The year ahead for the USA

What do the stars suggest will happen in the USA in 2008 in terms of the SAMVA USA chart?

It may sound like stating the obvious to say that a year when a new President is elected will be marked by unsettling political developments. Still, that is what a reading of the period and transit influences in the Cancer rising SAMVA USA chart suggests will be the case in 2008.

A high strung 'political' year
While the political debate is likely to become intense during the primaries, the drama is expected to increase during the national conventions of the Democratic and Republican Parties in late August and early September. The month of September will likely bring a crisis for the US President, possibly having to do with foreign affairs. The domestic political debate is likely to escalate in October and peak on the eve of the Presidential election on November 7, 2008. The economy may do better than expected in 2008 but more problems are likely to be felt in the financial sector. Acts of violence could take place in the latter part of November.

The Venus major period
The SAMVA USA chart has been running the major period of Venus since April 1996 and this period is ongoing until 2016. This means the indications of Venus become important in the national life over a long period. As 4th lord, Venus rules over fixed assets, natural resources, vehicles, education and communal harmony. A general indication of Venus is women and luxuries. As Venus is badly placed and weak in the 6th house of the chart, the acquisition of homes or vehicles is based on debt and this can become a source of conflict or problems, such as in mortgage debt defaults. Concerning education, the problem could be the inadequate performance of students or violence among them in the schools. Problems with vehicles could include rising costs having to do with their large size and significant fuel use. There could also be problems related to the amount of energy used by Americans. Finally. the communal harmony can be upset by incidents of conflict between racial, ethnic, religious or political groups. As the indications of the major period are important over a long period, the indications of the shorter sub-periods become pronounced in the national life during their relatively brief operation.

The Jupiter sub-period
The Jupiter sub-period has been operating in the SAMVA USA chart since June 2006 and it lasts until February 2009. The natal placement of Jupiter and its transit condition therefore become quite important for explaining the prominent issues during the coming year. In the chart, Jupiter, as 6th lord, rules over conflict, health issues and financial stability. Jupiter is also a general indicator of the courts, banks, business executives and religious organizations. During this period, there may be conflict over the function of the judicial system, the extent or erosion of legal rights or the role of religion in public life. The financial stability depends crucially on the ability of firms and households to service their debt. As Jupiter is the dispositor of the planet Venus, which is placed in the sign of Sagittarius, the indications of these planets are linked. That said, as these placements exist in the natal chart, their influence is part of the American character and as such perennial. During the operation of planetary periods, the influence attributed to the respective planets in the chart comes to the foreground in the collective life (for a comprehensive desciption of the influences in the SAMVA USA chart, please consult the article on the chart on this blog). Jupiter is transiting its own sign of Sagittarius for most of 2008 and this augurs well for its indications. In particular, the economy is expected to avoid a recession in 2008. While some problems may crop up in the financial system during the year, the growth of incomes is expected to remain sufficient to allow firms and households to continue servicing their considerable debts and for the financial system to remain functioning.

Early 2008
While the life of Americans is expected to continue in 2008 as it has in preceeding years, the planets suggest what type of events we may expect to see throughout the year. The year begins with an aspect from Jupiter to Saturn that becomes increasingly felt and peaks around the 21st of January. Jupiter is strong in Sagittarius and the 6th house. However, as it is a functional malefic in the chart, its aspect to Saturn as the 8th lord of obstacles and endings, is expected to create stress, possibly related to hard fought primaries. During the beginning of the year Jupiter will also be in a mutual trinal aspect to natal Rahu in the SAMVA USA chart, with the aspect becoming exact on February 9. While this aspect is also not long lasting it suggests renewed concerns over financial stability or other 6th house issues.

Upsets to domestic tranquility

Jupiter will three times become conjunct Venus in 2008: in mid March, early July and then in early November. During these times the political debate, concerns over the housing market or military activities abroad may serve to upset the communal harmony.

Crisis in the fall
The astrological situation will become decidedly more intense from late July. At that time, the Moon´s nodes. Rahu and Ketu, will go into stationary motion over the natal Sun in the chart at 23° 44' Capricorn in the 7th house. At that time, problems or stress will be felt from foreign affairs, the wealth of the country (possibly having to do with a reduction in the value of the dollar or stocks), or difficulty for the President. Issues such as funding of foreign governments fighting terrorism or international agreements on environmental sustainability may become a source of considerable tension. Foreign trips by the President at that time would be expected to meet with difficulty. This aspect peaks at the end of September and the situations that arise are expected to gradually ease in the following weeks.

Honesty of politicians

In late August and into September, transit Saturn and transit Jupiter will be closely aspected by natal Rahu, These aspects suggest that there may be some manipulation involving the acquisition of easy gains, beliefs of the masses, religious views or financial matters. Politicians, clergy or bankers who have resorted to manipulation may be exposed at that time.

Violence towards the end of the year
From August until the end of the year, the aspect of transit Jupiter in Sagittarius to transit Saturn in Leo will again become close, and become exact at 18° on September 9 and at 26° 30' on November 21. This aspect suggests problems or violence.

The time in late November will be especially difficult as transit Saturn will then also be under the aspect of natal Saturn in the chart, heightening the potential for violence and destruction of assets.

SAMVA USA chart: political tensions ahead

In the political history of the USA the process of leadership change has normally been quite orderly, even if tensions have flared up.

A review of the astrological dynamics of significant historical events in terms of the logic of the System's Approach to mundane vedic astrology (SAMVA) as seen in the SAMVA USA chart shows that when slow-moving functional malefic planets enter into a stationary orbit over sensitive natal placements, things become difficult or a significant event may take place. The likelihood is further increased when the periods of the functional malefic planets or affected planets are operating.

The 1968 National Convention of the U.S. Democratic Party (DNC) that was held in Chicago, Illinois on August 26-29, 1968, was attended by great tension. 1968 had already been a tumultuous year for the United States, with the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968 and Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) in Los Angeles, California on June 6, 1968, and widespread protests against the Vietnam War. The convention in late August 1968 achieved notoriety due to clashes between protesters and police, and due to the generally chaotic atmosphere of the event.

The disturbing events of 1968 are easily seen in the SAMVA USA chart. The Saturn major period and Rahu sub-period were operating. The ominous conjunction aspect between the major malefics, Rahu and Saturn transiting in Pisces, with Rahu also aspecting natal Saturn accompanied the assassinations of King and Kennedy. Saturn is the lord of death in the 20° Cancer rising SAMVA USA chart and Rahu is a major malefic for all ascendants. As a result, tragic events took place followed by great tension. These malefics continued in aspect through the summer. By late August of that year, transit Saturn had passed into Aries, where it is debilitated and weak. Meanwhile, transit Rahu and Ketu passed through the most effective points of the 9th and 3rd houses, respectively, imparting stress to the indications of the six 'odd-numbered' houses in the chart.

The period and transits were nowhere near so difficult on November 7, 2000 when the Presidential election between George W. Bush and Albert Gore took place. However, the transits on that day and in the months that followed suggested tension and the election was followed by chaos and controversy. After losing the nationwide popular vote, Bush won the elections in the state of Florida by just over 500 votes after two dramatic recounts, including technical vote counting issues (the "hanging chad"). As a result, Bush received the majority of votes in the Electoral College, which ultimately decides who becomes president.

This turn of events is also seen in the SAMVA USA chart. The Venus major period and Moon sub-period were operating, and the nodes were stationary over the natal placement of Venus as 4th lord of communal harmony in the 6th house. The impact of Rahu explains well the confusion and charges of manipulation that disturbed the communal harmony. However, as the period of the strong Moon was operating, the success of the electoral process was ensured by the Supreme Court which stepped in and ended the stalemate.

In the autumn of 2008, two major political events are scheduled to be held when the transit dynamics suggest yet another dramatic turn of events. The DNC is taking place in Denver, Colorado on August 25-28, 2008, only a few days ahead of the Republican National Convention (RNC), to be held in Saint Paul, Minnesota on September 1-4, 2008. Before we can speculate what may happen, let's examine the astrological position with respect to the SAMVA USA chart.

The Venus major period and Jupiter sub-period is operating in the chart. As Jupiter is 6th lord in the chart, issues like financial stability and conflict become important during its period. So far during this period, we have seen the sub-prime lending debacle erupt in 2007 and the war in Iraq and its funding becoming a major political issue.

There are three main transits at work. The first is the stationary orbit of the transit nodes over the natal Sun, as 2nd lord. This transit will likely create stress for the indications of the Sun, including wealth and status of the country, but also its leader. The problems may also be related to foreign affairs, possibly involving the war in Iraq or issues concerning funding to Pakistan to combat terrorism originating there, as the natal Sun is placed in the 7th house. However, the transit is not exact during its stationary period, hence the impact may be moderated. This transit only becomes exact in late September 2008 (see graph below).

There are two transits being touched by natal Rahu at 17° 46' Aries in the 10th house, which suggest some tension.

The sub-period lord Jupiter will become stationary at around 18° 33' Sagittarius in the 6th house from where it will be in a mutual but not exact aspect with natal Rahu. This aspect brings up some issue involving manipulation of financial stability, conflict or religion. As 6th lord, Jupiter becomes the indicator of the political opposition. It is therefore likely that the DNC will be attended by some charge of the Democrats about manipulation or cover-up by the Bush administration. It is also possible that some manipulation will come to light involving the indications of Jupiter, such as the financial system , the judiciary or religion. For instance, it is likely that candidates for the Presidency or Vice Presidency who try to manipulate their religious beliefs will face challenges.

The third transit of note, although not stationary and therefore felt for a shorter time, is the transit of Saturn in the 2nd house through the aspect of Rahu. This could bring up some issue involving manipulation of easy gains or the beliefs of the masses. During the RNC the transit Sun in the 2nd house, will also briefly become afflicted by Saturn and Jupiter, creating difficulty for the President

It is the transit of Rahu over the natal Sun at 23° 44' Capricorn in the 7th house that is long lasting and therefore more troublesome. As this aspect lasts into October, the Bush Presidency may be focused on yet another difficult situation at that time. During the RNC the transit Sun will also become afflicted by these three malefics, suggesting some additional difficulty for President Bush at that time.

Given the afflictions of the rulers of financial system (Jupiter) and easy gains (Saturn) in the houses of financial stability (6th house) and wealth (2nd house) it is also likely that financial institutions or the stock markets will not be doing very well at that time.

Fortunately, while these afflictions are being felt, the planets Mercury and Mars will be strong in transit and joined by a debilitated Venus in the 3rd house. This suggests that the courage and initiative will remain strong despite the tensions or problems at that time.

In short, the political conventions in the autumn of 2008, are likely to be quite memorable due to a sense of tension associated with political recrimminations, ongoing challenges to the financial system and problems in the area of foreign policy.

References

The Democratic National Convention of 1968:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Democratic_National_Convention

The Republican National Convention in 2008:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Republican_National_Convention

SAMVA USA chart: America under attack

Few events are as disturbing to the American psyche as attacks by foreign powers on their native soil. Two such attacks stand out in modern history, the attack of Japan on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and the attack of Al-Qaeda on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Both attacks led to a fierce retaliation. These events and the reaction of the American people and their government are clearly seen in the astrological dynamics of the SAMVA USA chart.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a preventive attack on the United States Pacific Fleet base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by the Empire of Japan's Imperial Japanese Navy, on the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941 resulting in the United States becoming involved in World War II. Two aerial attack waves, totaling 361 aircraft, were launched from six Japanese aircraft carriers, with the intention of reducing or eliminating the United States' military power in the Pacific. The attack wrecked many battleships and destroyed hundreds of aircraft; with 2,388 killed and 1,178 wounded. Occurring as it did before a formal declaration of war, it pushed U.S. public opinion from isolationism to an acceptance war was unavoidable, as President Roosevelt called December 7, 1941 "… a date which will live in infamy."

In December 1941, the Jupiter major period and Saturn sub-period were still operating. Saturn is lord of the 8th house of obstacles and endings and Jupiter is the 6th lord of conflict. Hence, a period involving these two functional malefics in the chart would be expected to bring obstacles, conflict and death.

At the time of the attacks, Saturn was transiting the early degrees of Taurus in the 11th house where it formed an opposite aspect to natal Jupiter at 4° 25' Scorpio in the 5th house. At the same time, transit Jupiter at 23° 39' Taurus was in an opposite aspect to natal Saturn at 26° 46' Scorpio. Hence, both planets were afflicting each other, suggestive of violence. Transit Jupiter also cast an exact aspect on Sun, the lord of the 2nd house, suggesting conflict involving the status, wealth and leadership of the country. Natal Saturn also cast an aspect to transit Rahu in H2, further suggesting violence involving the wealth and status of the country. In turn transit Rahu was closely aspecting natal Venus, the 4th lord in the sixth house of conflict, suggesting a crisis involving the communal harmony. In the months following the attack, Rahu would become stationary at 20° Leo, exactly on the most effective point of the 2nd house of wealth and status and pairwise Ketu on the 8th house of obstacles and endings. This transit indicates the sense of crisis in a country mobilising for a worldwide war.

These indications are clear in bespeaking of a turn of events involving conflict and violence that disturbed the social harmony. Moreover, the SAMVA USA chart contains natal aspects between the 1st lord Moon on the one hand and 6th lord Jupiter, which bespeaks of a combative nature, and an aspect on 10th lord Mars, which rules military and industrial prowess, on the other. The attack provoked the righteous anger of Americans who, on the following day, declared war on Japan and then turned their impressive military might and economic resources to winning the war.

The September 11, 2001 attacks consisted of a series of coordinated suicide attacks by al-Qaeda on that date upon the United States of America. On that morning nineteen terrorists affiliated with al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners. Each team of hijackers included a member who has undergone some pilot training. The hijackers intentionally crashed two of the airliners into the World Trade Center in New York City resulting in the collapse of both buildings and extensive damage to nearby buildings. The hijackers crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.. In addition to the hijackers, almost 3000 people died as a result of the attacks. The terrorist attacks shocked the psyche of the American people, disrupted life in the country and turned Americans sad and intent on holding the perpetrators responsible. The US military invaded Taliban ruled Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 and Iraq on March 18, 2003.

The Venus major period and Moon sub-period were operating. This would normally be a fairly good period given the natal strength of the Moon as lord of the horoscope. However, on that day the transits were very difficult.

Jupiter, as 6th lord of conflict, was transiting the 12th house of losses at 17° 42' Gemini where it was in exact aspect to natal Ketu at 17° 47' Libra in the 4th house of fixed assets and communal harmony. This aspect of the lord of conflict with the planet indicating sudden often violent events, produced the spectacular destructive attacks that destroyed famous the tallest buildings in the country. Transit Saturn was exactly conjunct the most effective point (MEP) of the 11th house, from where it aspected the MEP of the first house, owned by the sub-period lord, Moon, and containing transit Venus. Transit Sun, was also receiving an aspect from natal Saturn. This aspect emphasised the obstacles and endings for the indications of wealth, status and leadership of the country. Last but not least, transit Moon was also in the 12th house, where it would be weak, in the presence of two first rate malefics, Rahu and Jupiter.

Overall, these two signficant historical events show up clearly and consistently in the SAMVA USA chart.

References

Attack on Pearl Harbor:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor

September 11, 2001 attacks:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9/11

SAMVA USA chart:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAMVA_USA_chart

SAMVA USA chart: the assassination of President Kennedy

One of the important uses of astrology is to explain and predict times of upheaval or difficulty in public life. This article deals with one such event that is clearly seen in the SAMVA USA chart when an inspiring young leader was killed and the nation went into shock and mourning.

John F. Kennedy was the thirty-fifth President of the United States. He was fatally wounded by gunshots while riding with his wife Jacqueline in a presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, USA at 12:30 p.m. CST (18:30 UTC). The assassin Lee Harvey Oswald was an employee of the Texas School Book Depository in Dealey Plaza. In addition to the shock and sadness for the citizens, the assassination created a major crisis for the US government, both in terms of ensuring the transfer of Presidential powers but also the need to quickly investigate and apprehend the perpetrator(s).

In the SAMVA USA chart there is a natal configuration indicating obstacles or endings to the leader of the country. Sun is the indicator of the leader of a country in mundane astrology. In the chart, the Sun is the lord of the 2nd house of status. It is prominently placed at 23° 44' Capricorn in the 7th house, giving much status to the country and influence in the world as it aspects the most effective point of the 1st and 7th houses. The Sun is closely aspected by Saturn at 26° 46' Scorpio in the 5th house of the chart. As Saturn is the lord of death afflicting the indicator for the leader of the country, it indicates obstacles and endings to the leader of the country when the period and transit influences are such that the karma becomes ripe. Interestingly, there have been 18 documented assassination attempts on a sitting US Presidents, 4 of which resulted in death.

In November 1963, the Saturn major period and Sun sub-period were operating in the chart. This means the energy of Saturn and Sun was active. At the time the trigger was pulled, transit Saturn was exactly conjunct the natal Sun, thereby releasing this sad karma.

There were other adverse transits at that time, adding to the difficulty. The lunar nodes were transiting bad houses and were in direct afflicting aspect with their natal counterparts. In particular, Ketu, the ruler of sudden and violent acts, was transiting the 6th house of enemity, from where it closely aspected Rahu in the most effective point of the 10th house, of the executive. The transit of Rahu, indicator of deception, in the 12th house of losses, in aspect to Ketu in the 4th house is a configuration that has been seen in relation to violent acts, including "9/11". Given these placements, it is not impossible that a conspiracy was executed on that day. Transit Sun was also closely conjunct natal Jupiter, which is 6th lord of opposition or enemity in the chart. Moreover, L10 Mars, indicator of the executive and L4 Venus, indicator of social harmony, were transit conjunct natal Saturn, brining obstacles and endings to their indications.

It is beyond chance that such alignments, exactly fitting what transpired on that day, were accidental or random. The odds of that happening are just dismal. Other events with similar attunement to the history amply confirm that. This alignment of the transiting planets with the natal placements in the chart, along with the relevant period, is a reflection of the mystery of the SAMVA USA chart, which allows us to take a look into the karmic destiny of one of the greatest countries of the modern world.

References:

John F. Kennedy assassination

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_assassination

SAMVA USA chart

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAMVA_USA_chart

SAMVA USA chart: the Moon's nodes and the start of the Great Depression

The Great Depression of the 1930s is said to have begun on October 25, 1929 when the stock market crashed heralding the biggest financial debacle in US history. The SAMVA USA chart reveals that the Moon´s nodes, Rahu and Ketu played a big role in this karmic event that marked generations of Americans for life.

The Rahu major period and Ketu sub-period began on October 19, 1929. This means that the energy of Ketu gained pre-eminence in the SAMVA USA chart at that time. Ketu is a planet indicating a spiritual lesson through separation. In the natal chart, Ketu at 17° 46' Libra is close to the most effective point (20° 00') of the fourth house, which rules the social harmony and fixed assets, including houses and vehicles. The aspect of Ketu means that sudden events tend to undermine the social calm or fixed assets for Americans. The racial conflict of US history is explained by this natal aspect, whereby countless native Indians, African Americans and other ethnicities were for a long time deprived of their status as co-equals of the domainant white race, resulting in the civil war of the 1860s and the civil rights battles of the 1960s and the assassinations of numerous civil rights activists and prominent leaders, like John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Robert Kennedy and Malcolm X. During the Great Depression, the expression of this energy was focused on the fixed assets and jobs, the basis of economic life, as millions lost their jobs, housing prices plunged and countless people lost their life savings. Americans descended into a state of economic and psychological depression that would last for years.

The SAMVA USA chart explains this serious event clearly. At the time of the market break Rahu and Ketu were in stationary transit at 19° 20' Aries and Libra. Actually, they had been there for over one month and would be there for another month. Stationary transits are the most difficult as the karmic energy of these planets, as seen in the natal placements, is seen to reach fruition, when the karma is ready to burst forth and affect the live. From this degree the transit nodes where making a close conjunction aspect with their natal placements at 17° 46' Aries and Libra. In vedic astrology, the transit-to-natal aspect of the nodes is considered the most painful to experience. Due to the stationary aspect, during the month of September 1929, subtle tremors had begun to be felt in the financial market. But the transit stationary nodes were also closely afflicting the even numbered houses (20° 00'), including the fourth house and the sixth house.

As the fourth lord Venus is placed at 23° 51' Sagittarius in the sixth house, it is weak in the chart and hence becomes vulnerable to transit afflictions. Venus was therefore quite vulnerable to the aspect of transit Rahu, which it had been receiving that Autumn, even if the orb was not exact.

Let us now sum up the nodal influence: A stationary transit-to-natal aspect of the nodes was running, the most difficult aspect of all. This aspect was felt during the period of the nodes, when the energy is pre-eminent. Hence, the pain was multiplied. This energy was focused on the fourth house and its lord. In short, the nodes were running rampant in the SAMVA USA chart that autumn, creating a pain of separation for many Americans concerning that which they value highly in life, the security and comfort of owning their own home.

Unfortunately, there was other trouble on the horizon. Transit Jupiter, which is the lord of the sixth house, ruling financial stability, and which is natally the dispositor of Venus in the chart, was itself caught up in a difficult aspect. It was in the most effective point of the eleventh house of income, from where it was in a close opposition aspect to natal L8 Saturn, the prime malefic of the Cancer rising SAMVA USA chart, as it is the lord of obstacles and endings. This aspect was suggesting problems or endings for financial stability.

Why did the USA succumb to such a long-lasting depression? This is explained by both the period and sub-period combination of Rahu-Ketu, but also due to the 8th lord of obstacles and endings Saturn transiting the 6th house of financial stabilty of the chart from late 1928 to early 1932. In June 1930, 6th lord Jupiter then entered the 12th house of losses for one year. To prolonge the difficulty, the functional malefic Rahu entered the 8th house of obstacles and endings in June 1932 for one year.

In short, the reason why the Great Depression of 1930 was such a long lasting affair in the USA is shown clearly in the SAMVA USA chart. The major disturbance to the country was a combination of an astrological

A. Trigger event:

• Sep-Nov 1929: the transit-to-natal conjunction of Rahu and Ketu


• Oct 1929-Oct 1930: the Rahu-Ketu period
  

B. Prolonging event(s) - the transits of slow-moving planets through malefic houses:

• January 1929-January 1932: transit of L8 Saturn through the 6th house


• June 1930-July 1931: transit of L6 Jupiter through the 12th house


• June 1932-December 1933: transit of FM Rahu through the 8th house

This is a uniquely convincing astrological rationale for one of the most disturbing events in the countries history.

RULE FOR DICTATORSHIP

V. K. Choudhry, the propounder of the System’s Approach (SA), has provided insights into what it is in a horoscope that impels some personalities to become authoritarian rulers and some societies to succumb to such forms of government. His insight has been termed the “Rule for Dictatorship”.

In the mundane or natal chart we should look for as prime influence that:

The lord of the first house (H1), tenth house (H10) or third house (H3) would be placed in the third house. Additionally, we can look for the lord of the third house (L3) influencing either the lord of the first (L1) or tenth houses (L10). In particular, if the lord of the third house happens to be Sun (for Gemini rising) or Mars (for Aquarius rising). This is because a general indication of the Sun is to rule and for Mars it is to control. The importance of H3 is that it is the house of initiative, the impetus and energy to act. As an additional influence he finds that if the lord of the sixth house (L6) is influencing the first, third or fourth houses (H4). L6 brings the energy of fixity, of being adamant.

In the above rule we should note that rulership in SA is assigned on the basis of the Moolatrikona (MT) signs, such that if an MT sign falls in a given house, its becomes that house and the planet ruling this MT sign becomes the lord of the house. The MT signs and their rulers are:

Aries (Mars)
Cancer (Moon)
Leo (Sun)
Virgo (Mercury)
Libra (Venus)
Sagittarius (Jupiter)
Aquarius (Saturn)

It is interesting to study charts of well known rulers and military leaders with an eye to this rule.

1. Napoleon Bonaparte has 24° Libra rising (15 August 1769, 11:30 AM, Ajaccio, Corsica).
- L1 Venus is strong in Gemini H9 giving him a lut of luck in life, not least through women.
- L3 Jupiter is conjunct the ascending degree. Here is a prime example of this rule.
- L7 mars is well placed conjunct the most effective point (MEP) of H11, giving his military impulse.
- L5 Saturn in Cancer H10 in close opposition with L10 Moon in Capricorn H4. This aspect gave him a pronounced strategic ability.
- Rahu in Sagittarius H3 aspects his infant L11 Sun in Leo H11. His father died penniless and NB became an enemy of the monarchies of Europe, who plotted against him. There are rumours he died from arsenic poisoning, administered by his English court-appointed doctor.

2. Adolph Hitler had 1° Libra rising (20 April 1889, 18:00, Braunau-an-Im, Austria).
- 3 planets, including L3 Jupiter, are in H3. This is another good example of the rule of dictatorship.
- L11 Sun is exalted in Aries H7 widely conjunct L12 Mercury
- L1 Venus was conjunct L7 Mars in Aries H7 under aspect from L5 Saturn in Cancer H10 but also Ketu in H3.

3. Benito Mussolini of Italy had 16° Libra rising (29 July 1883, 13:10, Predappio, Italy). While he has only indirect indications of authoritarianism and thus less pronounced than for Napoleon and Hitler, other placements made up for it.

- L3 Jupiter is conjunct L1 Venus in H9
- Ketu in H7 aspects (a vacant) H3
- Rahu is conjunct ascendant
- L11 Sun is conjunct H10 MEP and L12 Mercury

It is especially interesting that these three rulers all had Libra ascendants with Jupiter serving as L3 and having broadly the influence prescribed by this rule. Moreover, the emphasis that Napoleon and Hitler, and to a lesser extent Mussolini, placed on expanding their domain, by trying to domainate all of Europe, may be assigned to Jupiter as third lord being prominently placed as per this rule.

Further to this insight, Professor Choudhry has mentioned that "With the increasing democratic values world-wide while the dictatorships may not be possible easily in future but assertive and authoritarian leaders are likely to be emerging. The authoritarian tendencies of the ruling political leaders have tremendous impact on the socio-economic life of people."

This leaves us to consider what some national horoscopes suggest in this regard.

4. SAMVA USA chart
There is an indication in the SAMVA USA chart (see first blog here below) for a mild authoritarian tendency given

* the placement of Mercury as the lord of the third house being placed near the most effective point of the seventh house

* aspect between L6 Jupiter in H5 and L1 Moon in H11

* the influential position of L2 Sun on the MEP of H7

In view of the above, it is not inconceivable that authoritarian tendencies may increase in the political culture of the USA in the not too distant future. This is not to suggest that a radical shift will take place as was the case some 2000 years ago in another important country, Rome, where the political structure shifted from Republic to Empire during the 1st century B.C..

5. India Independence chart

Interestingly, it is the 8° Taurus rising chart for India (00:00 hrs, 15 August 1947, Delhi) which has a combination quite suggestive of authoritarian rule:

* L3 Moon is conjunct the most effective point of H3
* many planets in H3
* L10 Saturn is in H3
* L6 Venus is in H3 conjunct L10

This is like having the indication for dictatorship in spades. However, the aspect of malefic Ketu in H7 to the MEP of H3 and L3 Moon, may undermine the successful expression of this tendency. While India is a democracy, it was under Indira Gandhi, that an "Emergency" rule was declared in the 1970s. It all went rather badly and she lost power shortly after removing the emergency in 1978. According to this chart, it would not be surprising if an authoritarian ruler were to emerge in India in the future, however, there might also be problems with that.

For further information about the System's Approach to Mundane Vedic Astrology please consult: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SAMVA

What is astrology?

Below are seven quotes from respected but very different astrologers that reveal an implicit consensus among them as to what astrology is and is not. The difficulty with astrology is that most of its authors fall under the definition of fringe. While it is true that some authors have developed quite a following, such as Charles E. O. Carter and Alan Leo in London, to my knowledge it has not had the result of creating a formal and definite statement of consensus about what astrology is.

The quotes by E. Parker and Margaret Hone below show also that astrologers have for a long time been fighting an uphill battle with regard to prejudices and attacks from the science community and political establishment, literally pushing them undergound, which makes consensus harder to develop.[1] Even today, some who study astrology feel a need to do so anonymously to protect their livelihood. However, through a perusal of many disparate books, a common view emerges of modern astrologers around the world, even if there are notable differences in emphasis, that astrology is indeed a language of symbols, to interpret the influences from the cosmos on human life. It is both a science and art, but as Margaret Hone explains, the nuances and complexity of astrology make it's propositions hard to prove in the most rigorous scientific fashion. The famous philosopher of science, Paul Feyerabend made a convincing argument for the scientific study of astrology.[2]

Finally, some of the quotes bring out the meta aspect of astrology, that it deals with the inner reality of the human experience, based on the spirit and its relation with God. This cardinal axiomatic difference between astrology and the nihilist materialism of science is perhaps the most glaring cause for the attacks by the scientists of the Age of Enlightenment on astrology. It is a fight between two radically different world views, or paradigms. Enjoy!

Quote 1:
E. Parker was a Dutch astrologer in the first half of the 20th century, who wrote.
"Whether astrology is a science or not is a question which can only be discussed when we know what is meant by science. For many of the dogmas that today go officially by that name will hardly seem such to a thinking person, seeing that - considering their continual modifications and changes - they seem to result from groping rather than knowledge.
No one who takes the pains to compare them can deny that there is a relation between Astrology and the science of today.
When for instance we examine the most primitive plant and animal forms, the so-called radiolareæ, diatomæ etc. (cf. Haeckel "Kunstformen der Natur" and also the Chladnaic figures, formed in fine sand along magnetic lines of power under definite vibrations, does it seem as if the latter had come to life in the former? Snow crystals too, sections of flowers themselves, trees, ferns - even the parts of our own body (lungs, hearts, organs of hearing, etc) show this wonderful correspondence.
Might not this indicate that these plant and animal forms have their origin under definite vibrations, built up of definite materials?
Would it really be impossible to prove that those vibrations come to us through the celestial bodies as nuclei in Cosmic vibrations - seeing that so much has been found (the 'Od' of Reichenbach, and other similar substances) that proves in fact that something emanates from the celestial bodies." [3]
"Can it be maintained much longer that matter should exist apart from spirit which sends out its vibrations to set the matter moving, when on one hand we learn that our muscles work according to the command from the centre of the mind conveyed to them by nerves and on the other hand believe that all things are made by the Word that was with God and was God." [4]

Quote 2:
Margaret E. Hone, B.A., D.F. Astrol.S was a writer and teacher of astrology in the UK after WW II. She cited the difficult legal situation of astrology in Great Britain during the middle of the 20th century. Due to the "Witchcraft Act of 1735 and the Vagrancy Act of 1829, those who practiced astrology were branded as 'charlatans, rouges and vagabonds', implying that fortunetelling is illegal. She concluded that
* research of individuals had been pushed underground, preventing the formation of a "solid body of oppinion."
* there was a need to avoid certain language that could be held up to an absolute standard
* there was a need to impose examinations on astrologers to seperate the proficient from the 'quacks',
* advised astrologers to answer the question "How can such far-off planets influence the actions of ourselves?" with some ambiguity and to say that he "believes in no such thing, but that he observes that certain traits of character and certain types of events appear to correlate with certain planetary relationships. He must drop the word 'influence', which implies direct action, but at the same time he must point out that an astrologer uses many words colloquially, knowing full well what they mean to him."
"Astrology is not a SCIENCE, in the modern meaning of the term, which implies that knowledge is built up through proving theories by the repetition of experiments which have the same results, from which certain laws may be formed. The 'results' of astrology are often not 'the same' in outwardly assessable meaning, but to one used to its symbolism, are 'the same' in their nature. Science proves by statistics. While broad principles of astrology may be proved in this way, the more the student learns, the more he will realise that statistics may be misleading in the assessment of an intircate interlacing of planetary cycles, which are continually changing in relation to each other, and at varying rates of speed."
She proposed the following definition of astrology: "ASTROLOGY IS A UNIQUE SYSTEM OF INTERPRETATION OF THE CORRELATION OF PLANETARY ACTION IN HUMAN EXPERIENCE." For the reasons mentioned above she suggested that astrologers speak of 'correlation', not 'causation', even if she was implicitly assuming the salient presence of the latter. She rejected astrology being considered based on intution: "Astrology is NOT an innate ABILITY, such as clairvoyance or psychometry or telepathy".
She cited a quote by the famous Swiss psychologist Carl Jung as being insightful:
"Whatever is born, or done, in this moment of time, has the qualities of this moment in time". [5]

Quote 3:
The modern British astrologers, Baigen, Campion and Harvey state
"Astrology is a language by which the inner and the outer, the noumenal and the phenomenal, the spiritual and the material, can converse together." [6]

Quote 4:
Isabel Hickey is a well known American astrologer who wrote that "The birthchart shows our potentials and tendencies. One of our astrological teachers once said: "Man is not what he is because he was born when he was. He was born when he was because he was potentially what he is." It is not because you were born at a certain place or time that you react to influences, but the influences of that moment and that place in space show your potentials that can be actualized in the future." [7]

Quote 5:
The well known Indian astrologer & author V. K. Choudhry defines astrology thus.
"Astrology is an art of interpreting the reputed esoteric influence of stars/planets on human affairs. It is called divine science and it enables one to peep into the mysterious future... The Hindu system of Astrology is based on the premise that the natal position of planets is dependant on the past karma of the human beings and gives complete picture of the life of the person concerned." [8]

Quote 6:
The well known German astrologer and physician, Reinhold Ebertin, wanted to transform astrology into a scientific endeavor which he termed "cosmobiology.
"Cosmobiology is a scientific discipline concerned with the possible correlations between cosmos and organic life and the effects of cosmic rythms and stellar motions on man, with all his potentials and dispositions, his character, and the possible turn of fate; it also researches these correlations and effects as mirrored by the earth's plant and animal life as a whole. In this endeavor, cosmobiology utilizes modern-day methods of scientific research, such as statistics, analaysis, and computer programming. It is of prime importance, however, in view of the effort expanded, not to overlook the macrocosmic and microcosmic interrelations incapable of measurement." [9]

Quote 7:
The modern American scholar of vedic astrology, David Frawley, writes.
"Astrology is without a doubt the original science, the oldest of the systems of knowledge devised by human beings. It was the most important of the sciences of human culture until the advent of the modern science. Astrology was the basis for the first cosmologies, through which the ancients comprehended the structure and movement of the universe. It was the science of fate and destiny, used for understanding events on earth, which were seen as originating in the heavens. Astrology was not only the foremost of the outer sciences which deal with the nature of the physical universe, it was one of the most important of the inner or spiritual sciences which deal with the mind and soul." [10]

Footnotes
[1] Objections to astrology: a statement of 186 Leading Scientists, 1975
http://fisa.altervista.org/list_of_186.html
[2] Paul Feyerabend, "The Strange Case of Astrology", 1978
http://fisa.altervista.org/cialtrones.pdf
[3] There is an unconventional theory that comes to mind in relation to the above speculation, it is the yogic Theory of Microvitum - the "mysterious emanation of the cosmic factor".
[4] E. Parker, Amerspoort, July 1927 E. Parker, Astrology and its practical application, L.N. Fowler & Co. Ltd. Essex, UK, 1970, translated from Dutch.
[5] Margaret E. Hone, The Modern Textbook of Astrology, Fowler, UK, 1951.
[6] Michael Baigent, Nicholas Campion and Charles Harvey, Mundane Astrology, Thorsons, Great Britain, 1984 (second revised edition, 1992).
[7] Isabel M. Hickey, Astrology - A Cosmic Science, CRCS Publications, USA, 1992.
[8] V. K. Choudhry, System's Approach to Interpreting the Horoscope, Sagar Publications, Delhi, Revised and enlarged edition, 2006. Quote taken from author's website on 12-09-2007.
[9] Reinhold Ebertin, The Combination of Stellar Influences, American Federation of Astrologers, Tempe, AZ, USA, 1972, translated from German.
[10] David Frawley, Astrology of the Seers, Passage Press, USA, 1990.

The SAMVA USA chart

SAMVA USA chart (Perpetual Union)

SAMVA USA chart is a mundane astrology horoscope for the United States of America.

The chart is based on the event when Maryland became the 13th and final state to approve the ratification of the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union at 5:00 PM on February 2, 1781 in Annapolis, Maryland. In doing so, the USA effectively came into being as a Perpetual Union.

The horoscope was rectified as having 20° Cancer rising (sidereal) using the Systems' Approach to Vedic Astrology. As Philadelphia (75W10, 39N57) was the capital of the union being formed, this city should be used as the location for the rectified chart with a time of 16:58:33.

Historical basis
An authentic horoscope for the USA, one of the most important countries in the world, has long been sought in astrological circles. Major milestones in the formation of the country, such as the Articles of Association in 1774, the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union in 1781 and the US Constitution in 1787 have all been examined in minute detail for their significance, legality and timing. Other events, including the Boston Tea Party in 1773, the Declaration of the American Revolutionary War in 1775 and the Treaty of Paris in 1783, have also been examined.

Act of Maryland legislature to ratify Articles of Confederation

Maryland's Old Senate Chamber

Many horoscopes have been cast and studied. An event in US history, which has formerly not been given much notice by historians, has recently been identified as containing the karmic destiny of the country. This event is the signing into law in front of both Houses of the Maryland State Legislature, by Governor Thomas Sim Lee, the act of Maryland to approve the formal ratification of the Articles of Confederation at 5:00 PM on February 2, 1781, in Annapolis.
  
This was a signal moment for the birth of the country because it represented the culminating resolution of several years of political wrangling over the chronically divisive issue of western land claims of several states. More importantly, this 13th ratification established the requisite unanimous consent to the formation of a Perpetual Union. In short, the creation of a lasting union among the states depended effectively on this historic approval by the state of Maryland.

Maryland's 1781 Act to ratify the Perpetual Union

A much awaited decision
The protracted negotiations about the land claims had delayed the formation of constitutional Union, creating the perception that the thirteen states were not sufficiently united in prosecuting the Revolutionary War. Yielding to the pressure, Virginia became the last state to give in to Maryland's demands on the land issue and the Governor of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, signed the relevant legislation at Richmond, on January 2, 1781, thus paving the way for the decision by Maryland. 

Reflecting the heightened sense of national urgency and importance attached to its joining the Union, Maryland lawmakers felt a need to highlight the strenuous exertion of their state in support of the common cause and struggle for independence from Great Britain in the act.


The 13 coastal states of the USA in 1790

Creation of a political union
It should be recalled that in recommending the ratification of the Articles of Confederation to the thirteen States in 1777, the Continental Congress had stressed the role of the Articles "of combining in one general system the various sentiments and interests of a continent divided into so many sovereign and independent communities, under a conviction of the absolute necessity of uniting all our councils and all our strength, to maintain and defend our common liberties". It is therefore beyond doubt that the Articles were intended to create a national structure for the hitherto independent states.

On February 12, the Maryland law, which approved and authorized the State's delegates in Congress to confirm this ratification by a ceremonial signing of the Articles of Confederation, was entered into the records of the Second Continental Congress". On March 1, 1781, a formal signing ceremony of the Articles took place at noon time in Philadelphia with the designated Maryland delegates present to sign the formal document. However, this action proved a mere formality as the act that had given birth to the USA as a nation had taken place in Maryland a month earlier.

Attributes of the chart
The SAMVA USA chart that derives from this moment has 20° 00' Cancer rising in the sidereal horoscope (10° Leo in the tropical horoscope). Based on this chart many successful predictions have been made concerning the USA.
 

Sidereal 20° Cancer rising

The chart has significant merit in explaining the potentialities of the country and their manifestation, including 1) the fame of the country associated with the Framers idealistic vision for a free and prosperous human society embodied in the new Constitution from the late 18th century, 2) its inheritance of Western civilization and new expansive territories, 3) the early demonstration of a war-like nature and military prowess, resulting in participation in numerous wars, 4) an entrepreneurial culture, 5) the early maltreatment of indigenous peoples and imported slaves and subsequent racial tensions and civil rights turmoil, 6) the thrust to a more humane society resulting in a bloody civil war and human rights battles to improve the life of minorities and ethnic groups, 7) the danger to US Presidents with a growing number of assassinations and assassination attempts, 8) the periodic financial crises and setbacks to wealth and employment, 9) the growing influence of the USA in the world, with major international organizations being placed on US soil from the mid 20th century, and 10) the tendency for manipulation and crisis in political life sometimes associated with influential vested interests.

Planetary influences in the chart
The national character of the USA is shaped to a large extent by the sign Cancer that rises in the ascendant of the SAMVA USA chart and the influences of planets on the ascendant or on its lord, the Moon. There are many happy events in the lives of those with Cancer rising. The sign brings grace and cleverness and makes those born under it good hosts, capable of receptivity and adaptability, generous, peace loving, with humor, wit and imagination or overly emotional, sensitive, shy, moody, attached, dependent and full of concern, both for themselves and for others. Cancerians tend to be sensitive and restless.

The royal planet Moon is exalted in Taurus, the eleventh house of income, hopes and friends. This makes the Americans visionary but also gives them a good income. The aspect of Jupiter, as the lord of conflict, in Scoprio, to the Moon gives the Americans a fixed and war-like nature. The aspect of 10th lord Mars in Scorpio to the Moon as 1st lord gives the nation its fame for their laws, technological know-how, bravery and enterprise. The creation of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights spread the fame of America far and wide in the early years of their Republic. It is also an important ingredient in their ability to be the first nation to send men to the Moon and bring them back alive.

A further and major influence on the American character is the placement of the Sun in Capricorn, in conjunction with the rising degree of the seventh house. The king of the planetary cabinet, the Sun, becomes the lord of wealth and status for Cancer born, as well as the President. It is the general indicator of the soul and vitality. This powerful placement gives Americans their considerable status and influence in the world and a strong Presidency. It also gives American's their sense of identity as "God's own country." 

Saturn, the 8th lord of death and easy gains, is in Scorpio and 5th house, bringing easy gains as well as obstacles and endings to the indications of creativity, universities and speculation. The nation has endured many financial setbacks. The USA is the inheritor of the Western civilizational legacy and has been formed in a vast continent. Saturn's aspect to the Sun, brings a sense of danger to lives of US Presidents but also death-defying feats that boost the status, such as in space exploration. The 18 assassination attempts made on US Presidents since 1835, thereof four that led to death, are explained by the influence of Saturn as 8th lord on the Sun but also by the aspect of functional malefic Moon's node, Ketu, on the 8th house of death. 

A strong Mars, in mutual aspect with the Moon, gives Americans their identification with a strong military and industry. As Mars rules the 10th house, it also gives a robust and famous government and legal tradition. That said, the conjunction of Rahu with the most effective point of the 10th house, ruled by Mars, and Ketu to the 4th house of communal harmony, also contribute plenty of problems in this regard.

Mercury, the functional lord of the 3rd house, involving communication and enterprise, is well placed and strong in Capricorn and the seventh house. Along with the strong Sun in the 7th house, it is associated with the importance American's place on "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness", shaping also their foreign and commercial policies. 

The placement of the lunar nodes, Rahu in Aries tenth house and and Ketu in Libra fourth house, has caused many tragedies and difficulties in the national life, involving upsets in the political sphere and the social calm. The influence of Rahu has repeatedly led to exposure of corruption in government and legislative affairs, disrupting the communal harmony.



Tropical 10° Leo rising

The bad placement of Venus as lord of fixed assets and enjoyment of luxuries in the 6th house of conflict and the servicing of financial debts, is associated with the notable temporary setbacks in the housing market, economic conditions and way of life.

The characteristics of Cancer as a rising sign and the many auspicious placements are quite consistent with a nation that first liberated Europe from the danger of Nazi fascism and then came to the rescue of the destitute countries of Europe after World War II with the Marshall Aid package that helped quickly rebuild the lives of the citizens and thereby also prevented another threat from gaining a foothold, Soviet Communism.

SAMVA
The SAMVA USA chart has been extensively researched against historical events and is being tested with predictions made by astrologers using the Systems’ Approach to Mundane Vedic Astrology (SAMVA).

References
Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articles_of_Confederation_and_Perpetual_Union
More about the Perpetual Union
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_Union
Overview of dates proposed for the birth of the USA
Birth of a nation – a study of seven major events in US history
Further insights into the event that gave birth to the USA
What event gave birth to the USA?
A historical perspective on the formation of the Union
The Perpetual Union