Mars Transit in Jyeshtha

Jyeshtha is Mercury's nakshatra, with Indra as its deity and an earring and an umbrella as its symbols. It lies in the last third of Scorpio, Mars's own sign. Mars counts Mercury an enemy, so the strength of the sign is spent under an unfriendly lord. Indra is a king who guards and is jealous of his throne.

Mars stays about eighteen days. Seniority, the protection of dependents, the burdens of the eldest and rivalry over rank are the themes. Mars defends its position here, and disputes with superiors, the assertion of authority and the guarding of family interests all come forward, along with Jyeshtha's concern with occult power and its misuse.

The reproductive organs, the colon and the blood are the body areas. Infections and poisoning are the classical warnings for Mars in a Mercury nakshatra in Scorpio. Mercury's rule gives the temper a cutting tongue.

Virgo, Gemini and Capricorn Moons and lagnas, with Mars in the third, sixth and eleventh, gain the upper hand, as Phaladeepika's favourable houses suggest. Scorpio Moons carry Mars on the self and should not pick fights they can avoid. Leo, Taurus and Aries Moons have Mars in the fourth, seventh and eighth and should keep the peace at home and with partners.

The transit shows a person's relation to rank. Jyeshtha asks whether authority is a duty or a possession, and Mars answers by how it treats those below it. The gandanta at the end of the nakshatra makes the last days of the stay tense.

Pray to Indra for the protection of those in your care, and worship Hanuman on Tuesday. Recite Om Angarakaya Namah and give red lentils or copper, Parashara's dana for Mars. Protect someone weaker without telling anyone.