Sun Transit in Purva Ashadha

Purva Ashadha, the winnowing basket, lies in Sagittarius under Venus, and its deity is Apas, the waters. Venus is the Sun's enemy and Jupiter, lord of the sign, is a friend. The nakshatra is called the unconquered one. The Sun spends about two weeks here, inside Dhanurmasa.

Its winnowing basket blows off what is light and keeps the grain, and the Sun's significations go through the same sorting. Claims to authority are tested by argument. Government makes declarations that are hard to withdraw.

Purva Ashadha is ugra, and the fortnight favours a firm stand. Apas purify, so the Sun's heat in the waters' nakshatra brings cleansing through a fast, a bath at a tirtha or a confession. Cold water helps the eyes, and speaking less helps the heart.

Libra, Cancer, Pisces and Aquarius Moons hold the third, sixth, tenth and eleventh, the houses Phaladeepika favours for the Sun. Sagittarius Moons carry the Sun in the first house and Capricorn Moons in the twelfth, and Taurus and Virgo Moons have the eighth and fourth and should take care of health and the home. The lagna is read the same way.

The fortnight tests what a person will not surrender. In Venus's nakshatra the Sun can defend a position out of pride or out of dharma, and the difference becomes plain.

Offer water to the rising Sun at dawn with Om Suryaya Namah. For Apas, waste no water, and offer some to a river or a tank. Give jaggery on Sunday. Hold firm only where you are certain.