The Sun enters the sidereal sign of Scorpio on November 16th and remains there until December 15th. The Aditya presiding over this solar month is Parjanya, derived from the root word pṛc (पृच्), meaning “to satiate, fill, or nourish.” According to the Samba Purāṇa, Parjanya rides upon the clouds, governing the rains and purifying the atmosphere. In the Chāndogya Upaniṣad, the term Parjanya is also used to denote Indra—the rain-maker—symbolizing “the one who can magically bring fortune through association.” This magical quality points to the power of transformation, the ability to influence life from beyond the conscious or known realms. It is this transformative power that rests with Parjanya.
The Apsara (celestial nymph) accompanying Parjanya Aditya in his chariot this month is Viśvācī, renowned for having captivated none other than Śukra (Venus). The story, recounted in Yoga Vāsiṣṭha, Section 4, tells that the young Śukra once attended to his father, Sage Bhṛgu, who was deep in meditation. Śukra’s mind, however, wandered when he beheld the radiant Apsara Viśvācī in the sky. Enchanted, he followed her in thought to the heavenly realms, where he spent the span of eight cycles of the four Yugas (equivalent to 4.32 million human years). Yet, as no place in heaven is permanent, when the merit of his good karma was exhausted, he fell from the celestial realms and descended to Earth through the rain clouds—the domain of Aditya Parjanya.
Śukra’s mind, driven by the endless variety of worldly experiences, then transmigrated through many forms—deer, king, hunter, vidyādhara (magician), swan, ass, serpent, cock, bamboo tree, and finally, a devout and mature brāhmin. Meanwhile, his original body, seated beside Sage Bhṛgu, had decayed under the elements. Yet, the power of Bhṛgu’s penance preserved it from complete disintegration, and through the intercession of Yama, the god of death, Śukra was revived. Thereafter, Sage Bhṛgu instructed his son in the path of true spiritual realization. Śukra’s fall and eventual redemption reveal the deeper purpose of Venus in Scorpio—to transform longing into wisdom, and passion into devotion.
This story serves as a profound reminder of the mind’s folly—its tendency to seek fleeting thrills in external experiences, which inevitably diminish in satisfaction, instead of finding lasting contentment within. It also reveals the immense power of the mind: it is our thoughts that bind us to saṃsāra (the cycle of birth and death). When the mind is purified, it becomes the vehicle through which one may traverse the unknown realms and attain liberation.
Transits
Sun joins retrograde Mercury and Mars in the intense sign of Scorpio, creating a powerful mix of authority and leadership energy. Mercury moves into Libra on November 23rd in retrograde motion, following a confrontation with Mars last month. Between November 23rd and 26th, passions may run high, especially as Mercury conjoins Venus in Libra—a combination that can amplify desires and indulgences. However, this intensity is short-lived: Venus moves into Scorpio on November 26th, joining the Sun and Mars, heightening the drive for control and deep desire.
At the start of the month, three planets—Saturn, Jupiter, and Mercury—are retrograde. Saturn turns direct in Pisces on November 28th, followed by Mercury on November 29th. These shifts ease obstacles around work and projects, especially those stalled since mid-July. Communication improves, making it easier to express ideas clearly and move forward.
Jupiter remains retrograde as it moves back into Gemini on December 5th, offering an opportunity to reflect on social connections and endeavours. It’s a time to evaluate whether relationships align with your purpose and whether to commit or release them. Mars strengthens in Sagittarius on December 7th, reigniting courage and optimism. Mars entered a long period of combustion on November 7th, which will continue for several months as it approaches the Sun. While combustion can feel intense, it serves as a period of purification. This is a time to seek meaning in actions that bring clarity, align with your true purpose, and transcend personal agendas.
Let’s pray to Parjanya Aditya to show us the way to align to our true purpose and transform ourselves.
Festivals
We celebrate the Kārtikai dīpaṁ festival in the South of India on December 3th on the Kṛttikā Nakṣatra 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.
ॐ घॄणिः पर्जन्यादित्याय
om ghṝṇiḥ parjanyādityāya