The Sun will transiting the sidereal sign of Aquarius from February 12th to March 14th. The Aditya for the month is called Tvaṣṭṛ or simply Tvaṣṭā. He is the celestial architect blessed with supreme intelligence to create all things (Rig Veda I.95.2), he is the greatest innovator and is highly skilled. He is the maker of divine implements for both devas (divine) and asuras (demonic forces), hence a diplomat. Tvaṣṭā is the deity ruling the Chitra nakṣatra which falls between Virgo and Libra and bridges the qualities of perfection with practicality. From the mythological lores, Tvaṣṭā is most known for his ambivalent attitude to Indra, the King of the heavens or in other words authority. In Tvaṣṭā there is an inherent struggle for recognition and independence lurking beneath the surface.
The apasara in the chariot this month with Tvaṣṭā is Tilottamā. Tila” means a small particle and “uttama” means the ultimate. She was known for her unapparelled beauty amongst the apsaras and with a lustre that no one was able to look at her for a long time. From the story of Mahabharata Tilottama is described to have been created by the celestial architect Vishvakarma (also referred to as Tvaṣṭā) at Brahma’s request and by taking the best quality of everything as the ingredients from the three worlds. The reason for her creation was to cause ill-will between the inseparable asura (demonic) siblings Sunda and Upasunda who had performed austerities and received the boon of invincibility, except at the hands of each other.
Intoxicated with power and liquor while celebrating their victories , the brothers saw Tilottamā plucking flowers. Bewitched by her beauty and wanting her, they ended up fighting and killing each other. Tilottamā received a boon to roam freely in the universe as a constant reminder of the destructive power of jealousy, sibling rivalry and fratricide. Regardless of gender I think the saying “Let no man or woman come between” equally applies with respect to any healthy relationship that can be disrupted by desire and personal agenda.
Transits
Sun moves into Aquarius to meet with Saturn and Mercury. This is a time to have a reality check on our desires. It may feel like we are being thwarted or limited but at the end of the process one will benefit from clarity if we can keep our vibrations in a higher frequency. The combustion of Saturn starts on 23th February and will last through 29th March. Saturn is also moving at 3.5 times its normal speed as it is very close to the sun. The actual conjunction of Saturn and Sun happens almost at the end of solar month on the 12th of March. Combustion is harsh but leads to cleansing. Many will expect decisive actions as Mars the planet of action turns direct in Gemini on the 24th of February. However, me must notice that the speed of Mars will be sub-optimal until early June. The benefit of a slower speed of Mars can lead to deliberative logical actions instead of emotional impulsive ones.
It will pay to be mindful with communication. Some may feel repressed with Mercury approaching Saturn, but will overcome it as Mercury will enter a war and win with Saturn on the 24th February as it crosses over Saturn. Mercury remains combust until the 27th February after which it enters its debilitation sign in Pisces on 27th February. This placement is conducive for intuition; however, the playfulness of Mercury is reduced. One has to careful about the quality of communication as Mercury will meet Rahu on the first instance on the 2nd of March and then again on the 7th April after it meets with Venus. Venus has already conferred with Rahu early in February and turns retrograde on the 2nd of March until the 13th April. Mercury and a retrograde Venus will be tight conjunction in a war between the 10th of March and 13th of March. This conjunction will bring focus to money matters in relationships. Mercury will also turn retrograde a few days later and will be moving towards Venus until it turns direct, the energy of two retrograde planets will be very heavy.
On the 14th of March we have a lunar eclipse in Purva Phalguni 2nd pada. Bhaga is the deity of this nakshatra who confers prosperity and children. We should be mindful that this nakshatra will play host later in the year to key conjunctions of Ketu with Sun, Ketu with Mercury, Ketu with Mars and Ketu with Venus. Worshipping Lord Narsimha with the mantra “ॐ क्ष्रौं नमोभगवते नरसिंहाय om kṣrauṁ namobhagavate narsiṁhāya ” is recommended.
The sarpa yoga for dual ascendants remains with Rahu and Ketu in Pisces and Virgo with Mars in Gemini, nevertheless mitigated by the exchange of Venus in Pisces with Jupiter in Taurus.
Festivals
We will observe Maha Śiva Ratri on the 26th of February, the night of the 14th tithi in the dark half of the lunar month of Magha to honour Śiva. Worship of Lord Śiva should help in overcoming darkness that rests within us in the form of fear, anxiety and ignorance.
May we be blessed with Tvaṣṭā’s grace for felicity and diplomacy to prevail in world affairs
ॐ घृणि: त्वष्टादित्य
om ghṛṇi tvaṣṭāditya