Sunday, August 29, 2010

Discovery at long last

The discovery of an authentic mundane horoscope involves two key ingredients. First, only one correct historical event can truly represent the birth of any collective entity. Second, only an accurate astrological method works to interpret the horoscope and predict based on it.

Importantly, the correct astrological interpretation of significant historical events and repeat accurate predictions of a nation’s future trends and events can thus only be based on the true mundane horoscope and an equally correct astrologic methodology. This is a tall order indeed as without one or the other, success is all but impossible. Moreover, the failure of many to observe these two key requirements explains the rampant confusions seen in mundane astrology today about what constitutes an authentic mundane horoscope.

Only one true historical event
Unlike the birth of a baby, which those present can witness and document, the formation of a collective entity is not so readily visible. A collective entity is a social organisation that possesses a national identity based on its own people, geography, state (itself composed of constitutional laws, judicial system and government) and history. This national identity, which reflects a collective understanding of life, through its religious beliefs (or absence thereof) and historical experiences, must be bound in a formal creation. Often there is a great amount of confusion as to what event constitutes the formation of a collective entity.

Accurate astrological methodology
Astrology is the study of the planetary influences on human life. Today, this field of study is in dire need of a major overhaul based on the scientific method and a new cosmology. Too many astrologers are not trained in the scientific method, often learning astrology by themselves, while adopting all kinds of wrong assumptions about the astrology method to use. Most seem to rely on popular beliefs, often promulgated in worthless articles or books. It is sad to observe so many astrologers trying to read a chart using an imaginary zodiac, placing undue influence on the Sun sign, or inferring influences based on distant and invisible planets or planetary bodies. Some go so far as to mostly ignore the closer visible planetary bodies. There is also limited understanding of horoscopic astrology, even if many profess to apply it. Often there is understandable excitement to infer influences from recently discovered planetary bodies based on the application of a newly adopted mythology. It gives a sense of matching the many technical and scientific advances of the modern age. According to this astrology, modern humans are on the verge of a new age, the age of Aquarius. However, even if exciting, for the most part such claims go untested. Meanwhile, the Vedas propose humanity at the present time is in the Kaliyuga, the iron age, where materialism runs rampant and morality is at a low ebb. Few bother to make repeat predictions to establish the accuracy of the assumed influences. When such predictions are made, they often tend to fail. This is followed by silence. There is no discussion of the failure. Rather it is simply forgotten, or swept under the carpet like dust. Many astrologers no longer make predictions, arguing that prediction is not the domain of astrology. Rather astrology becomes a device to trigger intuition. Of course, this is utter nonesense, as the astrology that can't predict, is useless for interpretation. Either astrology has relevance for both, or neither. The two must go hand in hand. The bottom line is that as a result of such experiences, the reputation of astrology in the West has been severely damaged in scientific circles, where the study of astrology is referred to as a pseudo-science or worse. This state of affairs cannot stand. It is incumbent on astrologers to reform their practices and make sense out of their field.

Fortunately for astrology, a reliable methodology for horoscopic interpretation and prediction has been identified. This method is the Systems' Approach (SA) to Vedic astrology, which has been gradually developed by the author & astrologer V. K. Choudhry of Gurgaon, India from the early 1990s. Importantly, SA is a distillation of the ancient horoscopic astrology emanating from the Vedic cosmology. This means that the horoscope, a geocentric scheme of planetary placements at birth, offers a roadmap to the destiny of individuals (or collective entities) based on the law of karma, the evolutionary guide for human consciousness. As such, astrology is not a study of materialist causality, like the deterministic mechanisms of physics, but is a study of the consciousness experience of human life as it exists in the Godly creation. In addition to the happy experiences, Karma takes the form of events in life that are associated with separation in life, causing the “pain of separation“, which in turn is the primus motor for spiritual advancement. At the same time, the causality is linked to the grace of God. Sometimes, when the karma is ripe for expression, and a serious setback is likely to take place in the life, a person may find the blow softened due to sincere devotion to God or service to his creation. The mystery of God‘s mercy is potentially always there, especially for those who earnestly seek it. At the same time, evildoers unavoidably fall foul of the karmic lessons. Most of us are somewhere in between, neither saintly nor demonic, only human, living out as per our free volition but vulnerable to karmic experiences, which can be read from the chart. In short, astrology is the sixth limb of the Vedas, the study of human spiritual advancement.

The axiomatic foundations of SA include the visible sidereal zodiac, 7 visible planetary bodies plus the calculated Moon‘s nodes Rahu and Ketu and the whole sign house system. A horoscope reading relies on the functional nature of each planet - as seen from the house in which it’s main (or Moolatrikona) sign falls into. The rising sign or ascendant determines the house rulership of each planet. The exact rising degree also becomes the most effective point of each house. The classical 120 year Vimsottari Dasa-Bukhti planetary period scheme is used. For a reading of significant events, the transits of planets is read in terms of natal placements in the horoscope.

Formation of the USA
Collective entities are creations of a multitude of humans. Through history, human beings have discovered that, beyond family life, society is a real source of security in life. People that rely on and help each other are able to deal more successfully with the vagaries of life than those who attempt to do so alone. The state is the organising principle for modern societies. In modern societies, the state is normally founded by some process of collective agreement.

The formation of the USA is an example. Some suggest the early events leading to the colonisation of North America resulted in the American nation. Events cited in this regard include the early 17th century landing in Virginia. However, while such events represent European peoples gaining a foothold on the American continent, they come far short of representing the creation of the United States of America.

Today, most people still believe that the drama leading up to the formation of the USA in terms of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776 was the penultimate event in the creation of the nation. However, like the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in April 1775 or the establishment of the Articles of Association in September 1774, the Declaration was only a precursor to the actual formation of the new nation. In July 1776, the thirteen colonies were still separate entities. While some of them were in the process of chartering statehood or had just done so, they were still independent entities. This is how the declaration should be interpreted, as a decree by the thirteen sovereign and separate collective entities. While they spoke in unison, they did so as the united States of America. Creating confusion was a decision by a printer to print the Declaration as having the style United States of America! Importantly, at that stage the states were not yet a legal union as the legal bond between them had still not been completed and the style United States of America was legally adopted only with the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union. The motto of the Union, found on the Seal of the United States as emblazoned on the coins of the country, is "E pluribus unum", which is Latin for "Out of many, one".

The SAMVA USA chart
Indeed, it was only with the Articles that this legal bond was finally created, forming the United States of America. Historical scholars are clear on this. The SAMVA USA chart is based on this 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.

By comparison, the creation of the US Constitution in 1789 does also not represent the true founding event, as the Union had already been established. The objective was initially not to create a new constitution, but to improve the original constitution of the Articles. The effort soon gained momentum and became the US Constitution. However, the new governing rules were only to make "a more perfect union" and not to bring a new USA into being.

Background to discovery
In late 1998, V.K. Choudhry invited me to join a Yahoo discussion list named SATVA – the Systems‘Approach to Vedic Astrology. On this list were numerous astrologers keen to learn SA. Some, like me, had a considerable interest in mundane astrology, the astrological study of collective entities. At that time, we didn't realise the challenge we were up against, to rectify mundane charts. Not only were we still learning SA, but we also did not have a clear comprehension of what event constituted the birth of a national entity. Some thought that many events, resulting in multiple horoscopes, could be considered for each entity. However, as in the case of individuals, where only one true birth chart exists, the same logic would hold for mundane entities. Based on works like Nick Campions' “The Book of World Horoscopes“ many historical events were examined, with horoscopes being rectified and tested with prediction. The USA was of widespread interest given the importance of the country in world affairs. Over time, charts based on the Declaration of Independence began to lose their lustre. At the same time, a chart rectified for the date when the formal ratification of the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union was completed, March 1, 1781, showed some promise. The intuitively obtained time for the signing was 3:18 pm, giving 21° Cancer rising. While this chart struck a chord, the feeling was that the natal potential of this chart was too weak to reflect a powerful entity like the USA. However, as no better alternative had emerged, it continued to be studied. Later historical research also revealed that the formal signing had taken place at 12:00 noon. The historical basis of this chart thus collapsed. From 2004, other charts were proposed and studied on SAMVA list, but none rang true.


The discovery
In mid-2006, I began an active search with the assistance of historical scholar John BTW, who had joined SAMVA list in late 2004. He presented me with possible historical events, linked to e.g. the Declaration of Independence, but none of those charts seemed to reveal the requisite natal potential or promise in prediction. Some events linked to the Articles were also explored, but without success. During the search, however, the resonance of the Cancer ascendant was frequently recalled. On December 30, 2006, the 13th ratification of the Articles by Maryland was uncovered by John and he sent it to me. It could be noted that the Articles did not receive prominent mention in Campions' book, excluding completely the ratification process. Importantly, the evidence for a late afternoon signing of the Act into law also coincided with 21° Cancer rising (later more precisely rectified to 20° Cancer). At first glance, the natal potential rang true and I began the demanding work to examine all significant events in the history of the USA in terms of this chart. At the same time, the work to test the chart with predictions began. It did not take long for the promise of this chart to reveal itself and this initial promise did not disappoint, as major predictions began to come true. Sure, the predictions for early 2007 could have been more nuanced, but the strains developed as expected. Any shortcomings may be attributed to the lack of familiarity with the chart at that time. Moreover, SA theory saw a few revisions during those years as experience with it warranted as per the scientific approach.

Success at last
The work to date, including the many repeat accurate predictions and analysis of historical events in terms of the chart, all of which has been presented on this blog, have given high confidence in the chart. Moreover, as the horoscope began to prove itself, a new focus began to be placed on the founding historical event, such that a new understanding of the Perpetual Union emerged. This information, a discovery in itself, has now been shared and found its way into Wikipedia. The true chart for the USA is beginning to reveal new insights into the history of the country and is placing the founding events into a clearer perspective. While the chart was given the name of the SAMVA list, founded and moderated by me since 2000, also to honor the SA method, the discovery owes to this long standing research effort, including the persistence to examine the significant historical events against the chart and publicize the findings. The SAMVA USA chart (Perpetual Union) was thus discovered by Cosmologer with the initial but indispensible assistance of historical scholar John TWB. Moreover, this long term research project could not have succeeded without the guidance of author & astrologer V.K. Choudhry and the SA methodology. In this discovery, we are but instruments for the manifestation of the eternal verities.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Cardinal-Cross Crisis (of Western Astrology)

Most Western astrologers have for some time been predicting that the world would see a major upheaval in late July and early August of 2010. These predictions are based on planetary aspects critically involving the invisible outer planets of Uranus and Pluto, in a so–called T-square aspect. This aspect consists of at least two planets in 180° opposition aspect while also being in 90° square aspect to another planet. Moreover, as the aspect is taking place in the early degrees of cardinal (movable) signs in the tropical zodiac, it has been labelled a "cardinal cross". The formation of this aspect in cardinal signs is predicted to lead to major changes in life. As this prediction has not proved correct, it warrants a closer examination. In this article, it is argued that the predictive failure reflects the false axiomatic foundation of modern western astrology. At the same time, it may help to refocus astrology in the West on the time-tested and ancient foundations and methods of horoscopic astrology, as in Vedic astrology.

Pluto in Capricorn (18th century)
While Pluto had not been discovered at the time, it passed through the sign Capricorn in the Western tropical zodiac from January 7, 1762 to December 1, 1778. This period coincided with significant political realignment in the American colonies and Europe. The period began with the French – Indian Wars (1754 to 1763), when the British and Colonials loosened the grip of the French and their Indian supporters on the colonial territories, including in Canada. The French-Indian War coincided with the Seven Year War in Europe (1756-1763). Before the period ended, tensions between the colonials and the British crown over the sharing of the cost of the war and the colonies growing desire for self-determination resulted in the American Revolutionary War. Interestingly, the British Crown itself did not undergo a comparable social transformation during this almost 17 year period. More importantly, the French revolution did not take place at that time either. This famous revolution, which was likely influenced by the success of the American Revolution, took place from 1789 to 1792, well into the transit of Pluto in Aquarius.

Conjecture of modern astrologers
Modern astrologers have linked the nature of remote giant Uranus, which was discovered by advances in telescopy in 1781, to the events in France, characterised by the revolutionary phrase of “Liberté, égalité, fraternité.“ That said, the French revolution was essentially a reaction of the bourgeoisie to the Kings intransigence to yield the royal identity with state sovereignty, as had earlier been agreed by the British King. No matter, Uranus is viewed by Western astrologers as the planet of brotherly love, idealism and sudden change. It was given rule over the sign Aquarius. With further advances in the science of telescopy, the tiny and distant planetary body Pluto was discovered in 1930. As this was the advent of the nuclear age, Western astrologers assigned the meaning of hidden, powerful and transformative events, including endings in life, to Pluto. It became the ruler of Scorpio. Importantly, the signs being used are those of the tropical zodiac, which is almost one whole sign removed from the ancient visible (sidereal) zodiac.

Pluto in Capricorn (21st century)
After more than two hundred years, Pluto again entered Capricorn on January 26, 2008 and will remain there until November 19, 2024. Leading Western astrologers have predicted that the USA will undergo a significant social transformation during this period. [1] In particular, a “Cardinal Cross“ is seen to take place in late July and early August 2010, when Pluto in early Capricorn is in square aspect to Saturn in early Libra and Jupiter conjunct Uranus in early Aries. This aspect is expected to trigger an intense financial crash and social upheaval. In all fairness, we should also recognise that the transit of Pluto through Capricorn has many more years to go. At the same time, we can also note that the USA has gone through major changes in its over two hundred year history, when Pluto was transiting other signs.

Cardinal Cross focus
What is under study here, however, is an important prediction based on aspects in 2010. Most Western astrologers have coalesced around the prediction concerning the Cardinal-Cross, with astro-finance analyst Raymond Merriman stating in his July 5, 2010 weekly commentary "But all of this continues to be just a prelude for the fifth and deepest level of the Cardinal Climax, which will occur July 23-August 8." [2] On July 26, he said "So this is how it is going to be. Wild. If you are a trader in the trenches every day, you know its wild. It is every bit as wild as Financial Astrologers feared and hoped. We feared it would be wild because if it lived up to its potential, there would be sudden and large price moves in many markets, causing this to be a very difficult market environment. It is the nature of Saturn opposition Uranus (July 26). It is the nature of Jupiter stationary retrograde in a waxing square to Pluto (July 23-August 3), as it is also remains in conjunction with Uranus in Aries. "


Prediction of major problems
Another notable such analyst is Arch Crawford, who has made a successful career in investment advice based on Western astrology techniques. For instance, in July and August of 2008 he correctly called the September/October 2008 market crash. However, he is not infallible. In early July 2010, Crawford made a prediction for significant upheaval in late July and early August 2010. Specifically, he said “We are now in the midst of the most powerful planetary alignment in all of human history July 30 to August 3 with echoes August 8-10 and much larger ones on September 21-22 and December 21-22.“ During 2010 “expect as great or greater Crash than has yet ever been experienced!“ [3] In his newsletter of July 6, 2010, Crawford then made the specific prediction of “All Hell breaks loose“ on July 26, 2010 “ due to “seven planetary harmonics by 1:04pm EDT“, with “Revolt-Revolution-Strikes!“ On July 29-30, when „Mars enters Libra & opposes Uranus at Zero Aries, Sun contra-parallel Pluto“, there is “More Revolution – Outright War!“ August 3 was to be “another Monster Day containing a T-square with Mars opp. Jupiter, both square Pluto. Massive power struggles.“ [4]

Prediction failure
These widely noted predictions have not come true. The first graph shows that the level of share prices has not moved sharply lower in late July and the first week of August. The second graph shows that intra day volatility has declined to low levels at this time - indicating, if anything, more relaxed market conditions. While all predictions are vulnerable to human error and no joy is taken in anybodies failure of prediction, it is beyond doubt that the failure of such major predictions only serves to cast Western astrology in a further bad light among non-astrologers. If astrology is to have a positive reputation as a science in the West, the astrological elements of the failed prediction– such as the primary focus on the invisible outer planets Uranus and Pluto, indiscrimminate use of aspects and basing the analysis on the tropical zodiac – need to be questioned. By comparison, in Vedic astrology, the outer planets are excluded, aspects depend on the planet and the sideral zodiac is used. In questioning the assumptions, something good may possibly come of failed predictions. It is less helpful if astrologers attempt to explain away important failed forecasts while leaving the foundations untouched.

Correct predictions
The difficult events of the summer of 2010 have been accurately predicted based on the ancient methods of Vedic horoscopic astrology in terms of the national horoscope of the USA, the SAMVA USA chart (Perpetual Union). While the transit station of the Moon's nodes at aroud 18° Sagittarius and Gemini (in the sidereal zodiac) is set to end on August 23, the opposition aspect between Saturn and Jupiter becomes exact again on August 16. Hence, significant tensions are expected to continue in coming weeks. Importantly, on July 30, 2010, Vedic Astrologer & Author V. K. Choudhry stated:
"As per the planetary influences the possibility of a major financially calamity between these dates (insert: July 26-August 3) is negligible."
Rebirth of ancient horoscopic astrology
The articles in this blog have been dedicated to the refocusing of astrology on its ancient Vedic moorings – as a true horoscopic astrology based on the sidereal zodiac. As such, it has not been shied away from making predictions. There are sufficient correct predictions here to satisfy even sceptics, with the recognition that astrology is, like any other field of human inquiry, a difficult subject. The events of the summer of 2010 have been accurately predicted using the visible planets of Jupiter and Saturn as well as the Moon's nodes, Rahu and Ketu, cast in the sideral zodiac. Moreover, the
crisis in the fall of 2008 was also accurately predicted well in advance. For Westerners, the science of astrology is made infinitely more difficult by working on the basis of wrong assumptions. Importantly, any astrology method that fails to give accurate predictions also fails to yield accurate interpretation of the horoscope. The first step to learn from failure is to make the needed changes. For many, this recognition represents the start of a wonderful new experience with astrology.

Epilogue
Since penning the article, including the last two sentences in the preceding paragraph, evidence has come to light which makes it impossible to consider the case for or against the influence of Pluto as closed. While there have been prominent failures of prediction involving Pluto as noted above, the renowned Western astrologer & author Liz Greene made a stunning prediction based on it at a seminar in 1980 about the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of the decade. The prediction was made against a chart rectified for the Bolsheviks taking power in a revolution on November 7, 1917, 22:52 PM, St Petersburg (formerly Leningrad), Asc. 22°35' Leo in the tropical zodiac. The prediction was transcribed and publised in Lecture Five, page 119, in a book The outer planets and their cycles, CRCS publications, 1983. The essence of the prediction is that the USSR could experience a death when transit Pluto became conjunct with a 1° orb the natal Sun of this horoscope from January 1989 to Sept 1990. The crisis of union would be caused by transit Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn conjunct natal Venus in the 5th house and in opposition to natal Pluto in the 11th. The transit of Pluto over natal Sun would make it impossible for the authorities to reform, resulting in the dissolution of the union. In the event, following the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, the Soviet Union, through a series of events in 1990 and 1991, proceeded to collapse, very much as described in the article. While others had earlier made a prediction of the impending downfall of the Soviet Union (an accurate prediction of the nature of the event) the timing was far less precise. As both the nature and timing of the prediction is so spot on it cannot be ignored or brushed off. That said, even if profound, this outcome represents only one accurately predicted event. Science requires many more accurate predictions for establishing significance beyond doubt. It is thus fair to conclude that further predictive research is required to settle convincingly the argument for or against the influence of Pluto and the outer planets in astrology.


As for the overall story, the main issue concerns the general lack of predictive efficacy using Western astrology and its methods. Experience shows that it is less effective in prediction than Vedic astrology. The key argument to explain this is that the tropical zodiac, as a basis of Western astrology, is a historical mistake and essentially wrong. Moreover, Western astrology has developed an excessive emphasis on the sun sign at the expense of the rising sign. The house divisions are overlapping and complicated. As a result, Western astrology lacks an effective horoscopic astrology, based on the whole-sign house system and a proper attribution of sign and planet rulership by house. Moreover, there is an excessive use of outer solar system bodies which clouds the assessment. The indiscrimminate use of aspects and a general lack of appreciation for the important role of prediction in astrology, linked to the ongoing failures to predict with Western astrology, has failed to establish a scientific basis for astrology, and caused it to be shunned and deplored in scientific circles. Importantly, given this state of affairs, those trained in Western astrology labour at a disadvantage compared to Vedic astrologers in making accurate predictions and correctly interpreting horoscopes. As the above example shows, outstanding practitioners of Western astrology nevertheless manage to make impressive predictions. However, repeat accurate predictions are what is required to raise the profile of astrology in the world at large. We can only imagine what such outstanding astrologers could do with true horoscopic astrology at their disposal.

A corollary note: An exploratory examination of the above chart with 29° 52' Cancer rising in the sidereal zodiac on the basis of the Systems' Approach manages to explain the events in terms of planterary periods but primarily in the Saturn-Jupiter opposition taking place from August 1989 to June 1991. However, as this horoscope has not received independent verification, the insight is speculative. Some further work could be undertaken, such as to examine if the analysis presented by Liz Greene could be applied to charts with the same ascendant on either November 8 or 9, when Nicholas Campion's The Book of World Horoscopes reports that the Bolsheviks were working to consolidate their power over the state and within the country as a whole. Most of the planetary placements (except the Moon) would be expected to be similar while the Vimsottari planetary periods would shift, possibly giving a better fit.

Source
[1] Merriman, Raymond (2007). “Pluto in Capricorn: The Good, the Bad, even Worse, and Redemption.“ November.
http://www.mmacycles.com/articles/articles/pluto-in-capricorn/
[2] Merriman, Raymond (2010). Weekly preview.
http://www.mmacycles.com/weekly-preview/mma-comments-for-the-week/
[3]“$$ Arch Crawford & The Cardinal Climax“, July 28, 2010.
http://position-sizing.blogspot.com/2010/07/arch-crawford-cardinal-climax.html
[4] Crawford, Arch (2010). Crawford Perspectives, July 6, 2010 Vol. 10/07.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Information leaks

There are two major cases of information leaks concerning US war efforts in the recent past. The former is the publication of the Pentagon Papers, an offical historical account of the Vietnam war, by Daniel Ellsberg in the summer of 1971. The latter is material on the Iraqi and Afghan wars that has been published by Wikileaks, led by Julian Assange, in the summer of 2010. Both events have in common the opposition aspect of Saturn and Jupiter, which occurs every 20 years or so. Moreover, an affliction involving the transit nodes is also present.

Prediction
On December 31, 2009 the following was predicted on this blog

"As Ketu is placed in the 12th house of foreign matters it is likely that some sudden foreign situation will develop that will disturb the communal harmony in the USA, possibly a military conflict or a related event ... It is however in the summer, from mid May to mid August 2010 when the nodes become stationary at 18° Sagittarius and Gemini that signficant problems are expected."
Pentagon Papers
The Pentagon Papers, officially titled United States–Vietnam Relations, 1945–1967: A Study Prepared by the Department of Defense, was a top-secret United States Department of Defense history of the United States' political-military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967. The papers were first brought to the attention of the public on the front page of the New York Times in
February 1971 by Daniel Ellsberg, who discussed the study with New York Times reporter Neil Sheehan, and gave 43 of the volumes to Sheehan in March. The Times began publishing excerpts on June 13, 1971; the first article in the series was titled "Vietnam Archive: Pentagon Study Traces Three Decades of Growing US Involvement". The name "Pentagon Papers" for the study arose during the resulting media publicity. Street protests, political controversy and lawsuits followed. To ensure the possibility of public debate about the content of the papers, on June 29, US Senator Mike Gravel entered 4,100 pages of the Papers to the record of his Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Grounds. These portions of the Papers were subsequently published by Beacon Press, the publishing arm of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.

Astrology of the event
The Saturn major period and Jupiter sub-period were operating. Saturn as 8th lord rules obstacles and endings while Jupiter as 6th lord rules conflict. At the time of the publication of the Pentagon Papers, transit Saturn and transit Jupiter were in close opposition aspect, while the nodal axis was conjunct natal 2nd lord Sun. These events came during the Jupiter sub-period, which brought further obstacles to the war effort. Moreover, the publication intensified the ending of the Vietnam War. In this regard, we can not that it came on the eve of the Mercury period. As such, the Pentagon Papers are seen as being instrumental in the foreign policy shift that took place in 1972, with increased efforts by the US government to negotiate peace in Vietnam.

Wikileaks

In the summer of 2010, Wikileaks, a secretive international organization, published anonymous submissions and leaks of otherwise unavailable documents about the US war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, while preserving the anonymity of sources. The publication was aimed at bringing out the truth about the war effort and to increase the transparency of the public debate about the US foreign policy.

Baghdad airstrike video
On 5 April 2010, Wikileaks released classified U.S. military footage from a series of attacks on 12 July 2007 in Baghdad by a U.S. helicopter that killed 12, including two Reuters news staff, Saeed Chmagh and Namir Noor-Eldeen, on a website called "Collateral Murder". The footage consisted of a 39-minute unedited version and an 18-minute version which had been edited and annotated. Analysis of the video indicates that one man was thought to have been carrying an AK-47 assault rifle and another an RPG (rocket propelled grenade), though "none were assuming a hostile posture." The military conducted an "informal" investigation into the incident, but has yet to release the investigative materials (such as the sworn statements of the soldiers involved or the battle damage assessment) that were used, causing the report to be criticized as "sloppy."


Afghan War Diary
In July 2010, Wikileaks released to The Guardian, The New York Times, and Der Spiegel over 92,000 documents related to the war in Afghanistan between 2004 and the end of 2009. The documents detail individual incidents including friendly fire and civilian casualties. The scale of leak was described by Julian Assange as comparable to that of the Pentagon Papers in the 1970s. The documents were released to the public on July 25, 2010.

Astrology of the events
The Venus major period and Saturn sub period are operating in the SAMVA USA chart. Venus is 4th lord in the chart, ruling communal harmony. It is placed in the 6th house of conflict, suggesting that communal harmony is disrupted during its period. Saturn is 8th lord of obstacles and endings in the chart.

On April 5, 2010, transit 8th lord Saturn was stationary afflicting natal 6th lord Jupiter, which rules conflict or war in the SAMVA USA chart. At the same time, transit Rahu was conjunct natal 4th lord Venus in the 6th house, indicating exposure that upsets the communal harmony. Transit Ketu in the 12th house was also afflicting transit 6th lord Jupiter in the 8th house. All of the above contacts suggest the revelation of secrets, causing an embarassment for the US war effort.

On July 25, 2010, the transit Saturn and transit Jupiter had moved into opposition aspect while the transit nodes were stationary afflicting the natal nodes. This transit situation coincided with a massive leak of 92,000 journals concerning the US war effort in Afghanistan, causing further problems for it. These events happen during the Saturn sub-period, with the focus being placed on obstacles to the war efforts, rather than the inherent validity of the efforts themselves. That said, with the Mercury sub-period to start in April 2012, it is likely that the US government will increased efforts at that time to foster the commercial development of the war torn regions.

Conclusion
It is no coincidence that the dynamics in the SAMVA USA chart show important similarities for these two linked events. They have in common the twenty year cycle of the transit opposition of Saturn and Jupiter, as well as the transit influence of the Moon's nodes, Rahu and Ketu in the US national chart. At the same time, the transit and period influences reveal important dissimilarities to the two episodes. Importantly, such events can be explained without recourse to a "Cardinal Cross" including invisible bodies of the solar system, such as the puny and distant Pluto or the remote giant Uranus.

Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentagon_Papers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikileaks