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| Color of the day: Brown
Incense of the day: Pine The planet Saturn is considered by Jyotishis, or Indian astrologers, to be a naturally malefic planet. When it is ill placed in a birth or Moon chart, Saturn causes strife, illness, and prolonged hardship. Saturn is worshipped as a planetary deity called Lord Shani in India. Its sacred gem is blue sapphire. Jyotish astrology ascribes that each mortal has to go through three stages of sadhe sati, or "Saturn return." There are other minor Saturnine subperiods known as shani dasa. When entering cycles where Saturn is strongly posited in the personal astrological chart, a simple but effective ritual can help lessen the negative effects of Saturn. Find a picture of the shani yantra, a mystical diagram or talisman, and place it on a black cloth on your altar. Offer fruit, flowers, oil lamps, incense, milk, palm sugar, and some coconut. Two hours before sunset, recite the mantra for Lord Shani 108 times or continue over a period until 23,000 rounds are achieved. Beginners can fill a box with 108 toothpicks and take one out upon completion of one round of mantra. Those who own traditional Hindu japa malas, or rosaries consisting 108 beads, may use it for counting. Advanced practitioners or adepts can formulate their own rituals for worshipping Lord Shani. The short version of Saturn's mantra is: Om sham sha-na-ish-cha-ra-ye namah Om |
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