The Sun will be transiting the sidereal sign of Pisces from March 14th to April 13th. Sun in Pisces is blessed by Viṣṇu Aditya. The word Viṣṇu is from the root word viṣ (विष्) means to be all-pervasive, therefore the name Viṣṇu is equated with the Universe and the Cosmic Mind. The word Viṣṇu stands for purity. Pisces is the natural 12th house. We seek purify and resolve the affairs of the 12th house so that we can go on the path of liberation. That is why we are advised to chant the 12-syllable mantra of the avatarā of Viṣṇu of the planet in the 12th house to seek the right path.
The rishi travelling with Viṣṇu Aditya this month in the solar chariot is Viśvāmitra. He is most often mentioned in the epic Rāmāyaṇa as the preceptor of Śrī Rama and was instrumental in getting him married to Sītā. Perhaps, his most significant contribution is the Gāyatrī Mantra which is the part of the Ṛgveda 3.62.10
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्
“oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ tat savitur vareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt “
This mantra is dedicated to the deity Savitṛ, who represents the spiritual power of the Sun which is the ability to dispel the darkness from the world and our minds. He is the deity at dawn and considered as the stimulative aspect of Sun bringing fertility and begetting the world with riches. In pure Vedantic meaning, he is the inner power to awaken and realise oneself. Chanting the Gāyatrī mantra regularly helps us to elevate our mind and purify our thoughts bringing radiance within us.
The story of Viśvāmitra is immensely inspiring as he shows the way for transformation – from a “faulty human to an enlightened one”. He was born a powerful King Kauśika. Once when he was a guest at the Sage Vasiṣṭha’s ashram, he became enchanted with possessing the wish-fulfilling cow Kamadhenu of Sage Vasiṣṭha. His army waged a war to get Kamadhenu and was defeated by Sage Vasiṣṭha’s spiritual powers. Then he did severe penances to acquire similar spiritual powers to gain supremacy over Sage Vasiṣṭha. He was bestowed the title of Rājaṛṣi – King Sage and yet was frustrated that he was not equal to Sage Vasiṣṭha who was a Brahmarṣi (the realised one). Later after many trials and tribulations as he learnt to give up his agenda of supremacy and ego, he became a Brahmarṣi.
Transits
This is the month of eclipses and wars between planets. Prepare to be tough to deal with relentless or ruthlessness as the malefices will be stronger this month. Mars will be stronger because of a śula yoga (trident pattern) in the sky. Rahu and Saturn will gain strength from the conjunctions with Mercury and Venus respectively as these are the lord of the signs that exalt them.
Sun joins Mercury and Rahu in Pisces. Saturn’s, the karaka for karma and time finally gets out of combustion making way for clearer goals. However, there could be another twist in progress as Saturn will encounter Venus (read desire or agenda) and Mars (challenge or battle) in the coming month. Mars enters Aquarius on the 15th of March joining Saturn and Venus, breaking the graha mālika yoga formation.
Communication may be warped and there could be a lot of flip-flopping in decision making as a debilitated Mercury will be conjunct Rahu in the nakshatra of Revati between 18th and 20th March in the first instance. Mercury moves into Aries on the 26th March but retrogrades on 1st April through the treacherous gaṇḍānta point between the two signs and re-enters Pisces on the 9th April to consult with Rahu once more. Saturn and Venus get close to each other from 21st March and get into a war in the nakshatra of Śatabhiṣa. Saturn wins initially but gives way to Venus on the 22nd March. A victorious Venus moves ahead into its exaltation sign Pisces on the 31st March but will be caught in the eclipse.
The Lunar eclipse on the 25th of March peaks in Hasta Nakshatra in Virgo at 7.12 hours BST. It will not be visible in London. The Total Solar eclipse on the 8th of April, visible mostly in the North America peaks at 19.17 hours BST. The eclipse is in the sign of Pisces in Revati Nakshatra. If the natal Sun, Moon or Ascendant is placed in Revati, it may be a time to increase awareness about finances, health and direction in life. The impact of the eclipse is felt roughly six months before or after the eclipse. The lunar eclipse preceding the Solar eclipse is an indication of disarray in the matters of world events. Read my article for further details about the eclipse and how it will impact the world and people https://vijayajyoti.com/eye-on-the-sky-solar-eclipses-of…/
Saturn and Mars will be within one of degree of each other on the April 9th just after the eclipse. Their battle intensifies as Mars moves into Pūrva Bhādrapadā on the 10th of April, the same nakshatra as Saturn. The war carries on till 12th of April. Note there will a śula (trident) formation in the sky from the 5th April to the 11th April making Mars more potent. This pattern will be present during the eclipse and during the caitra śukla pratipada, first day of the new moon in Pisces from which point the destiny of nations is read. Expect the strife to continue.
Festivals
A time to cheer in the Northern Hemisphere as spring has come bringing more daylight. The Vernal equinox which marks the apparent crossing of the plane of equator of the earth by the Sun making days and nights more equal falls on the early hours of 20th March. In India, Holi, the spring festival of colours is celebrated on 25th March, the full moon day of the lunar month of Phalgun. This time the festival coincides this time with the lunar eclipse in the nakshatra of Hasta.
Let us to pray to Viṣṇu Aditya for guidance during this turbulent period.
ॐ घृणि: विष्णु आदित्य
om ghṛṇi viṣṇu āditya
.