Mars Transit in Uttara Phalguni

Aryaman presides over Uttara Phalguni. The Sun is its lord, and its symbol is the back legs of a cot. Its first pada lies in Leo and the other three in Virgo. Mars and the Sun are friends, so the lord welcomes it, and the Virgo padas place it in the sign of Mercury, whom Mars counts an enemy. The stay begins well and turns to detail and worry.

Mars stays about three and a half weeks, nearly three months when a retrograde loop falls here. Aryaman governs contracts, patronage, marriage and the obligations of friendship, and Mars makes the person act on promises: agreements are signed, partners are held to account, and help goes to those who have earned it.

In Virgo the work becomes exacting. Health, service, debts and disputes with colleagues come forward. Watch the intestines and the nervous system.

During the Leo pada, Gemini, Pisces and Libra Moons have Mars in the third, sixth and eleventh. Once in Virgo, Cancer, Aries and Scorpio Moons take those houses. Phaladeepika names these three as favourable for Mars, from the Moon and from the lagna. Virgo Moons in particular carry Mars on the self for most of the stay and should not overwork.

The transit puts on view how a person keeps a promise. Aryaman's field is reciprocity, and Mars tests whether obligations are met with grace or with resentment, which makes the period useful for seeing which duties are real and which were taken on out of pride.

Offer water to the Sun at dawn, and worship Hanuman on Tuesday. Recite Om Angarakaya Namah, and give red lentils or copper, Parashara's dana for Mars. Settle one debt, of money or of kindness, before the stay ends.