Venus represents our ojas which is our immunity and vitality, as well as abundance, relationships and general happiness in life. Lately Venus has been in a period of crisis which started on May 30th and will remain until November 2nd, 2023. During this time, Venus crosses a Cancer-Leo Gandanta three times and is also retrograde which happens once every two years. In July, Venus will go through the first Cancer Leo Gandanta for the first time on July 6th and turns retrograde on July 22nd. This will cause Venus to weaken to the point of crisis. Many of us will feel anxious and tired to the point of possible burn out.
Gandanta Karmic Block
Gandanta’s are like karmic blocks which are always positioned between water and fire signs. This energy is capable of causing hurricanes and storms, it’s unstable energy. We can feel its effect on our relationships, and it may cause marriage problems, financial issues, pain and discomfort, and excess heat in our bodies as well as the environment. During this time, it is very important to nurture yourself to avoid health issues.
In Sanskrit, gand means a knot, and anta means the end. Gandanta means the knot at the end. A well-tied knot is very difficult to unravel. The more you try to untie the knot, the tighter it becomes. Gandanta represents a knot within us, a deep issue, which we are trying to reconcile with. When a planet is positioned like this there is uncertainty trying to unravel the knot.
Venus in Gandanta will give us all some struggle, especially with relationships, the amount of abundance in our lives, and with our ojas (immune system). Especially the Ambuvahasrota which relates to our body fluid, bladder, and kidneys. It will affect all life on earth including us and during this time, it is very important to take care of yourself to protect and nourish ojas.
Ojas the Nectar of Vitality
The Ayurvedic text describes ojas as a substance similar to honey. Bees make honey from the nectar collected from flowers that is combined with their digestive juices. This process transforms the nectar into a golden sticky substance known as honey. Just like honey, ojas is formed in us by the nutrients we eat combined with our digestive juices. Ojas is the digestive essence produced by each of the seven layers of tissue, lymph, blood, muscle, fat, bone, nerves, and reproductive.
Imagine it takes 5 days for nutrients to metabolize through each of the seven layers of tissue and only after 35 days will it nourish our ojas or immune system. The Ayurvedic text explains that ojas is a yellow substance that is stored in our heart and the ten vessels surrounding the heart. When our digestion is strong, we have a better chance of assimilating nutrients and maintaining strong ojas. After ojas is formed it is added to our immune system savings account. Ojas has many benefits, it provides growth for our cells and tissues, healthy longevity, contentment and a loving nature, intelligence that makes us wise.
Nourishing Your Ojas
Ojas circulates throughout our bodies supplying vital energy to all cells. Since it requires 35 days to nourish our ojas, it’s very important to maintain a healthy nutrient dense diet. Ojas building foods include ghee, milk, rice, dates, nuts, seeds, plant juice or sap, and whole grains. Due to the cooling, sweet qualities of ojas rich foods, they should be eaten warm and freshly prepared to help these nourishing foods to fully digest. When food is nutrient dense, it requires adequately strong digestion, so the food does not become ama which is undigested food particles that gets stuck in our bodies.
Our cells are governed by the instinctive subconscious mind that has both an individual and a collective consciousness. When our thoughts and desires pour from our mind into our cells they are activated and subject to how we are feeling. It has been scientifically proven that positive thoughts bring positive results to cells. As meditation brings about a prolonged positive state of mind, it rejuvenates body cells and promotes healthy longevity.
Characteristics of Strong Ojas
· High energy and alertness
· High emotional intelligence
· Optimism versus negativity
· Mind that is eager to learn
· Strong physical strength and stamina
· Aware of physical needs to properly care for oneself
· Mindfulness and discernment
What Diminishes Ojas
· Mental level: anger, grief, excessive thinking, negativity
· Physical level: injury, overworking, excessive eating habit
· Nourishment level: excessive amounts of salty, spicy, or bitter foods
The ability to have love and compassion for all beings is a direct result of strong and healthy ojas in the heart. Another important way to nourish ojas is to feel gratitude and loving kindness toward all beings.
Throughout life, ojas can be continually strengthened if the person has good digestion and chooses high quality nutrient dense foods. Any deviation in the normal quantity or quality of ojas will cause illnesses and even death if too much is lost.