Mercury Transit in Jyeshtha

Jyeshtha is the eldest, and Indra, king of the gods, is its deity. The symbol is an earring or an umbrella, both signs of rank. The nakshatra is Mercury's own and closes Scorpio, the sign of Mars, whom Mercury counts neutral, so Mercury rules the nakshatra and answers to the sign, and the mixture gives authority with an edge.

Mercury stays about nine days, close to a month under a retrograde. Seniority, responsibility and the protection of those in one's charge are the themes. Speech carries weight, and a person is asked to decide for others. Scorpio adds investigation, research into hidden things and the management of other people's money.

Jyeshtha is tikshna, sharp, in Muhurta Chintamani. The days suit confrontation, the removal of a wrongdoer, surgery, and difficult truths delivered to someone who must hear them, and they do not suit marriage or a gentle start. Indra's nakshatra carries his flaw too, the pride that comes with rank. Mercury can grow cutting when it is right.

From the Moon and the lagna, Libra, Leo, Gemini, Aries, Aquarius and Capricorn hold Mercury in Phaladeepika's favourable houses. Scorpio, Virgo, Cancer, Taurus, Pisces and Sagittarius have the harder count. For them the week can bring a quarrel with a senior or a burden handed down.

The transit shows what a person does with rank, and whether protecting comes before commanding.

The remedy is to use authority for someone weaker, once, without being seen. Recite Om Budhaya Namah, worship Vishnu, and give green cloth or moong on Wednesday. A prayer to Indra, who gives rain, and a soft word to a junior complete the practice.