Sun enters the sign of Gemini on 14th June and will stay there until the early hours of 16th July. Sun in Gemini is represented by Mitra Aditya who is a friend of all, the compassionate one. Chapter 12.13 of Bhakti yoga in Bhagavad Gīta enumerates – maitraḥ- friendliness and karuṇa – compassion as the foremost qualities. 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.
In the chariot with Mitra is the apsara Menakā. Apsaras are heavenly nymphs that are the secret warriors of the King of Heaven, Indra. The word Apsaras is derived from the word ‘ap’ meaning water with the root √sṛ that means to swirl, pursue, flow or blow, assail, slip past or traverse. Together it means the ability to go in the waters or between the waters of the clouds, i.e. reside in the sky or possess fluidity to change shape. As Indra is not a permanent post, he is forced to jealously guard his title and status from any aspirant who does penance for superior powers. Menakā was sent by Indra to the earth to entice and disturb the penance of Viśvāmitra (the sage that I wrote about in the month of March that accompanies the Aditya Viṣṇu,). Menakā succeeded in capturing his heart with the help of Vayu, the God of Wind and Kama, the God of love. She bore him a child called Shakuntala but was separated from him when her identity was revealed. Viśvāmitra realised he had a setback, however continued his penances with renewed vigour.
The point of the story is that while we all face obstacles, success comes to those who are undeterred and remain non-judgemental of themselves of as well as others in the face of setback. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.14.25) talks about obstacles or disturbances at three levels – adhyātmika, adhibhautika and adhidaivika. Adhyātmika obstacle is caused by our own limitations – diseases, mental conditioning and lack of impulse control (shad ripus). The adhibhautika disturbances come from those living beings that bear ill will towards us – our enemies and frenemies. The adhidaivika obstacles comes from the power of time, nature and the unseen hand of fate, all acts of God which are calamities and natural disasters. The remedy that is taught in Vedantic tradition is to recite the word shanti – meaning peace, three times to protect us from disturbances at all three levels.
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ॥
Transits
Sun joins Mercury and Venus in Gemini, Mercury having entered Gemini almost at the same time. The buddha aditya yoga formed by Sun and Mercury is more effective in a sign ruled by Mercury bringing the quality of dexterity and artful communication. Mercury in own sign also confers a bhadra mahapurusha yoga for dual signs which also provides the avenue for intellectual pursuits. Venus and Mercury, both combust get into a war on the 16th of June, although many may believe Venus is victorious as it luminous, Mercury will eventually win as it crosses over Venus with higher skill (latitude) and focus (declination). This is a time to place more trust on hard numbers rather than relationships. Mercury gets out of combustion on the 26th and moves into the sign Cancer in the early hours of 29th June. Venus joins Mercury in Cancer on the 7th of July and the sign will prosper with the presence of two rajasic planets that have endured combustion.
Perhaps the most important transit of the month is the motion of Saturn becoming retrograde. Saturn is significator of karma and of labour. Saturn will remain retrograde for the next 6 months till November 15th. Retrograde planets have higher Ceṣṭā bala which gives us the ability to endeavour and keep going to attain something. However, one should keep in mind the following famous quote “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Maybe a pause is welcome. Saturn will be slowing in speed from 9th of June and will be completely motionless on 29thth June between 16.29hrs to 20.16 hrs before it turns retrograde. We can use this time to improve awareness about what we are doing – “Are we focusing too much on doing things right while it may be better to focus on whether we are doing the right things?”. Then we have six months to change the gear if necessary to avoid being stuck. Whatever, Saturn may rule in our horoscope, this is the time to reflect and improve understanding and reach in that area. It is quite fortuitous that at the same time Saturn is turning retrograde, Jupiter will be in artha pada of Rohini nakshatra which will make it vargottama from 27th June to 13th of July. A vargottama planet generally yield good results and can confer leadership and good status. The symbol of Rohini is a chariot signalling the arrival of status.
Yet another thing to cheer about is that Mars will enter Taurus on the 12th of July. This will offer much relief to course of action as Mars have been constrained by the aspects of Saturn and Rahu. This move also breaks the graha Mallika yoga from Saturn in Aquarius to Mercury in Cancer, thus breaking the restraint of Saturn on Rahu on Jupiter.
Festivals
We celebrate the summer solstice on Thursday Jun 20, 2024 21.50 hrs 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 Sunday, July 7th in Puri on the dvitiya tithi, śukla pakṣa of the Āṣāḍha month.
May we implore Mitra to induce the feeling of oneness and unite in this world
ॐ घृणिः मित्रादित्यः
om ghṛṇiḥ mitrādityaḥ