Mars Transit in Ashwini

Ashwini is the first nakshatra. Ketu rules it, the Ashwini Kumaras are its deities, and its symbol is a horse's head. It lies wholly in Aries, Mars's own sign, and Ketu acts like Mars, so the graha meets a lord of its own nature. Speed, healing and the beginning of things are the themes.

Mars stays about two and a half weeks. Effort comes quickly and wants an immediate result. The Ashwini Kumaras are physicians, so surgery, emergency care and physical training respond well. Brothers and younger colleagues become active, and land matters move fast.

Haste is the risk. Ketu's part in Ashwini gives a sudden quality and Mars adds heat, and head injuries, burns and cuts are the classical warnings for Mars in Aries. From the Moon, Aquarius, Scorpio and Gemini have Mars in the third, sixth and eleventh, the houses Phaladeepika names as favourable. They gain courage, victory over rivals and income.

Aries Moons carry Mars over the lagna and feel the heat in the body and the temper. Capricorn, Libra and Virgo Moons, with Mars in the fourth, seventh and eighth, should take care with quarrels and accidents. The same houses are read from the lagna.

These weeks show the habit of starting, with readiness to act running high. Finish what gets started.

Honour the Ashwini Kumaras with a prayer for the sick, and Hanuman on Tuesday. Recite Om Angarakaya Namah and give red lentils or copper, the dana Parashara assigns to Mars. Keep the body moving and the tongue slow.