Rahu Transit in Vishakha

Indra and Agni share Vishakha, Jupiter rules it, and its symbols are a triumphal arch and a potter's wheel. Three padas lie in Libra and the fourth in Scorpio. In the usual lists Jupiter is neutral toward Rahu, Venus, owner of the Libra padas, is its friend, and Mars, owner of the Scorpio pada, its enemy.

Rahu enters at the fourth pada, in Scorpio, and moves backward into Libra, leaving from the first pada after around seven months. A direct spell of the true node can divide the stay into two visits. Ambition, single-minded purpose, ceremony, the gate of achievement and the patience of the wheel are Vishakha's themes.

Rahu inflates the goal, and a person wants one thing and wants it entirely. Rivalries sharpen. The Scorpio pada adds jealousy, and Ketu stands in Krittika for the Scorpio pada and the third pada of Libra, and in Bharani for the first two padas.

• For the Scorpio pada, Virgo, Gemini and Capricorn Moons hold Rahu in the third, sixth and eleventh, the houses Phaladeepika favours.
• For the Libra padas the favoured signs are Leo, Taurus and Sagittarius.
• Scorpio Moons, and later Libra Moons, carry Rahu in the first.
• Taurus and Aries Moons meet Ketu in the first and Rahu in the seventh. The lagna is read by the same count.

Ambition shows its shape under this transit. Indra wins and Agni consumes, and Rahu shows which of the two a goal has become.

Worship Durga and recite Om Ram Rahave Namah. Honour a teacher on Thursday for Jupiter, keep to one goal at a time, and take no intoxicants. Parashara's graha shanti asks for mantra and dana, and the traditional gifts for Rahu are dark cloth, sesame and oil on Saturday.