The Auspicious month of Shravana continues till 20th August, there are  three important festivals-  Krishna Ashtami on  14 August,  Swarna Gauri Vratam on 22nd August and Ganesha Chathurti on 23 August. If you have not began doing the Saturn fast , you can start it on the next two Saturdays within the month of Shravana. For women there is a very important fast on 22 August. It is good to do the fast if you want a new relationship or preserve the existing one. It was the fast doe by Gauri to marry Lord Shiva and this trandition is followed today. It is called Swarna Gauri Vratam.  Click here to read more on the festivals.

The next three months are very important for us as many transitions are taking place. September sees the end of Saturn's challenging transit in Leo whereas October has 5 planets debilitated at one time indicating lack of support and need to put back into our world. I wil be writing more about these in the coming months. August itself is a waiting month. Not much happening yet important for to keep the balance as we prepare for the next few months.

  Mercury Saturn connections and Bhadra Yoga by transit

Mercury in Virgo is especially important as  it makes three contacts with Saturn. It will be exalted yet Saturn can stall growth. Mercury ruled lagnas and Moon signs are going through a transition phase as from Septemer 2010 when Mercury goes back into Virgo, it will meet Saturn there and when it transits Gemini in 2010 Ketu will be present and therefore creating some unusual patterns for Gemini and Mercury foretelling of changes ahead. Mercury conjoins Saturn in Leo on 17 August and then moves into Virgo on 20 August and remain there mostly till 24 october 09. But Saturn will join it in Virgo on 9th September and therefore not allowing freedom and independace to achieve all you want to . This restriction can be a very good if we are patient and taking time and effort to resolve our issues. Mercury is a friend of Saturn and therefore Saturn will give good guidance - but its nature is tough love- so be prepared for it. Gemin and Virgo Ascendants should watch three important dates- 17 Aug, 21 Sept and 7 Oct - this is when Saturn conjuncts Mercury andcan be challenging days. But Gemini and Virgo need to plan for long term transformation as Saturn and Ketu make their effect felt as the years progreses.

Celebrate this transit of Mercury in Virgo and make the most of it. This is a transit Bhadra yoga. Mercury will create overall strength in every aspect for Virgo, Great  for  happiness, home and maternal realtionships for Virgo lagna, Focus on Career for Sagittarius and love and partnerships for Pisces - All experiencing the Bhadra yoga by transit till 14 July.   Taurus can enjoy creative flair, Leo savings can get an unexpected boost,  and Capricorn enjoy blessings of the guru and knowledge.

 Venus Ketu conjunction on 24th August

 Venus will conjunct with Ketu on 24th August and this is tough day for Taurus and Libra Lagna. Ketu is always about giving something or dealing with rejection. In material terms it could be loss financially or having to pay some old dues whereas spiritually it means letting go of old karma and issues and dealing with forgiveness. This transit happens annually - so one should take it as an important but challenging day. Yuo can use it as time to reconcile with relationships issues but to get a true picture how it effects will depend on yuor chart.

Sun and Saturn

This is the last month that Sun will need to deal with Saturn during its transit in Leo. Therefore Leo ascendants will be dealing with last bits of restrictions that SAturn imposes. The powerful people have all had to deal with humbling experiences due to this transit. tHe good news is that they have paid their karmic payment for the time being and will be able to move on after September- lighter of hear and rejuvenated.

  To watch for

As Mars gets closer to its long debilitation and the Mars Ketu conjunction- there can be problems related to oil prices. Mars Ketu conjunctions in Cancer are rare and each tie they have hapned in the last 60 years, they have brough crisis in Oil production, prices etc. he conj takes place on 9th october- but keep a look out for turbulence and inflation

Festivals in Aug 2009