The Sun will enter the sidereal sign of Scorpio on November 16th and will remain in the sign till December 15th. The Aditya for the solar month is Parjanya from the root word “pṛc” (पृच्) which means to satiate, fill or nourish. From the Samba Purana Parjanya rides clouds and is responsible for rains and purifies it. Parjanya demonstrates the importance of collective responsibility and is sometimes regarded as a magician who catalyses transformation or a rainmaker who can bring forth fortune or peace through associations.
The Gandharva (celestial musician) in the chariot accompanying Parjanya is Viśvāvasu. The meaning of Viśvāvasu, is the “wealth of all” or “the beneficent one”. Viśvāvasu is prayed to before a wedding as he is said to possess the youth of all girls and hand them over to the messenger the God of fire, Agni who then passes it to the bridegroom. (Rig Veda 10.85.21). The story goes that he received a boon of immortality from Brahmā, then suffused of pride with youth and beauty got into a battle with Indra who used the Vajra (thunderbolt) to drive his head and thighs into his body. Indra gave him two long arms (over 4 miles) and a mouth on his belly, making his appearance grotesque and headless and hence he came to be known as Kabandha (headless) who could only regain his original form when Sri Rama, the avatar of Vishnu severs his arms.
From the story from Rāmāyaṇa (Chapter 69-71, Araṇya kāṇḍa) Kabandha roamed around in the forest and blocked the path of Śrī Rāma and Lakshmana who were in search of Sītā. A fierce battle ensued and Lakshmana sensing Kabandha’s power lay in his hands cut it off. Kabandha requested that his last rites be performed by the brothers, and while being cremated Viśvāvasu rose from the flames. He told them that their enemy Rāvaṇa was very powerful and advised employing the strategy of nurturing a friendship with someone, who is also in trouble to defeat an enemy. He gave directions to find the monkey-king Sugriva who had been driven out of his kingdom by his own brother Vāli saying that Sugriva would help him find Sītā, which is what happened later in the story.
The moral of this story shows us never to lose hope. Every adverse situation throws-up an equal opportunity which can help overcome present or future challenges. When circumstance changes and an enemy treated well can become an ally and help us win our battles.
Transits
Sun joins Mercury in Scorpio and faces Jupiter in Taurus in opposition just after Poornima tithi. There is a lot of light and that brings hope. The association of Sun and Jupiter (both planets sattvic in nature) is called Gopala Yoga. Sun is significator of the soul and represents power and Jupiter is the expansive energy and his beneficence can unleash a strong spiritual beneficence, leadership and prosperity. Can we hope that this transit can bring the much-needed counsel of wisdom to leaders of warring nations?
I had written last year during the same transit that regions were at war and there is a desperate need for a rainmaker. In 2023, Jupiter in Aries was severely afflicted by Rahu. Since then, Jupiter, the principal peace negotiator has moved away from the influence of the nodes and Saturn, and yet we have not seen the mediation that is necessary and fighting in the world has only become more widespread and aggressive. Jupiter has been passively watching from Taurus the events that are taking place in Libra, the house of war. The influence of those in power and who can actually wield influence has not come through as Jupiter in Taurus is affected by Venus, a rajasic planet that usually supports a private agenda. Jupiter turned retrograde in October, thereby giving the results of the opposite sign of Scorpio which is a sign of transformation. Jupiter is retrograde till early February which allows some time for resolution.
It will not be an easy time for leaders as Sun has the trinal influence of Rahu in Pisces and a debilitated Mars in Cancer. Mars is aspected by Rahu and by the sign Aquarius with Saturn, making it stormy. Mercury also turns retrograde on the 26th November and will not go direct until Sun moves into Sagittarius on the 15th December.
Venus moves into Capricorn on the 2nd December in opposition to the debilitated and stormy Mars. A note of caution for the affairs of the heart as an association of Venus and Mars creates passion where discrimination is lost. This combination turns more potent when Mars turns retrograde on 6th of December giving the results of its exaltation sign of Capricorn. Although Mars will appear stronger, it will be very influenced by Venus being in Libra Navamsa.
A word of caution that between the 6th and 15th December three planets Jupiter, Mars and Mercury will be retrograde planets apart from the nodes that are always retrograde. Patience will be the virtue.
Festivals
We celebrate the Kārtikai dīpaṁ festival in the South of India on December 13th on the Kariktai nakshtra of the of month of Kārtika. The festival is to honour Lord Śiva who appeared as a column of fire and some honour his son Kārtikeya on that day. Lamps are lit in the evening with fireworks.
Let’s pray to Parjanya Aditya to show us the way to give up our prejudices and defensive thinking and unite us in harmony.
ॐ घॄणिः पर्जन्यादित्याय