Rahu Transit in Purva Ashadha

Purva Ashadha is Venus's nakshatra in Sagittarius, with Apas, the waters, as its deity and a fan or a winnowing basket as its symbol. Jupiter owns the ground. In the usual lists Venus is Rahu's friend and Jupiter is neutral, so Rahu passes through this star with more ease than through most of Sagittarius.

The stay lasts about eight months, backward from the fourth pada to the first. When the true node runs direct for a few weeks, it splits into two visits. Invincibility, early victory, purification by water, persuasion and the winnowing that separates grain from chaff are the themes.

Rahu amplifies confidence. Arguments are won by force of conviction and causes gather followers, and a person may declare victory before the work is finished. Ketu stands in Punarvasu during the first half of the stay and in Ardra during the second.

• Libra, Cancer and Aquarius Moons and lagnas hold Rahu in the third, sixth and eleventh, the houses Phaladeepika favours.
• Sagittarius Moons carry Rahu in the first and should watch the thighs, their pride and their promises.
• Gemini Moons have Ketu in the first and Rahu in the seventh.
• Capricorn and Taurus Moons take the twelfth and the eighth.

Under this transit conviction and truth come apart, and a person can see which one they were holding. The winnowing basket keeps what has weight, and Rahu shows how much of a person's certainty is chaff.

Worship Durga, and offer water at a river or a well for Apas. Recite Om Ram Rahave Namah, take no intoxicants, and refuse every argument that has no purpose. Parashara's graha shanti calls for mantra and dana, and the traditional gifts for Rahu are dark cloth, sesame and oil, given on a Saturday.