Sun Transit in Krittika

Krittika is the Sun's own nakshatra, the razor and the flame, with Agni as its deity. Its first pada is in Aries and the other three in Taurus, so partway through the stay the Sun leaves exaltation at Vrishabha Sankranti. Venus, lord of Taurus, is the Sun's enemy, and the graha is at home in its own nakshatra and a guest in Taurus.

The stay lasts about two weeks. Agni purifies by burning, and here the Sun cuts away what is false in position, reputation and health. Criticism is sharp. It is often correct. Digestion, fever and inflamed eyes are the common complaints.

The Krittikas raised Kartikeya, and the nakshatra gives the Sun a commander's directness, useful to anyone with a clear task. Orders given in this fortnight are obeyed, including orders given in anger, and that is the danger.

In the Aries pada, Aquarius, Scorpio, Cancer and Gemini Moons gain, with the Sun in the third, sixth, tenth and eleventh. Once the Sun is in Taurus those houses pass to Pisces, Sagittarius, Leo and Cancer Moons. Taurus Moons then have the Sun in the first, and Gemini, Libra and Aquarius Moons have it in the twelfth, eighth and fourth. Read the Moon first, and count the lagna the same way.

The Sun in Krittika brings out a person's own fire, and the fortnight makes plain whether that fire is under control.

Light a lamp at dawn and recite the Aditya Hridaya. Offer water to the rising Sun, and for Agni, feed a fire with ghee or cook for others. Give wheat, jaggery or copper on Sunday. Speak with restraint, and turn criticism on your own conduct first.