Rahu Transit in Pushya

Pushya is Saturn's nakshatra in the Moon's sign, Cancer, with Brihaspati as its deity and a cow's udder and a lotus as its symbols. Saturn is Rahu's friend in the usual lists, and the dictum Shanivat Rahu says Rahu acts like Saturn, so in Saturn's own star Rahu is steadier than usual. The Moon owns the sign and is neutral toward Rahu in these lists.

The stay is around seven months, backward from the fourth pada to the first, and a direct spell of the true node sometimes divides it into two visits. Nourishment, priests, teachers, milk, the care of dependants and the slow work that feeds many are Pushya's themes. Rahu enlarges the wish to provide. It also enlarges the fear of not having enough.

Ketu stands in Shravana at the same time and moves back into Uttara Ashadha as Rahu reaches Pushya's first two padas. Rahu here feeds and hoards, and Ketu, across from it, stops listening to advice. The stomach, the chest and the appetite need care, since in a water sign Rahu overeats and overworries alike.

Taurus, Aquarius and Virgo Moons receive Rahu in the third, sixth and eleventh, the houses Phaladeepika allows to Saturn and to Rahu. Cancer Moons carry Rahu in the first and feel the disturbance in the manas most directly. Capricorn Moons have Ketu in the first and Rahu in the seventh. Leo Moons hold Rahu in the twelfth and Sagittarius Moons in the eighth, and the lagna is counted the same way.

The transit brings out the need to be needed, and a provider who cannot rest sees how much of the providing met their own need.

Its remedy is Durga and Om Ram Rahave Namah, with respect shown to a teacher on Thursday for Brihaspati. Parashara prescribes mantra and dana for Rahu, and the traditional gifts are dark cloth, sesame and oil on Saturday. Feed someone quietly, and take no intoxicants.