Republic in Peril

A historic step was  taken by the Biden administration yesterday. The leading GOP candidate for President, Donald Trump, was charged with violating the Espionage Act. Trump alleges "Total corruption" and "Election interference." GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy promises to "hold this brazen weaponization of power accountable."

The ramifications for the American Republic are unknown. 

The decline and fall of the Roman Republic was a case study in political conflict, where the established rules of engagement were transcended with the weaponisation of the legal system, which led to a civil war [1]. 

Whatever the case may be, likely the old sailor warning applies: Batten down the hatches. Rough seas ahead. 

Intense conflict in public affairs was predicted last year for this time. 

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS (June 8, 2023):

Trump indictment live updates: Charges include Espionage Act, conspiracy to obstruct

Justice Department Charges Trump in Documents Case

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump

"I AM AN INNOCENT MAN. THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TOTALLY CORRUPT. THIS IS ELECTION INTERFERENCE & A CONTINUATION OF THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!"

22.3k ReTruths 70.5k Likes Jun 08, 2023, 11:57 PM

Kevin McCarthy @SpeakerMcCarthy

"Today is indeed a dark day for the United States of America. It is unconscionable for a President to indict the leading candidate opposing him. Joe Biden kept classified documents for decades. I, and every American who believes in the rule of law, stand with President Trump against this grave injustice. House Republicans will hold this brazen weaponization of power accountable."

1:22 AM · Jun 9, 2023 4.6M Views

Indeed, a scenario like this was predicted In the article "Predictions for the USA in 2023".

"The public sector will likely see its share of conflict in the coming year."

"After 6th lord JUPITER moves into Aries and 10th house in the early summer of 2023, an increased energy of conflict is to be expected in public affairs."

"Transit 10th lord Mars will become debilitated and weak in the sign of Cancer and 1st house from May 11th until June 30th. Transit Jupiter will become equally weak at that time, even if well placed in the 10th house. This suggests fierce political conflict in the Congress at that time. "

TRUMP'S HOROSCOPE

In Trump's 6° Leo rising chart transit functional malefic (FM) Rahu is shortly about to leave stationary movement but it is in applying conjunction with his 9H most effective point (MEP) ruling the justice system until mid July. It remains in the MEP until Sept. 14, 2023. 

Natally, transit 3rd lord Venus and transit 7th lird Saturn are in the 12th house, which rules imprisonment. Trabsit FM Ketu is conjunct the 3rd house MEP and transit 12th lord Moon is conjunct the 7th house MEP. Finally, transit 1st lord Sun is in the 10th house in applying conjunction with FM Rahu and opposite 12th lord Moon and FM Ketu conjunct in his 4th house. A less helpful Jupiter-Ketu period for Trump begins in November 2023.

As has been long predicted, challenging days are also likely to be coming for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Yesterday, House Leaders Cancelled Votes for the Entire Week, Citing 'Chaos' on the Floor

As stated in the 2012 article "First major periods in the SAMVA USA chart":

"In the SAMVA USA chart, Rahu  is placed in the most effective point of the 10th house. As such it brings confusion and manipulation to the affairs of government, trade and laws."

Given the contact of 6th lord Jupiter and FM Rahu in the 10th house, it was predicted:

"The above factors become more problematic still as transit Jupiter will also become conjunct retrograde transit RAHU from mid May until mid June. This aspect suggest confusion or manipulation involving conflict and health matters."

"The public sector will likely see its share of conflict and confusion in the coming year."

SAMVA USA CHART

Transit 6th lord Jupiter, ruling conflict, in Aries and 10th house, ruling public affairs, will now go on to be aspected by transit stationary 8th lord Saturn at 13° Aquarius and 8th house ruling obstacles and endings. Saturn also aspects 10th lord Mars ruling the government, in the 5th house of management and young people. Transit Jupiter will then  become conjunct Rahu, ruling manipulations, at 18° Aries and 10th house MEP in the SAMVA USA chart this summer. In the fall it will become stationary in the 10th house MEP, from where it will aspect the 2nd house of wealth, 4th house of communal harmony and the 6th house ruling conflict, holding 4th lord Venus. Hence, the  disturbance to the communal harmony will likely be prominent in the fall.

All of this speaks of bitter public conflict, possibly mixed with violence.

REFERENCES

[1] Frank A. Sirianni (1993). "Caesar's Peace Overtures to Pompey", L'Antiquité Classique, pp. 219-237.

Mexico's struggle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contemporary Mexico

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

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

Crime and corruption

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

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

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

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

Declaration of Independence

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

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

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

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

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

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

Early political turmoil

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

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

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

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

Requirements of a horoscope

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

Pisces rising

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Significant events

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

Texas Republic formed

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

In the Systems' Approach:

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

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

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

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

War and loss

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

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

Earthquake

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

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

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

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

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

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

Financial crisis

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

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

Pandemic

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

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

Drug war

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

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

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

________

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

  

References

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

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

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

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

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

Greece and its debt

Greece is a country with a glorious if uneven past. The world owes a debt of gratitude for its ancient contributions to human social and intellectual development. The Macedonian king, Alexander the Great, spread Hellenic rule and culture to Asia Minor, Persian Babylonia and India in the 4th century B.C.. Rome overtook Greece in the mid 2nd century B.C. establishing Greco-Roman influence in its eastern domain. Greece became part of the Byzantine Empire in the late 4th century A.D.. As it ended in the mid 15th century A.D., Greece came under Ottaman rule. In the early 19th century Greece regained its independence after being ruled by outside powers for over two millennia. In 1981, Greece became a member state of the European Union. While being economically developed, in the past few years Greece has fallen on hard times. The country is plagued by high government debts, a weak banking system, economic recession, rising unemployment and civil unrest. Interestingly, there are numerous episodes of economic and political instability in the country´s modern history. In this article, the present condition of the Greek economy is examined in terms of the natal potential seen in a horoscope that has recently been proposed for the country.

Overview
Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southern Europe. Modern Greece traces its roots to the civilization of ancient Greece, generally considered the cradle of Western civilization. As such it is the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy and the Olympic Games. Greece was part of the Byzantine Empire from around 395 A.D. to 1453 A.D. and after that it was part of the Ottoman Empire, or until 1821. The modern Greek state had its origins in the Greek War of Independence (1821 – 1832). Greece has 11.3 million inhabitants (m.i) in a country covernig 132.000 square kilometers (51.000 square miles). The population is ethnically homogenous. Greece has borders with Albania (3.2 m.i.), the Republic of Macedonia (2.0 m.i.) and Bulgaria (7.6 m.i) to the north, and Turkey (71.0 m.i.) to the east. The Aegean Sea lies to the east of mainland Greece, the Ionian Sea to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Greece has the 11th longest coastline in the world at 13.700 km (8,500 mi) in length, featuring over 1.400 islands - one fifth of which is inhabited. Eighty percent of Greece consists of mountains, of which Mount Olympus is the highest at 2,917 m (9,570 ft). Athens is the nation‘s capital and largest city. Greece is a developed country with a high income level (€21.900 per capita) in a global comparison and amounting to 91% of the average level of the EU (€24.000). The income is twice the amount of the poorest EU member state, Bulgaria (€10.700), but only a third of the richest, Luxembourg (€66.000). The distribution of income is one of the most unequal in the EU. Greece is a member of the European Union since 1981 and the Euro-Area since 2001. It is the largest economy of the Balkans but less than one third of the size of the Turkish economy. At the same time, there is a less flattering side to the economy, which is discussed below.

Founding of modern Greece
The culture of Greece has evolved over thousands of years, beginning in Mycenaean Greece, continuing most notably into Classical Greece, through the influence of the Roman Empire and its Greek Eastern successor the Byzantine Empire. Other cultures and states such as Latin and Frankish states, the Ottoman Empire, the Venetian Republic, Genoese Republic, and British Empire have also left their influence on modern Greek culture, but historians credit the Greek War of Independence with revitalising Greece and giving birth to a single entity of its multi-faceted culture. The first revolt of the Greek War of Independence began on 6 March 1821 in the Danubian Principalities, but it was soon put down by the Ottomans. As the civil war dragged on assistance arrived from several European powers, Russia, United Kingdom and France against the Ottoman Empire. With the Treaty of London on 3 February 1830, Greece was recognized as an independent State.[1] However, it did not have a government until one year later.[2] After years of negotiation, Greece was finally recognized as an independent nation with set borders in May 1832. As co-guarantors of the monarchy, the Great Powers also agreed to guarantee a loan of 60 million francs to the new king, empowering their ambassadors in the Ottoman capital to secure the end of the war. Under the protocol signed on 7 May 1832 between Bavaria and the protecting powers, Greece was defined as a "monarchical and independent state" but was to pay an indemnity to the Ottoman Porte. One historian notes that while the creation of the state was a success the ideals of a Greek nation, within and beyond the borders of Greece, were not realised.[3]

Birth of modern Greece
A very plausible candidate for a national horoscope for Greece has come to light. The date is January 13, 1822 and the place is Epidaurus, Greece (37N38, 23E08). The event is the formal written declaration of independence from the Turks by the Greek assembly. The astrological significance of this event was first recognised by Greek astrologer Thomas Gazis, who rectified the time to 10.00 a.m. on that day giving 26° Aquarius rising (sidereal) and introduced the horoscope thus:

"Which is Greece’s birth date? Some 20 years ago it came to my attention the copy of an old document, that I felt very significant! It was entitled «Declaration of the Political Existence and Independence of the Greek Nation». Let us see what this document says: «In the name of the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, the Greek Nation that in the last 4 centuries has been under the horrible Turkish rule, unable to bear any more the heavy and unprecedented tyranny, which we have finally thrown off with huge sacrifices, proclaims today - through its legitimate delegates here assembled - in front of all humans and God, its political existence and Independence! Epidaurus January 1st 1822 [in the Julian calendar]». There is no doubt that this declaration constitutes the birth certificate of modern Greece! It fulfils all the criteria we set up and unambiguously states the creation of the modern country of Greece. The birthday of Greece is on the 13th of January [in the Gregorian calendar]." [4]

Horoscope of Greece
26° Aquarius rises in the ascendant of this tentative horoscope of Greece. This sign would be expected to describe the main traits in the collective personality of the nation. Aquarius is an air sign and is ruled by Saturn. This sign signifes dutifulness and responsibility. Those with Aquarius in the first house tend to be independent and willing to buck the trend if they think it is the right thing to do. The sign impels towards industriousness, perserverance, focus and forethought. There is an urge to help the underdog. The sign predisposes to new ideas, with an emphasis on humanity and science. The sign can also predispose to unconventional, stubborn, rigid or impractical ideas. If Saturn is weak in the chart there may be a tendency for suspiciousness and lethargy. Aries, ruled by Mars, falls into the third house of this horoscope. This gives a tendency for a focus on communications and new ideas. Libra, ruled by Venus, falls into the 9th house, which promises good fortune.[5] By comparison, Cancer rises in the ascendant of the USA horsocope, giving a regal and caring nature to the collective personality of Americans. Virgo rises in the British horoscope imbuing the collective personality with analytical acuity and discrimination. Taurus rises in the horoscope of India, giving a earthy and sensate nature to the collective personality.

As Aquarius is in the 1st house of the Greek horoscope, the financial position is seen to be ruled by the following houses and their lords:

• 6th lord Moon indicates financial position.
• 9th lord Venus indicates fortune.
• 11th lord Jupiter indicates income and hopes.
• 8th lord Mercury indicates easy gains.

As per the Systems‘ Approach (SA), there are no Moolatrikona signs in the 2nd house of wealth, 4th house of fixed assets, or 5th houses of speculation. Hence, these areas of life are not indicated as special problems in the national life. The only exception is if planets are placed in these houses or aspecting them. This can make a significant difference for their indications.

Saturn as 1st lord is placed in the 2nd house, giving status associated with the self. As Saturn is in old age, the dynamism is reduced. Moreover, the status is linked to ancient things, as that is a general indication of Saturn. Further, as Saturn is in the most effective point (MEP, or near the rising degree) of the 2nd house, its influence is greater. It is thus favourably influencing also the 4th house of assets, the 8th house of easy gains and 11th house of income. The influence is further helped by the good placement of 9th lord Venus in the 1st house of self. While Rahu, the lord of manipulation, is also there, bringing some problems, its influence is minimal in the horoscope.

6th lord Moon is badly placed in the 8th house, creating obstructions for the financial position. This placement will be tested in the coming five months.

9th lord Venus is well placed in the 1st house, receiving an aspect from Mars as 3rd lord of initiative in the 7th house of foreign agreements. Good luck is seen for Greece from an enterprising tourism sector and foreign involvements.

11th house Jupiter is well placed in the 3rd house of initiative. However, its power is very limited as it is in deep infancy. Fortunately, Jupiter is conjunct the 1st lord Saturn and is within the MEP of the 2nd house, also giving a moderate beneficial influence on the 2nd house of wealth, but also on the 6th house of financial position and conflict, 8th house of easy gains, and 10th house of position in the world. However, Jupiter is further undermined by an afflicting aspect from Ketu in the 7th house. Jupiter‘s 11th house is further afflicted by 8th lord Mercury, creating obstructions and endings for income and hopes. Mercury also afflicts the 5th house of speculation. Mercury is also harmed by its own destructive power, being placed in the MEP. Hence, the easy gains are reduced. The horoscope is running the Mercury-Mercury period since August 2011, suggesting that obstructions and endings involving incomes & hopes and speculation & management have intensified since then.

The strength of Jupiter and Sun, the dual indicators of banking, is not good at all in this chart. This is consistent with what we know about the the Greek banks: they are technically bankrupt but have been kept afloat by loans from the EU. The 11th lord Jupiter, Sun and Moon are the indicators of currency strength in this horoscope. The drachma was always a weak currency and if Greece were forced to leave the Euro-Area and take up the drachma again, it would likely collapse in value. The weakness of Sun and Moon, the indicators of government also suggest weakness on this front. In fact, the present administration of professionals has been appointed without democratic legitimacy to clean up years of accounting gimmicks and bad governance. As the Moon is also representing democratic government, the coming stationary aspect of Ketu in the 4th house of communal harmony suggests sudden upset over this state of affairs, the lack of democratic legitimacy. There are elections now scheduled for April 2012, when the aspect of transit Ketu to natal Moon will be applying. Ketu rules a sense of isolation and estrangement, which can result in sudden violent or unexpected acts.

3rd lord Mars is well placed in the 7th house in mutual aspect with the lord of luck, which is a very helpful combination. It gives fortune from taking action and gives opportunities for the same. It is a good aspect for the military, police and athletes and artists and women. However, the beneficience of this yoga is somewhat reduced by the bad placement of 7th lord Sun in the 12th house of losses. The weakness of the Sun suggests foreign agreements can lead to losses. The placement of Mars explains the Greek show of military bravery even in the face of being massively outnumbered.

Political instability

Cases of political instability in the 20th century history of Greece are legion. Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Greeks launched the expansionist Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922) to protect Greek minorities. The Turks rallied and repelled the invasion of the Greeks, which thus lost the war. A period of political instability ensued, with the Greeks voting to abolish the monarchy and make the country a republic in 1924. In 1935, however, the monarchy was restored. In 1936, General Metaxas, after being appointed prime minister by the king, established a right-wing dictatorship. In 1940, Mussolini's fascist forces attacked Greece from Italian-held Albania, but the Greeks repelled them. In 1941, Metaxas died and a short while later Greece fell to Nazi Germany, with King George II and the government fleeing to Egypt. More than 100,000 died in a famine. Following WW II, civil war raged in Greece 1944 from to 1949 between communist and anticommunist forces. This led to economic devastation and severe social tensions between rightists and largely communist leftists for the next thirty years. A new political period of crisis developed in Greece on 15 July 1965 after the resignation of Prime Minister Papandreou. Political renegades within the same party, the “Apostates", were appointed by the king to replace him, heralding a prolonged period of political instability, which weakened the fragile post-Civil War order. A military junta seized power in a coup d'état on 21 April 1967. The King began by cooperating with the junta but then launched a counter-coup on 13 December 1967, which ended in failure and he then fled the country with his family in the early hours of 14 December – never to return as king. In 1973, Greece is declared a republic, the monarchy is abolished and Papadopoulos assumes the presidency. Opposition to military rule leads to increasing unrest. Papadopoulos is overthrown in bloodless coup by Brigadier-General Demetrios Ioannidis, commander of the military police. He partially restores civilian rule but retains large measure of power. In 1974, an Athens-backed coup against President Makarios of Cyprus is followed by Turkish invasion and occupation of north of the island. Ioannidis government collapses. Exiled Karamanlis recalled and sworn in as prime minister. Referendum rejects restoration of monarchy. Civil unrest increases, highlighted by the Athens Polytechnic uprising in the early hours of Saturday, 17 November 1973, which is suppressed by the military. After losing any claim to legitimacy, the rule of the military junta ends in July 1974. In 1975, a new constitution declares Greece a parliamentary republic with some executive powers vested in a president.

The Economy and its problems
Greece's main industries are tourism, shipping, industrial products, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products, mining and petroleum. Tourism accounts for around 15% of the national GDP, with close to 20 million foreign visitors in 2009. The shipping industry has also been a successful sector in the economy. Greek agriculture employs 12% of the total labor force and produces 3.6% of the national GDP. The big secret of Greek economy is that with EU funds, civil service jobs have increased sharply. Apparently, the development aid and loans have raised the income level above its natural state. This seems to be the reason behind the fact that there is little impetus for people to plan for their future and there seems to be a lack of vision for the country by the politicians.[6] The Greek economy has suffered from external imbalances, which is traced to a lack of flexibility in both product and labour markets. There is a lack of innovation, such that overall productivity growth is sub-standard. As a result, inflation has been higher in Greece than in the euro area, which explains the erosion of competitiveness. Unemployment, especially of the young, is very high in Greece. Greeks are well educated by international standards. Nevertheless, there are labour shortages in specific sectors. It seems the Greeks are not educating themselves for the jobs on offer. Due to labour market rigidities, the reallocation of labour between sectors keeps unemployment high. The problem could be linked to skill mismatches, between the skills in supply and what skills the firms need. Incomes in Greece are fairly low compared to many other well to do EU countries. The dispersion of incomes in Greece is also wide. In other words, there is a high degree of income inequality. There is a link between the two, such that the greater the inequality the lower the income level.[7] Such a situation breeds discontent and extremism in the social outlook. The labour force participation is low by EU standards, especially of women. [8] .

Some say Greece is in crisis today due to lack of responsibility of the citizens. Greeks see the state as an income provider and do not feel an obligation to it. Accordingly, they do not contribute their fair share of income to taxes needed to keep their state fiscally sound. Tax evasion and bribery appear to be common in society. This cultural phenomenon apparently goes back to the Ottoman period, when Greek people began hiding a part of their income in order to avoid paying taxes on it. Katsios (2006) argues that there is a link between the underground economy and corruption in Greece. Tax and national insurance burdens and intensity of regulations in Greece also seem to motivate people to bribe government officials. In order to avoid the bribery and regulation a shadow economy is complementary to the “corrupt state”.[9] Moreover, a vast range of governmental activities is found to distort and weaken the allocative, redistributional and stabilising role of government. Clearly, such corruption needs to be stamped out at the highest level of government first, then throughout society. The consistent lack of discipline in government finances, has resulted in recurring calls for prudent fiscal policies in order to ensure a balanced position. Improved tax collection and better functioning of the public administration are needed to strengthen public resources, which need to be channeled towards investment in knowledge, human and physical capital. The IMF and EU see such reforms as necessary to increase the growth potential of the economy and improve its attractiveness for productive investment in the long run. Greece also needs to focus on all round development, with less inequality, for a more prosperous and happy society.

International agreements
In 1981 Greece joined the EU. With the Maastricht Treaty, EU structural funds have flowed into the Greek economy with the aim to lift its low income level and bring it closer to the EU average. On January 1, 2002, the Euro replaced the drachma as the currency in circulation in Greece. In 2004 December, the European Commission issued a formal warning after Greece was found to have falsified budget deficit data in the run-up to joining Euro-Area. On April 22, 2010, Greece announced that its budget deficit figures for 2009 had been underestimated, with the deficit and debt levels increasing significantly. The revelation caused the debt crisis in the Euro-Area to sharply deepen.[10] Such problems are consistent with the influence of Mercury in the horoscope and the weakness of Sun and Moon, indicating poor governance of the country.

Debt crisis and civil unrest
Greece also has a history of borrowing large amounts of funds abroad. This is reflecting the good fortune seen in the horoscope for Greece from international involvements. At the same time, there are problems linked to the debt and Greece's international obligations. The debt crisis is not only linked to bad management of public finances but importantly it is linked to the government support of a failing banking system. However, the associated rise in debt made fiscal austerity ever more important to assure international creditors that the government could service its debts. In January 2010, the government announced a second round of tough austerity measures, including public sector pay cuts, fuel increases, and a crackdown on tax evasion. In February 2010, the government austerity measures prompted a series of general strikes and protests that continued into March. In March 2010, PM George Papandreou likened the budget crisis to "wartime situation", announcing a third round of tax rises and spending cuts totaling €5 billion. In April/May 2010, fears of a possible default on Greece's debts prompted Euro-Area countries to approve a €110 billion rescue package for the country. As part of the bailout deal, PM Papandreou announced a round of even more stringent austerity measures. Trade unions called a general strike in protest. In October 2010, the government announced new, tougher, austerity measures in the 2011 draft budget, including new taxes and higher rate of VAT. In February 2011, international lenders said austerity measures so far implemented did not go far enough, and that Greece must speed up reforms to get its finances back on track. In June 2011, there was another 24-hour general strike. Tens of thousands of protesters marched on parliament to oppose government efforts to pass new austerity laws. In July 2011, the crisis began to deepen. European Union leaders agreed a major bailout for Greece over its debt crisis by channeling €109 billion through the European Financial Stability Facility. The solution assumed “voluntary writedowns“ of the debt held by private banks, which ended up being equivalent to 70%. All three main credit ratings agencies cut Greece's rating to a level associated with a substantial risk of default. In September 2011, the credit rating agency Moody's downgraded eight Greek banks due to concerns over Greece's ability to pay back its debts. In October 2011, Eurozone leaders and private banks agreed to a 50% debt write-off for Greece in return for further austerity measures. PM Papandreou cast the deal into doubt by announcing a referendum on the rescue package. In November 2011, faced with a storm of criticism over his referendum plan, Mr. Papandreou withdrew it and announced his resignation. A government of national unity was formed after talks between leaders of the governing Socialist Pasok, the center-right New Democracy party and the nationalist Laos party. Lucas Papademos, a former head of the Bank of Greece, became interim prime minister with the task of getting the country back on track in time for elections scheduled provisionally for the spring of 2012. In January 2012, debt rescheduling talks with Greece's private creditors faltered, endangering the €130 billion EU/IMF rescue package that Greece needs to meet its next debt repayment deadline in March. In February 2012, against a background of violent protests on the streets of Athens, the Greek parliament approved a new package of tough austerity measures agreed with the EU as the price of a €130 billion bailout. At the same time, political determination to avoid the stigma of default appears to have waned as the Greek government retroactively inserted collective-action clauses into the bond terms, suggesting the government will demand further writedowns. As a consequence, Standard & Poor’s and Moody's downgraded the nation's credit rating in late February and early March 2012 implying the government is officially in default.[11] The Greek economy has been in recession for five years and the ongoing cutbacks in public services and benefits in recent years have resulted in recurring bouts of civil unrest, sometimes violent.

The civil unrest goes back to before the outbreak of the debt crisis. In March 2005, trade unions launched 24-hour strikes in protest at rising unemployment and high inflation. In December 2005, amid protest strikes by transport workers, parliament approved changes to labour laws, including an end to jobs for life in the public sector. The plans sparked industrial action. In March 2006, public sector workers struck over pay and in protest at government plans to scrap job security laws and intensify privatisation. In March 2008, parliament narrowly passed the government's controversial pension reform bill in face of general public sector strike and mass protests. In October 2008, hundreds of thousands of public-sector employees and professionals went on strike in protest at privatisation, pay ceilings and pension reform. In December 2008, students and young people took to city streets in nationwide protests and riots over the police killing of a 15-year-old boy in Athens. Major public-sector strikes coincided with increased pressure on the government over its economic policies. The recession from 2006 to 2011 is associated with the Rahu and Jupiter sub-periods of the Saturn major period. Now the Mercury major period has started, the difficulties are likely to continue during the Mercury and Ketu sub-periods lasting through 2014.

Astrologically, the problems with social unrest are easy to see in the horoscope. First, the 4th, 2nd and 5th houses do not contain Moolatrikona signs, the rulership for communal harmony is shifted more to the 6th house and its ruler, the Moon. Natally, Moon is placed in the 8th house of obstacles and endings, suggesting plenty of difficulty for the communal harmonyand debts (as Moon also rules financial solvency). Second, the other houses continue to be important for this indication but only if they are afflicted or occupied by a functional malefic planet. The only such affliction in the horoscope is the aspect of 8th lord Mercury to the 5th house. Accordingly, we would therefore expect an underlying tendency for problems with communal harmony in Greece linked to the indications of the 5th house, such as young people and universities as well as speculation and morals of the country. Indeed, the problems of unrest have primarily been linked to two things, the debt crisis and young people objecting to injustices.

Astrology of significant historical events

ASSASSINATION OF HEAD OF STATE

The murder of Count Ioannis Antonios Kapodistrias the first head of state of independent Greece on October 9, 1831, shows up strongly in the horoscope. Mars-Mars period was operating. There was a heavy loading of planets in the 8th and 12th houses, with transit Rahu at 28° Cancer and 6th house MEP afflicting Jupiter and Saturn in the 2nd house MEP – following a transit station at 0° Leo and Aquarius. Transit Rahu and Ketu were both afflicting the 12th house, containing the Sun and transit Ketu was aspecting transit Sun and the 8th house containing also transit Mars.

ASSASSINATION OF KING

King George I was shot and killed in Thessaloniki on March 18, 1913 by a purported vagrant. Mercury Rahu period was operating. Transit stationary Ketu at 10° 29‘ Virgo was conjunct natal 6th lord Moon at 10° 30‘ Virgo. Transit stationary Rahu also afflicted natal Moon and transit Moon at 11° Cancer and 6th house. Transit 7th lord Sun was at 4° 51‘ Pisces and 2nd house and transit 8th lord Mercury was at 19° 15‘ Pisces.

DEFEAT IN WAR

The Greeks lost the Greco-Turkish War on August 30, 1922 when the Turks defeated the Greek army decisively at the Battle of Dumlupınar. Venus-Mars period was operating. Transit nodes at 7° 13‘ Virgo was conjunct natal 6th lord Moon at 10° 30‘ Virgo and transit 8th lord Mercury at 3° 28‘ Virgo. Many planets were in the 8th house.

DEFEAT IN WAR
During World War II, Greece was invaded and conquered by the axis powers. Perhaps the most dramatic event was the fall of Athens, which took place on 27 April 1941. The Sun-Venus period was operating. Transit stationary Ketu at 8° 25‘ Pisces and transit stationary Rahu at 8° 25‘ Virgo and 8th house were conjunct natal 6th lord Moon at 10° 31‘ Virgo. 8th lord Mercury at 3° Aries and 3rd house was afflicted by natal Ketu at 4° Leo and 7th house. Transit 7th lord Sun and transit 9th lord Venus were conjunct in the 3rd house, along with transit 6th lord Moon and transit 1st lord Saturn in the MEP. The Moon major period began in August 1941, which is consistent with Greece being under military occupation as Moon rules the 6th house of conflict. Moreover, Moon is placed in the 8th house of obstacles and this period involved much suffering by the Greek population. The occupation ended in October 1944, when the Jupiter sub-period was underway.

MILITARY REGIME TAKES POWER

A coup d'état led by a group of colonels took place on 21 April 1967. Rahu-Mercury period was operating. This dual malefic period would tend to be difficult, especially the sub-period of Mercury. There was political chaos which the coup leaders aimed to end. Transit 7th lord Sun was at 7° Aries under the aspect of natal Ketu at 4° Leo and 7th house. Transit 3rd lord Mars at 29° Virgo was weak in old age in 8th house while opposite natal Saturn and natal Jupiter.

GOVERNMENT BANKRUPTCY

Now that Greece is technically bankrupt, one test of this horoscope would be to consider the outcomes in the prior Mercury-Mercury period from August 1891-January 1894. In particular, it is of interest that this prior period was also involved in a bankruptcy. Indeed, by the 1890s Greece was virtually bankrupt, and public insolvency was declared in 1893. The default took place on December 10, 1893, when the government declared it could not longer service the debts.[12] Transit Rahu at 27° 20' Pisces was stationary conjunct the MEP of the 2nd house during the autumn months of 1893, while Ketu at 27° 20' Virgo was afflicting the 8th house. At the time of the official declaration, these planets had progressed to 25° 10'. This is a good fit for this historical event.

Mercury-Mercury period

The 26° Aquarius horoscope offers scope to explain the present debt crisis of Greece, especially from August 2011 when the Mercury - Mercury period began. Mercury is 8th lord of obstructions and endings. It is placed in the MEP of the 11th house of income, thus afflicting the 11th house of income and 5th house of speculation. 11th lord Jupiter is placed in 0° 17' Aries and 3rd house. It is aspected by natal Ketu at 4° 21' Leo and 7th house. This suggests that the incomes of people in Greece are low, based on self-effort and vulnerable to sudden upsets. Recently, the Greek government made an agreement to impose harsh fiscal austerity in exchange for huge loans from the EU to salvage its debts and banking system. We can see the easy gains for Greece from the influence of 8th lord in the horoscope. Moreover, with 1st lord Saturn placed in the 2nd house MEP of the chart, albeit in old age at 28° 54' Pisces, this gives status linked to self and old things. Indeed, Greece is considered not only the cradle of democracy in the world but the source of Western civilisation. These two placements also show the mixed influence of the neighbors in the horoscope. Indeed, Greece has been in a contentious relationship with Turkey over control of the island Cyprus. Greece is now battling to salvage its place in the European Union.

The outlook in coming months is anything but hopeful. In the horoscope, 6th lord Moon, which rules financial stability, is placed in the 8th house, suggesting that debt becomes a source of obstructions and endings. The coming station of transit Ketu at 10° 20' Taurus and 4th house, in aspect to natal Moon at 10° 30' Virgo and 8th house, promises to bring sudden, explosive events to Greece, involving the debts. As Moon is also the general indicator of the public mood, and is placed in the house of the belief of the public in its government, we may expect a violent rupture in this regard in coming months. As the Moon is a royal planet, it become the kings consort in the royal cabinet. Hence, this will likely be a very challenging time for the government.

On February 20, 2012, a financial rescue deal was announced for Greece, which is aimed at bringing Greek government debt down to 120% of GDP by 2020. The rescue package has been criticised, with some suggesting “The sad truth is that fixing Greece was never the rescue mission’s goal. The goal was to prevent, or at least stem, euro zone debt contagion; to slow the run on the Greek banks for fear that the bank-run could hit other weak countries; to prevent Greece from high-tailing it out of the euro zone and printing drachmas; and to broker a “voluntary” peace agreement with Greek bondholders.“[13] Not surprisingly, the financial outlook for Greece continues to dim. On March 3, 2012, despite the efforts of EU and Greek politicians to stabilise the situation, the US credit rating agency Moody's has announced it is downgrading Greek debt to the lowest level on its scale - in a warning of default. Clearly, this is yet another setback for the Greek government and the EU. Indeed, as discussed in earlier messages, the tentative horoscopes for both entities suggest ongoing financial difficulties, despite the efforts. Further, given the present period and transit influences, we can say that this horoscope suggests a very difficult time in coming months and into the summer of 2012, while the nodes are stationary at 10° 30‘ Scorpio and Taurus. We can even predict that the likelihood of the government going bankrupt is increased considerably and/or that the government is hit by a very serious crisis. All of this would have serious repercussions for the communal harmony.

As for the continued membership of the Greece in the Euro, that will certainly continue to be tested. It is good that natal 1st lord Saturn is not being tested in the forthcoming transits. Moreover, the cost of such a setback to the EU also needs to be considered. I have earlier predicted based on the tentative horoscope for the EU that "It would not surprise me if the EU would be down-scaled and its goals revised in the coming few years." However, it is hard to say if this involves Greece leaving the Euro zone, as there could be significant costs involved in that for other member countries. At present, I find it likelier that Greece continues in the Euro, by hook or crook, by being helped to avoid bankruptcy, in name at least, and thus be able to continue in the Euro-Area. The risk of some sort of social meltdown in Greece is, however, likely this summer. A new government could come to power later in the year and it could then decide to revise the country's foreign agreements and obligations. This, however, is all quite speculative.

On February 29, 2012, Astrologer & Author, V. K. Choudhry gave his view on this chart:

“The chart can be considered for future predictions. Weakness of Jupiter and affliction to the eleventh house by a Rahu like planet speaks for the general belief of the people. Weak Sun and the Moon also speak for lack of organisation. As currently the sub period of Mercury is running in the main period of Mercury the outlook for Greece is not good.“

Conclusion
This horoscope seems to reflect well the events of Greek national life. At the same time, it does not paint a hopeful picture for the financial or political position of Greece in the summer of 2012 when the Mercury-Mercury period is operating and difficult transits are felt. Venus, Mars and Saturn are the helpful planets in this horoscope. Their placements suggest some amount of comforts, fortune, energy and status - all of which is consistent with what we know about life in Greece. Barring challenging transits, the Venus sub-period from January 2015, promises a fortunate change of events.

References
[1] Kohn, George C. (2007) Dictionary of wars. 3rd edition. Infobase Publishing, USA. http://books.google.is/books?id=OIzreCGlHxIC&pg=PT228&lpg=PT228&dq=Greek+independence+January+13,+1822&source=bl&ots=zNPcMDEoLS&sig=hEx7mXO011cVzF4T5xSeG2pj9q0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=59xLT4DkNcmu0QXBlOnuDw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Greek%20independence%20January%2013%2C%201822&f=false
[2] Beaton, Roderick and David Ricks, eds. (2009). The making of modern Greece: nationalism, romanticism and the uses of the past. Ashgate Publications. Surrey, UK.
http://books.google.is/books?id=ImsWVbWVrgIC&pg=PA1&lpg=PA1&dq=London+Protocol+3+February+1830+Greece+recognised+independent+state&source=bl&ots=35OeZnfHQQ&sig=RtMzK2xlqyv_QeVyHJhAilYC_gM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vN9LT9r2IOqG0AWhwZiXDg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=London%20Protocol%203%20February%201830%20Greece%20recognised%20independent%20state&f=false
[3] Seton-Watson, Hugh (1977). "The Greeks and the 'Great Idea', from his Nations and States: An Enquiry into the Origins of Nations and the Politics of Nationalism, Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado, pp. 110-117. http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu/~fisher/hst373/readings/setonwatson1.html">http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu/~fisher/hst373/readings/setonwatson1.html
[4] Gazis, Thomas (2007). Greece’s natal chart. April 28. http://astro.forumup.com/about1748-astro.html
[5] Astrologer & Author V. K. Choudhry. http://www.yournetastrologer.com/learn_astrology82.htm
[6] Papadimopoulos, Themistocles (2011). Brief history of the Greek Crisis 1830-2010.
http://www.slideshare.net/cathpain/history-of-greek-crisis-18302010
[7] Tárki European Social Report (2008). Income distribution in European countries: first reflections on the basis of EU-SILC 2005. http://www.tarki.hu/en/research/european_social_report/20080701_3.pdf">http://www.tarki.hu/en/research/european_social_report/20080701_3.pdf
[8] Moschovis, George and Mateo Capo Servera (2009). External imbalances of the Greek economy: the role of fiscal and structural policies. 10 July. ECFIN Country Focus. http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/publication15499_en.pdf
[9] BBC (2010). Greece's budget deficit worse than first thought. 22 April 2010 16:34 UK. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8637270.stm
[10] WSJ (2012). S&P Cuts Greece To Selective Default, Cites Collective-Action Clauses. February 27, 2012, 5:25 p.m. ET. http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120227-715442.html
[11]. Katsios, Stavros (2006). The shadow economy and corruption in Greece. South-Eastern Europe Journal of Economics 1. http://www.asecu.gr/Seeje/issue06/katsios.pdf.
[12] Apostolakou, Lito (2009). The Bankruptcy of Greece in 1893. Apr 28. http://lito-apostolakou.suite101.com/the-bankruptcy-of-greece-in-1893-a113142
[13] Reguly, Eric (2012). Despite second bailout, Greece is still a time bomb. Globe and Mail
February 26. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/commentary/eric-reguly/despite-second-bailout-greece-is-still-a-time-bomb/article2349487/
*) BBC Timeline of Greek developments: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1014812.stm