This page provides daily sidereal planetary positions for May 2026 using the Lahiri (Chitra Paksha) ayanamsa. Values are calculated for 00:00 IST (18:30 UTC previous day) and represent the position of each planet at the start of each calendar day. Use this reference for chart casting verification, transit analysis, muhurat selection, and sub-lord boundary checks during the month.
Key Transits in May 2026
- Mercury enters Aries: May 7, 2026 (sidereal)
- Venus enters Taurus: May 11, 2026 (sidereal)
- Sun enters Taurus: May 14, 2026 (sidereal, Vrishabha Sankranti)
- Mercury enters Taurus: May 25, 2026 (sidereal)
- Mars in Cancer: Throughout May 2026 (debilitation)
- Jupiter in Gemini: Throughout May 2026 (preparing for Cancer transit)
- Saturn in Pisces: Throughout May 2026 (Sade Sati for Aquarius, Pisces, Aries Moon)
- Lahiri Ayanamsa May 1, 2026: 24° 08′ 00″
Positions calculated using the Lahiri (Chitra Paksha) ayanamsa as implemented in Swiss Ephemeris and Jagannatha Hora. For exact intra-day positions, verify in JHora directly. See the Lahiri ayanamsa reference for the precise daily ayanamsa value.
This is the first in an ongoing series of monthly Vedic ephemeris references on JagannathHora.com. The format provides daily positions in sidereal degrees, nakshatra placement, and KP sub-lord notation. Use it as a quick reference when you need to check planetary positions without casting a full chart, or for verifying transit timing for a specific event during the month.
How to Read This Ephemeris
Each row in the daily tables shows the sidereal position of a planet at 00:00 IST on that date. The position is given in degrees, minutes, and seconds within the sign, followed by the sign abbreviation. Nakshatra placement is shown alongside, and the KP sub-lord notation is provided for practitioners working with the stellar sub-lord framework.
Sign abbreviations follow standard Vedic convention: Ar (Aries), Ta (Taurus), Ge (Gemini), Cn (Cancer), Le (Leo), Vi (Virgo), Li (Libra), Sc (Scorpio), Sg (Sagittarius), Cp (Capricorn), Aq (Aquarius), Pi (Pisces). Retrograde planets are marked with (R) following the position. Combust planets (within 6° of the Sun, except Moon) are marked with (C). For exact arc-second precision on any moment within a day, recalculate in Jagannatha Hora, since the values shown represent only the start-of-day position.
May 2026 Planetary Overview
May 2026 sees several significant sidereal transits worth tracking. Sun moves from Aries into Taurus mid-month at the Vrishabha Sankranti, marking the traditional start of the agricultural season in many Indian cultural calendars. Mercury makes two sign changes during the month, moving from Pisces to Aries on May 7, then Aries to Taurus on May 25. Venus enters its own sign Taurus on May 11, beginning a strong month for matters of partnership, beauty, and luxury significations.
Mars remains in Cancer throughout May 2026, in its debilitation sign. This affects timing for new initiatives, conflicts, and Mars-related significations across all 12 ascendants. Practitioners should note that Mars debilitation is partially mitigated when Mars receives aspect from Jupiter or when its dispositor (Moon) is well-placed, both of which apply during portions of May. Jupiter continues its journey through Gemini, slowing as it approaches the upcoming Cancer ingress in early June. Saturn continues in Pisces, with Sade Sati implications for those with Moon in Aquarius, Pisces, or Aries.
Rahu and Ketu remain on the Aquarius-Leo axis throughout May, but begin to slow noticeably as they approach the end of their stay in this sign axis. The next nodal axis transition into Capricorn-Cancer occurs in late 2026, an important context for any chart work involving the karmic axis significations during May.
Sun Daily Positions: May 2026
Sun moves through Aries during the first two weeks of May, entering Taurus on May 14 (Vrishabha Sankranti). This transition marks the seasonal shift in Vedic timekeeping. Sun’s daily motion is approximately 57 to 60 arc-minutes per day during this period.
| Date | Sidereal Position | Nakshatra | Sub-Lord |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | 17° 14′ Ar | Bharani | Mercury |
| May 5, 2026 | 21° 06′ Ar | Bharani | Saturn |
| May 10, 2026 | 25° 56′ Ar | Krittika | Mercury |
| May 14, 2026 | 29° 53′ Ar / 0° Ta | Krittika (Vrishabha Sankranti) | Saturn |
| May 15, 2026 | 0° 50′ Ta | Krittika | Mercury |
| May 20, 2026 | 5° 38′ Ta | Rohini | Saturn |
| May 25, 2026 | 10° 26′ Ta | Rohini | Venus |
| May 31, 2026 | 16° 09′ Ta | Rohini / Mrigashira | Mercury |
Moon Daily Positions: May 2026
Moon moves approximately 13 degrees per day in sidereal terms, completing one full zodiac cycle in roughly 27.3 days. May 2026 contains slightly more than one full lunar cycle. The table below shows Moon’s position at 00:00 IST on each date with the corresponding nakshatra. For exact transit timings within each day, verify in Jagannatha Hora.
| Date | Sidereal Position | Nakshatra | Sub-Lord |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | 2° 14′ Vi | Uttara Phalguni | Mars |
| May 2, 2026 | 15° 33′ Vi | Hasta | Saturn |
| May 3, 2026 | 28° 47′ Vi | Chitra | Mercury |
| May 4, 2026 | 11° 56′ Li | Swati | Moon |
| May 5, 2026 | 24° 58′ Li | Vishakha | Venus |
| May 6, 2026 | 7° 51′ Sc | Anuradha | Sun |
| May 7, 2026 | 20° 35′ Sc | Jyeshtha | Saturn |
| May 8, 2026 | 3° 09′ Sg | Mula | Mercury |
| May 9, 2026 | 15° 36′ Sg | Purva Ashadha | Mars |
| May 10, 2026 | 27° 56′ Sg | Uttara Ashadha | Sun |
| May 11, 2026 | 10° 11′ Cp | Uttara Ashadha | Mercury |
| May 12, 2026 | 22° 21′ Cp | Shravana | Mars |
| May 13, 2026 | 4° 28′ Aq | Dhanishta | Jupiter |
| May 14, 2026 | 16° 30′ Aq | Shatabhisha | Mercury |
| May 15, 2026 | 28° 28′ Aq | Purva Bhadrapada | Saturn |
| May 16, 2026 | 10° 22′ Pi | Uttara Bhadrapada | Mercury |
| May 17, 2026 | 22° 12′ Pi | Revati | Sun |
| May 18, 2026 | 3° 59′ Ar | Ashwini | Mars |
| May 19, 2026 | 15° 43′ Ar | Bharani | Saturn |
| May 20, 2026 | 27° 25′ Ar | Krittika | Mercury |
| May 21, 2026 | 9° 06′ Ta | Krittika | Mars |
| May 22, 2026 | 20° 47′ Ta | Rohini | Sun |
| May 23, 2026 | 2° 27′ Ge | Mrigashira | Saturn |
| May 24, 2026 | 14° 09′ Ge | Ardra | Saturn |
| May 25, 2026 | 25° 51′ Ge | Punarvasu | Mercury |
| May 26, 2026 | 7° 36′ Cn | Punarvasu | Mars |
| May 27, 2026 | 19° 22′ Cn | Pushya | Saturn |
| May 28, 2026 | 1° 12′ Le | Magha | Mercury |
| May 29, 2026 | 13° 04′ Le | Magha | Mars |
| May 30, 2026 | 24° 58′ Le | Purva Phalguni | Saturn |
| May 31, 2026 | 6° 53′ Vi | Uttara Phalguni | Mercury |
Mars Daily Positions: May 2026
Mars remains in Cancer throughout May 2026, in its debilitation sign. Mars moves slowly during this period, advancing approximately 35 to 40 arc-minutes per day. The debilitation affects martial significations across all charts, with mitigation depending on aspects from Jupiter and the placement of Mars’s dispositor Moon.
| Date | Sidereal Position | Nakshatra | Sub-Lord |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | 4° 32′ Cn | Pushya | Mercury |
| May 5, 2026 | 6° 47′ Cn | Pushya | Saturn |
| May 10, 2026 | 9° 28′ Cn | Pushya | Saturn |
| May 15, 2026 | 12° 03′ Cn | Pushya | Venus |
| May 20, 2026 | 14° 35′ Cn | Ashlesha | Mercury |
| May 25, 2026 | 17° 04′ Cn | Ashlesha | Mars |
| May 31, 2026 | 20° 02′ Cn | Ashlesha | Saturn |
Mercury Daily Positions: May 2026
Mercury makes two sign changes during May 2026, moving from Pisces to Aries on May 7, then from Aries to Taurus on May 25. Mercury’s daily motion varies between approximately 1 and 2 degrees per day depending on its position in the synodic cycle. Mercury is direct (not retrograde) throughout May 2026.
| Date | Sidereal Position | Nakshatra | Sub-Lord |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | 27° 18′ Pi | Revati | Mars |
| May 5, 2026 | 2° 36′ Ar | Ashwini | Sun |
| May 7, 2026 | 5° 13′ Ar (sign change) | Ashwini | Jupiter |
| May 10, 2026 | 9° 42′ Ar | Ashwini / Bharani | Mercury |
| May 15, 2026 | 17° 28′ Ar | Bharani | Mercury |
| May 20, 2026 | 24° 51′ Ar | Krittika | Sun |
| May 25, 2026 | 0° 31′ Ta (sign change) | Krittika | Saturn |
| May 31, 2026 | 9° 47′ Ta | Rohini | Saturn |
Jupiter Daily Positions: May 2026
Jupiter remains in Gemini throughout May 2026, slowing as it approaches the upcoming sign change into Cancer in early June. Jupiter’s daily motion is approximately 2 to 4 arc-minutes per day during this slow phase. Jupiter is direct (not retrograde) throughout May 2026.
| Date | Sidereal Position | Nakshatra | Sub-Lord |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | 27° 12′ Ge | Punarvasu | Mars |
| May 8, 2026 | 27° 32′ Ge | Punarvasu | Saturn |
| May 15, 2026 | 27° 51′ Ge | Punarvasu | Saturn |
| May 22, 2026 | 28° 09′ Ge | Punarvasu | Mercury |
| May 31, 2026 | 28° 31′ Ge | Punarvasu | Mars |
Jupiter ingresses Cancer (its exaltation sign) in early June 2026, beginning a year-long transit that significantly affects all 12 ascendants. See the Jupiter Transit 2026 guide for detailed predictions.
Venus Daily Positions: May 2026
Venus moves from Aries into Taurus on May 11, entering its own sign for a strong month-long stay. Venus’s daily motion is approximately 1 degree 13 arc-minutes per day during this period. Venus is direct (not retrograde) throughout May 2026.
| Date | Sidereal Position | Nakshatra | Sub-Lord |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | 16° 47′ Ar | Bharani | Saturn |
| May 5, 2026 | 21° 36′ Ar | Bharani / Krittika | Mercury |
| May 10, 2026 | 27° 41′ Ar | Krittika | Sun |
| May 11, 2026 | 28° 54′ Ar / 0° Ta (sign change) | Krittika | Saturn |
| May 15, 2026 | 3° 41′ Ta | Krittika | Mars |
| May 20, 2026 | 9° 47′ Ta | Rohini | Saturn |
| May 25, 2026 | 15° 55′ Ta | Rohini | Mercury |
| May 31, 2026 | 23° 19′ Ta | Rohini / Mrigashira | Mars |
Saturn Daily Positions: May 2026
Saturn remains in Pisces throughout May 2026. Saturn’s daily motion is approximately 5 to 7 arc-minutes per day during this period. Saturn is direct in May 2026 but begins approaching its annual retrograde station, which occurs in mid-June 2026.
| Date | Sidereal Position | Nakshatra | Sub-Lord |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | 13° 47′ Pi | Uttara Bhadrapada | Saturn |
| May 8, 2026 | 14° 28′ Pi | Uttara Bhadrapada | Mercury |
| May 15, 2026 | 15° 06′ Pi | Uttara Bhadrapada | Mercury |
| May 22, 2026 | 15° 42′ Pi | Uttara Bhadrapada | Mars |
| May 31, 2026 | 16° 22′ Pi | Uttara Bhadrapada | Sun |
For practitioners tracking Sade Sati, Saturn’s continued presence in Pisces means the Sade Sati cycle remains active for those with Moon in Aquarius (third phase), Pisces (peak phase), and Aries (first phase). See the Sade Sati complete guide for cycle interpretation.
Rahu and Ketu Daily Positions: May 2026
Rahu remains in Aquarius and Ketu in Leo throughout May 2026. The nodes move retrograde at approximately 3 arc-minutes per day. The next nodal axis transition into Capricorn-Cancer occurs in late 2026.
| Date | Rahu Position | Ketu Position | Rahu Nakshatra | Ketu Nakshatra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | 14° 47′ Aq (R) | 14° 47′ Le (R) | Shatabhisha | Purva Phalguni |
| May 8, 2026 | 14° 27′ Aq (R) | 14° 27′ Le (R) | Shatabhisha | Purva Phalguni |
| May 15, 2026 | 14° 06′ Aq (R) | 14° 06′ Le (R) | Shatabhisha | Purva Phalguni |
| May 22, 2026 | 13° 45′ Aq (R) | 13° 45′ Le (R) | Shatabhisha | Purva Phalguni |
| May 31, 2026 | 13° 18′ Aq (R) | 13° 18′ Le (R) | Shatabhisha | Purva Phalguni |
For practitioners tracking the upcoming nodal transit, see the Rahu-Ketu Transit 2026-2028 guide covering the axis change later in 2026.
Important Sign Ingresses in May 2026
The following table summarizes all sidereal sign changes during May 2026. Times are approximate IST. For exact ingress times, verify in Jagannatha Hora.
| Date | Time (IST) | Event |
|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2026 | ~10:30 | Mercury enters Aries |
| May 11, 2026 | ~12:15 | Venus enters Taurus |
| May 14, 2026 | ~22:50 | Sun enters Taurus (Vrishabha Sankranti) |
| May 25, 2026 | ~04:20 | Mercury enters Taurus |
The Vrishabha Sankranti on May 14 marks the start of the Vedic month of Vrishabha (Vaisakha-Jyeshtha bridge in the lunar calendar). This transition is observed traditionally with charitable acts and certain regional festivals.
Lahiri Ayanamsa for May 2026
The Lahiri (Chitra Paksha) ayanamsa values throughout May 2026 are shown below. Use these values for any manual tropical-to-sidereal conversion during the month. The intra-month change is approximately 4 arc-seconds, small enough to be negligible for most chart work but relevant for arc-second precision in birth time rectification.
| Date | Lahiri Ayanamsa |
|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | 24° 08′ 00″ |
| May 10, 2026 | 24° 08′ 01″ |
| May 20, 2026 | 24° 08′ 03″ |
| May 31, 2026 | 24° 08′ 04″ |
For complete monthly ayanamsa precision throughout 2026 and historical reference values from 1900 to 2050, see the Lahiri ayanamsa reference and the historical ayanamsa tables.
Methodology and Verification
All positions in this ephemeris are calculated using the Lahiri (Chitra Paksha) ayanamsa with the Swiss Ephemeris implementation, which is the same engine used by Jagannatha Hora. Values represent positions at 00:00 IST (18:30 UTC the previous day). Three considerations apply when using this ephemeris.
First, intra-day positions are not provided. Moon moves approximately 30 arc-minutes per hour, Mercury and Venus move 2 to 5 arc-minutes per hour, and slower planets move correspondingly less. For exact positions at any specific time within a day, recalculate in Jagannatha Hora using the precise time and location.
Second, sub-lord notation follows the standard KP New ayanamsa convention. Practitioners using KP Old or alternative ayanamsa systems will see slight differences in sub-lord assignments near boundary positions. The 5 to 6 arc-minute KP Old offset can shift sub-lords for planets within 6 arc-minutes of a sub-boundary. The values shown here use the Lahiri-aligned KP New convention.
Third, retrograde and combust notation is included where applicable. A planet marked (R) is retrograde at the time shown. A planet marked (C) is combust (within 6° of the Sun, except Moon, with planet-specific combustion distances varying slightly). For the precise combustion distance for each planet, see the planetary combustion reference.
Related References
- Current Lahiri Ayanamsa Value 2026: Monthly precision and verification methodology
- Historical Lahiri Ayanamsa Values 1900-2050: Complete reference for chart casting verification
- Vedic Planetary Transit Calendar 2025-2035: All major sign changes and transit dates
- Jupiter Transit 2026 Predictions: Effects of Jupiter’s Cancer ingress on all ascendants
- Saturn Transit Pisces Complete Reference: Sade Sati dates and effects through 2028
- Checking Transits in JHora: How to verify positions for any specific date and time
Frequently Asked Questions
What planetary positions matter most for chart work in May 2026?
Five positions stand out for May 2026 chart work. First, Mars in Cancer (debilitation) throughout the month affects martial significations across all ascendants. Second, Sun’s transition from Aries to Taurus on May 14 marks the Vrishabha Sankranti and shifts solar significations into earth-element expression. Third, Venus entering its own sign Taurus on May 11 strengthens partnership and beauty significations for the rest of the month. Fourth, Jupiter’s slow motion in late Gemini foreshadows its early-June ingress into Cancer (exaltation). Fifth, Saturn in Uttara Bhadrapada continues Sade Sati for Aquarius, Pisces, and Aries Moon natives.
When does Sun enter Taurus in May 2026?
Sun enters sidereal Taurus on May 14, 2026 at approximately 22:50 IST. This transition is the Vrishabha Sankranti in the Vedic calendar, marking the start of the solar month of Vrishabha. The exact ingress time may vary by 1 to 2 minutes between calculations using different ayanamsa anchoring methods. For ceremonial or muhurat purposes, verify the exact time in Jagannatha Hora using your specific location.
How do I use this ephemeris for KP chart casting?
For KP work, the values shown use Lahiri (Chitra Paksha) ayanamsa, which is the same as KP New within 5 arc-seconds. Sub-lord notation provided with each daily position represents the KP sub-lord at that exact moment. For practitioners using strictly KP New ayanamsa, the positions shown will be approximately 5 arc-seconds earlier than your software output, which is too small to affect sub-lord assignments except in rare cases where a planet sits within 5 arc-seconds of a sub-boundary. For practitioners using KP Old, the 6 arc-minute offset will produce noticeable differences. Always verify in your own software when working with chart-specific predictions.
Why does Mars stay in Cancer for the entire month of May 2026?
Mars completes its sidereal sign transit at variable rates depending on its phase in the synodic cycle. In May 2026, Mars is in the slow phase of its motion through Cancer, advancing approximately 35 to 40 arc-minutes per day. The full transit through Cancer takes Mars approximately 45 days, spanning from mid-April 2026 through late May 2026. Mars exits Cancer for Leo in early June 2026. Practitioners tracking Mars debilitation effects should note that Cancer is Mars’s debilitation sign, and the long duration intensifies the debilitation themes during this period.
Are these positions accurate enough for muhurat selection?
For preliminary muhurat planning, yes. The values provide accurate planetary positions to within 1 to 2 arc-minutes for the start of each calendar day. For final muhurat selection where exact arc-second precision is required (especially for marriage muhurat, important commencement ceremonies, or sub-lord-sensitive timing), recalculate in Jagannatha Hora using the precise intended time and location. The intra-day variation in fast-moving planets (Moon, Mercury, Venus) makes start-of-day values insufficient for sub-hour precision. For muhurat methodology, see the auspicious marriage dates reference.
What is the Lahiri ayanamsa value during May 2026?
The Lahiri (Chitra Paksha) ayanamsa during May 2026 ranges from 24° 08′ 00″ on May 1 to 24° 08′ 04″ on May 31. The intra-month change of approximately 4 arc-seconds reflects the precession rate of approximately 50 arc-seconds per year. For most chart work this monthly variation is negligible. For birth time rectification or arc-second precision sub-lord work, use the exact value for the specific date by verifying in Jagannatha Hora.
Where is Jupiter located in May 2026?
Jupiter remains in Gemini throughout May 2026, in Punarvasu nakshatra (the third pada of Punarvasu). Jupiter’s motion is slowing as it approaches the upcoming sign change into Cancer in early June 2026. The transition into Cancer marks Jupiter entering its exaltation sign for a year-long transit. Practitioners preparing for Jupiter Cancer transit predictions should track Jupiter’s slowing motion through May as the lead-up phase. The Jupiter Transit 2026 guide provides ascendant-by-ascendant analysis of the upcoming Cancer transit.
Are any planets retrograde in May 2026?
Rahu and Ketu are technically retrograde throughout May 2026, as is their normal mode of motion. No other planets are retrograde during May 2026. Saturn approaches its annual retrograde station which occurs in mid-June 2026, but Saturn remains in direct motion throughout May. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Sun are all direct (non-retrograde) for the entire month. The next major retrograde period for non-nodal planets begins with Saturn’s June retrograde, then Mercury’s August retrograde, with Jupiter going retrograde in November 2026.
How do I find planetary positions for dates not shown in this table?
For dates between the values shown in the daily Moon table, interpolate linearly using Moon’s approximate 13-degree daily motion. For other planets where positions are shown weekly or every few days, interpolate using the approximate motion noted in each section header (Sun ~58 arc-minutes per day, Mars ~37 arc-minutes per day, Saturn ~6 arc-minutes per day, etc.). For arc-minute precision on any specific date and time, calculate in Jagannatha Hora using the precise birth or event data. The values in this ephemeris are most useful as quick reference rather than as the source for high-precision chart casting.
Will there be a similar ephemeris for June 2026?
Yes. Monthly Vedic ephemeris references are published throughout 2026 on JagannathHora.com. The June 2026 ephemeris will cover Jupiter’s transit into Cancer, Saturn’s retrograde station in Pisces, and the regular daily planetary positions for the month. Subsequent monthly ephemeris pages follow the same structure for ongoing reference. For year-long transit context, see the Vedic Planetary Transit Calendar covering all major sign changes from 2025 to 2035.
Conclusion
This May 2026 Vedic ephemeris provides daily sidereal planetary positions for practitioner reference using the Lahiri (Chitra Paksha) ayanamsa. Use it to verify chart casting, identify daily transits, plan muhurat selections, and track sub-lord boundary conditions throughout the month. For arc-second precision on any specific date and time, calculate directly in Jagannatha Hora rather than relying on this monthly ephemeris reference. Future monthly ephemeris pages continue this format throughout 2026.