Mars Transit in Shatabhisha

Varuna presides over Shatabhisha, and Rahu is its lord. Its symbol is an empty circle, sometimes read as a hundred physicians. It lies in Aquarius, Saturn's sign. Rahu is hostile to Mars in the usual lists and Mars counts Saturn neutral, so the graha works here under a lord that opposes it.

The stay lasts about seventeen days. Healing, secrecy, isolation, medicine, intoxicants, and the law of Varuna that binds those who lie are the themes. Mars brings the hidden thing into the open: a diagnosis is made, a surgery scheduled, a secret in a group exposed, a rule quietly broken enforced.

The calves, ankles and circulation are Aquarius's body areas, and Rahu adds poisoning, reactions to medicine and illness that is hard to name. Anger here is solitary. The person withdraws to brood on a wrong.

Sagittarius, Virgo and Aries Moons and lagnas have Mars in the third, sixth and eleventh, Phaladeepika's favourable houses for Mars. They recover from illness and defeat hidden opponents. Aquarius Moons carry the graha on the self and should not isolate themselves for the whole stay. Scorpio, Leo and Cancer Moons, with Mars in the fourth, seventh and eighth, should take care with the partner and with any medicine.

The transit shows a person's relation to a hidden wound. Varuna sees what is concealed, and Mars in his nakshatra presses on it until it is acknowledged, so a problem met with silence tends to surface now. That is where the cure of the hundred physicians begins.

Offer water to Varuna at dusk, and keep every word true for the length of the transit. Worship Hanuman on Tuesday, recite Om Angarakaya Namah, and give red lentils or copper, the dana for Mars. Take no intoxicants. Rahu's nakshatra and a hostile Mars together make them dangerous.