Om Mahadevaaya Namah|

Are you going through a difficult period in your life? The answer could be as simple as Shani Dasa, or Gochara Shani (Saturn transit). A Shani Dasa (Saturn period) can interfere in our daily affairs by slowing everything down to a halt, which can be disastrous. 
The 7 ½ years period of Shani’s transit over natal Moon, approximately 2 ½ years per rasi, when Shani transits the 12th, 1st, and 2nd from Janma rasi (natal Moon sign) you can experience tremendous challenges in all possible aspects of life. Such period is called Sade Sati and it is a period dreaded by everyone because: relatives die, jobs are lost, relationships are put to the test, wealth is lost, reputation is challenged, you name it; it affects everything. Moon represents the mind, our emotions, and our society. During such transit there is a great deal of mental distress and you get to carry your own load of junk because Shani is tired of carrying it for you. It is your opportunity to clean up the back room and get rid of old habits. If you don’t do your homework it will become even more difficult to do so next time Saturn comes around. Sade Sati could be considered as the most common cause of suffering; no one is exempt from Sade Sati. There are stories that even Lord Shiva could not be spared from it. 
Our rebirth is a clear indication that we need to continue growing and learning until we attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of suffering and rebirth). I’m not going to talk about moksha here, but about suffering. We all suffer one way or the other, some more than others, but we all do. Tradition teaches that the 6th house is the manifestation of our weaknesses from a previous life. If we had no weaknesses in our previous life how can we have a 6th house in this life? Therefore, we are here to pay for our mistakes (bad karma) by learning and growing spiritually because that’s what suffering ultimately does; suffering makes us “grow up”.

Consider the following case (above charts): From 2002 to 2009 this man experienced Sade Sati. During that time he lost his new car due to problems with his personal finances; his business became less productive every month progressively to the point of zero productivity; his long overdue wedding became a reality and so did his divorce soon after; many family problems; a hormonal imbalance created health issues; debt after debt accumulated to the point of personal bankruptcy; he was threatened with eviction multiple times; and many other problems, but most of all, he became spiritual. He came out it with a new perspective and respect for life. For many, this signifies that they have reached a higher level of maturity.

There are other Saturn transits; Kantaka Shani for instance, which happens when Saturn transits the 1st, 4th, 8th, 10th, from Lagna, Arudha Lagna, or Janma Lagna. Kantaka means thorn and that's exactly what you feel during Saturn's transits. Like a thorn on your foot that makes you limp, or on your side causing constant pain with every move.

The following case scenario (above charts) is a good example of Kantaka Shani: This woman is undergoing all sorts of hardship and difficulties as I write this article. Since the transit started she got divorced, re-married, and now separated; her business had to be closed and she has become an employee of her own customer; her application for U.S residency was declined; she is barely making enough money for food and to pay the rent; she came to me asking for help but our communication has been difficult due to her bad timing; and the list goes on and on into every minute detail of her life.
Not everyone has the same experience. Saturn’s placement in a chart could be considered less malefic compared to other person’s chart. Each transit will have different effect depending on the sign, planets in the sign, dasa, etc. Moon’s placement in Navamsha or Drekkana charts can make matters worse and should be taken into consideration. Sri Hanuman worship and Beeja mantra of Saturn are remedies for Sade Sati. The 3rd anuvaka of Shri Rudram Chamakam is a good remedy for Kantaka Shani.
Are you in Sade Sati or Kantaka Shani? You may contact me to find out. I accept donations.

Sincerely,

Robert Dotel