Mercury Transit in Purva Ashadha

Apas, the waters, are the deities of Purva Ashadha, and its symbol is a fan or a winnowing basket. Its lord Venus is Mercury's friend. It lies in Sagittarius, Jupiter's sign, and Mercury counts Jupiter neutral, so a friendly lord in an indifferent sign gives a middling stay with a pleasant voice.

About nine days is the usual length. Purva Ashadha is invincibility before the fact, the confidence that one will win, and Mercury's speech turns persuasive, buoyant and a little too sure. Debate, advocacy, marketing and winning a hearing all do well. The winnowing basket separates grain from chaff. Travel by water suits the stay.

Muhurta Chintamani counts Purva Ashadha ugra, fierce. The days serve firm declarations, the pressing of a claim and the ending of a dispute by strength, and they do not serve a first meeting, a study begun or a cautious negotiation. Venus as lord keeps the fierceness charming, which carries its own risk.

The Moon signs that gain from Sagittarius are Scorpio, Virgo, Cancer, Taurus, Pisces and Aquarius, by Phaladeepika's count. Sagittarius, Libra, Leo, Gemini, Aries and Capricorn Moons have the harder houses and should promise less than they feel able to. The lagna gives the second reading.

This transit shows how far confidence has run ahead of competence, and any gap becomes plain within the week.

Water is the remedy: offer it to the rising Sun, to a river or to a tulsi plant, and drink more of it. Recite Om Budhaya Namah, worship Vishnu, and give green cloth or moong on Wednesday. For Venus as lord, give white cloth or rice on Friday, and withdraw one claim that cannot be kept.