Mars, the planet of energy and dynamism, is in the Gandanta zone between water and fire zodiacal signs and nakshatras from May 7th to 15th, 2026.

Pisces and Aries, and Revati and Ashwini, are sharply contrasting energies, and any planet moving through this Gandanta ‘knot-end’ has to adjust to an unfocused and fated quality. Events can feel random and contrary, where you get a quite different result than you are aiming for, and deal with an unexpected outcome. Mars’s direct and impulsive style pushes on through regardless, but you may need a subtler approach and to strategise more carefully.

Keep working and looking ahead, however, or else the Gandanta energy can be self-defeating, and people may mistake your reserve for lack of effort. Your actions are justified if everybody wins. The Revati section of this transit up to May 11th, favours imagination and insight, where Mars comes together with karmic Saturn, and you have to work harder and longer, and conform to set standards. This can be a frustrating period, but remain optimistic and appreciate that conditions will soon change.

Mars then enters its home sign of Aries, and stored-up energy builds pressure ready to release – it’s at this time you need to be most careful. Ashwini’s Shakti to quickly reach things means you succeed more fully when you are sure of support and can act spontaneously. Going from secrecy and sensitivity into fiery, impulsive mode takes people by surprise, and you may go too far in taking back credit – see the Gandanta period as a whole, and if possible, wait until it is past before leaping into action.