Mexico's struggle

A new horoscope for Mexico, with early Pisces rising, is presented and explained in terms of its historical meaning, fit with the national experience, and astrological interpretation. Predictions for what to expect in the country in 2020 are offered based on the influences of operating planetary periods and transits of slow moving planets. The predictions offer an important test of the new chart.

The challenge of rectifications
Rectifying a horoscope for a nation is often far more challenging than doing the same for a person. The reason is simple. The birth of a person is normally known to the day, if not the time of day. However, the moment when a nation, a collective entity, is created is not always well understood, documented or known. As a result, mundane rectifications often require as much knowledge of history as of astrology. The tendency for most astrologers is to not invest much knowledge in history, while taking common birth events and dates as a given. In doing so, they expose themselves to an over-reliance on possibly flawed historical assumptions of earlier astrologers, which can defeat the rectification effort. On top of that the astrology methods used for chart interpretation and prediction vary in reliability, including the choice of 

1. planets: ranging from those visible to the naked eye to those that are invisible;
2. zodiac: relying either on visible constellations of fixed stars or calculated signs based on the solar-determined seasons; and
3. method: choice of integral rules-based horoscopic astrology analysis, selective method or sun sign focus.

Importantly, methods that are not subjected to testing with predictions tend to be unreliable, adding further uncertainty to the effort. The rules-based Systems' Approach for Interpreting Horoscopes, that relies heavily on predictions, has consistently been used in the work presented on this site. 

New lessons
In 2012, the search for a mundane horoscope for Mexico resulted in a tentative Taurus rising horoscope being presented. The evidence is now in. That chart did not perform sufficiently well in prediction and it has therefore been discarded. The assumption about the founding event was wrong.* A second rectification attempt is now made. 

Interestingly, the recent rectification of a horoscope for Italy brought out the importance of the unification event over a major constitutional change. It served as additional motivation for reconsidering the initial event in Mexico's founding, focusing on the declaration of Independence from Spain rather than a subsequent constitutional change. 

Mexico
Knowledge of the national entity and its history is also important for the effort. Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and to the east by the Gulf of Mexico. Covering almost 2,000,000 square kilometers (770,000 sq mi), the nation is the fifth largest country in the Americas by total area and the 13th largest independent state in the world. With an estimated population of around 130 million people, Mexico is second only in size to Brazil in Latin America, and the largest Spanish-speaking nation in the world. Mexico is a federation comprising 31 states plus Mexico City, which is the capital city and its most populous city. Other metropolises in the country include Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Toluca, Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and León. Mexico is famous for its long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches, its Margarita cocktails, tequila and beer; beautiful music that has had worldwide influence; the Sombrero de charro hat; and a mixture of an indigenous culture and Catholicism that has given the world the Dia de los Muertos festival. Mexico has its share of revolutionary hero's, like Pancho Villa and Emilio Zapata.

Contemporary Mexico

Currently, Mexico has the 15th largest nominal GDP (US$1.15 trillion) in the world. Annual GDP growth was almost 3% in 2016 and 2% in 2017. Agriculture comprises 4% of the economy, while industry contributes a third of the output, mostly in automotive, oil, and electronics. The largest sector is services, notably financial services and tourism. It contributes the rest or 63% of the output. 

The NAFTA agreement went into effect in 1993, resulting in a lot of US and foreign investment in Mexico in recent decades. In recent years, China has invested heavily in Mexico. As a result, Mexico is now firmly established as an upper middle-income country. The average income per person, in constant value (or purchasing power parity adjusted) US dollars, was $19,000 in 2018, up from around $14,000 in 1993. The average income is now around one-third of the US income level of $60,000 but around 20 percent higher than in Brazil. However, that is not to say that all benefit equally from the income gains. The distribution of income is very skewed in Mexico, such that the lower income groups benefit less. Indeed, income inequality has remained stubbornly high in Mexico as measured by the Gini-coefficient, which is now around 45. It is higher than in the USA (41) and India (38), but less than in Brazil (53) or in world leader, South Africa (63). The inequality in Mexico is, however, far greater than in the egalitarian Nordic countries (28) and the Czech Republic (25). The distribution of wealth is also very skewed such that a third of the nation is estimated to live in "moderate poverty." This likely explains also the attractiveness of crime, with its higher risk and reward, to young men and women raised in poverty.

Crime and corruption

In some way, criminality and corruption affect the daily life of most Mexicans. The effort of Mexican criminals to smuggle dangerous drugs to the USA, involves also human trafficking and violent crime. Movies like "No Country for Old Men" and "Sicario" and Netflix streaming series like "Narcos: Mexico" and "El Chapo" depict the ominous reality on both sides of the USA-Mexico border. Between 2006 and 2018, the Mexican government waged war on the drug cartels, with some victories along the way, including the arrest of El Chapo in early 2016 and extradition to the USA. However, as such efforts do not affect very much the production and smuggling activities, they may be viewed as "window dressing" for the "Gringos", to meet the demands of the powerful US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for urgent action to stem the cross-border flow, in order not to lose important aid from and trade benefits with the USA. Despite recent efforts to clamp down on the drug traffic, the violence has raged. The regional cartels continue to engage in internecine killings to gain greater control of the drug market, valued annually between $50 billion and $100 billion. Close to 120,000 people have been killed in the Mexican Drug War from 2006 to 2018. 

Since his election in 2018, President Obrador has declared that he is no longer waging a war on the cartels. He hopes his "hugs, not bullets" policy will reduce the violence by allowing the cartels to operate in peace. The result has so far, however, been exactly the opposite. The violent infighting has increased among the powerful and well organised Sinaola, Jalisco New Generation and Gulf cartels. At the same time, the Mexican government has stated that it is demand for drugs by US citizens that is the reason for the drug production and smuggling in the first place. Further, it has suggested the US government address the drug demand at home. 

In November 2019, President Trump again angered the Mexican government by saying the Mexican cartels should be classified as "terrorist organisations". At the same time, he offered to have the US military come and clean up the country. President Obrador rejected the offer saying it would amount to an assault on Mexico's national sovereignty. The reality is that in the past, the drug cartels have funneled part of their enormous drug receipts into the Mexican government at all levels, gaining in return protection from the government and their de facto complicity. Cutting off the lucre would doubtless be anathema to the corrupt but well off officials at all levels of government. The existence and influence of organised crime suggests that Mexico is a failed state when it comes to maintaining law and order. Certainly, in "state after state" (of the Mexican union) organised criminals call the shots. Nevertheless, the central government seems to keep the country running in other respects, with overall gains in living standards for Mexicans, as earlier noted, in recent decades. Mexico cannot therefore be judged to be a failed state, even if it is clearly failing in major respects. Such major realities of life need to be reflected in the authentic horoscope for the country.

Early history
Pre-Columbian Mexico dates to about 8,000 BC. It was home to many advanced Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Olmec, Toltec, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Maya, and Aztec. In 1521, the Spanish Empire conquered and colonized the territory. The vice-royalty of New Spain ruled from its politically powerful base in Mexico City. The Catholic Church played a powerful role in ruling the country as millions of indigenous inhabitants were converted to the Catholic faith. Native or indigenous people were used to mine silver in the north, turning the colony into a major source of wealth for the Spanish Empire. The Spanish crown established a standing military in the late eighteenth century to manage external threats. The military became a path for upward mobility for transplanted Spaniards. The royal army fought volunteer insurgent forces to a stalemate after a decade of armed conflict. Only when a royal military officer-turned insurgent, Augustín Iturbide, joined with insurgent leader Vicente Guerrero was independence achieved. The territory became a nation state following the crown's recognition in 1821 after the Mexican War of Independence."

Declaration of Independence

After several centuries of colonial rule, the Napoleonic revolution in Europe in the early 19th century weakened Spain's grasp on its colonies in "Spanish America"[1]. In 1808, Napoleon deposed and imprisoned Fernando VII, king of Spain, resulting in a ruling junta of Spaniards assuming power in Mexico [2]. The junta, however, lacked the legitimacy of the monarchy and on September 16, 1810, a "loyalist revolt" against the junta was declared by priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, in the small town of Dolores, Guanajuato. Following Hidalgo's death, a year later, leadership of the Mexican war of independence was assumed by others, including a young politician and military leader, Augustín de Iturbide. 

In 1821, General Iturbide, a monarchist, joined forces with Vicente Guerrero, a federalist, forcing representatives of the Spanish Crown to negotiate and sign "Treaty of Córdoba" and the "Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire", which recognized the independence of Mexico under the terms of the "Plan of Iguala". Importantly, the plan gave hope to all stakeholders in the future entity, including monarchists, federalists, the church and spaniards. Importantly, the plan did not set out a single path, papering over major divisions for the sake of uniting all under the banner of independence. 

Triumph and decree
On September 27, 1821, General Iturbide and the Army of Three Guarantees made a triumphant march into Mexico City, decisively taking control of the city. This event is considered a founding event by many astrologers. However, as will be shown below, this day does not offer a convincing basis for a national horoscope, as a crucial aspect involving the Moon is not seen on that day, only on the following day.

From a historical standpoint, September 28, 1821 is also noteworthy as the Declaration of Independence was signed in the afternoon of that day. Such a collective expression is considered more meaningful, in lieu of a democratic vote, to validate the creation. The signing process is described thus: 

"On the afternoon of September 28, members of the Board met at the National Palace to draft the Declaration of Independence of the newly independent nation. The resulting two documents were drafted in its final form by Juan José Espinosa de los Monteros, Secretary of the Board. The acts were signed by 33 of the 38 members of the Board and Iturbide as President of the Regency of the Empire. Juan O'Donojú, last Superior Political Chief of New Spain, Francisco Severo Maldonado, José Domingo Rus, José Mariano de Almanza and Miguel Sánchez Enciso did not sign the documents, but in the acts was written: Place of signature Juan O'Donoju and later his signature was added in the printed copies. The signatures of other four members were not added. Juan Jose Espinosa de los Monteros signed twice in each act, once as a member of the Board and the second as secretary, so that the acts contain 35 signatures and the designated to O'Donojú. A copy of the act was for the government and one for the board, the last one was later sent to the Chamber of Deputies. None of the former insurgents—such as Guadalupe Victoria, Vicente Guerrero or Nicolás Bravo—signed the Declaration of Independence; the reason is unknown but probably because they wanted a Republic not an Empire."

The time identified for the conclusion of the signing ceremony is 5:04 p.m., giving 2° Pisces rising.

Early political turmoil

After the secession of Mexico was secured, Augustín Iturbide was proclaimed President of the Regency. A year later, on May 19, 1822, he was announced as the Constitutional Emperor of Mexico, reigning briefly, or until 19 March 1823. Although his reign was short, Iturbide's broad approach to gaining independence for Mexico laid the foundation for the political struggles after independence. The two ends of Mexico's political spectrum, liberals who favored populist representative government and conservatives who favored a more authoritarian regime, each gained the upper hand at various times in following decades.

Following three centuries as New Spain (a Vice Royalty of Spain), a push for independence and sovereign control by the Mexican elite began in 1806. Following the War of Independence, Mexico's independence was established in 1821. The enlightenment that infused the birth of the American Republic in 1781 had some influence on the Mexican leadership. Moreover, the essence of the US Monroe Doctrine appeared in 1823 securing the hard won independence of the former colonies from Spain and Portugal. However, in addition to the indigenous civilisation, the Spanish cultural influences remained strong in Mexico. However, the enlightenment ideals were not as widely shared in Mexico as in the USA. As a result, the first thirty-five years after Mexico's independence were marked by political instability and the changing form of the Mexican State, from a monarchy to a federated republic. There were military coups d'etat, foreign invasions, ideological conflict between Conservatives and Liberals, and economic stagnation [3]. Catholicism remained the only permitted religious faith and the Catholic Church as an institution retained its special privileges, prestige, and property, a bulwark of Conservatism. The army, another Conservative institution, also retained its privileges.

The political instability in the first Mexican Republic ultimately led to a political struggle among the European settlers of Texas to create their own Republic in the lands of Mexico. The Texians unambiguously favoured democracy over monarchy, while the Mexicans were of both minds. Like the early Americans, the Texians were likely also influenced by protestantism and enlightenment ideals. While the Mexicans had ended initial emergence of monarchy in 1823 and established a federated republic which lasted until 1835, they continued to be influenced by centralist impulses, which made a brief reappearance in 1864-1867. In any event, this ideological divide aggravated the Texians feeling of separateness, also along racial lines, leading to the push for independence in 1835. Victory was won in 1836 and in 1845 the US annexed Texas, resulting in the Mexican - American War of 1846-1848. 

“The core issue of what became a struggle between the political concepts known as centralism and federalism centered on the issue of where authority (sovereignty) should rest. In a centralized system such as a monarchy, a small circle of elites (nobles, clergymen, and military officers) made laws, enforced laws, and judged lawbreakers. The majority of the population (i.e., subjects) in a centralized system lack the ability to challenge the system since it is so powerful. However, under federalism the power rests with the individual citizens who entrust a small number of their peers as representatives who, through elections, they endow with the power to govern for them. From an organizational standpoint, authority flows from the citizen to the state in which he resides and then on to the national government. The basic concept is that this authority, although it may temporarily rest elsewhere, ultimately belongs to the citizens and not the officials they elect. This simple fact is the basis of self-government as we understand it.”[4]

Requirements of a horoscope

Any mundane horoscope should describe the potentialities of a country and be able to explain significant events in its history. Astrologers try to match their knowledge of a nation to what is seen in a selected horoscope. They attempt to see if there is a good fit. Of course, they can only scratch the surface of major trends and events but only a true horoscope will show its worth through predictive accuracy. When investigating history, the goal is to identify issues that are important for the nation, in order to see if the proposed chart speaks meaningfully to those issues. Only then can we hope to make repeat accurate predictions, involving both the nature and timing of a likely event. If they materialize, the likelihood rises that the mundane horoscope is authentic. It can then serve as the basis of further accurate predictions. Predictions are the real proving ground of astrology, anything else is just a parlour game.

Pisces rising

In the new chart for Mexico, the 2nd degree of Pisces is rising. A mundane entity displays its rising sign attributes in a more basis way than a person does. However, the salient attributes are shared. According to authors and astrologers Vinod Kumar Choudhry and K. Rajesh Chaudhary, Pisces rising entities may be described in the following way:

"Pisces is a watery sign ruled by Jupiter, the significator of fortune and knowledge. Venus, the significator for materialistic pursuits and comforts, is exalted and Mercury, the significator of intellect, is debilitated in this sign. These factors render the Pisceans romantic, imaginative, compassionate and generous."

Aside from such basic personality attributes, the placements, aspects and strength of individual planets in the horoscope account for the multitude of factors that make every singular or collective entity unique. In the Systems' Approach, this is also linked to the planets having the following functional attributes in the Pisces rising horoscope.

"Apart from Rahu and Ketu, the Sun, Venus and Saturn also become functional malefic planets for this ascendant. Mars, the Moon, Mercury and Jupiter are functional benefic planets for Pisceans. Mars acts as a Sun-like planet."

The Sun as 6th lord is reasonably strong and well placed in the 7th house of foreign agreements. This suggest that the government focuses on foreign partnerships, especially involving financial stability and public health issues. The Sun's dispositor, 7th lord Mercury, is slightly weakened by being combust, but as it is in its own sign of exaltation, it helps to offset the weakness. Indeed, the country has a big leisure industry attracting visitors from all over the world, but especially from the USA. These placements suggests Mexico can be both adamant and clever in negotiating foreign agreements and has some international influence.

Moon as 5th lord rule management, speculation and young people, is badly placed at 13° Libra and 8th house. It receives a malefic aspect from Rahu at 13° Aquarius and 12th house. This suggests that the management of the country is undermined by deceptive activities involving smuggling, far away lands and losses. The culinary tradition could involve smokey or unhealthy food, lack of hygene or be associated with the consumption of intoxicants. "Montezuma's revenge" is a well known term for foreign visitors getting an upset stomach. This placement is also consistent with the pervasive corruption in the country, at all levels, involving the drug trade, which is ruled by Rahu. The nation can become disturbed by manipulation involving speculation, management, creativity, entertainment, universities or young people. 

Mars, as 2nd lord, is a sun like planet, giving it extra strength. However, Mars is debilitated at 9° Cancer and 5th house, reducing its strength. The placement suggests status from speculation, creativity, universities and young people. However, the weakness of Mars makes its indications vulnerable to setbacks. Adding to the weakness, is the highly compromised placement of its dispositor, Moon. Moreover, by aspecting the Moon, Rahu becomes connected with Mars, adding an anti-social element that undermines the status. The military and police, ruled by Mars, become affected. This is seen in the common corruption of these professions, as well as the many young men going into gangs to earn a living. The aspect of Rahu to Moon, affecting Mars, makes life difficult for young people, universities and entertainment. Indeed, criminality and death are widespread. Around 250,000 young men are in the Mexican military forces, whereas around 100,000 young men are in the criminal network of cartels throughout the country. The cartel's also infiltrate the military and police, enabling them to act without impunity, as they have a licence to kill. In addition to the intra-gang violence due to turf fights, there have been tragic massacres of hundreds of innocents, like farm workers, migrants and students. In 2014 of a group of 43 male students were kidnapped by the police and handed over to a gang that killed them. Such crimes have come to light when the mass graves were discovered and exhumed.

Rahu's aspect does not harm the strong 8th lord Venus at 18° Libra and 8th house. This suggests that obstacles and endings are, in themselves, only an average cause of concern for life in Mexico. The country may also tend to enjoy more easy gains than many countries. However, Venus also afflicts the Moon, adding obstructions and endings to the indications of the Moon as 5th lord. Indeed, a lot of the management of the country is aimed at keeping the easy gains coming from the richer neighbour to the north.

Saturn as 12th lord is placed at 2° Aries and in the the most effective point (MEP) of the 2nd house of status and wealth. It suggests losses for the 2nd house indications, but also status from relations with far away countries. Overall, this placement detracts from the indications of Mars as 2nd lord, suggesting a loss of assets when the periods and transits are adverse. Saturn also aspects the 4th house of land and natural resources, and the 11th house of income, plans and friends. This suggests there is  potential for significant setbacks to the affected indications. Moreover, Saturn is conjunct 10th lord Jupiter at 6° Aries, ruling Mexico's position in the world. As a result, we would see that the status and international position is undermined by Mexico's anti-social activities, linked to the 12th house. As the 2nd house also rules relationships with close neighbours, it is not a surprise that the USA has begun to build an effective border barrier between the two countries, to stem the flow of illegal immigration, hard drugs and crime into the country.

Ketu is placed at 13° Leo and 6th house, where it does not afflict any planet, which is good. However, the placement suggests that strange or separative situations are involved in Mexico's conflictual issues, such as having a neighbour close their border.

Significant events

While planetary periods, both major periods and sub-periods, can indicate trends during their operation, it is the often shorter lived transits that are seen to trigger significant events, and the release of the karma seen in the horoscope. Below, we examine several significant events, their nature, impact and duration, in terms of the astrological factors and the natal potential (described above). The first two deal with the loss of territories suffered by Mexico in its early history.

Texas Republic formed

A significant setback for Mexico was the formation of the Republic of Texas on October 2, 1835. The declaration of independence from Mexico started the Texas war of independence, which included the famous Battle of the Alamo from February 23 to March 6, 1836. The war effectively ended on April 21, 1836 when the Texian army defeated the Mexican army. Mexico, however, refused to recognize the independence of the Republic of Texas, and there were intermittent conflicts between the two states into the 1840s, involving also border disputes. The United States recognized the Republic of Texas in March 1837 but declined to annex the territory. On December 29, 1845, Texas was annexed and admitted to the Union as the 28th US state. 

In the Systems' Approach:

1. "The close affliction of the lord of the eighth house on the fourth, second or sixth houses causes setbacks to the assets of the nation."

2. "The close afflictions to the eighth house or its lord by the most malefic planet or slow moving planets from the malefic houses or the weakness and affliction of its lord indicate significant setbacks for the country including its territorial integrity and resources." 

In the 2° Pisces rising horoscope for Mexico, it is the bad placement of the 5th lord, Moon, in the 8th house of endings, under exact affliction from Rahu in the 12th house of losses, with 12th lord Saturn afflicting the 2nd, 4th and 8th houses, and the placement of 2nd lord Mars in debilitation in the 5th house, which are integrated factors in such a dramatic outcome [Comparable natal, period and transit afflictions were seen in the tentative 2° Capricorn rising horoscope for Ukraine at 5:31 p.m. (02E00) on 24 August 1991, Kiev, Ukraine, when Russia annexed Crimea on 21 March 2014].

On October 2, 1835, the Jupiter-Mercury period was operating. Transit 8th lord Venus and transit 6th lord Sun were conjunct natal 6th lord Sun at 14° Virgo and 7th house. This is exactly the presaged type of affliction, but it also occurs in the 7th house of foreign policy. Along with the below noted afflictions to the 2nd house and its lord, this suggests the crisis involved a neighbour, the United States. Further, the USA was likely in sympatico with the Texian decision, but likely preferred to avoid direct involvement in a war with a neighbouring country. Transit 12th lord Saturn was in infancy in Libra and afflicting the 8th house, 10th house, 2nd house and 5th house, further indicating loss of assets/land. Meanwhile, transit Ketu in the 9th house was casting an afflicting aspect to natal 2nd lord Mars in the 5th house. Indeed, these many transit-to-natal afflictions are all consistent with the grave setback to Mexico's "territorial integrity" at that time. Indeed, while the formal cessation of Texas took place before the Mexican American War in 1848, the de facto loss occurred in 1835.

War and loss

The formal annexation of Texas by the USA on December 29, 1845 made war unavoidable as Mexico continued to consider Texas a part of its territory despite the Texas Revolution. The Mexican–American War began on April 25, 1846 and lasted until February 2, 1848 with the defeat of Mexico. In the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico surrendered to the United States and entered into negotiations to end the war. In addition to Texas, Mexico ceded the huge territories of Alta California and Santa Fe de Nuevo Mexico, which now constitute the many states in the south western portion of the USA (see map). The two countries exchanged ratifications of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on 30 May 1848.  Likely, this setback for Mexico's international position was even more difficult for the self image of the country.

Astrologically, the Saturn-Saturn period was operating from June 1846 to June 1849 and transit 12th lord was beginning a stationary transit conjunct the 1st house MEP, from where it also aspects the 3rd house, 7th house and 10th house. This period and transit placement of Saturn signify the dramatic finalisation of a major loss of land, and the sense of loss felt by the country. It happened despite the countries own strenuous efforts to prevent it. There was also a loss in its foreign relations and, not least, a blow to its international position. Transit Ketu was ending its stationary placement and also in the MEP of the 1st house, giving a further sense of separation for the collective identity. Transit 8th lord Venus was afflicting the 3rd and 9th house, of action and luck, suggestive of the end of a costly war effort. Transit Rahu in the 7th house of foreign policy was aspecting transit 8th lord Venus, adding a sense of manipulation through foreign policy. All the planets were in good houses, indicative of the relief that peace brings.

Earthquake

The 1985 Mexico City earthquake was a magnitude 8.0 earthquake that struck Mexico city on the early morning of 19 September 1985 at around 7:19 am (CST). It caused the deaths of at least 10,000 people and serious damage to the greater Mexico City Area.

In the Systems' Approach the incidence of earthquakes is seen if:

1. "The eighth house rules beliefs of the masses, red-tape actions, speed of execution of works, easy gains, delays and obstructions, accidents, fatal accidents, epidemics, gold and precious stones, legacies, capital gains, floods, earthquakes, cyclones, storms, etc." 

2. "The strong affliction of the lord of the eighth house to the weak lord of the fourth house or the sixth house makes the nation vulnerable to natural calamities, earthquakes and fatal accidents." 

3. "The strong prolonged transit malefic influences (i) on the weak planets in the chart of a nation or (ii) such influences on the most effective point of the fourth house or (iii) such influences on the most effective point of the  malefic houses cause natural calamities in the form of earthquakes, floods, tsunami, cyclones etc."

The Mercury-Mercury period was operating. Transit 7th lord Mercury was weak in advanced old age of Leo and the 6th house. Transit stationary Ketu at 16° Libra and 8th house was conjunct natal 8th lord Venus at 18° Libra. Venus as 8th lord was in infancy in Leo was afflicting the 6th house, Sun as 6th lord in infancy of Virgo was afflicting the 7th house, holding natal Sun and Mercury, and Saturn as 12th lord in infancy in Scorpio was afflicting the 9th house, 11th house, 3rd house and 6th house. Mars as 2nd lord was at 12° Leo and 6th house conjunct natal Ketu, the lord of sudden explosive events. Finally, transit 5th lord Moon was in advanced old age of the 8th house, indicative of significant loss of life.

Financial crisis

The 1994 Economic Crisis in Mexico, widely known as the Mexican peso crisis or the Tequila crisis, was caused by the sudden devaluation of the Mexican peso from December 20, 1994. The crisis lasted for several months. Of the indicators of currency strength (Sun, Moon, 2nd lord and 11th lord), only 6th lord Sun is strong in the 7th house.

At the time of the crisis, Mercury-Rahu period was operating. Transit 6th lord Sun was at 4° Sagittarius and 10th house MEP, conjunct and combusting 7th lord Mercury at 7° Sagittarius. Transit 12th lord Saturn was at 13° Aquarius and 12th house, exactly conjunct natal Rahu, while transit Rahu was at 20° Libra and 8th house exactly conjunct transit 8th lord Venus  and also conjunct natal Venus at 18° Libra and 8th house. Transit 2nd lord Mars was at 8° Leo and 6th house in applying aspect with transit 12th lord Saturn and natal Ketu. Finally, transit 10th lord Jupiter was in 9th house of fortune aspecting natal 2nd lord Mars in the 5th house, suggesting help from the USA to stem the crisis.

Pandemic

In March and April 2009, an outbreak of a new strain of influenza commonly referred to as "swine flu" infected many people in Mexico, causing illness ranging from mild to severe. As of April 27, 2009, all schools nationwide remained closed until at least May 6. Around 400 people were killed.

Ketu - Mercury period was operating. Transit 8th lord Venus was transiting early Pisces and the MEP of the 1st house. In late April 2009, when the number of cases and deaths peaked, transit 8th lord Venus became conjunct 2nd lord Mars, while transit Ketu at 10° Cancer and 5th house was in applying conjunction with natal 2nd lord Mars at 8° Cancer and 5th house. Transit 6th lord Sun was in mid Aries and 2nd house in opposition to first natal 5th lord Moon at 13° Libra and 8th house and then natal 8th lord Venus at 18° Libra and 8th house. Meanwhile, transit Rahu was in separating aspect to natal 6th lord Sun at 14° Virgo and 7th house.

Drug war

As described above, between 2006 and 2018, a bloody conflict took place between the Mexican government and various drug cartels that is considered to have caused the deaths of 120,000 people. Much of it was due to infighting by the cartels claiming the lives of also untold innocent people. 

Astrologically, the drug war took place when Ketu-Rahu to Venus-Rahu periods operated. Both major periods of Ketu and 8th lord Venus involve badly placed functional malefic planets and the opening and closing sub-periods involve Rahu, also a first rate and badly placed, malefic and afflicting planet.

Conclusion
The corona virus has hit Mexico later and with less intensity in the opening months of 2020. On March 24, 2020, it had claimed close to 400 people and 4 lives. The Venus - Jupiter period is operating. Natally, 10th lord Jupiter is well placed at 6° Aries and 2nd house MEP, but it is afflicted by 12th lord Saturn and undermined by the weakness of its dispositor, 2nd lord Mars. Hence, some setbacks are to be expected if transit afflictions are involved. In coming months the transit influences are seen to become more challening, especially involving sub-period lord Jupiter. Transit 10th lord Jupiter will soon become well placed but weak due to debilitation in Capricorn and the 11th house. It will also become stationary at 3° Capricorn and 11th house MEP, where it will be conjunct transit 12th lord Saturn. The contact repeats in late November 2020 and into January 2021. This placement and aspect suggests challenges for the government, legislature, trade but also young people. It will involve some reliance on friendly countries. More concerning is the transit station of Ketu at 6° Sagittarius and 10th house in exact aspect to natal Jupiter in the early summer. At that time, setbacks are possible to the indications of 10th lord Jupiter, involving even sudden, explosive developments. The government could become isolated in dealing with the situations that arise.

________

*) The earlier article explains what event was selected. It may also be useful to see how the understanding of a national entity may be swayed by the reading of a horoscope. If the predictions are repeatedly shown to be accurate, the confidence grows in chart and its interpretation. If not, the chart is rejected. 

  

References

[1] Gomes, Mario (2019). "Spanish America: From Bourbon Reforms to the Independence Process." August 11.

https://medium.com/@mariogomes/spanish-america-from-bourbon-reforms-to-the-independence-process-1a62e49e21cc

[2] Russell, Philip (2015). The Essential History of Mexico: From Pre-Conquest to Present. Routledge. August 27.
[3] Vazquez, Josefina Zoraida (1986). "The Texas Question in Mexican Politics, 1836-1845." The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 89, April.
https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117151/m1/365/

[4] Winders, Bruce (2016). "Federalism vs. Centralism: Why it Matters to the Texas Revolution." Alamo, Education & Curation. April 7.

https://medium.com/@OfficialAlamo/federalism-vs-centralism-why-it-matters-to-the-texas-revolution-190af0b89881

Italy's deadly crises

A deadly health crisis rages in Italy. Yesterday, Italy reported 24,980 cases and 1,851 deaths. On Sunday, 368 people died in Italy in a single 24 hour period. The spread of the disease in Italy is 9 times more intense than in China. Even if Italy's population of 61 million is only a fraction of China's 1,384 million, the deaths in Italy are more than half the number there. Hence, it would be good to have an authentic horoscope for Italy, that explains its past history of deadly crises and the present dreadful situation.

Choice of two events

There are two major historical events considered by astrologers as the basis of a national horoscope for Italy. The first event is the unification of Italy under one king in 1861 and the second is the constitutional change of Italy from Monarchy to Republic in 1946.

Both events have been studied. The conclusion is that the unification of Italy, a long process lasting from 1829 to 1871, but with a founding event, when the King of Sardinia became the Monarch of most of Italy on March 17, 1861, was likely the decisive event. Italy as a country was truly created through unification whereas the formation of a Republic was essentialy about replacing the king with a president as figurehead. That said, the process involved a major rewrite of the constitution. However, it was not an event that recreated the country.

The creation of a republic

King Umberto II votes on June 3, 1946

Due diligence requires that research be performed into the founding of the Italian Republic, to examine this case in depth based on both its historical and astrological merits. The national referendum after the war was initially singly focused on the choice of figurehead for the country. There had been momentum for replacing the King with a President. Over the course of preparations, the referendum developed into a full blown constitutional change. Importantly, V. K. Choudhry had warned that a new constitution was not always sufficient basis for the founding of a new country.

"On the day of June 2 and the morning of June 3, 1946, therefore, the referendum took place to choose between monarchy or republic."

Some work was performed in examining horoscopes for both 11 am and 12 pm as times for the closing of the polls in the morning of Monday, June 3, 1946. Neither chart gave a reliable fit to significant events in the history of the country. Charts for the proclamation of the Republic on June 10, 1946 at 16:00 and 18:00 were also examined, but without a convincing fit.

Unification: a new nation

Oct.1860: Garibaldi hails Victor Emmanuel as "King of Italy"

A careful study of the unification of the country offers as a sound basis for a possible authentic chart, for the creation of the new nation, Italy. Importantly, before unification, the peninsula and adjacent islands were occupied by an amalgam of independent kingdoms of Sardinia, Venetia and Sicily, duchies, the papacy and San Marino. Even after the creation of the monarchy, it took decades for the unification to be completed, in terms of bringing all the contiguous areas under the control of the new state. The political "Irredentist" movement had formed to unite the nation. It expressed a desire for a single language and culture, likely in line with the common glorious heritage of Rome as well as that of the Catholic church. The unification is described thus:

"The fall of Gaeta brought the unification movement to the brink of fruition—only Rome and Venetia remained to be added. On 18 February 1861, Victor Emmanuel assembled the deputies of the first Italian Parliament in Turin. On 17 March 1861, the Parliament proclaimed Victor Emmanuel King of Italy, and on 27 March 1861 Rome was declared Capital of Italy, even though it was not yet in the new Kingdom. Three months later Cavour died, having seen his life's work nearly completed. When he was given the last rites, Cavour purportedly said: "Italy is made. All is safe."

When we explore the Parliamentary proclamation more closely, it emerges that it took the form of the publication of the Official Gazette on March 17, 1861. 

"Immediately after the start of the legislature, on 21 February, the then Prime Minister Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour presented to the Senate a bill, consisting of a single article, to formalize the new name of the King. This became law on March 17, 1861, with the publication in the Official Journal of the Kingdom of Italy n.67. March 17 is commemorated annually by the Anniversary of the Unification of Italy, a national holiday established in 1911 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary."

Most modern astrologers take for granted the present practice of counting the start of the day from midnight. As a result, the horoscope for this event is normally timed for midnight on this day. However -- and here is an interesting twist -- in Italy into the 19th century, the day was not considered to begin at midnight. Rather, it ended at dusk, when a new day began, that was then counted forward for 24 hours, until the following evening. This is called the "Italian system". 

As such, the modern system of counting from midnight had only recently been introduced and was by no means universal. In some cases in Europe, in the early 20th century, the time was counted from noon. We may also consider that even the time zone system was evolving in the late 19th century. In 1888, the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) emerged as a new system. In addition, many countries began only to count the new day from midnight as late as 1925. As such, we may surmise that counting from midnight, as is customary today, especially for official acts, had little support in terms of Italian customs, decades earlier, or in 1861.

In this photo of a footnote in a book on the Italian letters of famed author Margaret Fuller in the 1840s, the editor attempts to explain the Italian system. It is therefore possible and even likely that the publication of the Official Gazette took place at another time on March 17, 1861.

Let's consider five possible times for an "official declaration" in Turin, Italy on this day:

1. at 12:00 a.m. midnight, when everybody is fast asleep: 6° 22' Scorpio;
2. at sunrise, 6:27 a.m. when the cock crows and people start their day: 26° 55' Aquarius;
3. when the gazzette was delivered to the government offices, at the time they open their doors, or when a town crier read it out, at ca. 8:30-9:00 a.m.: 3° - 12° Taurus;
4. at 12:00 noon, when workers break for lunch: 19° 48' Gemini; and
5. at sunset, 6:27 p.m., when businesses cease their operations: 4° 02' Virgo.

Lettura bando (e. reading notice)

Up front, we may reject options 2 and 4 as there is no recorded tradition for such "official times". In the case of 5, it would be the end of the day, and hence doesn't make sense. Even if we move it up to March 16, it is then March 16th, which doesn't make sense either. We can also sideline 1 for the same reason, as there was no tradition for it. We are then left with option 3. In this case, the offices likely opened at 9:00 a.m.. Possibly, a town crier announced the new kingdom. We may also consider the fact that the Kingdom of Italy was an extension of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which had existed from the 14th century. As such, its traditions were age old, suggesting the possible use of town criers in making formal declarations (see photo). This could also have coincided, as first order of business, with the start of the business day. 

Today, the country is described in the following manner:

"Think of Italy and the first thing that strikes the mind is its enchanting beauty, picturesque landscape, magnificent art, rich culture and heritage, vibrant history and lip-smacking cuisine! But there is more to Italy that what meets the eye – Italian leaders! One of the most charming and hardworking people in the world, Italian leaders are recognized for their wit, intelligence and charisma. Much of the credit for safeguarding the country’s unique blend of mesmerizing past and effervescent present goes to its leaders who have helped maintain a balance and created a niche of distinctiveness for Italy in the world over. According to the Constitution of Italy, the country is ruled by elected representatives. The Prime Minister is the executive head of the country, while the role of the President is largely ceremonial. Italy has had numerous leaders since 1861, but few of them have left a lasting imprint on the minds of the people in Italy and abroad. Alcide de Gasperi, Aldo Moro, Giovanni Spadolinni, Mario Monti, Giorgio Napolitano, Enrico Letta, Matteo Renzi are some of Italian leaders who have contributed to the country’s growth and advancement."

Despite such a glowing description, Italy endured a near-debt crisis in 2011 and 2012, with some arguing the government mismanaged its finances. In earlier decades, there were frequent turnovers of governments, when Italy became known for its short lived governments. Nevertheless, Italy has its share of famous leaders, but some of whom have been felled by scandal or corruption. Suggestive of the wit of Italian leaders is long-serving prime minister Giulio Andreotti who quipped “Power wears out those who do not have it.” The horoscope therefore needs to be able to explain such an odd mixture of charm and problems.

Taurus rising

Indeed, a Taurus rising horoscope for the nation gives promise in explaining the charming nature of the country, its historically significant events and the recent calamity. The following description, functional planets and placements, beginning with the excellent information on the web site of astrologer and author K. Rajesh Chaudhary about Taurus as a rising sign:

“Taurus is an earthy sign ruled by Venus, the significator for pleasures, materialistic pursuits and comforts. The Moon, the significator for caring, tenderness and affluence, is exalted in this sign. Ketu, the significator of spiritual pursuits, is debilitated in this sign. These factors render the Taurus born people materialistic, motherly and sensual, enjoying comfort, beauty and luxury around them, being convinced that in all circumstances they are correct…. Apart from Rahu and Ketu, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars also become functional malefic planets. The Moon, the Sun, Mercury and Saturn are functional benefic planets for the Taurus born people. The Moon acts as a Sun-like planet. The first rate natural benefic planets, Venus and Jupiter, turn first rate functional malefic planets, causing sufferings whenever they form close transit or natal conjunctions/aspects with weak natal/transit positions.”

The ascendant is likely early Taurus, and 3° Taurus rising horoscope becomes the basis for the tentative horoscope. It does not seem realistic for Italy to have a rising degree placing e.g. Venus as 6th lord in the most effective point, or MEP (+/- 5° from rising degree) of the 10th house. Italy would be seen as a quarrelsome country. As a result, an earlier degree is selected. 

Let's start with the positives. With an exalted 3rd lord Moon in the 1st house MEP, nutrition is important to them. Indeed, Italian cuisine is world renowned. Italy also has a dynamic industrial sector, including famous automobiles. Italians tend also to have entrepreneurial leaders, with some, like Mussolini (1922-1943) becoming dictatorial. 

Another element linked to the exlted 3rd lord Moon in the 1st house MEP, but also 6th lord Venus in the 10th house, is the world famous opera, which is uniquely Italian since the 17th century, and is associated with famous composers like Giuseppi Verdi, Giacomo Puccini and Gioachino Rossini, as well as such famous opera singers as Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli and Ezio Pinza.  

With 10th lord Saturn in Leo and the 4th house, gives good development for the assets of the nation, and provides generally good governance. 

As Saturn rules old things, it also makes ancient buildings important for the national heritage. The amazing Roman Pantheon, erected by two emperors in the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D., carries astronomical and astrological significance, related to the Sun's beam hitting the doorway in April, illuminating the arrival of the emperor for Roman religious observance. Indeed, 10th lord Saturn aspects the 3rd lord Moon, adding renown to the latter's indications. 

With 4th lord Sun in the 11th house most effective point conjunct 5th lord Mercury, Italians a very analytical and intelligent in their approach. Italian's are also focused on their plans and earning a decent income. As a result, Italy ranks fairly high in annual income and standard of living, although the industrialised north of the country that is seen to pull the wagon as the south is more afflicted by corruption and is therefore less developed.

We may note that as 6th lord Venus is in Aquarius and 10th house, conflict can disturb the government, the legislature and foreign trade. Possibly, Italians place greater importance on the public role of the political opposition. However, this is not all bad. 

Luxury cars

2020 Maserati GT Convertible

As Venus is strong, Italians enjoy comfortable living standards and are know for their superb designs. Italian fashions and cars are world renowned, although there have been periods of technical problems, as in the old joke: "what does FIAT stand for?" The reply is "Fix it again, Tony! That said, Italians also have a technical oriented automotive sector, as reflected in the conjunction of Sun and Mercury. Accordingly, with the strong and well placed 3rd lord Moon and Venus in the 10th house, the country produces some of the finest cars in the world, including Lamborghini, Maserati and Ferrari.

Now we move to analyse the downside of the chart. The major problems facing Italy are seen in the placements of the functional malefic planets, and the aspects between them. Indeed, the problems seen are non-trivial. 

The mafia and corruption

In the Systems' Approach, the contact of Rahu and Mars is seen to give an anti-social approach. In this chart, there is an aspect of Rahu in the 8th house to 12th lord Mars in the 12th house. Indeed, the ancient order of the Cosa Nostra, the Italian mafia, is the epitome of organised crime, being involved in smuggling, intoxicants, drugs, theft and other offenses. This placement also suggests that corruption is endemic in the country. Indeed, the government has been battling of the mafia influence in Italian life for the past half century. After being shorn down since the 1970s, the mafia has apparently enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. In this regard, we may note that the Rahu major period operated from 1999 to 2017, with the Rahu-Mars period running from March 2016 to March 2017. As a result, this anti-social energy would have, again, been brought into prominence again.

Debt and growth

Jupiter is the general indicator of finance. With 8th lord Jupiter in the 3rd house, Italians like to expand through new enterprises, notably in the areas of transportation and communication. At the same time there are problems for these and the legitimacy of the government. This is because 12th lord Mars in the 12th house aspects 8th lord Jupiter in the 3rd house. As a result, the easy gains and assets of Italians can experience losses and setbacks, possibly linked to communication and transportation sectors. Indeed, in the euro crisis of 2011-2012, the Italian government, due to its highly indebted banks, came under grave pressure. However, with 4th lord Sun and 5th lord Mercury conjunct in the 11th house MEP, it was through genius management by the Italians and, their friends in the EU, notably EU organisations like ECB and ESM, that Italy's banks were adequately funded and sheltered through the storm. However, that does not mean all is now well, as the debts are still high and many worry that Italy may still have to deal with another financial crisis. Indeed, during the major period of Jupiter running from 2017 to 2033, debts should come into focus. However, in the earlier Jupiter major period, from 1897 to 1913, Italy saw debt reductions through high economic growth rates. That is also possible going forward, despite the aspect of 12th lord Mars. It may only mean that the debtors are not fully compensated.

The operation of the Mafia has likely cost the nation in terms of higher transaction costs and reduced economic efficiency. The afflictions involving the 12th and 8th lords also explain the many large natural disasters in the history of the country, costing untold lives, including from the current coronavirus crisis.

Significant events

In examining a few historic significant event, the ones chosen are were Italy has lost a large number of people through its own actions or natural disasters, as this would be most disturbing to the national or collective psyche.

Messina earthquake

28 December 1908: Between 75 and 200 thousand people were killed in the Messina earthquake, which struck at 5:20 a.m. on that day. The Jupiter major period was operating since March 1897. The Moon sub-period war running. Jupiter rules the 8th house and is placed in the 3rd house under afflicting aspect from 12th lord Mars in the 12th house. Transit Mars at 28° Libra and 6th house was under exact aspect of natal Ketu at 28° Gemini and 2nd house, its own natal placement in the 12th house. The transit nodes were at the beginning of their three month long stationary period, with transit Ketu at 3° Sagittarius and 8th house, in close aspect to the 4th house, ruling structures. Transit 4th lord Sun was in the 8th house, along with transit 5th lord Mercury. Meanwhile, transit Rahu was closely afflicting the 2nd and the 10th house, holding transit 3rd lord Moon. Both nodes were aspecting all the even numbered houses. Transit 8th lord Jupiter was in 4th house in opposition aspect to natal 6th lord Venus and 10th house. In short, the transits were massively afflicting natal placements in the horoscope at this enormously deadly event.

Italy in World War II

25 July, 1943: The Allies take Sicily and Mussolini is sacked, signalling the start of an almost two year effort to liberate the country. Italy´s participation in World War II began when its military forces invaded Greece on 28 October 1940. The Mercury-Mars period, where Mars is 12th lord of war and losses, was operating. With the Mercury-Rahu period from September 1941 to April 1944, the fortunes changed against Italy. Towards the wars end, Milan, in northern Italy, was liberated in April 1945. The Mercury - Jupiter period was operating. During these three FM sub periods, Italy lost half a million troops in WW II and over 150,000 civilians. The allies invaded Sicily on 10 July and the last Germans fled the island on August 17. During this time, transit 6th lord Venus was in the 4th house, and at the time when the island fell, it was in exact opposition to natal 6th lord Venus in the 10th house. Meanwhile, the nodes were stationary on top of natal 8th lord Jupiter in the 3rd house. At the start of the invasion. transit 12th lord Mars was in aspect to transit 8th lord Jupiter in the 3rd house.

Vajont Dam Disaster

9 October 1963: Two thousand people die when a landslide causes the over-topping of the Vajont Dam north of Venice; the flooding wave completely wipes out several villages.  There were warning signs of landslides causing tsunamic like conditions in the dam basis, but rather than heed the warnings, the government chose to sue the journalists reporting the alarming developments for disturbing the "social order".

The Venus - Rahu period was operating. The government response shows manipulation, consistent with Rahu. Transit Rahu at 23° Gemini and 2nd house was aspecting transit 12th lord Mars at 25° Libra and 6th house, itself also in aspect to natal Mars at 27° Aries and 12th house, while transit 6th lord Venus in 6th house MEP was afflicting the 12th house. The scope for losses is therefore clear. Transit 10th lord Saturn in 9th house was in opposition aspect to natal 8th lord Jupiter in the 3rd house, while transit 8th lord Jupiter in 11th house was in exact aspect to transit 4th lord Sun in the 5th house. The governments mismanagement of this project caused thousands of lives being lost.

Corona virus crisis

January 31, 2020: Arrival of coronavirus pandemic in Italy, with the first reported case. The number of cases has erupted since, reaching a peak in March, with a national quarantine ordered on March 8. Today, the crisis has reached an outsize level, both in terms of number of cases and deaths. As of 16 March 2020, there have been 27,980 confirmed cases, 2,158 deaths, and 2,749 recoveries in Italy, leaving 23,073 active cases. Apparently, tens of thousands of Chinese people work in factories (ruled by Saturn) producing exportable goods (ruled by the 10th house) in northern Italy, with direct flights to China, including Wuhan. This could explain why northern Italy became Europe’s hotspot for the Wuhan Coronavirus. In any event, as a result of the outbreak, international flights into the country have been stopped and the economy has all but ground to a halt.

The Jupiter major period began in March 2017. The favourable sub-period of 10th lord Saturn in the 4th house is operating since May 2019. However, the transits are very difficult, even if transit 10th lord Saturn moved into Capricorn and the 9th house on January 24. Transit stationary Ketu in mid Sagittarius and 8th house has been in applying aspect to natal 10th lord Saturn in Leo and the 4th house from late November 2019. Transit stationary Ketu and transit 8th lord Jupiter have also been together in Sagittarius and 8th house since late November 2019. They became conjunct in January 2020, with 8th lord Jupiter adding to the malefic energy on Saturn as 10th lord.. However, transit 8th lord Jupiter has since moved into aspect of natal 12th lord Mars in the 12th house, while transit 12th lord Mars entered Sagittarius and 8th house on February 8th, 2020. This week it becomes conjunct transit Jupiter in late Sagittarius while conjunct natal Rahu at 28° Sagittarius. The pandemic has caused thousands of deaths and inflicted death-like experiences on many more. The confluence of so many malefic aspects fits well with it.

Conclusion
This tentative 3° Taurus rising horoscope for Italy shows promise in explaining the nature of the country and its history. From it we may deduce that the coronavirus pandemic may reach some peak this week, around the 19 March 2020, when transit 12th lord Mars becomes conjunct transit 8th lord Mars on top of natal Rahu. Making the situation also extremely tense has been the passage of transit 6th lord Venus in the 12th house. From March 19th, it will also become conjunct natal 12th lord Mars and fall under the aspect of both transit 8th lord Jupiter and natal Rahu both in late Sagittarius and 8th house. So, as April dawns, some improvement will emerge. Despite that, continued problems are foreseen this year, as the transits of the slow moving malefic planets continue to afflict in the chart. While the pandemic problems are seen to gradually become less as March closes and April begins, not least due to transit 8th lord Jupiter entering Capricorn and the 9th house on March 28, other problems will emerge. From early Capricorn, transit 8th lord Jupiter will cast an aspect to transit 6th lord Venus in early Taurus and 1st house, suggesting some short-lived problems involving the indications of the political opposition, health matters and financial stability. Moreover, from May to July 2020, the nodes will go stationary in the MEPs of the 2nd and 8th houses, which is not ideal. From there the nodes will aspect all even numbered houses, suggesting strains for the economy and assets of the country. Meanwhile, transit debilitated 8th lord Jupiter in early Capricorn and 9th house MEP, will aspect the 1st house, 3rd house and 5th house and will also briefly become conjunct transit 10th lord Saturn. This suggests obstacles for the management of the country. From July to October, transit Jupiter will have re-entered Sagittarius, where it will have crossed over natal Rahu, and cast an aspect to natal 12th lord Mars. This signifies more obstacles and endings for the country, possibly related to the fall out from the intensive pandemic episode. In December 2020, transit Jupiter will then become conjunct transit 10th lord Saturn at 7° Capricorn and the 9th house MEP, suggesting problems for the government, church and courts, but also for the automotive sector, transportation and communication in the country.

Happy 159th birthday, Italy!

Post Script
The time given for this horoscope is not exact as shown. There was a problem in reconciling local mean time (LMT) in JT Pro to give the correct birth time and desired degree. The birth information was also calculated for verification purposes in astro.com. That said, the chart shows the desired ascendant and placements.