Sun enters the sign of Gemini on the early hours of 15th June and will stay there until 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 – maitra- friendliness without malice and unconditional compassion as the qualities that make a divine human being. The amiability of Mitra can be invoked in every breath with the peace prayer from Taitreeya Upanishad “शं नो मित्र – śaṁ no mitra – meaning that “May Mitra be auspicious to us”. He is the natural ambassador of the world.
The naga (serpent) with Mitra Aditya in the chariot this month is Takṣaka. The literal translation of the word is a carpenter or wood-cutter. He is one of principal and King of Nāgas or serpents, the son of Kaśyapa and Kadru. Takṣaka’s story symbolizes themes of vengeance and the consequences of enmity and action. He suffered from constant enmity with the Pāṇḍava princes of the Kuru land from the epic Mahābhārata to which Arjuna belonged to. Arjuna had torched the forest of Khāṇḍava that was the home of Takṣaka family and created Indraprastha (modern day Delhi), the capital of kingdom of Kurus. When King Parīkṣit (grandson of the Arjuna) was cursed to die by a snake-bite, Takṣaka rose to the occasion and happily did the job. In reaction, Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit invoked a Yajña for killing all the serpents to avenge his father’s death. Takṣaka was saved by sage Āstika who wanted to end the enmity, but not before many others of serpent race were burnt down to ashes. Takṣaka enjoyed great friendship with Indra the lord of the heavens (who was also the genetic father of Arjuna) despite his feud with the Pāṇḍava Princes.
Takṣaka known for his resilience, has deadly fighting power like the planet Mars and the combination of Rahu or Ketu with Mars is said to make us feel the effects of Takṣaka of constant enmity and revenge sometimes involving generations that leads us into spiritual decay. The best remedy for resolving this to worship the nagas on Naga Panchami which falls in the lunar month of Shravana on 29th July.
Transits
Sun joins Jupiter and Mercury in Gemini. Jupiter and Mercury is the yoga of competence and success (sarva karya siddhi) bringing with it the expectation of clarity and consensus in communication and business. The combination of Sun with Jupiter is indeed a blessing as it is expected to bring leadership, success and governance with this combination. It is to be noted that the Sun is stronger for now as Jupiter will remain in combustion until the 10th of July, so the pressure on judiciary and education institutions should prevail until then.
Further, it may be wise to pay attention to Mars and Ketu in Leo that will cause interference (virodha argala) to this successful combination being 3rd from Gemini. The union of Mars and Ketu is potentially explosive and often makes us lose our heads. If you have ascendants or moon signs ruled by Mars or Ketu or one is running the period of the two planets, it is a time to be mindful. During the entire month Mars will be moving closer to Ketu, however will reach the orb of influence of Ketu towards the end of the solar month on the 16th July, while the actual conjunction will happen at the end of July.
Rahu in Aquarius will also aspect Sun, Jupiter and Mercury combination wanting to bring foreign influence to business, however the placement of Rahu in the 9th from Gemini is weak. Communication could become a bit emotional or compassionate as Mercury leaves Gemini for the benevolent sign Cancer on 22nd June. Venus moves to Taurus on 29th June conferring a mālavya yoga of enjoyment and prosperity for the fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. The planets continue to be hemmed between the nodes (kāla sarpa) creating a field for strong binding actions and reactions .
Saturn is in Pisces is slowing down entire month until it becomes completely still on the early hours of July 13th just before it turns retrograde. Saturn will remain retrograde until 28th November. Saturn in Pisces will be aspected by Mars from Leo the entire month, creating a combination for destruction. Saturn is the planet of Karma and retrogradation of the planet is the time for adjustment and reflection. This long pause should give us a chance to examine, reflect and modify our course of action.
Festivals
We celebrate the summer solstice on Saturday Jun 21 at 3.41am in London to welcome the longest day in the northern hemisphere. We will get 16hrs and 38 minutes of daylight in London. 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 June 27th 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 10th July on the day of the full moon of the Āṣāḍha.
May we implore Mitra to induce the feeling of oneness and unity in this world.
ॐ घृणिः मित्रादित्यः
om ghṛṇiḥ mitrādityaḥ