Whenever Saturn is retrograde or eclipsed, number 8s have a weak period. Additional weak periods include the first twenty days of January, the last week of February, and the months of December, March, and April. During these times they suffer losses, get blamed and humiliated, and suffer separations from dear ones. They also experience mental problems and become stubborn and cynical. They use intoxicants and drugs. They feel unwanted, neglected, and rejected and become greedy. They hesitate in taking the initiative, feel stuck, and lose confidence. They should avoid new undertakings, signing legal papers, litigation, argumentation, etc., during these periods. They should not change their apartments or rent new apartments during this phase.
Strong Periods
Although number 8s are always strong, they are especially strong between September 20 and October 25 and between January 20 and February 20. These are the best times to start new ventures, complete all pending jobs and projects for travel and business. During these periods they should plan for their future and, if necessary, look for a better place to live
Good Date
Days 8, 17, and 26 of any month are good for them. Those dates that add up to either 1, 3, or 6 are also favorable. If these dates fall between December 21 and 31, January 20 and 27, or between February 19 and 26, they become more favorable. Any job started during these periods, on the above-mentioned dates, brings beneficial results.
Good Days
Saturday is the best day of the week for number 8s. If the Saturday falls on a good date within a good period, it becomes really special.
Favorable Colors
Black, dark blue, grey, and purple are good colors for number 8 people. They should dress themselves in these colors and have these colors around them. They should use curtains, pillow covers, bed sheets, and cushions of these colors. Black handkerchiefs always bring them refreshing vibrations.
Precious Stones
Blue sapphire, substitutes for blue sapphire, amethyst, black pearl, and lapis lazuli are good stones for number 8s. The gem should be bought on a Saturday and given to the jeweler the same day. The jeweler should make a ring with a mixture of five metals—one part gold, two parts silver, three parts lead, one part copper and five parts iron, in an open back setting. He can also make it with white gold—one part gold and ten parts silver. The gem should be set in the ring on a Saturday, and it should be picked up from the jeweler on a Saturday. After performing the proper rituals, it should be worn on the Saturn finger (middle finger) after sunset or late in the evening. They should take blue sapphire powder to help their bodies heal electrochemically.
Meditation
Number 8s should meditate on an idol of Saturn made of the five metal mixture stated above or on a blue sapphire. 1 Before meditation, they should do their morning cleansing rituals and bathe if possible. (Meditation is not allowed before cleansing the bowels in the morning.)
Deity
Seated on a vulture, dark-colored Saturn has a strong presence, round face, big powerful eyes, and a double chin. His moustache makes him look more malefic. He has four arms. In one hand he holds a sword, in the other a trident. In his third hand he holds a club and in his fourth hand he holds the reins of the vulture. Well-armed with weapons, Saturn should be meditated on as smiling and granting fearlessness.
Mantra
Japa (repetition) of the mantra of any planet should be completed within the ascending cycle of the moon and should be repeated the prescribed number of times. Number 8s should recite the mantra of Saturn 108 times daily.
Health and Diseases
Saturnine people are susceptible to paralysis, rheumatism, gout, deafness, muteness, depression, anxiety, colic pains, ear troubles, insanity, and asthma. Their main problems are with the aggravation of the humor of wind—gas in the intestines, constipation, and blood pressure and heart troubles. They also suffer from anemia, impurities of the blood, weakness or numbness of the limbs, leprosy, fever, weakness of urinary bladder, bleeding, pain in nose and ears, and baldness. They should massage their bodies regularly with sesame oil or, if possible, with mustard oil. They should use spices that are also diuretics, such as cumin, and take morning walks in an open area. Saturn is cold and dry, and they are susceptible to catching colds and having dry skin. They would definitely be benefited by neelmani pishthi, an ayurvedic remedy made from blue sapphire powder, which can be taken orally with honey or cream before going to bed. Number 8 natives should increase their vitamin A, D, E, calcium, and iron intake.
Fasting
Number 8 people should fast on Saturday. In the evening, following their sunset meditation, they should eat khichari—a dish prepared from a mixture of split urad beans (split black beans with peels) and rice. They can also
eat candies made of black sesame seeds and jaggery (raw cane sugar) instead of khichari, or use both.
Friendship
Those born on days 8, 17, and 26, or days 2, 4, 6, 12, 15, 20, and 24 of any month can be good friends to number 8 people.
Romance
Number 8s should select 1s, 3s, 5s, and 6s for romance and avoid 4s, 8s, and 9s. An eight can be a friend, associate, and colleague with a person whose psychic number is 4, 8, or 9, unless the relationship is long-term. Eights do not help 8s in any way. Romance between two number 8s does not last for a long time. Number 8 has a natural liking for people born on days 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7.
Good Years in Life
The 8th year, 17th, 26th, 35th, 44th, 53rd, 62nd, 71st, 80th, and 89th are good for number 8 natives. All years that can be divided by 4 are also good
