Venus Transit in Magha

Magha begins Leo at the gandanta that closes Cancer. The Pitris, the ancestors, are its deities, its symbol is a throne, and Ketu is its lord. Ketu stands outside Parashara's table of friendships and is read as Mars, which is neutral to Venus. The Sun, lord of Leo, is Venus's enemy, so the nakshatra is neutral ground and the sign is hostile.

Venus in Magha wants dignity. Love is expressed through gifts that carry a name, through the family's approval and through ceremony, and marriage arranged by elders, an inheritance, heirloom jewellery and money from a family business fill the stay of around eleven days. Muhurta Chintamani counts Magha among the nakshatras that suit a wedding. The throne makes it fit for honours.

The first pada, nearest the gandanta, carries the loss that Ketu brings, and a grandparent's health, a matter of the ancestral home or a rite for the departed may fall in these days. Pride is the danger. In the Sun's sign Venus spends to be seen.

Pisces, Aquarius and Scorpio Moons have Venus in the sixth, seventh and tenth from the Moon and should keep expense and display within reason. Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus, Aries, Capricorn, Sagittarius, Libra and Virgo Moons hold it in the nine houses Phaladeepika names as favourable. Leo Moons and lagnas feel it in the first as a wish to be admired.

The transit shows what a person wants from the family's eyes.

Offer tarpana, or simply water and sesame, to the Pitris. Recite Om Shukraya Namah on Friday and give rice or silver in an ancestor's name. Lakshmi in Magha is honoured by keeping the family's word.