Modern Vedic Astrology

2012 Forecast

2012-01-01T17:46:00.002-05:00

Apologies for not being able to post it in full here.

Here's the link.

Gaddafi under fire as Libya declared no-fly zone by the West

2011-03-21T12:07:00.004-04:00

After Libyans rebels stood on the verge of defeat in Benghazi at the hands of Gaddfai's army, the West has been compelled to declare a no-fly zone over the strife-torn country. After two days of air strikes from the US-led coalition, most of Libya's air defenses have been taken out and much of Gaddafi's air force has been neutralized. For all intents and purposes, the no-fly zone is essentially a declaration of war on Libya and brings to three the number of Muslim countries that the US is currently fighting.

In a previous post from late February, I had suggested that Gaddafi might be driven out of a power fairly soon, with late February and early April as the two most probable times. To be honest, I was starting to wonder if I would be proven wrong in this expectation as Gaddafi began to beat back the rebels into the small base in the eastern part of the country. I hadn't really considered the possibility that the rebels would need outside help to overthrow the Libyan dictator, but that is the case now. It appears as if the opposition between Jupiter and Saturn is now the dominant player in the sky after having usurped the previous Rahu-Uranus square. February's Rahu-Uranus aspect emphasized change and disruption of the status quo and corresponded to the largely peaceful protests demanding democracy across the Middle East. This aspect is now on the wane and we have a more obviously confrontational setup between Jupiter (the future, expansion, gains) and Saturn (the past, contraction, losses).

What is especially interesting is how this intervention shows up in the national chart of Libya (Dec 24 1951). The UN Security Council approved the no-fly zone resolution on Thursday, March 17 at about 7.00 p.m. in New York. We can see how this was tantamount to a declaration of war on Libya: transiting Mars (24 Aquarius) is exactly conjunct the 7th house and therefore aspects the ascendant which represents the country as a whole. Of course, Mars is the planet of war. This position of Mars is doubly important perhaps because Mars casts its 8th house (210 degree) aspect to almost exactly to natal Mars (23 Virgo). Venus is the ruler of the 10th house of government (=Gaddafi) and it is transiting the equal cusp of the 6th house of conflict suggesting that he himself is subject to significant opposition. The afflictions from the slower moving planets are still in play here as transiting Saturn (21 Virgo) is still conjunct its natal position alongside Mars while Uranus (6 Pisces) squares the Sun. Uranus is a planet of sudden changes and its aspect with the Sun (government) is perhaps one of the most fundamental reasons for the undermining of Gaddafi's authority at this time. The Rahu-Sun conjunction was instrumental in the initial uprising but this energy is diminishing now as Rahu moves away.

I still think that the time around the Mars-Uranus conjunction on April 4 could be pivotal in the battle for Libya and this should be very damaging to Gaddafi. As I noted in February, this will closely square the natal Sun in this chart and suggests a time on intense pressure on government and leaders. Although this is a powerful affliction, it's unclear if it will be sufficient to correspond with the removal of Gaddafi. I think his defeat is the most probable outcome here, but I'm not as sure as I would like to be. If I'm backtracking a bit here, it's because I wonder if there is now enough time to beat Gaddafi from his stronghold in Tripoli by this April 4th date. Also, I'm looking down the road in this horoscope and the late summer period does not look good. Tr. Uranus will come back to square the Sun again while Saturn will likewise turn retrograde and conjoin the Mars-Saturn conjunction. And by September, transiting Ketu will conjoin the 10th house suggesting unstable situations involving government.

It's also worth noting that the Libya chart will begin its Sun minor dasha period in July. This may serve to underline the importance of the transits to the Sun and put extra emphasis on the situation of the government. Of course, this late summer time period may not have anything to do with Gaddafi if he is chased from power in April; it may simply reflect troubles with any new rebel government. Perhaps it's best if I put it this way: if Gaddafi is somehow not defeated in early April, then there is a significant chance that he will hang on until August. Practically speaking, however, it seems very unlikely that he and his paid mercenaries can hold out that long against the combined might of the air power of the most powerful countries in the world. The astrology of the situation would seem to support that view, so the early April time frame could be a critical turning point in this latest US war effort.

Japan struggles to contain radiation at Fukushima nuclear plant

2011-03-20T11:17:00.007-04:00

Japan's post-earthquake misery has been compounded by a dangerous radiation leak from its Furushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. In the wake of the 9.0 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, Japanese authorities are now having to cope with a third and potentially more devastating problem of poisonous nuclear radiation leaking from the damaged reactors. Workers have been working around the clock for over a week to pour water on the reactor rods to keep them cool, but thus far they have been unable to bring the situation under control.

I noted in my write-up on the initial quake how Japan's 1952 national horoscope was heavily afflicted by Rahu (North Node), Uranus, Saturn and Neptune. Clearly, the mind-boggling scope of these multiple disasters would suggest a very dense pattern of planetary affliction and that is indeed what we see. But I would like to briefly discuss some upcoming transit hits that might correspond with significant developments in this ongoing crisis. While there have been some small signs of progress this weekend, the situation remains somewhat uncertain.

One of the astrological keys to this situation was the square aspect between Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Uranus. Both planets are destabilizing energies and seek to change or interrupt the status quo. Currently, the square aspect between Rahu (2 Sagittarius) and Uranus (6 Pisces) is still activating the ascendant of this chart at 7 Sagittarius. While Rahu is gradually moving away from the ascendant (and that's a good thing), Uranus has yet to make its exact square aspect. That suggests that we could see some more sudden developments. Specifically, we can see that Monday's Sun-Uranus conjunction at 6 Pisces will line up almost exactly square the ascendant. The Sun is a fairly generic influence and its combination with Uranus could apply to a wide range of situations. The Sun represents government and leaders, so we might see some unexpected actions from the government in response to the crisis. We could also see some new dimension and surprising development, perhaps related to health or water since Mars will aspect the natal Neptune in this chart. Whatever this event turns out to be (and it could well be quite minor), it seems unlikely to turn the tide one way or the other.

I'm a little more concerned about the upcoming Mars aspects to Rahu and Uranus, however. On Tuesday, March 29, Mars will cast its square aspect to Ketu. Since the nodes are opposite one another, this more or less amounts to an aspect to Rahu and the natal ascendant. Unlike the Sun, Mars is a more volatile, upsetting energy with a capacity for doing harm. Mars isn't all bad of course, and in the right situation, it can signal moments of determined action and triumph. But when it gets together with Rahu/Ketu, it tends to correspond with rapid, out of control situations and frustration. Given the potential risks for further damage and contamination, I am worried that we could see some added stresses here, perhaps in the form of a new explosion at one of the plants. Mars-Rahu often means sudden violent events, so that increases its probability somewhat. In the alternative 1947 Japan horoscope (when Japan adopted its post-war constitution), we can see that this Mars-Rahu aspect aligns with the ascendant almost exactly so that provides additional support for the notion that this period could bring about significant new events that may worsen the situation.

Transiting Mars then moves forward to its conjunction with Uranus on April 4. This conjunction occurs exactly in square aspect with the ascendant of Japan This is also a volatile mixture of planetary energies that could potentially signify more trouble in this crisis. Uranus is about sudden and explosive energies, and also happens to be a planet that is associated with nuclear power along with Pluto. So we note that the first atomic explosion in Hiroshima in 1945 occurred when Mars was conjunct Uranus. It wasn't a tight conjunction, but it was still there. In any Mars-Uranus conjunction, Mars acts as the fuse and Uranus the power supply. Of course, this is not to suggest that the nuclear plant is going to suffer another explosion when Mars conjoins Uranus in early April. Instead, I look at this conjunction as an indication of a rise of potential energy in that period between, say, March 27 and April 6 that could manifest in several different ways. We might see a setback in the containment efforts from an explosion that releases more radiation into the surrounding area. Or it could be a new development such as evidence of radiation in hitherto unaffected areas, perhaps due to a change in wind. In any event, it does not look as positive in the short term as I would have liked. As US experts have suggested, these repair efforts may well take weeks and my reading of the astrology would tend to agree.

Aside from Rahu moving off the ascendant in the coming weeks and Uranus gradually edging past its square aspect, transiting Saturn may also be part of the resolution of this crisis. It's affliction to Mercury in the 4th house speaks directly to the harm and stress that the population are experiencing. Saturn is now retrograde at 20 degrees of sidereal Virgo while natal Mercury sits at 19 Pisces. Saturn will make its exact opposition aspect to Mercury on April 14. So there is some reason to expect that the stresses and strains on the country will persist until that date. We can also see that Mars will conjoin natal Mercury on April 19 so that may also correspond to events that cause suffering or hardship. This general pattern is also duplicated in the 1947 chart where transiting Saturn is conjunct the natal Moon (the people) and opposite Venus and Mars. This three-planet natal pattern will therefore also be hit when transiting Mars comes around to oppose transiting Saturn. It suggests a period of great tension and stress with more damage possible. These planets would suggest that the radiation leak may continue to be source of concern at least until that time. Alternatively, it is possible that some other area of concern may emerge at that time.

After April 19, there seems to be a better likelihood for significant improvement and relief as Saturn slips backwards through Virgo while Jupiter prepares to enter Aries where it can support the Sun (vitality). For what it's worth, I'll feel a lot more optimistic about the Japan situation once this mid-April pattern has passed.

While the immediate danger may diminish sometime in April, we can still see that Japan will have a tough road for the foreseeable future as Saturn will turn direct exactly conjunct its natal position in June. A very close Saturn return generally means hardship and difficulty, hard work and slow progress. Obviously, we would expect nothing else given the huge rebuilding task that lies ahead. Just to state the obvious: Japan will likely take quite a long time to return to normal. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Japanese people.

Earthquake and tsunami devastate Japan

2011-03-12T17:53:00.004-05:00

Japan's strongest earthquake in recorded history has devastated the northeastern part of the country. The quake hit on Friday, March 11 2011 at 2.46 p.m local time and had a magnitude of 8.9. Its epicentre was under the ocean about 100 kilometers east of the city of Sendai. The death toll from the temblor and resulting tsunami is now likely in the thousands and has caused billions of dollars in damage across a wide area. To make matters worse, the quake also damaged several nuclear power stations and radioactive contamination is now a potential problem.

From an astrological perspective, this earthquake seems to be another reflection of the very disturbed nature of the New Year's horoscope. As I have noted previously, the horoscope for midnight January 1, 2011 featured a close aspect between Mars and Saturn, the two most malefic planets. This increases the likelihood of destruction and loss of life through natural disasters or human conflict. The 4th house of this chart contained Mars, Pluto and Rahu -- all malefic planets capable of causing harm. Since the 4th house represents the population as a whole and lands/homes, the presence of these bad planets would tend to increase the number and seriousness of any natural disasters during 2011. As I wrote back on January 1, there will be "a higher than normal number of earthquakes and volcanoes in 2011". At the time, however, I thought it might not be as bad as 2010 which featured the Haitian earthquake that claimed over 200,000 lives. We're only into March so far and already we've seen two major earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan. We shall see if my expectation for a lesser loss of life this year will be correct or not.

Some astrologers also understand such natural disasters by analyzing current transits or astronomical patterns such as recent eclipses and lunations. I generally don't follow this approach, if only because I lack the experience to draw up a compelling picture of the situation. However, I would note that the Moon is currently just a few days from an unusually close perigee to the Earth. This 'supermoon' is the closest it has been in 18 years and will be at its closest perigee on March 19. When the Moon is close to the Earth at its perigee, there is an increase in its gravitational pull upon the Earth. This makes tides higher and reportedly makes earthquakes a little more likely than chance would predict. Interestingly, a day before the quake struck some mainstream media outlets in fact ran a story speculating whether natural disasters were more likely, citing the work of astrologer Richard Nolle. Most scientists don't take astrology too seriously, but if I wonder if they will now. Probably not, since astrology does not adhere to the standards of evidence that is demanded by science.

What is particularly fascinating to me is how natural events such as this Japanese earthquake can show up in the horoscope of the nations concerned. While one might not that think the rhythms of the natural world would resonate with the man-made world of nation states and politics, I have found that large-scale events do show up fairly clearly in the chart. This earthquake is no exception.

There are a few possible horoscopes for Japan. I have previously analyzed and predicted a Japanese earthquake using the 1947 chart which represented the adoption of Japan's post-war constitution. The current quake does show up fairly well in that chart, but it looks clearer in the other common horoscope for modern Japan, the 1952 chart. On April 28, 1952 at 10.30 p.m. Japan regained its full sovereignty ending the post-war occupation by the US.

Before we plunge into the chart, here's a primer on mundane astrology for use in earthquake analysis. The 1st house represents the country as a whole and it is often afflicted at times of crisis, whether from natural or military/political events. As noted above, the 4th house is also a sort of catch-all that stands for the population as a whole and specifically for lands/homes. Earthquakes usually coincide with afflictions to the 4th house since the people suffer and the earth and land is shaken and disrupted. The malefic dussthana houses (6,8,12) are sometimes also implicated in disasters such as these, and their planetary rulers may also be a factor in the overall picture. The main planetary culprits in earthquakes are: Saturn (destruction, loss, depression), Uranus (sudden changes, large manifestations of energy), the Moon's Nodes, Rahu and Ketu (disruption of order, chaotic events) and Pluto (transformation, coercion, 'below the surface', death). Neptune is sometimes involved although it usually is more specifically aligned with either diseases or water-related damage. Mars is a fast moving planet that can sometimes act as a trigger to release the energy of the slower, more powerful planets listed above.

We can see how this chart fell victim to the same Uranus-Rahu aspect that caused all those problems in Egypt and Libya. Since the ascendant is 7 degrees of sidereal Sagittarius, transiting Rahu (aka the North Lunar Node) was just three degrees past an exact conjunction with this point. Even more telling was that Uranus (sudden and explosive energy) was almost exactly square the ascendant. Uranus was transiting the equal house cusp (7 Pisces) of the 4th house of the population and lands suggesting major, sudden changes were more likely. While those two factors were important components of the earthquake, they were not in the themselves sufficient conditions. A closer look reveals the chart has an incredibly high level of planetary affliction. Look at Saturn. It was transiting 21 degrees of Virgo almost exactly opposite natal Mercury in the 4th house. An affliction to any planet in the 4th house will tend to increase the likelihood of suffering or dislocation to the population depending on other factors. Saturn had just completed its second Saturn Return conjoining its natal position and this can often be a time of burdens and distress. Transiting Ketu (South Node) was almost exactly conjunct the natal Moon. The Moon is the planetary representation of the people and its affliction here is another indication of chaotic and harmful situations that are in keeping with the effects of an earthquake.

Ironically, it is Jupiter which may provide the key to the whole chart. As we know, Jupiter is a good planet that usually brings blessings and favours. In the Japan chart, it is doubly important because it is the ruler of both the 1st (Sagittarius) and 4th houses (Pisces)-- the key houses when analyzing natural events such as this. First, we can see that natal Jupiter (6 Aries) was aspected by transiting Rahu within just two degrees. That is a potentially difficult aspect and suggests uncertain situations that may fall outside of routines. However, it is transiting Jupiter at 16 Pisces that really appears to weaken the whole chart. That's because Jupiter is exactly opposite natal Saturn. Since transiting Jupiter carries its natal imprint with it, when it comes under the aspect of an evil planet like Saturn, it weakens the houses it rules. In this case, it weakens both the 1st and 4th houses, the very foundations of the entire horoscope and thereby opens the door to a much larger situation of disruption and suffering.

Neptune's role in this is interesting. As we know, the tsunami may have killed more people than the earthquake itself. In this sense, Neptune should be active in this chart in some obvious way. And it is, through its close trine aspect with Ketu. Since the Ketu conjunction with the Moon (people) generated chaotic and disruptive situations involving the population, the energy from Neptune (liquids, water) may have acted as the planetary agency through which that chaos was channeled. By itself, Neptune's tight trine aspect with the Moon may not have corresponded with damaging situations. The difference here was that Ketu was undermining the ability of the Moon to channel that Neptune energy in a positive and constructive way. As a result, the Ketu-Neptune trine was a key source of instability in the Japan chart and contributed to the extent of the damage from water. I would also note that Neptune may be further implicated in the event of any radioactive contamination since Neptune rules disease.

Just wrapping up the transit analysis, I can see that transiting Mars (18 Aquarius) formed a grand trine with natal trine between Mars (conflict, violence) and Uranus (sudden events, high energy). The Mars-Uranus aspect in the natal chart is a signature for sudden and dangerous events and may describe the tendency for Japan to suffer these kinds of natural disasters with a fairly high frequency. Although the grand trine is considered a good aspect in Western astrology, too much Mars is rarely a good thing and in light of all the other afflictions in this chart at the time, it likely acted as a trigger.

If anything, the tertiary progressions paint an even clearer picture of destruction. TP Mars was conjunct the ascendant within two degrees and was aspected by TP Saturn and opposite TP Sun. The TP ascendant was also in close aspect and thereby intensified the affliction. This is an extremely troubled chart.

I should also make a brief mention of the dasha periods that were running. Japan is currently in the Mercury-Venus dasha period. The Mercury major period began in 2005 and the Venus minor period began in 2009. We can see that both dasha lords suffer affliction in the natal and both were under pressure by transits. Mercury is debilitated in Pisces the 4th house and aspected by Saturn within just three degrees. This is a very heavy affliction and bodes poorly for most 4th house indications including lands/homes and general happiness and prosperity of the people. As we saw, Mercury was also coming under the aspect of Saturn at the time of the quake. The minor period lord Venus is in an even more intriguing situation. While it is exalted in Pisces here, it is in the last degree and hence becomes somewhat weak and unpredictable in its results. It's also very close to the IC, or unequal 4th house cusp, and therefore is more closely associated with the land and the people. And here's the clincher: it is in a close opposition with Neptune within just three degrees. Venus minor periods may therefore feature situations and events where liquids and water figure prominently. The damage wrought by the tsunami definitely seems to correlate well with the Neptune influence in this chart, both through its natal aspect with minor period lord Venus and through its trine aspect with the natal Moon.

So it was the combination of all these layers of affliction that detailed the extent of this massive earthquake. But if these indications were so clear, then would it be possible to actually predict it? The difficulty there of course is that one has to consult the horoscope beforehand in order to make a prediction. Since I don't make a practice of regularly consulting Japan's horoscope, there was little chance for me to make this prediction. In my previous correct prediction of a Japanese earthquake in 2003, I was fortunate in that I just happened to look at it a few weeks before the fact. I saw that it was heavily afflicted for an upcoming period and then posted the prediction. In any event, the possibility of making correct predictions from these national horoscopes is a promising avenue of analysis that warrants further study.

Revolution spreads in the Middle East: Gaddafi's Libya is next

2011-02-27T13:31:00.004-05:00

Revolution is definitely in the air these days in the Middle East. Libya is the latest country to be hit by waves of civil unrest and violence as protesters have taken to the streets and demanded the ouster of long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi. After the protests turned violent, much of the army and police forces were chased away in the eastern part of the country as opposition groups began to take over cities of Benghazi and Tobruk. While the capital Tripoli remains in Gaddafi's hands for the moment, most commentators expect him to lose this stand-off fairly soon.

Why is the entire Middle East seemingly caught up in this revolutionary fervour at this time? Ultimately, the answer to this question lies in the individual horoscopes of the countries in question. After all, why Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, and not, say, Morocco, Syria and Saudi Arabia which have thus far remained quite peaceful and orderly? Logically, there must be something specific to the national horoscopes in the first group that is missing in the second group. My post on the Egyptian uprising showed how specific planetary afflictions to that national chart reflected the overthrow of Mubarak. The same sort of problems can be found in the Libya horoscope, as we will see below. At the same time, we can also suggest some relevant background influences that may have fanned the flames of protest and revolt across the region.

First, I noted back on New Year's Day how the horoscope for 2011 looked quite tense and difficult, and made special mention of matters concerning government and leaders While this horoscope applies to the world as a whole, one can see how the placement of malefic Ketu in the 10th house would result in "increased pressure on government and leaders". Also the ruler of the 10th house (Gemini) of government is Mercury, and it is afflicted by Saturn in this chart by its full strength 3rd house aspect. This is a sort of double whammy against government and might create "significant changes" in governments and their policies around the world. The destructive square aspect between Mars and Saturn probably increased the likelihood of violence and confrontation generally, although this also applied to the suffering produced by natural disasters such as earthquakes. Of course, there was nothing in this forecast that applied to the Middle East and merely highlighted possible general trends around the world.

More specifically, the solar eclipse of January 4, 2011 occurred over Europe and the Middle East. For thousands of years, eclipses have traditionally represented times of change and portent as the light from the Sun disappeared behind the shadow of the Moon. This interruption in the normal order of things was usually received with fear and anxiety as eclipses were regarded as the harbingers of destruction and disease. In this case, the eclipse was visible from all the countries in question, so that may have increased the chances that the region would be witness to some significant changes.

The horoscope of the eclipse was actually quite afflicted, and this was another sign that the ensuing period might usher in some substantial change or at least interrupt the status quo in some way. The eclipse point (Sun conjunct Moon) at 19 degrees of sidereal Sagittarius suffered a double affliction: it was conjunct Mars, symbolizing conflict and possible violence and it was square Saturn, representing suffering and oppression from authority. But what's interesting is that this chart isn't all bad. The very tight trine aspect between Jupiter-Uranus (expansion-optimism, independence-rebellion) and Venus (happiness, sociality, wealth) is a very favourable combination of energies that may well reflect the immense hope and promise of these popular uprisings. It seems clear that the winds of change are blowing through the entire region so that the old ways of doing things are no longer acceptable as people are demanding their fair share. The populations are no longer willing to suffer in silence under the iron grip of a repressive leaders that enrich themselves at the expense of their people. The Venus factor may also reflect the role of economic suffering in this revolts. In a significant departure from the stereotype of the region, the uprisings were not at all religious but grew out of frustration over inflation and a declining standard of living. The Venus-Jupiter-Uranus influence also reflects the broadly-based social character of these popular uprisings. We can also hope that these benefic planets may indicate the eventual success of these revolutions.

Taking the Libyan case, we can see how problems in the national chart quite clearly reflect the current crisis. Libya gained its independence from Italy on December 24, 1951 at midnight in Tripoli. The resulting chart provides the basic contours of the Libyan state as we know it. The ruler of the 4th house (Scorpio) of resources and mining is Mars and it is placed in the 2nd house of assets and wealth reflecting the importance of Libya's oil wealth to its economy. Moreover, Mars is placed in the sign of Virgo which is ruled by Mercury, hence the ruler of the 2nd and 4th houses are in mutual reception, which strengthens the effect of this contact. Mars is conjunct Neptune (liquids, oil) and Saturn (earth, underground resources). Leaders are seen through the placement of the Sun. The Sun is in Sagittarius but it is closely aspected by malefic Ketu. Since Ketu is often a negative influence that is associated with unusual or unpredictable qualities, it is not too hard to see how this might represent an eccentric and dangerous ruler such as Gaddafi who has ruled the country since 1969.

The current transits tell most of the story. Like Egypt's chart, the Sun comes under double affliction from both transiting Rahu and the square aspect from Uranus. The Sun represents government and leaders, so this disruptive Rahu-Uranus square is one reason why there is so much opposition to authority. The Uranus square to the Sun demands change at the top, and the more radical the better. Rahu dislikes order and routine so it may also be behind the urge to change government structures. In addition, this affliction of the Sun may reflect Gaddafi's irrational response to the protests.

The natal Rahu in the Libya horoscope is also clearly activated as we can see that array of Sun, Neptune, Mercury and Mars also conjoining Rahu in Aquarius. This is another source of the chaos and the urge to purge the old ways and bring in a new order.

Unlike Egypt, the violence in Libya appears to be a significant feature of the uprising. We can see that transiting Saturn recently stationed and turned retrograde at 23 degrees of Virgo. This was exactly conjunct the natal Mars (23 Virgo). Saturn-Mars combinations are often found in situations of extreme stress and are frequent markers of destruction and suffering. The fact that natal Mars is conjunct Saturn in the Libya horoscope makes this transit worse than it already is. Of course, Saturn has been sitting on that Mars for weeks now due to its very slow retrograde motion, so that is another reason why the violence has been quite bad.

The transit of Mars to the natal Rahu on Sunday February 27 may reflect an upsurge in violence. Even if Gaddafi survives after that, he is unlikely to last many more weeks. Transiting Uranus will exactly square natal Sun in April and the Mars-Uranus conjunction on April 3 looks quite nasty indeed and may correspond with a major eruption of violence, possibly involving Gaddafi himself. Ahead of that date, mid-March could also be quite difficult as transiting Mars aspects natal Mars. The ongoing affliction to Libya's chart strongly indicates major changes in the near future. Most commentators contend that Gaddafi will eventually lose in the end, but it is interesting to see how well the chart reflects this probability.

Egypt in turmoil: protests push Mubarak to the edge

2011-01-31T19:31:00.007-05:00

Egypt is currently in the throes of an almost unprecedented wave of civil unrest as protesters are calling for the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak and the end to his autocratic regime. Starting in Tunisia in November, the Middle East has been the scene of a series of popular uprisings as runaway inflation and high unemployment have exposed the rotten core of a corrupt and undemocratic system of government that prevails in most Arab countries. The situation is quite chaotic at the moment with both sides digging in -- the opposition is organizing a huge rally against the regime while the Mubarak is relying on the army to keep the lid on things.

The current astrological circumstance shows an fairly high number of potentially significant coincidences. Just from a transit perspective, it is quite telling that all this upsurge in popular opposition is occurring at the time of the conjunction of the Sun and Mars in sidereal Capricorn. This conjunction takes place about once every two years and often reflects a time of taking initiatives and being in a state of competitiveness. It's worth noting that the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 occurred just a month after another Sun-Mars conjunction. The Sun and Mars are the two fiery planets of the solar system and their combination here suggests a time of courage, assertiveness, and aggressive actions. The Sun is usually seen as a planet of vitality, confidence and leadership while Mars symbolizes the more action-oriented side to the equation as it reacts quickly to stimuli, and is impatient for change. It is also the planet of aggression and violence. The fact that this conjunction occurs in sidereal Capricorn, the constellation that represents government and leadership structures, highlights how all this fiery energy is being directed towards changing the Egyptian government and removing Mubarak from office. Since Mars is exalted in Capricorn, some its more positive qualities are more likely to come to the surface: courage, stamina, and heroism. We can see that these qualities are clearly in evidence over the past week as the unarmed mass of Egyptian citizens are defying curfews and standing up for what they think is right. It's also worth noting that the Egyptian army (Mars) is similarly rising to the occasion by refusing (thus far, at least) to crack down and shoot on unarmed protesters.

What makes this Sun-Mars conjunction more unusual and problematic, is that it is occurring this week while in a close trine aspect with Saturn. While the 120 degree trine aspect is not a full strength aspect in Vedic astrology, it nonetheless exerts some influence when it is this close by degree. In the best of circumstances, Saturn represents tradition, routines, structures and prudent constraints on human freedom for a higher purpose. The Sun-Mars desire for change and action is coming in conflict with Saturn's preference for stability and order. More ominously, Saturn's darker side symbolizes loss and destruction, so we cannot be too surprised that there has some loss of life already thus far.

We can see the specifics of the uprising from the horoscope of Egypt. There are several possible candidates for this chart. Britain granted independence in 1922 but it was a conditional sovereignty that was still seen as constraining Egyptian freedom. The July 1952 revolution created an independent state and is commemorated today as a national holiday. However, the final step towards complete autonomy appears to have occurred in the early morning hours of June 19, 1952 when Egypt was declared a sovereign republic. I have to admit a certain level of ignorance of the finer historical points here -- especially on the accuracy of the exact time (1.30 a.m.) of this latter chart -- but for the moment, let's see what the this Republic chart reveals.

The protests began on January 25 just as the Sun and Mars were passing over the natal Rahu in the 10th house of government and leaders. Rahu in the 10th house suggests a tendency towards an acquisitive and headstrong approach to government. Rahu does like not constraints on its action and can be materialistic and devious when it is subject to transit affliction. The Sun-Mars conjunction was therefore activating Egypt's 10th house of government and bringing it into focus. But this is only one fairly short-lived and "triggering" transit influence and it cannot explain the occurrence of the whole uprising.

The historic importance of the current popular movement is better seen through the dasha periods and the transits of slower moving planets. Egypt entered its Saturn major dasha period in August 2009. Saturn can be a difficult influence symbolic of loss and delays and in the natal chart we can see that rules the 10th house (Capricorn) of government and leaders. Moreover, it is weakly placed in the dussthana 6th house with the withering effects of Neptune. This is quite a difficult placement and suggests weakness or deception (Neptune) and confrontation or "illness" (6th house). Saturn is likely to produce more negative results since its sign dispositor (Virgo) is Mercury and it is with Uranus in a square aspect with Saturn again.

Amazingly, Saturn stationed and turned retrograde on the day the protests began -- quite a coincidence. Of course, astrology suggests that such coincidences are not random and planetary positions have a special significance for events on Earth. Here are a few more more coincidences worth pondering: Saturn has turned retrograde while returning to its natal position within just a few degrees -- a so-called Saturn Return that occurs every 29.5 years. It's worth noting that the previous Saturn return corresponded quite closely (just a few months before) with the assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1981. Saturn Returns seem to be quite unforgiving to government and leaders since Saturn rules the 10th house (govt.) and it is weak in the natal chart. The recent Saturn retrograde station at 23 degrees of Virgo casts its square aspect to the unequal 4th house cusp (25 Gemini) of people and the population and thereby afflicted both Uranus and Mercury. This Saturn influence emphasizes the hardship of the population and underlines the stressful conditions that the country is facing at this juncture.

Another key transit influence was the conjunction of transiting Ketu (South Lunar Node) to the natal Sun and Mars in Gemini. Ketu is a natural malefic that symbolizes unpredictable or unwanted change. It erases boundaries and exerts an inimical influence on the material world. Egypt's Sun and Mars are in natal conjunction in Gemini -- an interesting echo of the current transiting conjunction of those two planets -- and is therefore afflicted by this transit of Ketu, so government (Sun) and army (Mars) are being faced with challenges to its authority by the upsetting energy of this shadowy lunar node. Ketu was likely made more malefic in this instance due to the extreme affliction to its sign dispositor, Mercury. Natal Mercury is being aspected by Saturn, while transiting Mercury is also in a square aspect with Saturn. A very bad chain of planetary energy there.

Finally, transiting Uranus (3 Pisces) is exactly square to the natal Sun (4 Gemini). Uranus has an energy of independence and rebelliousness while the Sun, of course, represents the government and Mubarak himself. Uranus' square aspect is especially difficult to handle as it creates destabilized situations and can reflect sudden or radical changes. For example, the popular protests in France in May 1968 occurred when Uranus formed a square aspect to the natal Moon in France's horoscope. The Moon represents the people, so it reflected the extremely agitated and rebellious mood of the population as the general strike almost succeeded in toppling de Gaulle's government. We can see much the same story unfolding here on the streets of Cairo.

So how will this situation resolve? Since Uranus is not near a station, the maximum intensity of this disruptive transit will not last too long, perhaps just another week or two before it loses some of its power. Transiting Ketu is already past Mars but will still closely afflict the natal Sun for another month or two at least so that suggests the uncertainty of the situation and pressure on authorities may last for a little while longer. It's quite possible that Mubarak could survive this week, but the charts do not suggest that the overall situation will return to normal anytime soon. The Mars aspect to natal Venus over the next couple of days (Feb 1-2) could see intense stresses placed on the country. Then transiting Venus opposes natal Mars on Feb 6-7 so that may be another difficult period where violence could flare up. So Mubarak may well survive in the short term, but he is unlikely to last into next year. Unfortunately, we do yet not have any timed birth data for Hosni Mubarak himself which might have shed additional light on this question.

More troubling is that Uranus will eventually station in exact square to Mars in the summer, on July 10. Since it will form a t-square pattern with Pluto, this marks a very dangerous time for Egypt. Mars symbolizes the army and conflict, so this suggests a likelihood of some kind of violence or explicitly conflictive situation will occur around that time. This may refer to more internal strife, or the army dividing into factions, or it could represent a war with an external enemy. Rahu and Ketu will be squaring the natal Moon (28 Leo) around that time so that may coincide with situations that are disorienting or disturbing to the people. More pointedly, transiting Ketu will be in aspect with dasha lord Saturn in August so that may coincide with disruptions of authority and law and order. Saturn rules the 10th house of leadership, so this does not bode well either for the government in power, whoever it may be. Early August also stands out as quite eventful as transiting Mars conjoins the natal Sun-Mars conjunction in Gemini. In so doing, it will further complete the nasty t-square pattern between Uranus and Pluto. It looks like quite a violent and destructive time for Egypt.

So even if Mubarak survives the next week, there are several more difficult patterns in the Egyptian horoscope this year that suggest further unrest and violence. And with the exact Saturn return due in October, it would appear that the clock is winding down on the Mubarak government. Regardless of who is in control, Egypt looks like it will be a very unstable and and, at times, violent place throughout much of 2011.

US Congresswoman Giffords targeted in Arizona shooting

2011-01-10T20:12:00.002-05:00

America was witness to yet another mass killing on the weekend, this one involving US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Giffords was shot in the head but is apparently going to survive, although six people died in the shooting spree outside a Safeway in Tucson, Arizona on Saturday, January 8. While it seems that the shooter, Jared Loughner, did target the Democrat Ms. Giffords, a picture is emerging that he was mentally unbalanced and did not have ties to any particular political group. It seems the tragic American tradition of the 'lone nut' has once again reared its ugly head.

There has been much finger pointing in the aftermath of the shooting, mostly towards the right wing media, the Tea Party and Sarah Palin, who liberals claim have used inflammatory rhetoric that created a climate of intolerance and hate. While that may be true, the desperate actions of the confused Loughner remain his alone. The US is now engaged in a round of soul-searching as it attempts to come to terms with its polarized political culture in which the moderate voices are increasingly marginalized.

We can clearly see this outburst of violence in the US horoscope. Violence is the dominion of the planet Mars. Whether it is through war, violent incidents such as these, or natural disasters, the planet Mars will usually be activated by transit whenever there is a significant symbolic injury or loss of life on a national level. Not surprisingly, we find Mars activated both ways: natal Mars is aspected by transiting Mercury while natal Mercury is aspected by transiting Mars. So this assassination attempt and mass shooting had a double dose of Mars. But why Mercury?

One possibility is that Mercury is the ruler of the 10th house of government in the US horoscope. (An aside: while I acknowledge there are dozens of possible charts for the US, I am using the 6.30 p.m chart as popularized by James Kelleher. It is not perfect, but few charts are.) The target of the attack with a member of Congress, and so she may be symbolized by Mercury. The fact that the Mercury-Mars contact was duplicated in both natal and transit planets likely underlined its great importance for the country as a whole.

Another major affliction to this chart (and all US charts regardless of birth time) is that the natal Sun was afflicted by a t-square involving transiting Saturn and the Sun. The Sun is the planetary significator of government and its involvement in this difficult t-square no doubt played a role in this unfortunate incident. Saturn symbolizes loss, setbacks, delays, and sadness. Some of the questions being asked about the role of the media, the conservative movement, and the entire US political system likely reflects the impact of this Saturn on the Sun. With Saturn slowing down ahead of its station on January 26, it is extra powerful here, so we may see a protracted debate and a possible further erosion of confidence in the US government as this aspect remains in range well into February. It could be a very tough time for the country and the administration.

The other pattern that stands out in this chart is that Rahu and Pluto are currently clustered around the ascendant in this chart. Rahu can be a disruptive influence, as it seeks to interfere with the status quo and bring about change at any cost. In some situations, this can be positive as oppressive traditions are cast off in favour of new ways of doing things. But in this case, Rahu is with Pluto, a planet with a troublesome reputation. Pluto is closely associated with power, and the aggressive pursuit of power. The Rahu-Pluto conjunction can represent a selfish striving to achieve one's own goals, regardless of the consequences. It can bring about change, but it is usually painful and it may not pay sufficient heed to legal or acceptable means. Since the ascendant is the body of the country as a whole, the current climate of mistrust, repulsion, and internal questioning may also be a reflection of this clustering around the ascendant. Fortunately, Rahu will soon move off this point, although Pluto will remain in close proximity to the ascendant for much of 2011. Pluto's square with Uranus in August will highlight the US ascendant once again. The t-square involving Mars, Uranus and Pluto around August 9 also suggests the possibility of more violent and shocking situations. This pattern will be a good test of this particular chart since it will occur right on the angles.

New Year's Chart for 2011

2011-01-01T12:41:00.001-05:00

January 1, 2011 00.00 EST Washington, DC

With the coming of a new year brings another astrological opportunity to foretell the future. Lord, what fools these mortals be! I don't claim to make a definitive set of 2011 predictions here; that is way beyond my abilities and the scope of a short article on a website. Instead, I offer an analysis of the New Year's Chart and assess its patterns for any clues for the upcoming year. I have found this chart to a useful tool in forecasting, even if it is often fairly general and impressionistic. But what it lacks in comprehensiveness, it more than makes up for in simplicity. It's all there in one convenient chart. Astrological purists may protest that this chart has no astronomical correspondence (e.g. eclipses, lunations, etc) and it also has no specifically Vedic credentials. True enough, but there is an enormous symbolic significance to the stroke of midnight on December 31/January 1 every year, and one that increasingly involves the whole of humanity. If there is any connection between the cosmos and consciousness, it should manifest in charts such as these that bind the calendar to the human spirit.

The New Year's chart for 2010 had a tight Saturn-Pluto square aspect across the 1st and 4th houses. At the time, I thought this might pertain more to a reorganizing of social institutions and social structures, especially as it pertained to the economy. While there was some changes in the Eurozone and the EU as the debt crisis claimed some early casualties and spawned the introduction of a bailout fund, most of this aspect appeared to manifest more physically in the form of the unusually large number of natural disasters in 2010. The 4th house represents land in general and its affliction here by Pluto and Saturn suggested destruction and damage. The Haiti earthquake of January 12, 2010 killed over 200,000 people. This occurred when the Saturn-Pluto square was triggered by retrograde Mercury when it conjoined Pluto. The US gulf oil spill in May was another major natural disaster that also reflected this tense Saturn-Pluto energy.

In the 2010 write-up I noted the close Mercury-Rahu conjunction that occurred in close aspect with Mars. At the time, I thought this might manifest as technology "that goes awry" in some way, and causes some kind of conflict. I noted how this might be more revelations like the Climategate email scandal at the end of 2009. In retrospect, I think the WikiLeaks story in late 2010 encapsulates these planetary influences quite well. Julian Assange's efforts to release leaked diplomatic cables online (Mercury) caused an enormous amount of embarrassment (Rahu) and conflict (Mars) and revealed how vulnerable large organizations have become in the wired world. The possibility of breaches of security and secrecy is very much in the spirit of Mercury and Rahu since Mercury is concerned with communication and technology and Rahu seeks to upset the existing order of things.

With the Moon conjoining malefic Ketu in the 10th house, government was the object of significant opposition and change in 2010. In last year's article, I suggested that this would mean significant change in leadership and policies. While there were some major changes in the US and UK, I'm not quite sure this Ketu influence bore fruit as I thought it might. In the US, the Republicans took control of Congress and forced Obama's Democrats on their heels late in the year. In the UK, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats swept the ruling Labour Party out of power and began a strict austerity program to deal with a difficult fiscal situation. Meanwhile, many European governments had to cope with the internal contradictions of the EU and the prospect of bailing out its weaker economies in Greece, Ireland, Spain and Portugal.

And the economic recovery continued to sputter along in Western countries as the various government stimulus plans have so far prevented the dreaded double dip recession. This was largely in keeping with the optimism of the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in last year's chart as well as the close proximity of Venus to the Sun. Since both of these combinations are positive, there appeared to be enough good planets to preclude anything too serious on the economic front. And in many countries, especially in Asia, the economy bounced back strongly, albeit with a disturbingly high amount of inflation. That is perhaps a reflection of Neptune's idealism with the irrepressible optimism of Jupiter -- too much of a good thing?

2011

The New Year's chart for 2011 looks less obviously dramatic than last year's, although there are definitely some powerful aspects. Saturn is still in sidereal Virgo in the 1st house and therefore may extend the general state of caution, if not malaise, for much of the year. This is likely to reflect continued uncertainty in the economy and the sense that we are 'just muddling through'. The economy as a whole looks mixed at best. On the plus side, Venus rules the 2nd house of wealth and assets and it is well placed in its own sign of Libra and receives an aspect from benefic Jupiter. That may well prevent any worse case type economic scenarios from taking place.

But the other money house, the 11th symbolizing income, tells another story. The 11th house contains the sign of Cancer and is ruled by the Moon. The Moon is debilitated in Scorpio in this chart and what's worse it is in an exact quincunx aspect with Ketu and an exact semisquare aspect with Saturn. While neither are considered full strength Vedic aspects, the lack of orb in both of them is reason enough to expect some economic problems in 2011 that could generate major changes (Ketu) and losses (Saturn). The Moon is also significator for the public in general so this will tend to reflect a sense of dislocation and reserve. More positively, the Moon is aspected by Jupiter in this chart, so

In terms of natural phenomena, the 4th house is afflicted by the conjunction of Pluto, Rahu and Mars. This suggests that we may again see a higher than normal number of earthquakes and volcanoes in 2011, although perhaps not as many as we saw in 2010. Mars (violence) is squared by Saturn (destruction) here so there will likely be considerable loss of life as a result of these events. The October-November time frame may be most noteworthy in this respect due to the Sun-Saturn conjunction and Mars-Rahu aspect.

The situation of Mercury is interesting in this chart because it receives the fulls strength 3rd house aspect from Saturn and is also in a partial aspect with Mars. That is a very afflicted condition and suggests that communication, technology, and transportation will be areas of suffering and disappointment in the year ahead. We can therefore expect more WikiLeaks-type intrigues or perhaps computer hacking that causes internet shutdowns or even some incidents of cyberwarefare. All are very possible outcomes with Mercury, Mars and Saturn in alignment. April may stand out in some way in this regard as Mercury will retrograde opposition Saturn at that time.

And as in 2010, Ketu stays in the 10th house in the 2011 New Year's chart. Ketu is a force for change and discontinuity, so there may be increased pressure on government and leadership for 2011. With the 10th lord Mercury also afflicted by Saturn, there is a good case to be made for more significant changes in government and their policies around the world. This is not an election year in the US, but it still may signify some new approaches to problems, perhaps involving the economy.

On a more positive note, Jupiter is in close aspect with Uranus in Pisces in the 7th house. This conjunction will likely bring forth major technological innovations that will make a significant contribution to the world. These innovations may be disproportionately associated with liquids (Pisces) and social interaction, especially between nations (7th house). The fact that this conjunction occurs in the 7th house may also see new or strengthened international alliances that prove to be successful in their efforts.

So the overall picture is very mixed for 2011. The strength of Venus and the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction would appear to provide continuing positive energy to provide hope and optimism for the future. And yet the difficult position of the Moon and Mercury is more worrisome and suggests that there will be major challenges in the economy, communication and transportation.

Testing Sarah Palin's birth time

2010-12-21T12:22:00.013-05:00

Sarah Palin continues to be a force to be reckoned with both in the Republican Party and in US politics. Will she run in 2012? It's very possible given her generally favorable horoscope but it's difficult to make a definitive prediction because her birth time is still unknown. There have been a few birth times floating around for Sarah Palin. When she arrived on the national political scene in 2008, two unconfirmed times soon developed their own legion of followers -- 4.40 pm and 9.43 pm. While I tended to favor the 9.43 pm time, I still had my doubts as neither had any supporting documentation. Instead of rectifying the chart, I simply let the whole thing drop. McCain and Palin lost the election and Sarah emerged as her own unique form of celebrity carving out a space somewhere between politics and entertainment. The Washington Post meets TMZ.

In late 2009, a new time surfaced that promised to have a little more going for it. Taken from a newsletter of the town of her birth, Sandpoint, Idaho, Palin apparently came into the world at 6.00 pm on February 11, 1964. This isn't quite the gold standard for accuracy since there is no birth certificate or hospital record that accompanies this claim. But it is the best of the three because the other two had no evidence at all. While I think we need to treat this time with kid gloves since it is based on some unknown person's memory, it's still worth a look. Here is a very brief rundown on her 6.00 pm chart in terms of its plausibility. What parts of her chart make sense and what parts do not?

Sarah Palin born February 11, 1964 6.00 pm Sandpoint, Idaho

On the plus side, her Sun-Mars-Saturn conjunction is angular in the 7th house, and hence very powerful. She has enormous energy and willpower and does not back down from a fight. The other bonus about this stellium is that is forms a close square aspect with the MC, the unequal 10th house cusp. The MC (Midheaven) represents status and career and having these planets in tight aspect to this point likely increases both her desire for status and the ability for her to get noticed.

Leo is the rising here in the first 1st house and that is certainly a possible ascendant for her given her natural flair for leadership, loyalty and upbeat personality. At the same time, I don't like to put too much stress on the rising sign because we could make plausible arguments for many signs here.

Her Moon-Mercury conjunction in Capricorn in the 6th house is interesting because it focuses on her pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to problems, and emphasizes her role as a fighter. The 6th house is all about defending, protecting, and nurturing and we can see that Palin embodies a lot of those qualities in her public projection. She defends the interests of the average person, or silent majority against the various elites that she feels have taken the US in the wrong direction. The 6th house emphasis often makes a person think more strategically as action is tied to careful planning and making the right executive decisions.

Again, this is quite plausible although one could make the case that this Moon-Merc conjunction could occur in a number of houses.

One thing that troubles me about this chart is that Ketu (South Lunar Node) is in the 5th house of children. This is normally seen as a malefic influence that reduces offspring or causes them some harm. Palin has 5 children and while one has Down's syndrome which would confirm a Ketu placement here, there are simply too many kids here that one would expect. Admittedly, the lord of the 5th is Jupiter and its well placed in Pisces with Venus in the 8th house. So that might improve her fertility somewhat. Also, from the perspective of the Moon, her chart looks much better. Moon is with 9th lord Mercury (very good) and the 5th house is Taurus, which is ruled by Venus, which is exalted in Pisces with fecund Jupiter. So it's conceivable that the strength of her Chandra Lagna chart compensates for some of the weakness from her Rasi natal chart.

Another perplexing question concerns her appearance. She won a beauty contest as a young woman and is known for her good looks. This should show up in the horoscope in some fairly obvious way. Very often, people who are known for their appearance have benefic planets like the Moon or Venus involved with the angles, especially in the 1st or 7th houses. In Palin's 6.00 pm chart, however, both Moon and Venus are pushed back to the 6th and 8th houses. This is not what one would expect from a person who is so easily recognizable in the public eye and whose attractiveness is widely discussed and appreciated.

One possible explanation of physical attractiveness for this chart might be that the midpoint of the Moon (11 Cp) and Venus (8 Pi) is about 10 degrees of Aquarius -- that's almost exactly opposite the ascendant. This is not as clear an indication as I would like for pleasing appearance but it is worth considering nonetheless.

Perhaps the best way to determine the correctness of a chart is to match it against events. I note that McCain offered her the VP spot on Aug 27, 2008 just as the Sun was conjunct her 6.00 pm ascendant. I won't bother going into a thorough recounting of significant life events here, but I do think there is something to be said for this chart.

The upcoming Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in early January will offer a useful test of this 6.00 pm time. With her MC at 3 Taurus, Jupiter and Uranus will conjoin on Jan 4 while in exact sextile (60 degrees) to this point. This is very often a positive influence on a chart and should correlate with a situation or event that increases her profile and boosts her status and reputation. Transiting Venus will also aspect the MC exactly right around that first week of January, so this arguably should make it even better.

If Palin was actually born a little before 6 pm then it's possible that the positive event may be moved up a little, maybe to the last week of December. In any event, this will be an important test of the 6 pm chart. If nothing much happens, then I would lose some confidence in this time.

Regardless of whether this 6 pm time is correct, transiting Saturn is opposite her Jupiter for much of January. So while we may gain some boost from the early January pattern, the Saturn opposition looks more problematic, especially since it will station directly opposite her natal Jupiter. On the plus side, this could mean that she will be facing up to her responsibilities and doing what is necessary to move forward. But Saturn stations can he difficult to handle because they tend to drag on for so long. I would therefore expect there to be some downside here in this Jan-Feb period. Saturn is often a very constraining influence and since Jupiter rules the 5th of children, so one possibility of this transit is that Palin may be distracted by some situation involving one of her children.

Obama compromises on tax cuts; health care plan ruled unconstitutional

2010-12-19T13:33:00.006-05:00

It's been a tough couple of months for President Barack Obama. To no one's surprise, Obama's Democrats were trounced in November's midterm elections as the Republicans took over the house and reduced the Democratic majority in the Senate. As I noted in my previous October post, Obama's prevailing planetary influences at that time were generally poor as transiting Ketu was conjunct his Venus and Rahu and Pluto formed a semisquare (45 degree) aspect to his ascendant. Specifically, I noted that this Ketu-Venus aspect might cause some change and disruption while the Rahu-Pluto aspect might make Obama feel "compelled through external circumstance to make adjustments".

Well, Obama has definitely had to make adjustments to the new political reality in DC. This was perhaps no more evident than Obama's quick surrender on the tax cut bill where he forged a compromise with the now invigorated Republicans to extend the Bush tax cuts on all income levels, including the very wealthy, in exchange for increased funding for unemployment benefits. While the tax cut compromise is generally popular which may help his re-election chances, it has alienated Obama's Democratic base as many former supporters are now expressing disappointment and questioning their allegiance to him. More troublesome, however, is the recent ruling by a Virginia judge that Obama's landmark health care reform is unconstitutional, thereby throwing open the possibility of long and messy court battles that could embolden Republicans to fight it out politically as well. Nonetheless, this compromise may boost his appeal with independent voters in 2012 so it remains to be seen what its long term effects might be.

As the transit chart shows, Obama is still coming under the humbling influence of transiting Ketu to his natal Venus. Using a whole sign house system, Venus rules the 10th house (Libra) of career and status in his chart, so this is one reason why he is coming under attack at this time. Ketu isn't always bad news of course, but it does often correlate with times or reassessment of goals and quickly changing circumstances as they relate to career. Obama may well be losing his liberal outlook here and shifting to the center as Ketu may be encouraging a sense of accommodation and revision of his ideals. Ketu is perhaps more negative here because its dispositor, Mercury, is retrograde and transiting through Obama's 12th house of loss and isolation (Sagittarius).

Taking a closer look at the transit chart, we can see that Obama's compromise and subsequent criticism came during the quadruple conjunction of Mercury, Mars, Rahu and Pluto in Sagittarius. All of these planets were aligned in opposition to his natal Venus in Gemini within just a few degrees. Transiting Ketu is even closer to his Venus here, suggesting the necessity of more revisions to status and changing circumstances in the workplace. He signed the agreement on December 6, just as Mars (frustration, excess energy) was not only aspecting Venus (status), but also coming to a very close 8th house quincunx aspect (150 degrees) to his natal Mercury. Mercury rules his 9th house of justice and ideals/principles so the Mars affliction to his 9th house lord supports the notion that he altered his beliefs to adjust to the new realities of Congress. The Virginia ruling against Obamacare came down on December 14, when the Mars-Mercury aspect was even closer. This aspect therefore represents conflict or opposition to his ideals for universal medical coverage of all of US citizens. We can also spot that transiting Sun (ego, self) was afflicted by the square aspect from his natal Mars that day, and this symbolizes the setback he suffered since his health care plan is seen as the centerpiece of his whole administration.

What lies ahead for Obama? Transiting Saturn is now close to his equal 9th house cusp and will station just one degree from there in late January. This could also conceivably be implicated in Obama's ongoing woes, although the picture is less than clear. Saturn is a natural malefic, but its role in his natal chart is much more positive due to its rulership of the 1st house and its conjunction with benefic Jupiter. With Saturn transiting close to this house cusp for an extended period, there will likely be more negative fallout for Obama. Transiting Ketu will still be in a close conjunction with Venus for another month so that will likely correspond with a general atmosphere of defensiveness. On the plus side, Jupiter will aspect his MC (unequal 10th house cusp) and then move on to boost Mercury in mid-January and especially early February. There may be some events that improve his reputation as a result of this Jupiter influence. Since Mercury rules his 9th house, he may get some relief on the judicial front, perhaps from a favorable ruling involving an ongoing piece of legislation such as health care.

But on balance the next month or two seems like a uphill battle. Retrograde Mercury will station under the square of his natal Mars from just before Christmas to shortly after New Year's so that does not bode well at all. This could involve conflict or violence either at home or abroad that will cause him some worry and frustration. The Sun and Mars will conjoin his ascendant in early February and will thus activate the alignment with Saturn. This may correlate with a significant event that does not look positive. I hope to update the possible impact of this alignment in my next post.

WikiLeaks' Julian Assange surrenders to police

2010-12-07T21:47:00.015-05:00

The media storm around WikiLeaks and its controversial founder Julian Assange reached a frenzied pitch yesterday as Assange surrendered to British police. The organization whose stated aim to expose oppressive and corrupt regimes around the world is all over the media these days following an unprecedented release of classified US diplomatic cables. Operating since 2006, WikiLeaks is an organization that publishes leaked or anonymous information on the internet so that journalists and internal whistleblowers do not have to face prosecution by their domestic governments. Wikileaks has been thrust into the media spotlight in the past week due to the compromising and embarrassing nature of the leaked information for the US and many other countries.

This latest chapter in the WikiLeaks saga has brought its founder and editor-in-chief Julian Assange into the public limelight. Yesterday, he surrendered to British police as there were international warrants for his arrest from sexual assault charges brought by two Swedish women. Born in Townsville, Australia on July 3, 1971, Assange is a journalist and publisher largely motivated by fervent left wing beliefs-- he refers to the US government as "an authoritarian conspiracy" -- and seeks to hold the wealthy and powerful to account and reveal corruption and other transgressions of power. Although he is using the unregulated internet to his advantage, he sees himself in the same mold as a traditional journalist who seeks to uncover truth wherever it finds it. However, Assange is a hugely polarizing figure with the US right wing accusing him of terrorism or worse and arguing for his immediate capture or even assassination, while the left wing regards him more as a 21-century version of the muckraking journalist folk hero who speaks truth to power. For everybody else in the middle, there is confusion and uncertainty about what the implications might be for the future of world diplomacy.

Natal Chart for Julian Assange, born July 3, 1971

Julian Assange's horoscope confirms many of the widely accepted views of his personality. His close Sun-Uranus square reflects his antagonism towards authority and convention and his inherently rebellious nature. He resists routine and normal ways of doing things and prefers novelty to tradition. Certainly, his whole anti-authoritarian philosophy is very much in keeping with this Uranian view of the world. Sun-Uranus squares are often unpredictable and change their directions quickly and without warning. Assange has emerged as an enigmatic figure, as there are many accounts of his itinerant lifestyle and long working hours. Even among his admirers on the left, he is seen as a person who thinks too highly of himself and whose unlikeability serves to undermine his aims. Sun-Uranus people can often get caught up in their own unique views of the world, often to their own detriment.

Another key chart pattern is his conjunction of Mars and Rahu (aka the North Lunar Node). Actually, it should be noted that Assange's Mars sits in the degree of its highest exaltation at 28 Capricorn. Here Mars' strength and best qualities of assertiveness, leadership and executive power are emphasized. This seems to be in keeping with Assange's reputation as an indefatigable crusader and tireless worker. Some accounts have him working without food or sleep for days on end. The conjunction of Rahu with Mars would tend to exaggerate and further strengthen his martial disposition although it may make him overly combative or even vindictive at times. Rahu tends to magnify and distort the planets it is associated with so its contact with Mars here ramps up Assange's identity of being a fighter, but it may unbalance him in some ways, too. When this conjunction comes under stress through a malefic transit contact, his Mars energy may get the best of him and he will suffer the consequences of his hasty or rash nature. When Mars and Rahu are favourably aspected, however, he is more likely to fight his enemies with courage and find success.

His Mercury is aspected nicely by Jupiter so this is one important source of his intelligence and ability to communicate, including working with computers. Jupiter is a planet of wisdom and respect so its influence on Mercury is one reason why he has been successful in his various journalistic efforts. Since his birth time is unknown, I like to use the Chandra Lagna chart that relies on the position of the Moon to mark the1st house and interpret the horoscope from there. His Mercury is in the 10th house (Cancer) from his Libra Moon so that suggests his communication skills will be involved with his career and status in some way since the 10th house is associated with life goals and objectives. Jupiter is in sidereal Scorpio and so it is placed in the 2nd house from the Moon -- a good indication of wealth through speech and overall prosperity.

His Sun and 1st lord Venus are placed in the 9th house from the Moon, suggesting that justice and higher principles are very important to him, even if he seeks to blaze a new trail (Sun-Uranus) involving his ethical beliefs. Clearly, he is not a mere attention-seeker and deeply believes in the ideas that are behind his actions. The Sun and Venus are in Gemini here, so that adds to the quickness of his mind and his aptitude dealing with information and communication.

For all his apparent Uranian and Rahuvian excess and eccentricity, Assange's Moon may be his saving grace. As the significator of the mind and mental health, the Moon often reveals a person's emotional situation. His Moon is placed in sidereal Libra and does not receive an aspect from any planet. Its dispositor is Venus and it is likewise unafflicted and well-placed in Gemini. Such a strong Libra Moon is no doubt a great help to Assange throughout his many stressful activities. The Libra Moon enamours him to other people and gives him an innate charm that allows him to be quite persuasive in arguing his case and encouraging people to work with him. The fact that he appeals to so many people on the left is perhaps testament to his strong Libra Moon. At the same time, it's worth noting that some of this emotional stability will be undercut by the fact that his Mars-Rahu conjunction is in the 4th house from the Moon. The 4th house is the house that represents the emotions and peace of mind. Having Mars and Rahu in the 4th can bring emotions quickly to the surface, so he may overreact to difficult situations from time to time. Of course, all of this analysis is somewhat limited since his time of birth is unknown.

His current circumstance may be seen in the positions of transiting Jupiter and Saturn. His sudden fame and notoriety are evidenced through the recent station of Jupiter (29 Aquarius) in November that was in exact trine (120 degree) aspect with his natal Mercury (0 Cancer). Jupiter transits to Mercury often bring positive results pertaining to career matters and the the fact that it was a direct station ramps up the significance of this moment of good fortune considerably. Even now a full two weeks after the station, slow moving Jupiter is just at 0 degrees of Pisces and thus is still boosting his natal Mercury. Assange's natal Mercury is placed in his 10th house of status so his sudden thrust into the limelight was likely coincident with this powerful aspect from Jupiter.

But fame apparently has come at a high price as Assange has been facing sexual assault charges for several weeks now. His WikiLeaks site has been blocked while his Paypal and bank accounts have been taken offline by international authorities. By turning himself into British police, Assange appears to be confronting some very Saturnian realities in his horoscope. Transiting Saturn (21 Virgo) is now in exact aspect to his natal Rahu (21 Capricorn). Saturn-Rahu contacts often bring unwelcome interruptions in the status quo that constrains or restricts the individual. What makes this Saturn transit arguable more damaging is that Saturn is in the 12th house from the Moon, the house of loss and isolation. Moreover, Rahu is conjunct Mars in his natal chart and Mars is a planet that symbolizes punishment. So that transiting Saturn aspect to Rahu is actually invoking Mars -- exalted though it is -- and this may be an additional factor in Assange's arrest and imprisonment. As noted above, the Mars-Rahu conjunction will tend to be lead to unpleasant situations when it is involved with a malefic planet by transit, as is the case here with Saturn.

So what does the future hold for Mr. Assange? Without knowing his exact birth time, it is a lot harder than it otherwise would be to make astrological predictions. Nonetheless, we can see that transiting Saturn will remain in fairly close proximity to that aspect with his natal Rahu for the next two or three months. Saturn will turn retrograde in late January at 23 degrees of Virgo at such time it will again fall under the influence of Rahu. The first half of February could be especially tough sledding as transiting Mars will conjoin his natal Rahu and then Mars. The absence of any major Jupiter aspects during this time suggests that he is likely to have more frustrations than victories until February at least. More troubling, however, is that transiting Saturn will end its retrograde cycle in May and June at 16 degrees of Virgo -- almost exactly square Assange's natal Sun. If anything, this is an even worse influence than what he faces at the moment. Transiting Ketu also conjoins his Venus at this time, and this is another probable negative influence that suggests troubles from authorities. I wouldn't want to predict definitively what the outcome of this period might be, but his situation is clearly quite serious given the fact that he's already under arrest. Things look likely to go from bad to worse for this 21st-century anti-authoritarian crusader for the first half of 2011 at least.

The Stars This Week -- October 18th

2010-10-16T20:32:00.002-04:00

Overview

The Sun enters sidereal Libra this week alongside the welcome company of Mercury. Since Libra is a sign associated with harmony and reconciling the differences between people, this may be a fortuitous time to forge alliances, settle differences, and break bread with your "frenemies". The simultaneous entry of Mercury into Libra could add an intellectual component to the proceedings as you may discover that the free and open exchange of ideas reveals you may have more in common than you thought. Since Mercury is the geek of the solar system who spends his time evaluating and assessing things, social interaction may have a decidedly rational bent this week as the emphasis will be on learning from each other rather than, say, feeling.

Mars enters sidereal Scorpio this week where it will get a helping hand from the aspect of Jupiter. This will prove especially helpful to Aries and Scorpio people who are ruled by Mars, and will generally encourages a supportive atmosphere for the taking of action and launching new ideas. There could be a real "can do" attitude here as problems are resolved quickly. There may be a risk of impatience and frustration here as obstacles may not be well tolerated. Resist the urge to do everything at once and try to channel some of Jupiter's sense of propriety in order to disarm potential opponents by showing that what is in their best interest is also best for all concerned. Scorpio also involves the secret realm of the hidden and therefore speaks to the ideas of seduction, investigation and exploration of the unknown.

Aries (Apr 13 - May 14) Mars enters sidereal Scorpio this week where it teams up with Jupiter, the wise guru figure, and Neptune, the dream-meister. This is likely to make life congenial, especially in the early part of the week, as opportunities arise from prestigious sources. So if a wealthy professor makes you an offer, it might be a good idea not to refuse it. Some of this happy shine may wear off later in the week, as you become more susceptible to a loss of focus or just feeling spaced out as Neptune takes over. Situations involving water and liquids may also be the source of hassles.

Taurus (May 15 - June 14) This week looks like a time to roll up your sleeves and attend to your most pressing responsibilities. As Saturn drops in for a visit early in the week, there may some heavy work demands that tax your reserves. Your natural Taurean inclination towards the sensual pleasures will have to be put on hold as you take care of those around you who are in need. The weekend looks like a time of ease when you can kick back and reflect upon the dense web of interconnectedness that binds us all in this life.

Gemini (June 15 - July 14) You may never feel more intelligent or more in control of your destiny as you do this week. Your ruling planet Mercury is exceptionally strong right now so this is a good time to figure out complex problems and let your views be known. Your natural communicative gifts will likely carry the day and win over many converts. The weekend may feature an unusual situation that benefits from creative problem solving.

Cancer (July 15- Aug 14) This has all the makings of a wonderful week. As the Sun and Mercury transit your 4th house for the next while, you may find yourself pleasantly preoccupied with the home front as the nurturing side of shelter and family are in focus this week. At the same time, work life and social standing are likely to get a nice boost as the Moon joins Jupiter here. Remember that Jupiter's generosity is a two-way street -- it brings good luck and favors to us and also engenders our own spirit of giving.

Leo (Aug 15 - Sep 15) Like the title of the old Charlie Parker tune, now's the time! As the Sun enters your 3rd house this week, you can finally take action on all those marvelous ideas of yours and begin to transform the theory into reality. With a beneficent dose of Jupiter in the mix here, there's a good chance you may see some fruits of your efforts early in the week, especially if they appeal to the realm of higher human values.

Virgo (Sep 16 - Oct 15) Life gets pretty interesting this week as Mercury moves into your 2nd house and encounters a whole gamut of planetary aspects. Finances may have a special focus for you at this time as you may be reminded of the central role of money in our society. You could well gain a renewed appreciation for the notion that 'money equals freedom'. The weekend could see you open to a new and transforming experience.

Libra (Oct 16 - Nov 14) With the Sun and Mercury entering your sign this week, you may be meeting new people and socializing more than usual. This is a great opportunity to show off your Libran charm and display your considerable talents for making people feel comfortable, especially people who may come from a very different background. The early part of the week may have you wishing for some down time as you want to get away from it all, if only for a moment. The weekend will likely see you in the thick of it once again as you appreciate the special rewards that come from human relationships.

Scorpio (Nov 15 - Dec 14) With Mars entering your sign this week, you will be firing on all cylinders here. This should translate into increased energy and an ability to put your best foot forward. The strong Jupiter influence here should help you realize some dividends to your efforts. The weekend may bring some confusion and miscommunication, especially on the home front. Mars takes about six weeks to complete its transit of Scorpio, so try to make the most of this time of increased vitality and renewed vigor.

Sagittarius (Dec 15 - Jan 13) As Mars joins with Jupiter this week, you could be more persuasive than usual in getting what you want. Mars is a more assertive executive sort of energy but its combination with Jupiter softens it considerably with the result that you are able to pitch your ideas and desires more effectively and with greater charm. Education or humanitarian concerns may figure prominently, especially pertaining to faraway or isolated places. A reminder of the limits of our desires and the necessity of the spiritual realm may also be forthcoming here.

Capricorn (Jan 14 - Feb 12) The universe may well be showing up at your door this week with the metaphorical cashier's cheque to present to you for all your hard work. Work matters may be in focus as Sun and Mercury have moved into your 10th house. Generally speaking, things should go your way. You may feel more at one with the world this week as home life improves and this spills over into other areas of life. The weekend looks good for enjoying time with family and friends as the Moon transits your 4th house.

Aquarius (Feb 13 - Mar 12) With Sun and Mercury moving into Libra this week, this may be a time when you acquire new knowledge. As you take time to appreciate its origins and status in the world, you may find yourself in a better position to understand a little more of the puzzle of this life. As Mars enters your 10th house later in the week, you are more likely to get recognized for past efforts and new potentials. An unexpected person or situation over the weekend may produce a new way of thinking.

Pisces (Mar 13-Apr 12) You may willingly enter the Twilight Zone this week as the Sun enters your 8th house of mystery and the unknown. You may find an unusual encounter with the spiritual, the esoteric, or just plain weird here. The weekend seems more likely for meetings with remarkable but offbeat people. Money matters may also be in focus as your cup runneth over, if only in a symbolic, subjective and depressingly non-material sort of way.

The Stars This Week -- October 11 - 17

2010-10-09T18:23:00.002-04:00

Week of October 11

Overview

This week may feature an extra dose of Mars as it aspects both the Sun and Mercury. Mars is a planet with a bit of a nasty reputation given its unfortunate (but not undeserving) historical association with war and violence. More generally, however, Mars involves the notions of action and assertion. Above all, Mars seeks to realize its will and act upon desires. Think Freud. In bad situations, it's a bully. In more civilized environments, it is a responsible executive power that takes initiative by making decisions quickly. So with two Mars aspects in the sky this week, there could be a greater urgency to act and react. The pace of life may feel a little more hectic than usual so be careful not to succumb to impatience. With all this assertive energy flying around this week, it may be tempting to push one's own agenda and disregard the interests of others.

By the weekend, the Sun and Mercury will conjoin and simultaneously enter sidereal Libra. Libra is all about connecting with other people, reconciling differences, and recognizing the role of social graces so this may be a nice time to refocus on people instead of tasks. The Sun-Mercury conjunction at the time of this Libra ingress is quite unusual and introduces a more communicative and intellectual flavor to the proceedings. This is a nice combination for the production of art and it may also enhance communications surrounding the aesthetic realm -- art galleries, film festivals, and youtube videos. This is a great time for creativity that builds bridges between people and which reflects the social nature of human life.

Aries (Apr 13 - May 14) As Venus moves away from Mars, you may find yourself shifting gears and getting down to business this week. The concept of authority figures prominently this week, as you find benefits from listening to elders and traditional wisdom. You may feel the greater need to seek recognition but it will be important to temper your expectations since crude displays of ego will generate resistance. By the end of the week, you may be more inclined to think things through. Encounters with young people prove valuable.

Taurus (May 15 - June 14) Life may be a little less frantic this week as truculent Mars has finally left Venus alone. You may find comfort in a more balanced approach here between enjoying life's pleasures and helping those who are in need of assistance. This is a good time to put your brain power and organizing skills to work and bring some resolution to a situation that needs fixing. A pleasant surprise is possible midweek that could reaffirm what is important to you.

Gemini (June 15 - July 14) You may feel lighter on your feet this week as Mercury has escaped from Saturn's deep, dark cave of pessimism. The people around you can now once again enjoy your witty banter and stream of consciousness about the world. With the Moon in your 7th house, the first half of the week will be a good time to mix and mingle. The pace may pick up towards the end of the week as demands on your time may get a little out of hand. Of course, in true Geminian form, you will be able to talk your way out of anything. You may get noticed more by "respectable" people on the weekend so don't be afraid to take the lead.

Cancer (July 15- Aug 14) This week may be a good time to put some new ideas out into the world. If you've done your homework, it may be time to go live and let the chips fall where they may. The early week could see you focusing on resolving some differences of opinion. Putting yourself in the other person's shoes is usually a good starting point. Your powers of persuasion are in top form here, so present your version of things with a soothing blend of rationality and empathy.

Leo (Aug 15 - Sep 15) With the Sun conjoining Mercury this week, you may be sharing your thoughts and ideas with more people than usual. Business is likely to improve here, especially involving education or communication as you impress those in positions of power. Some tangible benefits are possible by the weekend as all sincere efforts will be rewarded. Sometimes all you have to do is buy a ticket.

Virgo (Sep 16-Oct 15) Activity levels are likely to increase this week as the caution of Saturn is replaced by an injection of the energy of Mars. There may be moments when it gets to be a bit much (especially near Friday) so be careful not to lose sight of your plan and your ultimate goal. With Mercury moving towards a conjunction with the Sun, the week should finish quite nicely as you become a key player. Governments and father figures could play a more prominent role this week.

Libra (Oct 16-Nov 14) As Mars shuffles off into the sunset, you are in a better position to indulge your Venusian pleasures for people and objets d'art this week. Take the time to get in touch with any neglected friends and family and work your Libra charm on them. A nice midweek surprise is possible here from an unusual source. This may have the unexpected effect of allowing you to understand the plight of others less fortunate than yourself.

Scorpio (Nov 15 - Dec 14) This is a good week to have your eyes on the prize. Your hard work can pay off handsomely for you here especially if you have enacted a clear, methodical plan of attack. Resist the urge to go it alone and look for sources of support among like-minded people. A little sacrifice can go a long way. You may receive some welcome information at the end of the week that makes your objectives clearer.

Sagittarius (Dec 15 - Jan 13) This is a good time to take center stage as you are more likely to have an attentive audience. All your quirks and idiosyncrasies are more likely to go over particularly well this week as friends and colleagues are inclined to see the world through your eyes. This is a good time to channel any restlessness you've been feeling on the home front into creative projects that put your vision out into the world. The weekend looks good for exchanging ideas with workmates.

Capricorn (Jan 14 - Feb 12) Your ambition may be uppermost in your mind this week as you may spend more time pondering your goals. What do you want and how do you want to go about getting it? The universe should welcome these aspirations as the Moon enters Capricorn towards the end of the week. The goat rules! More mundanely, work matters should go well, especially those involving women.

Aquarius (Feb 13 - Mar 12) Money matters are likely to be responsible for some smiles this week as the Moon transits your 11th house of gains. Probably no major lottery wins, but don't be surprised to find a rolled up twenty in your fall jacket. Spouses and partners may also get a lot of your attention this week, as their activities are a focal point for discussion and admiration. By supporting and cheering them on, you can participate in their success.

Pisces (Mar 13-Apr 12) As Saturn recedes in the distance, you may find a renewed enthusiasm for life, especially in terms of working and relating with others. You may find fulfillment here by attending to the needs of people around you who are in a state of distress. With the Moon transiting your 10th house of status for much of the week, you are likely to be recognized for your good works. The weekend promises to bring some stimulating new people and situations into your life.

Obama's midterm prospects

2010-10-03T20:40:00.005-04:00

Obama and the Democrats face a tough uphill fight in the midterm elections slated for November 2. The Democrats now trail the Republicans in the polls and the rosy glow surrounding Obama has faded as the morning-after realities of governing have undermined the appeal of his soaring rhetoric. The summer has not been kind to President Obama either. First, there was the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that raised questions about his administration's competence and sense of responsibility, then the economy began to show signs of slipping back towards another recession, and then his apparent flip-flop over the building of a mosque near Ground Zero in New York. As the oil spill situation dragged on for week after week, Obama's approval ratings fell below the 50% for the first time since his election. Despite some important legislative victories on the financial reform of Wall Street and the extension of benefits for unemployed workers, Obama's ratings are hovering around 45% while the radical anti-government populism of the Tea Party movement continues to find followers.

None of this is especially surprising since his planets weren't looking particularly good when I last took a look at them in early May. At that time, I thought the combined effects of both the transits and his Jupiter-Rahu dasha period would tend to make 2010 an uphill battle for him. I pointed out that his Rahu minor period starting from February 2010 and running until June 2012 would likely not be easy since it was placed in his 8th house and hemmed in between Pluto and Uranus in horoscope.

From a transit perspective, I had expected Obama would get more benefit from the Jupiter aspect to his Mercury in July and early August. To be sure, this did coincide with the successful passage of the financial reform bill as I thought it might. But this transit was not strong enough to support the US economy as a whole, as government data continues to show stubbornly high levels of joblessness and no turnaround in sight for the beleaguered housing sector. And the fixing of the Gulf oil spill only came in fits and starts. I was partially correct in expecting some fix of the problem in early June as Jupiter and Uranus conjoined on his Midheaven (unequal 10th house cusp). That roughly coincided with the initial rough capping of the broken well that significantly reduced the flow of leaking oil. But this cap proved to be inadequate and the permanent cap for the well only came in September.

The Mercury retrograde cycle that began in mid-August also caused some problems for Obama as he apparently flip-flopped on the building of a mosque at Ground Zero in New York. This was more evidence that he not only lacked a firm sense of leadership, but that he was out of touch with the country as a whole as polls showed that most Americans did not approve of the mosque. Mercury turned retrograde on August 20 at 25 degrees of sidereal Leo -- exactly conjunct his equal 8th house cusp symbolizing embarrassment and scandal. It only made matters worse that this was a few degrees from his natal Mars, a malefic planet representing upset and frustration.

So what lies ahead for President Obama and the Democrats as they head into these crucial midterm elections? Most polls show them losing control of the House of Representatives and perhaps retaining control of the Senate. The planets for early November do not seem to favor Obama, although I would acknowledge a certain level of ambiguity here. Transiting Ketu is conjunct his natal Venus and this is often coincident with a time of change and disruption. Ketu is usually malefic planet although we should note that he got married to Michelle at the time of the previous Ketu-Venus conjunction in 1992. Well, that was definitely a change (Ketu) to his love life (Venus)!

Transiting Jupiter will aspect his natal Mars at this time, and that is another influence that could go either way. Jupiter is a benefic planet, and its aspects with Mars often signify times of powerful decision-making, often involving the spending of money. Perhaps the aftermath of the election prompts a new round of stimulus spending? He does look to be energized at this time, as if it may be close and he will be doing his share of cajoling, horse trading, and arm-twisting to get out the Democrat vote.

The Mars transit to his Moon also speaks to an intense day of action and reaction, and suggests a close outcome. He will definitely be a busy and anxious man on November 2 as the future of his legislative agenda will hang in the balance from this outcome.

More worrying for Obama and the Democrats, however, is the close 45 degree aspect from the Rahu-Pluto conjunction to his ascendant. This does not look positive and may indicate that is will be compelled through external circumstance to make adjustments. While Rahu can sometimes tilt towards the positive, its teaming up with Pluto here makes it more malefic. The aspect to the ascendant creates the sense that Obama will be at the mercy of forces larger than himself. It definitely leans towards a significant change in the status quo. Since the Democrats control both the House and Senate, it seems unlikely that they will control both after this election.

For an added perspective on this question, take a look at the Republican House Leader John Boehner's horoscope. We don't know his birth time, but just the birth date chart shows a very favorable Jupiter to Mercury aspect. It's hard to reconcile this transit with a Republican disappointment.

Overall, I would say there isn't much chance of the Democrats pulling off some miracle win in the race for the House. They could still win the Senate, although perhaps with a much reduced majority. Unfortunately, it is hard to extrapolate from Obama's horoscope what the various planetary influences might mean in terms of electoral races that do not directly involve him. Here I am assuming that a mixed result of a loss of the House and a win in the Senate mirrors the mixed nature of his chart.

After a brief look at his horoscope, I expect Democrat Senate Leader Harry Reid will likely lose his seat. Barbara Boxer of California appears to have a stronger chart and will likely win re-election.

Looking ahead to 2012, I think President Obama's chances of re-election are quite good. While it is difficult to be definitive without studying the challenger's horoscope, Obama's chart looks quite positive for Fall 2012. Transiting Jupiter aspects his ascendant while Rahu conjoins his Midheaven. These sorts of contacts are usually found in the charts of people who are successful in their efforts.

The Stars This Week -- October 4 - 10

2010-10-03T15:15:00.002-04:00

Week of October 4

Overview

Venus turns retrograde on Friday this week and so begins its six-week backwards journey across the sky. Venus will be in retrograde motion until November 18 and will mark a time when matters of love and beauty may occupy a greater role in our lives. Retrograde cycles are often seen as periods when we review or clarify our relationships as if to prepare for happier and more constructive associations in the future. There certainly may be some of this reflective quality in the retrograde cycle, but the increased brightness and slower velocity of Venus in the night sky simply means that Venus is stronger now and will play a greater role in human affairs for the next little while. Venus represents women and the feminine ideal so we can look forward to a time when we become more conscious of the feminine archetype of beauty, sociality and compassion. Venus is also symbolic of money and pleasure, so we will see a greater importance placed on spending and enjoyment of sensual experiences this week. This will especially be true for Mars-ruled signs of Aries and Scorpio and the Venus-ruled signs of Taurus and Libra, although all the signs of zodiac will partake to some extent in this Venus-fest.

While the Venus retrograde cycle is a time to put us in touch with our feminine side, this one will be made more complicated by the close conjunction with Mars. This conjunction is exact on Monday although it will be in close proximity the whole week. Mars is an energy for action and assertion, and its blending with Venus this week may give a spark or edge to relationships and male-female interactions. Some interactions will see the sexual dynamic given a wider role, as the emphasis will be vitality and activity. So this week will be a good time to initiate new social contacts and for taking pleasure (Venus) in any sort of physical activity (Mars).

Mercury joins the Sun and Saturn in sidereal Virgo this week. This is likely to accentuate the role of thinking and our discriminatory faculties as they pertain to the upholding of standards and ideals. Criticism of situations that are not living up to expectations may be more likely this week, especially with the Mercury-ruled signs of Gemini and Virgo. Capricorn and Aquarius may also get a dose of this Mercury energy and use their powers of judgment to gain the information necessary to make productive decisions. Thursday's New Moon and the Mercury-Saturn conjunction on Friday may well highlight this penchant for analysis and scrutinizing of standards.

Aries (Apr 13 - May 14) This week is looking very good for you as Mars joins Venus in Libra. You are more likely to find new friends and contacts here and relationships generally get a boost. This is a great time to go on a romantic date or enjoy an outing to a place of beauty or relaxation. The weekend looks like your best time to shine. Work and family responsibilities may be more onerous, however, as there are greater demands placed upon you. Take it all in stride and rely on a methodical approach. Slow and steady wins the race.

Taurus (May 15 - Jun 14) As Venus meets Mars this week, you may feel greater vitality and need for action as Mars lights a fire under your feet. You could be busier than usual here and may be distracted by situations that demand repair. Relationships could also be in focus here as you feel the need to clarify some grey areas. Mars can make us overly aggressive at times, so try to avoid overdoing it. Happiness is within your grasp if you take a moment to stand back and see both sides. The weekend looks like a great time to mix relaxation with productive activity, especially involving children.

Gemini (Jun 15 - Jul 14) Some improvement is likely this week if last week's Saturn-Ketu aspect may have weakened your resolve. Saturn is still in the picture here so that heaviness that may weigh on you if you choose to let it. The end of the week will be a time when your duties and responsibilities become clarified, especially on the home front. Relationships may be unsettled and uncertain and they may take up more of your time. It's probably best not to force the issue as the situation will likely move to a better resolution once Mars moves away from Venus next week.

Cancer (Jul 15 - Aug 14) As Mercury enters your third house, you will feel a greater need to communicate your ideas and put yourself out into the world. If you were lacking in motivation, this week may give you a boost as your sense about what you want becomes clearer. With Saturn in the picture here, this may not be the best time for back-of-a-napkin type improvised plans. Take the time to plan your next moves and they will pay off handsomely. Working life looks quite positive this week and you may get some recognition for a job well done.

Leo (Aug 15 - Sep 15) There is a nice start to the week as the Sun is in aspect with Venus. This should help you see the joys of life and lighten your load going into midweek. Mercury enters your second house here so money issues could be front and center by Friday. These are more likely to go well if you bring in the viewpoints of friends and partners. Other perspectives can sometimes suggest a new way at looking at things. This may be a better time to leave your Leo charm behind and rely on cold, rational calculation. New initiatives may pay some dividends by the weekend.

Virgo (Sep 16 - Oct 15) All eyes are on you this week. This is a perfect opportunity to impress the world with your sense of propriety and balance in all things, and the importance of "doing the right thing". Thursday's New Moon occurs in Virgo and this may well highlight your best qualities to those who share your life. This could be a time when serving the needs of other makes more sense than looking out for oneself. The benefits of taking the high road will become clear soon enough. Money and finances may be a source of comfort during the weekend.

Libra (Oct 16 - Nov 14) You will gain first hand experience with the Venus-Mars conjunction this week. Relationships and the opposite sex should take prominent place in life here, and you may learn a lot about the role of leadership. While the best relationships involve compromise and give and take, the Mars influence this week might place the emphasis on the "taking" part of the equation. Romance may take on a more purely sexual tone as niceties take a back seat to more essential Freudian urges. There could be an unsteady balance between the demands of others and the desire to escape and be alone.

Scorpio (Nov 15 - Dec 14) You will be surrounded by beautiful things and people this week as Venus casts is luminous glow. Make the most of this time to enjoy the finer things in life. There is a parallel theme of sanctuary and isolation here as if sexual contact can provide sanctuary from the madding crowds of our mundane lives. The allure of utopias and distant shores may be irresistible here and you may be tempted to run away with a lover with a foreign accent. Ah, if only Venus and Mars could be in your 12th house forever! The weekend looks great for a romantic getaway.

Sagittarius (Dec 15 - Jan 13) Since the Venus-Mars conjunction falls in your 11th house of gains, it may be useful to think of this as harvest time. If you've been laying the proper groundwork, efforts may bear some significant fruit here, especially going into the weekend. With Mercury entering your 10th house of career, there is a space here for your ideas to reach a wider audience. Work-related situations generally go well, even if the boss is always looking over your shoulder. You may have more social interactions with older or spiritual people here, especially those that are pursuing alternative paths.

Capricorn (Jan 14 - February 12) You could take a greater interest in traveling this week as Mercury enters your 9th house. This would be a good time to plan a vacation or take off to places unknown. You may also be drawn to complex systems of thought as you enjoy parsing the details of all manner of facts, figures, and texts. With the Venus retrograde cycle taking place in your 10th house this week, the universe is making a bigger space for you. Don't be shy about stepping out into the limelight even if it means temporarily surrendering some of your traditional Capricornian defenses.

Aquarius (Feb 13 - Mar 12) With Thursday's New Moon occurring in your 8th house of mystery, you may be distracted by the realm of the offbeat. Conspiracy theories and alternative health information may be particularly salient this week as you weigh the pros and cons of going off the beaten track. The themes of searching and investigating will likely bubble up at different times this week and could also include everything from fact finding missions about office gossip to coming to terms with transcendental knowledge of esoteric realms. Money matters may be a source of unexpected relief this week as you realize you have more than you thought, or at least expenses were less than you remembered.

Pisces (Mar 13 - Apr 12) The urge to reformulate your life continues this week as Jupiter, your ruling planet, receives the aspects of Mercury and the Moon. If things have been unsettled lately, this is likely to amplify that feeling. This may not be a bad thing, however, since Mercury often brings good fortune. But it may take time for any benefits to accrue. Your relationships are likely going to be a source of comfort and happiness here as life's demands are more easily borne in the company of those who care for us. You may find a special sense of joy helping someone in need early in the week. Some intriguing romantic or sexual developments may be more likely over the weekend.

The Stars this Week -- Sep 20 - 27

2010-09-19T14:44:00.004-04:00

Please note that this chart is cast using the sidereal zodiac and the Krishnamurti ayanamsha. All references to signs are therefore using the sidereal zodiac which is currently about 24 degrees behind the Western tropical zodiac. This is a little less than one sign (30 degrees), so if you are a Libra in Western astrology, there's a good chance you're actually a Virgo according to the sidereal zodiac.

Also note that Vedic astrology places greater emphasis on the ascendant and Moon signs in terms of describing the person in addition to the more familiar Sun sign. So if I make mention of planets affecting Libra, for example, this may refer to your sidereal Sun sign in Libra (i.e. you are born between Oct 17 and Nov 15), and also if you were born with the Moon in Libra or your ascendant in Libra. To find out your sidereal Sun sign, check here. To find your sidereal Moon and ascendant sign, you will need to have your chart cast.

With the completion of the conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus over the weekend, there could be a little less willingness to embark on new projects and take risks this week. The aspect from the Sun to Jupiter-Uranus early in the week may represent a culmination or peaking of this adventurous and optimistic energy. This sense of achievement may be more noticeable for people with prominent Sagittarius, Pisces, Gemini, and to a lesser extent, Virgo. Virgos have to contend with the approaching Sun-Saturn conjunction next week so this mean expending more energy on fulfilling duties and responsibilities.

The love planets, Venus and Mars, continue their transit of Libra this week. Mars is slowly catching up to Venus as Venus is slowing down ahead of its retrograde station in early October. What's interesting here is that both Venus and Mars come under the aspect of Ketu. Ketu (the South Lunar Node) is a planet that represents change and reorganization, so relationship issues may be more prominent this week, especially for Aries and Libra. Watch for unusual and unexpected developments involving the opposite sex. Scorpios may have much of this activity take place at a distance or out of public view. Taurus may experience this energy in a more rehabilitative or restoring sort of way. Ketu has carries an undertone of spirituality and renunciation, so there could be a greater willingness to examine love and sex in terms of its higher manifestations and goals.

The Moon begins in Aquarius this week with Neptune so this could provide a boost for Aquarian individuals, particularly in terms of researching old or obscure systems of knowledge. Leos may find themselves busier than normal talking, texting, emailing and travelling as quicksilver Mercury projects its influence.

As the Moon transits Pisces on Thursday and Friday, that will re-energize Pisces and Virgo, and enhance the profile of Sagittarius and Gemini. Thursday's Full Moon will underline this sense of confidence and attention-seeking. Capricorn may find more get-up-and-go as your determination for action take precedence over all other concerns. Cancer may find life more pleasurable at this time and find solace in youth.

The weekend will find the Moon in Aries, so this will bring relationships into sharper relief. If you're Aries or Libra, this could be a great weekend to mix and mingle with the opposite sex. Leo and Sagittarius may be more bookish on the weekend, however, and might prefer the company of words to people.

Thailand in Crisis; army moves in on Red Shirt protest

2010-05-19T17:59:00.011-04:00

The Land of Smiles is now a land of strife. After a months-long protest by anti-government "red shirt" protesters, a violent crackdown by the Thai army on the protesters encampment in Lumpini Park has resulted in a reactionary wave of arson, looting, and rioting throughout Bangkok. Reports now state that the violence has spread to other cities in the Northeast. The once-tolerant and peaceable Buddhist kingdom has been increasingly riven by political and social conflict over the past four years. Much of conflict has centered on the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who ruled the country from 2001 to 2006 but was found guilty of corruption and left the country to escape justice. Once the richest person in Thailand, Thaksin has been a very polarizing force in Thai politics in the past decade, with many poor people rallying to his defense while more educated, urban classes are generally opposed to his authoritarian and corrupt style of rule. In political terms, the crisis is perhaps the result of the lopsided path to development that Thailand has followed where urban elites are fared disproportionately better compared with the rural and working classes.

From an astrological perspective, we can see that Thailand has been caught in the middle of a rare t-square planetary alignment involving Saturn, Pluto, Uranus and Jupiter. Over the past two years or so, these planets have moved into a tense pattern where there are square 90 degree aspects between Saturn (control, loss, hardship), Uranus (freedom, risk-taking, rebellion), Pluto (power, manipulation) and Jupiter (justice, wealth, wisdom). While we can see this rare alignment is implicated in the global upheavals through the economic system since 2008, it has affected Thailand more directly because of where these planets fall in relation to the the location of the planets at the time that Thailand came into being.

As I have previously noted, the horoscope for Thailand is currently under a significant amount of affliction. Using the 1932 chart representing the beginning of constitutional government, we can see that both dashas and transits are contributing to the high level of unrest and anxiety. The chart is running the Venus-Saturn dasha period. As major period lord, Venus ought to have been a fairly positive influence. Certainly, it's a benefic planet by nature and it is well placed in the natal chart in the 1st house with Mercury, although it is retrograde. But major period lords have more of a background influence and given the long duration of the dasha (1994 to 2014), it still allows for a wide range of events to occur, both good and bad. So while Thailand has had its fair share of problems during the Venus period, it has also experienced strong economic growth through most of this period, just as the Venus symbolism suggests. The Saturn (10 Capricorn) minor period (also known as a bhukti) runs from June 2007 to August 2010 and is considered a naturally malefic planet that symbolizes loss and sorrow. Moreover, its placement in the 8th house in Thailand horoscope is quite difficult. The 8th house stands for obstacles and setbacks of all kinds and is often found in situations of civil unrest along with the 6th and 12th houses. Moreover, Saturn forms a close partial "trine" aspect with violent Mars (8 Taurus) so that may be a clue that the Saturn period would see bloodshed and strife of some kind. While some might think that Saturn redeems itself somewhat by virtue of being in its own sign of Capricorn and ruling a good trikona house (the 9th - Aquarius), it is still a planet that will tend to produce negative results, especially when transits are problematic. We may also note that the major and minor period lords Venus (in Gemini) and Saturn (in Capricorn) are in an awkward 8th house relationship with one another and this is another indication of the incompatibility of energies that characterizes the current period.

But dashas are only a starting point in the analysis. The quality of dasha periods can be greatly influenced by transits, especially when the dasha lords are impacted. This is part of the situation now in Thailand. Transiting Saturn (4 Virgo) is coming to its direct station very near the 4th house cusp (1 Virgo). The 8th house (representing setbacks) and 8th lord Saturn (losses, sadness) is being brought to bear on the 4th house (population, everyday life). Since the 4th also represents happiness and comfort, Saturn's presence will tend to deny these dimensions while it is in the proximity of the 4th house cusp. The fact that Saturn is stationing very close to this point makes it more likely to do harm. It also means that it will spend a longer time at this point, and thus suggests the disruptive situation may be protracted. Indeed, the protests have already lasted many weeks. Saturn is also casting its full strength aspect onto the ascendant (1 Gemini) which represents the country as a whole. Given the extent of the troubles that are now spreading all over the country, this is not surprising. The violence and protests have hit the tourist industry hard and is now taking its toll on other businesses. So we see how the transit of a malefic dasha lord to a vulnerable point in the Thailand horoscope reflects part of the current situation.

Interestingly, the major period lord, Venus, is also involved in some difficult transits. Venus (17 Gemini) is currently conjoined by transiting Ketu (aka the South Lunar Node) at 18 Gemini. Ketu is both a planet of sudden and unpredictable actions as well as symbolizing renunciatory or otherworldly impulses. It is also frequently associated with spirituality. Meanwhile Venus is associated with love, beauty, money, and luxury. We can see how the portfolios of these two planets are diametrically opposed to one another. The red shirt protesters are poor, disadvantaged people originating from the rural Northeast who feel that the political system has shut them out. They feel no love for the educated elites of urban Thailand. While there is evidence that some of the protesters have been financially backed and manipulated by the ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin, there is a legitimate social justice component to this movement. Today several shopping malls were set on fire by the red shirts, this is perhaps a fitting expression of unpredictable and ascetic Ketu confronting the luxury-loving Venus. It is interesting to note that the last time Thailand erupted in violence was exactly 18 years ago in May 1992 against an unpopular military dictatorship. Students of astrology know that the nodal cycles of Ketu and Rahu are 18.6 years in length so Ketu was also conjunct natal Venus the last time that we saw a major outbreak of violent civil unrest. Ketu interrupted the prevailing state of mutual respect and affection (Venus) of Thai people enough to provoke a crisis on the streets.

Other short term transits have also contributed the eruption of the crisis at this time. On May 12, Mercury stationed at 8 degrees of Aries, which is in a close square aspect with natal Saturn (10 Capricorn). Since Mercury rules the first house (Gemini), it symbolized the whole country here as it fell under the full brunt of Saturn's negative influence. Mercury has only barely moved since then and now stands at 10 Aries -- in its exact square aspect with Saturn. Transiting Mars (26 Cancer) is another possible triggering planet since it symbolizes violence and conflict and it is conjunct natal Jupiter (27 Cancer). Jupiter rules wealth, the economy and large financial institutions. In the midst of today's violence, protesters set fire to the Bangkok Stock Exchange.

But where is the government in all this? The government is symbolized by the Sun (9 Gemini) and it also has come under the influence of transiting Saturn (4 Virgo) by its square aspect. The orb of the aspect is still 5 degrees away so that might offer some reason why the Abhisit government has remained intact thus far. However, the pressure against the government has been long-standing since Pluto (11 Sagittarius) has been aspecting the Sun for the past two years. This is a very slow moving and difficult aspect and reflects the intractability of the poliltical situation in Thailand. Pluto symbolizes power in its most coercive form and when it is in bad aspect to the Sun, it can reflect a time when the government can only function through force or threats . The Abhisit government does not enjoy full legitimacy in the eyes of the red shirts and their supporters around the country. He was not elected but rather put into power after a military coup ousted the Thaksin. This is a reflection of the Sun-Pluto connection where consensus and rational discussion is replaced by cruder forms of power.

Giving the difficulty implied in these planets, Thailand's future does not look good. Saturn will begin move forward after May 30 so that may improve the living situation for the average person in fairly short order as it reduces its pressure on the 4th house. But it will exactly aspect the Sun in July and August so that is another time when we may see the government and its leaders come under criticism. It is possible the government could be forced to call an election at that time in order to mollify opponents. And yet the extent of planetary affliction looks like it would correspond with something worse than simply giving in and calling an election. I would therefore expect a return to a more unstable political situation at that time. Transiting Pluto will stay in opposition aspect to the Sun for the rest of the year and is likely to continue to undermine the current government. The period in November-December 2010 looks especially difficult for government and leaders as Ketu will conjoin the Sun while Pluto opposes it. The December pattern looks more difficult, so that might be the period of greatest political and social concern. To make matters worse, Saturn will station on 23 Virgo in close square aspect to both Venus (17 Gemini) and Mercury (21 Gemini). This aspect will likely translate into some significant economic disruption and frustration as well as sadness and disappointment.

All this planetary stress on the natal Sun does not augur well for Thailand's beloved King Bhumipol, who is now 82 and largely confined to hospital. In previous periods of civil strife, he has been able to reconcile opposing sides and prevent situations from spiraling out of control. However, he has been conspicuously absent this time, and this is one more reason the future of the country seems more at risk than in the past. Given the afflictions to the Sun in this horoscope, he is unlikely to make a positive contribution to this situation or if he does, it will likely not lead to a lasting solution.

Overall, Thailand's troubles are likely to continue for some time to come. One hopeful sign is that Saturn's minor period will end in October. At that time, the Mercury minor period will begin and last until June 2013. The Venus-Mercury period definitely looks more positive, although just how fast Thailand returns to a state approaching normal will depend on the transits. 2011 will see Saturn aspecting both Venus and Mercury once more so that suggests another step back.

Obama's triumphs and challenges

2010-05-05T18:05:00.003-04:00

After suffering an embarrassing rebuke of his policies and proposed health care reform in January with the election of Senator Scott Brown, President Barack Obama has managed to bounce back, even if his approval ratings remain below 50%. Despite crystallizing popular opposition to health reform, the Scott Brown election on January 19 in Ted Kennedy's old seat marked a real low point for the Obama administration. Nonetheless, Obama and the House Democrats gamely fought back and skillfully cobbled together enough votes to pass the historic reform package on March 21. Despite the big political win on health care, Obama did not receive a significant boost in his popularity, no doubt reflecting the fact that most Americans do not like the proposed reform. He has also come under some criticism in the past week over the dangerous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as commentators have suggested that his administration was slow to react to the first news of the accident.

In my last article on US politics, I thought there might be a shift in Obama's "energy" with the start of his Rahu minor period in February. Rahu is conjunct Uranus in his natal chart, so I thought this might make him more autonomous and independent in pursuing his agenda. That was perhaps reflected in the Democrats dogged determination to push ahead with health care regardless of political opposition. Led by the liberal Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Obama did indeed pursue his goal of health care reform with greater independence. While I did not expect the Democrats to get health care passed so quickly on the heels of the Brown setback, I did note that he would get a boost from a nice Jupiter transit to his Venus in early February when Pelosi urged him to press on without Republican support. I also thought that this Jupiter influence would grow as it moved deeper into his 2nd house which it did in March and April. Obama's equal 2nd house cusp lies at 24 Aquarius and at the time of the successful passage of the bill, Jupiter was transiting 20 degrees of sidereal Aquarius, just four degrees short of the sweet spot of the 2nd house representing wealth, good fortune, and positive announcements.

We can also see that Mars (7 Cancer) and Saturn (7 Virgo) were in very close aspect to his natal Jupiter (7 Capricorn). On the face of it, it might seem counterintuitive to have two malefic planets like Mars and Saturn aspecting a natal planet at a time of success. But it is important to remember that under standard Vedic aspecting rules, that Saturn not a full strength aspect to Jupiter; rather Saturn comes under the influence of Jupiter's full strength aspect. With Jupiter as the more active party in this association, the results are more positive, especially when Jupiter itself is strengthened by its nice transit placement. The Jupiter-Saturn combination symbolizes effective executive power, progress with goals, and respected authority -- all things that Obama enjoyed from being the first administration to finally pass a law requiring mandatory health insurance for all its citizens. This Jupiter-Saturn outcome also tipped towards the positive because 1) Jupiter is placed in the first whole sign house in Capricorn and 2) Saturn rules Capricorn, and therefore it rules Obama's first house of prominence. Therefore, this Jupiter-Saturn contact would likely involve a boost for Obama's profile in March, and more likely for the better.

But now that transiting Jupiter has entered sidereal Pisces, it is placed in Obama's 3rd house. This is a somewhat less positive place in his horoscope, especially since Jupiter (2 Pisces on May 13-16) will soon come under the influence of his natal Saturn (2 Capricorn) by its full strength 3rd house (sextile) aspect. While Jupiter to Saturn may have corresponded with success, the current scenario of Saturn to Jupiter looks decidedly more problematic and will probably generate some real difficulty for Obama. Jupiter rules the 12th and 3rd houses so we perhaps could see him suffer losses (12th) from an errant or misplaced communication (3rd).

More generally, the next few weeks seem quite burdensome for him since Saturn will station at 4 Virgo in close aspect to his minor period lord Rahu at 4 Leo and in a semisquare 45 degree aspect with his Sun (19 Cancer). This double dose of Saturn is likely to mean setbacks for Obama as his agenda will be undermined by circumstances and foes alike. Sun-Saturn contacts often occur in confrontations with authority. Since President Obama IS the authority, this could mean that one of this government departments is found wanting in some way, or perhaps the administration loses a crucial judicial decision. Or maybe this will be a moment when Obama realizes that The People are the real authority. I'm not quite sure that Sun-Saturn contacts work that way, but it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Given the current unresolved situation with the oil spill in the Gulf, it is possible that he and his government could be blamed in some specific way.

Besides the multiple transit hits to his Saturn on May 15-16, June 2-3 also looks quite difficult for him as transiting Mars (4 Leo) will conjoin his Rahu (4 Leo). This will be just a few days after Saturn has its direct station and begins to move forward once again. A very slow moving Saturn is something that can cause a lot of damage so that period just before and after the station on May 30 could be quite awkward for the administration.

Obama should get some lift from the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction at 5 Pisces around June 9 since it will aspect his Midheaven, or unequal 10th house cusp.
This should be a welcome relief from the preceding Saturnian difficulties. Jupiter to the 10th often corresponds with recognition and goals fulfilled so we can expect some important part of the administration's agenda to come to fruition around this time. I would also note that this Jupiter-Uranus conjunction occurs in close sextile aspect to the Sun-Mercury conjunction (6 Capricorn) in the Inauguration chart, so that increases the likelihood that Obama will be riding high around by the second week of June. This is likely to mark the beginning of a period that is more favorable for him as Jupiter will have its retrograde station at 9 Pisces in July, in exact aspect to his natal Mercury (9 Cancer). Mercury often represents trading and business, so it's possible Obama's financial reform bill could pass at that time. With Mercury as the 9th lord in the 7th house of partners, it's also possible that he could successfully conclude a treaty with a foreign country at that time or participate in some other successful interaction with another country. More generally, the economy may be seen as prospering around the time of his positive Mercury transit.

A few readers have asked me about the Democrats prospects for the midterm elections on November 2. I haven't looked into it yet in detail, but one interpretive problem is that I don't have any timed birth data for key Republicans like John Boehner and Mitch McConnell. Without seeing the planets for the other side, we only have the charts of Barack Obama and perhaps Joe Biden to see which way it could go. Biden's chart looks fairly good for November, but Obama's is more mixed. Hopefully, I will form a clearer opinion over the coming weeks.

Oil spill wreaks havoc on US Gulf Coast

2010-05-04T13:36:00.003-04:00

As the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico enters its third week, there are no easy or quick solutions for either BP or the Obama administration. With thousands of barrels a day leaking into the water, the resulting giant oil slick is approaching the Gulf coast states of Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. Rough seas and bad weather are further hampering efforts to contain the slick before its hits land and does further damage. The oil spill has the potential to become one of the worst environmental accidents in US history as the entire fishing industry in the Gulf is threatened.

What insight can astrology bring to this event? Well, first we may note the current transit situation. Neptune (4 Aquarius), the planet associated with liquids and oil, is in a close alignment with Saturn (4 Virgo) and Uranus (4 Pisces). Saturn symbolizes problems and hardship, while Uranus represents sudden or shocking events and often acts as a kind of amplifier. So we can see how the interaction of these three planets can be seen as reflecting some kind of sudden and unwanted event involving water or liquids that pops up somewhere in the world at this time. We might also go into greater detail trying to examine the horoscope of the exact time of the event on April 20 (if known) and how it may have depicted this unfortunate accident.

Whatever the value of that transit-centered approach, I find it more interesting to see how this event might also be seen in relevant natal charts. For example, it's quite possible the spill could be seen in the US horoscope, especially with transiting Saturn (4 Virgo) conjunct the natal Neptune (1 Virgo) and transiting Neptune (4 Aquarius) conjunct the natal Moon (7 Aquarius). The Saturn to Neptune contact broadly represents damage (Saturn) involving liquids (Neptune), while the Neptune to Moon contact reinforces the water/oil theme and expands it to the population (Moon) as a whole. I acknowledge that both of these orbs are pretty wide, especially given that these are very slow moving planets. The margin of error can be measured in months, if not longer. And yet these two simultaneous hits involving Neptune still seems interesting, given that they have occurred so close to what may become the worst oil spill in history. We can also see transiting Mars (14 Cancer) closely conjunct natal Rahu (15 Cancer), acting as a kind of short term trigger, often of a violent or harmful event. I should note that I'm using the Kelleher 18.30 chart here for the USA, although charts for other times from July 4, 1776 would also show basically the same planet to planet contacts. I know there is considerable disagreement over the "correct" USA chart and I don't wish to alienate readers who may prefer other US horoscopes. My limited aim here is simply to show that there are a number of basic transit hits that are broadly congruent with this oil spill.

However, there is another chart that might reflects this event, and that is the inauguration chart of Barack Obama. President Obama was sworn in as president at 12.05 p.m. on January 20 , 2009. The resulting chart can be seen both as a mirror of his term as president and as the country as a whole. One of the nice things about US inauguration charts is that there is very little uncertainty about them, unlike the birth horoscope of the USA. While few astrologers can agree on the best US chart, everyone knows when the inauguration took place. Using an unequivocal birth chart is a way of minimizing ambiguities and can thereby narrow the range of possible interpretations from the chart itself. Astrology is already so rife with uncertainty and unknowns (both of the known and unknown varieties -- thank you Donald Rumsfeld), the last thing we need are natal charts that astrologers cannot agree on. The other useful thing about inauguration charts is that since they always take place at the same time on the same date every four years, it is possible to look into the future for possible clues about the direction of future administrations. Please note, I'm not saying that the US presidential inauguration chart is an adequate replacement for a USA natal chart. Inauguration charts will not always correspond with major events, but they are usually enough hits there to make them a useful complement to a national natal chart and the chart of President Obama himself.

Here we see that Saturn-Uranus-Neptune alignment in fairly close aspect to the natal Moon (5 Scorpio). Neptune is in a difficult square angle to the Moon, symbolizing trouble and awkward situations involving liquids (Neptune) on the population and resources (Moon). Since the Moon also rules the 4th house in this chart (Cancer), its affliction here further emphasizes unfortunate situations involving the population and resources. Also we note that the Moon is in a water sign (Scorpio) so that gives extra emphasis for some kind of event involving liquids that creates troubles for the population, especially those living near water. Oil is a liquid energy resource, that Scorpio Moon may further symbolize situations involve oil and gasoline. Not to stretch the point, but the Moon can also be the significator for food, so this may also be seen as a possible planetary affliction to the (water-based) food supply. Saturn is also part of the story here since it is in close 3rd house/sextile aspect with the Moon. According to Vedic aspecting rules, the 3rd house/sextile aspect is a full strength aspect and if the chart is otherwise weak, it can coincide with negative events that involve suffering and loss. Interestingly, transiting Mars (14 Cancer) again has a nodal transit hit here, as it is conjunct natal Ketu (15 Cancer). This both acts as a short term event trigger and describes the initially violent quality of the original explosion on the oil rig that killed a dozen workers.

Since both Neptune and Saturn will continue to be in close aspect with the Moon for the next several weeks, problems from this leak are likely to continue. Neptune will turn retrograde on May 31, so that may diminish its negative effects somewhat as it begins to move away from its aspect with the Moon. However, Saturn will turn retrograde the day before, on May 30, and therefore may intensify its effect on the Moon through June and July. Perhaps these influences will cancel each other out in some way. More positively, Jupiter will aspect the Moon -- along with Mars -- in the first week of June so that may offer some hope that a permanent solution can be found to this underwater oil leak.

Transiting Saturn will be in close aspect to the natal Moon through July so this looks like a time of difficulty for the US generally. What's worse is the Mars-Saturn conjunction at 6 Virgo on July 30 occurs in almost exact aspect to the natal Sun-Mercury conjunction at 6 Capricorn in the Inauguration chart. And this will be just one degree past the Moon. While the aspect to the Sun-Mercury will only be a partial strength 120 degree aspect, it is nonetheless exact and given the doubling of malefic energies from Mars and Saturn, we should see a very troubling situation emerge at that time that puts the government (Sun) and the economy (Mercury) under greater pressure.

Scott Brown shocks Obama and Democrats

2010-01-25T17:00:00.007-05:00

The days of wine and roses appeared to come to an end for Barack Obama last week as the Democrats super-majority got swept away by the election of Republican Scott Brown of Massachusetts in a special Senate election to fill the seat of the late Ted Kennedy. As a result of this stunning defeat, the Democrats have lost their super-majority of 60 seats that had given then extra leeway to pass the more contentious legislation in their program. Now there is a growing realization that much of Obama's ambitious agenda for health care and economic reform may go by the boards as greater compromise with the GOP will be sought.

While I did not predict this specific turnaround in Obama's political fortunes, I d id warn in an October post that Obama would likely suffer a significant setback in the coming months. I had expected some kind of "deepening political conundrum" to manifest sometime between October and December, with December somewhat more noteworthy given the proximity of the Mars retrograde station to some key points in his chart. While Obama failed to pass his crucial health care legislation in December, it turns out that the real blow was delivered a month later on January 19 by the voters of Massachusetts through their support of Scott Brown.

The other longer term influences I noted were still in effect for the January setback, namely, transiting Saturn (10 Virgo) was still in close square aspect to Obama's natal Venus (8 Gemini) and Obama was still running his Mars subperiod which will conclude on February 2 according to the Krishnamurti ayanamsha.

A closer look at the chart reveals just what planets coincided with this turn of events. In addition to Saturn-Venus, transiting Mars (19 Cancer) was exactly conjunct Obama's Sun (19 Cancer) indicating a one or two day period of intense energy and focus. While this transit does not always indicate problems, we can see that it was more likely to create headaches for Obama. His natal Sun is slightly weakened through its rulership of the dussthana 8th house and Mars is placed in that same troublesome 8th house in Obama's natal chart. So with both the giving and receiving planets in this transit conjunction associated with the 8th house, we can see how it was more likely that it should produce typical 8th house events such as setbacks, obstacles, and embarrassments.

Another interesting artifact of this chart is that transiting Jupiter (6 Aquarius) was conjunct natal Ketu (4 Aquarius). Although this was two degrees past exact, it's still fairly close. Jupiter-Ketu contacts are often connected with changes or confusion (Ketu) of one's ideals or philosophies (Jupiter). Certainly, Obama had been in trouble on health care throughout January while this conjunction was exact, but the election of Brown has forced his hand. It now looks as though the health care package will have major revisions to it. His economic program is also rapidly evolving into something more populist as voter anger against Wall St bailouts is forcing the administration to adopt a stronger tone.

So what's next for Obama? Given the very slow motion of transiting Saturn, it seems unlikely that the current malaise in his administration will significantly improve over the next year. However, he may exhibit a somewhat different energy since his Mars subperiod will end and his Rahu subperiod will begin in February. Rahu's subperiod will last until June 2012 after which it will be superseded by the Saturn mahadasha. Interestingly, both planets are placed in his 8th house, so there will likely be some degree of continuity perhaps marked by difficult progress and many twist and turns. We can watch for more unusual or sudden events here since Rahu is closely conjunct Uranus. This is a remarkable pairing of the ancient and modern planets that symbolize innovation, rebelliousness and independence. Together, they could mean that Obama himself becomes more autonomous and self-directed in his approach, as he tries to put his own unique stamp on his term in office. It may also mean that he may become more unpredictable or that events come out of the blue that compel him to change course quickly. That has already happened with the Brown election, but this sort of course change may become more frequent during the upcoming Rahu subperiod.

More immediately, Obama may get a short term lift in late January and early February as Jupiter aspects his Venus and transiting Sun and Venus conjoin his ascendant. This looks like a time when he is again in the limelight and performing well as his message will resonate with the public at large. After that, we can watch for Obama to stumble somehow in mid-February as Mars will conjoin his Mercury at 9 Cancer. At the same time, the Sun and Neptune will conjoin his Ketu, so we could see something that weakens his authority somehow or is a blow to his ego. This event may be nothing more than a gaffe or passing awkward situation, but given the ongoing medium term transits like Saturn-Pluto-Venus, there is a chance it could be something of greater importance.

This may usher in a protracted period of difficulty as the Mars Direct station on March 10 will occur in close opposition to his natal Jupiter. Mars-Jupiter aspects can symbolize conflict (Mars) over beliefs (Jupiter) or perhaps disputes (Mars) over spending and resources (Jupiter).

Obama's fortunes may improve somewhat after that as transiting Jupiter will build into the 2nd house of wealth in advance of forming a very nice aspect to his Mercury in July. This could be a high water mark of sorts for him, perhaps reflecting a major policy victory such as health care. Mercury rules his 6th house (Gemini) of health, so that is quite possible.

Conan O'Brien leaves the Tonight Show

2010-01-21T18:01:00.005-05:00

Conan O'Brien is off to a bad start in 2010. The newly-minted host of NBC's The Tonight Show has seen rumours of a late night shuffle grow over the past two weeks to a point where he is on the verge of relinquishing the coveted host's chair to the long-running late night talk show back to his predecessor, Jay Leno. The dispute between Conan, Leno and NBC has been public and acrimonious and has left the television audience forced to choose sides between supporting the younger, hipper O'Brien and the more established and mainstream Leno. While Leno will likely garner better ratings, at the moment most people believe that Conan has been the victim here. It is a very unfortunate development for Conan in what has been a long and successful career that began in television writing, through 16 years of hosting the popular The Late Show and now his aborted 7-month stint at the helm of prestigious Tonight Show.

A quick glimpse at his horoscope shows the source of his woes. The most obvious culprit is Saturn (10 Virgo), which recently stationed exactly opposite his Jupiter (10 Pisces) in the 8th house. Saturn is often a negative influence symbolizing loss and disappointment and the retrograde station of January 13 is extra problematic owing to the unusually long period of time that Saturn would have been in close aspect to his Jupiter. Jupiter is in mixed condition here since it is in its own sign in Pisces but it is also in the 8th house representing embarrassments, obstacles, and setbacks. Transiting Ketu (South Lunar Node) had just conjoined his natal Rahu (North Lunar Node), another sign of stress and change since node-to-node transits are often times of rearrangement and uncertainty. We may also note that the recent Mars retrograde station at 25 degrees of Cancer in December would have exactly opposed Conan's Moon (25 Capricorn) and was still within close range when the brouhaha went public in the first week of January. Mars' energy is often too much to take when in hard aspect -- and doubly so when in a lingering planetary station. Conan may well have first discovered NBC's plans to bring back Jay Leno sometime in late December when this aspect was closest. No doubt he would have been irritated and annoyed as is often the case with Mars-to-Moon contacts.

The dashas also do not paint a positive picture for him. He started the Saturn dasha in 2003. Saturn dashas can sometimes be tough going, although we should note that Conan's Saturn receives a boost since it is in its own sign of Capricorn and in close conjunction with the Moon, albeit in the dussthana 6th house. The bigger problem concerns the subperiod lord Ketu. Ketu looks more problematic for Conan as it is placed by itself in the 6th house of conflict. Like Saturn, Ketu is a natural malefic and it can produce painful situations and conflict if not redeemed by an association with a benefic planet. While Ketu is in a wide conjunction with Saturn and Moon here in the 6th, neither of them offer much support to Ketu. The 6th house is all about conflict including legal matters, so perhaps it is not a coincidence that Conan would have become embroiled these legal wranglings with NBC during the major and minor periods of two planets that were both placed in his 6th house. Of course, good things can occur in Ketu's period. He did, after all, become host of the Tonight Show during the Saturn-Ketu period. But it is perhaps more telling that he lost that job while still under the predominance of Ketu. In that sense, Ketu's energy required the full completion of its subperiod to become fully manifest. As luck would have it, Ketu's subperiod ends in mid-February according to the Krishnamurti ayanamsha, just after Conan will have been forced off the show.

As painful as this turn of events must have been for Conan, the immediate future looks quite good for him. Transiting Uranus is conjunct his exalted Venus in the 8th house of unearned income. I would say that fits pretty nicely with the $32 million buyout of his contact by NBC! Transiting Jupiter will transit his 7th house of business and aspect his first house for the next several months so that will keep his spirits up and boost his public profile. More important perhaps is that Conan's Venus minor period begins in February so that bodes well for the next 3 years. Venus is a benefic planet and it produces good results in Pisces. At the same time, it is not without its peculiarities. While it's exalted in Pisces, it is in the first degree of Pisces, a placement of planetary "infancy" and suggesting it is somewhat weak and placed in the troublesome 8th house. More importantly, it receives a close aspect from Rahu. Rahu governs things that are unconventional and weird -- and what could be more appropriate for the Conebone? -- so Conan is more likely to keep his comic edge in any future endeavor and resist the drift to the mainstream middle. While his career may be recover, the Rahu influence here may indicate that Conan's fortunes will be more up and down, as he may experience periodic problems in both his professional and personal life.

On balance, these influences look positive for Conan and point to an upturn in his fortunes over the next three years but there will likely be some unexpected or unusual developments in his career. We could hear positive news about Conan's next job as early as February when Sun, Venus and Jupiter all transit his 7th house. March also seems quite positive as Sun, Venus and Uranus will all conjoin near his subperiod lord Venus. So it looks as though fans of "Coco" won't have to wait much longer before seeing the string dance again. Perhaps a new show will appear in the Fall as transiting Jupiter will station conjunct his Venus in October and November. This certainly looks like a fantastic time for him.

End of Part One.

Earthquake in Haiti

2010-01-13T22:05:00.013-05:00

January 12, 2010 4.53 p.m EST 18N44 72W45

As a possible indication of what kind of year it will be, all that bad karma for 2010 we saw in the New Year's chart didn't take very long to manifest. Not even two weeks into the New Year, a powerful earthquake has devastated the small island nation of Haiti. On January 12, 2010 at 4.53 p.m EST, a huge earthquake measuring 7.0 struck just 10 miles from the capital Port-au-Prince. Early reports suggest there has been widespread destruction and countless thousands of deaths as the impoverished country now struggles with the grim task of recovery and rebuilding.

The horoscope of the earthquake shows considerable affliction, although the aspects and orbs with angles are not as close as one might expect for a event of this magnitude. It is perhaps no coincidence that the quake occurred just three days before a Solar Eclipse and just one day before Saturn, the planet of loss, turned retrograde. Planets near their retrograde and direct stations greatly increase their potency for do good or ill, depending on their nature and their current condition. Saturn is a natural malefic planet and it is currently in a close square aspect with Pluto, another mostly malefic planet, so that tilts the scales pretty heavily towards the negative. At the moment the quake struck, Saturn was just four degrees from the IC, or unequal 4th house cusp. Students of astrology know that the 4th house is associated with land and earth and afflictions to it are often implicated in earthquakes. The other critical difficulty in this chart is that the 1st and 4th houses (Gemini and Virgo) are ruled by Mercury and it is just three degrees from Pluto and therefore, also resonating with the negative Saturn-Pluto square aspect. If the 4th house represents land, earth and houses, the 1st represents the country as a whole. Both houses therefore come under pressure in this Mercury-Saturn-Pluto configuration, so that picture offers a plausible enough account for the earthquake. In addition, we can see malefic Rahu and Ketu closely straddled the ascendant-descendant axis. The lunar nodes are also frequently seen in sudden events, and when combined with other malefic aspects, it can signal an event of misfortune and hardship.

A chart that paints a more intriguing picture of the earthquake is the national horoscope of Haiti (January 1, 1804 12.00 p.m.). Transiting Saturn had returned to its natal position within three degrees, forming a Saturn Return. The fact that it was about to station intensified its energies considerably. Certainly, Saturn Returns can be difficult periods as Saturn's qualities of loss and limitations are often highlighted, but they are not always the harbinger of difficulty. Much also depends on Saturn's condition both in transit and natally. What was the condition of Saturn at the time of Haitian independence? Here we see that Haiti was "born" at the time of a Mars-Saturn square. While this is not a full-strength Mars aspect according to Vedic aspecting rules, it is a near-exact one so even the partial strength aspect suggests that Haiti's natal Saturn had Mars issues that lay in waiting for the right planet to activate them. These potentials could be released when Saturn was aspected by malefics, including its own transit. We should also note that Haiti was running its Saturn dasha at the time of the earthquake.

Transiting Pluto was conjunct natal Mars, a classic combination for violent destruction, with transiting Mercury also there -- itself slowing down ahead of its direct station on Friday -- acting as a presumable trigger for the slower moving planetary afflictions. This was such a negative event for this country that all the natural malefics were involved in this massive earthquake, as Rahu (North Lunar Node) was closely conjunct Mercury. Since the time of the independence chart is unknown, we can't be sure about house rulership here but Mercury's affliction is no less important here because 1) it is dispositor to Saturn in Virgo hence making Saturn more subject to trouble and 2) Mercury is involved with an destabilizing square aspect with Uranus in the natal. As Mercury came under Rahu's disruptive influence through its conjunction, the twin negative energies of Saturn and the Mercury-Uranus aspect were released. The simultaneous multiple afflictions in the chart speak to the enormity of this cataclysmic event.

After this shocking loss of life has started the year on such a bleak note, let's hope things will begin improve for the rest of 2010. With some of 2010's bad planetary karma now expended with this event, there may be some basis for optimism. Of course, most things that one can imagine look better than this carnage.

2010 New Year Outlook

2010-01-01T15:15:00.006-05:00

January 1, 2010 00.00 EST Washington, DC

With the start of 2010, here are a few general ideas about what the New Year may bring. For New Year predictions, I like to refer to the New Year's horoscope, that is, the position of the planets at the stroke of midnight on January 1. This is a simple, easy way to get a snapshot on some emerging themes for the year ahead. It will not provide any specifics, but it is a fairly efficient way to get a general overview on the coming twelve months. Some might object to the use of a chart that doesn't reflect any particular astronomical reality in a way that eclipse or conjunction charts might, but the New Year's chart does nevertheless provide interesting insights into the year ahead. For example, the New Year chart for 2008 (See bottom below) showed that trouble was brewing with the close opposition aspect between Mars and Pluto (conflict, power struggles) with Jupiter (wealth, wisdom) also in close proximity. While this combination did not explicitly say "financial crisis", the presence of Jupiter signifying wealth suggested that some disruption of the financial system was possible. Certainly, those planets inclined towards a fairly pessimistic outlook for 2008, especially when considered alongside Saturn in the 12th house of loss in aspect with the Sun. The Mars-Rahu aspect may have suggested a significant new development in leadership as we witnessed in Barack Obama's election given Mars' 10th house occupancy ( the house of government) and Rahu's penchant for breaks with the status quo. By contrast, the 2009 New Year (see middle below) chart seemed much more positive on the Mercury-Jupiter conjunction ("good news") and the happy conjunction of the Moon with Venus. This is pretty much what one would expect to see for a chart that suggested a year of economic recovery and hopefulness that was embodied in the first year of the Obama administration.

This year's chart looks more negative, however, as Saturn, the planet of constraint and responsibility, rises in sidereal Virgo. While Saturn has a good side that suggests "doing what is necessary", it is in a close square aspect with Pluto, the planet of large organizations and social structures. This would tend to bring out its more troublesome side so that efforts to re-structure and transform the economy will be accompanied by significant measures of awkwardness and hardship. The close proximity of Venus to Pluto and the aspect of Saturn is not helpful and increases the chances for continued restrictions and limits in economic life. This combination of planets can symbolize asceticism and renunciation so there is a chance that the economy will actually worsen through the year as people will have to make do with less. The positive side to this pattern is that simpler pleasures and self-discipline will be more fully appreciated as consumer society undergoes significant renovation. The worst effects of this combination will likely be muted because Venus is closer to the Sun than it is to Pluto, a possible sign that a base level of social harmony will be maintained regardless of what happens.

January 1, 2008 00.00 EST Washington, DC

Another potential trouble spot is the close Mercury-Rahu conjunction that occurs in close minor aspect with retrograde Mars. Rahu's effect on Mercury can be energizing in terms of awakening the intellect to unusual and unconventional solutions and this could well be reflected in further technological advances. Predicting more breakthroughs in technology is not much of a prediction these days, but the problem here is that Mercury is retrograde so there may be something that goes awry here, as if the products of the human mind are not moving forward but are focused on questions that were previously considered resolved. Perhaps we will see more controversy on climate change, as the hitherto firm consensus is weakened by the fallout from the "Climategate" e-mails. That is but one possibility of course, as this Mercury-Rahu conjunction could manifest in any number of ways. The close Mars 6th house aspect is not a full strength aspect according to Vedic astrology, but it may still manifest. Mars is the planet of conflict so it's not unreasonable to expect some significant conflict to emerge regarding prevailing ideas or programs (Mercury). Climate change is one possible area of conflict, but so is the economy as the various government stimulus packages are due to be unwound as the economy recovers. Just how governments will guide the next phase of the economic recovery is something of an open question as they will have to walk a fine line between removing stimulus too quickly which could create another recession or maintaining the stimulus too long and sparking a round of inflation.

January 1, 2009 00.00 EST Washington, DC

The Moon is conjunct Ketu (South Lunar Node) in the 10th house of government in sidereal Gemini. This combination suggests that spiritual or unusual cerebral experiences will gain the limelight this year. The fact that this occurs in the 10th house may indicate that religious ideas will find increased resonance in governments around the world. More generally, political leaders will undergo sudden and unexpected changes as Ketu's influence on the Moon can make for suprises and fast-changing circumstances. The Ketu influence here means that leaders and governments are more likely to be different or even revolutionary in some way as there may be a sense that conditions demand unorthodox or radical approaches.

On a more positive note, Jupiter is conjunct Neptune in this chart and that points to the continued relevance of hope. Jupiter's expansion and Neptune's idealism make a potent pairing in the sky so no matter what happens in 2010, there will be continued reservoir of hope and optimism about the future. This influence should prevent some kind of worse case scenario from unfolding in the economy, although it may not be enough to forestall a "double dip" recession. Both Jupiter and Neptune are also associated with the higher realm of human experience, so there may be greater interest in metaphysical and religious matters. Given the supernatural aspects of the Moon-Ketu conjunction, it seems likely that religion and spirituality is likely to have a higher profile this year.

Overall, the best thing one can say about this chart is that it is "mixed", although I think that is being generous. 2010 looks like it will be more difficult than 2009 was in many respects, including perhaps the economy. At the same time, there are enough positive planetary influences there to spur humanity on through the darker periods as challenges will be met with equal portions of resourcefulness, ingenuity, inspired leadership and faith.

Addendum:

N.B. Given America's continuing dominance in the world -- for now, at least -- I locate the chart for Washington, DC, although one could recast the chart for one's home country for a more specific local reading. It should be noted, however, that the New Year's horoscope doesn't change much no matter it is located. Invariably it will have sidereal Virgo rising, such as in Sydney, Australia where the first degree of Virgo rises to Washington where 14th degree of Virgo rises. The Moon also changes its position a few degrees depending on where the chart is cast, although this variation is fairly small. The rest of the planets do not shift appreciably.

Mars turns retrograde

2009-12-20T22:09:00.002-05:00

Despite the Fed's promise of continued low (or no) interest rates for the foreseeable future, the market failed to mount a meaningful rally. Investors appear to be growing uneasy with the yin of a continued weak economy and high employment and the yang of a rising Dollar and the end to the carry trade . Stocks were largely unchanged for the week with the Dow closing at 10,328 and the S&P at 1102. Mumbai fared somewhat worse as inflation fears forced the markets south with the Sensex closing at 16,719 and the Nifty finishing at 4987. I thought we might see more upside on the early week Sun-Jupiter aspect but we saw only modest gains in New York on Monday. As expected, the market turned more negative as the week progressed. Friday brought a small gain in New York which was not too surprising given the fairly close Venus-Jupiter aspect that I noted last week.

With the conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune on Monday December 21, the planets may be indicating an important pivot point in the market here. The hope embodied in the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction has underwritten much of the stock rally of 2009. As the conjunction comes exact this week, we are confronted with the very real possibility that the celestial source code for optimism may becoming more scarce. The UN climate conference in Copenhagen was perhaps a reflection of this hopeful idealism and yet it has been heavily criticized for lacking any specifics. For all the good intentions provided by Jupiter and Neptune, the whole conference may have been more of an exercise in public relations. One wonders if the stock rally could fall prey to the same lack of follow up and practical considerations as the limits of Jupiter and Neptune are revealed by the unforgiving light of day.

Besides Jupiter-Neptune, Mars turns retrograde on Sunday, December 20. This is another potentially malefic influence that could make it more difficult to sustain current levels. Thomas Reider's statistical study of Mars retrograde periods found they significantly correlate with major market declines of more than 10%. This is not a perfect correlation but one that nonetheless merits attention. Reider also found that declines were more likely to occur when Mars was in hard aspect to two outer planets, where one aspect is a conjunction. This isn't the case here, but we do note that Mars is in a hard semi-square (45 degrees) Saturn while Saturn is squaring Pluto. Venus makes a sextile aspect with Jupiter-Neptune on Monday so there's a possibility for gains in the early going, but exact aspects between benefics can just as much spark sell-offs upon their perfection. The other significant aspect occurs Thursday when Sun is conjunct Pluto. While we will see light trading volumes ahead of the Christmas holiday, this pattern seems to be difficult, especially for gold.

Tiger Woods in turmoil

2009-12-17T13:38:00.004-05:00

The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Tiger Woods, at once the best golfer and richest athlete of all time, has seen his career and reputation dissolve over a period of just three short weeks as a parade of young women (thirteen at last count) have come forward with sordid tales of Tiger's sexual dalliances. The details of Tiger Woods amorous escapades have revealed a whole other side to the man and have laid waste to his carefully cultivated All-American family man image. What started as a strange late night car accident near his home in Orlando, Florida on November 27 has mushroomed into a career and image killer of massive proportions. Not only has Tiger Woods gone on indefinite leave from the golf tour, but his many corporate sponsors are now abandoning him as his clean-cut image takes a beating with each new sexual revelation. For an athlete who stands to earn $100 million in advertising endorsements in 2009, this affair is a considerable blow. And now there are reports that he has moved out of his house in Orlando and his wife Elin Nordegren is planning to divorce him.

For the astrologer, there are several pressing questions. First, can we see what planetary combinations in his birth chart pushed Woods into these sexual exploits? And why did he feel the need to keep up a false front of domestic bliss while leading a completely different life on the road? Second, what specific planetary influences were prominent in late November and December that produced this disastrous turn of events for him? Thirdly, what does his future hold? Can he rehabilitate his image and play golf again?

Woods' natal chart shows athletic talent through the first lord Mercury placed in the 5th house of games and sports. The first lord represents the body or person as a whole and its placement in the benefic 5th house gives success through entertainment. Mercury (3 Capricorn) is also very close to the equal cusp of the 5th house (0 Capricorn) and hence derives greater strength and serves to ratchet up the positive effects of this placement. At the same time, there is a somewhat puzzling aspect from Saturn to Mercury. As a malefic planet, Saturn aspects can cause some difficulties although like all planets, Saturn has a positive side. Here Saturn confers a seriousness and deliberative quality to Woods in his approach to life, and we can certainly see that Woods approaches his golf game with a serious intensity as taught to him by his father. Saturn is well placed in the 11th house of gains here so its aspect to the 1st lord Mercury enhances achievement levels. Saturn is further strengthened by its rulership of the 5th house. Hence, we see a very helpful yoga between the 5th lord Saturn and 1st lord Mercury placed in the 5th house. Woods' wealth is perhaps less obvious here, although we can still spot a useful dhana wealth-producing yoga. Benefic Jupiter (22 Pisces) aspects the lords of both money houses, the 2nd (Venus) and 11th (Moon) in Scorpio. Moreover, both of the money house lords Moon and Venus are conjunct in Scorpio and are aspected by their dispositor Mars. This creates a positive feedback loop for those houses and there promise is greatly enhanced.

On the question of his marriage, Woods' 7th house of marriage is apparently quite strong. 7th lord Jupiter is strong in its own sign of Pisces and placed in its own house. This can represent a successful and well-bred partner and is often found in charts of people who desire to be married. Jupiter is a planet of conventionality and normal success and its placement in the 7th often means that the person respects marriage as an institution and benefits from being in a stable relationship. This may have been one source of Tiger Woods' desire to project a public face upright propriety, especially in terms of his marriage. But the astrological assessment of love and marriage extends beyond the 7th house and needs to include Venus and Mars, the planets of love and sexuality. We can see that Venus is placed in Scorpio, a placement that, if afflicted, is often associated with sexual affairs, passionate arguments and, in some cases, association with permissive and sensuous women. We can see that some of these more negative dimensions of Venus in Scorpio will manifest because it is conjunct Neptune, the planet of deception and illusion, and opposite Mars, the planet of sexuality. With Venus in Scorpio and Mars in Taurus, the sexual planets exchange signs and that creates a highly sexual nature. Moon in Scorpio intensifies emotions and when it is aspected by Mars as it is here, it can heighten aggressiveness and create havoc in relationships. The Neptune influence creates illusion in love affairs, either in a self-deluded sense, or in terms of deceiving others. In Woods' case, it's not hard to see that this may have led Woods' leading a double life. Jupiter in the 7th house is his upright family man side whereas the Venus-Neptune-Moon-Mars complex describes is passionate and indulgent sexual side that corresponded with his many mistresses.

On the question of why Woods' is having these problems now, Woods' chart reveals multiple simultaneous affliction that one would expect from this sort of life-changing situation. A good starting point is that his ascendant is the first degree of sidereal Virgo. This is potentially significant because there are no less than four slow moving planets forming aspects to his ascendant. And since we are using equal house cusps, all those aspects are very close to their respective house cusps. On December 1, just three days after the accident and the beginning of this chain of events, Uranus (28 Aquarius) stationed just two degrees from Woods' 7th house cusp of marriage. Uranus symbolizes sudden or rapid change and it is often implicated in marital break-ups when it is configured with the 7th house cusp or its lord. Here we should note that Uranus is doing double duty because not only is it conjunct the 7th house, but it also squares Woods' Moon (28 Scorpio) in the 4th. Since the Moon represents women in general and the home, it comes as no surprise that Woods has left his family home in Orlando as his wife Erin appears to be preparing divorce proceedings.

The 7th house representing marriage is further stressed at the moment because the lord of the 7th house, Jupiter, is currently conjunct the 6th house cusp around 29 Capricorn. The 6th house is considered a malefic dussthana house in Vedic astrology and is associated with conflict and obstacles. Whenever planets conjoin this sensitive cuspal point in the 6th house, it weakens the significations of the house they represent. The fact that there is a simultaneous activation of the 7th cusp by Uranus and the 7th lord Jupiter to the 6th cusp provides the necessary affliction one would expect in such a serious marital situation. But here we can see there's a third affliction, namely transiting Saturn (9 Virgo) aspects Woods' natal Venus (5 Scorpio). In Vedic astrology, Saturn's sextile or third house aspect is considered to be a full strength aspect that is just as potentially damaging (or beneficial depending on its condition) as the opposition or forward square aspect. While it's not exact by degree, it's still only 4 or 5 degrees off and hence quite strong. Natally, Saturn rules the dussthana 6th house of conflict, troubles, and debt so Saturn has an extra capacity to do harm when it forms tight transits to key natal planets. The other important factor here is that transiting Saturn is moving quite slowly now ahead of its retrograde station in January. As a general rule, the slower the planet, the more powerful it becomes. So Saturn can do more damage here than it otherwise would because it will cast its aspect to Venus for a much longer period of time. Saturn moved into transit range (for sake of argument, about 5 degrees) of Venus in September and it will continue to aspect Venus until July 2010. That is a very long time to have Saturn aspecting any planet and it bodes very poorly for Woods' marriage and happiness generally. We can also implicate Saturn in Woods' significant loss of revenue as different advertising sponsorships have ended. With sidereal Virgo rising, Libra rules the 2nd house of wealth. Venus rules Libra and thus any affliction to Venus may produce difficulties with wealth and assets. The extended Saturn aspect to Venus therefore probably means that Woods will continue to have difficulties on the business front as more sponsors will want to distance themselves from him.

We may also note the role of Neptune here. As we noted, Neptune plays a key role in Woods natal chart as it is conjunct the Moon and opposite Mars. This "Marsified" Neptune may have played a role in Woods' deceptive sexual lifestyle. But Neptune carries this natal energy with it through its transits and we see that Neptune is currently in a vulnerable place in his chart -- conjunct the 6th house cusp. Neptune could represent the role of deception here as some of the women Woods was involved with have gone public against his wishes. Also the 6th house symbolizes both health and legal matters so Woods' may be at the wrong end of legal matters through this current situation. Divorce is definitely on the way but we could see other legal claims made against him, perhaps by his mistresses or even former sponsors.

We should also note the auxiliary role of transiting Mars and Rahu. Transiting Mars (25 Cancer) is currently approaching its retrograde station on December 20 where it will form a close square aspect to his natal Rahu (27 Libra). This is a difficult combination of energies and often describes volatile situations and frustrated or irritated emotional states since the assertiveness of Mars is often transformed into a negative outcome when it mixes with the disruptive or unexpected nature of Rahu (North Lunar Node). Similarly, transiting Rahu (27 Sagittarius) is currently aspecting Woods' natal Ketu (27 Aries). These node-to-node aspects often shake up the status quo although they are not always negative. Given all the other difficult transits in play, however, this Rahu/Ketu influence only serves to increase the disruptive effects of the current period.

Finally, we should say a word of dasha periods. Woods is running Sun-Venus from April 2009 to April 2010. Both planets are fairly well-placed as the Sun is strong in the 4th, a kendra house, with a strong dispositor Jupiter which is swakshetra. We do note the 8th house Mars aspect here which could cause some problems, particularly since Mars rules the 8th house, the most malefic house in the horoscope. Venus is placed in the 3rd house and rules the 2nd and 9th and also receives an aspect from Mars but overall, neither of these planets is hugely damaged. Subperiod lord Venus is in the 12th from main dasha lord Sun, so that is an unfortunate relationship but again it is not really sufficient to account for the huge difficulties that Tiger Woods is currently facing. However much we may want to read off dasha effects simply and directly, I think the critical point here is how dasha lords are always conditioned by the relevant transits. Woods' is running the Venus subperiod and we see his natal Venus afflicted by Saturn for almost a whole year. That is a very significant merging of transits with dashas where transits can turn otherwise positive dasha lords into harbingers of stress and serious life problems. And I would be remiss if I did not point out that Woods' great career success did come during the main Venus dasha period from 1984 to 2004. So clearly, Venus is not a static energy in this chart; it changes its complexion according to the key transit influences.

So what's next for Tiger? With Saturn in aspect to his Venus until the summer of 2010, the near term looks very difficult for him. I would not expect him to attempt any major golf comeback until after this influence has dissipated. The Sun-Venus period will yield to the Moon main dasha period in April 2010 so that may alter the dominant energies in his life somewhat. The Moon dasha will run for the next ten years until 2020. His Moon is debilitated in Scorpio and opposed by its dispositor Mars in the 3rd house, albeit close to a powerful position near the 4th house cusp. This dasha period would indicate mixed results at best although Woods' earning capacity may return to some extent since Moon is 11th lord of gains. We can see that the second half of 2010 may show some improvement since transiting Jupiter enters Pisces which will cast is favourable aspect on the first house. With Jupiter stationing near Tiger's 7th house cusp in December 2010, he is likely to see some kind of boost in his fortunes, possibly involving a new relationship. But it seems even the latter half of 2010 will be marked by setbacks as transiting Saturn and Rahu will activate his Sun in September and October. The Sun represents the ego and the self, so his reputation may take another hit here. And since Sun is the 12th lord of loss, Woods may suffer more financial troubles. Generally speaking, it looks like it will be a long road back to respectability for him.

Al Gore and "Climategate"

2009-12-10T18:28:00.009-05:00

Sometimes being the leading light of the most important environmental movement of our time isn't all its cracked up to be. Just ask Al Gore. The former US Vice-President has become the face of the global warming movement over the past ten years through his celebrated book and movie, "An Inconvenient Truth". According to the anthropogenic (i.e. human made) global warming thesis (AGW) that Gore espouses, the world is warming as a result of carbon-based fossil fuels and will cause widespread environmental destruction and economic dislocation unless carbon emissions are reduced. The world was looking to Gore for continued leadership on this issue as he planned to deliver an important speech at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen from December 7-18.

But all that has seemingly changed with the hacking of e-mails from the Climate Reseach Unit in East Anglia, England on November 17-19. These stolen e-mails from prominent climate scientists revealed apparent data manipulation, destruction of data, refusal to share data, denial Freedom of Information requests and blacklisting of journals and researchers who did not share the consensus view of global warming. Over the next week, knowledge of the content of these e-mails circulated on the internet and were eventually picked up by the mainstream media, first in the UK and then in the US. The Daily Show's Jon Stewart scooped the indifferent US networks when he first addressed it on December 1: "Poor Al Gore, global warming completely debunked via the very internet which you invented. Oh, the irony."

While some media outlets have ignored or minimized the significance of the hacked e-mail controversy, so-called "Climategate", it has become an embarrassment to many involved in this issue including IPCC chief Rajendra Pachauri, George Monbiot, the leading British advocate for AGW, and even the White House where the Obama administration dismissed its implications. For his part, Al Gore has gone as far as cancelling his speech at Copenhagen and is no doubt feeling the sting of these e-mails as he fields probing questions from curious interviewers. Most of the key players have assured the public that these unethical and corrupt scientific practices represent only a few rotten apples in an otherwise upstanding scientific community and that the basic thrust of the science is still "settled" and reliable. Nonetheless, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that at least some of the scientific foundation of AGW is now suspect. As a result, the public trust in the impartiality of the scientists themselves has suffered and threatens to undermine any sustained legislative efforts down the road to control carbon emissions through various forms of public policy and taxation. Clearly, Climategate has come at a very inopportune time, just as world leaders were supposed to hammer out an agreement for the reduction of carbon emissions in Copenhagen.

Al Gore's horoscope serves as a compelling "proxy" for the problems of the global warming thesis at this time. From the bi-wheel chart, you can see that Gore has two very difficult transits occurring at the moment. First transiting Mars (25 Cancer) is conjunct his natal Saturn-Mars conjunction. By itself, this isn't necessarily bad news since Mars can often indicate times are high levels of activity and decisive action. But here Mars is debilitated in sidereal Cancer and hence more likely to cause harm to the significations of Mars and Saturn. A potentially bigger problem is that transiting Mars is slowing down ahead of its retrograde station on December 20. And this station will occur exactly conjunct Gore's natal Mars at 25 Cancer. This seems like too much Mars energy and likely indicates conflictive situations, tension, stress and things not going well in general. Gore's other big transit problem is that Saturn is forming a partial square (4th house) aspect with his natal Moon and his Jupiter. Although the aspect is not a "full strength" aspect by Vedic reckoning, it is nonetheless significant because 1) it is still 75% strength by dik bala calculations and; 2) the aspect is very close to his Moon (just one degree off) and; 3) like Mars, Saturn is slowing down ahead of its retrograde station on January 13 and so it is that much stronger by virtue of its slowing velocity. The Moon represents emotions and the mind as well as the public image of a person. In Gore's chart, the Moon is doubly important because it rules his first house (Cancer) and therefore the Moon's condition is very much tied to his whole persona, both physically through health and through the image he projects to the public. The Saturn influence here greatly undermines all that, since Saturn is symbolizes loss and misfortune and often causes hardships through its aspects. Saturn may even be more damaging to Gore since it is lord of the malefic 8th house (Aquarius) in his chart. We should note that this aspect will be very close for the next two months or so since the station occurs at 10 Virgo (exactly square Gore's Moon) and it will only move backwards very slowly after that and will stay within range of the Moon until February. So while the transiting Mars may cause headaches, awkwardness and conflict for Gore for a few weeks, the slower-moving Saturn has the capacity to knock Gore's image and status down a few notches for several months. By extension, we can infer that the consensus view on global warming will likely come under continued attack for much of this time.

We can also see how Gore's popularity and success would be compromised around this time through his dasha sequence. Gore is currently running his Rahu-Mars dasha which began November 4, 2009 according to Krishnamurti ayanamsha, just two weeks before the e-mail hack occurred. Rahu is not the issue here since it has been very good to him as he became Vice-President when he first entered his Rahu dasha in November 1992. Rahu is very well placed in Gore's 10th house of power and status and receives a wide aspect from benefic Jupiter. While major dasha periods form a sort of background influence, subperiods are most commonly implicated in the ups and downs of life and Mars as subperiod lord would appear to fit the bill here. In his natal chart, Mars is debilitated in Cancer in the first house closely conjunct the 8th lord Saturn. This is a very powerful pattern which denotes a great capacity for energy and action, but the downside of all that malefic energy will never be too far away. The 8th house is often associated with obstacles and embarrassments so Mars inherits some of this energy by virtue of its close conjunction to Saturn. Perhaps the most significant placement here is that the Mars natal placement was being triggered by the transit of Mars exactly to its natal position. It is important to note that his Mars subperiod will not inevitably produce negative results. Indeed, Gore has enjoyed the positive side of his Mars as he became US Senator under the Mars major period in the late 1980s. As always, astrology is about the confluence of planets and their energies. The bad side of Mars was released here because the Mars-to-Mars transit conjunction coincided with the Mars subperiod in an unfortunate cosmic feedback loop. In that sense, the Mars-Mars transit served to punctuate or underline the negative side of the ongoing Mars subperiod.

Al Gore is likely to suffer considerable loss of prestige and respect as a result of Climategate and these Mars and Saturn transits. But what does the future promise? The short term looks quite difficult for him since Mars will stay in Cancer (his first house) until May 2010 and Saturn will be in aspect with the Moon and Jupiter until September 2010. It's quite possible that Gore's situation could actually worsen in early 2010 as the lingering effects of those transits eventually manifest as events rather than simply psychological states such as stress. It seems a safe bet to assume that Gore will suffer further from Climategate and its role in undermining his crusade to save the world from CO2 and global warming. It also seems likely that the "consensus view" on global warming will come under increased scrutiny in the months ahead. Any agreement is therefore very unlikely to make any headway in the US Congress. The problematic Mars subperiod lasts until November 2010 so that will likely preclude any improvement in Gore's situation until it's over.

On the plus side, he begins his main Jupiter period in November so that could change up the energy significantly. Jupiter is well placed in Sagittarius conjunct the Moon in the 6th house, so that may indicate some success in legal affairs or advocacy situations that involve confronting opponents. Jupiter is debilitated in his D10 chart representing status, so perhaps Gore will not quite be able to recapture his previous levels of success. New dashas can sometimes indicate that a person follows a new path or finds new interests as the planetary energy points him in a new direction. Therefore, I would not rule out Al Gore leaving global warming behind and pursuing a new cause once his Jupiter dasha begins. Gore's natal chart features that very idealistic Moon-Jupiter conjunction in Sagittarius. He has a strong sense about what is right and correct and he needs to fight (6th house) for them to feel completely alive. As for the future of the consensus global warming view, perhaps further information could be found in an analysis of the charts of other main advocates such as George Monbiot, Michael Mann, or Phil Jones. So many charts, so little time.

An Embarrassment of Riches: Obama wins Nobel

2009-10-09T12:47:00.003-04:00

In a surprising development, US President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. With the Nobel Committee citing his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples", the award has generated plenty of controversy as a large number of observers feel Obama hasn't done enough to warrant such a distinguished prize. Last week's SNL comedy skit "What's He Done" playfully underlined the fact that Obama has accomplished little in his first year in office. The win is an awkward embarrassment of riches for Obama, as it seems to have come in a politically inopportune time with the current stalemate over health reform still very much on his mind.

His Nobel win is a very unusual reflection some simultaneous positive and negative planetary patterns in Obama's horoscope. On the plus side, Jupiter comes to its direct station early next week. This benefic planet therefore sits just one degree away from his natal ascendant and is extra powerful due to its near stationary motion. The Sun is transiting his 9th equal house cusp symbolizing higher ideals (e.g. peace) and comes under the benefic influence of the trinal aspect from Jupiter. Together, this is a favourable placement that can generate greater confidence and recognition and conforms to the positive side of winning one of the world's most celebrated awards.

But we can see the awkwardness of the award also in the Mars-Rahu configuration that occurs with Obama's natal Saturn. Saturn is lord of the first house which is also placed in the first in Capricorn so that provides an important window on the condition of the person as a whole. Mars is a malefic planet suggesting sudden or even violent events. Rahu (North Node) is a planet of unboundedness and exaggeration. The Mars-Rahu influence represents the surprising and unexpected nature of the award, and also some of the difficult political implications of the win. The award is unlikely to help him win over new political support and it seems likely to give further fuel to right wing criticism of him as over-hyped "Messiah" and narcissist, and his program to re-make America. Suspicions that Obama is more talk than action, and more style than substance are likely to increase as a result of this award. No doubt it will provide more fodder for late night comedy shows.

We can also note the Venus-Uranus opposition occurs atop Obama's natal Mars emphasizes the notion of an unexpected and jarring experience. Venus is the 10th house lord of status and it is conjunct Mars, the 11th lord of gains, which occupies the 8th house of unearned income. Although he is donating the prize money, the award is nonetheless valued at $1 million. Venus aspects to Mars can often have a stressful or emotional nature to them, particularly if they coincide with other negative planetary influences. Certainly, the Uranus opposition to Mars is not helpful here, and neither is the transiting Mars aspect to the natal Saturn. As a side note, Obama's failure to secure the 2016 Olympics for his hometown of Chicago earlier this week coincided with Mercury in approximately the same place as Venus now occupies. Mercury is somewhat less benefic than Venus, so that may be one reason why the Olympic outcome was more clearly negative than the Nobel prize. Also, at the time of the Olympic mission to Copenhagen, the Sun had not yet moved into its more favoured position on the 9th equal house cusp.

More serious trouble ahead

While Jupiter on his ascendant is offering Obama a measure of support at the present time, this situation will change over the next few weeks as Jupiter begins to move forward again. Obama enters a more clearly negative period as we enter November since his natal Mars (29 Leo) will come under the twin aspect influences of Uranus (29 Aquarius) and Rahu (29 Gemini). Watch for some very difficult situations emerging around October 20 when the Sun comes under the aspect of his natal Saturn (obstacles) and Mars will conjoin his Mercury (bad news, frustration). This will likely mark a deepening political conundrum for Obama. Since Mars is subperiod lord (i.e. bhukti), its double affliction by Rahu and Uranus highlight this late October to December period as especially volatile and frustrating for him. And since Mars symbolizes violence and conflict, it is possible there will be some unwelcome military developments at that time. December also seems like a particular low point for him since Mars will have its retrograde station directly opposite his ascendant on December 19 while Saturn is aspecting his natal Venus. Since Venus is connected to the economy, it is not unreasonable to expect a further deterioration of US economic conditions over the next three months.

Leo New Moon -- August 20

2009-08-09T12:48:00.003-04:00

The forthcoming New Moon takes places at 3 degrees of Leo in the nakshatra of Magha just before sunrise in Washington, DC. Overall, it is quite a busy chart in that it contains many close aspects. Generally speaking, it features a number of tense aspects that point to an array of significant problems that could emerge over duration of this lunation cycle (Aug 20 - Sep 18). Magha is sometimes associated with leaders and given its fairly close opposition to the dissolute effects of Neptune, we may see troubles ahead for Obama (see also section below on US politics). Neptune indicates weakening or illness, illusion or deception, perhaps a loss of identity (attention "birthers"!), and a lack of focus.

Given Obama's sagging popularity and growing unease about his health reforms, it would not be unreasonable to expect that he may not be able to make significant progress during the period of this lunation. Of course, the New Moon is a global phenomenon, so this planetary geometry will also pertain to other countries where leaders may be weakening or ill (or is that Il? -- the August 20 New Moon sets over Pyongyang) or give rise to situations of deception and corruption. The Neptune factor in this New Moon may also be an indicator of growing concern over the H1N1 virus or swine flu. While it has been put on the back burner somewhat since its original outbreak and identification back in April and May, health authorities have expressed concern that it could spread more quickly once the fall flu season begins. It will be something to watch for to be sure.

This New Moon also occurs at a time when there is a powerful t-square between Mercury (0 Virgo), Mars (2 Gemini), and Uranus (1 Pisces). Mercury represents trade, commerce and communcation, while the combination of Mars and Uranus symbolizes sudden bursts of energy which can create conflict and suffering. And if we include nearby Saturn (27 Leo) in this mix, we have the recipe for a disruptive event that could have major political and economic consequences. With Saturn, the planet of loss and limitation, sitting in the 2nd house of the economy, we might wonder if the economy could once again be in the limelight for the wrong reasons.

Given the large number of aspects here, it is even harder than usual to offer a specific prediction. The possibilities are very large indeed ranging from a failure of the economic recovery, new geopolitical concerns, to a significant natural disaster somewhere in the world. Whatever the eventual outcome of this Leo New Moon, it will very likely be noteworthy. I note that Pluto rises and Mars sets over Pakistan and Western India so that is one area that may be affected by some notable outbreak of violence or suffering during this time. The Mercury-Saturn conjunction sits atop the Midheaven over Iran which would tend to create stress and frustration for Iran's leaders since the Midheaven (i.e.10th house cusp) symbolizes leaders and government. On a more peripheral note, Venus is placed on the 12th house cusp of this chart which is often a difficult place for Venus. This placement could conceivably correspond with public revelations of a compromising sexual affair or the death of a prominent woman or artist.

Michael Jackson 1958 - 2009

2009-06-26T20:14:00.005-04:00

The death of pop superstar Michael Jackson yesterday has sparked an overwhelming outpouring of grief and remembrance around the world. Although more recently known for his bizarre behaviour and various legal and financial troubles, his millions of fans paid tribute to him and his music and the indelible mark he left on the entertainment industry. There are several widely divergent birth times floating around for Michael Jackson, some from apparently reliable sources. And yet unless and until some one sees the birth certificate, his true horoscope will likely remain an open question. Of all the birth times in common usage for MJ, I think the 7.30 p.m. chart offers a plausible window onto the nature of the man and his life events. This is the birth time that Michael Jackson himself provided to an astrologer colleague several years ago when he went in search of a Vedic chart reading. What follows is a brief astrological sketch based on that tentative birth time.

MJ was born on the day of a Full Moon, an appropriate placement for such a famous person. Bright Full Moons are considered very auspicious in Vedic astrology because like the Moon, the person becomes visible and easily noticed. Moreover, this chart has the Moon rising in sidereal Aquarius, which underlines his great fame since the first house is the most important in the whole chart. Fame and success were also indicated by the placement of Saturn on the MC in the 10th house. As ruler of Aquarius and the first house, Saturn placed in the 10th house confers high profile and career success. As an additional boost for success, the 10th lord Mars closely aspects this Saturn in the 10th house. We can also see that Mars was doubly powerful here because it was in its own sign of Aries. It is noteworthy that his Saturn dasha began 1972 when he started to achieve success in his musical career with the Jackson 5 and it lasted into 1991 when he had reached the apogee of his fame with his best-selling albums, Thriller and Bad. While Saturn often gets a bad rap since it is a natural malefic, it's clear that Michael Jackson's Saturn was a key ingredient to his success due to 1) its rulership of the 1st house; 2) its placement in the 10th; 3) the strength of its dispositor Mars; and 4) the absence of any afflicting aspects.

Michael Jackson's horoscope suggests he was an immensely talented and successful person but also isolated and troubled. His Moon (emotions, mind) and Saturn (structure, limits, loss) were in square aspect, a common signature in depressed or lonely people who cannot easily connect with others. The 4th house (Taurus) is also associated with happiness and emotions and it is ruled by Venus. As we've seen, Venus is in an awkward place due to its Mars and Uranus influence and its placement in the dussthana 6th house. When the 4th lord is afflicted and placed in the 6th house it can create emotional problems with parents. It is well known that he was abused by his father as a child.

What else does the horoscope reveal about Michael Jackson? His musical and performing abilities perhaps stem from the association of Mars and Venus. Mars rules his strong 3rd house, the house that is associated with creativity and the arts, and it is well situated in its own sign of Aries. Mars aspected Venus by square aspect hence the 3rd house is linked with Venus, the planetary significator of art and beauty. Venus was conjoined with innovative Uranus in Cancer and this perhaps contributed to his originality and ground breaking performances which launched the era of music videos in the early 1980s. Significantly, Venus-Uranus were in Cancer which is ruled by the Moon, and with the Moon powerfully placed in the first house (self), we can see how his artistic abilities could be translated into the world.

For all of his career success, MJ was notable for his strange and turbulent love life. He married twice, but neither lasted very long and both of them seemed more like public relations stunts designed to deflect attention away from the persistent charges of sexual abuse and pedophilia. Relationships are seen through Venus and the 7th house and MJ's 7th is ruled by Sun which is well-placed in Leo although it is aspected by Saturn. While Saturn rules the benefic first house, it also rules the 12th house (Capricorn) which is related to hidden or secret matters. This 12th house influence on his 7th house would increase the likelihood of an unusual or unhappy love life. For its part, Venus is greatly troubled by virtue of the Uranus conjunction which can create desire for different or unusual partners. The Mars aspect to Venus is another destabilizing influence on relationships. The 8th house and its lord are more closely connected with the sex act itself and we see transgressive Rahu there in the 8th. Mercury rules the 8th and it is in tough shape since it is retrograde in early Leo, leaning towards the 6th house, and worst of all in a trine aspect with Ketu. Like Rahu, Ketu can introduce an element of 'weirdness' into the equation.

We can see that Mercury was a weak planet for MJ because it was during his Mercury dasha (1991-2008) that he gradually lost his popularity and saw his difficulties grow on various fronts. Ketu dasha began in 2008 and he was running Ketu-Venus at the time he died. Ketu is in a particularly vulnerable place in his chart since it is gandanta, that is, it sits on the cusp between Pisces and Aries, or a water and fire sign. When planets are situated near this zodiacal 'no-man's land' they lose strength and are more prone to deliver life challenges and hardship. As we've seen the subperiod lord Venus was significantly weakened by virtue of its 6th house (health, illness) placement with Uranus (sudden or rash actions) aspected by Mars (harm, strife). MJ's transits were also very stressful. Transiting Saturn (loss, disappointment) had just stationed (21 Leo) opposite his 1st house Moon (21 Aquarius) in May and was still forming a very close aspect at 22 degrees of Leo. The transiting conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune (2 Aquarius) was closely opposite MJ's 8th lord natal Mercury (2 Leo). The 8th house is associated with serious diseases and sudden developments. Since it was natally weak, Mercury could not withstand the draining energy that Neptune was contributing. The otherwise positive effect of Jupiter did not translate here. Given the multiple afflictions to the chart, it was simply a bit player in a much larger tragedy. Perhaps the gentle calming Jupiter influence was reflected in the fact that he apparently died of an overdose of Demerol, a powerful opioid. As a short term triggering transit, the subperiod lord Venus (25 Aries) was in a tight conjunction both with transiting Mars (24 Aries) and his natal Mars (28 Aries). This is therefore a double Venus affliction by Mars, a planet that does not mix energies well with Venus.

Iran election protests

2009-06-16T13:27:00.003-04:00

Mass protests and rioting broke out in the aftermath of a contested election result that saw victory declared by incumbent hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over the moderate challenger Hossein Mousavi. In an unprecedented move to mollify opposition protesters, Iran's religious leadership under Ayatollah Khameini has agreed to a partial recount of the results. Just where these protests may lead remains unknown, as a new generation of young Iranians try to seize the this opportunity to bring their country into the 21st century.

The astrological indications for this uprising is quite clearly seen in the horoscope of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as it was declared on April 1, 1979 at 3 p.m. The dashas provide the first hint of trouble as the chart began running Rahu-Moon in March 2009. Rahu is conjoined with malefic Saturn in the 2nd house in Leo suggesting uncertainty or trouble surrounding the speech and communication which are 2nd house indications as well as possible economic losses. One doesn't want to put too much emphasis on dasha lords which have a long term background influence (Rahu runs from 1993 to 2011) but it's interesting how Iran's economy has suffered in recent years and the current economic slowdown is not helping matters any. Also more of its citizens are becoming aware of the gap between the official government line and the everyday reality in the street so this is another possible manifestation of an afflicted 2nd house.

Perhaps more important is the minor period lord Moon which runs from March 2009 to September 2010. With Cancer rising, the Moon is the chart ruler and we can see that it receives the full strength 10th house square aspect from Saturn in the natal chart. Saturn tends to be associated with hardship and privations, so one would expect to see some basic sorts of afflictions with the natal Moon to correspond with the current unrest. To make matters worse for this Moon, the aspect from Saturn is just one degree from exact and so it has more capacity to do damage and it rules the malefic 8th house (Aquarius) of upset, obstacles, and scandals. Clearly, the Moon minor period is very problematic for Iran.

If anything, the transit situation gives an even clearer picture of trouble as it is an extremely afflicted chart. Uranus, the planet of quick or sudden occurrences, is just minutes away from the natal Mars in Pisces in the 9th house of religion and law. Symbolically, this can mean explosive (Uranus) anger (Mars) directed at religious authority (9th house). This is an massive amount of energy since Uranus vastly increases the scale of anger and violence that we traditionally associate with Mars. Uranus is going stationary retrograde on July 1, so it is infused with extra incendiary power in the coming weeks.

Transiting Ketu is conjunct the natal Jupiter in the 1st house and this combination often signals changes in philosophy and underlying principles. Interestingly, Jupiter rules the 9th house of religious authority in this chart and is exalted in the first house in Cancer, a plausible enough signature for a theocracy ruled by fundamentalist clerics. Ketu (aka the South Lunar Node) is a planet that symbolizes transgressions and change, and is considered a separating or world-denying influence. Ketu transits to Jupiter, therefore often mark times of legal or religious controversy. Certainly, the essential principles of the Islamic Republic are being called into question by an increasingly Westernized and technologically-savvy younger generation who are seeking a more moderate co-existence between Islam and modernity.

In addition, transiting Saturn is conjunct the 2nd house Rahu, and this is another expression of failing propaganda as Rahu, the "dragon's head", is a source of deception in speech and is no longer believed by a majority of Iranians in the wake of this apparently rigged election.

The next few days will likely see an escalation of the situation as Venus and Mars will conjoin at 21 Aries in near-exact aspect to the natal Rahu. This comes exact on June 22. The question is: will the government back down and re-run the election or might it even be on the verge of collapsing altogether? Certainly, the chart has a level of affliction that suggests major changes are afoot over the next year or two. After the Moon subperiod, the Mars period runs from Sept 2010 to Oct 2011 and given the close proximity of transiting Uranus to the natal Mars during that time, Iran is likely going to see continued instability and conflict. The planets suggest that the least likely outcome is that the protests will just fizzle out and things will return to normal. I would not be surprised to see some significant concessions to the opposition here. To be honest, the chart has such a high level of affliction that does not rule out any conflict scenario including "regime change".

Certainly, Ahmadinejad's own chart (October 28, 1956) is extremely stressed as Saturn has recently stationed exactly opposite his natal Mars (21 Leo) but that could still only account for the current crisis, rather than any additional hardship that may foretell his ouster. I do note, however that Saturn-Uranus opposition will conjoin his natal Venus (2 Virgo) in September so that is likely to spell continued problems for him. Saturn will station at 10 Virgo in his 12th house in December, so that is another period where he will have many troubles. Given all these afflictions, Ahmandinejad's days as president are likely numbered.

October will see Jupiter's station (23 Capricorn) on the 7th house cusp in the Iran chart so that could indicate a new period of calm, perhaps involving other countries such as the USA. Conceivably, this could occur after the establishment of a Mousavi-led government. Less dramatically, it could represent a compromise third candidate taking the reigns of power. In any event, with Saturn heading for its June 2010 station (4 Virgo) in close opposition to the Mercury-Mars conjunction in the Iran chart, one should think that we are entering an era of continuing difficulties rather than heralding some happy new day of moderate Islam in Iran. Therefore I think is more likely that we will see a protracted struggle between the forces of moderation and fundamentalism. Anyway, let's see how the Venus-Mars conjunction plays out in the coming days so see where the trajectory is going.

New Moon in Gemini

2009-06-07T14:26:00.002-04:00

New Moon June 22 2009 3.35 p.m EDT Washington, DC
As I noted in last month's newsletter, the very close harmonic aspect between Mercury and Mars in May 24 Taurus New Moon may well cause some significant problems for Mercury-ruled affairs. The events of the past week indicate that some of that energy has already been released. GM declared bankruptcy on June 1 as the US government is now a part-owner of America's largest car marker. Saturn was close to the 4th house cusp which often indicates "the end of the matter", so that is somewhat appropriate for symbolizing the end of US auto industry in its previous form. Mercury rules transportation, so it's not too much of a stretch to see that the negative Mars influence here was somehow implicated. Yesterday's fatal crash of an Air France jet off the coast of Brazil is another possible expression of this Mars affliction to Mercury, the planet of that rules transportation. North Korea also re-emerged as a concern for world leaders as they detonated an underground nuclear device on May 25, just one day after the New Moon. Besides the prominent Mars in this chart, I wonder if the Sun coming under the aspect of distorting Rahu (North Lunar Node) might point to uncontrolled (Rahu) actions from leaders such as Kim Jung-Il (Sun). Interestingly, the Sun-Moon conjunction in the May 24 New Moon chart falls near the cusp of the 12th house, representing faraway places and secrecy.

The Gemini New Moon of June 22 looks fairly intense with a number of tight aspects that are highlighted in the Washington, DC chart. Given the United States pre-eminent position in the world, I am focusing on the DC chart. If this is astrological US imperialism, so be it. The Sun-Moon conjunction occurs exactly on the equal 9th house cusp closely opposed by Pluto. To make matters a little more pointed, the New Moon occurs in Ardra, a nakshatra that is not know for its calming or uplifting effects. It is associated with storms, moisture, toxins, limitations an purging. The 9th house represents foreign countries, so this may indicate some harsh or crude exertions of power on the world stage. The 9th house also represents law and religion and having that kind of affliction there may point to problems with Obama's recent Supreme court appointment of Sonia Sotomayor. Religious figures may also be in the news from late June onwards, in the form of conflict or disputes. Benefic Jupiter also aspects the New Moon, so we shouldn't be too pessimistic about the outcomes of 9th house matters. Another unusual characteristic of this chart is that the nodes are sitting exactly square the ascendant, as Ketu conjoins the equal 10th house cusp and Rahu is on the 4th. This placement may foretell unusual or eccentric actions by leaders and governments, ("thinking outside the box") and family and educational settings may undergo some upset or significant changes.

Another key configuration for the Gemini New Moon is the exact conjunction of Venus and Mars in close trine aspect with Saturn. This pattern creates a lot of pressure on Venus-ruled matters such as women, art, and money. On the plus side, the Mars and Saturn influence can translate Venus into more real manifestations of its often subtle energy, such as an artistic vision realized, albeit often under less than perfect circumstances. More negatively, this can be just a bad pattern for female energy, as it seems to be defined in terms of males (Mars) or the "real world" (Saturn). Mars is supported by Venus here, so that can bode well for athletic or physical endeavours, especially those that are connected with ancient or traditional practices (Saturn), such as yoga.

New Indian government

2009-06-07T14:06:00.003-04:00

The new Congress-led Indian government under Manmohan Singh was sworn in May 24 at 6.34 p.m. IST. This is quite a strong chart with the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction very close to the 4th house cusp. This placement will tend to aid in the maintainence of domestic tranquility. Prosperity is more mixed here since Jupiter the karaka of wealth and also lord of the second house of wealth is conjunct the dissolving influence of Neptune. So on one hand wealth creation is improved because the 4th house placement supports the 2nd house but the Neptune influence may indicate that some of the wealth may be illusory or unsustainable in the long term.

Mercury is retrograde and forming a close aspect to the ascendant and this may mean that the government will be activist and in the news with its various programs. It may also change its direction on some issues that could lead to confusion. The Sun in the 7th house is in a close aspect with Rahu suggesting a prominent leadership role under PM Singh but it also indicates that his actions may ruffle more than a few feathers. This is perhaps a reflection of the free market economic reforms that are planned. Singh's government will likely implement a significant number of reforms that will be upsetting to many people. The fall period seems troubled by the Saturn-Pluto square. Transiting Saturn (7 Virgo) will come under the disruptive influence of the aspect from natal Rahu (8 Capricorn).

North Korea tests nuke

2009-06-07T13:44:00.003-04:00

North Korea (Sept 9 1948) has been causing some problems for the world community recently with its underground nuclear test. Saturn stationing on its Sun (22 Leo) is one possible explanation for its stubborn and headstrong behaviour. The Sun represents government and leaders and Kim Jong-Il is as intransigent as ever with this defiant gesture against the wishes of the rest of the world. Transiting Ketu on natal Venus (7 Cancer) suggests problems with relationships. Indeed. We can speculate that the effect of the stationing Jupiter in close aspect to the Gemini ascendant may be the success of the test and perhaps the attention it has brought. North Korea uses its nuclear policy as a bargaining chip for food and material from other countries. As frustated as the US and Japan may be, the successful test will likely improve North Korea's chances for greater concessions.

Pluto is on the 7th cusp now and will aspect the ascendant and Uranus over the next year or two. This is suggests some major tensions are likely to lead some significant changes in the make-up of the country. The Saturn-Pluto square due this fall is likely to increase the stress felt inside and outside the country since it will activate the ascendant/Uranus conjunction.

New Moon -- Aries to Taurus

2009-05-02T22:59:00.001-04:00

Given that the Sun and Moon are the two most significant bodies in the sky, the lunar phases provide useful clues to the prevailing energies that inform the month to come. The New Moon of March 24 featured a strong Sun in the 10th house suggesting a greater visibility for government and leaders. April has seen the Obama administration continue to take the lead on a number of fronts including the salvaging of the US auto sector. The prominent Mars in the 9th house of foreign countries in that chart may also have signified some friction involving North Korea's missile launch and more generally may reflect Obama's overseas trip in early April to the G20 summit and later in his swing through various European and Middle Eastern countries which caused some consternation in conservative circles. And of course, the swine flu did originate outside of the US in Mexico so that is another plausible expression of tension and difficulties involving foreign countries.

As we noted in the previous newsletter, the last New Moon on April 24 contained several intriguing and potentially troublesome patterns. In light of the recent swine flu scare, the Mercury square to the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction was a plausible expression of this energy. In fact, I suggested that this aspect may be related to "communicable diseases" among other things, and that the the Sun/Moon square to the nodes Rahu and Ketu might be a sign of strange incidents or situations when nothing appears to be going right. While fears over the H1N1 influenza outbreak seem somewhat exaggerated at this point, it's clear that the prospect of a flu pandemic on top of an already failing economy could be seen in terms of the weird Rahu/Ketu type of energy where insult is piled on top of injury. I also noted that the the Mercury-Neptune aspect might reflect "deceitful communications", and given the growing questions concerned the sweeping WHO pronouncements and the media fear-mongering, that notion may not be far off the mark. Look for more of that kind of distortion of Mercury's energy over the next two or three weeks. With Saturn in the 10th house of that April 24 New Moon, the US government will likely be seen as strong and capable in the coming weeks. This may be the natural outgrowth of its protective efforts towards the American people over pandemic fears as well as overseeing the bankruptcy and reorganization of the auto sector.

Since the April 24 New Moon is "in effect" until May 24, it's very possible that the swine flu will continue to be an ongoing concern. Indeed, the May 24 New Moon at 9 degrees of sidereal Taurus still features the Mercury square to the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction because Mercury begins its retrograde cycle on May 7. What makes this pattern potentially worse for the period May 24 - June 22 is that Mercury is in a very close harmonic aspect with Mars. This increases the likelihood of problems relating to Mercury-ruled significations. These significations include communication (such as the internet), disease, trading (international trade agreements, or the stock market, for example), and transportation, (especially involving accidents). On the plus side, Jupiter and Neptune are just minutes away from an exact conjunction for this New Moon so that ought to help hope prevail over fear. The Jupiter effect on Neptune may also create an atmosphere of idealism where higher principles and aspirations for humanity such as sharing, oneness, and collective responsibility receive greater publicity and stimulate the public consciousness. This should be a good time for any UN-related organizations and initiatives, as well as supportive for liberal or socialistic social policies by the Obama administration and other governments around the world. Also of note, the forthcoming Taurus New Moon will contain to exhibit further nodal influence by virtue of the trinal aspect from Rahu to the New Moon. This could indicate more surprising or disruptive developments which will likely amplify the difficulties contained in the Mercury-Mars-Jupiter-Neptune configuration. Saturn also falls very close to the unequal 4th house cusp, (or IC) and this may also tip the scales towards the troublesome side of the Taurus New Moon coming to the fore in some tangible way. The 4th house can refer to the "end of the matter" so endings and closings may be more prominent from late May into June in the United States.

Swine flu: real threat of media scare?

2009-05-02T00:25:00.003-04:00

The swine flu threat has emerged as a significant development in recent weeks after originating in Mexico in mid-April where it has caused over 100 deaths. While the number of cases and deaths remains quite low around the world, there is real concern by governments and health authorities that a dangerous pandemic is possible. While I alluded to the possibility of some kind of disease threat in last month's newsletter based solely on the New Moon chart, this matter deserves a closer examination. Just how serious could this flu outbreak become?

Many Western astrologers are pointing to the close conjunction between Chiron and Neptune at 2 degrees of sidereal Aquarius as a poignant astrological signature for this disease scare. Chiron, a planetoid beyond Saturn's orbit discovered in 1977, is said by some to symbolize "the wounded healer" and therefore is secondarily connected to health matters after Neptune, which is the primary significator for illness in Western astrology. While I do use some Western notions such as Neptune, I am more agnostic on Chiron's role in this flu outbreak. A cursory review of recent flu outbreaks does not reveal an obvious Chiron influence. The 1918 Spanish Flu featured an extremely rare configuration as Neptune crossed very close to the ecliptic at the same time as Saturn opposed Uranus. Lesser flu outbreaks in 1957 and 1968 also do not strongly implicate Chiron. Whatever the role of Chiron might be here, I tend to focus on the planets that have a more firmly established symbolism. At present, Neptune is conjunct Jupiter which ought not to indicate disease or pandemic but rather the opposite, such as the ending of disease since Jupiter is a benefic influence. Perhaps one can argue that Jupiter acts as an expansionary or magnifying energy here for Neptune's penchant for disease and weakness, but that seems counterintuitive. Perhaps the Jupiter influence here refers to the media hype (Jupiter = bigness/exaggeration; Neptune = image/media), or perhaps to the finding of a quick cure for H1N1.

Saturn is the traditional Vedic ruler of disease and we note that it is soon coming up to its direct station on May 16. At that point, it will be motionless in the sky and thereby exert greater force. Saturn is in the middle of a year-long opposition cycle to Uranus which began last November. Another exact opposition is due in August. Uranus is a destabilizing energy which can bring out the negative side of Saturn such as disease and hardship when it is in tense aspect. This is basically the case now, so we have to consider the Saturn-Uranus opposition as a contributing factor to the swine flu outbreak. And as mentioned above, the Spanish Flu in 1918 was characterized by the same Saturn-Uranus opposition so there is at least some historical precedent. But it is noteworthy that the swine flu scare of 1976 that never materialized also coincided with a Saturn-Uranus aspect, although it was a square. Perhaps that instance lacked the additional planetary affliction to actually create an infectious influenza. Perhaps the worst post-war flu pandemic occurred in 1958, as the Asian flu killed over one million people over a one-year period. It's interesting to note that Saturn was parallel to Neptune as reckoned by latitude, a pattern that brought together both traditional and modern rulers of illness.

While the apparently positive Jupiter influence on Neptune is heartening and would tend to suggest that this current flu outbreak will not be very severe, I am a little worried by some afflictions I see in some key natal charts. Using the Houck USA chart, the Saturn station will closely aspect the natal Mars within one degree. Mars rules the 8th house of serious illness in this chart, although Mars more often is connected with violent or sudden situations rather than situations that are drawn out. That chart seems to indicate that some significant suffering involving will occur in the next month or two, although it could relate to something other than the swine flu. The more often cited 1776 USA chart is also indicative of some Neptune-type situations since Neptune will make its retrograde station just two degrees from the natal Moon (4 Aquarius) in the 2.18 sidereal Libra rising chart. The Moon represents the population as a whole, and Neptune is clearly a marker for disease and illusion, so we have the possibility for some kind pandemic, or more optimistically, of a pandemic scare. Again, Jupiter's presence on that degree ought to provide some protection from the worst case scenario. More worrisome is that transiting Ketu will conjoin the natal Mercury in this chart in July-August, and given Mercury's association with transmission and communication, we need to be aware of the possibility of trouble on those fronts.

So it's a mixed picture. The planetary patterns don't clearly show a worsening pandemic, but there is still some risk that it could intensify over the summer. The Mercury retrograde cycle that begins on May 7 under the distorting influence of Rahu will be the first test. Mutation of the virus is always a possibility, since Rahu has that potential to disrupt the current state of things. Hopefully, the difficulties I foresee in the US charts over the next few months refer to some other stressful situation such as a relapse for the economy or stock market, or perhaps some other new challenge. Obama's chart also shows siginficant Mercury-related problems over the coming months as Ketu transits over his Mercury at 9 Cancer. These may be related to the economy and indeed this is the most likely outcome. However, they could also relate to national health since Mercury rules Gemini which is his 6th house of health. What is also interesting is that the nodes will activate the Sun-Mercury conjunction (6 Capricorn) and the Moon (5 Scorpio) in the Obama inauguration chart in June and July. One potentially important date to watch is the time around July 11 when Mars aspect Rahu and both these malefics will form close aspects to the aforementioned planets in the inauguration chart.

Thailand in Crisis

2009-04-17T10:51:00.005-04:00

Thailand natal chart April 21, 1782
As the recent wave of violent protests by the anti-government "red-shirts" wind down, Thailand's future political and social stability remains an open question. This peaceable kingdom known as the Land of Smiles has become riven with factional struggles that has divided the population across a range of different issues. At the centre of the cleavage is the controversional leader Thaksin Shinawatra, whose populist coalition won elections in 2001 and 2006 but was removed from power due to corruption charges. His supporters believe that he was unjustly denied the reigns of the government by judiciary and military elites. The current government is in the hands of the Democrat party who regard Thaksin as a criminal with no legitimate claim to power. How this split will be resolved is uncertain, since both sides are increasingly intolerant of the claims made by the other. Moreover, neither side appears to have a clear majority in parliament that would stabilize the situation if new elections were held. As a BBC analysis has suggested, there are no clear winners in the current phase of the conflict.

The recent upsurge in civil unrest is manifested by a number of afflictions to the relevant horoscopes for Thailand. The chart of the founding of the current Chakri dynasty (Apr 21, 1782) shows transiting Ketu conjunct the natal Moon at 11 Cancer. (Please see chart above) Ketu is often a disruptive influence and here it is more likely to produce problems since it sits in the 6th house of conflict and ill-health in the natal chart. The Moon represents the people as a whole and the mood of the nation, so that pattern coincides with a sense of unease and upset that pervades the kingdom. Transiting Pluto (9 Sagittarius) is approaching a conjunction with natal Saturn, suggesting a transforming or eroding of order and structure that bind the country together. This is a long term influence over the next 1-2 years, so this is one reason why Thailand's unsettled politics are unlikely to be resolved any time soon.

More immediately, transiting Saturn (21 Leo) is moving to station in a harsh square aspect against the natal Mars (19 Taurus). While this direct station will not occur until May 16, it is very close now and is one of the main astrological indicators for the violent protests that forced martial law to be declared in Bangkok. Mars-Saturn aspects often denote destruction and violence since the aggressive and assertive energy of Mars is distorted by malefic Saturn. We may expect sporadic incidents over the coming weeks until Saturn has once again resumed its direct motion and moves away from the natal Mars. In particular, the time around April 27 and the Mars-Ketu aspect may see another unfortunate violent of conflictual development in this situation. Then on May 6, Mercury will go retrograde at 7 Taurus which will conjoin the natal Mars in the 1932 chart (Please see chart below). This could also represent a combative political development.

The situation is similarly troubled in the chart for modern Thailand, which came into effect as a constitutional monarchy was adopted after a coup on June 24, 1932. In this chart, transiting Pluto is opposite the natal Sun (9 Gemini), symbolizing tensions and struggles over power and authority. And like the 1782 chart, we find the Moon similarly afflicted as Saturn is stationing just a few degrees from the IC (4th house cusp) and a few degrees from the natal Moon. The 4th house represents the population as a whole and the Moon symbolizes the people, or national mood. Transiting Mars (violence) and Uranus (change) are conjoined in square aspect to the ascendant reflecting a sudden explosion of energy and violence. Moreover, Mars and Uranus are transiting over the equal 10th house cusp, which represents government and leaders.

The political situation should stabilize somewhat after Saturn moves direct May 16 and as we approach the Jupiter station in June since this will aspect the ascendant of the 1932 chart. But watch for a possible deteroriating situation in August and September as the Saturn-Uranus opposition occurs in exact square to this ascendant. The period from December to February 2010 if anything looks more difficult for government and leaders as the Saturn-Pluto square will set up on the natal Sun. This points to a possible change in government and a lot of anxiety and frustration with the power structure in Thailand. Interestingly, the 1782 chart also seems to be in a stressful condition as the Saturn station at 10 Virgo will activate the natal t-square of Sun (10 Aries), Saturn (10 Capricorn) and Uranus (8 Gemini). This combination of planetary energies indicate that Thailand may be going through a time of profound political and social transformation.

The role of the much-beloved King Bhumipol is the wild card in all these developments, since he alone seems to have enough authority to quell any significant differences of opinion. So far, he has resisted the temptation to make a clear public statement for either side. This reluctance may reflect his advancing age (the King is 83) and widespread reports of weakening health. Given the rough transit pattern in early 2010, the power and sanctity of the monarchy itself may be called into question.

Thailand June 24, 1932

Obama's first 100 days and his upcoming Mars bhukti

2009-02-09T11:58:00.005-05:00

As the warm glow of his historic inauguration fades into the background, President Barack Obama now faces more familiar political battles over the stimulus and banking proposals. With most Republicans opposing the huge stimulus package, the oft-mentioned new era of bipartisanship and change in Washington seems to have gone missing. While Obama's tasks to rebuild the economy are momentous, it's clear from his horoscope that the acrimony in DC foretells more difficult times ahead for the new president.

According to the Vimshottari dasha system and Krishnamurti ayanamsha, Obama will enter his Mars subperiod or bhukti on or around February 26. As a minor period in the Jupiter major dasha period, the Mars bhukti will run until early February 2010. Of course, Mars is known as the planet of conflict, action, and executive power so it may not be surprising that Obama's efforts are meeting with some significant opposition, even before the full onset of the Mars subperiod. What's perhaps more telling is that Mars (29 Leo) occupies a powerful place in his horoscope, namely, the 8th equal house cusp (24 Leo). It is also just a few degrees away from this cusp in different house systems, and less than one degree away from the Alcabitius 8th house cusp. The 8th is considered a potentially malefic house, and any planet near its most sensitive point, the cusp, is said to be strongly imbued with 8th house energy and can be heavily afflicted. The 8th house represents change and transformation, as well as obstacles, death, and embarrassments. Obama's 8th house Mars is the main reason why so many astrologers have predicted that there will be an attempt on his life during his tenure.

Certainly the emphasis on change is appropriate here and we can expect Obama's efforts to re-invigorate the US economy to initiate structural change that will transform the workings of the economy through greater government involvement in key institutions like banking as well as promoting long term (and long overdue) changes in health care and environmental policy. Since Mars also symbolizes vitality and action in this house, Obama will take on a strong leadership role, and will be seen leading a revolution in American life. But given Mars' natural malefic status, it is reasonable to expect that there will be an increase in the opposition to these initiatives. With the 8th house also representing "other people's money", the Mars period will also feature profligate spending by his administration which will likely generate resentment and conflict. Given the forecast for massive deficits and a ballooning government debt, we don't really need the astrology to warn us about something that it so self-evidently true. It's nonetheless interesting that it is reflected in his chart in a fairly clear way.

Obama's natal Mars is fairly strong, however, given its dispositor Sun is angular in the 7th house and conjunct benefic Mercury. This may mean that we may enjoy significant success in his efforts to transform the American economy. However, it's not without some notable weakness: its placement in the final degree of Leo will reduce its ability to realize ambition and will open the door to some noteworthy negative outcomes during the coming 12 months. With the ongoing opposition of Uranus to his Mars through most of 2009, conflict will predominate and may emerge suddenly and in unusual places. This includes the greater chance for conflict overseas. The economy will likely experience another significant setback in late 2009 and early 2010 as Saturn will station while aspecting Obama's 2nd house Venus. Since the 2nd house represents wealth, we can expect another major contraction of economic activity at that time.

Closer at hand, I'm looking at the time around March 12 as indicating a significant event as Mars conjoins his Ketu and Sun joins Uranus in opposition to his Mars. Even with the helpful effects of the close proximity of slow moving retrograde Venus in trine aspect to his Sun at that time, the presence of these apparently malefic configurations seems to point to some kind of negative event, one that may be violent or rooted in conflict. This could be an incident involving US armed forces, or an outbreak of violence in a strategically important area of the world, such as Israel and the Middle East. I should note that Israel is likely to be an ongoing burden to Barack Obama as Israel's natal Saturn sits on his 7th house cusp indicating a negative energy that prevents happiness, and incurs heavy responsibilities. Obama will likely feel trapped by the US's historical commitment to support Israel which will limit his ability to broker a peace deal. It may also suggest that Obama will not blindly support Israel and his attempt to meet both parties half-way will alienate members of the Israeli lobby.

So for all the promise of change and meaningful bipartisanship, Obama's incoming Mars bhukti suggests that Washington will be as divided as ever, as the economy worsens and his bold, new programs encounter strong resistance from various areas of American society.

Obama wins presidency

2008-11-09T10:11:00.001-05:00

With his decisive win on November 4th, Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States. While I had thought that Obama would likely win the election, I was somewhat surprised that it all came off more or less according to plan. Like many astrologers, I had believed that the Saturn-Uranus opposition on election day might portend events a little more dramatic and unusual than a simple election victory for the Democratic senator from Illinois.

As it turned out, Obama's election victory was indeed historic in magnitude for two reasons. First, he is the first African American to win the highest office in the land. Second, the Democratic sweep represents the end of neo-conservatism as a political force for the foreseeable future. The free market philosophy that began under Reagan a generation ago preached de-regulation and smaller government. This has been largely discredited with the recent economic crisis and will be replaced by a more interventionist economic policy not unlike what predominated in the post-1945 world. In those important senses, the tension and shock (Uranus) to fixed structures (Saturn) was expressed by the shift away from a Republican winner-take-all approach to the economy to what will likely become a more collectivist and Keynesian orienation.

With the various afflictions in Obama's chart, he is certain to face many important challenges in the months and years ahead. His Mars bhukti begins in early 2009 and looks particularly troublesome since his Mars is poorly placed in his 8th house. From the violent symbolism of Mars, this may reflect new military situations for the US or perhaps even threats to his personal safety. More generally, it may represent the hardship of the ongoing economic downturn for the coming year. The Mars bhukti lasts for about one year.

Stocks in freefall; Dow below 9000

2008-10-09T18:35:00.001-04:00

In the face of a torrent a bad economic news including global bank nationalizations, investors lost hope late this afternoon as markets sold off over 7% in New York. The Dow closed below 9000 for the first time since 2003 and finished the day at a bracing 8579 while the S&P ended trading at 909.

While not quite 'crashworthy', this was more or less in keeping with my standing prediction for a large percentage decline (5-10%) for today, October 9th.

I believe there is more downside tomorrow, although my sense is much of the negative planetary energy has already been expressed. It's possible we will see a further decline to the much-talked about support level of 7500-8000, but I think there will be a lot of buyers at 8000 so we should expect a lot of intraday volatility. Of course, it's conceivable that the Dow goes below these levels, but it's not probable and even if they do, they won't stay there very long.

I think Friday will be the much-sought after capitulation and near term bottom after which we will rise into next week. We are now facing a two month bottoming process where there will be some retesting of the lows we likely make tomorrow. Early November is the first probable retest, and then again in the first two weeks of December.

The VP Debate

2008-10-01T21:01:00.004-04:00

With the much-anticipated Vice-Presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin tomorrow, here are a few thoughts on the probable outcome as it relates to the general trend in the campaign. As predicted in mid-September, the Obama campaign has pulled into the lead and is now ahead of McCain by an average 5-6 points in recent polls. This trend is likely to continue as the Obama campaign chart is very strong in the coming days while the McCain campaign chart is troubled.

With Moon and Venus transiting the 7th house of the Obama campaign chart today (Oct 1), we can see that his campaign is riding high. A new poll was released today that put him ahead by 9 points, the most in the campaign thus far. His vote tonight in the Senate on the bailout bill will also improve his profile and popularity. The difficulty in the McCain campaign chart is that transiting Mercury is exactly aspected by malefic natal Saturn, so he is likely to look weak and out of favour in the next couple of days. While Mercury is usually a fast moving planet, it is retrograde now and moving quite slowly. This extends the negative influence on McCain.

The debate tomorrow doesn't look like a game changer for either campaign. It is very unlikely to help McCain much since Mercury will still be afflicted by Saturn, especially since transiting Mars conjoins the natal IC. With Venus transiting the 4th house cusp Thursday and Friday, it's possible that McCain may get a small bounce but it will not be significant. Another possible interpretation may simply be the feminine influence (Venus in Libra) that Palin will exert on the campaign at this time. At the time of the debate, the Moon will be in a difficult square aspect to the Sun-Mars-Saturn conjunction in her chart, so this will certainly be a high stress moment for her. It also suggests that things may not go as well as she would have liked. By contrast, the Moon will conjoin Biden's natal Mercury and come under the helpful aspect of his natal Jupiter at the time of the debate. This may suggest that Biden is relieved and happy with his performance. At the same time, transiting Venus is close to his natal Mars which is often a problem and transiting Mars opposes his natal Moon over the next few days which is rarely a good thing. There may be some negative post-debate fallout with Biden that could cause some short lived problems for the Obama campaign.

The next significant time to watch out for is October 9-10, when transiting Mars opposes the natal Sun in the McCain campaign chart while transiting Sun comes under the influence of the natal Saturn. This looks like a major setback for the McCain-Palin ticket and will likely increase Obama's lead.

After that, however, Obama still stumble from Oct 13-16. With the involvement of Mars, Sun and Mercury with malefic points in the horoscope, there will likely be some element of conflict with the event. Fortunately for Obama, he will likely be enjoying a lead of more than 5 points at that time, so it's more likely he will be able to withstand this problem and go on to win. The problem will occur right around the time of the last debate on Oct 15 so it may be doubly embarrassing for him if it becomes the focus in the debate. Alternatively, it may simply be a poor debate performance.

This promises to be an interesting finish to the campaign.

Stock markets plunge 9% on failed bailout vote

2008-09-29T16:40:00.001-04:00

Markets in New York fell off a cliff today after the House of Representatives unexpectedly rejected the emergency financial bailout bill. The Dow lost a record 777 points or 7% and closed near its worst levels of the day at 10,365. The S&P lost 9% or 106 points and closed at 1107. This decline confirms my prediction from two weeks ago that the 29th would be very negative, although I had thought the drop might be more like 5%. Over the weekend, when it seemed that the bill would pass, I wondered if my original prediction had been mistaken, as I wrote in my weekly forecast. As it turned out, it underestimated the losses. Not surprisingly, oil fell $11 to $95 as investors worry of a global economic slowdown and gold rose over $22 and closed at $910. Today's New Moon in Virgo that featured a beleaguered Mercury may be seen as one important indicator for the decline in stocks.

I think tomorrow's trading will likely be negative but I don't foresee any huge drop like today's. In fact, there may be a stabilizing in the afternoon. I still expect some kind of rally perhaps on Wednesday and Thursday. As in my weekly forecast, Friday is looking quite iffy, perhaps due to some bad economic news in the jobs report.

Next week looks even worse, so we may be preparing for a 1000 point drop in the Dow. Even with a rally later this week that might get the market back to 11,000, I think we'll be under 10,000 with next week's collapse. 9000 is a worse case scenario by October 10th, although that is a very speculative target.

Obama widens lead in polls on economic uncertainty

2008-09-24T18:53:00.002-04:00

As predicted here last week, Obama has regained a significant lead in recent days as fears grow over the US economy. While Obama was tied with McCain in Intrade.com a week ago, Obama now leads by 10 points. Obama is now also leading in Virginia for the first time in some polls and has shown gains in other battleground states such as Colorado.

I expect Obama's strength in the campaign to continue until October 1st at least, when the Moon and Venus conjoin in the 7th cusp of the campaign chart.

Hillary for Biden?

2008-09-17T14:12:00.003-04:00

As the Democrats face the prospect of another electoral defeat, perhaps Barack Obama may execute a last minute Hail Mary pass of his own to match McCain's desperate move of picking Palin: could be drop Joe Biden and pick Hillary Clinton at this late date? This is now actually being considered in the world of political betting, as 8% of participants on Intrade.com believe this will happen, no doubt as a way to salvage Democratic chances in November. There have been rumours about this idea ever since Palin was selected as VP nominee.

Hillary's chart does indeed look very strong in the next week, especially around the 25-26th. Transiting dasha lord Venus conjoins her natal Sun, although that could be due to the resurgence of the Democrats in the polls and the positive response to her campaigning for Obama. Possibly even more powerful is that Jupiter is sitting on her relocated 7th house cusp for Chappaqua, NY using the 20.01 chart. While I had been an advocate for the 8.00 am time for Hillary, it's interesting to see what the potential might be if the 20.01 chart is the correct chart. That stationary Jupiter aspecting the first house in the relocated chart is extremely powerful and is exactly what one would expect to see if she was to suddenly rise in prominence in this race once again. At the same time, transiting Venus and Mars are moving into Biden's 12th house of loss, a possible sign of his growing invisibility in the campaign. It's certainly an intriguing scenario to ponder, especially if the Dems continue to slip in the polls in the coming days. If McCain's poll numbers grow any more, then I would think the likelihood of Hillary replacing Biden would grow substantially. I will investigate this possibility further in the coming days.

The Sarah Palin Factor

2008-09-16T20:59:00.004-04:00

We now have a fairly reliable birth time for Sarah Palin -- 4.40 pm. This birth time comes from someone who claims to have seen her birth certificate although it has yet to be confirmed. For the moment, let's go with it. With a timed chart, we can look for additional clues about the outcome of the upcoming election on November 4th. It's a very impressive chart. Cancer rising with first lord Moon closely conjunct benefic Mercury in the 7th house, widely conjunct the Sun. This is a well disposed 7th house indicating she is charming and relates well to other people. Well, no surprise there. And the close aspect of the Sun to the ascendant makes her confident and outgoing. Since it is in a close degree conjunction to Mars and Saturn in the early degrees of Aquarius, this really amps up her assertiveness, initiative and ability to get things done. Jupiter is strong in its own sign of Pisces in the 9th house and aspects the ascendant. Her strong religious faith may partially come from this placement as Jupiter in the 9th inclines a person to follow traditional or conservative spiritual paths. Since Jupiter's aspect is so close to the ascendant, the good fortune of the 9th house is transferred to her whole person.

Perhaps more important is that this chart is running the Jupiter-Venus dasha, which will be in effect until late November. The Jupiter dasha began in 1998 and will run until 2014. As we've seen, Jupiter is very well placed so that is broadly in keeping with her rise in status and power as mayor of Wasilla, then governor of Alaska and now as the VP nominee. As subperiod lord, Venus is very well placed in the 9th house in Pisces, its sign of exaltation and rules the 4th house of happiness and 11th house of gains. This is certainly an excellent combination of planets and generally bodes well for all matters. By itself, however, these planets do not confer victory in the election since they may describe the increase in status that Palin has enjoyed in this race so far. She could still lose the election and look forward to a bright future as a possible presidential candidate in the future. In that sense, the positive karma endowed in the Jupiter-Venus period may only represent her bursting onto the national stage, to say nothing of the collection of action figure dolls.

We also have to look at the situation of the dasha lords in context of the prevailing transits from now until the election. Transiting Jupiter is placed in the 6th house of competition. While this is not a great placement, it may not be that negative either since it may merely reflect the fact that she is engaged in a situation of ongoing conflict. It should also be noted that transiting Jupiter squares its natal position, which is another less than favourable pattern but not a deal breaker. On November 4th, transiting Venus is well placed on the 5th house cusp in late Scorpio and trines the ascendant. There will definitely be some sense of happiness and ease on election day, whatever the result. Transiting Mars squares her Sun on election day, and this suggests an infusion of energy that might be interpreted in various ways. Given Mars' rulership over the 10th house of status, it may be conferring status that goes with an election victory. It may also simply describe the tension and excitement on election day, particularly if the outcome is not known until late.

From that brief analysis, I would say the Palin chart allows for the possibility of a Republican win. However, the absence of any progressed planetary stations in Palin's chart is one important reason why I have nagging doubts that she and McCain can win. While politicians on both winning and losing sides can have supposedly "good" transits at the time of the election, they do not always translate into victory. Very often, the losing candidate's good transits may simply indicate the great public attention they are getting and the culmination of a long, exhausting campaign. Even losing can provide a semblance of relief.

Following the work of astrologer Richard Houck, one of the most important signals of a political win is the presence of a progressed station in a politicians' chart near the time of the election. Just as planetary stations are more powerful indicators of an event for either good or ill, progressed stations are often more emphatic expressions of planetary energy. Mars and Saturn stations are often negative and can indicate losses generally, depending on the larger configuration they are involved in. Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter stations are more commonly associated with successful endeavours, although they, too, can 'go the other way' if they are connected with negative planets and houses.

Of course, the presence or absence of a progressed station is not sufficient to predict the outcome of an election. There may be occasions when no station is necessary for victory, but in my experience these are quite rare. In this case, I note that both Saturn and Uranus are stationing by transit in the month following the election. Because both of these planets are slow moving, their transit stations may have comparable power to the minor progressed station of a fast moving planet that is otherwise not well connected to the rest of the chart. But here again, neither transiting Saturn nor Uranus energize a key point in the natal and relocated Palin charts. This is therefore another potential weakness in her chart that does not seal the deal of the Republican win in November.

As I've said all along, there are some obviously stressful and downright negative characteristics of the Obama chart in November. Like many astrologers, I've wondered aloud if these afflictions might indicate that some harm may come to him, or if he will just lose the election. The chart of the Democratic Party similarly appears to show some kind of conflict or sudden affliction that represents something other than a simple loss at the polls. The Biden chart seems more clearly powerful and positive to me, most obviously because the stationing Saturn-Uranus opposition is so close to his MC-IC.

John McCain's chart has the Saturn-Uranus opposition sitting on his relocated Asc-Dsc for Phoenix. While this may be seen to be roughly equivalent to Biden's situation, I see the involvement with the MC-IC as pertaining more directly to career and status, whereas the ascendant is more about the person himself. McCain also presents an interesting puzzle as far as the progressed stations go. He has a minor progressed Saturn station just a few days after the election. Saturn is often negative, but it's important not to make a snap judgement here. Saturn's progressed station occurs at 28 Aries, in close trine aspect to his natal Venus. Any soft aspect contact with malefics can be an indicator of success. Moreover, McCain's natal Saturn is very strong natally by virtue of it being in its own sign of Aquarius and being in close opposition aspect with Venus. If those were the only influences on McCain's progressed Saturn, then I would think he would win. However, things are murkier because the Saturn is also in a very tight square with minor progressed Mercury. Squares are very rarely good, and Mercury-Saturn squares are almost never indicators of positive events. Also, Saturn is sitting very close to the 8th house cusp of the natal chart. This is an unhelpful influence and reinforces the possibility of obstacles, sudden changes, and disappointments.

Confused yet? So am I! It's a complex picture to be sure, far more than the last presidential election in 2004 or the California election of Schwarzenegger in 2003. I was very confident of both of those successful predictions because the charts seemed unequivocal to me. Here that is not the case. While I still favour the Democrats to win, I'm not at all sure of this prediction. If I was betting, I wouldn't want to put much more than $10 on this outcome.

The other way to look at this election is to get a sense of the prevailing trends. Since the selection of Sarah Palin, the Republicans have gone up in the polls as she has captured much of the media attention once reserved for Barack Obama. McCain is now slightly ahead in the polls, reversing the long-held Obama advantage. I think the pendulum is about to swing back to Obama in the next week. This may probably be helped along by a deteriorating financial situation in the US as I am forecasting stock markets to fall further in the coming weeks. The most difficult time for McCain may be in the last week of September as transiting Saturn conjoins the natal Ketu in his campaign chart. At the same time, transiting Mars will oppose the natal Mercury. I believe that Obama and the Democrats will once again move into the lead in the polls by early October.

But at that point, Obama's campaign will stumble, perhaps fatally, on or around October 15-16 as Mercury stations on the 6th house of the campaign chart at the same time that Mars conjoins the descendant. This is really a very negative pattern that speaks to conflict, misunderstandings, and stress. Since this occurs near the time of the last debate on foreign policy, it may reflect a poor performance by Obama. Since this is the last debate, a bad showing there could be difficult to come back from. Obama will have to be in the lead before this debate in order to have any chance of winning on election day. He is almost certain to lose some popularity as a result of events of Oct. 15th. If he goes on to win, it likely won't be by a wide margin.

The exact Saturn-Uranus opposition on election day promises an election unlike any other. We already know it will be historically significant in some way depending on if Obama or Palin are elected. But I think the extent of the energy and tension of that day will exceed the symbolic nature of the outcome. It promises to be one very wild ride.

Dow plunges 500 points as financial turmoil deepens

2008-09-15T20:41:00.006-04:00

The Dow lost 500 points today as Wall St. tried to assess the implications of the bankruptcy of Lehman as the financial crisis deepened over the weekend. The Dow closed at 10,917 while the S&P finished the day at 1192. The S&P close below 1200 was below the previous July low of 1200 while the Dow nears its 2008 intraday low set back in January of 11,700.

This is very close to my prediction of two weeks ago in my long term outlook on my website -- repeated in last week's regular weekly forecast in my regular Market Jyotish blog -- that the markets would fall back to 11,000 and retest previous lows on either the 12th or 15th of September. The central astrological culprit was the trinal aspect of Rahu to Mars which happened to fall on the natal Saturn of the USA chart. Unlike many other configurations which are sometimes open to a lot of interpretation, this seemed like a clearer bearish indicator.

It's possible we will go lower tomorrow, although I'm not at all certain. It is hard to precisely correlate price magnitude with levels of planetary affliction. We should see some buying later in the week at least, although Friday looks negative. The market looks quite negative for the coming weeks. More significant declines are likely in early October and then again in the first week of November. The November decline looks worst and may be on the order of 10% or more in a single day. There's a good chance that the November decline will become known as a "crash".

I'm not sure where or when we might see the bottom but anything is possible here, including all the way down to 7500 and the 2002 lows by December. In other words, we may have another 25-30% to go in the short term. This is admittedly a worse case scenario, but the planets are indicating a grim mood in the coming weeks. A best case scenario might be a decline of another 10% -- down to 9700. That seems far too optimistic, however. I think the early October decline will put us under 10,000 as it is.

McCain picks Sarah Palin for VP

2008-08-29T18:23:00.005-04:00

In a daring political gamble, John McCain has picked little known Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. No doubt hoping to make their own case for change and appealing to disaffected Hillary Clinton supporters, the GOP rolled the dice today by tapping the 44-year old Palin.

Although her birth time is unknown, we do have her date of birth: February 11, 1964. Palin is all Saturn as her Sun-Mars-Saturn conjunction in late Capricorn and early Aquarius shows a non-nonsense, tough as nails fighter. Unfortunately for McCain, there isn't much significant planetary activity going on in her chart around election day. Without the birth time, one has to be careful about making any definite conclusions, but this is not a chart that shows victory on November 4th. There are no close aspects of any description, and there is very little action in the progressed charts as well.

In comparison with Joe Biden's very active chart, this is another piece of evidence that supports the notion that the Democrats behind Obama and Biden will win the election. Whatever twists and turns that may occur between now and the inauguration on January 20th, I'm even more confident now than the Democrats will win the White House in November.

Obama picks Joe Biden as VP nominee

2008-08-27T20:27:00.004-04:00

Joe Biden won the Veepstakes this week as the 65-year old Senator from Delaware was seen to bring experience and foreign policy credibility to the Obama ticket. Biden's horoscope is yet another window on the November election and its probable outcome. Based on the data we have, Biden was born Nov 20 1942 at 8.30 am in Scranton, PA. I have rectified this time back a few minutes to 8.27 but it's likely a fairly accurate time of birth.

It's a very strong chart with Sun and Venus rising in Scorpio closely aspected by exalted Jupiter in the 9th house. This may reflect Biden's early legal career and perhaps his overriding concern for social justice issues and sticking up for the little guy. The opposition aspect from Uranus and Saturn to these first house planets, however, may make him overbearing and unpredictable at times. The rising Sun can create an inflated ego while a rising Venus makes for charm and affability and an appreciation of the fairer sex. Perhaps that is par for the course with politicians. Biden's Moon in Aries aspected by Rahu is one potential source of his 'loose cannon' label since Rahu can create a instability of mind when it combines with the Moon.

Biden is currently running Jupiter-Jupiter dasha. Jupiter is wonderfully placed in the 9th house and points to success in all sorts of matters. However, it needs to be noted that the Saturn subperiod beings October 18th according to the Krishnamurti ayanamsha. Saturn is quite active in his chart as it receives an aspect from 1st and 6th house lord Mars. This is not necessarily negative, but it does suggest that competitions, conflict, and violence may be featured during this subperiod that runs until 2011. It should be noted that the death of Biden's first wife in 1972 is related to this Mars aspect to the 7th house retrograde Saturn. Perhaps more interesting is that at the time of the election on November 4th, transiting Saturn will conjoin the MC (the unequal 10th house cusp) in his chart while transiting Uranus will be close to this IC (the unequal 4th house cusp). This is a very powerful pattern that suggests to monumental changes in the native's life. They indicate a very stressful and chaotic time. Transiting Rahu will also aspect the natal Saturn and this suggests the possibility of new patterns of status since Rahu is placed in the 10th house in Biden's natal chart.

In addition to the close transits of Sun and Mars that occur election day, this is clearly a very energized chart. His tertiary progressed Pluto station in November is a classic indicator of political victory. Overall, there are many signs in this horoscope that point to an Obama-Biden win in November. And yet, there are an unusual number of negative or disruptive factors here that do not easily square with a victory. With the various negative indicators I've seen in the various relevant charts, I've wondered for months what the extenuating circumstances might be here. I do not think this will be a simple Obama victory on Nov 4th. The Saturn-Uranus opposition perfects on the very day of the election. Part of this energy of revolution and change (Saturn' structures upset by Uranus' radicalism) may simply be the historic significance of an Obama win, the first black man to win the highest office of the USA. But Biden's chart seems like it contains another layer of disruption of the status quo that goes beyond this.

So at this point, I would say Biden's chart very much points to an Obama win, but at the same time it reaffirms the notion of some kind of unforeseen development that complicates the election, either in terms of its outcome or in terms of a major event that proves distracting from it. Hopefully I can refine this foggy picture with new data including the horoscopes of the Biden acceptance speech, the Obama acceptance speech, and the Republican VP nominee.

McCain's houses

2008-08-21T22:27:00.004-04:00

John McCain's campaign hit a bump in the road today after he could not answer a reporter's question about how many houses he owned. The Obama camp has pounced on this as proof of how out of touch McCain is with the average person struggling to cope with housing and mortgage crisis. This has been given big play in the media with CNN labelling it "McCain's Gaffe".

This setback coincides with transiting Mars moving up to conjoin his natal Mercury which can often denote difficult and unexpected situations that cause annoyance. At the same time, the transiting Sun is being troubled by the aspect of his natal Ketu, suggesting a time when his ability to lead is compromised. This may be a difficult couple of days for McCain. However, this is unlikely to create a lasting problem as benefic Mercury and Venus are moving towards a close conjunction with his natal Venus on the weekend. Next week should belong largely to Obama anyway with the Democratic convention, but the week after looks quite difficult for Obama and very good for McCain.

Hillary's convention catharsis

2008-08-19T13:09:00.006-04:00

The Democrats get their three days of free media coverage next week as they converge on Denver for their Convention. While there is no longer any suspense surrounding the nomination of Barack Obama, questions remain about the overall tenor of the convention and the extent to which some of Hillary Clinton's supporters could create some awkward moments for the party. After considerable negotiation, Obama has acceded to Hillary's request for her name to appear on the ballot and for her supporters to have their day in the sun. So the stage is set for a certain amount of healthy difference of opinion on the convention floor, but is there any astrological clue that suggests that things could become fractious or otherwise divisive?

The transit of Mars to the natal Rahu in the Democratic Party horoscope suggests that there will a level of conflict and energy that may be somewhat excessive and perhaps make the Obama camp uncomfortable. I am also interested to see what the effect of the Mercury-Venus transit to the natal Mars in this chart will be. This occurs around Aug 23rd before the convention begins and may represent some minor setback for the Democrats in the election campaign. For the convention itself, the Mars conjunction to Rahu becomes exact on the 27th. This may be the most likely time when things may boil over somewhat.

While Hillary is scheduled to speak on the 26th, her chart does not suggest a major event. Mercury and Venus are squaring her Uranus so that can make for things to be a little out of one's control perhaps. Both benefic transiting planets come under the influence of her natal Rahu so that is another sign matters getting out of hand or things not working out in a favourable way for her. This is certainly not a positive pattern so Hillary may come up with the short end of the stick during the convention.

The 27th has two potential sources of conflict -- the roll call of state delegates to cast their votes for either Obama or Hillary and a speech by Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton's chart looks very animated at this time as the transiting Mars is conjunct his ascendant. Clinton has been widely criticized for his sometimes uncontrollable anger and some questionable statements during the campaign and lacklustre support for Obama. This Mars transit strongly points to another eruption by the former president, either during his speech or perhaps as a result of a roll call vote that ends with Hillary receiving an embarrassingly low number of votes. I think Bill Clinton will emerge as the big loser in the convention as the transiting Sun will be right on the 12th house cusp signifying loss, diminished status, and isolation. I would not be surprised to see him booed during his speech. In some way, Bill and Hillary Clinton will create difficulties for the Democratic Party.

But the overall effect of the convention is likely to be generally positive for Obama and the Party. Transiting Sun closely aspects the natal Moon in the natal chart suggesting high public profile and this is also in trine aspect to the natal Venus indicating convivial feelings. While neither nor the Moon nor Venus cast full strength aspects in Vedic astrology, it is important to remember that the mutual planetary interaction still exists because trine aspects are conjunct in the navamsa chart.

While I will await the selection of the VP candidate before making a definitive prediction on the outcome of this election, the horoscope of the Democratic Party is not in good condition in November. I noted some of these problems several months ago and couldn't quite figure out how the afflictions there could be reconciled with the charts of the key figures in the party. There seemed to be too much affliction to denote a victory. One alternative scenario was a win but under very trying circumstances such as warfare, rioting, or something of that disruptive nature. But looking at this chart again reaffirms just how chaotic the election period will be. While I had thought Obama's new birth time boosted his chances for winning, I wonder now if that might only translate into popularity and enhanced public visibility rather than actually winning office.

More on that topic to come.

Saturn in command: singer's voice was dubbed in Olympic opening ceremonies

2008-08-12T14:18:00.004-04:00

You could say it's a case of the control needs of Saturn having to rise to the surface. There is a controversy brewing both abroad and in China itself over a decision to dub the voice of a 9-year old girl singing Ode to the Motherland in the opening ceremonies. Apparently Chinese organizers thought the singer didn't have the right "look", so they got a more photogenic little girl to take her place. It has also come to light that Chinese television added computer-generated fireworks to enhance the spectacle of the opening ceremonies.

All of this supports the strong role of Saturn in the chart of the opening ceremonies. As I had suggested last week, the influence of Saturn would mean that the games would be seen as regimented and perhaps sterile, something that is more likely given these revelations for a heavily stage-managed presentation.

This is in keeping with my prediction of some kind of "confusion or technical malfunction" that was possible around the 11th owing to Mercury's vulnerable position in the China natal horoscope. While not a strictly technical problem, the exposure of this bit of excessive manipulation is broadly in keeping with the notion of a malfunction of planning that has blown up in organizers faces.

Meanwhile, the violence is heating up in the Western province of Xinjian, as three security officers will stabbed to death yesterday, the NY Times reports. This follows another bombing in Western China by Muslim separatists took place on the 10th and resulted in the deaths of ten people. This is yet another instance of violence during the Games that can be seen in the charts of China and the Olympics.

Murder in Beijing; Chinese man kills U.S. tourist

2008-08-09T08:30:00.003-04:00

In a random attack, a Chinese man attacked two American tourists and their Chinese guide, killing one of them, and then committed suicide by leaping to his death. The New York Times reports that the death has cast a pall over Beijing just a day after the well-received opening ceremonies.

A few days ago, I had suggested that there might be a violent or disruptive event at the time of the opening ceremonies. This killing, coupled with some minor protests that occurred the day prior to the opening of games would appear to have fulfilled that energy in the charts.

Bad weekend ahead for John McCain

2008-08-08T20:25:00.005-04:00

Looking at the John McCain campaign chart (Apr 25 2007 12.21 p.m), the approaching Sun-Ketu conjunction will be right on the natal Saturn of this chart. This aspect will be exact on Sunday, but it should be considered to be in range from Saturday to Monday. This is likely indicative of a some kind of frustration and anger, possibly involving the optics of his campaign to the media. With Saturn in the first house, I wonder if his age, a frequent target of talk show jokes, is part of the story. Transiting Mars passes over his natal Venus at the same time, so that might suggest this would have something to do with women. I don't see this event has being hugely significant, but it may put him on the defensive after Obama has been back on his heels in the past week.

As you can see, this is a powerful chart, but not one without some significant problems. The Moon-Saturn conjunction in the first house says this is the chart of the Old Man. The exalted Sun and Mercury in the 10th house near the Midheaven is a very strong feature. And having 11th lord Venus in its own sign of Taurus is an outstanding indicator for gains and victory. And yet the Mars-Rahu-Uranus conjunction in the 8th house is cause for concern and speaks to the prospect of violence and sudden incidents that may disrupt this election campaign. More on that later.

Beijing Olympics set to open

2008-08-05T17:14:00.004-04:00

Yesterday's terrorist attack in the Western Chinese province of Xinjiang by Muslim separatists has underlined potential security concerns for the upcoming Olympics which begin August 8th. As I've discussed previously, the springtime protests against the Chinese rule in Tibet during the torch relay were attributable to transiting Saturn's weakened state in the 8th house of the China horoscope. While Saturn has moved away from this point, transiting Ketu has now conjoined the natal Mars-Pluto conjunction. Mars and Pluto together create a picture of the exercise of power and the possibility of brutal violence. Ketu's influence here can bring out the sudden manifestations of these energies in sometimes shocking ways. Monday's attack was symptomatic of this planetary energy. Given the power of this transit and the co-presence of the transiting inner planets in the 8th house during the games, I think we can expect more violent and/or protest incidents over the next two weeks.

On the night of the opening ceremonies on the 8th, transiting Venus is very close to the 8th house cusp. Venus rules the 10th house of government and leaders and the 8th house represents embarrassments and setbacks. The transiting Moon comes under the aspect of natal Mars around midnight, indicating a possible moment of conflict and violence. On the night of the 11th, transiting Mercury moves to this same sensitive point in the 8th house, indicating a possible time of confusion or technical malfunction that affects the games and causes headaches. The fact that Mercury rules the 9th house of foreigners in the natal chart of China suggests that foreign nationals may be the source of the problem for Chinese officials. Finally, the two days at the close of the Olympics on the 23rd and 24th also look troublesome as transiting Sun moves across that 8th house cusp. At the same time, transiting Mercury and Venus conjoin the natal Mars in the 2008 Olympics natal chart at 29 Leo (see below). This may indicate situations that put officials in an awkward position for some reason, most likely due to protests. The closing ceremonies on the 24th display this pattern somewhat more strongly.

Another way to read the probable character of these Olympics is to examine the chart of the games themselves. The Olympics are scheduled to being at 8.08 pm on August 24th in Beijing. This chart therefore reflects the general nature of the games. What stands out most of all is that the lagnesh Saturn, ruler of Aquarius, is angular and aspects the ascendant quite closely. As we have seen from the build-up, the security presence in China for the games is extremely visible. Since Saturn represents order and structure, I think it's safe to say that the extreme security measures for these games will be a dominant feature. With Venus closely conjunct Saturn in the 7th house of others or guests, it's likely that visitors will probably feel oppressed somewhat by the security to the point where their enjoyment of the games will be compromised. This idea of a very regimented games is further seen by the situation of the Moon in Libra in the 9th house. As 6th lord of conflict, it is also aspected by Saturn suggesting that security will be seen as too strict although perhaps necessary to deal with the protests that may occur.

Overall, I think the games will be remembered as well-organized but probably too strict and sterile where the authoritarian character of China's government is laid bare for the whole world. Protests and smaller acts of violence will also mark the games on several occasions, although I don't expect anything hugely significant on that front. Mars is closely opposed by unpredictable Uranus in the Olympics natal chart, but the extent of any damage will be limited by the calming influence of the Jupiter aspect. This forecast will be amended by the chart for the declaration of the opening of the games which usually occurs near the beginning of the ceremonies on the first night.

Obama runs into turbulence

2008-08-02T15:04:00.004-04:00

On the heels of Barack Obama's successful world tour, his campaign has generated more potentially damaging controversy in recent days with the accusations about him playing the race card, the new McCain celeb ad that attempts to depict him in an unflattering light, and now Obama's apparent flip-flop on offshore drilling. Clearly, he is suffering the effects of the transiting Mars to his natal Mars. Several months ago, I had predicted that the first week of August would be a stressful and conflictual time for Obama and that seems to be taking place.

Given that Mars (25 Leo) is currently still a few degrees away from Obama's natal Mars (29 Leo), it's very likely that the upcoming week will mean more headaches and missteps for him. Remember, too, that the effect of this Mars transit to Obama is greatly magnified by the presence of transiting Uranus exactly opposite at 28 Aquarius. This combination can be volatile and is often associated with accidents and sudden actions which cause hardship. I don't think he's in any great danger here, but he's is likely to be on the receiving end of anger and animosity and maybe a rotten egg or tomato. I would expect more protests of the sort that he encountered in Florida when a number of black supporters tried to interrupted his speech. I think it's also possible that polling numbers to perhaps begin to favour McCain next week. Up to now, Obama has been ahead although his lead has shown signs of diminishing in recent weeks Obama's birthday is tomorrow August 4th. Before he blows out the candles, he may be wishing for Mars to get on its merry way.

I will post something on John McCain in the upcoming week. His natal Venus (29 Leo) will be subject to the same Mars-Uranus influence this week so he, too, may have to react to some sudden development that embodies some element of conflict or violence. It's possible there may be some news involving Iran that affects the presidential campaign.

New 7.24 p.m. birth time for Barack Obama

2008-06-23T16:36:00.013-04:00

Christmas came early to astrologers this year as the Barack Obama campaign responded to questions about his citizenship and released his birth certificate. He was born at 7.24 pm on August 4, 1961 in Honolulu. This is fairly close to the previously popular time of 7.11 pm, and while the basics of the chart do not change, there are some potentially significant differences in the varga or Hindu harmonic charts. So what does this new and apparently definitive birth chart reveal about Obama's future and the 2008 Presidential election?

In terms of his political aspirations, the 7.24 pm chart improves his chances in November. Moon becomes the current bhukti period and this will run until February. The Moon is well-positioned in the natal chart by virtue of being in Taurus, its sign of exaltation, and placed in the favourable 5th house, which also happens to be the house most associated with politics. If we tweak the birth time back a bit to about 7.20 pm, the Moon rises in the all-important D-10 dashamsha chart which represents career and status. While I tend to be wary of gratuitous tinkering with birth times in order to prove a theoretical point, this is a more legitimate rectification and conforms with the standard margin of error observed in officially documented birth times. Having the bhukti lord Moon rising the in D-10 chart is one important source of his current popularity. Significantly, the Moon subperiod began in November 2007, which was essentially the time when his campaign really took off.

This new chart also confirms the likelihood of troubles I had previously forecast for Obama for early July and then in early August. We can see transiting Rahu (24 Capricorn) is now within range of the ascendant and will continue to be for the next month of so. Rahu isn't always malefic, of course, but in Obama's chart it is more likely to create difficulties owing to its problematic natal situation: placed in the dussthana 8th whole sign house, conjunct Uranus and Pluto. Moreover, Saturn, its transit dispositor, is currently transiting the 8th house applying to a conjunction with Pluto. The 8th house represents surprises (often unwelcome), embarrassments, secrets and scandals, and accidents. I'll have a clearer idea about his election chances when he announces his VP running mate.

Besides his obvious popularity and political success, the other predominant theme in his chart is violence. This is seen through his natal Mars placed in Leo in the 8th whole sign house. The new 7.24 p.m chart unfortunately moves this Mars even closer to the equal 8th house cusp, which makes him more prone to violence and intrigue. In addition, Mars is debilitated in Cancer in the D-8 ashtamsha chart which represents troubles and hardships. It is worth noting that the next bhukti period after the current Moon period belongs to Mars and runs from March 2009 to February 2010. While dashas and bhuktis are not infallible predictive techniques, this is an important factor to consider when constructing a larger model of Obama's future. Given the difficulty of Mars' situation in Obama's chart, this is a possible time of violence against him or his family. Michelle Obama's chart is also heavily laden with active Mars symbolism and intense stresses. In fact, her chart looks so stressed, it is hard to imagine how it could represent a victory for Obama, and yet if there are other sources of hardship on a national and personal level at the time around the election, then they are possible expressions of her chart karma that may allow for an Obama victory. In that sense, negative karma is a zero-sum phenomenon that needs expression somewhere, the only question is how it is manifest. Without knowing her birth time, it is very tricky to figure out just how things will fall into place.

At the same time, I do not want to rule out the possibility of violence in the campaign (especially early August) and during the time after the election and before the inauguration. Transiting Mars conjoins his natal Mars in early August and this will be opposite unpredictable Uranus. While this is a time that will be marked by some kind of violence or sudden event, it's important to remember how there may be karmic surrogates for it such as some global military event that alters the course of the campaign. A strike against Iran is one obvious possibility at this time. Also, Saturn stations near his malefic natal Mars in the 8th house in November and December and these are also likely times of conflict and turmoil either in the country generally, or involving him specifically. So while the new time does enhance his chances of getting elected, it also increases the chances that he will be assassinated. Overall, I think the most dangerous period is summer 2009. Late December 2008 is also marked by some malefic patterns, most obviously transiting Sun and Mars forming an opposition to his natal Venus and the transiting Pluto. Venus represents his wife Michelle, so she is likely to be under stress at this time. And since Venus is also lord of the 10th house of career, it appears to be an indicator of stress from his job -- assuming for the moment that he wins the election, this may mean confronting a serious financial and/or international crisis. This also coincides with the Saturn-Uranus opposition and points to a major disruption (Uranus) to global economic structures (Saturn). The stock market is likely to decline sharply around that time. It seems the US and the world is entering a more difficult and turbulent period that may last for the next three years.

Server problems on my main site

2008-06-22T20:59:00.002-04:00

Just a brief note to let readers know that I'm having some server issues right now with my main Modern Vedic Astrology site. It is currently unavailable. These should be cleared up by mid-week -- I hope!

Hillary bows out

2008-06-07T14:23:00.003-04:00

Hillary Clinton ended the race for the Democratic nomination today and forcefully threw her support behind the candidacy of Barack Obama for president. After one of the closest and most intense nomination races in history, Obama has emerged as the presumptive nominee for the Democrats and is due to be formally nominated at the convention at the end of August in Denver.

While I had known that the current period would be difficult for Hillary, I did not foresee her defeat at this time. I underestimated the manifestations of the negative influences that were operating in her chart and believed instead that she would take the race all the way to the convention. So I was wrong. Astrology has never been an exact science, and I certainly make more than my share of mistakes. Moreover, the lack of reliable birth times for any of the candidates adds another layer of potential error to the inherent fragility of all astrological forecasting. Over the past three weeks, a new birth time has surfaced for Obama (7.11 pm) , which complicated matters further. It has not been verified by official documents and it seems unlikely that it ever will be.

That said, my forecast for imminent problems for the Obama campaign still largely stands, although now they will likely result in popularity gains for McCain. While it's still conceivable that some of these embarrassments may cause some Democrats to wonder aloud if Obama is electable, it is fanciful to think that they will somehow resurrect Hillary's chances. I know that the first week of August looks extremely trying for Obama and the Democrats, but it probably won't change the basic fact that Obama will be the nominee.

One interesting development in the coming weeks will be Obama's selection for Vice-President. I believe that he will pick Hillary, as her chart looks quite strong in early July, on either the 5th or the 13th. Transiting Mars and Saturn conjoin on her Midheaven while a grand trine is formed on the 5th between Venus, Uranus and her natal Mercury. On the 13th, the Sun replaces Venus in that alignment. She will be successful in all her endeavours at this time. Assuming that the race would still be on at this time, I had originally predicted that this would be a time when she would turn the tables somewhat on Obama. Now that the race is over, this favourable time will likely manifest as her being chosen for VP.

While I may have been dead wrong about Hillary Clinton winning the nomination, I'm still puzzled by the planetary configurations around the November election. These look stressful for Obama, the Democratic Party and, frankly, the USA as a whole, although they are not bad for Hillary and, in fact, one may even read them as favourable. One possible explanation might be that the Democrats lose the election and that segments of the country are sufficiently upset that protests or civil unrest result. And Obama loss would strengthen Hillary's hand going forward and into the next election cycle. I have to do a lot more work on this time period, including sorting out John McCain's chances. The problem is exacerbated by the appearance of a new birth time for him -- 11.00 am -- to go with the 9.00 am time that is already out there.

I've found a couple of new sources of information that may shed some light on how events may unfold. First is the wedding date of Barack and Michelle Obama on October 18, 1992 in Chicago. While one may wonder what a marriage horoscope has to do with a person's political fortunes, the answer is: quite a bit. When this chart is well aspected, the marriage does well and, by inference, so do the fortunes of both people involved. This marriage chart suggests an intellectually active and publicly significant union as the Moon-Mars conjunction in Gemini is closely opposed by Uranus and Pluto. This chart also seems afflicted, however, and generally it's not good to have the Moon influenced by Mars. This chart is under heavy affliction in November with the perfection of a couple of difficult tertiary progressions -- a Mars-Saturn opposition and Sun-Saturn square. Transiting Rahu will also conjoin the natal Saturn which is often unhelpful for stability and happiness. While it's possible that these measurements indicate some private marital strife between the Obamas at a time of great tension, they also add another perspective to the problems that Obama is likely to confront in the election. It does not bode well for a Democratic win in November, but it is not definitive in any way, particularly without a specific time.

Also, I found the chart of the Obama's eldest daughter, Malia - July 4, 1998. There is a 1999 birth year circulating out there for her, but I believe it is mistaken as I came across a media reference to her celebrating her 9th birthday in 2007 in the midst of July 4th festivities. There's no birth time with this chart but using the Libra Moon as the ascendant, we can see Sun and Mars in the 9th house of the father in Gemini. While the Sun is strongly placed indicating a powerful father, the presence of Mars in the 9th is more problematic. Moreover, it is aspected by Ketu within 4 degrees and by Saturn by third house aspect within 3 degrees. That is a very afflicted Mars in the 9th house of the father. It could signify any number of things including having a father who engages in military actions that do not turn out well, to having a father whose life is linked to violence in some way. Although the chart might indicate a good and intellectual father (Gemini), it seems too unremarkable to suggest a father who is president. Of course, one doesn't want to read too much into a chart without a birth time, but it's another fragment of evidence to consider in the overall puzzle.

Finally, I wanted to briefly discuss this new Obama chart for 7.11 pm. We're told it comes from official government documents, but since no astrologer can confirm it personally, it needs to be taken with a grain of salt. But at the moment, it is the most plausible chart. The problem that I have with this chart is that Mars, the planet of executive power and violence, is placed in the malefic 8th house. By my reckoning, this is not the chart of a president. Having Mars in the 8th can also indicate a sudden or violent death, although it is largely unafflicted, so Obama is likely to avoid that fate. It's worth noting that JFK had Mars in his 8th house as well, but it was in much worse shape, as it formed an 8th harmonic aspect with Pluto and was in square with Uranus.

As I've mentioned several times already, transiting Saturn will station just two degrees from that Mars at election time. Since Mars rules the 11th house of gains in this chart, this does not favour him in the election. Of course, the chart is uncertain, so my observations are contingent on new information that might come in regarding the birth time, or any new campaign developments that might serve to clarify his horoscope. I will be watching the events of early August closely and adjusting my forecast if need be. If Obama is damaged by some revelations or gaffes at that time, it will greatly diminish his chances of winning the presidency. I have always thought that Hillary Clinton's horoscope looked good for November 4th and January 20th for that matter, so I'm not sure how to connect all the dots here. It could be that I'm just not reading his chart right and Obama wins in November and therefore Hillary wins the VP and makes some history of her own. More when I know it.

Trouble looms for the Obama campaign

2008-05-13T13:38:00.002-04:00

While Hillary Clinton is poised for a lopsided win in West Virginia tonight, most observers no longer consider the primaries to be relevant any more, now that Barack Obama has moved into an unassailable delegate lead. Obama is now focusing his campaign speeches exclusively on Republican John McCain while wooing superdelegates in Washington. This is clearly his time to bask in the media glow as the de facto presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party.

Despite this apparent resolution in this fractious and hard-fought race, I believe that this situation will be thrown into chaos in the weeks ahead as some very malefic alignments form in the Obama campaign chart. (Feb 10 2007 10.13 a.m. Springfield, IL). Given the uncertainty that surrounds Obama's actual birth time (and Hillary's, too, for that matter) , the campaign launch charts have been fairly reliable indicators of the ebb and flow of the race. Although I've made some interpretive mistakes here and there, I can think of no better confirmation of the usefulness of this chart than the Jupiter station that occurred exactly on the Midheaven (unequal 10th house cusp) during last week, when Obama was flying high coming off the convincing win in NC. While I saw him doing well on May 6th, I underestimated the power of this configuration. The Jupiter station has raised him from frontrunner to de facto nominee as most observers agree that his lead cannot be surmounted by Hillary and the race is essentially over.

While I am reluctant to argue against something as powerful as a Jupiter station on the 10th house cusp, I can't help but see that Obama is going to be sideswiped very soon. One of the distinguishing features of the his campaign chart is a t-square involving Saturn (27 Cancer) , Moon (0 Scorpio), and a conjunction of Neptune (25 Capricorn) and the Sun (27 Capricorn). This is a negative influence as I see it, and suggests the failure or loss (Saturn) of a popular (Moon) dream (Neptune) of a leader (Sun). This potential will be realized through the movements of two key planets -- Rahu/Ketu and Mars. The Lunar Nodes, Rahu and Ketu, are fast approaching this Sun-Neptune-Saturn configuration. While the nodes have a changeable influence, they are more neutrally associated with breaking down structures and normal patterns. Rahu will soon conjoin the natal Sun-Neptune and produce exaggerated and distorted sense of idealism, overconfidence and entitlement, while Ketu comes to the Saturn and will tend to erase boundaries and structures of power. It's important to note that Hillary Clinton has a similar architecture of planets that will be subjected to this nodal influence in June and July. In her case, however, the Moon and Venus take the place of Obama's Sun. So it's clear that the nodal transit to this point (25-27 Capricorn) will cause great changes to the dynamic of the race. I think the effect of this transiting Rahu will be more damaging to Obama because his natal planets are aligned with that Moon in the first degree of Scorpio.

This is a potentially difficult placement since the Moon is debilitated in Scorpio and is associated with excessive and unpredictable emotions, weakness and sickness (especially with the Neptune influence) and difficulties involving women and sexuality. While this may simply refer to the fact that his main opponent in this race is a woman, I think there is also the possibility that he may be embarrassed by some kind scandal, perhaps one that involves sex. Another possible explanation might be some kind of unethical real estate dealings that come to light, because the debilitated Moon, as 4th lord of home and land is placed in the malefic 8th house. I know there has already been some talk of real estate transactions involving the shady Chicago political mogul Tony Rezko, so it's possible that something like that might come back into the picture. Still another possible scenario involves an exogenous event such as a sudden geopolitical or military development that compels people to rethink their confidence in Obama. In such a event, his perceived softness in foreign policy might be compounded by ill-considered comments. The most obvious time window to watch for these events to unfold is when transiting Mars moves into the first degree of Leo around June 21. This difficult and disturbing situation may in fact manifest earlier, say starting around June 14 when transiting Mars conjoins the transiting Ketu to conjoin the natal Saturn.

While there is likely going to be a single event that changes the race, I am also expecting Hillary's fortunes to improve perhaps as soon as the last week of May. This may not correspond to much improvement in her chances of winning right away, but look for hints of better coverage and small successes. This will be partially due to the retrograding of Mercury then, which occurs on May 26th, which his is often associated with reversals of established trends. The first significant indicator that Hillary's fortunes are looking up should come around June 3rd when transiting Mars conjoins its natal position in Hillary's chart. With Mars in her 10th house of status and leadership, this looks like a bold, assertive, in-your-face sort of move. This corresponds with the date of the last primary, so it likely has something to do with delegate counts and possibly the ongoing dispute over the Michigan and Florida delegates. It seems unlikely that Hillary can reverse this Obama coronation at the convention through purely tactical and legal means, since her aides admitted said that she still trails Obama even when potential delegates from MI and FL are included in the count. I think for the race to be recast, I think the scandal/big event scenario seems more likely. And yet, there is also a sense of a gradual shift in momentum that happens here over the course of June and beyond. I'll see if I can post something else if details become clearer to me.

Two other dates to watch out for are July 28th and August 5th. On July 28th, transiting Mars conjoins the natal Ketu of the Obama campaign chart. Since Hillary's chart has more or less the same placement of the nodes, this looks to be a sudden situation that catches people off guard, perhaps in both camps. What's worse for Obama is that this Mars will oppose his Venus which is often a sign of conflict, anger and loss of happiness. As I've mentioned before, the first week of August, These looks extremely volatile as tr Mars opposes tr Uranus. This will negatively activate the Mars in the Democratic Party chart as well as the Mars in Obama's birth chart. This appears to be the time of the most intense conflict and state of upset and division between the two rival campaigns. This fight may threaten the very existence of the Democratic Party.

In a nutshell, this race is far from over. And I still think Hillary Clinton will somehow emerge as the Democratic nominee.

When a split is really a win

2008-05-07T16:01:00.010-04:00

Things are again looking very precarious for Hillary Clinton after Tuesday's primaries. Hillary Clinton did manage to split by winning Indiana but overall the night belonged to Barack Obama as he easily won North Carolina and increased his delegate and popular vote lead. Most pundits are now saying the race is essentially over and even Clinton supporter George McGovern has now suggested that she leave the race. My central focus last night was on how the tr Venus transiting over the Obama campaign chart's ascendant would manifest. Since this was a clear signal for happiness and rewards for Obama, I thought it might have meant a sweep for him. As it turned out, he did basically carry the evening by increasing his delegate and vote lead and stopped whatever momentum Hillary had as a result of the Wright controversy. Clearly, that campaign chart is correct and is a good barometer of how things are going. The Clinton win in IN also gave her reason to fight on and therefore also fulfills my prediction that Howard Dean would be somewhat frustrated by the events of last night (including the tardy Lake county results), as he seeks to end the race as soon as possible and avoid a damaging fight at the convention in August.

It's no secret that the coming days are going to be difficult for Hillary. She's had to loan her campaign $6.4 million to keep it going. There will likely be more superdelegates coming out for Obama to further increase the pressure on her to drop out. The astrological signs support this picture of a difficult time for her. A few dates stand out. First, I see that tr Mars and tr Moon will oppose the Sun in her campaign chart on May 10, which suggests conflict and stress from authority figures. This may manifest as a significant endorsement for Obama ahead of the West Virginia primary on May 13. Interestingly, this coincides with tr Mercury aspecting the natal Jupiter which can indicate some major news development. While not necessarily unfavourable, since it coincides with the Mars-Sun aspect, I don't see this as helpful to Hillary. It is conceivable there may be a silver lining here, although I wouldn't bet on it.

The other key date is the primary itself on May 13. There will be a rather close planetary alignment that day which features the Sun in a square to the nodes, Rahu and Ketu. And remember that Neptune is conjunct Rahu so that's essentially a four-planet pattern. The problem for Hillary is that this t-square is configured closely with her 1-7 axis (ascendant-descendant). While this is not inherently bad, the tr Sun will receive the exact aspect of her 10th house natal Saturn that night. While Saturn has some strength to bring fame by virtue of its 10th house placement, this square aspect is often a difficult energy to handle and often indicate loss (Saturn) of ego and vitality (Sun). Moreover, the tr Sun will conjoin Hillary's natal Rahu, which also tends to be problematic and speaks of situations that cause upset or are disruptive. Another potentially unhelpful aspect is formed by tr. 8th lord Mars which squares her natal Sun. While this infuses energy and combativeness, the square aspect is usually too much to deal with and since Mars is her 8th lord of obstacles and anxiety, this is a another clue that the evening will not go well. Of course, in Hillary's chart, Mars is placed in the 10th house of status and fame, so there is some kind of a boost in status here. But collectively, these planets suggest poor results.

On Obama's side, the picture is better. In his natal chart, on May 13, tr Sun and tr Jupiter form a grand trine with his natal Mars. This is a powerful and almost always positive pattern that is what one would expect for a victory. It's true that tr Mars is conjunct his Mercury so there will be some rancour and intense competition that day, but this is in keeping with a closely-fought election race. In his campaign chart, he is currently enjoying the fruits of a Jupiter station on his Midheaven (unequal 10th house cusp). This station (reversal of planetary direction) occurs on the 9th and will be trined by tr Sun on the 13th. This is a very significant marker for a successful endeavour. It's hard to see the outcome as anything but an Obama victory in West Virginia.

Since this is supposed to be a Hillary-friendly state, this may be part of an endgame that will play itself out in the coming days. It's worth noting that the grand trine that Obama's chart has with the Sun-Jupiter aspect is also seen in the chart of the Democratic Party since their Mars' are conjunct around 27-29 Leo. This likely reflects the Obama victory and the momentum he will gain when the party begins to rally to him. The grand trine is repeated a few days later on May 18th as Venus takes the place of the Sun. This may be another significant date in the campaign and may represent another boost for Obama and a further sense of resolution and calming in the party.

So is there any way Hillary can win this thing now? There's no question the short term astrological indicators look very challenging for her. From a purely political perspective, I don't know how she could possibly withstand another defeat and stay in the race. So I think there is a very real chance that she will pull out, either on the 13th or perhaps on the 18th. This isn't likely mind you, just a reflection of how difficult the transits at that time will be for her. I realize this makes mincemeat of my prediction that she would win, but given the forces aligned against her, this is going to be a very difficult time for her. Can she pull a rabbit out of her hat? I don't see this happening in the next couple of weeks. And yet I feel that the unresolved issues of Florida and Michigan will somehow continue to haunt this race. Early August appears to be a key moment where events and conflicts may overtake the campaign. Tr Saturn opposes natal Mercury in the Obama campaign chart suggesting obstacles or disappointments while Ketu conjoins the Uranus in the Democratic Party chart indicating possible sudden disruptive events. It's also possible that these patterns reflect Democrat setbacks in the election vs. the Republicans. Regardless, the convention promises to be lively to say the least.

What really makes me think that something hasn't been resolved yet is that the chart of Democratic Party is so troubled (May 13, 1792, shown at right). This makes me wonder what sort of new and unpredictable scenario may emerge between here to November. I note that in the spring of 1968, tr Pluto conjoined the natal Mars (27 Leo) of the Democratic Party chart. This coincided with the tumult within the party that arose after President Johnson refused to seek re-election in the wake of the ongoing protests against the Vietnam War. As a result, the race opened up to include anti-war candidates Robert Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy. While RFK was assassinated, McCarthy ending up losing to pro-war Hubert Humphrey in a brokered convention where party insiders ruled the day. To cut to the chase: in November, Saturn and Uranus will form an opposition just two degrees from that Mars, with Saturn forming the conjunction. While this is a different energy than Pluto, it is still very disruptive and suggests that struggles and conflict will dog the party for most of the campaign. In fact, this almost looks like the party itself will be in turmoil near election day, and probably not just because of what transpires at the polls. It's hard to imagine what sort of unusual development this may indicate, but several options are possible, including the possibility that the Democrats will not be united. Saturn and Uranus are like opposites -- the rigid structure of tradition coming in contact with an indomitable Promethean energy. Moreover they are trying to find an accommodation through Mars, the planet of aggression and action. It's a tension-filled trinity of planets that will rule the US in November. One thing is for sure: this will not be a routine election from here on in. I will post more updates as time allows.

Obama slipping in latest polls

2008-05-01T17:22:00.002-04:00

Hillary Clinton's campaign appears to be getting a double-barreled boost from her Pennsylvania win and the seemingly inexplicable desire of Rev. Jeremiah Wright to destroy Barack Obama's political future. The intense media scrutiny of Wright's comments and Obama's reaction to them has once again raised questions about his electability. Hillary has now moved into a statistical tie in national polls and more importantly ahead in Indiana, which votes on May 6. I had predicted an Obama setback around this time (May 2) and it seems that I was off a few days with the reigniting of the Wright controversy.

Given the current trends, it seems that my previous prediction -- although it was anything but confident -- of an Obama win in Indiana is going to be wrong. Given the current dynamics, it is hard to see how Hillary will lose Indiana. Certainly, this fits in with my larger prediction that she will win the nomination. Losing in Indiana would make that almost impossible, so I'm actually quite pleased that she's ahead there as it gives her a realistic chance. Nonetheless, from an astrological perspective, I still have to address some unanswered questions, specifically why is Venus rising in the Obama campaign chart on May 6th? It's conceivable that this may signal some setback because of Venus' natal conjunction with Rahu, but it's not at all what one would expect. And it's possible that the Venus (happiness) stands for some other favourable development in the campaign other than the Indiana result. Astrology is, above all, a science of inference. The other more unsettling possibility is that the campaign chart isn't actually that reliable. I'm not willing to go that far yet but a big Hillary win in Indiana that further encroaches on Obama's status as front runner will undermine my faith in it.

Given Howard Dean's likely preference for Obama, it's likely that the problems I saw in his chart for May 6th reflect Hillary winning. With her already widening the lead in the most recent Indiana polls, a Clinton win seems to be the most likely manifestation of Dean's annoyance and disappointment rather than my speculation of legal challenges of primary results on election night.

Although I had been predicting a Hillary win in this race for months, I couldn't quite see how she could actually do it in political terms given her deficit in delegate support. The ongoing media appetite for the Wright controversy and the related issue of Obama's inability to appeal to working class Democrats supplies the plausible answer to this puzzle. If she manages to win both IN and NC that would accelerate the questions about Obama. I still don't see her winning NC, but I have to be honest and say I can't see this one very clearly. Perhaps it means the results overall will be ambiguous, or perhaps it's just an artifact of my chart reading limitations.

I'm looking at the Sun-Saturn square near May 22nd as another potentially significant date for the campaign. This appears to favour Hillary because the transiting Sun, the 11th lord of gains, aspects her Jupiter in the 2nd house of status. In Obama's chart, by contrast, this completes the negative feedback look to his natal Taurus Moon. Given the proximity of the Kentucky and Oregon primaries on May 20th, I think this bodes well for Hillary's results there. I'll try to refine the predictions later on.

Democrats 24-7: from Pennsylvania to Indiana

2008-04-25T19:38:00.005-04:00

Hillary Clinton managed to keep her nomination hopes alive after yet another back-to-the-wall primary victory, this time in Pennsylvania. The margin was a little short of the psychologically important 10%, but it has still managed to achieve the desired aim of forcing the media and party insiders to begin to question Barack Obama's ability to win the centrist Reagan Democrats. I had thought that a big win like this was possible on the basis of the grand trine in Hillary's chart, while Obama was suffering from the various afflictions in his natal and campaign charts. All in all, I'm satisfied that the essence of my forecast has largely come to pass.

The next primaries are set for May 6th in North Carolina and Indiana. With its large population of African American and university graduates, there is no doubt that Obama will win NC handily. The real focus is then on Indiana which arguably represents a more typical cross-section of voters where Hillary can press her case that she is the better candidate to win key swing states in the November election. Polls thus far show they are in a statistical tie.

This one is a tough call as there are good and bad indications for both candidates. At this point, I'm less certain about the outcome than I was for Texas and Ohio. One thing seems likely -- DNC Chair Howard Dean will not be happy with the outcome as the tr Moon-Mercury in the 12th house form a square to his 3rd house natal Saturn. This may be due to either 1) a Hillary win in Indiana which further intensifies the division in the party and draws out this internecine battle or 2) an Obama win that is disputed by the Hillary side on procedural or technical questions. The likelihood of bad blood is perhaps also in evidence in the chart of the Democratic Party where the tr Mars in the 6th from the Moon forms a t-square with the natal Saturn-Neptune opposition. This may simply represent a lot of disappointed Hillary supporters at a loss in a crucial primary, but I believe it signals something more problematic for the party. A more prosaic explanation would be that Hillary might lose but refuse to drop out of the race arguing that Indiana is not a must-win Democratic state, as say Pennsylvania or Ohio are. This would mean the nomination race would continue and Howard Dean would still be stuck in the middle of it all.

I had predicted that Obama would run into some headaches in the days leading up to the primary, say on May 2. While these may be temporarily damaging to him, there are good signs on election day for him such as tr Venus conjoining the ascendant of the campaign chart. While it is no guarantee of happiness and achievement especially given Venus' natal conjunction with Rahu which can sometimes destabilize Venus transits, it is still a generally favourable factor that seems to point to an Indiana victory.

Nonetheless, Hillary Clinton does have some positive influences on May 6th. Transiting Sun, as 11th lord of gains, will oppose her 1st lord Venus, for example. The combination of these two houses is often a sign of a reward or improvement. The difficulty here is that there isn't much else besides that as a signal for a win where one might expect here to be. So it's seems a little thin in the plus column and may only indicate some kind of silver lining to the day's events. Chelsea Clinton's chart also doesn't appear particularly strong on that date (e.g. tr Mars aspects her natal Ketu), so that is another potential sign that a win for Clinton may not happen in Indiana. While I'm less certain of this primary prediction than any other so far, my best guess then is that Obama will narrowly win Indiana and Hillary will somehow find a way to carry on.

One interesting side note is that when the winner is decided in the evening of May 6th, the Moon will conjoin Aldebaran in the middle of Taurus. This is a fixed star that is associated with royalty and popularity, and is associated with political power. On the surface that might represent the front runner Obama winning the day, as there may be a sense of crowning in the air. However, as fixed star expert Vivian Robson has written, "[Aldebaran's] benefits seldom prove lasting and there is also danger of violence and sickness." I'm not suggesting one has to take this literally as the violence may only be symbolic, such as Hillary Clinton calling the DNC on ongoing legality issues concerning the vote in MI and FL. Again, I don't want to make too much of this coincidence of the Moon's position on May 6th, but I thought it was worth a mention.

Regardless of what happens in IN and NC, I am still predicting that Hillary will win the nomination. I would currently put my confidence level at 70%, indicating that this is the most likely outcome although not quite in the 'sure thing' category. For comparison's sake, current sentiment on Intrade.com puts her chances at about 17%.

Debate puts Obama on the defensive

2008-04-17T13:37:00.004-04:00

By most accounts, Hillary Clinton came out of last night's Pennsylvania debate looking better than Barack Obama, who was put on the defensive for much of the evening. This largely confirms my April 2 forecast that Hillary would perform well in the debate while Obama would have problems:

"The April 16th debate looks very good for Hillary. Venus is conjunct her natal part of fortune on that day which usually indicates situations that work in one's favour. Also transiting Sun and Mercury will be aspected by his natal Rahu. This usually signals an awkward and unfavourable situation. He may come off as overly combative or perhaps just a little out of control here and his arguments will not be effective."

While Obama was never "out of control", several journalists have noted how weak some of explanations were for his recent gaffes and miscues.

The PA primary is next on the 22nd and Hillary is poised to win. The question is: by how much? I think she still has a shot at the crucial 10 point margin of victory, although I wonder if some of the strength in Obama's campaign chart might be a signal that the margin is narrower (less than 10%), and hence the victory might only be symbolic, as HRC would only cut into Obama's delegate lead marginally. While this weaker sort of victory is possible, I think a more convincing double-digit win is the most likely scenario. I don't foresee any significant negative news for Hillary in the days leading up to the primary that would reduce her current lead, which has been measured at about 5 points.

After the primary, Hillary may suffer some kind of setback around Apr 28 when tr Mercury conjoins her natal Rahu and comes under the aspect of Saturn. This looks embarrassing but I don't think this will do any lasting damage but it will only be in the news cycle for a couple of days. It may involve leaders or authority figures (esp foreign or hidden ones) whose words jeopardize her integrity and threaten her position. Obama will have to deal with a problem of his own around May 2nd, so that is likely to shift attention away from Hillary's difficulties. This May 2nd situation looks like it may rekindle more realistic hopes that the nomination is actually winnable. That seems improbable now, but it's a date worth watching.

Obama busted on "bitter" comments

2008-04-12T15:44:00.004-04:00

Barack Obama has provided the most recent gaffe on the campaign trail with his comments on April 11 that small town Pennsylvania voters were bitter, religious, gun-toting xenophobes. Both Hillary and John McCain have suggested that the remarks are a sign that Obama is arrogant, elitist and out of touch with American reality.

This fits with my April 2 prediction that Hillary would experience a small boost from an intensification of the campaign at this time:

"For the next few weeks, I think her campaign will continue to be regarded as a long shot without any real chance of winning. There will be more little points scored along the way on both sides of course. Look for an intensification of the sniping and mud-slinging on both sides around April 11th. I think Hillary will gain a small advantage from that phase."

Although it is debatable if the campaign has actually become dirtier, there's no doubt that Hillary has scored some points over this, and the remarks were made on April 11th, right on schedule. This occurred as transiting Mars fell under the aspect the natal Rahu in both the campaign charts. Since the campaigns were launched just a few weeks from each other, the nodes are less than a degree apart. In Obama's case, the proximity of the Mars to his campaign chart's IC makes it worse for him. Also Sun, Mercury and Venus are transiting through Pisces the Obama campaign's 12th house which is a weakening effect, while they are moving through Hillary's second house which is more positive for communicating since the second house rules speech.

This gaffe gives Hillary some potentially useful talking points against Obama in the upcoming debate on the 16th. I am still predicting that she will peform much better than Obama there. If this 'elitist' label starts to stick to Obama, then it will likely give Hillary the boost her campaign needs to win Pennsylvania by at least 10 points. While the astrology favours Hillary in PA (60-40!), I was still having difficult seeing how it would actually happen in reality. Now with Obama's "bitter" comments, one can see how Hillary can gain the strategic advantage and storm to victory on the 22nd.

Olympic torch relay protests

2008-04-07T14:27:00.001-04:00

China's problems are not getting any better as pro-Tibetan protests caused the Olympic flame do go out at least five times today in the relay through Paris. The rest of the relay through France has been cancelled.

This is more or less in keeping with my prediction that China's international reputation would be sullied as transiting Mars squared all of its 9th house planets in early April. I can see this tarnishing of China's image continuing for the rest of the week at least, as tr Mars (21 Gemini) will activate the natal Neptune-Ketu conjunction. April 12-15 looks especially damaging to China as the Ketu aspect is more exact. This may be a outbreak of significant violence in the relay which may intensify calls for a boycott, at least of the opening ceremonies. This has already been suggested by some EU members as a possible course of action and is the official position of some Tibetan protest groups.

Hillary's April showers and The Democratic Convention

2008-04-05T11:21:00.002-04:00

The HRC campaign continues its run of bad luck and bad karma with the release yesterday of the Clinton's tax information showing they had made $109 million since Bill left the White House. This on the same day that Hillary announces that she would establish an anti-poverty czar if elected. [cut to Jon Stewart's deer in the headlights look here]. This was likely the result of transiting Mars square aspect to her natal Neptune in the 12th house which often creates embarrassments or distortions. I think she may have something go her way this weekend (esp on Sunday) as tr. Venus picks up her natal Jupiter's aspect. But Monday and Tuesday look like more conflict and backpedaling for her as that Venus moves into range of the square from natal Mars in her campaign chart.

This campaign is in trouble right now and she runs the risk of the nightmare scenario of losing Pennsylvania on Apr 22. While I still think it's winnable for her, I have previously acknowledged there is a configuration in the Obama campaign chart. that may indicate that he wins on the 22nd. This is the transiting Mars hitting his unequal 4th house cusp while tr Jupiter moves over his unequal 10th house cusp. Mars (action, conflict) and Jupiter (politicians, ideals) oppose each other then, so its an appropriate pattern for this battle royal. It's a very singular and powerful pattern in Obama's chart which could coincide with a win. Hillary's chart still shows strength on the 22nd however the presence of transiting dasha lord Venus on the equal 6th house cusp is cause for some concern. This generically means "conflict" which is appropriate for an election contest, but there is a sense of difficulty here too, as if it may be too much for her to handle. Bottom line, I still expect her to win here, but my confidence level is not what it was for TX and OH. I was more like 80% or more certain she would win there as the astrology of those wins looked far more clear cut. My sense of Pennsylvania is more like 60%.

The reason I'm revisiting this prediction is because I'm trying to make sense of the her declining fortunes in light of the charts.. I've got some things right so far like her winning Texas and Ohio, but I've been wrong too. I have to admit that I could be wrong about Pennsylvania as well, and indeed about her nomination. This election has been unusually challenging for astrologers because of lack of documented birth times for either candidate. This means that birth time-dependent placements like houses and rulerships have to be used with a grain a salt and this increases one's margin of error. And just to state the obvious, no astrologer, especially me, is going to be correct all the time. It's a probabilistic endeavour at best, where one can sometimes see things in the future that fall outside of normal perception. This is rarely a consistent ability of prediction in the conventional scientific sense of the word. And when you throw in personal preferences into the mix (yes, I like Hillary), staying objective is hard to do.

Somehow, Hillary needs to find a way to survive in April while her chart is under pressure. Her subperiod lord Saturn is retrograde in the 11th house of gains making progress slow if not impossible. When this changes direction and goes forward on May 2, her luck should improve. Until then, she is going to have a tough time, which may include losing Pennsylvania. I still think she has enough strength in her chart to win it, but I want to be up front about some second thoughts I'm having. The astrology is by no means clear. But if she does end up losing it, then the campaign is effectively over.

And even if she survives into May, Saturn will then aspect her natal Sun by 3rd house sextile aspect. This places a handicap on her husband (males are represented by the Sun) and her vitality which is also symbolized by the Sun. Therefore, she may be more prone to weakness and illness through May and June. More significantly, the Sun also represents authority so this may be the time when she tangles with the DNC in a more open way. Overall, it's a difficult transit and not necessarily one that will boost her chances. My original prediction for Obama's hard times in May was based on the assumption that the race would end then. Since this won't happen, those negative influences in his chart will likely show setbacks and more intense conflicts that he will have with Hillary and perhaps the party as a whole. A possible indicator of his declining fortunes, however temporary, may be seen in the retrograde station of his dasha lord Jupiter on May 9. Also Uranus is applying to station in a close opposition to his natal Mars (29 Leo) in June suggesting too much energy or conflict that is out of control. I note that June 24 is particularly over-energized for Obama as Uranus stations that day and transiting Mars conjoins his natal Uranus. This signature of action, aggression and suddenness is not going to be helpful to Obama at all, and may extend beyond the realm of political conflict and into some kind of personal threat.

So while I am hedging a bit here in the face of a bleak reality, I still would favour Hillary winning in PA and then winning the nomination although I'm less confident about it than I was before. Another interesting dimension is how a potential fight with the DNC might play out. If Hillary wins PA as I think she might, the prospect of a legal challenge to seat the delegates from MI and FL grows. I think there is good reason to think there will be a very nasty fight in the party possibly right up to the convention as the chart of the Democratic Party (May 13 1792) is very afflicted. For example, the natal Mars (27 Leo) will be opposed by Uranus in the coming months suggesting a time of chaos and uncontrollable developments. The Democratic Party has roughly the same placement of Mars as Obama has hence the Uranus opposition shows up in both charts. A possible clue to what the convention might hold can be seen in the conjunction of transiting Mars to the natal Rahu. This strongly indicates an explosion of anger and actions that fall outside the boundaries of normal behaviour. At the same time, transiting Ketu conjoins the natal Uranus, which again indicates excitement that gets out of control, or perhaps sudden changes or developments.

DNC chair Howard Dean's chart (Nov 17 1948) shows too much activity to suggest smooth sailing all the way to the convention. July and August look particularly stressed. He's running Saturn-Rahu dasha at a time when transiting Saturn conjoins its natal position -- a Saturn return. What's worse, on July 11, tr. Mars and Saturn conjoin on his natal Saturn. This does not sound like a tea party, particularly as the tr Saturn will aspect his natal Ketu simultaneously. This looks like a time when rules are being cast aside and matters are in disarray. To top it off, at the time of the convention in late August, tr Saturn will exactly square Dean's natal 12th house Moon, indicating a time of loss and disappointment. This may reflect a disappointment that his preferred choice has lost, or it may indicate disappointment that has damaged its image. It's not all bad, however, as tr Jupiter is close to his 7th house cusp symbolizing successful encounters with colleagues. So it's possible that the party comes out of the convention intact. I'll post more on this topic later.

Hillary's back to the wall -- again

2008-04-02T16:28:00.004-04:00

Things haven't been going well for Hillary Clinton lately. After the boost she received in the wake of the Jeremiah Wright revelations in mid-March, she stepped in it all over again with the Bosnian sniper "misremembering", the Richardson endorsement of Obama, and several key Democrats calling for her to pull out of the campaign for the sake of party unity. Her inability to keep the momentum she had in early March has led a growing number of commentators to predict her eventual defeat. I had expected late-March to be better for her so I admit to being a little puzzled. Mostly I was relying on her campaign chart and thought that the Mercury-Venus transit across that chart's ascendant would see gains for her. In fact, the opposite occurred. It's possible that I simply misinterpreted the transit effects due to the presence of the often unpredictable Rahu near the ascendant. Another possibility is the campaign chart is inaccurate.

Whatever the case, it's important to distinguish between types of predictions. Missing a prediction on a relatively minor event or trend on the campaign trail is not the same as missing the outcome of a primary or an election. Since there is far more at stake in an election contest, the manifestations in the horoscope are almost always stronger and easier to read. That's why my inability to foresee Hillary's recent decline in the polls doesn't change by basic assessment of her chances in Pennsylvania and the Democratic nomination. I still see her winning the Pennsylvania primary. And as unlikely as it now seems, I still see her winning the nomination. Astrology aside, I don't know how this will happen. To say it's going to be an uphill road is an understatement. It may require some nasty legal challenges to the DNC over FL and MI delegates, or it may hinge on some improbable Obama scandal.

I've been gratified by the many readers that have requested updates of my forecast of this election campaign. I can't imagine how agonizing it must be for Hillary Clinton supporters to watch the ups and (especially) downs unfold on the news every night in this seemingly interminable campaign. Sorry for being a bit casual in my posting. Aside from being very busy, the truth is I haven't found any new information that has warranted a substantial revision of my original prediction. I did feel bad I missed the recent decline in her fortunes, but as I see it, it's not that big of deal, either for my analysis, or for her campaign. For the next few weeks, I think her campaign will continue to be regarded as a long shot without any real chance of winning. There will be more little points scored along the way on both sides of course. Look for an intensification of the sniping and mud-slinging on both sides around April 11th. I think Hillary will gain a small advantage from that phase The April 16th debate looks very good for Hillary. Venus is conjunct her natal part of fortune on that day which usually indicates situations that work in one's favour. Also transiting Sun and Mercury will be aspected by his natal Rahu. This usually signals an awkward and unfavourable situation. He may appear come off as overly combative or perhaps just a little out of control here and his arguments will not be effective.

After the presumed win on April 22, what I'm watching for next is for the race to change its fundamental complexion in May. I think time around May 2 may prove to be a pivotal date as Obama's chart has a number of difficult patterns such as the transiting 12th lord Mercury conjoining his Moon, and transiting Mars opposing his Saturn. While I initially thought Hillary would have been out in front by now, I've also said all along that the May and June were going to be the critically difficult months for Barack Obama. Originally, I saw him dropping out of the race at this time. This now seems impossible given the delegate counts and the larger party dynamics, but the negative energy is still in place for him then so his candidacy will suffer some major setbacks that will make his candidacy no longer appear inevitable. This will be a bit like what the campaign was like in the days following Texas and Ohio, only much more so.

If there are some new or unexpected developments, I will be sure to post something promptly.

Tibetan Protests

2008-03-22T15:40:00.003-04:00

Riots and violence have continued in Tibet over the weekend as the Chinese have moved in military units to "crush" the apparently unorganized independence protest. The situation is making for a PR nightmare for Beijing in its Olympic year.

We can see the violence flaring in the China chart (Oct 1 1949 3.15 pm Beijing) as tr Mars conjoins natal Uranus in the 6th house of conflict. From a wider view, we can see that this is not a passing problem. The chart is running Saturn-Venus. While Venus is well placed natally in Libra in the 10th house, it comes under close square from the debilitated natal Mars, which is in turn conjunct Pluto. This promises some degree of conflict during the duration of its subperiod. Lagnesh Saturn is placed in Leo in the 8th house. We can understand that these problems are cropping up now by looking at the situation of lagnesh and dasha lord Saturn in transit: it is currently in the middle of the equal 8th house in Leo and therefore in a state of affliction. The malefic 8th house is associated with obstacles in general, and more specifically with embarrassments and scandals. That certainly sums up all the bad press the repressive Chinese government has been getting lately as its darker side has been on display for the whole world to see.

I don't think the core of the current flare up of the Tibet problem will let up as long as tr Saturn remains in proximity to 10-12 degrees of Leo which form the deepest and more afflicted part of the 8th house. This conflict and armed occupation will last until the summer, and unfortunately for the image-conscious Chinese, into the Olympics which run from Aug 8-24. What is perhaps more troubling for China is that tr Mars and Rahu will conjoin at 25 Cancer near China's Mars-Pluto conjunction. This happens in mid-June and points to another unwelcome event, either another significant outbreak of violence or perhaps some formal international fallout (boycott?) from China's actions in Tibet. In light of its currently afflicted chart, it seems that the Olympics will be mired in controversy.

More immediately, I am curious about the effects of tr Mercury and Venus in opposition to China's natal Saturn on or near March 24. This looks like a worsening of the conflict, albeit perhaps more in terms of China's image overseas. The conflict and its diplomatic fallout is likely to intensify in the next couple of weeks as Mars continues its transit through Gemini since its square aspect will activate China's Virgo planets, which lie in the 9th house.

The Road to Pennsylvania

2008-03-13T18:22:00.002-04:00

After Barack Obama's victories in Wyoming and Mississippi, the Democratic campaign has entered a new, protracted phase of thrust and parry in advance of the next primary in Pennsylvania on April 22. The most recent manifestation came in the form of Geraldine Ferraro's apparent playing of the race card which led to cries of racism from the Obama side and her subsequent resignation from her fund raising post in the Clinton campaign. This conflict can be seen in the Clinton campaign chart (Jan 20 2007 9.30 am) through the transit of Mars opposing the natal Mars earlier this week. No surprise there.

Hillary may get a bit of a boost around March 14-15 (maybe tomorrow afternoon), as the tr. Moon-Mars conjunction forms a grand trine with tr Venus and her natal Sun. At the same time, the transiting Moon-Mars conjunction will sit on his natal Venus suggesting anger or problems involving women while transiting Sun falls under the aspect of his natal Saturn pointing to frustration and thwarting of plans.

More significantly, the end of March looks troublesome for Obama, as Mercury and Venus oppose his natal Mars. It seems he will suffer from some sort of unwanted dispute or conflict from March 26-31. Hillary's chart looks quite good at that time, as those transiting benefics will conjoin her natal Moon, so we can expect to see her hand strengthened. The HRC campaign chart will have tr Mercury and Venus crossing the ascendant then, so that is another clue that her profile and popularity will grow at the end of the month. This will be roughly the beginning of some tougher times for the Obama campaign as we approach April 22. The planets clearly indicate a Clinton win in Pennsylvania. In her natal chart on April 22, there is a grand trine between transiting Uranus (27 Aquarius) and transiting Mars (27 Gemini) and her natal Mercury and Ascendant (28 Libra). This is a powerful pattern for victory. Her dasha lord Venus will be at its maximum degree of exaltation. Given her high profile in the world right now, I think that Hillary best personifies that exalted Venus, notwithstanding Samantha Power's "monster" comments. Venus is transiting Revati, a Mercury-owned nakshatra and Mercury is a very good planet for HRC since it is on her ascendant. Also, when the voting results come in, the transiting Moon will be conjunct her natal Jupiter, which supports a successful outcome.

On the Obama side, things don't look as good. In his campaign chart, the transiting Mars will have just opposed the natal Mars within the previous week, which suggests that some of the Ferraro-type headaches that Clinton has had to deal with this week will be much fresher in the voters minds when the go to the polls. Plus, tr. Mars is just one degree from the IC on the 22nd indicating upset or irritation. While Jupiter is on the MC at the same time, I don't see this as favourable pattern because of the natal Mars weakness that I've mentioned previously, although I can understand if others might regard it more in terms of "activation of leadership", etc. In his natal chart, tr Mercury (communication) will form a t-square with Sun (self) and Neptune (confusion) suggesting that his message won't be well received while tr Sun (self) forms a second t-square with his natal Jupiter (ideas) and Mercury (communication) which will likely produce a negative combination of those keywords in the form of a failed attempt to persuade voters. Or in other words, an overconfidence in ideas that don't catch on or backfire.

Apr 22 looks like it will be a significant defeat for Obama and may well fuel a Clinton momentum that more than makes up for any deficit in delegates. I don't think Hillary's win will be enough to erase the deficit (she would have to win something like 80-20!), this does look like a large Ohio-sized win that fills her campaign with confidence. This is roughly in keeping with current polling which shows her enjoying a double-digit lead. Given that Michigan and Florida primaries will be redone and Hillary is favoured to win in both states, there is good reason that Clinton can substantially close the electibility gap on the delegate count alone. With Obama's sagging popularity going into the the later contests, Hillary will be able to make a stronger case to superdelegates.

At this point, I'm not certain if she wins during the primary season or at the convention. I had thought that Obama's chart looked worst in May and June and that reflected a final defeat for him. This still seems the most likely scenario. Mid-June looks quite important as it is the time of the Mars-Ketu conjunction that is prominent in both candidates campaign charts and suggests a messy, contested result.

NY Governor Eliot Spitzer sex scandal

2008-03-11T13:07:00.007-04:00

NY Governor Eliot Spitzer has been linked to a prostitution ring and now will likely resign in the coming days. The scandal is doubly embarrassing for Spitzer who became governor in 2006 on an uncompromsing
anti-corruption platform.

What's fascinating here is that the inauguration chart plainly shows problems. Spitzer was sworn in on January 1, 2007 at 1 pm at Albany,
NY. There is a tight one degree t-square with Moon-Mars and the nodes.
To make matters worse, chart ruler Mars is in the 8th in Scorpio (Lahiri).

It is also interesting that this chart is coming under heavy affliction
at the moment as the Sun-Uranus conjunct in Aquarius exactly conjoins
the natal Rahu (which is severly messed up by the close natal Mars
square) and transiting Venus and Mercury in early Aquarius closely
oppose the natal Saturn. The chart was running Mars dasha, Jupiter
bhukti. Although Jupiter is not in obvious difficultly natally, it's
worth noting that by transit, it falls under the influence of natal
Ketu's aspect within two degrees.