Moon Transit in Chitra

Chitra spans the end of Virgo and the start of Libra, Mercury's sign giving way to Venus's. Mars rules it, Tvashtar, the divine architect, is its deity, and its symbol is a bright jewel. The Moon regards Mars as neutral, and Mars regards the Moon as a friend. The Virgo padas keep the Moon with a friend; the Libra padas move it into a neutral sign.

In muhurta Chitra is a mridu nakshatra, soft. Muhurta Chintamani gives such days to music, new clothes, ornaments, love, friendship and the fine arts. Design, building, tailoring and any work that must look right suit it especially, since Tvashtar is the maker of forms. It is a poor day for harsh remedies, for confrontation, or for a fierce sadhana.

The stay is about a day. Mrigashira, Chitra and Dhanishta births have their janma tara; for the others, tara bala runs as follows:

• Sampat: Rohini, Hasta and Shravana. Kshema: Bharani, Purva Phalguni and Purva Ashadha.
• Sadhana: Ashlesha, Jyeshtha and Revati. Mitra: Punarvasu, Vishakha and Purva Bhadrapada.
• Parama mitra: Ardra, Swati and Shatabhisha.
• Vipat: Krittika, Uttara Phalguni and Uttara Ashadha. Pratyak: Ashwini, Magha and Mula.
• Naidhana: Pushya, Anuradha and Uttara Bhadrapada.

The day shows the mind's love of a finished form, and its restlessness until the form is right. Under this Moon a person sees how much of their effort goes to appearance and how much to substance. A fitting practice is to make something small and complete, then give it away. A white flower offered to Shiva in the evening is enough for the Moon's side.