Mars Transit in Purva Ashadha

Purva Ashadha belongs to Venus. Apas, the waters, are its deity and a fan or a winnowing basket its symbol. It lies in Sagittarius, Jupiter's sign, and Venus and Mars are neutral to each other and Mars counts Jupiter a friend, so the field is fair and the graha works freely. The name means the early victory, the one that cannot be prevented.

The stay is just over two weeks. Conquest by argument, purification, popularity and the pride of winning early are the themes, and Mars supplies the push. Debates are won and rivals outrun. Declarations made in public now will later have to be kept.

The winnowing basket separates grain from chaff, and under Mars the separation is quick and sometimes careless. The thighs and hips are the body areas, and when fire enters the nakshatra of the waters, fever from overheating is common. Boasting is the moral hazard.

• Libra, Cancer and Aquarius Moons and lagnas have Mars in the third, sixth and eleventh, Phaladeepika's favourable houses, and win what they contest.
• Sagittarius Moons carry the graha on the self and speak before they think.
• Virgo and Gemini Moons have Mars in the fourth and seventh, and home and partnership take the strain of the argument.
• Taurus Moons meet Mars in the eighth and should keep away from deep water and borrowed money.

The lesson of Purva Ashadha is what a person does after a win. Apas cleanses, and Mars shows within days whether victory has left the person cleaner or prouder.

Offer water at a river or a well, and honour Apas by wasting none of it. Worship Hanuman on Tuesday, recite Om Angarakaya Namah, and give red lentils or copper, the dana Parashara names for Mars. A gift on Friday acknowledges Venus as lord and softens the tongue that Mars sharpens here.