other difficulties represented by the 6th house. It often gives a rather ruthless nature as he would like to do things his own way. In the profession and the social arena he will be considered to be dominating (aspect on 10th house). Saturn’s real nature is to slowly consume the energies of the individual self and to illuminate the Ultimate (aspect on 1st house). This change is not really pleasant but the personality accepts it as it knows internally that this is for the good.
  • If Saturn is in the 7th house, with Sasa yog he creates disinterest in the marriage and often gives restrictions in business. He aspects the 9th house so grants dissatisfaction with outward religion, such a person may travel extensively searching for inner peace. His aspect on the 1st house will disconnect from his personality and fruits of the same and with time this leads to destruction of the individual ego.
  • Saturn in the 10th house. Here the individual’s life purpose is directed towards divine fulfilment. The Sasa yog actively creates disenchantment with marriage, reduces interest in intimacy with another person. Loss of the material linked to the gain of the spiritual is destined here. Emotional upheavals are restricted and the person might even appear to be hard-hearted. There may be a restlessness and there would be journeys in search for the spiritual. Later he may realise the futility of material stuff and find internal peace.

The primary function of the Sasa yog is to create a personality which is driven to spiritual growth using the highest essence of Saturn’s energies in its evolution. For this the material life is often outwardly hard and tends to rip off the illusions. This process can be painful but the personality welcomes the pain as it knows that the inner reality is something very different.

Sasa yog, Saturn in 2020-2025, spiritual aspects

Kaalchakra Dasha, Deha Jiv, Gemini-Sagittarius

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The Dasha systems are necessary to time events in astrology. I have written several posts on the Vimshottari Dasha. It is the first Dasha system taught to students, there is a lot of material and research on Vimshottari, it is the easiest to understand and is accurate. But there are more Dasha systems which are applicable in certain cases. A professional astrologer has to be familiar with at least 3-4 Dasha systems.

The Kaalchakra dasha system gives very accurate results for everyone at all times if the accurate birth details are known. I know most of my readers have not learnt Kaalchakra or perhaps not even heard about it, but writing this post in the hope that someone might be inspired to read and learn it eventually. (If you intend to learn Kaal chakra Dasha refer to the book by Shakti Mohan Singh, it gives the correct method of calculating stuff.)

The Deha and Jiv rashi concept is one of the unique features in the Kaalchakra Dasha. Even without learning the entire Kaalchakara Dasha system you can use this concept and it will give you one more tool to cross-check your predictions or make sense of what is happening to you at the moment.

Open your Vedic astrology software (any software will do), check that the Ayanamsha is Chitrapaksha – Lahiri, then input your birth time and location. Note your birth Moon’s position, ie his Nakshatra/ lunar mansion and its quarter/ pad. Now refer to the table below. There are two types of signs mentioned against your birth Moon’s Nakshatra quarter. ‘Deha’ and ‘Jiv’ signs. Deha means the body. Jiv means the individual soul.

Nakshatra Quarter Deha Jiva
GROUP 1

Ashwini

Krutika

Punarvasu

Ashlesha

Hasta

Swati

Moola

Uttarashadha

Purvabhadrapada

Revati

 First Aries Sagittarius
Second Capricorn Gemini
Third Taurus Gemini
Fourth Cancer Pisces
GROUP 2

Bharani

Pushya

Chitra

Purvashadha

Uttarabhadrapada

 First Scorpio Pisces
Second Aquarius Virgo
Third Libra Virgo
Fourth Cancer Sagittarius
GROUP 3

Rohini

Magha

Vishakha

Shravan

 First Cancer Sagittarius
Second Libra Virgo
Third Aquarius Virgo
Fourth Scorpio Pisces
GROUP 4

Mruga

Aradra

Purvaphalguni

Uttaraphalguni

Anuradha

Jeyshtha

Dhanishtha

Shatataraka

 First Cancer Pisces
Second Taurus Gemini
Third Capricorn Gemini
Fourth Aries Sagittarius

These two signs, Deha and Jiv, are the most sensitive signs in your birth chart. Locate them in your birth chart, see the influences on them. If there are any planets placed in them at birth they will give rather intense and sudden results. Benefic planets influencing them will indicate sudden rise in life and malefic planets influencing them will indicate sudden distress. If there are no planets placed in these signs at birth it is relatively a better situation as there are fewer unexpected changes in life. Too many changes in life, even if they are auspicious, tend to disrupt the smooth flow of the life experience and need to be navigated with care.

The Deha sign is linked to your body, the physical environment and the material stuff.

  • If there are malefics here at birth then one should be careful when these connected planet’s Vimshottari dasha-s change. This Dasha change period makes the body most susceptible to ill-health. If you have learnt to use the Kaalchakra system then you should keep track of the Deha sign periods and be careful accordingly.
  • Malefic influences on the Deha sign in transit will almost always give sudden illness. Depending on what kind of planet and which sign is involved you can predict the type and intensity of illness.
  • Benefics naturally will give pleasing results, good health, mental and emotional happiness in the time periods controlled by them and these signs. But no one comes to the astrologer to know why he is having a good time. They will come to ask when the good times will come, for this you can look up the future transits and analyse.

Jiv sign is linked to the individual soul, karmic bindings, mental and emotional stuff. It indicates the issues of the individual soul very deeply. eg Moon under stress can cause emotional breakdown but an malefic affliction to the Jiv sign can cause the person to be in the depths of despair, the soul itself is in torment, which will not be visible to others around him.

  • Malefic influences here at birth will make the person labour under a burden of the soul throughout life. There is an underlying despondency and an overall listlessness.
  • Malefic transits over this sign can cause intense trauma to the soul. A dark night of the soul type of trauma. Mental anguish, depression, isolation, betrayal, abandonment by the loved ones, separations etc are very common results during this period.
  • Benefics involved here will also give sudden changes but these will be naturally auspicious and supportive in nature.

If both the Deha and Jiv signs are afflicted by malefics in the birth chart, this lowers the quality of the horoscope. Such a person should perform remedial measures, do a regular spiritual practice or at least some mantra jaap regularly to keep his body and soul in balance. If both the Deha and Jiv signs have benefics placed in them at birth these will give auspicious results but life will be quite happening with sudden rises happening frequently. This is also can become a disruptive thing if the personality is unable to rapidly adjust to the sudden rise in fortunes.

During the transits of the nine planets, it is natural that sometimes they will transit over the Deha and Jiva signs both. ie both these signs will have some planet transiting over them. These times in life will be rather happening and there will be sudden changes depending on the natures of the planets transiting. If two or more malefics transit these signs then expect severe stress. In case the malefic influence is very severe, it can manifest as temporary separation or death of relatives, loss of job, loss of wealth or ill-health. This period is invariably very dangerous for the person’s body, mind and soul. He should be prepared for rough times ahead. If several malefics including Rahu/ Ketu are involved they can also cause physical death. If these transiting planets are benefics then they will give sudden changes in life but these will be agreeable changes and ‘sudden rise’. If there is a mix of malefic and benefic influences transiting the Deha and Jiva signs, then the results will also be mixed.

And one more simple way of using the Deha and Jiva concept. Locate these two signs, Deha and Jiva in your birth horoscope.

  • If either of these signs fall in your 6th, 8th or 12th houses, you should beware of sudden changes in life which lead to turmoil.
  • In case these signs fall in the Kendra (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th) houses or the Kona (5th, 9th) houses they will give sudden changes in life but they will be for your good.

Venus and Mars placed in the 8th house

Now let’s do a small practical. Right now (Nov 2019 to Jan 2020) Sagittarius – Gemini is going through a lot. Such events are perfect study periods for Jyotish.

Tally this Deha and Jiv concept with what has just happened and is still happening in Sagittarius. Sagittarius is, as it is, one of the most happening signs of the zodiac. During Nov 2019 to Jan 2020 things have been even more happening in transit for Sagittarius. So many planets together, the slowest trio, Saturn + Ketu + Jupiter together, total solar eclipse, combust Jupiter, combust Mercury, combust Saturn, a total solar eclipse, Rahu/ Ketu nodes in forward motion almost stationary etc. A huge burst of energy, malefics and benefics all mixed up.

People born with their birth Moon in the following Nakshatra+pad will be suffering because their Jiva sign is Sagittarius. Refer to the table above, Sagittarius can only be a Jiv sign for anyone born in the,

  • first quarter of the nakshatras at group (1) of this table.
  • fourth quarter/pad of the nakshatras listed in group (2).
  • first quarter of the nakshatra listed at group (3)
  • fourth quarter of nakshatra at group (4).

Almost all of these individuals will go through an intense period of soul searching and mental anguish during the period Nov 2019 to Jan 2020.

The next high voltage sign would be Gemini which is in 7/7 axis with Sagittarius. Gemini too is facing the brunt of the energies being released in Sagittarius and a small penumbral lunar eclipse coming up on 10th Jan 2020. So people with Gemini as their Jiv sign – Group 1 nakshatra= birth in second or third quarter or Group 4 nakshatra = birth in third or fourth quarter are also going through their version of sudden events. If you have anyone around you with any of the above birth Moon nakshtra-quarter, observe him/ her analytically.

The effectiveness of signs (this post) is a very important part of astrological analysis. Focussing only on the planets we forget that the signs and also the houses are equally important. Sagittarius and Gemini are the signs of surprises, the highest energy signs. The periods controlled by these are often full of action. The houses they are placed in, show quick moving events (even Vimshottari dasha is to be analysed on these lines, posts here). Now these two signs are the axis of an energy maelstrom. And the worst part is that the individual has no control over these events or his response to these events. It is like being caught in this whirlpool of events and trying to keep oneself above water.

If you look at the current situation, there are so many planets in Sagittarius, Rahu in Gemini, Moon transits fast at 2.25days/sign, Mars is in Scorpio and Venus in Capricorn. January end will bring some respite to the beleaguered Sagittarius-Gemini axis when Saturn moves out into Capricorn. Jupiter can then try to repair the damage by adding his dose of hope and philosophy. But Ketu will add his own mix of spirituality into the repair work. Interesting times in any case.

 

How to plan your day using Nakshatra

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Newspapers have a section for daily astrological predictions which most of us read very avidly every morning. But have you wondered how these are calculated? Here is an easy method which you can use to gain an insight into your day today.

Vedic astrology is about the Nakshatra, the 27 lunar mansions. The lunar mansion in which your birth Moon was placed is quite important. This indicates your mind-set programmed at birth. Open any Vedic software and put in your birth details, check your Moon Nakshatra also called the Janma/birth Nakshatra and read on.

  • Suppose your birth Moon Nakshatra is Rohini.
  • Check the Nakshatra which the current Moon is transiting in today. Check it for the sunrise time. Suppose it is Chitra for today.
  • Count from Rohini to Chitra both inclusive, it comes to 11.
  • Use this formula: (Count) X 7 / 9
  • Here in our example it will be 11 X 7 / 9
  • The Quotient is 8, we are not bothered about the Quotient, discard it
  • The Remainder is 5, we use this figure further like this,

This remainder figure will give you the following indications,

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Remainder = 1 Saturn will influence your day. You might be over worked. The day will be busy in a tiring way. You might miss your lunch-break. Emotionally disturbed with anxiety and nervousness is possible. Or you might need to take your parents to the doctor today. So plan your day properly and try to stick to your schedules. Saturn likes routine and work, so be prepared.

Remainder = 2 Jupiter will influence your day. There is a possibility of monetary gains. Your day will be busy but in a nice way. You might meet people you like talking to, or learn/read something new, or teach something interesting. Might go to a temple or do a good deed today. Good time spent with the family or spouse or elders or people whom you respect. Overall a nice day.

Remainder = 3 Mars will influence your day. You might end up arguing with someone. Be careful driving, you might see accidents on the road. Or get cut or injured while working. Interaction with the police or authorities is possible. You might argue with your siblings/brothers. Your temper may be at the tipping point today so be aware. If you can divert your Martian energy in some sensible way do it first thing in the morning, eg go to the gym.

Remainder = 4 Sun will influence your day. Some typical results will be conflicts created out of self-ego and selfish behaviour. Self-opinions will matter more than coming to a mutually favourable compromise. Can result in overheating or headaches, pitta can go out of balance. If you can put your self-ego aside and focus on the more creative and intelligent facets of the Sun, you can function better today. To unwind try spending time with your children today.

Remainder = 5 Rahu will influence your day. A disturbed schedule today. Arguments are possible, you might be bothered by cheats or persistent salesmen. Avoid taking decisions about major deals or finances today, avoid speculation. Do not try to misguide or cheat someone else too. Sleep might be disturbed and bad dreams are possible. So be on guard today. If you can light one sesame-oil lamp in front of your puja ghar/altar before leaving for the day it can balance out the Rahu-energy. You will be high on energy today, jus remember to use it after consulting your own conscience.

Remainder = 6 Venus will influence your day so a good day can be expected. Office work will be good. Pleasure in relationships. Either with your loved one or in your spiritual practices. You might go shopping, new clothes or cosmetics or on a date or a movie. Read a nice book or buy something which makes you happy even it its as simple as an ice-cream. You may gain in financial transactions and speculations. Try to make the most of your day.

Remainder = 7 Mercury will influence your day. Will be a good time to be creative or learn some skills. Reading or writing is possible. You might get some financial benefits, so can consider investing in stocks etc. May go out with siblings/friends or a short journey is possible. Avoid letting small issues become bigger, use your good humour and willingness to negotiate. Teamwork and communication will be good. Try to make the most of it.

Remainder = 8 Moon will influence your day. You might have good interactions with your mother or aunts. If your boss is a woman you can ask her for that raise today. New things can be initiated, new business or buying a new house or a car. You will have a good time with your family in your house. A good night’s rest and relaxation. Overall the day will be good use it constructively.

Remainder = 0 Ketu will influence your day today. Be careful about whom you meet with today, read your office papers before signing them. You might be absent minded at work today which can cause confusion and issues. There is less interest in materialistic things. But if you pay attention this day can go quite well with religious or spiritual overtones. If you can visit the temple or do some spiritual activity before you leave for office this Ketu energy will be balanced out.

Now sometimes your daily horoscope in the newspaper says that the day will be better after the evening. This is also easy to see. If the currently transiting Moon changes his Naksahtra in the evening, the calculation can be redone to get a new remainder. Eg if the remainder was 1 for the morning’s transit Nakshatra the dominant energy was Saturn. Suppose the Moon shifted to the next Nakshatra in the evening, and suppose the remainder became 2 ie Jupiter dominated. So the energy around you will shift from Saturn-dominant to Jupiter-dominant. Obviously your evening onwards time will be more relaxed than the morning time!

This is based on your birth Moon nakshatra and the transiting Moon’s nakshatra. This calculation will reflect your perceptions. If you are aware of how your emotional context changes, you can control your perceptions. This decides how you react to the issues which you face through out the day. Use Astrology as a tool in your hands to live a happier and more balanced life.

 

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Naming your baby, the astrologic twists and turns..

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Being blessed with a baby is a life-time event. When you hold your bundle of joy in your arms you know that your life has changed for ever. You are now a mother/father and you feel all the happiness, responsibility and it’s a mixture of emotions!

After the baby is born, the most important question becomes naming him/her. The 12th day of life is when the baby is named, the Namkaran Sanskar. Here almost everyone in the family jumps in with a name, right from the grandparents to the uncle/aunts to the brothers/sisters of the baby, everyone wants their choice of the name to be given to the baby. But luckily we have Jyotish and the astrologers. By invoking their authority the parents can avoid the more out-landish names and at least choose one of their choice!

The baby is to be named on the basis of the Nakshatra occupied by the Moon at the time of birth. It is no big deal, this table below is available everywhere. So why this post? And why refer to an actual astrologer? The table is quite clear. But have you seen the alphabets? Eg if the Moon’s nakshatra is Ashwini you have a choice between the starting sounds ‘chu, che, cho, laa’. Rather difficult to find names beginning with these!

But apart from these literary problems there are more serious reasons why you should not directly copy paste from the table.

Naming your baby, the astrologic twists and turns..

You should not name your child as per the Moon’s nakshatra syllables if….

The Moon occupies a dushamsthan, ie if he is in the 6th , 8th or 12th houses in the birth horoscope. (Some astrologers will also consider the 3rd house to be equally bad). A Moon in a dushamsthan is already under stress. The baby will be suffering losses, catastrophic changes, demands for service, medical conditions etc linked to the Moon’s agents. If you name him as per the Moon’s nakshtra it will amplify the effects on him/her.

If the Moon is conjunct malefic planets or heavily aspected by malefics. The Moon is unable to give his full benefic effect. The malefics restrict him and there will be issues related to the Moon’s agents in life.

The Moon is under a heavy influence of the Gandant placement. Here the Gandant effect is going to affect the baby’s early childhood, so avoid naming him/ her with the same syllables.

Now find out the father’s and the mother’s birth Moon sign. You already know the baby’s. See if there is a 6/8 axis operating between the baby’s and the mothers’ birth moon signs. And also is there is a 6/8 adversarial axis between baby and the dad. (Good astrologers will also check the 2/12 axis) Eg. Baby has Aries moon, mother has Pisces moon and father has Virgo moon. So baby-mother is 2-12 axis and baby-father is 6/8 axis. As it is the child is going to have a slightly antagonistic relationship with the parents, more with the father than the mother, because of this placement. The emotional understanding between them will be slightly off. They might feel a bit emotionally uncomfortable with each other. It is not a problem as such but a slight under-current will exist. To reduce this effect, if you wish, avoid keeping the baby’s name from his moon Nakshatra syllables.

(eg recently a baby was born in my family. The best name for the child had a 5/9 axis with the father and a 6/8 with the mother. This was considered acceptable as the child would have a great relationship with one parent and a generally average relationship with the other.)

So if not the Moon’s nakshatra then which one? Here are the options,

1. The Nakshatra of the rising degree. Eg if the rising degree is 2deg Aries, it is in Ashwini nakshatra. So you are basically enhancing the energy of the rising degree /ascendant degree. However if the ascendant sign/1st house is suffering from highly malefic influences then avoid this one too.

2. The Nakshatra of the atmakarak planet. For this, check which planet has the highest number of degrees in the chart. ie which planet as advanced maximum into his sign. Use the syllables of the Nakshatra that this planet is placed in. Again avoid this if there are malefic influences on it or it is a functional malefic.

3. Finally the last option, choose the Yogkarak planet’s Nakshatra. Or the Nakshatra of the ascendant lord as he is the other best benefic planet for the chart.

And if possible give him/her a name which has a meaning in itself. Ie a name derived from Sanskrit. It is his own personal mantra, so let it be a word of inherent power.

(If you are an advanced student and can check out the Ashtak-varga table. Or can read the Strengths of the planets, the Bala. Then you can use the strongest planet from these tables if they suit. Choose the name using the Nakshatra of this planet. But remember whichever planet you use, you are enhancing its power in the chart. So choose carefully)

Naming your baby, the astrologic twists and turns..

There is another thing, to avoid any family member feeling upset, the parents let everyone name their baby, so at the end of the naming ceremony there are 3-4 names tagged to the baby. The parents then finalise the name when the kid is registered in school. This is a waste of the power generated during the naming ceremony rituals. It is a Naamkaran sanskar, compulsory for Hindus. Choose one name and give it to the baby with all the intention and power generated in the ceremony. Don’t let your relatives overpower!

Now, you are grown up and you realise that the name you are given does not resonate with your horoscope. There are two options, one is to change your name which might be a complicated legal process. Second is to choose a nick-name starting from the appropriate syllable. Do as you feel is convenient. But when you choose your new name, do this small exercise. Write your name 108 times on a piece of paper with full concentration and intention. The name change will be more auspicious.

A name is power. Your mom calls you by your diminutive names but when she really wants your attention she uses your full name. And the effect is electrifying, you get all alert and ready for what will come next.

So I guess the poet was wrong when he said that ‘a rose by any name!’.

(So whoever asked the question in the contact form, Yes names are important on the spiritual front too and all the best and blessings for your baby.)

No 

Nakshatra

First Letter of Baby’s Name

1 

Ashwini अश्विनि

Chu, Che, Cho, La चु, चे, चो, ला

2 

Bharani भरणी

Lee, Lu, Le, Lo ली, लू, ले, लो

3 

Krutika कृत्तिका

A, E, U, Ea अ, ई, उ, ए

4

Rohini  रोहिणी

O, Va, Vi, Vu ओ, वा, वी, वु

5 

Mrugashirsha  मृगशीर्ष

We Wo, Ka, Ki वे, वो, का, की

6 

Aardra आर्द्रा

Ku, Gha, Ing, chh कु, घ, ङ, छ

7 

Punarvasu पुनर्वसु

Ke, Ko, Ha, Hi के, को, हा, ही

8 

Pushya पुष्य

Hu, He, Ho, Da हु, हे, हो, डा

9

Ashlesha आश्लेषा

De, Du, De, Do डी, डू, डे, डो

10 

Magha मघा

Ma, Me, Mu, Me मा, मी, मू, मे

11 

PoorvaPhalguni पूर्वफाल्गुनी

Mo, Ta, Ti, Tu मो, टा, टी, टू

12 

Uttraphalguni उत्तरफाल्गुनी

To, Pa, Pe, Pu टो, पा, पी, पू

13 

Hasta हस्त

Pu, Sha, Na, Tha पू, ष, ण, ठ

14 

Chitra चित्रा

Pe, Po, Ra, Re पे, पो, रा, री

15

Swati  स्वाति

Ru, Re, Ro, Taa रू, रे, रो, ता

16 

Vishakha विशाखा

Ti, TU, Tea To ती, तू, ते, तो

17

Anuradha अनुराधा

Na, Ne, Nu, Ne ना, नी, नू, ने

18 

Jyeshta ज्येष्ठा

No, Ya Yi, Yu नो, या, यी, यू

19

Moola मूल

Ye, Yo, Ba, Be ये, यो, भा, भी

20  

Poorvashadha पूर्वाषाढ़ा

Bhu, Dha, pha Dha भू, धा, फा, ढा

21

Uthrashaada उत्तराषाढ़ा

Bhe, Bho, Ja, Ji भे, भो, जा, जी

22

Shravan श्रवण

khi, khu, khe, kho खी, खू, खे, खो

23

Dhanishtha धनिष्ठा

Ga, Gi, Gu, Ge गा, गी, गु, गे

24 

Shatataraka शततारका

Go, Sa, Si, Su गो, सा, सी, सू

25

Poorvabhadrapada पूर्वभाद्रपदा

Se, So, Da, Di से, सो, दा, दी

26

Uttrabhadrapada उत्तरभाद्रपदा

Du, tha, Jha, Njya  दू, थ, झ, ञ

27

Revati रेवती

De, Do, Cha, Chi दे, दो, च, ची

Naming your baby, the astrologic twists and turns..

(A personal experience, my name is quite long, Tejaswini. It was given to me by my Guru. He did the Naamkaran when I was a baby. But because it was so long my family members rarely called me by the full name, they used a diminutive. Later when I grew up, I faced some problems in my spiritual practice. So my Guru was like eyes rolled up, exasperated, ‘no one calls you by your given name! How do you expect to succeed?’ So then I got everyone to call me by my given name and a lot of things fell into place! The name does carry power.)