Śani Jayantī

ŚANI JAYANTĪ

Monday, May 26th

The day preceding the new moon in the lunar month of Jyeṣṭhā (May/June), known as Śani Amāvāsyā (शनि जयन्ति), holds special significance in the Vedic calendar as it commemorates the birth of Lord Saturn.

Śani, the venerable son of Sūrya Dev (the Sun) and his shadowy consort Chāyā Devī, brother of Yama Dev of Pātāla-loka, is often depicted as a dark figure seated upon a crow—the planet of restraint and duty, embodiment of patience, he who is measured and deliberate, who is the giver of longevity (Āyuḥ-kāraka, long life indicator).

It is Śani who creates the foundation for the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthana), as Lord Viṣṇu’s second incarnation, Kūrma Avatāra—the divine tortoise who bore the weight of Mount Mandara.

Śani is the seventh of the nine grahas (planets), lord of the western direction, presiding over Saturdays, and governs the rāśis Makara (Capricorn) and Kumbha (Aquarius).

He rules the three luminous nakṣatras at the heart of all water signs (mokṣa rāśis): Puṣyā, Anurādhā, and Uttara Bhādrapadā. Śani is exalted (uccha) in Tulā (Libra), particularly in Svātī, and debilitated (nīca) in Bharaṇī (Aries). His janma-nakṣatra, or birth star, is traditionally said to be Revatī (Pisces).

Śani’s constitution is vāta, and in Āyurvedic astrology, he governs the muscle tissue, thighs, knees, joints, colon, and legs. He is the carrier of vāyu tattva (air element), his caste is traditionally Śūdra—though some regard him as an outsider—and his archetype is that of an oil-presser, one who honors Kalā Bhairava, Lord of Time. His color is black or kājal (collyrium), his metal is iron, and his gemstone is nīla (blue sapphire).

Kālī, the Mahāvidyā aligned with Saturn, is the devourer of time who cuts through illusion with uncompromising truth. Like Śani, she is both fierce and compassionate—delivering the consequences of karma and stripping away what is false to reveal what is eternal.

Śani’s influence is often misunderstood. His presence in our lives can manifest as a force that slows us down, humbles us, and may seemingly bring an unceasing succession of challenges and sorrows.

Despite the difficulty inherent in Saturn's teachings, embracing his influence can also bestow upon us maturity, spiritual resilience, and the ability to reign over vast domains when we manage to appease him. Śani may manifest as restrictions and delays along our path; however, he never denies. When he gives, he bestows everything abundantly.

To appease Lord Saturn and prevent him from causing disruptions in your life, you can make regular offerings of black sesame seeds to the crows on Saturdays, and chant the Hanumān Chalīsā.

If you’re currently running a cycle (daśā or antar-daśā) of Saturn, experiencing sāḍēsātī (the seven-and-a-half-year transit), undergoing a Saturn return (occurs roughly every 29.5 years/Saturn in Pisces), Śani aṣṭamaśa (currently Siṃha rāśi), or feeling the influence of Saturn “holding back” your progress, observing a fast on this day can be immensely beneficial.

Śani, who is measured, known for his restraint and tolerance, favors those who embrace these virtues.

Consider a vrat (a sacred observance or fast)—from technology, food, or simply opting for a slower approach. Offer support or aid to an elderly family member, donate your time, food, or clothing to those in need of support—on Monday, May 26, when Amāvāsyā tithi prevails at sunrise through the new moon (20:03 PDT | May 27, 8:33 IST). 

Pair this with listening to or chanting the Śrī Rudram, a powerful hymn to Śiva, to invite Saturn’s grace. Śani is considered a devotee of Śiva, and in certain Purāṇic stories, it is only Śiva who can pacify or transform Śani’s gaze.

In turning inward on this threshold of the new moon, may you align with Śani’s higher teachings and receive his blessings of fortitude, clarity, and enduring reward.

ॐ शनि शनैश्चराय नमः।

All my Relations

Jupiter in Gemini

JUPITER INTO GEMINI

5/14 – 11/11 ’25

(Returns: December 20, 2025 – May 24, 2026)

Jupiter (Bṛhaspati), the benevolent guru to the devas—planet of wisdom, expansion, and discernment—enters sidereal Gemini (Mithuna) on May 14, continuing his transit through Mṛgaśīrṣa, the Searching Star. A time to place our discernment—and our investments—in their proper place.

As Jupiter moves through Mṛgaśīrṣā in Gemini, we enter a cycle of refined curiosity and deeper understanding. This is an invitation to pursue knowledge with both analysis and devotion.

Ruled by Soma, the lunar deity of nourishment and subtle vitality, Mṛgaśīrṣā supports a gentler, contemplative expansion. Jupiter here doesn’t rush—it wanders with purpose, gathering insight, refining speech, and reweaving thought into wisdom.

This period invites a reassessment of our chosen path, urging us to realign our pursuits with our highest truth and ensure our investments—of time, energy, and intention—are placed wisely. Mṛgaśīrṣā’s restless search has us questioning what is truly worth pursuing, stripping away illusion to reveal a more authentic sense of purpose.

From June 13 to August 13, Jupiter transits Ārdrā (आर्द्रा), the Star of the Storm. Symbolized by a teardrop, Ārdrā initiates destruction not as punishment, but as purification. This is not a time to scatter energy, but to channel it with discernment and precision. Amidst the collective unraveling, clarity arises only by anchoring into what is internally true—rather than reacting to outer turbulence.

From August 13 to October 3, Jupiter moves into Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु), the Star of Renewal. Ruled by Aditi, the mother of the gods, this constellation brings restoration after the storm. Symbolized by a quiver of arrows, Punarvasu holds the power to rebuild what was scattered—to re-inhabit what is life-giving, expansive, and aligned. A return to inner abundance, this is Jupiter remembering how to direct energy wisely, to fill the reservoir rather than drain it.

From October 3 to November 11, Jupiter moves through Puṣya (पुष्य), the nourisher. The teachings begin to stabilize, and what has been learned may take form. Puṣya brings maturity as well as an intesity to Jupiter’s journey.

On November 11, Jupiter retrogrades into Cancer, inviting a return inward. What has been intellectually understood must now be emotionally integrated. He re-enters Gemini on December 20, continuing retrograde until March 11, 2026, and then returns once more to Cancer on May 24, 2026—completing a cycle of mental expansion and inner restoration.

Bṛhaspati is Jīva Kāraka—the indicator of the individual soul—breathing life into being. He is the carrier of ākāśa (ether) tattva, the significator of śabda (sound), the lord of speech (vāk), viveka (discernment), and restoration. He is said to have a voice like a lion, and his vāhana is the elephant. Predominantly Kapha in constitution, he is also kāraka of storehouses and treasures.

Associated with meda dhātu (fat tissue), he is adaptive and expansive. As Śrī Vāmana, the fifth avatāra of Viṣṇu, he utilized deception to restore the worlds back to their rightful place. We invoke him to protect our intelligence (buddhi).

Tārā, the Mahāvidyā aligned with Jupiter, is the fierce liberator who guides through the power of śabda brahman—primordial sound. Like Bṛhaspati, she is teacher and protector, revealing truth and ferrying the soul across the ocean of saṁsāra.

Those in a Jupiter or Mars daśā or antara, or with key natal placements in Mṛgaśīrṣa, Ārdrā, or Punarvasu, will feel the movement of this transit more directly.

ॐ ह्रीं श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः।

enters Gemini on May 14th

enters Ārdrā on June 13th

enters Punarvasu on August 13th

enters Cancer on October 3rd

goes retrograde in Cancer on November 11th

reenters Gemini on December 20th

goes direct in Gemini on March 11th, ‘26 

reenters Cancer May 24th





Full Moon in Viśākhā: The Star of Purpose

FULL MOON

Artwork: Durga on her mount (vahana) Kota, Rajasthan, North-Western India, ca. 1860 

May 12th 9:56 AM PST | 22:26 IST

May’s full moon (Pūrṇimā) rises on Monday in the Vedic lunar mansion of Viśākhā विशाखा (sidereal Libra), the Star of Purpose.

With the new moon in Bharaṇī (Aries), we were presented with a culmination of recent energies—a pivotal threshold for purification, revealing deeper layers of the self, and initiating us into transformative new beginnings.

Libra, the sign most in need of balance, holds Viśākhā at its edge. This asterism, said to be the birth star of Sūrya Graha (the Sun), invites us to clarify our intentions. Through the churning of duality, the singular is born. Success now depends not only on the goals we set, but on whether they serve a larger whole. There is power in sustained effort and one-pointed focus—while also softening our attachment to the outcome.

Artwork: Pinterst

Viśākhā is symbolized by a triumphal arch, suggesting arrival and initiation, and its name means "two-branched"—signifying the crossroads of choice. Ruled by two deities, Indra (king of the gods and storms) and Agni (god of fire), this lunar mansion awakens the śakti (energy) of ambition, devotion, and courageous pursuit. 

It supports the inner fire needed to clear what has outlived its purpose and to devote oneself to building anew. This lunation invites a quiet harmonizing between self and other—not through striving, but through sincere presence.

This full moon is also known as Buddha Pūrṇimā—the night Siddhārtha Gautama, the one we now revere as the Buddha, sat beneath the Bodhi tree and vowed not to rise until he had seen the truth. Through the long hours of night, he faced the illusions of the mind and the final tests of the path. By dawn, he crossed the threshold into awakening.

Artwork: Pinterest

This full moon also marks Kūrma Jayantī, honoring the second avatāra of Lord Viṣṇu. In this form, Viṣṇu incarnated as the divine tortoise to support Mount Mandara during the Samudra Manthana—the cosmic churning of the ocean. Kūrma avatāra is associated with Śani Graha, who embodies steadiness, restraint, and the capacity to bear what others cannot. Śani exalts in the heart of Libra—governing the control and measured flow of prāṇa that steadies the path of dharma.
We will explore more in our monthly gathering:

Vidyā & Chai — Group Meditation & Sacred Storytelling
5/11 5:30 PM PST | 5/12 6AM IST
More info and blog link in bio. 

All my Relations - Tulsi 

“Ground yourself, strip yourself down, 

To blind loving silence.

Stay there, until you see

You are gazing at the Light

With its own ageless eyes”

~ Jalaluddin Rumi