The Sun will enter the sign of Cancer in the early hours of 16th of July and will stay in the sign till the morning of 16th August. Sun in the sign of Cancer is represented Varuṇa Aditya who is the ruler of oceans. He rides a makara – crocodile and carrying a noose, which ensnares souls and drags them back into the earth, symbolic of re-birth due to attachment and desires.
Travelling in the chariot of Varuṇa Aditya this month is the Gandharva King Huhu who was said to live in Brahma Loka and famed for his singing. The fable goes that once given to his mischievous nature, he went underwater and clutched the leg of Sage Devala who was offering prayers to the Sun God. The Sage panicked initially thinking the grasp was that of a makara and then realising that it was a prank he cursed Huhu that he become one himself. He later relented modifying his curse that Huhu crocodile be liberated by Viṣṇu himself.
This story is from the the 8th skanda of Bhāgavata Purāṇa. Huhu who became the makara-crocodile was waiting thinking about this liberation in the waters near Ṛtumat, the garden created by Varuṇa in the picturesque Trikūṭa mountains. One day, he got an excellent opportunity as he saw Gajendra, the King of elephants coming towards the lake to pick a lotus. The elephant was in his previous birth King Indradyumna, a great devotee of Viṣṇu and was cursed by Sage Agastya. Huhu managed to clutch the leg of the elephant and held on it for a long time (apparently years) despite the elephant’s huge effort to free himself. Then Gajendra realising the futility of life and of escape, stopped thrashing about and remembered his Ishta Viṣṇu with verses and offering a lotus on his trunk. It was then Viṣṇu came to protect Gajendra by decapitating the makara (Huhu) with his sudarshan chakra, thus relieving Huhu from his animal existence. Huhu regained his beautiful Gandharva form. Gajendra got a beautiful form like that of Viṣṇu and followed him to his abode in Vaikunta.
The story is a mere allegory. The elephant thrashing about in the water represents us, as we too are caught in the muddy lake of samsara – endlessly juggling means and end in our existence and unable to get away from attachments and vices that bind us like the crocodile. Sometimes it is worth it to stop struggling, surrender and remember the power of affirmations and prayer. This story from Bhāgavata Purāṇa is often recited to encourage the spirit of renunciation and devotion when one encounters great difficulties in life. The story is also makes us see that sometimes, curses are actually beneficial as they hasten us on our true path.
Transits
Sun joins Mercury and Venus in Cancer which makes it a very rajasic (action and agenda orientated) combination however it is mitigated by a sign aspect from a retrograde Saturn in Aquarius. Mercury moves into Leo on the 19th July leaving Venus in the company of Sun until Venus moves into Leo on the 31st July. No planet is combust until Mercury becomes retrograde on the 5th August and becomes combust from the 13th of August for two weeks as it moves closer to Sun. With Saturn also being retrograde, we have to pay attention and iron out matters regarding work as these two planets are significators of work. From 31st July we have all the tara grahas – Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus and Mercury in fixed signs. When all planets in a horoscope fall in fixed signs, the formation is called Musala – pestle or club – making us firm, stubborn and purpose driven. This formation is good for wealth generation as we can use these positions to our advantage to strike hard bargains.
The move of Mars in to Taurus broke the graha mallika yoga in the sky releasing the planets from being held back by Rahu in Pisces and Saturn and Aquarius. Jupiter and Mars in Taurus get into war in Rohini nakshatra between 12 -16th August. Mars wins as it crosses Jupiter. It might pay to be a little cautious on the 15th August as Sun will be in Gaṇḍānta (crossing Cancer- water into Leo-fire) from 11.51 am till 5.56 am on 16th August. The tithi is also ekadesi which is not supported by Jupiter making amicable negotiation impossible.
Festivals
The holy period of Cāturmāsa- a period of four months, beginning on July 17th Shukla Paksha ekadashi tithi in the month of Ashadha and will end in Shukla Paksha ekadashi on 12th November in the month of Kartik. This is a period for introspection, penance, austerities, study of scriptures and personal rituals like bathing in holy rivers. Lord Viṣṇu is supposed to be in Yoga nidra at this time. In the ancient times, this was the only time the sanyasis (monks) are allowed to stay in one place and under a roof.
We also honour our Gurus, teachers and mentors on Guru Purnima on the 21st July on the day of the full moon of the Āṣāḍha.
May we implore Varuṇa to reign our minds and focus on the work at hand.
ॐ घृणिः वरुणादित्य
om ghṛṇiḥ varuṇāditya 🙏