Predictions for the USA in 2015

In the year 2015, there is a change of sub-period in the SAMVA USA chart, from the favourable Mercury period to the adverse Ketu period. There will be several stationary transits of slow moving malefic planets over natal placements to contend with during the year, especially in the late summer and fall. The combined influences suggest an increased likelihood of growing involvement in foreign military conflicts with mounting fatalities and significant violent events and communal strife at home.
   Importantly, as the Venus-Ketu period draws to an end, a shift in the collective mindset of Americans will likely have taken place, towards a more just and inclusive society.

PERIOD INFLUENCES
The Venus major period will continue to operate until April 19, 2016. This means that for the next 16 months the energy of this weak but important planet, as 4th lord of communal harmony, fixed assets and natural resources in the 6th house of conflict, health and financial stability, will continue to be a prominent background influence in the national life. A signal development during this period was the housing and banking bubble that grew from the mid 1990s until it burst with a bang in 2007-2008. Since then, US households and the economy have been on a gradual mend. The development of shale oil extraction (fracking) has also been a prominent feature in the latter part of the Venus major period. With it have come concerns about its potentially harmful environmental impact, as reflected in the ban on such activities in New York State on December 18, 2014.
   In early 2015, the positive sub-period of Mercury, since February 2012, comes to an end. The energy of Mercury is related to hi tech, communication and transportation activities as well as intelligence-based foreign and security policy. In the headlines have be the Snowden revelations about the National Security Agency (NSA) gathering of intelligence from the on-line activities of ordinary Americans, stunning innovations in transportation by Elon Musk,  great advances in remote space exploration, advances in mobile telephony and robotry, and the smart-power foreign policy. Such advances will of course continue but it is likely that their isolating and estranging aspect will become more prominent in the year ahead. Indeed, the US is likely to find itself in a more isolated or unusual position both abroad and at home, associated with the new Ketu sub-period.
   The Ketu sub-period runs from February 18, 2015 to April 19, 2016. Ketu, as the Moon‘s south node, is associated with an abrupt, separating and estranging energy that has a spiritualising effect on those caught in its throes, such as being suddenly confronted with a loss. The pain propels us to reach for a higher understanding in order to deal with it. Over time, this has the effect of making us better people as we become more in tune with our humanity or divinity. Indeed, when Ketu has an influence on a sensitive placement in the horoscope, there can be sudden, even explosive such events.
   In the SAMVA USA chart, the Venus major period is an important feature of this final sub-period, of Ketu, because Ketu afflicts the 4th house, owned by Venus. The combined influence of a weak Venus and Ketu afflicting its own house, increases the probability of some form of collective strife during this sub-period. Those feeling estranged or on the outs in society will likely come to the attention of society, which is normally not easy. Fortunately, the transit of Ketu this year will be easier as Ketu is placed in the 9th house of luck and higher knowledge and its transit influence is less. We may hope that a gradual social awareness of the wrongfulness of social exclusion, in all its forms, becomes a high minded feature of this energy as the Venus major period and Ketu sub-period run their course.
   Historically, the Ketu major period has been attached to strange trends in the life in the United States. When the first Ketu major period began (April 1869 - April 1876), the Civil War had ended, with the Northern states prevailing in their fight to keep the southern Confederate states in the Union. The next order of business for the US government was to stamp out slavery and desegregate the south, including combating the rise of the clandestine white supremacist Ku Klux Klan organisation. In 1871, President Grant passed the Ku Klux Klan Act.  As the second major Ketu period opened (April 1989 - April 1996), the USA found itself isolated as the sole global superpower following the collapse of Soviet Communism in 1990. Domestically, there were race riots in LA from April 29 to May 4, 1992. A siege from February 28, 1993 led to a fire that destroyed the Branch Davidian compound in Waco on April 19, 1993. A terrorist bombing took place in the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993. It was followed by an even more destructive and painful bombing in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. There were also natural events of the nature of Ketu in the USA. The destructive Northridge earthquake struck on January 17, 1994 and a firestorm devastated parts of the city of Oakland on October 19-23, 1991.
   The above is indicative of the energies that may be seen in the national life during the Ketu period. However, for historically significant events to occur, the transits of functional malefic planets over sensitive natal placements must also be there, more so if transit or natal Ketu are involved.

KEY TRANSIT INFLUENCES
6L Jupiter: From the beginning of the year to its end, Jupiter will move from 28° Cancer to 29° Leo. The key transit involving Jupiter in 2015 is when it becomes stationary at 18° Cancer from mid March to mid May. In this stationary placement, Jupiter afflicts the 1st, 5th, 7th and 9th houses, and imparts a conflictual energy to the planets placed therein. The USA is likely to adopt a more strident approach in foreign policy, reflecting a realisation that efforts at informing and persuading in the Mercury period have not yielded the hoped for results. 
     In January, transit 6th lord Jupiter will be in aspect to natal 8th lord Saturn while transit Saturn is in a separating conjunction with natal Jupiter. These are violence inducing aspects, albeit not stationary, and hence less problematic. However, as they occur at the same time, caution is warranted. 
   In early October, transit Jupiter in Leo will move into the aspect of Aries at 17° 47' Aries and 10H MEP. While brief, this transit adds to other energies at that time suggestive of conflict and violence.

8L Saturn: From the beginning of the year to its end, Saturn will move from 7° Scorpio to 17° Scorpio. There are two key transits involving Saturn in 2015.
   The former is its station at 11° Scorpio from February through April. At that time, transit 8th lord Saturn will be conjunct 10th lord Mars at 10° 06‘ Scorpio and 5th house. Saturn will then impart its functional energy of obstacles and endings to the planet that is general indicator of the military and police and functional indicator of government, laws and foreign trade. As Mars is natally strong, a significant setback to its indications is not expected. However, there may be increased civil disobedience at that time, as well as efforts to reform the military and police. Criticism of the government and legislation may increase at that time. The ongoing trade dispute with Russia could also intensify. 

The transits in late July are difficult

   The latter key transit is when Saturn becomes stationary at 4° 20' Scorpio from July to mid September, where it will become conjunct natal 6L Jupiter at 4° 25‘ Scorpio and 5th house. This is a very difficult transit as it increases greatly the probability of violent events and actions in the national life. In late July and early August, when transit Jupiter is in early Leo, it will receive the aspect of transit Saturn. This dual affliction of natal and transit Jupiter by the Most Malefic Planet (MMP), 8th lord Saturn, raises the likelihood of violent events at that time.
   As transit Ketu, the sub-period lord, aspects transit Saturn from mid July, with the aspect becoming exact in late September, the likelihood is further increased of sudden, explosive events taking place at that time. As noted, the transit of Jupiter will also add to the combustible mix.

Rahu: From the beginning of the year to its end, Rahu will move from 21° Virgo to 1° Virgo. While Rahu will be stationary at 16° Virgo and the 3H MEP from March to mid May, this is not a pronounced affliction, although some tension may arise for communication and transportation.
   However, it is the second station of Rahu at 7° Virgo from August through October that will be tenser, as it is accompanied by other malefic transits. During this time, transit Rahu will stationary afflict natal 1st lord Moon, which may increase manipulation regarding the collective self-identity of the American people. As Rahu natally afflicts 10th, 2nd, 4th and 6th houses, effort to manipulate may involve the distribution of wealth in society. Vested interests may emphasise the ideology of individual freedom, private ownership and small government to counter political pressure from enacting policies that reduce the wide disparity of wealth in the country. The efforts to manipulate by the narrow vested interests are not likely to succeed. Spies or traitors of the nation may be exposed during the second nodal station.
   When transit 2nd lord Sun becomes conjunct the transit stationary Rahu around September 24, at 7° Virgo and 3rd house, the difficulty facing the US President and highly placed persons will increase significantly. Transit Mercury will also become stationary direct from October 8-11 at 7° Virgo. At that time, problems in communication and transportation are likely.
  

Ketu: From the beginning of the year to its end, Ketu will move from 21° Pisces to 1° Pisces. Ketu will become stationary at 16° Pisces and 9H MEP from March to mid May. As sub-period lord it may create some tension regarding the indications of the 9th house of higher knowledge, the courts and religion. When transit 2nd lord Sun becomes conjunct the transit stationary Ketu at the end of March, at 16° Pisces and 9th house, some difficulty may be experienced by the US President and highly placed persons. 
   The stationary placement of Ketu at 7° Pisces from August through October is likely to become more tense, as transit Ketu will then aspect transit 8L Saturn in the first decant of Scorpio. The aspect becomes exact on October 1. This energy will add to the scope for serious violent acts or events associated with the stationary conjunction of transit 8th lord Saturn with  natal 4th lord Jupiter at 4° Scorpio and 5th house, as well as its opposition aspect to 1st lord Moon at 7° 19' Taurus and 11th house, while Rahu is also afflicting natal Moon. 

     As the year opens, the nodes will be passing through the MEPs of 3rd and 9th houses in normal retrograde motion. Perhaps there will be a brief increase in tension concerning the communication of US foreign policy, a sign of things to come.

SUMMARY

The Occupy protests of 2010 began the change.

The transits in the late summer and fall are of most concern in 2015. Growing conflict with increased violence is possible at that time. Americans will likely feel the heat abroad and at home. 
   A transformative change in the mindset of Americans is also expected to take place as this difficult major period and sub-period run their course. This will perhaps not be easily discernible while it takes place. However, the events that unfold and the long standing difficulty in the national life will likely have the cumulative effect to reduce the willingness of Americans to endure any longer the destructiv, divisive and extreme inequality of wealth, income and opportunity that has characterised the national life for so long and become truly onerous in the Venus major period.
   It will become the challenge of the political establishment in 2015 to respond to the growing demand of the population for a more inclusive society. If the politicians in Congress do not heed the call, they run the risk of being increasingly sidelined by a fair minded President. More importantly, if the Congressional majority does not heed the call, it risks being overturned in a historic progressive shift after the Sun major period begins in 2016.  

 

Federal Republic of Germany

Adenauer proclaims the creation of the FRG

A promising new horoscope has recently been discovered for Germany. It is based on the event when -- after 59 of 61 representatives of the German Lander signed a new constitution from 4:07 pm -- the first Federal Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, proclaimed the creation of a new Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) at 5:03 pm on May 23, 1949 in Bonn.[1][2] 
     Importantly, the union of Germany at midnight on 3 October 1990 in Berlin is considered to be the enlarged continuation of the Federal Republic and not a successor state.[3] As such, the reunification of West and East Germany was an auspicious albeit challenging event in the life of the FRG, created 41 years earlier, and not a replacement for it.
     The German horoscope has 23° 43‘ Virgo rising which is similar to the rising degree of a tentative horoscope for the European Union (EU) with 23° 29' Cancer rising, suggesting that the fortunes of the German people are in synch with those of the people within the larger EU of 28 countries.

HOROSCOPE OF MODERN GERMANY

The modern German collective identity is signified by its rising sign, Virgo, which is an earthy sign, ruled by Mercury. This ascending sign tends to make the collective identity practical, analytical, cautious, protective, dependable and discrimminating. Mercury is frequently afflicted in transit which can make the collective psychology feel a bit tense at such times. However, Mercury, as 1st lord of self and identity, is strong and favourably placed at 24° 03 Taurus, in the most effective point (MEP) of the 9th house (with an orb of 0° 20‘),  making the German people normally of calm nervous disposition, lucky and of a sound self-identity. The placement of Mercury also gives a positive and high minded collective outlook that positively influences the communication of the country‘s leaders. Adding to the favourable sense of self, is the placement of Moon, as 11th lord of friends, income and future plans, at 20° 38‘ Pisces and in the 7th house MEP (with an orb of 3° 05‘). This placement gives favourable and rewarding diplomatic relations but also adds a hopeful influence to the collective identity. Indeed, the Federal Republic of Germany and its leaders have been a driving influence for increased economic and political cooperation in Europe from its creation. This is based on the prior involvement of Germany in war which has caused a lot of pain and suffering for the country.

     Venus as 2nd lord of assets, wealth and relationships with neigboring countries, is also very well placed at 18° 39‘ Taurus and 9th house. However, causing potential problems for relations with neighboring countries, initiatives and communication and income and future plans is the placement of Mars as 8th lord at 24° 16 Aries and 8th house MEP (orb of 0° 27‘), due to its aspects to the 2nd, 3rd and 11th houses.

     The placement of Mars is, however, good for easy gains and the credibility of the country. Jupiter, as 4th lord of communal harmony, fixed assets and natural resources, and general indicator of young people and religion, is well placed, unafflicted but debilitated at 9° 00‘ Capricorn and 5th house. This placement gives potential setbacks to its indications but also creativity in their use.

     The Sun, as 12th lord of losses and general indicator of the leader of the country, is well placed at 8° 58‘ Taurus and the 9th house. However, it is afflicted by Saturn, as 6th lord of conflict, health and financial stability, which is badly placed at 6° 35‘ Leo and 12th house of losses, war and foreign countries. The aspect of Saturn to Sun gives problems to the leader of the nature of war, financial debts and losses. Saturn‘s indications are further harmed by an aspect from Rahu at 2° 05‘ Aries and 8th house (orb of 4° 30‘), adding harmful influences of manipulations based on desire. Moreover, Saturn casts its aspect on Ketu at 2° 05‘ Libra and 2nd house, giving rise to sudden problems of the same nature as on the Sun. 

 

ASTROLOGY OF PRIOR HISTORICAL EVENTS

Dresden after WW II

A remarkable feature of SA mundane astrology is that prior historical events may be read from an authentic horoscope. This has been seen in the SAMVA USA chart (Perpetual Union). Indeed, The placements in the new horoscope for Germany are consistent with the prior history of the country. Indian astrologer and author V.K. Choudhry has stated that this finding raises the confidence in the authenticity of the new chart. 

     In particular, the two key significant historical events seen from the chart are the hyperinflation of the Weimar Republic in the early 1920s and the misguided expansion into neighboring countries from the late 1930s took place in the sub-periods of Rahu. A singularily important observation involves the aspect of Rahu in 8H of obstalces to Saturn as 6L of war in 12H of foreign countries.

     Germany has on two occasions taken the initiative to declare war in the 20th century with catastrophic losses for the country. A major fit is the fact that Germany started WW II in Saturn - Rahu period. In this regard, note that the major period  of Saturn, as the 6th lord of conflict, was operating until May 1944. At that time, the course of the war turned decisively against Nazi Germany. The Allied forces had invaded Italy  in September 1943, but in June 6, 1944, the Allies also landed in France, on D-Day. This is very similar to that seen in the 20° Cance rising SAMVA USA chart and the 16° Virgo rising horscope for the United Kingdom. In the USA chart, the major period of 6th lord Jupiter commenced in 1937, as the ill winds of war began to blow in China and Spain. The period lasted until 1953, when the US had also fought in Korea. In the UK chart, the period of 6th lord Saturn from December 1925 to December 1945. As Saturn is weak in 12th house of losses, the UK lost the remnants of Empire during the war.

We may also note that 8th lord Mars is in Aries and 8H MEP where it aspects the 11th house of friends and plans, 2nd house of wealth, status and neighbouring countries and 3rd house of communication and initiatives. In Mars sub-periods (preceding Rahu sub-periods), there has been observed a heating up of national sentiments.

     In March 1938, when the Saturn-Mars period was operating from November 1937 to December 1938, Germany initiated the Anschluss crisis by absorbing Austria and causing the Sudenten crisis, leading to the absorbtion of areas populated by German speaking peoples within Czechoslovakia. This is similar to what Putin did in Ukraine in the spring of 2014 and the historical paralell with Germany has inspired the USA and EU to react sternly, with an ever tightening trade embargo. 

    In the Mars major period from 2004 to 2011, Germany was busy co-managing the European Union along with the other large member countries.  During this time, the sentiment was strong to support the EU, even if it involved Germany putting itself at risk of financial losses. During this period, German banks lent out increasing amounts of money to other member states, including Geece. When the international banking crisis began in 2007, significant losses began to be realised by the German banks.

 

ASTROLOGY OF RECENT HISTORICAL EVENTS

In May 2011, the situation took a dramatic turn for the worse when Germany entered the major period of Rahu. This is seen with the bad placement of Rahu in the 8th house of obstacles and endings from where it afflicts Saturn as 6th lord of financial stability and conflict in the 12th house of losses. The Rahu sub-period lasted from May 2011 to January 2014. During these two and half years, the euro-area sovereign debt crisis peaked, creating tremendous problems for the German government. Not only did the government have to make difficult decisions involving the assumption of debt obligations incurred by other EU countries but these very same decisions caused a lot of domesetic debate, with several court cases being filed in an effort by concerned citizens to stop the actions of the government.

The Rahu – Jupiter period is running from January 2014 to April 2016. Jupiter is 4th lord placed in its sign of debilitation and 5th house.  In early 2014, Germany was blindsided by the Ukrainian crisis, involving Russia, creating a rift in an otherwise good relationship since the fall of Soviet Communism. The demanding situation in the Spring was explained by the nodal return from the spring. In late 2014, the situation deteriorated. At the same time there was an increase in domestic disharmony.  In mid December, German  people with nationalistic sentiments engaged in protests against the steady dilution of the white German nationality by immigrant races, especially the muslims. The aspects explaining this are the conjunction of a stationary Rahu in the MEP of the 1st house of self-identity, and its aspect to 1st lord Mercury in Taurus and 9th houses, during the fall and the entry of Saturn as 6th lord of strong views into the sign Scorpio and 3rd house of communication and initiatives in November, from where it aspects natal Jupiter as 4th lord of collective harmony at 9° Capricorn and 5th house of emotions. Saturn also aspects natal Saturn and is in a house aspected by 8th lord Mars. The public demonstration of nationalism has raised concerns outside of Germany due to the country´s dark past with regard to such sentiments. 

    

OUTLOOK

The year 2015 begins with the auspicious conjunction of transit 1st lord Mercury and 2nd lord Venus in conjunction with natal Jupiter around 5-8 January. This aspect suggests an enjoyable festive occasion for Germany, notably in the area of creativity and young people, that pleases the citizens. 

     Soon afterwards, however, there are a number of difficult aspects which suggest a renewed bout of tensions for the country.
     At the beginning of the year, transit 6th lord Saturn will be in applying aspect to natal 4th lord Jupiter at 9° 00‘ Capricorn and 5th house. The influence of this aspect will increase in early February when Saturn becomes stationary at around 10° Scorpio and 3rd house. From this placement Saturn will cast its afflicting aspect to Jupiter, suggesting that conflict in the area of initiatives and communication will create problems for Jupiter's general indications of religion and CEOs, but also its functional indications of communal harmony, the housing market, elementary schools and natural resources. These developments are likely to find expression in relation to univiersities, young people, creativity and speculation.
     As transit Saturn will at the same time be in opposition aspect with natal 12th lord Sun at 8° 58‘ Taurus and 9th house, any conflict is likely to lead to losses and difficulty for the German Chancellor and high ranking officials of the government. This influence will be more pronounced in mid February when transit Sun enters the 6th house into the dual afflicting aspects of Ketu at 2° Libra and 2nd house and Saturn at 6° Leo and the 12th house.

     Also felt from the beginning of the year and into March, is the aspect of transit Rahu in Virgo and 1st house to natal Venus and 2nd lord in Taurus and 9th house. This aspect suggests that some desires of the German people may place a strain on their status and wealth and relations with neighboring countries. However, as the aspect is temporary and Venus is strong natally, no setback will be realised for the indications of Venus. Moreover, from late February, transit Jupiter, the sub-period lord, will be in retrograde motion in its sign of exaltation, Cancer, and 11th house where it will come into a mutual aspect with transit Ketu in Pisces and 7th house. This suggests that foreign policy developments may serve to reduce the collective harmony in the spring but that some divine influence helps to becalm the situation.
     In June, transit Jupiter, the sub-period lord, will pass into the sign Leo and 12th house, where it will remain for one year. During this time, the placement of Juptier suggests that the domestic harmony of Germans will be less, possibly due to losses involving its indications.
     In the fall of 2015, a crisis for the Chancellor or highly placed government officials is likely, as transit 8th lord Saturn in the 3rd house and transit stationary Rahu in the 1st house aspect the natal 12th lord Sun in the 9th house


References
[1] Stenographic Office (2014). Information obtained by Harald Muller. December 22.
[2] Deutschland.de (2014). 65th Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Germany. May 23. https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/politics/global-issues-law/65th-anniversary-of-the-federal-republic-of-germany
[3]. Wikipedia (2014). German Reunification. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_reunification