Shani has just transited. Shani, also known as ‘manda’ meaning ‘slow’, stands for the energies behind the planet Saturn. Ashtama stands for eighth. In terms of “transit”, Saturn was passing through the 8th house. Thus, Ashtama Shani means the planet Saturn’s energies affecting the eighth house and three aspects from there in an individual’s horoscope.
Saturn is the slowest planet, covering one “house” in about two and a half years. Thus, the entire “cycling around” of Shani happens with respect to Surya/Sun in about thirty years. Given the typical spans of human life, one may experience three Ashtama transits in many cases, and in rare cases, it can be four.
Shani is the dispenser of justice and methodical. Shani is structure-bound and systems-orientated. Simply, discipline personified. This is what we have to appreciate compared to other planets that move much faster when Shani takes the long duration. Examples of other planets are Rahu and Ketu taking a year and a half to transit through a single house, and Jupiter, the guru, or Brihaspati, taking a full year to transit. Planets like Surya, Budha and Shukra take a month; Mangala takes a month and a half, and the Moon takes only a couple of days to cover or transit a bhava or house.
The eighth house indicates the deeper aspects of one’s life. It is opposite to the material aspects house of ‘dwitiya bhava’ or the second house. The second bhava indicates immediate family, material wealth, childhood education, right eye, speech or communication, among others. Opposite to this house is the eighth, which indicates the contrary. The eighth house indicates deep knowledge, research, occult, ancestral wealth, death and surrounding mysteries, sudden losses, sudden accidents, etc. The transit of Saturn in the eighth house “activates” these aspects of one’s life. Due to aspects like wounds, accidents, death or death like situations, the occult, and ill-health associations, many do not like this transit. The “outcomes” are the reverse of the second house “riches”, which are to do with money, education, immediate family, communication, etc. Who likes the reverse of these?
The aspects of Saturn when it is in the eighth transit are due to 3/7/10 drishtis from the 8th. This makes the 10th (profession), 2nd (income), and 5th (creativity, children, education, domestic outcomes) houses get adversely affected. One has to be aware and lead a calm life. Lessons will be there. Respect and trust that this too shall pass.
About the author
Dr. S. Ainavolu is a Mumbai-based teacher of Management and Tradition. Intent is NextGen’s learning and cultural education.
