Happy Thanksgiving From Chakrapani

I hope you enjoy this animated article. Happy Thanksgiving! – Chakrapani

Mars Transit Leo

On October 31, Mars entered Leo.  Ordinarily, a Mars transit in any particular sign would last about 45 days.  However, in this instance Mars will be in Leo until June 20, approximately seven months.

Because Leo is a fiery sign, and Mars itself is a fiery planet, this is a potentially explosive situation – literally.  Inevitably, during this period there will be a greater incidence of fire, explosions, earthquake, accidents; as well as the potential for violence, regarding revolts or protests of one kind or another.

To provide a context, the last Mars transit of a similar duration (October 5, 2009-May 27, 2010), Mars was in a water sign (Cancer) – the time of the BP oil spill.

Mars becomes retrograde on January 24 through April 13, 2012.  Retrogration always means that the planet’s energy intensifies, either for good, or otherwise.  Mars will bring greater problems during the retrograde period.

This influence is what it is; it can’t be helped that sometimes we have to address unwelcome news.  However, we can take precaution; we can be extra careful when handling fire in the kitchen or around the home; we can be cautious in driving.  If one is in a precarious or unstable circumstance with regards to potential accidents, this is the time to use extra caution.

Further Thoughts on the Saturn/Sun Juncture

Saturn/Sun conjunction on Thursday and Friday was the critical moment in time for this problematic influence. Although those days have passed, it set in motion events which will take time to play out. For this reason, we continue to live with the consequences of the critical Saturn/Sun juncture of October 13 & 14, as well as experience the diminishing, but none-the-less real influence of Saturn/Sun up through the early days of Libra Sun.

Sun/Saturn Conjunction

As the conjunction between Sun and Saturn culminates, (yesterday and today), the stress created between these two malefic planets intensifies and slowly reduces thereafter.

 

Sun is in Virgo this September/October, transiting Saturn.  When the Sun reached around 15 degrees away from Saturn on September 28, tension and stress began to slowly mount.  This brought conflict, acrimony and disagreement in the environment, especially in political areas, as well as delays of one kind or another.

 

That influence reaches its climax yesterday/today as Sun becomes in direct conjunction with Saturn (zero degrees apart from one another).  After today the stress slowly reduces as the Sun begins to move into Libra October 18, next Tuesday, but the influence will continue for a while into Libra.   Often the effects of Sun/Saturn brings a result, resolve or resolution.  Sometimes the conflict brings a welcomed ending to a given problem.

 

People will experience the Sun/Saturn influence differently depending on their Rising Sign, and the position of the Sun, and that of the Moon in their chart.

Current Venus Transit in Libra

Today Venus has entered Libra, opposite Jupiter in Aries. Venus in Libra expresses its optimum strength since it is in its own house.  Venetian qualities of amiability, friendliness, likability, pleasantness and cheerfulness will be more visible, (to what extent depends on other planetary influences).

When planets are in mutual aspect with one another, as in this set-up, they are essentially sharing and exchanging energies.  Jupiter and Venus are the key planets for peace, harmony, friendships and goodwill.  These qualities will come more to the fore during the upcoming period, especially when Venus moves into the constellation of Sawati, which will happen within the next 4 – 5 days.  Venus in Sawati will bring enhanced social values as in friendly connections between people, opportunities for reconciliation, cultivation of new friendships or the improvement of existing friendships.

Even though Jupiter and Venus are not friends, they are the greatest benefices of all the planets.  Between one another they may sometimes create disagreements in the sense of having different ideas, visions or intentions in their philosophical or spiritual orientation.  But they are not acrimonious, generally speaking, unless they have connection with Mars or other malefic planets.  Importantly, what they share is an overall powerful benevolence, genial nature and goodwill to all. 

We take note that Mars is presently aspecting Venus, and this will be so thorough-out the transit of Venus in Libra, however, this Mars is debilitated and is consequently not very powerful or aggressive.  We do not expect that Mars will create much problem in this circumstance.

Venus remains in Libra until October 28, thereafter moving into Scorpio.

So we see this period is colored by the positive Venus and benevolent Jupiter, both supporting some overall harmony and pleasantness, especially in the area of relationships and social interaction.

Auspicious New Moon Cycle

It may be of interest to note that according to the Vedic calendar, Monday, September 26^th marked the beginning of a ten day period which is considered very auspicious for new undertakings.

Astrologically, Monday night, (or Tuesday, depending on the geographical location) was the ending of the New Moon, and the beginning of the Waxing Moon which is always the optimum time to start anything new.  As a new venture gets off the ground, if its growth is mirroring the swelling of the moon, it will be in harmony with a basic rhythm of nature.  This is why we always look first to the status of the moon when undertaking any new activity.

Furthermore, the cluster of planets in Virgo are slowly moving on, the Moon being the first to do so on this Wednesday, September 28.  To follow is Venus on October 5; Mercury, October 10; Sun, October, 18; and finally Saturn on November 18, 2011.  This concentration of planets in one sign brought a certain extremism which has not been ideal.  The focus of energy in Virgo will be lessened as the planets move on, gradually resulting in a more balanced planetary set-up.  (Please see my thoughts regarding the recent Virgo alignment of planets.)

Generally speaking, this September Waxing Moon, (for roughly the next 10 days) signals a very auspicious period of the year to undertake any new venture.  This would include new commercial activities, social events, artistic projects, financial investments, educational forays, and many other undertakings including spiritual, philosophical and philanthropic activities. 

As always the general planetary conditions are further enhanced or modified by the influences operating in each person’s chart.

Lining Up of The Planets: Beginning of Next Week

A number of you have asked me about the coming transit involving a “lining up of the planets”.

Yes, it is true that five planets:

Saturn, Venus, Sun, Mercury and the Moon

will be in Virgo from Monday, September 26, 12:25 PM for 2 ¼ days.  It will have some passing affect on the affairs of the 6^th house of the zodiac.  Essentially, it means that a wealth of energy will be concentrated in this one house during this peiod.

Virgo, by nature is very creative, has a deep interest in health and healing practices, and is good for research, (being thorough and organized).  It also can attract conflict in some areas.  Virgo people are famous for being good critics; when that is being expressed in a negative form, it can bring problems.

So this planetary alignment is a mixed bag; good for some things, not good for others.  One can plan accordingly.

President Obama

Timing is everything…

 

As you will recall in my annual predictions I talked about Obama’s chart and the strength of his planets when he was elected vs. the problematic period he is in now. I also talked about the fact that following this challenging time he will enter into his most prolific and powerful 19 year cycle starting in July, 2012. Regardless as to whether he is the U.S. President or not, during that time he will shine.

In the meantime, he still faces difficult days ahead, especially January through June, 2012 because of his Mars conjunct Rahu. Within that period, his most challenging time will be January through April.

Presently he is passing through the Major Cycle Jupiter/Rahu, March 1, 2011 through July 25, 2012, Venus Minor Cycle, Sept 14, 2011 until February 8, 2012. From September 14 he will become much more vocal in expressing his views.

Obama’s Venus, situated in the 6th House, Yogakaraka from his rising sign, Capricorn, suggests some strength, but in the 6th it has little power to fight adversaries. Rather, the range of influence is restricted to things like communication, being persuasive in talking, that sort of thing. It is different than a power that brings you victory on the battlefield, or in the political arena.

Overall, it is a difficult period for Obama because his over-riding Dasha and Bhukti cycles are unfavorable until July, 2012. Essentially, he has to hang on and try to survive this period as best he can. Depending on his stamina in the months ahead, wherever he is, come July, 2012, in terms of his accomplishments, popularity, and over-all standing, that will become his base for building up, once again.

The Mars/Saturn Influence

Happily, for most of us, the Mars/Saturn influence which has been so problematical since the last week of July, intensifying through August has come to significant end as of September 10th. (It will continue in a diminished capacity until mid-October.)

Mars/Saturn brought us many problems including conflicts, loss of life, uncertainties of various kinds, natural disasters and many kinds of challenges. It also brought significant progress to the agenda of the common man.

In Libya, for example, it advanced the cause of the rebels in their overthrow of the Khadafy regime; no small feat.

This period also brought some significant advances in India.

Although India is the largest democracy in the world, the practices of its government are stepped in corruption. This often brings a feeling of frustration and defeatism to the people in their day to day dealings with the bureaucratic administration of government.

Recent events in India represent an enormous breakthrough in the fight against this pervasive corruption. It involved a confrontation between the people and the government led by an unknown man who launched a hunger strike, attracting attention from all quarters across the country. As a result, the government was forced to accede to his demands. This action is unprecedented and constitutes a seemingly impossible change in status-quo. It was an event of historical proportions in India.

This is the power of Mars/Saturn. It can be challenging, to be sure. It can bring suffering. Ultimately, it can also bring results for the betterment of the people.

Astrological Update

It appears that the U.S. will not escape the perilous influence of the current Mars/Saturn transit as we are currently witnessing with Hurricane Irene.  Mars/Saturn is an intense energy, as evidenced across the globe these past weeks with outbreaks of tension and violence of many different sorts, initiating events of unprecedented and historical significance.

As previously mentioned, the Mars/Saturn influence intensifies as it comes to the month’s end, and then gradually tapers off.  It will be a presence, however, through mid-October.