Venus Crosses the “Karmic Knot” [Election Day Special]
As if the US chart weren't already a tempest...
Functional Astrology || AstroGnosis
If you would like to know more about Functional Astrology and the art of AstroGnosis, join the community, here:
Listen to this post, here:
When Venus crosses the Scorpio-Sagittarius Gandanta on November 5th, she transitions from the depths of Scorpio into the expansive, optimistic energies of Sagittarius, marking a shift from water (emotion) to fire (spirit).
Gandanta zones, which are located between the last 3 degrees of water signs and the first 3 degrees of fire signs, are known in Vedic astrology as "karmic knots."
These are super-charged zones where planetary energies undergo significant transformation, often bringing unresolved or latent issues to the surface for final resolution and release.
What is a “Gandanta”?
“Gandanta” is a Sanskrit term that translates roughly to "knot" or "knot of karma”, and it’s unique to water-to-fire transitions because of the profound (yet, challenging) nature of moving from the dissolution of water to the assertive rebirth of fire. This transition is seen as a threshold of sorts, prompting deep karmic work and spiritual shifts that aren’t emphasized in the same way for other elemental transitions in the Vedic astrological tradition.
Some gandanta specifics:
Definition: Gandanta refers to the three transition points at the junctions of water and fire signs. Specifically:
Cancer (water) to Leo (fire)
Scorpio (water) to Sagittarius (fire)
Pisces (water) to Aries (fire)
These zones are located at the final 3 degrees of water signs (27° to 30°) and the first 3 degrees of the following fire signs (0° to 3°). Each zone acts as a "karmic knot" where energies can feel unstable, intense, and transformational. In these zones, planets often express a sense of crisis, release, or heightened sensitivity.
The gandanta is associated with unresolved karmic patterns. As such, planets crossing through these zones may bring forward karmic issues from the past, surfacing deep-rooted emotions, attachments, and spiritual lessons that need resolution or release.
These zones are viewed as spiritual thresholds. They challenge us to confront unresolved inner material and prepare us for a fresh start by transiting into a new element, creating a sense of rebirth or liberation.
Water represents the deep unconscious, past-life memories, and emotional residues, while fire is linked to purification, liberation, and the soul’s journey toward enlightenment. The water-to-fire gandanta transitions are thus considered powerful “flash points” where souls face necessary karmic challenges and undergo spiritual evolution.
Imagine the final degrees of water signs being like an InstantPot having finally come to pressure, with the emotional energy that was accumulated during the previous 27 degrees of the sign having now reached critical mass. Suddenly then, all that pent-up energy is vented through the relief valve, releasing all that intense, concentrated energy in an instant. Similarly, a gandanta zone provides an opportunity for that emotional and karmic "pressure" (water) to release in a transformative burst, shifting into dynamic, outward-moving fire energy. This release provides for an incredible sense of relief and liberation. Though that release is rarely cordial and orderly.
As you might imagine, much depends on the nature of the planet, aspects to the planet, and where the gandanta is located in the chart, as to the specifics of, and how, this energy is expressed.
Here’s why the gandanta is unique to the water-to-fire transitions:
The Nature of Water and Fire: Water and fire are two elements with opposite qualities that don’t blend smoothly. Water is feminine, fluid, receptive, and introspective, while fire is masculine, active, transformative, and outwardly expressive. This stark contrast creates an intense, sometimes turbulent, shift in energy that’s seen as having a "karmic" or "spiritual" quality in Vedic astrology.
Where water signs are associated with deep emotional realms, intuition, and spirituality, where we confront inner feelings and past conditioning, fire signs represent action, inspiration, and outward expression, symbolizing a fresh start or rebirth.
The transition from water to fire symbolizes a kind of end-and-beginning dynamic, where something dissolves (water) and something new emerges (fire). This is why the water-fire transition holds a special place as a spiritually potent point.
The Specific Nature of Each Element Transition (Water to Fire)
Each gandanta transition involves a unique flavor of the meeting of water (emotional, introspective, receptive) and fire (active, transformative, expressive). Which makes sense, of course, because each of these signs carry a specific energy to their fire-ness or water-ness.
Here’s what each of these specific transitions symbolizes:
1. Cancer (Water) to Leo (Fire)
Themes: Emotional sensitivity to personal expression.
Water Element (Cancer): Cancer is a deeply emotional, nurturing sign focused on inner security, comfort, and familial ties. Water here is protective and reflective, inclined towards introspection and caring for loved ones.
Fire Element (Leo): Leo represents individuality, self-expression, and creativity. Fire in Leo is bold, assertive, and focused on standing out.
Transition: This gandanta represents the journey from personal, emotional bonds to personal expression and confidence. Moving from Cancer to Leo challenges us to let go of fears related to safety and nurturing, pushing us to find our own voice and self-identity.
2. Scorpio (Water) to Sagittarius (Fire)
Themes: Emotional transformation to spiritual growth.
Water Element (Scorpio): Scorpio is intense, transformative, and often deals with the shadow aspects of emotions, such as power, control, and deep-seated fears. Water here is secretive, passionate, and strives for transformation through facing inner truths.
Fire Element (Sagittarius): Sagittarius is adventurous, philosophical, and directed toward higher truths and exploration. Fire in Sagittarius seeks knowledge, freedom, and the pursuit of wisdom.
Transition: This gandanta is about moving from the depths of emotional intensity and self-confrontation to a broader, optimistic, and liberated worldview. The Scorpio-Sagittarius transition encourages release from possessiveness or control, embracing freedom, wisdom, and spiritual openness.
3. Pisces (Water) to Aries (Fire)
Themes: Emotional dissolution to individual action.
Water Element (Pisces): Pisces is intuitive, dreamy, and connected to the collective unconscious. Water in Pisces is receptive, idealistic, and seeks unity, often through spiritual or mystical experiences.
Fire Element (Aries): Aries is bold, independent, and pioneering. Fire in Aries is action-oriented, driven to initiate and assert itself.
Transition: This gandanta marks the journey from interconnectedness and surrender to individuality and action. It involves releasing attachment to the collective, inner dreams, or spiritual ideals, and stepping into personal power, assertiveness, and new beginnings.
Now, let’s take a look at an individual planet - in this case, Venus - traversing the volatile Scorpio-Sagittarius gandanta.
As with analysing any transiting planet, we look at the collective archetype of what the planet represents. And to that we then add the specifics of how that archetype is represented in the chart. Its natal position, aspects and house rulership all “personalize” the unique character that archetype is playing.
That is to say, each and every chart has a unique - and specific to the individual or entity - representation of the planet.
As Venus crosses the Scorpio-Sagittarius gandanta, she facilitates a shift from the emotional depth and attachment of Scorpio to the spiritual freedom and exploration of Sagittarius. This transition is ideal for letting go of outdated relationship dynamics, transforming inner values, and embracing a more expansive, adventurous approach to love, creativity, and self-expression. The key is to honor (and integrate) the depth of Scorpio while stepping into and fully embracing Sagittarius’ optimism and openness. And, in doing so, allowing this passage to be a gateway to a richer, more liberated experience of love and beauty.
Key Themes of Venus Passing Through the Scorpio-Sagittarius Gandanta
Before we dive any deeper here, make sure you find the house in which the Scorpio-Sagittarius gandanta is located. The themes of this house will provide the life stage for the below to play out.
Emotional Purging and Release:
Venus in the final degrees of Scorpio, a sign known for its depth and intensity, can bring up deep-seated emotions, attachments, grudges and hidden fears in relationships and self-worth. This is a time to confront and release what no longer serves, especially old patterns in relationships or emotional blocks around love, finances, and self-esteem.
This transit is likely to bring a sense of emotional unease, pushing for catharsis as we move towards a more expansive, open-hearted, philosophical approach in Sagittarius.
Gandanta transitions are known for bringing karmic themes to the surface, particularly in relationships and connections that hold significant emotional weight. If there are unresolved patterns or power struggles in a relationship, this transit might highlight them, offering a final opportunity to understand or resolve the deeper lesson.
The unravelling of this karmic knot can bring sudden clarity or revelations in relationships, encouraging us to let go of old wounds or attachments that prevent growth. It’s a time to honor the past while allowing ourselves to step into new relational dynamics with a sense of openness and trust.
Potential Challenges of This Gandanta Transition
Emotional Turbulence: The transition can feel unsettling, especially in the final degrees of Scorpio, where Venus may unearth buried emotions or old fears related to relationships, self-worth, or security. There may be feelings of vulnerability as hidden patterns come to light.
Letting Go of Control: Scorpio’s energy often seeks control and certainty, but the gandanta demands release and trust in the unknown. Moving into Sagittarius, we’re invited to loosen our grip on emotional attachments, allowing for a more open-hearted, trusting approach to relationships and values.
Navigating Shifts in Relationships: If relationships are based on control, intensity, or possessiveness, this gandanta crossing may bring these dynamics to the surface for resolution. There may be a need to balance emotional depth with a newfound desire for freedom and exploration.
Potential Positive Outcomes
This Venusian gandanta crossing offers a powerful opportunity for growth in love, values, and creativity. As Venus leaves Scorpio and enters Sagittarius, it sets the container for us to:
Embrace a Broader Perspective on Love and Relationships: Moving past emotional entanglements, we’re encouraged to view love as an adventure and a learning experience, fostering connection through shared beliefs, visions, and ideals.
Heal and Release Emotional Attachments: The gandanta acts as a cosmic reset button, encouraging the release of past attachments and emotional baggage. This enables us to approach love and beauty with renewed freedom and joy.
Expand Creative Expression: Artists, creatives, and anyone involved in beauty-related fields may experience a surge of inspiration, as the transformative energy of Scorpio is released into the boundless enthusiasm of Sagittarius.
So that’s the broad view. But “just so” stories are not what makes astrology particularly interesting. What’s really intriguing about this particular alignment is (1) Venus’s current opposition to Jupiter, (2) the fact that this alignment is taking place during a hotly contested presidential election (Jupiter conjunct the US natal Mars), and - concurrent with that - (3) this alignment (conjunct) relative to Trump’s natal Lunar eclipse axis and conjunct Harris’s Ascendant/Descendant + nodal axis.
And it’s just these specifics that we discuss in our Functional Astrology community, here.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this post, I invite you to:
Comment: Your feedback enriches the conversation.
Share: Know someone who would enjoy these topics? Please share this post with them.
And finally: Join a vibrant community that dives deep into discussions on topics like the one you read here.
Let's continue exploring and learning together!