Predictions for the USA in 2010

In examining what may lie ahead for the USA in the year 2010 we look at the SAMVA USA chart (Perpetual Union). The period and transit influences are studied with reference to the potential seen in the chart. The delinetation of astrological influences as per the Systems' Approach is emphasised for educational purposes. The underlying trends of 2009 are seen to continue, with the economy improving in a sluggish way. Due to adverse transit influences, strains are expected in the housing market and for domestic peace at the beginning of the year. In the summer of 2010 a major challenge is seen in the national life, likely involving foreign hostilities, financial problems or an earthquake. The autumn and winter months are expected to be more manageable.

Major period influence
Since April 1996, the USA has been running the 20 year major period of the planet Venus. As lord of the 4th house, Venus rules e.g. communal harmony, housing, land and education. Venus also has to do with women, the arts, medicinal knowledge, airlines, design and luxuries in life. Venus is badly placed in the 6th house, which rules financial stability, enemity and health issues. This means that the indications ruled by Venus tend to be associated with conflict or debts. Venus also happens to be the weakest planet in the SAMVA USA chart and its indications are thus vulnerable to setbacks associated with adverse transit influences.

As if that was not enough, the 4th house ruled by Venus is afflicted by Ketu, the planet of sudden and explosive events. Ketu also brings an element of separation and isolation to those things it touches. This placement is consistent with the perennial struggle of minorities for equal rights and inclusion in the country. On top of that, the 6th house is afflicted by Rahu, the planet ruling manipulation due to the desire for material gain and crisis due to exposure. The indications of Venus are therefore vulnerable to sudden setbacks, linked to concerns over finances, health or conflict. It is no coincidence there have been serious upheaveals over debt, health issues and conflict during this period. It is helpful that the dispositor of Venus, Jupiter as 6th lord, is well placed in Scorpio and the 5th house of creativity and management. Jupiter thus offers moderately strong support for its indications of financial stability, health and conflict.

During the Venus major period there have been upsets to the communal harmony over e.g. the attacks on 9/11, the war in Iraq and the implosion of the US housing market. Toxic ‘sub-prime’ debts were marketed around the USA and world during the Rahu sub-period. When those chickens came home to roost in 2007 and 2008, it threatened to derail the stability of the US and global financial system. The US government intervened and stabilized the situation by saving key banks and mortgage institutions from going bankrupt. It did so by printing money and assuming huges debts. This has raised concerns about the strength of the dollar and inflation, especially in 2009, as predicted. Finally, there has been a drawn out debate over the health care system, with health care coverage extended to all as is the practice in most European countries. However, such a solution comes at the expense of public finances and ultimately the tax payers. The trend of heavy public finances is expected to continue in 2010.

Sub-period influence
The Saturn sub-period in the SAMVA USA chart (Perpetual Union) is in operation from February 2009 to April 2012. In the national horoscope, with 20° Cancer rising, Saturn functions as the 8th lord. Due to its placement in old age in the sign of Scorpio its strength is reduced somewhat. As 8th lord it contributes influences of obstacles, endings and desires to 5th house indications of creativity, intelligence, romance, entertainment and management in society. The aspect of Saturn to Sun contributes to other indications showing setbacks in the matter of wealth of the nation and the number of assassination attempts made on the life of the US President, the head of state. During this period, the focus has shifted, as predicted in 2008, from the tense financial stability concerns during the Jupiter sub-period in 2007 and 2008. In its place, there is increased awareness of obstacles and endings in the national life during the Saturn period, but also on easy gains for the common people, such as through changes in the tax code or other reforms. As Saturn is 8th lord, the sense of danger in national life tends to increase. Indeed, there has been some sense of alarm in the USA (and Israel) over Iran's dogged pursuit of increased nuclear capabilities since 2009. As Saturn is a general indicator of the economy, working people and things mined from the ground the reforms and issues will be focused on these areas of the national life. Indeed, unemployment is high. With Saturn in the sign Virgo since September 2009, there is likelihood of relatively greater progress for employment in analytical and IT activities. The economy has become sluggish during this period as predicted. Moreover, as Saturn is natally placed in the 5th house, problems will tend to be found in the domain of national life ruled by this house, such as in the management of the economy or of ordinary or disenfranchised people. Obstacles will also be felt in the area of speculation on financial and other markets and in the life of institutions of higher learning or the software and entertainment industries. As Saturn afflicts the 2nd lord Sun in the chart, this sub-period will be characterised by obstacles and challenges facing the wealth and status of the country as well as the US President. The US economy is expected to remain on a sluggish but improving trend during this sub-period.

Major transits in 2010
In 2010, transit Jupiter will be badly placed in the 8th house in the first five months of the year and again in the final month of the year. This suggests obstacles and endings will be felt for the indications of Jupiter at those times, such as financial stability, opposition and health. The indications of Jupiter, including general indications like banking and monetary policy, may experience problems at that time. Importantly, any weakening of financial stability will have a negative effect on the indications of Venus, such as housing and communal harmony. Indeed, bankers have become much more cautious in lending money. This tendency is more pronounced when Venus becomes weak or afflicted in transit. Venus is badly placed in transit while in Sagittarius, until January 13, 2010, when it also becomes conjunct transit stationary Rahu at 27° Sagittarius. Venus again becomes badly placed from February 7 to March 2, 2010, when it transits Aquarius and the 8th house. It comes under the aspect of transit stationary Ketu in the 12th house at the end of February 2010, when also there may be sudden problems for its indications. The housing market, health matters or communal harmony will be especially strained while the transit stationary nodes are conjunct natal Venus at 23° 50 Sagittarius and 6th house during the first three months of 2010. As Venus rules air travel, the concerns in December 2009 over an attempted bombing of a US airliner by a terrorist is one manifestation of this transit strain.

Mars entered Cancer, its sign of debilitation, on October 5, 2009 where it will stay until May 26, 2010. Mars is weak in transit during this time. In general the influence of Mars as 10th lord of career while residing in 1st house of self for those with Cancer rising is to “deepen interest in professional matters and relationships.”[1] In the second half of January 2010 Mars will have an impact on the most effective point of the 20° Cancer rising degree in the SAMVA USA chart. At that time, Mars will closely aspect also the 4th house of fixed assets and communal harmony, 7th house of foreign policy and 8th house of obstacles and endings and easy gains. As 10th lord Mars is a benign planet but is debilitated in the sign Cancer and will be afflicted by transit stationary Saturn as 8th lord in early 2010, the indications of Mars, including athletes, police and military as well as industry, will likely be strained in early 2010. From late May 2010 and to the end of the year, Mars will move more through the signs Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius, or the 2nd to 6th houses in the SAMVA USA chart. In general it will do well in houses 2, 3, 4 and 5 and helps those things it touches. In Leo Mars will briefly come under the aspect of natal Rahu and natal Saturn. In Virgo, Mars will become conjunct transit Saturn. In Libra, it will become conjunct natal Ketu. In Scorpio, it will become conjunct natal Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. In Sagittarius, Mars becomes badly placed and falls under the aspect of Rahu and becomes conjunct natal Venus.

Jupiter entered Aquarius and the 8th house on December 21, 2009. It will stay there upto May 5, 2010, when it enters Pisces and the 9th house. As 6th lord, Jupiter rules enemies, health and financial stability of the USA. It is also a general indicator of corporate magnates, judges and generally important personages. Jupiter becomes retrograde on July 24, 2010. In the transit progress, Jupiter becomes stationary around 9° Pisces between June and August 2010. It will then briefly re-enter the sign Aquarius and 8th house from November 2 to December 6, 2010, when it enters Pisces again. Jupiter will remain quite weak while it is around 0° Pisces and 30° Aquarius from October through December 2010. While Jupiter is well placed and moderately strong in the SAMVA USA chart (Perpetual Union), this transit weakness is expected to give some health problems to the nation and stress or obstructions in financal matters.[2] As Jupiter aspects the Moon as 1st lord of self in the 11th house of ideals, it may also involve the nation in conflict over principles and give financial stress.

Saturn entered Virgo on 9th September, 2009. It will be stationary and have prolonged impact on 10° Virgo from December 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010. In this position, Saturn aspects natal 10th lord Mars in Scorpio and 5th house. This will bring strains to the indications of Mars, such soldiers and police, industry or international trade, but likely not significant setbacks. On January 14, 2010, Saturn goes retrograde at 10° 39’ Virgo and resumes direct motion on May 31, 2010, at 3° 49’ Virgo. Saturn will be stationary and have prolonged impact on 4° Virgo from May 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010.

In late December 2010 and into 2011 Saturn will have prolonged impact on 23° Virgo. As Mercury is the dispositor of Saturn while it is transiting the sign Virgo, the frequent weakness of Mercury in transit, due to e.g. combustion, infancy, old age, affliction and debilitation, etc. Saturn will not be able to give its results as a strong planet most of the time it stays in Virgo. There may also be an indication of indecisiveness. For the ascending sign of Cancer, Saturn “may cause obstructions and difficulties in one's initiatives” while in this sign.[3]

Scope for violent events
As Jupiter and Saturn are prime functional malefics in the Cancer rising SAMVA USA chart, their aspect to each other tend to produce difficulty. On May 23, 2010, transit 6th lord Jupiter at 3° 52’ Pisces and 9th house will become opposite transit stationary 8th lord Saturn at 3° 52’ Virgo and 3rd house. As both planets are also aspecting natal Jupiter at 4° 25’ Scorpio and 5th house, this aspect is likely to produce setbacks, especially for the indications of Jupiter, including financial stability. There could be violent or destructive events. On August 16, 2010, transit stationary Jupiter at 8° 27’ Pisces and 9th house becomes opposite transit Saturn at 8° 27’ Virgo and 3rd house. Both planets will be aspecting the strong natal Mars as 10th lord at 10° 05’ Scorpio and 5th house, producing some strain for its indications, e.g. the police, military or industry.

Rahu entered Sagittarius on November 3, 2009, where it remains up to May 4, 2011. During this time Ketu will remain in Gemini. In the Cancer rising SAMVA USA chart, Rahu will be transiting the sixth house and Ketu will be transiting the twelfth house. The influence of Rahu and Ketu is unfavorable and give obstructions and setbacks. Rahu in the 6th house tends to produce harm through enemity, health and setbacks in domestic peace. Ketu in the 12th house tends to produce sudden stress in foreign relationships, expenses and may cause loss of assets. The Moon’s nodes become stationary three times in these signs. Special stress is expected when the nodes are stationary but with the Sun also being badly placed in transit.[4] From December 2009 to mid February 2010 Rahu will be stationary at 27° Sagittarius and Ketu at 27° Gemini. In early 2010, the nodes will therefore influence natal Venus as 4th lord bringing stress or even setbacks to its indications of fixed assets and communal harmony. As Venus is 4th lord, problems for natural resources or from earthquakes cannot be excluded. The Sun will be transiting the sign Sagittarius from December 16, 2009 to January 15, 2010, adding to the stress. The time around January 12 is more notable as the Sun will then be conjunct the nodes. The stationary motion of the nodes at this point will have ended when the Sun enters Aquarius and the 8th house from February 13 to March 15, 2010, so less strain is likely then.

Crisis in the summer of 2010
It is however in the summer, from mid May to mid August 2010 when the nodes become stationary at 18° Sagittarius and Gemini that signficant problems are expected. This is because functional malefic transit Ketu will then be in close mutual aspect with natal Ketu in the 4th house, a combination that has in the past produced major earthquakes. This aspect is interesting as the lord of sudden, explosive events and separation or estrangement, aspects itself. In 1812, when transit Ketu was stationary at 17° Aquarius in the 8th house of obstacles and endings in aspect to its natal placement there was the huge New Madrid earthquake. On June 19, 1812, in the wake of growing tensions, the US declared war on Great Britain, the War of 1812, over foreign trade and indian issues. The declaration of war involved not only this adverse nodal transit but also the placement of 8th lord Saturn in the 6th house of conflict and the aspect of transit 6th lord Jupiter in the 12th house to natal 4th lord Venus - a very difficult year indeed. In any event, the nodal transit situation in mid 2010 is similar to that of 1812, but not the placement of transit Saturn, which will be in a good house throughout the year and transit Jupiter will also move to a good house in May. However, the opposition aspect between transit Saturn and transit Jupiter - and their affliction of natal Jupiter - is adding an element of violence to the situation. Some violent events - natural or man made - are thus likely to take place during the summer. Difficult financial stability, banking or religious issues could also flare up. The situation could be especially tense when the Sun transits Gemini and the 12th house from June 16 to July 16, 2010. In particular, the time in early July (see horoscope here for July 1, 2010) could be especially stressful, when the Sun becomes conjunct transit Ketu.

As Ketu is placed in the 12th house of foreign matters it is likely that some sudden foreign situation will develop that will disturb the communal harmony in the USA, possibly a military conflict or a related event. A contentious racial or ethnic issue could also explode on the scene. As the year opens, the US is engaged in a battle with the Taliban in Afghanistan, managing the situation in Iraq and concerned about Al-Queda terrorist training camps in Jemen. Nuclear ambitions of Iran are burning a long fuse in Washington, but with Israel especially concerned. Such trouble spots could flare up in the summer or new ones emerge.

Astrologer & Author V. K. Choudhry is in agreement that the SAMVA USA chart shows a quite difficult time in May to July, 2010.

"Additional economic and financial problems are seen
besides the anxiety and loss of mental peace."

The strains would be reduced from August. In November and December 2010, the nodes become stationary at 9° Sagittarius/Gemini, but they are not afflicted or afflicting at this point and thus less problematic.

References
[1] Mars in Cancer
http://www.yournetastrologer.com/mars_in_cancer.htm
[2] Jupiter in Aquarius
http://www.yournetastrologer.com/jupiter_in_aquarius.htm
[3] Saturn in Virgo
http://www.yournetastrologer.com/saturn_in_virgo.htm
[4] Rahu in Sagittarius
http://www.yournetastrologer.com/rahu_in_sagittarius.htm

A bright, shining moment

The Presidency of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1960-1963) has been vigorously debated by historians. No matter their conclusions on different aspects of US policy during his Presidency or the conduct of his private affairs, Kennedy left a huge impression on his contemporaries. In fact, his sudden and violent death brought grief to millions around the world, comparable to that witnessed following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln on April 15, 1865. His birth chart shows the key characteristics of his life and significant events in vivid detail as per a reading of the main influences with the vedic Systems' Approach.

Virgo ascendant
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born at 83 Beals Street in Brookline, Massachusetts on Tuesday, May 29, 1917, at 3:00 p.m. This birth time gives Virgo rising.[1]

According to Astrologer & Author V. K. Choudhry "the sign Virgo is the mooltrikona sign of the planet, Mercury. Mercury governs nervous system, abdominal umbilical region, bowel and intestines. It is a negative, human, earthy and barren sign and rules the power of analysis and discrimination. If the sign Virgo rises and Mercury is strong, a person gets attractive personality and is charming. The weak Mercury gives body with prominent veins, lack of witticism and lack of charm. The weak and afflicted Mercury causes sufferings through nervous breakdown, appendicitis, constipation, etc. Their analytical nature makes Virgos thorough and critical, leading to perfection. They are realistic in their approach, weigh pros and cons carefully and are appreciative of the events liked by them. They are practical, fully composed and sometimes perceived to be fussy. All these depend upon the strength and placement of Mercury in the natal chart. They are generally not content, because environment is quite away from idealism. The usual weakness of Mercury makes Virgo-born people feel insecure in life. They are generally worrisome. Virgos are mostly truthful, sincere and dependable. The reason is that the house ruling character and inclination has the mooltrikona sign of the planet, Jupiter. The oft-existent weakness of Mercury makes Virgos nervous. The role played by functional malefics in making Virgos nervous is very significant."[2]

In the 27° Virgo rising chart, there are both strengths and weaknesses seen. Importantly, the 2nd lord Venus is strong and powerfully placed with also potent influences seen on the 2nd house itself, compensating for drawbacks in the placement of Mercury as the 1st lord of self in the 8th house where it is conjunct Mars as 8th lord. The combination explains the affluence and political power enjoyed by John F. Kennedy.

It is of considerable interest that the 1st lord Mercury is in a very fated placement, being located at 27° 53' Aries and the 8th house, where it is conjunct the strong 8th lord Mars at 25° 43' Aries. This placement imbues the native with several different traits. The placement of the 1st lord of self in the 8th house is not considered good as it surrounds the life with obstacles and at some stage possibly death-like situations. As Mercury is conjunct 8th lord Mars, this placement suggests a classic martian physique, but the influence of Mars as 8th lord on Mercury is also to add a lustfulness to the nature while giving knowledge of the transcendent in the life. Importantly, 1st lord Mercury closely aspects the 2nd and 8th houses. This placement adds to the status of the native, imbuing the native with some wit and charm, as well as wherewithal to overcome obstacles. The influence of a strong 8th lord Mars on the 2nd house is dualistic. On the one hand it adds legitimacy and easy gains the status, wealth and family, while on the other it produces obstacles and endings (including death) for these very same areas of life. It is one of the contradictions of the 8th lord to on the one hand be able to give something great while on the other hand it can exact a high price. In fact, tragedies have befallen this priviliged and famous family which have given rise to books with titles like "The Kennedy Curse", etc. The 8th lord also shows the income of the father, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., which was great, but there were also persistent rumours that his father became rich through illegal or manipulative means.

The placement of Venus as 2nd lord of status, wealth and family, at 24° 02' Taurus and the 9th house is remarkable. Venus is well placed in its own sign, Taurus. It is also a sun-like planet, being lord of the 2nd house for Virgo natives. Being placed in the 9th house of fortune and father, it gives fortune to the family, wealth of status. Importantly, as Venus is in the most effective point of the 9th house, it aspects the 9th house and 3rd house of communication, self effort and younger brothers. Kennedy made a name for himself through his exploits, both physical and intellectual. He not only wrote best sellers, but he was an orator of legendary accomplishment. His speeches and sayings are now part of the American folklore, such as "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" and "Ich bin ein Berliner". His younger brothers, Robert and Edward also became notable politicians in their own right. His 12th lord Sun is well placed and unafflicting in the 9th house, which is consistent with his father becoming the US Ambassador to Great Britain shortly before the outbreak of World War II. John F. Kennedy's 11th lord Moon is, however, badly placed in the 12th house of losses, which, along with the affliction to his 2nd house of famly, is consistent with him losing his elder brother, Joseph Jr., during the war.

With such stunning placements, we should not be surprised that Kennedy was born into a family of wealth and influence. He was the second son of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald; while Rose, was in turn the eldest child of John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, a prominent Boston political figure who was the city's mayor and a three-term member of Congress. John F. Kennedy then rose to greater heights, before being cut down in the prime of his life.

An early life of privilige and ailments
Physically, Kennedy had numerous ailments. In late April 1931, he had appendicitis requiring an appendectomy, after which he withdrew from Canterbury and recuperated at home. In January 1934 during his junior year in high school, Jack Kennedy became ill, lost a lot of weight, was hospitalized at Yale-New Haven Hospital until Easter, and spent most of June 1934 hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for evaluation of colitis. In October 1935, Kennedy enrolled at Princeton University but was hospitalized for two months' observation for possible leukemia at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston in January and February 1936. He recuperated at the Kennedy winter home in Palm Beach in March and April. In September 1936 he enrolled as a freshman at Harvard College, where he produced he earned a spot on the varsity swim team. In late June 1938, Kennedy sailed with his father and his brother Joe on the SS Normandie to spend July working with his father, recently appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom by President Roosevelt, at the American embassy in London, and August with his family at a villa near Cannes. From February through September 1939, Kennedy toured Europe, the Soviet Union, the Balkans, and the Middle East to gather background information for his Harvard senior honors thesis. He spent the last ten days of August in Czechoslovakia and Germany before returning to London on September 1, 1939, the day Germany invaded Poland. On September 3, 1939, Kennedy and his family were in attendance at the Strangers Gallery of the House of Commons to hear speeches in support of the United Kingdom's declaration of war on Germany. Kennedy was sent as his father's representative to help with arrangements for American survivors of the SS Athenia, before flying back to the U.S. on Pan Am's Dixie Clipper from Foynes, Ireland to Port Washington, New York on his first transatlantic flight at the end of September. There were also some death like situations. Kennedy underwent several spinal operations in the mid 1950s. He nearly died and in all he received the Roman Catholic Church's last rites four times during his life. In addition to the affliction to Mercury as 1st lord of the physical body, his Saturn, which rules the 6th house of health, while well placed at 4° 27' Cancer and 11th house, is weakened by having its dispositor, the Moon, badly placed in the 12th house of losses.

An intellect focused on foreign policy
In 1940, Kennedy completed his thesis, "Appeasement in Munich," about British participation in the Munich Agreement. He initially intended his thesis to be private, but his father encouraged him to publish it as a book. He graduated cum laude from Harvard with a degree in international affairs in June 1940, and his thesis was published in July 1940 as a book entitled Why England Slept, and became a bestseller. With his Jupiter as 4th lord of education and interests in life placed in the 9th house, which also explains his interest in foreign affairs. That said, Jupiter is weak by being in infancy in the sign Taurus, thus Kennedy had to contend with various challenges and even setbacks in foreign policy during his Presidency. There was the missile confrontation with the Soviets, which threatened a nuclear world war in October 1962, a crisis regarding Laos and problems with the US military-intelligence community.

War hero
Kennedy's life was threatened repeatedly in his short life. Four times he was read the last rights of the Catholic church. This is consistent with the close conjunction of his Mercury and Mars, as 1st lord of self and 8th lord of death. Given the aspect of these planets on the house of status, the death-like situations also added to his status. On August 2, 1943, Kennedy's boat, the PT-109, was taking part in a nighttime patrol near New Georgia in the Solomon Islands when it was rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri. Kennedy was thrown across the deck, injuring his already-troubled back. Nonetheless, Kennedy gathered his men together and swam, towing a badly-burned crewman by using a life jacket strap he clenched in his teeth. He towed the wounded man to an island and later to a second island from where his crew was subsequently rescued. For these actions, Kennedy received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.

Older brother killed
Tragedy struck at 18:20 GMT on August 12,1944, when his elder brother Joseph was killed on a bombing mission in the war. A secret war telegram survives to witness the event:
"ATTEMPTED FIRST APHRODITE ATTACK TWELVE AUGUST WITH ROBOT TAKING OFF FROM FERSFIELD AT ONE EIGHT ZERO FIVE HOURS PD ROBOT EXPLODED IN THE AIR AT APPROXIMATELY TWO THOUSAND FEET EIGHT MILES SOUTHEAST OF HALESWORTH AT ONE EIGHT TWO ZERO HOURS PD WILFORD J. WILLY CMA SR GRADE LIEUTENANT AND JOSEPH P. KENNEDY SR GRADE LIEUTENANT CMA BOTH USNR CMA WERE KILLED PD COMMANDER SMITH CMA IN COMMAND OF THIS UNIT CMA IS MAKING FULL REPORT TO US NAVAL OPERATIONS PD A MORE DETAILED REPORT WILL BE FORWARDED TO YOU WHEN INTERROGATION IS COMPLETED."[3]
As mentioned above, the natal potential is seen for such an event, with Moon as 11th lord of older brother placed in the 12th house of losses and the aspect of the 8th lord of death on the 2nd house of family. At the time of death, the Rahu-Rahu period was operating and transit 8th lord Mars was conjunct natal Moon in the 12th house. Transit Moon was also conjunct natal Sun as 12th lord of losses. The astrological signature could not be any clearer in a chart for such a tragic occurrence.

Elected President, November 8, 1960
On Tuesday, November 8, 1960, Kennedy defeated Nixon in one of the closest presidential elections of the twentieth century. In the national popular vote Kennedy led Nixon by just two-tenths of one percent (49.7% to 49.5%), while in the Electoral College he won 303 votes to Nixon's 219 (269 were needed to win). The Rahu-Mars period was operating, highlighting the issue of legitimacy and status. His transit 2nd lord was in the most effective point of the 3rd house in aspect to its own natal placement, with 1st lord Mercury well placed in the 2nd house.

Cuban Missile crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of a nuclear exchange between the hostile superpowers, the USA and Soviet Union. While the crisis emerged slowly following the placement of US missiles in Turkey in 1959, it came to a head in tow weeks in the autumn of 1962, in October 14-28. Kennedy addressed the nation on October 22 about the buildup of arms on Cuba, which may be considered the peak of this crisis.

During the crisis, the Jupiter-Jupiter period was operating, with many difficult transit aspects, including the conjunction of Saturn and Ketu that fall, with the conjunction of Rahu and Mars adding to the drama in the third week of October. The rare transit combination involved just about everybody. There were strong linkages into the SAMVA USA chart, reflecting the grave national import and strain. In the end, Kennedy agreed to remove the missiles in Turkey and the Soviets backed down from their threat.

Ich bin ein Berliner speech
On June 26, 1963, Kennedy visited West Berlin and gave a public speech criticizing communism. Kennedy used the construction of the Berlin Wall as an example of the failures of communism: "Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in." The speech is known for its famous phrase "Ich bin ein Berliner". Nearly five-sixths of the population was on the street when Kennedy said the famous phrase. He remarked to aides afterwards: "We'll never have another day like this one." [4] In the chart, the Jupiter-Jupiter period was still operating, with transit Jupiter in the most effective point of the 7th house, showing rewarding experiences abroad, with transit 1st lord Mercury conjunct 2nd lord Venus in the most effective point of the 9th house, conjunct natal Venus, aspecting the 3rd house of speech.

President Kennedy assassinated
President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on November 22, 1963, while on a political trip to Texas to smooth over factions in the Democratic Party between liberals and conservatives, with the latter being led by Governor John Connally. Kennedy was shot once in the upper back and was killed with a final shot to the head. He was pronounced dead at 1:00 p.m. Only 46, President Kennedy died younger than any U.S. president to date. Lee Harvey Oswald, an employee of the schoolbook depository from which the shots were suspected to have been fired, was arrested on charges of the murder of a local police officer and was subsequently charged with the assassination of Kennedy. He denied shooting anyone, claiming he was a patsy, but was killed by Jack Ruby on November 24, before he could be indicted or tried. Ruby was then arrested and convicted for the murder of Oswald. Many motives has been suggested for the killing of Kennedy, including his attempt to obtain peaceful relations with the Soviets, to the point of backing down from challenges, including the Bay of Pigs invasion[5][6]. Some rather stunning similarities between the assassinations of Kennedy and Lincoln have been documented.[7]

The Jupiter-Saturn period was operating. Transit nodes were conjunct his natal nodes, one of the most difficult aspects known. Transit Mercury as 1st lord of self was exactly opposite transit Sun as 12th lord of losses. Transit Mars, lord of death was conjunct the most effective point of his 3rd house, from where it also aspects the 6th house, owned by the sub-period lord, the 9th and 1oth houses. Mars was also conjunct transit 2nd lord Venus and opposing natal Venus. Transit Saturn as 6th lord of enemies was conjunct the 5th house of enjoyment, from where it also aspected the 7th, 11th and 2nd houses. Importantly, the death is explained by the natal conjunction of lords of self and death in the 8th house of death. Even in his death, there was the greatest fame of all.

References
[1] John F. Kennedy - Wikipedia entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy
[2] LEARN ASTROLOGY - LESSON 77 "Impact of Ascending Signs : Virgo"
http://www.yournetastrologer.com/learn_astrology77.htm
[3] Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. - Wikipedia entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_P._Kennedy,_Jr.
[4] Timeline of JFK's life
http://www.sptimes.com/News/111199/JFK/timeline.shtml
[5] Video of Kennedy's commencement speech (on nuclear disarmament) at American University, June 10, 1963.
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset+Tree/Asset+Viewers/Audio+Video+Asset+Viewer.htm?guid={AD102C43-3F44-42AD-A514-F2EE94878B89}&type=Audio
[6] "I am convinced that President Kennedy was killed by a large domestic conspiracy involving key players in the national security establishment, a conspiracy that crossed agency lines. It is clear to me that a veto was cast on JFK's life by this cabal because they despised (and feared) President Kennedy's foreign policy, and were convinced he was losing the Cold War." - Douglas Horne, author of "Inside the Assassination Records Review Board: The U.S. Government's Final Attempt to Reconcile the Conflicting Medical Evidence in the Assassination of JFK", November 8, 2009.
http://insidethearrb.livejournal.com/
[7] Stunning similarities between the Kennedy and Lincoln assassinations
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln-Kennedy_coincidences_urban_legend

National identity of the USA

The identity of the United States of America is shown in its national symbols. This article explores the major symbols and their uncanny correspondence with the key astrological influences in the national horoscope of the country.

SAMVA USA chart (Perpetual Union)
The United States of America was born on February 2, 1781, at 4:58:33 PM (EST) in Philadelphia, PA (75W10, 39N57) when the Maryland legislature passed an Act to ratify the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union. This 13th ratification established the requisite unanimous consent to the formation of a Perpetual Union.[1] The national horoscope has 20° Cancer rising (sidereal zodiac). Cancer is a feminine sign noted for its caring nature, especially when its lord, the royal planet Moon, is strong in the chart. The 2nd lord of the chart, the royal Sun, is powerfully placed on the most effective point of the 7th house of others, aspecting the 1st house of self.

Early history
The early history of the USA is seen in the major planetary periods (dasas) of the chart, which reflect the natal placements.

During the first planetary Sun period in the SAMVA USA chart, from April 9, 1776 to April 10, 1782, the US declared independence (pre-natal part of the period), formed as a Perpertual Union and won the Revolutionary war. During the subsequent Moon major period, from April 10, 1782 to April 9, 1792, the Union was perfected with the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights which laid out the founding ideals and political structure of the country. This period gave lasting fame to the USA for advances in human liberty.

This feature of the chart is important to show that the timing of periods in the chart is consistent with the natal potential seen. Such a perfect fit could only be seen in an authentic chart, which the SAMVA USA chart (Perpetual Union) is. Moreover, the founding creed of American's has repeatedly been confirmed by succeeding generations. [2]

National symbols
The US has many symbols which represent its various potentialities. [3] Symbols of power, like the Bald Eagle and Uncle Sam, reflect the strong and powerfully placed Sun in the chart. [4] The strong and powerfully placed Sun in the 7th house gives the characteristic to the US foreign policy to spread freedom and democracy around the world. The strong Mars in the chart gives the US the military ability to back up this nature and thus serve as the 'policeman of the world.'

Of even more importance is the symbolism linked to the rising sign Cancer and its ruler, the Moon. The feminine symbols of the USA reflect in an uncanny manner the nature of this rising sign, Cancer. The Moon is strong due to its exaltation in the sign Taurus and its good placement in the 11th house of ideals, friendship and income. The Moon is also in mutual aspect to Jupiter and Mars in Scorpio and the 5th house. This favourable placement gives the US as a collective entity the inclination to care for other countries. An example of this is its effort to help rebuild Europe and Japan after World War II. Of course, the US does this also due to the strong Sun, which makes the US intent on fighting the spread of totalitarianism (or anti-democratic forces) in the world.

Perhaps the most prominent symbol of the United States of America is the Statue of Liberty. Since 1886, it has greeted immigrants arriving by ship. At its erection, the statue took on the symbolism of the “Mother of Exiles” as represented in the poem by Emma Lazarus in 1883, which further states "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.” [5] For the most part, the immigrants got a more prosperous start in the new world. Since then, the Statue of Liberty has developed into a global symbol for democracy, a founding ideal of the USA. Another less well known but equally important fact is that the national symbol for the United States of America is the feminine personification of Columbia.

Origins of term Columbia
In the 18th century, the term Columbia emerged as a poetic name for America. The name is linked to Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of America and as such embodies the sense of "European colonies in the New World". [6]

Roots in Western civilization
The name Columbia reflects the rising American neoclassicism, exemplified in the tendency to use Roman terms and symbols. The selection of the eagle as the national bird, the use of the term Senate to describe the upper house of Congress, and the naming of Capitol Hill and the Capitol building were all conscious evocations of Roman precedents.

Personification
Personified, Columbia first appeared in the poetry of Phillis Wheatley starting in 1776 during the revolutionary war. Columbia was visualized as a goddess-like female national personification of the United States, comparable to the British Britannia, the Italian Italia Turrita and the French Marianne. This personification, which was sometimes called "Lady Columbia" or "Miss Columbia", has inspired the names of many persons, places, objects, institutions, and companies in the Western Hemisphere and beyond. Of special note is the naming of the area destined for the seat of the U.S. government in 1791 as "the Territory of Columbia" but in 1801 the area was organized as the District of Columbia. In 1798, Joseph Hopkinson wrote lyrics for Philip Phile's 1789 inaugural "President's March" under the new title of "Hail, Columbia." Once used as de facto national anthem of the United States, it is now used as the entrance march of the Vice President of the United States. [7]

Image
The image of the personified Columbia was never fixed, but she was most often presented as a woman between youth and middle age, wearing classically draped garments decorated with the stars and stripes; a popular version gave her a red-and-white striped dress and a blue blouse, shawl, or sash spangled with white stars. Her headdress varied; sometimes it included feathers reminiscent of a Native American headdress, sometimes it was a laurel wreath, but most often it was a cap of liberty. Statues of the personified Columbia may be found in the following places:

• The 1863 Statue of Freedom atop the United States Capitol building, though not actually called "Columbia", shares many of her iconic characteristics.
• Atop Philadelphia's Memorial Hall, built 1876
• The replica Statue of the Republic ("Golden Lady") in Chicago's Jackson Park is often understood to be Columbia. It is one of the remaining icons of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.
• In the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, dedicated 1949.

National mottos
The USA has also adopted national mottos, such as "In God We Trust," "E Pluribus Unum" and "Novus Ordo Seclorum," which reflect the horoscope very well. The same may be said of the Pledge of Allegiance, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands; one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all." The Strong Sun and the aspect of Jupiter to the Moon as lord of self in the 11th house of ideals, give a 'religious sensibility' and a moral compass to the country. The 'large democracy' is possible with a strong Sun, Moon and Mars, as 10th lord of government, in the chart as these ensure order to the country when the communal harmony is challenged. The 'new world' has been created on the basis of the above described national characteristics.

Reality check
Of course, the USA is not perfect. At the same time that the country has risen from an assortment of struggling colonies to become the worlds leading superpower, where great wealth has been created on the basis of incredible intellectual and technical accomplishments, the country has endured rampant materialism, poverty, ignorance and crime in segments of its population. These experiences are consistent with the placement of the Moon's nodes, Rahu and Ketu, in the chart, as well as the bad placement of Venus in the 6th house. While there were phenomenal initial abuses of slaves and native Indians, with also the initial creation of a lower class, these gave way to a struggle, sometimes violent, for dignity, equality and fairness. The continual increase of prosperity, despite periodic setbacks, and a strong political leadership in periods of crisis, has sustained the collective harmony. The USA has also participated in numerous wars, usually successfully, but sometimes enduring great social turmoil in their wake. All these national characteristics and experiences are seen in the chart.

Summary

The national identity of American's reflects very well the strong Sun in the chart but more importantly its rising sign Cancer, reflecting also the 1st lord Moon, which is exalted and well placed in the 11th house of ideals and friendship, giving a caring identity.

References

[1] Perpetual Union

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

[2] The 1917 poem "American's Creed" by William Tyler Page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American%27s_Creed

[3] List of national symbols

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

[4] Seal of the United States

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

[5] The 1883 poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus

http://www.libertystatepark.com/emma.htm

[6] Historical Columbia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Columbia

[7] Hail Columbia, the first national anthem of the USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyIqvZSuptk

Republic of Ireland

An authentic mundane chart for Ireland has long been sought. Charts have been rectified for different events, ranging from proclamations of independence since the 1870s to the creation of the Irish Free State in the 1920s, and to the creation of the Republic of Ireland in the late 1940s. In this article, a new chart is presented for Ireland which is based on the event when the Republic of Ireland Act was signed. The signing of such an act has in some other countries been found to provide the basis for an authentic national horoscope.

According to the Irish Times, the signing took place at 11:35 AM on December 21, 1948 in Dublin. [1] The assistance of Irish astrologer Bill Sheeran in identifying the time of signing is gratefully acknowledged. This time gives 5° 48’ Aquarius (sidereal) rising in the national horoscope. In this article, this promising but tentative horoscope for Ireland is examined closely in terms of its natal endowments and the astrological dynamics of key historical events in terms of the Systems' Approach. A prediction of the likely future trends is then presented.

History
The first settlements in Ireland date from around 8000 BC. By 200 BC Celtic migration and influence had come to dominate Ireland. In the 9th and 10th centuries the Norse Vikings arrived to loot the country. Over time, they settled and built castles which are considered the foundations of major cities of Ireland, like Dublin. Over time, the invaders were gradually absorbed into the society and culture of the Irish people. In the 12th century, the Normans arrived. While their settlement was initially of a relatively small scale, it gave way to complete English domination in the 17th century.
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Protestant English rule resulted in the marginalization of the Catholic majority, although in the north-east, Protestants were in the majority due to the Plantation of Ulster. Ireland became part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801. A famine in the mid-1800s caused large-scale death and emigration. The Irish War of Independence ended in 1921 with the British Government proposing a truce and during which the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed, creating the Irish Free State. This was a Dominion within the British Empire, with effective internal independence but still constitutionally linked with the British Crown. Northern Ireland, consisting of six of the 32 Irish counties which had been established as a devolved region under the 1920 Government of Ireland Act, immediately exercised its option under the treaty to retain its existing status within the United Kingdom. The Free State left the Commonwealth to become a republic in 1949. In 1973 both parts of Ireland joined the European Community. Conflict in Northern Ireland led to much unrest from the late 1960s until the 1990s, which subsided following a peace deal in 1998. [2]

The population of Ireland is almost six million, with over 4 million residing in the Republic of Ireland and less than 2 million in Northern Ireland. The land area is almost 70,000 km² making Ireland the third-largest island in Europe. It lies to the north-west of continental Europe and west of Great Britain. The sovereign state of Ireland (official name Ireland, description "Republic of Ireland") covers five-sixths of the island, with Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom) covering the remaining one-sixth of the island, located in the northeast. There are two official languages in the Republic, namely Irish (Gaeilige) and English. English is the mother tongue for the vast majority. [3]

In addition to being a part of the European Union, Ireland has strong ties with USA and Australia. One of the main cultural characteristics of the Irish population is a preoccupation with cultural identity and national character at the intellectual and artistic level. [4] This has its roots in a turbulent past. The art and politics have united in association of the language with a sense of a national identity. Ireland has made a considerable contribution to the world of art. Ireland has produced four winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature; George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney. The most famous recent Irish painters are John Butler Yeats, William Orpen, Jack Yeats and Louis le Brocquy. Irish folk music and dance are well known. In the Republic era, famous Irish musicians include The Dubliners, Van Morrison, U2, Sinead O’Connor, The Cranberries and The Corrs.

Formerly one of the poorest countries in Europe, Ireland experienced an economic boom in recent decades, with high economic growth rates while inflation has been kept in check. An enticing package of tax incentives has helped the country attract investment from abroad. The country also benefited from European Structural Funds for regional development, which has had an impact on its arts and culture. Nevertheless, unemployment has remained stubbornly high, over 10 per cent of the labour force. Since 2008, the 'Celtic Tiger', as Ireland has been called, has faced hard economic times. A serious economic recession is now underway, with high unemployment. The Government has had to borrow huge sums to bail out banks, which became loaded with debt during the Irish property bubble.

What to look for in the chart
In the Ireland Republic chart of 1948 we would look to see the result of this history and how it has moulded the collective identity. On the one hand we know Ireland has a culture steeped in an artistic and intellectual expression. Centuries of suppression and struggle have also bred a humble and open society, known for its easy charm around the world. The history has also generated a quiet determination and sense that the ends justify the means, as was evinced during the long struggle for independence. The sectarian nature of the conflict is also important. The split of the country in two political blocks is likely a sore spot for the mostly Catholic Irish identity, given the traumatic history with the British.

Historical events
Bill Sheeran provided me with a nice overview of times and events that mundane astrologers in Ireland have considered in terms of a mundane chart. He has offered his own analysis of the charts, with the notion of a 'structural coupling' between the charts. [5] I reproduce the events mentioned by him for completeness, while adding the event proposed here, but do not offer a special evaluation of their individual merit, except to say that I have chosen a time for the creation of the most recent Irish state. It could also be added that experience shows that there is some mystery involved in events that give birth to a collective entity, such as in a signing ceremony or the formal entry into force of an act. An astrological examination of the horosocopes in question is then necessary to settle the matter.

- Irish Republican Movement initiated (4pm-8pm, October 14, 1781). “Society of United Irishmen agrees in a vote to pursue the goal of a united Irish Republic and remove all influence of the British Crown from involvement in the affairs of the Irish people. The person who drew up the articles which were agreed upon was Theobald Wolfe Tone, who is within Ireland universally seen as the father of Irish republicanism.” “The broader context at the time was the impact of the French and American revolutions on progressive thinkers around the period when the concept of the independent nation state was emerging as an alternative to being subsumed within an empire.” [5]
- Insurrection of United Irishmen (May 23, 1798). This was the first major military campaign.
- Act of Union of Great Britain and Ireland (January 1, 1801). This act integrated Ireland within the UK and still serves as the basis of the authentic mundane chart for Great Britain.
- First uprising of Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) (March 5, 1867). The Irish Republican Brotherhood was a forerunner of the Irish Revolutionary Army.
- IRB adopts first known Constitution of the Irish Republic (August 18, 1869).
- Irish Republican Brotherhood Supreme Council proclaims itself provisional government of the Irish Republic (March 17, 1873). An extreme act of revolutionary will by a secret militant organisation.
- Easter Rising; Independence proclaimed (12:25 GMT, April 24, 1916). This proclamation initiated the Easter Rising of 1916 which failed, resulting in the British military executing all the signers of the proclamation. Nevertheless, this was a turning point in the struggle by sowing the seeds for the War of Independence 1919-1923.
- Irish Republic (21 January 1919). The Irish Republic (Irish: Poblacht na hÉireann or Saorstát Éireann) was a unilaterally declared independent state of Ireland proclaimed in the Easter Rising of 1916 and formally established on 21 January 1919 by Dáil Éireann. Its existence coincided with the Irish War of Independence of 1919 – 1922 between the Irish Republican Army and the forces of the United Kingdom. It virtually ceased to exist after 7 January 1922, when Dáil Éireann narrowly approved the Anglo-Irish Treaty. This treaty officially ended the War of Independence and set up a Provisional Government which, on 6 December 1922, became a self-governing British dominion called the Irish Free State. However, Northern Ireland exercised its right under the Treaty to opt out of the new dominion and rejoin the United Kingdom on 8 December 1922. Thereafter, the Irish Free State consisted of only 26 of the island's 32 counties while Northern Ireland with its 6 counties rejoined the United Kingdom. This was known as the Partition of Ireland. [6]
- Anglo - Irish Treaty signed (December 6, 1921). The Anglo-Irish Treaty (Irish: An Conradh Angla-Éireannach), officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and representatives of the de facto Irish Republic that concluded the Irish War of Independence. It established an autonomous dominion, known as the Irish Free State, within the British Empire and provided Northern Ireland, which had been created by the 1920 Government of Ireland Act, an option to opt out of the Irish Free State, which it exercised. The treaty was signed at 2:20 am on 6 December 1921 in London by representatives of the British government, (which included David Lloyd George who was head of the British delegates) and envoys of the Irish Republic who claimed plenipotentiary status (i.e., negotiators empowered to sign a treaty without reference back to their superiors, including Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith). In accordance with its terms the Treaty needed to be and was ratified by the members elected to sit in the House of Commons of Southern Ireland and the British Parliament. Dáil Éireann for the de facto Irish Republic also ratified the Treaty (narrowly). Though the treaty was duly ratified, the split led to the Irish Civil War, which was ultimately won by the pro-treaty side.[7]
- Irish Free State established (December 6, 1922). The Irish Free State (Irish: Saorstát Éireann) (1922 – 1937) was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand.[8] The Irish Free State began during the confusion of a civil war. Contains 26 of the 32 counties in Ireland. [5]
- Irish Constitution comes into effect (December 29, 1937). This was done without fulfilling lingering obligations to the British Government.
- Republic of Ireland Act signed (11:35am, December 21, 1948, Dublin ) The Republic of Ireland Act 1948 is an Act of the Oireachtas which declared that the state, Ireland, is a republic and that the President of Ireland has executive authority of any executive function of the state or in the external relations of the state. It repealed the External Relations Act of 1936, which had declared that Edward VIII of the United Kingdom and his successors should exercise that authority. As a consequence, the State ceased to be a Dominion of the Crown. It declares that the description of the state is the Republic of Ireland (or Poblacht na hÉireann in Irish) and that the president, with support of the government, will have absolute executive power in the state. It was signed by the President of Ireland on 21 December 1948.[9]
- Republic of Ireland enters into force (00:00 BST, April 18, 1949, Dublin). The act entered into force on a prescribed date.

Aquarius rising
Aquarius is rising in the chart. Aquarius is a positive, human and airy sign, and signifies characteristics like honesty, ideals and sensitiveness, etc. depending upon the strength of Saturn in the nativity. Aquarians are active, industrious, deliberative, leaders of non-affluent sections of the society, and courteous. They are comparatively more concerned about the ends in comparison to means. They are invariably not content with their possessions. [10]

General considerations
For those with Aquarius rising, Moon and Mercury become malefic planets due to their lordship of the 6th and 8th houses, respectively. As these are the fastest moving bodies, this means that there are recurrent short-lived disturbances in the life of Aquarius born. With the sign Aries placed in the 3rd house, the planet Mars becomes the lord of initiative and effort, making Aquarians concerned with communications. Close conjunction or aspect of the Moon as 6th lord with a functional benefic planet is associated with disputes and diseases. A strong Sun, as 7th lord, blesses them with relations with well-connected countries. A strong Mercury, as lord of the 8th house, blesses with good inheritance but at the same time its close connection with any other planet or mid-point of a house is highly undesirable due to Mercury's functional nature being malefic. A combust Mercury endangers the smooth continuance of relations. The affliction to Mercury can give problems in life span of entity, accidents, problems for health in the country and major problems. A strong Venus, a 9th lord, in its periods, promises good fortune and noble connections. Weakness to Venus gives trouble to relations and loss of comforts. A strong Jupiter, as 11th lord, when linked to 11th house of finances indicates progressive future during the periods of Jupiter. Aquarians are writers, thinkers, servants, leaders of non-affluent sections of society and industrialists. They are traditional in their approach, but can resort to even undesirable means to achieve their ends. Affliction to Saturn gives problems for functioning, accidents and loss of status. [10]

Astrology of the chart
The 1st lord SATURN at 13° 02' Leo is well placed in the 7th house of foreign matters, relations with others and tourism. It means the self of the Irish people would be linked to involvement with others. Importantly, the MOON as 6th lord is at 13° 35' Leo and 7th house is closely conjunct the 1st lord. This suggests the Irish are prone to enter into conflicts over foreign policy matters, or the political opposition is vocal concerning the involvement of Ireland in foreign policy matters or Ireland has foreign debt problems. The divine planet JUPITER, as 11th lord of friends and income, aspects the Moon and Saturn, suggesting some divine protection, help of friends or income help in resolving the disputes or debts. The division of Ireland along sectarian lines has been a constant feature of life in the Republics history. While peace has now been established, the conflict has marked the Irish identity, with a strong foreign policy angle, given the involvement of Great Britain, as well as the USA, to try to resolve the matter. It is also of interest in this regard that Ireland at first rejected and then ratified the EU's Lisbon Treaty - after the EU slightly modified it. Ireland has also racked up a lot of foreign debt in recent years.

The 11th house karma in this chart is quite strong with four planets located there. Friendships, ideals, hopes, plans and income are therefore potent areas of life in Ireland. Importantly, the 7th lord SUN, which rules over foreign matters, is strong at 6° 23' Sagittarius, where it is closely conjunct the most effective point (MEP) of the 11th house, thus aspecting also the 5th house. This gives a number of advantages. The strength of the leader of Ireland comes from a good economy, dealing with young people, and strong friendships abroad. The placement suggests foreign friendships are important for the income and that the income so obtained also benefits young people, universities, management and speculative nature of the people, all ruled by the 5th house. Indeed, it is a known fact that the infusion of structural funds from Ireland’s friends in the EU has strengthened the creative arts, a domain of the young. With 11th lord JUPITER at 14° 47' Sagittarius, the house is strengthened, by its lord being in its own sign and well placed by house, in its own 11th house. Jupiter is, however, weakened by its moderate combustion with the SUN, which tends to zap the energy of a planet so affected, The indications of Jupiter thus become more vulnerable to afflictions, whether natal or in transit. In this regard, we should note that JUPITER is also conjunct (although not exactly) MERCURY as 8th lord of obstacles and endings, but also easy gains. This means there can be obstacles which affect income streams, friendships or the plans of the Irish. At the same time, there can also be easy gains of income, as history also shows. The conjunction of MERCURY as 8th lord of the beliefs of the people with JUPITER as general indicator of religion highlights the strong feelings with regard to the issue of religion and the obstacles and harm it has caused in the national life. JUPITER is also an indicator of financial institutions, along with the SUN. These influences suggest there can be problems with overexpansion or excesses in lending, more so as JUPITER is also aspected (although not exactly) by RAHU in the 3rd house, which can give material progress through own efforts but also a tendency for manipulation and deceit. It is more problematic that MERCURY as 8th lord at 11° 17' in Sagittarius, while outside the MEP of the 11th house, is closely afflicted by RAHU. This aspect can bring harmful events involving obstacles and endings when RAHU and/or MERCURY are transit afflicted by the stationary (true) nodes. In short, the Irish financial system was on the praecipe last year but was saved by Ireland having earlier adopted the euro currency and being a member of the European Union (a league of friends).

The Moon's nodes, RAHU and KETU, are at 10° 03' in Aries and Libra, respectively. These are the 3rd and 9th houses in the chart. As they are within 5° orb of the house MEP, their influence is felt with respect to the houses of their placement and houses aspects (by trine and opposition). Fortunately, as the orb is beyond 4° this is not a serious affliction. Strain or stressful events would therefore be more likely than outright setbacks to the affected indications, even if the latter can not be ruled out, especially if the lord of the affected house is weak natally and/or in transit. In addition to the 3rd house of communication and transportation, RAHU afflicts the 7th house of foreign matters owned by a strong SUN, 9th house of the church or judiciary owned by a moderately strong VENUS, 11th house of income and friends (whose lord, JUPITER, is moderately strong). RAHU’S influence is one of excessive materiality and manipulation. The recent report of a priest having molested 100 boys over several years is in line with this placement. In addition to the 9th house, KETU afflicts the 1st house ruled by an afflicted Saturn, 3rd house ruled by a strong Mars and 5th house which does not contain a moolatrikona sign and is thus less affected. KETU brings an energy of separation, including sudden events to the houses it touches.

Importantly, VENUS as 9th lord is well placed at 8° Scorpio and 10th house, where it is in the MEP of the house. This brings luck to government and foreign trade. Venus is also the general indicator of the arts. When strong it gives knowledge of the healing arts. Its influence on the 10th house gives luck and fame with regard to the arts. Moreover, VENUS as 9th lord aspects the 4th house, which gives fortune when it comes to communal harmony and real estate. It also suggests the executive branch of government is knowledgeable and that export of pharmaceutical drugs and the arts could be lucrative for Ireland. However as VENUS is debilitated in Virgo in the 9th divisional chart (the Navamsa), its own indications are vulnerable to transit setbacks.

In short, the chart shows a collective entity that is outwardly oriented. The intellectual and artistic orientation is consistent with this rising sign. The artistic achievements are easy to see in the chart. The economic gains and problems come through in this chart. Material benefits and luck come from dealing with other countries but also challenges. The rising sign also shows an interest in the welfare of working people as well as a tendency to consider the means justifying the ends, which could make a conflict more onerous. The chart reflects very well the nature of the conflict that has bedeviled Ireland and its influence on the Irish people. In my view, the chart shows good potential for being the authentic horoscope for Ireland.

Ongoing rectification work
The rectification of this chart needs to be supported by a study major events in the history of the Irish Republic. The aim there is to see if the transit and period influences are seen to operate in a manner that is consistent with the chart.

A major event is the Treaty of Lisbon, which was at first rejected and then approved in separate national referendums. The rejection came in the dual malefic Rahu-Moon period. At the time of the first vote, Rahu was in the 12th house of losses in aspect to the Moon in the 8th house of obstacles. The treaty was approved in the dual benefic Jupiter-Jupiter period.

Below is a list of significant events in the history of Northern Ireland during the era of the Republic of Ireland. These events would by and large have been upsetting to the Irish people. In fact, the conjunction of Moon and Saturn is seen to be associated with this situation. The lord of conflict impinges on the lord of the identity of the Irish people. That said, the direct impact on the Republic of Ireland was less than what was experienced in Northern Ireland or by Great Britain which was visited by several terrorist attacks.

- Start of the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland 1968-69, with the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland giving his ' Ulster at the crossroads' speech on December 9, 1968. Sun-Moon period. Rahu in 2nd house aspects Moon in 6th house.
- 'Bloody Sunday' (January 30, 1972). Sun-Saturn period. Transit Rahu and transit 8th lord Mercury in 12th house while transit Ketu and transit 6th lord Moon are in 6th house. Thirteen unarmed civil rights protestors were shot dead by British paratroopers, causing a huge inflow of new members into the IRA.
- Years prior to end of IRA military campaign 1992-3 were a very difficult time when escalating atrocities coincided with secret peace talks.
- IRA cease-fire announced (11:05am, August 31, 1994, Dublin ). Rahu-Jupiter period, with transit 7th lord Sun conjunct natal Saturn and Moon in 7th house aspecting transit 1st lord Saturn in 1st house. Transit 11th lord Jupiter in 9th house also aspects transit Saturn.
- Canary Wharf bombing (7:01pm, February 9, 1996, London ), the end of first IRA cease-fire. Rahu-Jupiter period. Transit Rahu conjunct transit 6th lord Moon in 8th house. Transit 8th lord Mercury in 12th house with transit 7th lord Sun, under aspect from transit Rahu.
- Cease-fire was reinstated on July 20th 1997, when Rahu-Saturn period was operating. Transit Saturn well placed in the 2nd house from where it aspects natal 3rd lord Mars in 11th house.
- Good Friday Agreement (17:36, April 10, 1998, Belfast ), the key event of the post IRA cease-fire peace process. Rahu-Saturn period operating with transit Saturn still well placed in the 2nd house conjunct 7th lord Sun and in aspect to natal 3rd lord Mars in 11th house. Transit Mars on MEP of 3rd house, aspecting also the 6th house, 9th house and 10th house.
- Sinn Fein issue 'war is at an end' statement' (16:30, September 1, 1998, Belfast ). Sinn Fein are the political wing of the IRA. Rahu-Saturn period. Saturn in MEP of 3rd house conjunct natal Rahu. Transit 7th lord Sun conjunct natal Saturn and Moon.
- IRA state intention to put arms beyond use (May 6, 2000). The arms decommissioning issue reappeared at the beginning of 2001 as part of the final hurdle in consolidating peace. Rahu-Mercury period with 8th lord Mercury in 3rd house. Transit nodal axis is in a sperating conjunction with MEP of 12th and 6th houses. Transit Sun, Jupiter and Saturn conjunct in 3rd house.

As for developments in the Republic of Ireland, it is interesting to note that the rise and fall of the Irish housing market and the associated banking boom occurred within the Rahu major period. A Jupiter major period has now begun, suggesting that Ireland will gradually work its way out of the problems in coming years and reap more durable benefits than what it has experienced so far. Its involvement with the EU is likely to increase and the foundation of the financial system will likely be strengthened. The chart suggests Jupiterian issues will become more important in the national life the next sixteen years, or until August 2025. The general indications of Jupiter include the church, financial institutions, the judiciary and important personages in the national life, while the more important functional indications of the 11th house include hopes, plans, goals, friends and income. While there may be problems to these in coming years, due to the moderately weakened Jupiter, which is aspected by two functional malefic planets, its good placement in its own sign, with the SUN also strongly aspecting the house, suggest that strong leadership and friends will play an important role in the recovery ahead.

References
[1] Irish times digital archive online
http://www.irishtimes.com/150
[2] Ireland, Wikipedia article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland
[3] Ireland
http://www.culturelink.hr/culpol/ireland.html
[4] Culture of Ireland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Ireland
[5] Bill Sheeran, 2001, “The Observer Observed”, AstroTalk Online magazine.
http://www.radical-astrology.com/articles/articles/mundane/observer2-1.html
[6] Irish Republic of 1919
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Republic
[7] Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Irish_Treaty
[8] Irish Free State
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Free_State
[9] Republic of Ireland Act
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Ireland_Act_1948
[10] Systems’ Approach (SA) to Vedic Astrology
http://www.yournetastrologer.com/learn_astrology82.htm