Predictions for the USA in 2024

As the new year opens, the legal travails of former President Donald Trump may begin to impact US national cohesion. His supporters may become frustrated if his ability to mount a national campaign is impeded. In the House, Republican efforts to impeach President Joe Biden may continue but not affect Biden's standing. Transit pressures in Biden's chart are shown to ease in the coming year. As 2023 ends, his poll numbers have even begun to rise slightly. 

In the fall, there could be violent events leading up to the Presidential election. The rule of law, the legitimacy of the elections and democracy itself may become challenged. Financial turbulence and a recession are also possible in the fall of 2024. The outcome of the Presidential election seems uncertain, if only the horoscopes of the leading candidates at this stage are considered. Trump has a far more dynamic chart. Nevertheless, Joe Biden may have an edge over Trump on election day.

Period influences

In the SAMVA USA chart, the Moon major period is continuing through 2032, suggesting that the focus of the nation is on the national identity, including its historical role as a refuge and opportunity for immigrants, and on the wellbeing of the citizens. 

Many years ago, I wrote this about the strong Moon in the US horoscope:

"The royal planet Moon is ruler of the chart. It is strong and exalted in eleventh house of income, hopes and friends, giving a visionary nature and excellent financial strength. Aspect from Mars gives technical know-how, magnanimity and lasting fame. Aspect from Jupiter gives a fixed and war-like nature, but also a religious nature. These influences explain the fact that the country has enshrined human freedom in its constitution and sent many manned missions in space, including to the Moon, and brought them safely back again. A strong role for caring is seen."

Given its auspiciousness, the Moon major period gives a huge lift and this has been the case in prior Moon major periods. However, the sub-period, which lasts for only a part of the ten-year major period, has an influence that is more important during its briefer passage. In 2024, the Rahu sub-period will be operating. In the SAMVA USA chart, Rahu is placed in the 10th house MEP, suggesting manipulations and corruption in government and legislative affairs. 

"Rahu periods can be associated with material progress if Rahu is not afflicted or afflicting in a chart. If Rahu is afflicted or afflicting in a chart it tends to be associated with manipulations that may result in significant gains but which usually leads to exposure and significant losses. In the SAMVA USA chart, Rahu is placed in Aries and 10th house, which causes manipulation and crisis in the political sphere. Rahu is also linked to intoxicants, manipulation for selfish ends and criminal activities. Among the professions, Rahu rules unscrupulous salesmen, diplomats, winemakers, shady characters and criminals."

Since the financial crisis of 2007-2009, the term "Crony Capitalism" has come to the fore in the public debate. Last year, Rahu transited the 10th house of government and legislature, when the House Speaker was voted out. In the past there have been many major upheavals in those areas of the national life. As Rahu transits the 9^th house in 2024, this suggests there will be plenty of manipulations and corruption in the affairs of the courts, religious institutions and diplomatic missions. 

As astrologer and author, K. Rajesh Chaudhary, also the co-Propounder of the Systems' Approach, suggests.

"The 9th house rules the judicial system, morality, religion, diplomats, foreign missions, progress and development. The close afflictions to the ninth house or its lord by the malefic planets, especially Rahu or Rahu-like planets, bring the incidence of corrupt practices and setbacks for the fortune of the country."

The transit of Rahu in that house may also undermine international support for the country. 

While transit Rahu passe through the sign of Pisces in a retrograde manner, from 30° to 0°, it will aspect three planets placed in the 5th house as well as the 5th house itself. As such, 5th house matters are also likely to come to the fore in the national life in 2024, involving increased crime, drugs and manipulations, causing harm to young people. Manipulations may create problems for universities, just like the courts.

"The 5th house rules intellectuals, emotional stability, communal harmony, speculative nature of the people, investments, stock exchange, children, population, universities, morals and values of the people. The close natal or transit afflictions to the fifth house or its lord by the most malefic planet or slow-moving planets indicate emotional upset for the country and setbacks to the financial markets of the country."

Two earlier Moon major and Rahu sub-periods took place 1783 -1785 and 1903-1905. Both were periods of progress. However, there were also challenges. Please note that the transits were likely quite different at those times, not accounted for here, thereby also influencing the events that arose.

A. September 9, 1783 to March 10, 1785

Auspicious:

• Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, ending the Revolutionary War and recognizing the independence of the United States. Further, the Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784, and exchanged ratifications with Great Britain on May 12, 1784.
• After holding its first session in Philadelphia from March 2, 1781, the Congress of the Confederation met next in Trenton, New Jersey, on November 1, 1784, and then moved to New York City in January 1785.
• Land Ordinance of 1784 was passed by the Congress of the Confederation on April 23, 1784, establishing a system for surveying and settling the western lands.

Challenging:

• The United States faced economic and political challenges as a new and independent nation. As set out in the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, the Congress of the Confederation lacked the power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws. This was the prerogative of the states and they often acted in their own interests. The national debt after the Revolutionary War was huge, and the currency had been worthless since 1779, making people having to resort to a wide array of other but more insecure forms of money. Many veterans of the war were not paid and faced poverty and hardship.
• The United States also faced diplomatic and military threats from Britain, Spain, and Native Americans. Britain refused to evacuate its forts in the Northwest Territory, Spain closed the Mississippi River to American navigation, and Native Americans resisted American expansion into their lands. The Congress of the Confederation was also unable to raise an army or a navy to defend the nation’s interests and borders.
• The United States experienced social unrest and violence, such as the Newburgh Conspiracy in March 1783, which was a plot by some disgruntled officers of the Continental Army to overthrow the Congress of the Confederation and install a military dictatorship. The conspiracy was foiled by George Washington, who appealed to the officers’ patriotism and loyalty.

B. September 9, 1903 to March 10, 1905

Auspicious:

• Hay-Herran Treaty was signed on January 22, 1903, granting the United States a renewable lease in perpetuity from Colombia on the land proposed for the Panama Canal.
• U.S. Census Bureau became part of the new U.S. Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903.
• First silent film, The Great Train Robbery, debuted in 1903.
• Wright brothers made the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903.
• Panama Canal Zone was established on February 26, 1904, after Panama declared its independence from Colombia with U.S. support.
• Louisiana Purchase Exposition, also known as the St. Louis World’s Fair, opened on April 30, 1904, celebrating the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase.
• First subway line in New York City opened on October 27, 1904.

Challenging:

• The United States faced labor and social problems as a result of rapid industrialization and urbanization. The working conditions in factories, mines, and mills were often harsh, unsafe, and low-paid, and workers had little protection from exploitation and abuse.
• The United States also faced racial and ethnic tensions, as well as immigration issues. The Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation and discrimination in the South, and the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups terrorized African Americans and other minorities. 
• The United States also faced political and economic challenges, such as corruption, monopolies, and trusts. The Progressive Era, which began in the late 19th century and lasted until the early 20th century, was a period of social and political reform that aimed to address these issues and improve the lives of the American people.

Based on the above historical facts, and period and transit influences the following developments could take place in the third Moon-Rahu period, notably in 2024:

C. September 9, 2023 to March 10, 2025

Auspicious:

• Some significant advances are to be expected for the progress and development of the country. This may be more so in February and first half of March 2024, when transit 10th lord Mars passes through Capricorn, its sign of exaltation, and in the 7th house of foreign affairs, in June and until mid July, when it passes through its own sign Aries and the 10th house of government and legislature.

Challenging:

• A scandal may erupt in the judicial system, which may undermine the public trust or confidence in the rule of law. Some judge and/or prosecutors may be accused of abusing their power to harm certain candidates, such as former President Trump.
• A foreign war may erupt in the first half of 2024, but with the US not directly involved.
• A debt crisis may erupt in the fall as the public debt soares over $35 trillion, far exceeding the $26 trillion size of the US economy. If the federal government is perceived as being unable fund its operations, the bond market may react with alarm, driving up interest rates and sparking fears of a financial meltdown. Such a crisis would also strain the social safety net, as millions of Americans struggle to afford health care, education, and housing.
• After considerable monetary tightening, a recession may unfold in 2024, resulting in unemployment rate moving up again, adding to the concerns for financial and political stability.
• Allegations of corruption of leaders in the higher education system may emerge at some universities. 
• A mass shooting at a US university is possible in the fall of 2024.
• As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the country may be deeply divided and polarized. Violent clashes may erupt between supporters and opponents of different candidates and parties. The election itself may become marred by controversy and chaos, including allegations of election interference, which may serve to undermine the legitimacy of the election. 
• A threat of a constitutional crisis or civil war may arise, undermining the belief in democracy as a viable political system.
  

Let's examine the transits more closely.

Transit influences in first half of 2024

As the year opens, challenges are seen for the impartial rule of law, as well as for the functioning of the government and legislature. Note that the analysis does not cover the transits of the fast moving planets, which sometimes act as triggers. One exception is the transit of the Sun over the stationary nodal axis in early April and end September, when the President may face a sudden but short-lived crisis.

As 2023 closes and into mid-January 2024: Rahu in Pisces and the 9th house will be forming an exact aspect to natal 8th lord Saturn at 26° 46‘ Scorpio and the 5th house. Manipulation and confusion are possible in the courts involving issues that affect the legitimacy of US politics and society.

In the first three weeks of January 2023: Transit 8L Saturn in the 8^th house will be forming an exact aspect to natal 10^th lord Mars at 10° 09’ Scorpio and 5^th house. Obstacles and endings are likely for the function of the government, legislature and law enforcement.

In the fourth week of January into mid-February 2023: Transit 8^th lord Saturn in the 8^th house will closely aspect transit 6^th lord Jupiter in Aries and 10^th house. Obstacles and endings may create violence associated with conflict in the public sphere. There may be labour strikes or setbacks for the police or US military. Fortunately, this aspect does not become exact, albeit within 1° orb. 

January 1 to February 5, 2024: Transit 10^th lord Mars will pass through Sagittarius and the 6^th house of conflict.  Conflict involving the US government and legislature is likely. Strains in government finances are also possible.

Late March to late May 2024: Transit Rahu will be stationary conjunct the 9th house MEP. Manipulation and cheating are likely to be witnessed in the court system and in obtaining support for the country, with influences on the national identity, higher education, management of the country and speculation.M

In late March and early April of 2024: Transit 8th lord Saturn is passing through the 8th house MEP. This transit may impart setbacks involving obstacles and endings for areas such as speculation, management, university and entertainment, government, legislature and foreign trade, and wealth, close neighbours and status of the country. 'Easy gains' are also possible with regard to the above indications.

April 4-6, 2024:  Transit 2nd lord Sun will pass over transit stationary Rahu in 9th house. This brief transit suggests problems for the President with the courts, religious institutions and general support.

From March 10 to June 10, 2024: Transit Rahu will be stationary at 21° Pisces, the most effective point of the 9th house, from where it also aspects the 5th house, 1st house and the 3rd house. This suggests that manipulative energy will be focused in judicial matters, involving also management, communication and the self image of the country. 

From March 10 to June 10, 2024: Transit Ketu will be stationary at 21° Virgo, the 3rd house MEP, from where it also aspects the 11th house, 7th house and the 9th house. This suggests sudden adverse events involving transportation and communication, foreign relations, judicial matters and income.

Transit influences in the second half of 2024

The transit influences will become decidedly more difficult in the fall of 2024. At that time, violent events are likely to manifest. There is also the risk of a financial panic, possibly involving government debt, as well as a recession. 

From second week of September through 1^st week of November: Transit 6^th lord Jupiter in Taurus and 11^th house will be in stationary aspect to natal 8^th lord Saturn in the 5^th house. This is a violence inducing aspect, suggesting that conflict about the goals, alliances and income of the USA is focused on speculation, management, entertainment and university life. Possibly, there may be a disagreement involving labour unions that turns violent. There is also a possibility that there will be yet another deadly university campus shooting that disturbs the nation.

From mid September through third week of October: Transit 8^th lord Saturn will be conjunct the 8^th house MEP, from where it also aspects the 5^th house, 10^th house and 2^nd house. This transit may impart setbacks involving obstacles and endings for areas such as speculation, management, university and entertainment, government, legislature and foreign trade, and wealth, close neighbours and status of the country. Easy gains are also possible with regard to the above indications.

September 29 to October 1, 2024: Transit 2^nd lord Sun will pass over transit stationary Ketu at 12° Virgo and 3^rd house. This will be a time of a sudden crisis for the President and high ranking leaders, involving government communication and transportation.

From late October to early December: Transit 8^th lord Saturn will be aspected by natal Ketu at 18° Libra and 4H MEP. Fortunately, transit 8^th lord will no longer be stationary, and the aspect comes within 1° but does not become exact, lessening the influence. This is a time when a sudden explosive development is possible involving obstacles and endings. This may be linked to the election, suggesting that there is a sudden adverse development involving the legitimacy, requiring bureaucratic involvement.

From second week of December 2023 to mid January 2024: Transit 8^th lord Saturn will again be conjunct the 8^th house MEP, from where it also aspects the 5^th house, 10^th house and 2^nd house. See above reading for likely influence.

The 2024 US Presidential Election

As  the year 2023 ends, it seems as if Joe Biden will be the Democratic candidate for President in 2024 and that Donald Trump will be the Republican candidate. Of course, this could easily change as both are quite old by now, or 81 and 77 years old, respectively. As that were not enough, both men are being hounded by political opponents over alleged illegalities that would disqualify them from office. Joe Biden stands to be impeached by the GOP controlled House and twice-impeached Donald Trump stands to be prevented from running by his opponents if they have their way in the courts.

Joe Biden has 10° Scorpio rising and at election time will be running a favourable major and sub-period of 4th lord Saturn that is well placed in the 7th house of relationships, leisure and foreign travel. Moreover, as transit 4th lord Saturn is well placed in his 4th house during 2024, his inner harmony and home life is seen to be fairly peaceful. However, the recent transit station of 4th lord Saturn over his Ketu at 7° Aquarius and the MEP of his 4th house, was likely difficult, as it deprived him of exactly those attributes. Now that this transit has passed, things are lightening up for him, including the polls. Even if the affairs of government carry with them a good amount of stress, he seems to have delegated a lot of the work to others. On election day, Joe Biden will be contending with a station of Rahu in the MEP of his 11th house of friendships, goals and income, suggesting that his opponents will continue to make the case that he has received ill gotten gains from foreign sources through his family members that involve government favours in return. Transit Ketu will also be in his 5th house MEP suggesting difficulty surrounding his children, notably Hunter Biden, and that a hands-off management style may become the rule. Nevertheless, he may still have a chance of being re-elected if a health crisis does not sideline him before that date. 

Donald Trump has 6° Leo rising and is running a favourable Jupiter major period, with 5th lord Jupiter, ruling intelligence, management and children, that is well placed and strong in the 2nd house of wealth of status, which had begun to operate just after the election in 2016. The upset win was accurately predicted in 2015 by the late astrologer and author, V. K. Choudhry, the propounder of the Systems' Approach. 

In the 2020 election, Donald Trump was running a less helpful Saturn period, with also his transit 7th lord Saturn passing through the 6th house of conflict. In January and February 2021, upto six planets ganged up in his 6th house, involving him in the battle of his life, the January 6 riot or insurrection (take your pick). This was followed by his second impeachment by the Democrat-controlled House, but which he was also acquitted of by the GOP-led Senate as his transit 1st lord Sun had entered the 7th house and transit 12th lord Moon was in 8th house. 

From mid 2021 until late 2023, Trump was running a supremely strong sub-period of Mercury as 2nd lord in the 11th house. As predicted, Trump rallied after the post-election drubbing and regained his footing as the leader of the Republican party. 

However, in November 2023, his Ketu sub-period began. It will be running until October 2024. Ketu is exalted in the 4th house but it is conjunct a debilitated 12th lord Moon in opposition to exalted Rahu and old age 1st lord Sun in the 10th house. This is not a helpful combination. Indeed, Trump is now beset by him being thrown off the ballot in two states and is faced with numerous court cases that threaten his ability to stand in the election. It is not at all clear that he will make it to the GOP convention as the undisputed leader and candidate of his party. Even if he does so, he will have the Venus sub-period begin in October 2024, with 3rd lord Venus badly placed and weak in infancy in the 12th house of losses, where it is also conjunct 7th lord Saturn. 

At the close of polls on election night, transit 3rd lord Venus will be passing over his 12th lord Moon and Ketu in late Scorpio and 4th house. This is not an ideal combination. That said, his major period lord, transit Jupiter, will be strong in the 10th house in mutual aspect with his natal Jupiter in the 2nd house, in opposition with his natal and transit combination in the 4th house. This suggests some divine grace and some contentment. His 7th lord Saturn will also be strong in the 7th house, which is helpful for relations with others, including spouse. His transit 1st lord Sun will also be debilitated in the 3rd house, owned by his weak natal and transit Venus.

Verdict: It looks like Joe Biden will generally be at peace but face great scrutiny leading up to the election. By comparison, Donald Trump will be faced with a sudden deterioration in his overall position. Spontaneous remarks, that are usually not well received, are his stock in trade and this could sink his campaign in the final stretch. As a result, Joe Biden looks more likely to be re-elected of the two. 

That said, again, both these men may not stand for the election. Many hurdles remain to be overcome. In the event of their dropping out, the charts of those that replace them will then have to be examined for their relative strength to win.  

 

Summary

In the first half of 2024, the Democrats 'lawfare' campaign to end the candidacy of leading Republican, Donald Trump, for President, may create a crisis of legitimacy for the 2024 Presidential elections. Tensions are seen into the summer months. 

However, it is during the fall that most of the problems are expected. There may be violence and financial turbulence leading up to the election. A recession could unfold in 2024, with rising unemployment. The ability of the government to deal with the situation may become challenged, as investors demand higher interest rates on long-term government debt. 

A leader for peace

In a recent article on CNN, Angela Dewan declares that "America's role as global leader all but died under Trump". It is a common presumption of Democrats that Trump's foreign policy of "retreat" has effectively ended the USA's position as a "unipolar" superpower in the world. The position was gained with the fall of Soviet Communism 30 years ago, but in recent years Russia and China have increasingly asserted their power. As a result, the USA is no longer seen as the single superpower. Moreover, its leadership position in the world is now also being brought into question. Such a conclusion seems to be at jarring odds with the historical trajectory as well as major works that survey the history but also explore American's impetus for greatness, whether pragmatic or idealistic. Cases in point are Carroll Quigley's Tragedy and Hope (1966), Henry Kissinger's Diplomacy (1994), John Steele Gordon's An Empire of Wealth (2004), George Herring's From Colony to Superpower (2008), or Daniel Immerwahr's How to Hide an Empire (2019).

In this article, mundane horoscopic astrology, as applied to the national horoscope for the USA, is brought into the picture, to leverage off its insights. The method is to include a historical analysis of the 120 year Vimsottari cycle of major periods in the SAMVA USA horoscope. In doing so, it hopefully becomes clearer how an examination of the surface of the ocean may overlook currents traveling long distances below the surface only to crest suddenly. 

References are made to insights developed in dozens of articles on this blog. Importantly, the analysis shows that it is helpful to recognise the strengths and weaknesses of potentialities in the national psyche that arise in different periods. Transits in combination with sub-periods within the major periods, result in highly irregular cycles, that however reveal an amazing pattern when surveyed over a sufficiently long stretch of history. In other words, as the great Mark Twain is said to have observed, "history does not repeat itself, but it rhymes."

The USA is now in its third Sun major period (2016-2022), so it is fitting that we start the analysis with an overview of the second Sun major period (1896-1902), as themes at that time are expected to reappear at the present time. An analysis of earlier periods may be seen here.

In 1896, William McKinley was elected President, serving until his assassination in September 1901, when Theodore Roosevelt, then Vice President, continued with his second term and went on to serve one more term. The massive realignment of the policies from the preceding Gilded Age to what has now been called the Progressive Era, but also his display of manly virtues, made Roosevelt a beloved figure in the pantheon of Great American Presidents. 

A remarkable change also took place in foreign policy, as described by Kissinger (1994):

"Until early in [the 20th] century, the isolationist tendency prevailed in American foreign policy. Then, two factors projected America into world affairs: its rapdily expanding power, and the gradual collapse of the international system centered in Europe. Two watershed presidencies marked this progression: Theodore Roosevelt's and Woodrow Wilson's. Both recognised that America had a crucial role to play in world affairs though they justified its emergence from isolation with opposite philosophies." 

The USA won the Spanish-American War of 1898 and gained a global reach. The war was waged on ethical grounds, to lift the burden of colonial exploitation. Indeed, as President McKinley declared in the 1900 election: 

"The USA has not planted its flag on foreign soil for its own sake, but for humanity's sake." 

McKinley issued the "Open Door" policy on equal access of all trading nations with China, which "stands as one of the most important policy statements ever issued by the U.S. State Department" (Lewis Gould's The Presidency of William McKinley, 1981). It ended the international scramble in the 1890s for 'spheres of influence' in the country.

Protective tariffs in the USA were also raised, heralding a boom in industrial production, which in the coming years increasingly diversified from the earlier and heavy reliance on steel, petroleum and railroads (Gordon Steele, 2008). As a result, employment and living standards rose in the cities, while prices remained stable following the adoption of the Gold Standard. 

President Roosevelt pursued a protectionist trade policy, but he also projected American power based on his assessment that America was needed to balance the power in the world.

In the Moon period (1902-1912) the battle against monopolies accelerated, making Roosevelt famous as a "Trust buster." Independent journalists, so-called muckrakers, aided Roosevelt's effort to win public support for the reforms, overcoming the opposition of the Hearst press and Rockerfeller's minions (Doris Kearns Goodwin's The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and the Golden Age of Journalism, 2013). 

In the Mars period (1912-1919), Henry Ford revolutionised automobile production and, following Wilson's initiative, the USA joined the allies to defeat Germany in WW 1. The importance of the military is also seen in the prior Mars period, when George Washington was brought out of retirement in 1794 to lead a military force to end the Whiskey Rebellion and thus assert the full taxing power of the Federal government.

In the Rahu period (1919-1937), corruption and misunderstandings in the national life came to light. The period began with USA enjoying its WW 1 success, followed by President Harding being charged with corruption. A battle opened up between religious and secular forces, that led to a prohibition, which in turn gave rise to criminal activity of the Mafia. Growing imbalances in the economy and financial system caused a pronounced boom and then a burst, resulting in the Great Depression of the 1930s. The depression led to a painful contraction of US foreign trade as tariffs were raised. The poverty created bank robbers that became idolised. As Quiqley (1966) points out, the international system that evolved from 1919 to 1929 proved faulty and the world wide depression saw it break down quickly as anti-democratic strong men rose to power in some European countries.

In the Jupiter major period (1937-1953) the "isolated" USA was gradually pulled into WW 2 in order to safeguard the world, first against fascism and then against communism. The Pax Brittannica was replaced by Pax America as international organisations settled their headquarters in the USA. The USA became the hegemon for the free world, expressed through its leadership of the free world in United Nations bodies, notably the IMF/World Bank.

As the Saturn major period (1953-1972) rolled around, a deadly nuclear stand-off had developed between the Soviet Union and the USA, peaking in the Cuban Missile crisis of 1962, and ending with the Vietnam War of 1964-1973. John F. Kennedy, who inspired his countrymen to greatness, was assassinated in 1963. The USA bested the Soviets in the "Space race," by landing men on the Moon and bringing them safely back to earth from 1969 to 1972.

In the Mercury major period (1972-1989) several developments occurred that resulted in the collapse of soviet style communism, notably technological changes, supply-side revolution, market liberalisation, increased commercial relationship of the USA with China, and de-industrialisation in the USA. The top-heavy, illiberal, and militarily expensive Soviet Union wanted in on the party with "Glasnost" and "Perestroika," but the move collapsed the regime under its own oppressive weight in 1989-1990. 

In the Ketu major period (1989-1996), the most painful placement in the SAMVA USA chart, the USA experienced relative isolation as a super-power and hegemon of the international system of commerce and finance, with its dominant military system. This has been described as a "unipolar" moment in history. With this system, which had developed in the cold war, the US had a responsibility to run trade and budget deficits (from the mid 1980s) that provided liquidity (US dollars) to the rest of the world. It also spent its "treasure and blood" by stationing troops abroad and fighting local wars as the "world's policeman". Race relations experienced a new nadir, expressed in violent race riots. Alarming terrorist attacks took place against the country.

In the Venus major period (1996-2016), the weakest planet in the SAMVA USA chart, the focus shifted to the unhappiness of Americans with foreign wars, notably the Iraq war of 2003 and then dealing with a resurgent islamo-fascism, bankrolled by Iran. At the same time, inequality grew and a huge housing bubble burst, that would have collapsed the banking system if the government had not indebted itself to save it. There was pronounced corruption involved, as Rahu aspects the 6th house. The USA was allowed to bleed through foreign trade deficits, defense expenditures and illegal immigration, in a sense by becoming the world, rather than being a constructive force in the world.

In the Sun major period (2016-2022) a dynamic leader arrived as predicted and began to clean house. While the Coronavirus pandemic has been huge setback for the USA in 2020, Trump has re-energised the US economy with tax cuts and deregulation and this is resulting in a resurgence in economic activity. Tariffs on China are reducing the trade deficit. He has worked to close down the illegal immigration. It harmed millions of ordinary Americans while the corporate sponsored elite in Washington D.C. blossomed. 

Trump has shifted more of the burden of the international financial system and defense spending on other thriving economies. He is working to reduce the US international deficits and debts, through revised trade and defense agreements. He has also avoided the "victim" mentality of prior periods, where everybody is defined as a transgressor or victim. Instead, he has focused on reviving the American spirit of success, and a "winner" mentality. The nation is to be united through shared success.

In the meantime, the US foreign policy is aimed at preserving freedom in the world by pushing back on expansionist (China, Russia) or rouge actors (Iran, North Korea), while helping oppressed nations (Israel, Taiwan). Trump has pulled the USA out of the globalist NAFTA accord, the Paris Environment Treaty, the Trans Pacific Partnership Trade deal, etc. because he considered them not to be in the interest of the American people. He has renegotiated better deals, like the USMCA trade agreement. In this sense, there has been a resurgence of US power at home and abroad. He has criticised EU leaders for failing their people and destroying the Single Market project, resulting in e.g. Brexit and the eastern EU block closing its borders. Trump has confounded his critics and advanced the cause of peace in the Middle East, Korean Peninsula and the Balkans. All told, the USA has a stronger and more credible voice than before. Independent journalists have rallied around Trump, such as Glenn Greenwald, Tucker Carlson, Steve Hilton and news sites like Breitbart and One American Network News. They help to counter the corporate propaganda of CNN, Washington Post, New York Times, The Atlantic, etc.

Conclusion

Donald Trump has adopted an America First policy, limiting the hegemonic role of the USA for the international commercial and finance system. He has also pulled the US out of foreign wars, where possible, while constraining the ability of rouge states to wage war. He has also remained invested in establishing peace and a viable global order. This resonates strongly with the foreign policy of William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.

Trump is derided by his political opponents at home and abroad. Yet he is likely to win reelection a few days from now, because he is popular among the people. He is unpopular in Europe due to his fearlessness in speaking up about their unfair burden sharing practices of the common defense (NATO). To equate this with USA having less power or influence in the world, does not hold up to scrutiny. The USA is no longer taken for granted, but it is far from being inactive or ignored. In fact, Trump has shown decisive leadership in all parts of the world in a far more effective way than his predecessors. In short, he is in the McKinley-Roosevelt tradition of preserving a balance of the international order. In doing so, he may not "speak softly" but he does "carry a big stick."

On communal harmony

The concept of communal harmony, the internal peace of a nation, is a unique and important feature of Systems' Approach astrology in the mundane sphere.

In the life of a nation, either the domestic affairs tend to be harmonious, such that the population is contented, or there is something that disturbs the peace, with conflict weighing on the citizens.

The national horoscope reveals the overall situation, based the condition of several astrological indicators. Even then, the evolving periods and transits can bring peace or turmoil.

Communal disharmony
A political revolution, to right many wrongs, began in the USA with the election of Donald Trump in 2016. The mega corporations, that have for decades benefited from the "China trade" while immiserising millions of American workers, immediately reacted by using their media corporations to delegitimise Trump and remove from him from power post haste. The Democrats, reeling from the 2016 loss at the ballot box, have refrained from reforming themselves and have chosen as their leader, Joe Biden, who is alleged for decades to have made his family members rich by enabling crony capitalism. The Democratic leaders in the House, like Nancy Pelosy and Adam Schiff, have been eager participants in the US corporations scheme to nullify the 2016 election. Meanwhile, President Trump, while in business, is alleged to have avoided paying his fair share of taxes and misrepresented the size of his business. The political turmoil has sharply divided the nation.

Things came to a head in 2019, when the USA went through several events that disturbed the communal harmony, including a border crisis, the publication of the Mueller report and the impeachment of President Trump. All of these developments disrupted the communal harmony, and indeed there were protests and a lot of anger over the treatment of illegal immigrants at the border.

In early February 2020, President Trump was acquitted of the impeachment charges. However, he was immediately caught up dealing with in the Covid-19 pandemic from China. In March, the disease quickly reached pandemic levels, and began to paralyse the economy as millions of people were thrown out of work. The majority of people followed guidelines to self isolate. After weeks of this, tensions were building up.

In an election year, the Democrats sought to undermine Trump's legitimacy and popularity, criticising his handling of the crisis. However, it was the shocking broadcast of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in late May 2020, that unleashed a torrent of rage on the streets of America, that has only recently begun to subside. Young people refused to accept further cop killings of black people.

Below these developments are explained in terms of the astrological indications seen in the national horoscope for the USA, the SAMVA USA chart.

Astrology of communal harmony
The astrology of communal harmony involves mainly three houses and their lords in the horoscope. The most important is the 4th house, traditionally linked to the soothing embrace of the mother.  The 6th house is linked to opposition due to e.g. unyielding views or non-payment of debts, and the 2nd house is linked to close relations and wealth.

SAMVA USA horoscope
In the USA national horoscope, the 4th and 6th houses are seen to be vulnerable. Indeed, these have been strongly affected in recent years, especially in 2019 and 2020.

"Venus rules the 4th house whose indications include "nation's natural resources, agriculture, mines, minerals, the land, landed properties, peace, general and political stability, natural calamities, educational institutions, law and order, housing and communal harmony."

"Jupiter rules the 6th house, whose indications include public amity, relations with neighbors, general health of the public, political stability, financial solvency of the nation, management of debts, litigations, judicial functioning, communal harmony in the country and labor relations." 

A sequence of sub-periods of functional malefic planets.

• June 10, 2017 - May 5, 2018: Sun - Rahu
• May 5, 2018 - February 21, 2019: Sun - Jupiter
• February 21, 2019 - February 3, 2020: Sun - Saturn
• February 3, 2020 - December 10, 2020: Sun - Mercury
• December 10, 2020 - April 16, 2021: Sun - Ketu

Transits of slow-moving malefic planets in the 6th house.

• January 27, 2017 - January 24, 2020: transit 8th lord Saturn in Sagittarius and 6th house.
• March 23, 2019 - September 19, 2020: transit FM Ketu in Sagittarius and 6th house.
• November 4, 2019 - November 19, 2020: transit 6th lord Jupiter in Sagittarius and 6th house.

In addition to this combination of sub-periods of malefic planets and their transits in the bad 6th house, there were conjunctions of the malefic planets there, but also with the most effective part (MEP) of the house at 20° 00' Sagittarius, and 4th lord Venus placed at 23° 50' Sagittarius and 6th house MEP.

Again, the 4th lord Venus is important for the sense of well being in the nation. As Venus is badly placed in the 6th house, the nation is very sensitive to conflict. The Vietnam War protests of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the Iraq War protests in the early 2000s, are cases in point.

The 20° Cancer rising SAMVA USA horoscope is shown above with the transits set for December 25, 2019. At the time, the Covid-19 pandemic is said to have reached the USA, while the US Congress was busy preparing for the Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump in the Senate. Three functional malefic planets, along with some faster moving functional benefic planets, were in the 6th house. All were weak by bad placement, except Jupiter, which owns Sagittarius and hence the 6th house.

The recent experience

The past few years have been burdensome, because of the political fight in the USA which has become the most brutal one in living memory. As such, the Mueller investigation and impeachment were major events disturbing the national psyche in 2019 and into early 2020. These events were followed by the deadly and highly contagious Covid-19 pandemic and deep recession that followed and unsettled the mental peace of Americans in 2020. These events are easily explained by the sub-period of 8th lord Saturn, its transit in Sagittarius and the 6th house of the SAMVA USA chart, accompanied by Ketu, and then 6th lord Jupiter. However, let's look at other more specific expressions of the disturbing energy in the national life in these two years.

Uproar over family separations: Transit Ketu became stationary at around 24° Sagittarius, where it was conjunct Venus as 4th lord in the 6th house of the SAMVA USA chart, from May to August 2019. This transit was associated with the border crisis (4th house) involving disadvantaged people (Ketu) trying to get into the USA. Family "separations" (Ketu) became a major flash point. 

Fight over the Wall: In his campaign, Trump promised to build a wall on the southern border. When transit 8th lord Saturn became conjunct 4th lord Venus the border crisis also involved a battle over building the "wall" (Saturn). Such a wall will serve as an "obstacle or end" (8th house) to the inflows. During the summer of 2019, the President seemed powerless (Ketu) to gain control of the situation. In the fall, he got the funds to build the wall and reached an agreement with the Mexican government to put 26,000 troops on the border. The crisis then began to abate. These developments served to disturb the communal harmony (4th lord, 6th house).

Anti-racism/anti-capitalism riots: During the summer and fall of 2020, transit 6th lord Jupiter has been conjunct 4th lord Venus. It has involved young people (Jupiter) who are aligned with the political opposition (6th lord/6th house) that are disturbing the communal harmony (4th lord) with protests that tend to get out of hand and involve some violence but more the destruction of property (4th house).

Multivalence of indications
When making predictions, we can mention the many possibilities, based on a reading of the indications affected. However, it all becomes so much clearer after the fact.

Conclusion
These developments are strongly reaffirming the SAMVA USA chart.

The SAMVA USA chart

SAMVA USA chart (Perpetual Union)

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

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

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

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

Act of Maryland legislature to ratify Articles of Confederation

Maryland's Old Senate Chamber

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

Maryland's 1781 Act to ratify the Perpetual Union

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

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


The 13 coastal states of the USA in 1790

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

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

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

Sidereal 20° Cancer rising

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Tropical 10° Leo rising

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

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

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

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