Saturn Transit in Swati

Swati lies in Libra, the sign of Saturn's exaltation. Its lord is Rahu, who acts like Saturn and is counted a friend in the usual lists. The deity is Vayu and the symbol is a young shoot bending in the wind. Saturn's point of deepest exaltation, twenty degrees of Libra, lies at the far end of this nakshatra.

Vayu moves. Trade, independence, diplomacy, travel and the flexibility of a shoot that survives the storm are Swati's themes, and exalted Saturn gives them structure: business grows by fair dealing, a person of low standing rises through service, and a long negotiation ends in a durable agreement. The breath, the joints and the lower back respond to wind. A routine of pranayama helps.

Saturn spends about a year here, usually in two or three visits split by the retrograde, and for an exalted graha the retrograde return is a second chance at the same gain.

Scorpio, Libra and Virgo Moons are in Sade Sati, with Libra in the middle phase. This is the mildest form of Sade Sati, with the graha exalted. Cancer Moons have Saturn in the fourth and Pisces Moons in the eighth. Leo, Taurus and Sagittarius Moons and lagnas receive Saturn in the third, sixth and eleventh, Phaladeepika's favourable houses.

How a person holds balance under pressure comes into view. Self-reliance is rewarded here, and the self-reliant find allies, because Vayu carries to them what they need.

The remedy is fairness in trade, the exalted graha's own virtue. Pay workers on time and in full, give sesame oil on Saturday, and recite Om Sham Shanaishcharaya Namah. Honour Hanuman, son of Vayu, with the Chalisa on Saturday. Rahu's lordship asks that intoxicants be set aside for the length of the stay.