Tidbits By Jaiba MARS (Kartikeya). Mars the only planetary representative of the Pleiades. Born by Krittika installed during 4 more or less close conjunctions of all planets, marked the beginning of KritaYoga the GOLDEN AGE. There are no powers more diverse than SATURN and MARS (Sampson-Orion) Mars holds the greatest force for good or evil in action and can become a harmonizing force. Astrologers should speculate on the traditional system of the world and make use of whatever astronomy, geography, mythology, holy texts of the law of TIME and change which are available to them. JUPITER exalted in Cancer. In beginning astrological times the northern most point of Jupiter occurred at the Northern Claw of Cancer, the Crab. Nowadays, it occurs at Propus the foot of the Northern Twin, Gemini. Jupiter's cycle is nearly 12 years. When he makes the Trigon conjunction with Saturn to get his instructions for the next cycle of world events. Venus is in superior conjunction (Sun between Venus and Earth) for 7 weeks, after which it is the morning star (Lucifer) for 263 days. This is followed by the inferior conjunction (Venus between Sun and Earth) and then it becomes the evening star (Vesp er) for 9 months. The entire cycle takes 584 days or 19 1/2 months. The Mercury cycle lasts 116 days being in superior conjunction 35 days and inferior for 5 days and being a morning and evening star for 38 days each. The Moon's cycle takes 18.6 years where she returns to the same place in terms of celestial latitude AND longitude. Venus and Mercury transit across the face of the Sun periodically, can't recall the cycles but think Venus's last transit was in 1985. When these two planets cross the face of the Sun, they can be observed as a dot going across if you're in the right place with the proper equipment. The pure torch that flares in the sky The heavenly light shining bright like day, The great queen of heaven, VENUS, I will hail... of her majesty, of her greatness, of her exceeding dignity, of her brilliant coming forth in the evening sky, of her flaming in the sky - a pure torch - of her standing in the sky like the sun and the moon, known by all lands south to north of the greatness of the hly one of heaven to the lady I will sing. (Sumerian praise)