Mars in Cancer

Mars in Cancer

April 3rd – June 7th

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Mars (Maṅgal graha), having retrograded through the Vedic Lunar Mansion of Puṣyā (sidereal Cancer) since December, now retraces its steps, inviting us to revisit the energies and intentions seeded in the closing months of last year. 

This period offers a fresh perspective, with the benefit of hindsight and deeper self-awareness, offering an opportunity to engage those themes more consciously, integrate lessons, recalibrate our intentions, and move forward with greater clarity and purpose.

Maṅgal is allegedly born from the sweat of Lord Śiva during profound tapas (bhūmiputra - born from the earth)—is intimately linked with the Mahāvidyā Bagalāmukhi, the goddess of speech and protection, and is the carrier of Agni Tattva, the fiery principle.

As Deha Kāraka, Maṅgal is the indicator of the body, the heart, and the immune system, as he is the defense system within our bodies. He is the carrier of Agni (fire) tattva, the significator of one-pointed focus (dhāraṇā), the lord of logic, power, preservation, and violence. He represents protection, particularly the protection of the innocent. 

Within Puṣyā nakṣatra, the energy of invocation is potent—awakening our capacity to channel creative and spiritual force, nourishing both worldly and transcendent pursuits. The goat, the animal totem of this nakṣatra, reminds us that what we consume—physically, emotionally, and energetically—must eventually be integrated and digested. This period may compel us to confront the truths of what we have been "taking in," and to discern what truly sustains us.

On May 12th, Mars enters Āśleṣā at the gaṇḍānta, the mystical threshold between water and fire. Ruled by the Nāgas, this nakṣatra weaves together desire and transformation, calling us to patiently untangle karmic knots and refine our art of transmutation. Āśleṣā, the Clinging Star, stirs our curiosity and unites disparate elements, echoing the coiled energy at the base of the spine yearning to merge with its source.

Artowrk: Pinterest

Mars’ extended sojourn in Cancer—a sign of water, emotion, and moksha—invites us to steward our energy with care. The friction between Mars’ fiery drive and Cancer’s watery depths may present as frustration, inertia, or simmering anger. Here, the wisdom of the body becomes paramount: movement, sweat, and mindful exertion (whether through swimming, yoga, martial arts, or sauna) offer pathways to release pent-up energy constructively, fortifying both body and spirit.

As Āyurveda teaches, unchecked anger heats the blood and clouds the mind, swiftly diminishing our intelligence. The challenge and gift of this transit is to transmute reactive heat into the steady warmth of presence and purpose.

Whether you choose to pause here or wish to journey deeper, know that the story of Maṅgala in Cancer continues to unfold—each day offering new opportunities for reflection, resilience, and renewal.

For those who feel called to explore these themes further, join us for our monthly Vidya and Chai gathering on, April 20/21, where we will delve into the ongoing dance of Mars in Cancer and its impact on our inner and outer worlds.

Email me at tulsibagnoli@gmail.com to RSVP

All my Relations

ॐ ह्रीं बगलामुखी देव्यै नमः 

Chaitra Navarātri: Nine Nights of the Divine Feminine

CHAITRA NAVARĀTRI

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March 30th - April 7th

Chaitra (Vasanta) Navarātri commences on the Pratipadā tithi (1st lunar day) to the Navamī tithi (9th) of the Śukla Pakṣa (waxing moon) in the month of Chaitra (March/April). This nine-day festival marks the arrival of spring, a time of renewal, blossoming life, and spiritual purification.

Dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durgā and her nine forms, this Navarātri is one of the four sacred Navarātris observed throughout the year. It is a time of deep transformation, particularly connected to Mahāvidyā Tripura Sundarī, the embodiment of supreme beauty, clarity, and the power of refined discernment. Through her grace, we learn to see beyond the architecture of illusion, aligning with the deeper intelligence that orchestrates all things.

This sacred passage culminates in Rāma Navamī, celebrating the birth of Bhagavān Śrī Rāma, making it especially significant in the Vedic tradition.

Navarātri invokes an internal quest to locate and establish our seat within the center of the heart of the Goddess. In a world that grasps our attention and seize our mind to look outside of ourselves to seek truth, validation and even to gain a so called glimpse of the goddess - this festival calls us to go deeper within to attune with her rivers that flow within us and to cultivate a direct experience, and personal relationship with Her. 

Artwork: Pinterest

Devī is that awakening force, that primordial energy that lives within us and awaits our attention. Yoga teaches us that whatever we put our attention on grows stronger in our lives. Move beyond your ideas of who she is and how she can be reached.

This window is ripe for putting into physical practice the teachings found in the yoga śāstra. In the quieting of our mind (yogaś-citta-vr̥tti-nirodhaḥ) and the investigation of all that lies below the surface — in the observation and embrace of both our shadows and our light, which are ultimately one and the same — we’re being called now to enter into that space, and to transcend. 

As we tend to śakti, and begin to establish a firm foundation in Her, we begin to awaken our power to focus, to cultivate our dhāraṇā and draw all our energies inside — this continued focus is the active meditation requesting our attention — calling us to become completely absorbed in Her. 

She is the embodiment of all that is and ever will be, She is our very breath and that which gives life to all, yet she cannot be reached by contemplation or intellectual understanding and philosophizing, or even described through words, she can only be touched through direct experience — that which requires digestion and stabilization to be truly lived. Can you answer that call? 

ॐ श्री मात्रे नमः | Sri Matre Namaha

Tulsi specializes in Vedic Astrology & Compatibility readings, personalized Vedic Couture and Yoga Sādhana. @turiyacollection | Jyotish Consultations

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The nine names of manifestation have been spoken in the Devīmāhātmyam DevĪ Kavacaṃ, by the Lord Brahmā (the creator) Himself:

"First is Goddess Śailaputrī, the Daughter of the Himālayas, and second is Brahmachāriṇī, She who observes the vow of celibacy, the Goddess of sacred study and penance; third is Chandraghaṇṭā, the Goddess of the Delight of Practice, who bears the moon in her necklace, Kūṣmāṇḍa, the Goddess of Purifying Austerity is fourth.”

“Fifth is the Goddess Skanda-Mātā, the mother of Skanda, born out of her powers, sixth is Kātyāyanī, the One Who is Ever Pure; seventh is Kālarātrī, the Goddess of the Dark Night of Overcoming Egotism, Siddhidātrī, Mahāgaurī, the wife of Lord Śiva is eighth.”

“Ninth is the Goddess Siddhidātrīm, the provider of Siddhis, and bestower of mystic powers; the nine Durgas, relievers of difficulties, have been enumerated, and these names have been revealed by the great soul of the Supreme Brahmā himself."

ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः

• March 30: Pratipadā (Ghatasthāpana & Śailaputrī Pūjā)

• March 31: Dvitīyā (Brahmacāriṇī Pūjā)

• April 1: Tṛtīyā (Candraghaṇṭā Pūjā)

• April 2: Caturthī (Kuṣmāṇḍā Pūjā)

• April 3: Pañcamī (Skandamātā Pūjā)

• April 4: Ṣaṣṭhī (Kātyāyanī Pūjā)

• April 5: Saptamī (Kālratri Pūjā)

• April 6: Aṣṭamī (Mahāgaurī Pūjā & Kanyā Pūjan)

• April 7: Navamī (Siddhidātrī Pūjā & Rām Navamī)

Yugādi & Gudhi Pāḍavā: The Vedic New Year

Gudhi Pāḍavā: Vedic New Year

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Falling on March 30th, Ugadi and Gudhi Pāḍavā and mark the Vedic New Year, aligning with the lunisolar calendar and heralding a time of renewal and auspicious beginnings. Commencing on Chaitra Śukla Pratipadā—the first lunar day after the new moon closest to the vernal equinox—this day reflects the harmony of lunar and solar cycles, with the Sun and Moon positioned in Pisces.

The panchāṅga, the Vedic almanac, designates this astronomical new year based on the new moon in Pisces or the one nearest to the vernal equinox. This moment marks the start of a new Samvatsara, the 60-year cycle in the Hindu lunar calendar.

In Maharashtra and beyond, this day is observed as Gudhi Pāḍavā, while in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, it is celebrated as Yugādi—derived from Yuga (era) and Ādi (beginning), symbolizing the dawn of a new epoch. It is believed that Lord Brahmā commenced the creation of the universe on this day, making it a sacred threshold for fresh beginnings.

Recognized as one of the Sāḍhe Tīn Muhūrtas—a highly auspicious time requiring no additional muhurta for initiating significant ventures—this day holds immense spiritual, cultural, and agricultural significance. The chart of this day is believed to set karmic trends for the year ahead, with this year’s alignment placing six grahas in Pisces in the first house at sunrise (location: India).

Traditionally, Gudhi Pāḍavā is celebrated with vibrant rituals, including raising a gudi dvaja (victory flag) adorned with flowers, mango leaves, and neem leaves—symbolizing prosperity and triumph. Homes are decorated with colorful rangoli, and special sweets are prepared to mark the occasion.

Yugādi is welcomed with panchāṅga śravaṇa (almanac reading), symbolizing the wisdom of aligning with natures rhythms. Homes are cleaned and adorned with toranas of mango leaves, and families wear new clothes to mark the fresh beginning.

A significant tradition is the preparation of Yugādi Pachadi—a unique blend of six flavors: neem (bitterness), tamarind (sourness), jaggery (sweetness), green mango (tanginess), chili (heat), and salt—each representing the varied experiences of life. This ritual serves as a reminder to embrace the full spectrum of existence with equanimity.

Symbolically, this day represents new beginnings, prosperity, and spiritual evolution. Along with the omen of the Solar eclipse, this rare astrological alignment and convergence is signalling that start of a new era.

All My Relations.

"In order to establish order, disorder has to be shaken; and for shaking to remain under control, we who are at the basis, at the level of Para, have to be Para – that is, unreachable by the surface turmoil. In that integrated state, the fast moving chaos and change will pass away in a steady manner.

So, we have to be very steady. We have to be very careful not to get upset by little or big things. If we lose our basis, our dignity, the phase transition will take much longer.

Don't give importance to things which may upset us. This is a very precious time for the world. Everything depends on how our awareness is; just don't let it be shaken. Our awareness is the basis of all these transformations. 

More than ever before, time demands we remain completely ourselves. It is a very tender, delicate time for us - we should not become angry, indifferent, or sad; we should just be like an ocean. The evolutionary power is waking up.

We shake it, then leave it; then after some time shake it again. Each time a new level of purity, awakening, is added.”

~ Maharishi Mahesh Yogi