Gemini (Mithun)

Number

3

Element

Air

Ruler

Mercury

Astronomical Introduction

The constellation Mithuna takes its name from the divine couple, Surya (the Sun, the male) and Chandra (the Moon, the female). Within this rashi (zodiacal sign) fall the remaining half of the Mrigashira nakshatra (lunar mansion), one complete nakshatra, and three-quarters of Punarvasu.

Puranic Account

One arm of the Akasha Ganga, the Milky Way, passes close by the paired stars of Mithuna. A reference to this is found in the Rigveda (1.116.17), in connection with Viraj's ascent onto the chariot of the Ashvini Kumaras (the divine twin horsemen of the Vedas). In the Puranas, Mithuna is also the emblem of the primal couple that set creation in motion. In the Vedas it is shown in the form of Brahman (the absolute) and Vak (Speech). The Sankhya philosophy likewise presents it as the duality of Purusha (cosmic spirit) and Prakriti (primordial nature); and in the form of Ardhanarishvara, the duality of Shiva and Shakti is shown resolved into a single unity.

Nature

This green-coloured rashi takes the form of a couple, a man and a woman. The woman holds a veena (lute) in her hand, and the man bears a gada (mace). Its lord (swami) is Budha (Mercury). In it, Rahu is held to be exalted (uccha) and Ketu debilitated (neecha). In the body it governs the region from the shoulders down through the arms, together with the lungs and the nerves. Being a tridosha sign, partaking of all three humours, vata, pitta, and kapha, its disposition inclines toward study, work involving speech, and craftsmanship.

Places

This rashi resides in playgrounds, parks, dance halls, traditional schools, theatres, cinema halls, places of learning, schools, colleges, gambling houses, scenic spots, recreation grounds, bedrooms, and places of lovemaking.

Associated Objects

Forest fruits, jute, sugarcane, the kharif (monsoon) crop, creepers, tubers and roots, and woman.

Effects

If the birth rashi (janma rashi) or the name rashi (nama rashi) is Mithuna, the native (jataka) has an upturned nose and pinkish eyes; he is clever, keen-witted, fortunate, fond of curiosities and entertainments, a knower of the shastras, a lover of books, a writer, and fond of travel. He is fond of abundant food, cheerful, skilled in the Kamashastra (the science of erotics), and devoted to rati (lovemaking). The native pursues more than one occupation, or keeps changing it. He suddenly draws gain from unfamiliar persons or unfamiliar places. He is a lover of mathematics and Jyotish (astrology).

The native enjoys excellent relations with those of the Vrishabha (Taurus), Simha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo), and Tula (Libra) rashis, but with those of Karka (Cancer) there remains a likelihood of conflict. Under inauspicious influence, the native becomes a gambler, has few children, and is quick to anger.

Diseases

He is afflicted by such ailments as ear disease, sudden onsets of pain, stammering, asthma, pneumonia, arthritis, and the like.