Sun Transit in Ashlesha

Ashlesha, the coiled serpent, lies in Cancer under Mercury, with the Nagas as its deities. The Sun is neutral toward Mercury, and the Moon, lord of the sign, is a friend. The stay is about two weeks.

This is a tikshna nakshatra, and the Sun's heat inside the serpent's coil produces a fortnight of hidden movement. Government acts quietly. A father keeps something back, and health matters show up as poison, infection or a reaction to medicine. The Nagas guard treasure and knowledge, so the stay favours research, pharmacology and any work that needs cunning used honestly, and anyone with unease in the eyes or the heart should have them checked.

Ashlesha's serpent is also kundalini, and a person of sadhana finds this fortnight quickening. Anger rises faster than usual. In Mercury's nakshatra the Sun's speech has an official edge, and words spoken now are remembered.

From the Moon, Taurus, Aquarius, Libra and Virgo have the third, sixth, tenth and eleventh, the houses Phaladeepika favours for the Sun. Cancer Moons carry the Sun in the first house, Leo in the twelfth, Sagittarius in the eighth and Aries in the fourth, and the same text gives fear, loss and unrest for those houses. Count the lagna the same way.

The Sun brings what a person keeps coiled into the light. Telling the truth early is the safest course.

Offer water to the rising Sun, and for the Nagas, milk at a serpent shrine or an anthill. Recite the Aditya Hridaya on Sunday and give copper. Keep confidences, and hold the tongue when angry.