EYE ON THE SKY: MARS INTO ASHLESHA/HYDRA
Mars moved into the constellation of Ashlesha (Hydra, Cancer 16.40-29.59) on Tuesday, June 29th and journeys through there until it goes into Leo through July 21st . Of the 27 constellations in the zodiac, Ashlesha can stir up more emotional turmoil than many others so when Venus also goes into there on July 6-16, we can have a double whammy happening. Watch out for vicious communication arguments and speaking out and lashing out at people without thinking so hold your tongue and wait before your bust forth in anger.
The darker side of this constellation is that it can make Mercury and planets connected to the constellation (like the Sun and Mars in transit) impolite, tactless, unpopular, lacking in social skills, dismissive rules, lacking gratitude, depressed, reckless, isolated and lacking grace. Putting the debilitated Mars here just can easily lead to angry tirades and arguments that get emotionally overheated.
If you were born with your Mars in the this constellation (Cancer 16.40-29.59), you may be able to face your demons but can easily get too reckless or impulsive with speech or get caught up in angry and vengeful thinking and blame-making so remember to see your own demons, tame them, apologize, get humble and take the Martian ego that wants to be right at all cause and will destroy a relationship just to do so.
The symbol for this intense nakshatra is the coiled serpent at the base of the spine, reflecting the potent kundalini energy that resides here. Ashlesha means the tangled one and denotes the challenges of our addictions. The main deities are the Nagas, the Serpent Kings. The shakti revealed here is the “power to inflict poisonous venom”. Great mystical talents and enlightenment can be experienced if the primordial energy of this lunar asterism is harnessed.
Serpents have two connotation being connected to poison and spirituality When the constellation is operating strongly, it can bring deep mystical experience and spiritual inquiry and on the dark side it can lead to poisonous gossiping so watch you tongue as the planets transit through here as the Sun will follow (August 3-16) and Mars (July 18-August 7). It can tend toward gluttony and debauchery and drug use and addictive patterns. The constellation may increase the desire for unquenchable sensual gratification so remember moderation in all things. If Mercury is well-placed in the chart in a friend or its own sign and connected to good houses like trines and kendras (ie 1,5,9, 4, 7, 10) and if the chart has strong spiritual energies, then this constellation can bring deep spirituality to the chart.
Mars will be channeling Mercury’s energy and it is transiting through the constellation of Mrigashira (Taurus 23.20-Gemini 6.40) so this sets up a rare exchange of Nakshatra energy and would manifest most if you are running in a Mars/Mercury or Mercury/Mars dasha period. This can enhance argumentative energies and fighting so watch your tongue. . But remember our speech is powerful and always use it to bless and praise others so you do not take out difficult karma. The example of the media is exactly what we do not want to do. Be neutral toward the negative. Don’t be oblivious but do not soil your consciousness talking about others faults and engage in worthless gossip.
Aries and Scorpio and Cancer rising are most affected by Mars at the end of Cancer. Remember to get extra rest, be careful with driving and do the Warrior pose in Yoga to keep your third eye and attention alert as there is a tendency to get spaced out and get caught up in the intellectually conversations of he said/she said and it distracts you from being in the moment and getting the job done in the moment. Use the shoulder stand to quiet Mercury whose sharp tongue and active intellect is just to crazy and over-reactive and caught up in the head the next month. Get our Astro-Yoga videotape if you want to learn poses to support difficult planetary transits and placements in your chart and the emotional and psychological connections.
Special thanks to Komilla Sutton and my other Jyotish Gurus and to Bill Levacy for their insights on this constellation.
ASTRO-YOGA WEBINAR: Planets, Poses and Healing
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PLANETS, YOGA AND CHAKRAS: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALING THROUGH HATHA YOGA
Available now for Dropbox video download and re-playable at your convenience.
Fun, easy and therapeutic: practical knowledge for personal healing.
(The frog pose below to strengthen a debilitated Mars and increase energy can make a big difference rather then reaching for coffee of chocolate.)
