Sun will be in Gemini from the 15th of June till late on the 16th July. Sun in Gemini is represented by Mitra Aditya who is a friend of all, the compassionate one. Sri Kṛṣṇa in Chapter 12.13 of Bhakti yoga in Bhagavad Gīta enumerates the two qualities – maitraḥ- friendliness and karuṇa – compassion as the foremost qualities to be his devotees. The path of devotion makes us feel united with all living beings. As there are no others separate from ourselves, the world is one family or “vasudeva kutumbakam” and this can be identified with Mitra’s talents as a world ambassador.
From the Vishnu Purana, there are a troop of seven in the chariot of the Sun every month comprising of the Aditya, a Sage that praises him, a Gandharva (celestial being) who sings, an Apsara (nymph) who dances, a Yakṣa (nature spirits) that trims the reins, a Sarpa (serpent) harnessing the steed and a Rākṣasa (guardian) that attends to him on the steps. I am currently writing more about the sages that are travelling with the Aditya.
The sage travelling with Mitra Aditya in his chariot is the powerful Atri who is one of the seven mind-born sons of Brahmā (Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, 65.10) and born from his eyes. He is the husband of the famous and chaste Anasuya (meaning not complaining or envious). From the Bhāgavata purāṇa (4.1.15) Sage Atri meditated with Anasuya for the birth of a son, and the Trimūrtis (Brahma, Vishnu and Siva) blessed him with three glorious sons being their own aṃśas – Soma, Dattātreya and Durvasā. There are many different stories in various puranas with respect to their birth. From Soma (Brahmā ) the gift of healing and ayurveda came. Dattātreya (Viśṇu ) did austerities from his childhood and becam)e a hermit. The Tripura-rahasya (The Secret of the Goddess Tripura) is traditionally ascribed to Dattātreya. Durvasā (from Śiva) – whose name literally means – difficult to live with, had an irascible temper and helped samsara unfold in the lives of those who he met and cursed or gave boons to.
The literal meaning of Atri is the devourer (from the root √ad – to consume or devour). ‘Tri’ can mean ‘treyas’ – the three guṇas of sattva, rajas and tamas (the three binding natures) or the three vedas, therefore the meaning of Atri could be the one who has consumed the three vedas or the three guṇas. Another meaning is to protect from the root √trai. Sage Atri is associated with the planet Moon and he and his descendants are attributed to be the composers of the fifth Mandala (chapter) of the Ṛgveda responsible for many vedic mantras in praise of Indra, Agni, the Aśviṇi kumāras and Viśvavedas. It is the mantra which offers the ultimate protection for the mind from “Mananāt trāyatē iti mantrah”. The mind can be in incessant chatter; it is said that the constant repetition of mantra creates an additional protective layer in the mind which we can reach out to regain equanimity.
The Atri and Anusuya Ashrama (present day Sati Anasuya Ashram) is located in the outskirts of citrakūt (mountain), which is south of Uttarākhand and in north Madhya Pradesh of modern India. It is said that the river Mandākinī emerged as a result of Anasuya’s penance to ward away the famine in the region. A vivid description of the river is given by Valmiki in Canto 95 of Ayodhya Kāṇḍa of Rāmāyana – “The Mandākinī River sparkles like gems with its delightful sandy banks which is frequented by swans, cranes, waterfowl and herds of deer. The ascetics attired in robes of bark and deerskin observe austere vows, stand with uplifted arms, worshipping the sun. The trees agitated by the breeze, cause the hills to appear as if they were dancing and the blossoms are scattered by the force of the wind make it seem as an offering of flowers to the river”.
Transits
Sun moves into Gemini though it will be hemmed in a graha-mallika yoga (planets clustered between Rahu in Aries and Mars in Cancer). The planet at the end of such a pattern usually holds the key to release. Those in positions of leadership can feel stifled instead of enjoying the natural exuberance, affiliation and ambassador-ship that Gemini brings. There should be relief as Mercury moves into Gemini on the 24th June creating a bhadra mahāpuruṣa yoga for dual signs, where intellectual partnerships and excellence is possible.
A difficult and treacherous month for Mars as it will reach its deepest debilitation point on the 27th June in Aśleṣa nakṣatra in the sign of Cancer. This point also represents danger as it is the crossing or gaṇḍānta between the elements of water and fire. Mars moves into Leo very late on the 30th of June. The movement of Mars into Leo should be positive for action and leadership; however, Mars will be aspected by restrictive Saturn from Aquarius and a scheming Rahu from Aries, making the sign Leo very volatile. The aspect of Jupiter can help the sign Leo, and that of Venus as well as it follows Mars into turbulent Leo on the 6th of July. The speed of Venus is much slower in preparation for its retrograde motion from the 24th of July. The combination of Mars and Venus ruins the good qualities of both planets. Jupiter will continue its association with Rahu in Aries until October. Ketu will finish transiting Svāti nakṣatra from 26th June signalling better times for wealth accumulation, however inflationary conditions will persist till Rahu is in Aries.
The key transit this month is that of Saturn turning retrograde in Aquarius from 17th of June until the 4th of November. It regresses through the nakṣatras of Śatabhiṣā and Dhaniṣṭhā. This is a time to think about the actions taken since Saturn’s transit into Aquarius early in January until now; to examine not just their consequences but our assumptions and agenda underlying behind. We can use the time for organised reflection by undertaking rituals such as japa, meditation, painting, calligraphy and nature walking to understand what’s worked, what has been challenging in order to identify patterns and modify behaviour and action. In behaviour psychology this process is called a double loop learning to find out whether “are we doing the right things?” as opposed single loop learning where the focus is on “are we doing things right?”
Festivals
We celebrate the summer solstice on the Wed, Jun 21, 2023 3:57 PM in London to welcome the longest day in the northern hemisphere. It’s a time for cheer as many pagan festivals such as the Midsummer festival are celebrated. The famous Jagannāth Ratha Yātra will be celebrated on the 20th June in Puri on the dvitiya tithi, śukla pakṣa of the Āṣāḍha month. We also honour our Gurus, teachers and mentors on Guru Purnima on the 3rd of July on the day of the full moon of the Āṣāḍha.
ॐ घृणिः मित्रादित्यः
om ghṛṇiḥ mitrādityaḥ