Predictions for the USA in 2013

The coming year is predicted to be more challenging for Americans than was the relatively uneventful year of 2012 - as was accurately predicted. The key pressure points in the national life in the coming year are described in this article. While most of the events that take place will have a limited duration, the intensity of the problems will likely come as a surprise. To identify the nature and timing of the events a reading of the 20° Cancer rising SAMVA (Perpetual Union) chart for the USA is done with a focus on i) the natal potential of the chart, ii) the trends indicated by the planetary periods and iii) the transit influences seen. The problems are mainly seen to come from transits involving the slow moving planets. There will be a number of transit-to-transit aspects and transit-to-natal aspects to contend with in 2013.

Trends in the national life

The USA is a great nation on the world stage and this is seen in the SAMVA USA chart. However, often times problems develop in the domestic arena, linked to the unequal position of various groups - whether it is along the lines of race, ethnicity, gender, income strata or lifestyle. Moreover, the active foreign engagements of the USA tend to draw the country into conflicts. When the wars are not perceived to be just, the involvement of the USA reduces the communal harmony and produces anti-war protests. If the conflict is over incomes or taxes, there can be rebellions, strikes or protests, like the Tea Party protests of 2009 and 2010 and Occupy protests of late 2011 and early 2012. In the present VENUS major period the emphasis is on cleaning up after the housing bubble and bust and resultant collapse of the banking system. The inequality in the burden of adjustment was highlighted by the Occupy protests. Moreover, President Obama's effort in 2012 to raise the taxes on the wealthiest Americans is aimed to share the burden. As the Venus major period runs until April 2016, these issues will likely continue to be worked out before some progressive resolution is implemented, restoring a greater sense of communal harmony to the public life in the coming Sun major period. 

In the MERCURY sub-period since April 2011, the gaze of the USA is focused on both internal and external freedom of action and technological advances. An emphasis on intelligence and communication is also likely to be noted in the national life in this sub-period. Indeed, the high tech sector has been in the spot light in recent years, also due to the transit of Saturn through Virgo, ruled by Mercury, during the Saturn sub-period. At that time, it became clear that the USA was a leading force in the world for new products, bringing advanced computer and telephone products to mobile consumers around the world. The US also showed its technological superiority in 2012 by landing a large remote controlled scientific rover on the planet Mars and by conducting a high tech parachute jump from the edge of space. As has been described on this blog, the recent successes of the US foreign policy based on a smart power strategy has gained importance in 2012 due to its evident successes in bringing market and  democratic reforms to other countries, such as in the Arab world and Burma in recent years. Importantly, these results were obtained without the direct application of US military force, as was the hall mark of the controversial hard power strategy in foreign policy of President George W. Bush'(2001-2008). The above noted tendencies are expected to continue into early 2015, when the Venus-Ketu period begins.

In addition we should note that when slow moving planets change signs and houses, this alters the nature of the developments. Until June, 6th lord JUPITER will continue in the sign Taurus and 11th house. The energy of conflict concerning income and ideals will thus continue into the summer. After Jupiter moves into Gemini and the 12th house, the energy of conflict will take on a foreign dimension, with losses likely. SATURN, as 8th lord, will continue in its sign of exaltation, Libra and the fourth house in 2013. While this has the potential to bring easy gains to 4th house indications, including housing, natural resources or basic education, based on such things as mining and traditional industries, it also has the potential to bring events that disrupt the domestic harmony, especially as the 4th house is the weakest house in the chart. According to the eminent vedic astrologer & author V. K. Choudhry, the fourth house rules

"...the masses, nation's natural resources, agriculture, mines, minerals, landed properties, peace, general and political stability, natural calamities, educational institutions, law and order, housing and communal harmony."

Indeed, recently, the prospect for oil independence based on the exploitation of shale oil in the USA has made analysts predict the US will become a net exporter of oil in a few year's time. This is very much in line with Saturn, which rules mining and oil - and easy gains - entering its sign of exaltation which happens to rule over natural resources. However, as Saturn is the most malefic planet in the SAMVA USA chart, we should also be prepared for dangers accompanying the extraction practice of hydraulic fracturing, which may have the potential to increase seismic activity, as well as pollution. Of course, significant geological events mostly have natural causes. However, it is conceivable that such human activities on an industrial scale can produce relatively small events that could nonetheless act as triggers for larger adjustment along tectonic fault lines. The main point is that when malefic contacts increase on specific indications in a horoscope, the likelihood of adverse results in the affected areas is also seen to increase.  

On January 15, the malefic Moon's nodes, RAHU and KETU, will move out of their signs of debilitation, Scorpio and Taurus, and enter the signs Libra and Aries, respectively, where they will encounter their natal placements at 17° 47' Aries and Libra, respectively. While it is helpful that the nodes move into signs offering normal strength, their transit through the 4th and 10th houses can be difficult. Moreover, when transit FM Rahu joins 8th lord SATURN in Libra and 4th house, these two first rate malefics will together move into the MEP of the 4th house, which will likely place severe strain on the indications of this vulnerable 4th house, especially as they will encounter the natal nodes there and for Ketu in Aries and the 10th house to aspect natal Venus in the 6th house. As a result, we should expect some setbacks for those indications in the coming year. With transit KETU in Aries and the 10th house the executive government, Congress, law and order and foreign trade are also seen to come under stress. There could be financial difficulties for the government or manipulations of powerful vested interests being exposed in relation to the legislature.

On June 1, 2013, transit 6th lord JUPITER will enter Gemini and the 12th house. This could involve the US in conflictual issues abroad, maybe a war, which could entail losses, more so when Jupiter is mutually aspecting natal Ketu and transit Rahu in the 4th house in August. Sudden problems in public health are also possible. Banks, which are ruled by Jupiter and the Sun, could also have a more difficult time while Jupiter is transiting the house of losses.

Transits in early 2013

As the year opens, transit SATURN, as 8th lord of obstacles and endings, is in an applying conjunction with natal KETU at 17° 47' Libra and the most effective point of the 4th house, since December 3, 2012. The conjunction of these malefics and the opposition of Saturn to RAHU at 17° 47' Aries and 10th house MEP are difficult aspects, which will peak in the third week of February, when Saturn reaches 17° 28' Libra, where it will be one-third (0° 19') of a degree away from an exact conjunction and opposition, before going retrograde and separating from these aspects in mid-May (see transit graph 1). Ketu is placed in a highly sensitive area of the SAMVA USA chart, suggesting scope for violent or explosive events, possibly linked to inequalities and injustices in the national life. Ketu rules separations and sudden explosive events, with searing heat. By comparison, Saturn rules cold things. This combination is thus seen to bring together extremes of heat and cold - which can be explosive. Ketu is placed in the most effective point (MEP, +/- 5 degrees from rising degree) of the 4th house, which rules housing, communal harmony and natural resources. Venus, as 4th lord, is weak in the 6th house of conflict, (ill) health and financial (in)stability. This is more so as the 6th house is aspected by natal RAHU in Aries and MEP of the 10th house, which adds an element of confusion to the issues of the houses it touches (10, 2, 4 and 6). Unlike the other houses, the areas of life indicated by the 4th house are especially weak and vulnerable to setbacks. When transit Saturn becomes conjunct natal Ketu and opposite Rahu, notably in February 2013, the weather could turn extremely cold or stormy. There could also be sudden explosive events. As Saturn is the most malefic planet in the horoscope, ruling over obstacles and endings, many fatalities are possible. Spiritual, diplomatic or drug dealing people could be involved. Older people could also become isolated or abuses of them come to light. 

The conjunction of transit 8th lord Saturn at 13° 58' Libra and natal FM Ketu at 17° 47' Libra was already felt on December 14, 2012, when a young man murdered 27 people at the Sandy Hook elementary school in Newton, Connecticut. Other transits, notably involving 6th lord Jupiter were also present. In late December there has been a modicum of controversy over the film 'Django Unchained' by director Quentin Tarantino. African American's have objected to the casual manner in which slavery is presented and the excessive use of the word N*gger in the film which they find demeaning. Of more importance is the fact that Republicans in the US Congress are emphatically fighting President Obama's effort to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans, as part of averting the fiscal cliff. If the Republicans prevail, this could be an issue that inflames the sentiments of Americans concerned about a fairer burden sharing following the increased indebtedness of the US government in order to save the US banking system from complete collapse in 2008 - an act that benefitted more the wealthy citizens of the country.

Another malefic transit is the station of JUPITER as 6th lord of conflict at12° 20' Taurus and 11th house in January and February. In this placement, Jupiter aspects natal MARS as 10th lord of government and laws, at 10° 07' Scorpio and 5th house of management, young people and creativity. This transit could arouse debate over the government or legislation, possibly involving such things as taxation or gun control. However, as Mars, who also rules courage, weapons and industry, is natally strong in the SAMVA USA chart, no setbacks are seen for these areas of the national life. In other words, any gun control legislation will not be seen to infringe on the rights of citizens granted in the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution. More likely, the focus of the debate over gun control will be diverted to inequalities or failures of social, family or individual life that may engender such extreme behavior as shooting indiscriminately at innocent strangers with the intent to kill as many as possible. Indeed, as most such killers have been young men, found to have been isolated and mentally deranged, the focus could shift to a more proactive mental health care system. During this time, Jupiter will more closely aspect natal MERCURY, as 3rd lord of communication, enterprise and high tech activities, at 12° 05' Capricorn and 7th house of foreign policy. This is likely to intensify the debate about foreign policy and civil rights in the country or abroad. Prominent litigation involving high tech companies could also take place. Conflict or financial difficulties involving an ally could also be the source of the debate, as transit Jupiter is in the 11th house. Given its natal strength in the SAMVA USA chart, no major setback is expected for the indications of Mercury as a result of the tensions that arise in the opening months of the year.

Following the problems signaled by the conjunction of Saturn and Ketu in the opening months of the year, transit RAHU will become stationary in the MEP of the 4th house from March 24 to June 25. The peak of the nodal station occurs in mid-May at 22° 45‘ Libra. It is helpful to recall that transit Rahu was stationary at 19° Libra and Ketu at 19° Aries during the Rahu-Ketu period in 1929. In October of that year, all hell broke loose on Wall Street heralding the Great Depression of the 1930s. Fortunately, this station is further removed from the natal nodes and the periods are those of functional benefic planets, so a major financial market upheaval is not expected at this time. However, Rahu is in the MEP of the 4th house while transit KETU aspects natal 4th lord VENUS at 23° 50' Sagittarius and 6th house (see transit graph 2). The aspect is applying in February and becomes exact on March 23, just before Ketu becomes stationary in the MEP of 10th house at 22° 45‘ Aries. According to V. K. Choudhry, the planet Venus rules

"Resources, hotels, women folk, cinema industry, arts and leisure industry. It acts as significator for the seventh house."

During this time the above noted general indications of the weak and vulnerable Venus, as well as its functional indications as 4th lord, are likely to experience setbacks. There could be sudden problems developing concerning the housing sector, natural resources or communal harmony. Venus also rules women folk, artists, lifesaving drugs, aviation and enjoyment in life. All these areas of life would be vulnerable to sudden setbacks during this transit. The weather could also become erratic due to these influences. Moreover, the fast moving planets will also become conjunct transit Ketu while it is stationary around 23° Aries and 10th house MEP. Transit 4th lord VENUS will pass over this point on April 29. As Transit Ketu will still be afflicting natal Venus at 23° 50‘ Sagittarius and 6th house, this aspect means that Venus is afflicted both natally and in transit, which is likely to further aggravate its indications, as enumerated above.

On May 7 (see transit chart 1), transit 2nd lord SUN, ruling the status and wealth of the nation, as well as the President, will move over transit stationary KETU, when transit MERCURY as 3rd lord of communication and transportation, the sub-period lord, will be passing over natal KETU along with transit MARS as 10th lord of government, laws and foreign trade. Meanwhile, transit JUPITER as 6th lord of conflict will be aspecting natal Sun at 23° 44' Capricorn and 7th house and natal 8th lord Scorpio. In fact, transit Jupiter will be in aspect to these planets for most of May. These multiple transits afflictions in early May suggest tension for the above indications, including the possibility of violence. In one sense, the transit of Jupiter in May 2013 evokes the configuration seen during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. However, there are two important differences. The highly malefic Jupiter-Saturn period was operating at that time and transit 8th lord Saturn was afflicting natal 6th lord Jupiter. Despite the other difficult transits seen in May 2013, the more favourable period suggests that an event of that magnitude and repercussion is not now likely.

That said, the transits in May 2013 are no easier than those of the preceding month. There is a recent historical event they do bring to mind, the Virginia Tech massacre, where 32 young people were killed and 17 were wounded, which was accurately predicted in the first prediction made on the basis of the SAMVA USA chart on December 30, 2006. The transits on April 16, 2007, had transit Ketu at 21° 36' Leo and MEP of the 2nd house in aspect to natal Venus and the 6th house, while transit Rahu in Aquarius and 8th house MEP aspected the 4th house. Meanwhile, transit 6th lord Jupiter at 25° 38' Scorpio was conjunct natal 8th lord Saturn. An important additional factor in the deadly shooting was that the Venus-Jupiter period was operating. This exacerbated the dual malefic impact of the transit of Jupiter and brought out the impact on young people, which is another general indication of Jupiter.

In 2013, the focus is on the general and functional indications of Mercury. According to V. K. Choudhry the general indications of Mercury include

"Strategists, advisors to head of state and intellectuals. It acts as significator for the fifth house."

However, aside from the early affliction of transit Jupiter to natal Mercury, the sub-period lord, and its house, the 3rd house, or its house of placement, the 7th house, only configure fleetingly in the major transits of the year. Nevertheless, as the transit influences always supercede the period trend influences, some adverse significant event is likely during these transits and it will likely be of the nature discussed above.

 

Transits in the summer of 2013

The transits in June and July will likely see some easing of conditions as no difficult transit stations are seen. However, transit 6th lord Jupiter in Gemini will aspect transit 8th lord Saturn in Libra in July (see transit graph 3).This transit always raises the likelihood of violent acts. Transit Rahu becomes conjunct natal Ketu and transit Ketu becomes conjunct natal Rahu on August 8, 2013. As the nodes are moving at normal speed, less intense problems are expected from this aspect than otherwise would be the case. 

In August 2012, transit 6th lord Jupiter will be in mutual aspect with transit Rahu and natal Ketu. This is a difficult transit combination, but fortunately all planets involved will be moving at normal speed lessening the intensity of the impact. The transit aspect becomes exact around August 16 (see transit chart 2). We could recall that transit Jupiter was at 17° 42' Gemini and 12th house in aspect to natal Ketu at 17° 47' Libra and 4th house when the 9/11 attacks took place during the Venus-Moon period, almost 12 years ago. At that time, the focus was on the identity of the country, as the Moon rules the 1st house of self. "God bless America" became a rallying cry and the American flag flew high. Moreover, following the attacks, transit Jupiter became stationary at 21° Gemini and the MEP of the 12 house in aspect to the 4th, 6th and 8th houses, consistent with the US invasion of Afghanistan and the Anthrax mailings. During the current Venus-Mercury period, the similar transit of Jupiter could bring problems for the USA at home or abroad. Some difficult to diagnose public health issue could bring concerns. There could be losses of life due to foreign military involvement, violence on the Mexico-USA border could erupt or the US banking system could run into financial difficulties. Such problems are also likely in February and March 2014, when transit Jupiter becomes stationary at 16° 23' Gemini. Fortunately, as Jupiter will not be in aspect also to transit Rahu at the same time it aspects natal Ketu, the complexity of the problems will be reduced, while their intensity is increased.

Transits in the fall of 2013

As the fall arrives, the difficulties would be less as transit 8th lord SATURN will be stationary  from June 2 to August 13, 2013. Peak of station will be at 10° 46‘ Libra on July 8. In this placement, Saturn does not afflict any natal points. Transit RAHU will become stationary from September 16 to December 18, 2012. Peak of the nodal station is at 13° 40‘ Libra on November 10. Transit KETU will then be stationary at 13° 40‘ Aries. In these placements, the nodes do not aspect any natal planet or point in the SAMVA USA chart, hence the problems are expected to be less. However, transit 8th lord SATURN will become conjunct transit RAHU in Libra from August 18 to October 26, 2013 when transit Saturn moves from 12° to 19° Libra while transit Rahu moves from 17° to 14° Libra. The planets become exactly conjunct at 14° 30‘ Libra on September 17. The indications of Saturn and Rahu are likely to become strained. Some problems are likely to emerge internationally with these transits. Transit 8th lord SATURN will become exactly conjunct natal KETU at 17° 47' Libra on October 17, 2013 after which time the issues that emerged at the beginning of the year will begin to find closure. Throughout the fall, faster moving planets will become conjunct transit 8th lord Saturn and transit stationary Rahu in Libra. This is likely to create brief problems for the indications of the planets involved.

In particular, the transit on September 18, 2013, when SATURN, VENUS and RAHU become conjunct in transit at 14° 30' Libra, while Jupiter at 22° 42' Gemini will be opposite natal Venus, is likely to be difficult for the indications of Venus (see transit chart 3). Transit 3rd lord MERCURY, and sub-period lord, will three times become briefly conjunct transit stationary RAHU at 13° Libra - and transit 8th lord Saturn - in early October, end October and mid-November. During those times, the indications of Mercury, such as initiatives, transportation and communication with a focus on housing, natural resources or communal harmony, could be thrown into some brief crisis. The work of government intelligence officials and strategic advisors could also become diffcult.

Transits in late 2013

Transit 6th lord Jupiter will become stationary from October 13 to December 2, 2013. Peak of the station is at 26° 27‘ Gemini on November 7. Transit Jupiter will then aspect natal Venus at 23° 54‘ Sagittarius and 6th house. This suggests that any conflict, especially abroad, may disturb the communal harmony in the USA. Moreover, transit 8th lord Saturn in Libra and 4th house will be in applying aspect to natal Venus in November, while it is under the aspect of transit stationary 6th lord Jupiter in Gemini and 12th house, with both planets aspecting natal and transit 4th lord Venus in Sagittarius and 6th house. The time in late November could bring a tragic event (see transit chart 4).

Summary

Some sudden violent event is possible in early 2013, when also intense conflict in the domain of foreign policy or communication is likely. The issue of fairness is also likely to become prominent in the national debate during the year. A tragic event involving significant fatalities is likely in the spring and early summer and it will severly disturb the communal harmony. In 2013, pronounced problems involving legislative matters, the executive government, fairness, housing or natural resources is likely. In August, losses involving foreign military involvement, public health or banks is possible. During the fall and in late 2013, communal harmony is likely to continue strained due to conflict abroad or some tragic events.