The Sun in Scorpio

Vrishchika Sankranti

Please note that I am a sidereal Vedic astrologer and my calculations are based on the sidereal zodiac, Lahiri ayanamsa, not on the tropical system used by most western astrologers.

The solar calendar comprises twelve months that correspond with the Sun’s movement through the entire zodiac of twelve signs each year. The Sun transits through each sign (and house) for about one month. In the sidereal zodiac traditionally used in Vedic astrology, the Sun enters and leaves a new sign near the middle of the month. This event is known as a sankranti or sankraman day.

On Wednesday morning, November 16, at 8:45 AM EST, the Sun will transit out of Libra, where it’s been since October 17, and into Scorpio. The Sun will remain in Scorpio until December 15. (Use World Time Buddy to convert these times and dates to your time zone if necessary).

As the Sun moves from Libra to Scorpio, it will transit on the liminal edge between the two signs (sandhi or cusp) beginning around 9 PM EST on Tuesday night, and lasting into Wednesday night (November 15-16). This transition is known as “sankranti.” When the Sun is in this sankranti/sandhi phase, it is important for us to be extra-mindful and aware, as we can tend to lose our bearings, feel vulnerable and ungrounded, miss appointments, or misplace belongings.

The Sun represents the soul of the world, the fathering archetype, and the ultimate power of life, so the monthly sankranti days are traditionally very important in Vedic culture for ancestral rituals, charitable actions, spiritual celebrations, and special pujas.

Every three months, the Sun transits in one of the four fixed signs of stability (sthira rashi): Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. The Sun when transiting in these signs becomes Vishnupati, the embodiment of the supreme being Vishnu, who is the god of preservation and the bestower of karma. Vishnu brings both material and spiritual boons as the Sun transits into the fixed signs.

The Sun’s Scorpio ingress is known as Vrishchika Sankranti, when Lord Surya (the Sun) transits into the strong-willed and self-possessed sign of Scorpio. In classical astrology, Scorpio is ruled by Mars, the fiery Sun’s similarly incandescent friend. The Sun can be very strong in the warrior sign of Scorpio, where this luminary reflects potential for healing and empowerment. Additionally, Vrishchika Sankranti is welcomed as it marks the Sun’s movement out of its weakest sign of debilitation (Libra).

The Sun in Vedic astrology represents power, authority, confidence, self-esteem, vitality, immunity, bones, and the spine. Leaders (“kings”) are said to act more effectively when the Sun transits in Mars-ruled Scorpio, versus in Venus-ruled Libra. For anyone who may have recently suffered acute back issues or who has felt otherwise irritated or “off-balance,” the shift of the Sun into Scorpio may bring some relief.

Of course, the effects of the Sun’s transit also depend on multiple detailed calculations which are needed to discern the unique effects for each individual horoscope. Generally, the Sun’s transit is auspicious in upachaya houses 3, 6, 10, and 11 as calculated from the ascendant, the Sun, or the Moon in the natal horoscope, so for those with Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn, or Aquarius ascendant, Sun, or Moon, this may be a more energetic and empowered month ahead.

Om, with loving reverence I bow to the Sun,

Lord of the sacred fire and majestic king of our world system,

Who is the ever flowing font of heat, light, and life force,

Who is reverently worshiped by all creatures and in all cultures,

Who is the invincible illuminating power of consciousness,

Dispeller of darkness, protector of life,

Graciously lighting my way.

I bow again and again to Lord Surya!

Om Nama Shivaya!