Dear Friend,

As I write this, Mars stands just 20 minutes away from Saturn in Pisces, in Uttarabhādrapadā nakṣatra. I have spoken at length about Saturn and Mars in Uttarabhādrapadā on many forms, so in this letter I would like to turn our attention to a few other dimensions of this conjunction. A few months ago, I had also shared a video on YouTube which you may find of interest if you wish to explore further.

Saturn signifies structure, time, and limitation, while Mars represents drive, passion, and energy. Their natures are inherently contrasting. Saturn slows and stabilises, whereas Mars initiates and drives. If we were to use a simple analogy, it is like pressing both the brake and the accelerator at once, Saturn being the brake and Mars the accelerator.

Saturn in Pisces is a dissolver of forms. It gradually erodes structures, long-held assumptions, and established realities, compelling us to re-evaluate how we perceive life, philosophy, and at times, even people. Some transitions are consciously chosen, while others arise through circumstances beyond our control. During such times, we probably were forced to work with new realities rather than resist them. Moving out of what is familiar into uncertain terrain can feel limiting, yet it pushes us to form new approaches, strategies, and perspectives.

Although this process may feel burdensome, as if we are carrying a mountain, Mars’ presence here may be understood as a blessing. Mars introduces movement where there has been inertia. It signifies action and intent. What Saturn has already initiated by pushing us beyond our comfort zones, Mars now begins to mobilise. What once appeared overwhelming may slowly begin to seem like an opportunity.

Mars in Pisces operates in unpredictable waters, yet it does not necessarily like conflict. Instead, it brings about a gradual and often inevitable movement forward. The nature of progress here is different. It may be slow, subtle, and at times unclear at the moment. Yet, with hindsight, we may recognise that the developments unfolding now were necessary and, perhaps, beneficial.

On a personal note, configurations involving Saturn and Mars, especially conjunctions, tend to feel draining for me, though they are equally revealing. As I prepare to publish the first volume of my Jyotiṣa series, I found myself grappling with numerous creative decisions, especially related to formatting and layout. After investing considerable time and effort, I realised that this part of the work does not align with my strengths. I eventually chose to outsource it. While the time spent may initially seem unproductive, it has offered an important realisation about where my energy is best directed. I believe many of us may encounter similar insights during this period, recognising more clearly how and where our efforts are being invested.

While this transit encourages movement and engagement, especially with the Sun in Aśvinī, we must remain mindful of the nature of time with Saturn in Pisces, which can feel slow and heavy. Even if progress does not meet our expectations, it is important to be gentle with ourselves. Given the circumstances, any progress is meaningful. As the Sun moves into Bharanī, this theme may become even more subtle, where growth occurs within stillness. Remaining open to varied experiences, including pauses and interruptions, will ultimately make life easier.

There will be a shift as Mars and Venus both move into their signs of domicile strength, bringing renewed confidence and resourcefulness. Until then, it is important to trust the process and continue doing what is necessary.

Even when the path feels uncertain, movement itself is a confirmation that we are already on our way.

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Inward Glance

Epictetus' Discourses: A Retelling

Book I, Chapter 11, 1.11.1 to 1.11.7

Epictetus begins chapter 11 of Book XI in a very different manner, but the point is sharp. 

A magistrate visits him, a man who by all outward measures has done well in life. Instead of speaking about philosophy immediately, Epictetus asks something simple and human. 

Do you have a wife and children? 

The man says yes. Then comes the real question. 

How do you like it?

The answer is immediate and honest. “I am miserable”. 

That single line reveals everything. This is someone who has achieved what most people strive for, yet finds himself burdened by it. Epictetus is not criticising family life. He is exposing a deeper confusion. We pursue certain things with the belief that they will bring fulfilment, but we rarely pause to understand their true nature. A family is not just affection and comfort. It is responsibility, anxiety, attachment, and the constant possibility of loss. 

When these factors appear, we act as though something has gone wrong, when in fact nothing unexpected has happened. The problem is not in the wife or the children, but in the expectations we carried into the situation. We wanted the image of it, not the reality of it. And when reality arrives, we call it misery. Epictetus is forcing us to see that if even the things we choose bring us suffering, then the fault does not lie in the things themselves, but in how we understand and approach them.

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Personal Consultations

Study Jyotis̱a with me

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Have a wonderful time.

Until Next Letter,

Love,

Aswin