Accurate prediction for Israel

On December 28, 2008, the 21° Capricorn rising chart for Israel (sidereal zodiac) was discussed. Based on this chart the following prediction was made

"The difficulties facing Israel are likely to escalate and reach a boiling point towards the end of January and in first half of February [2009]. "

The prediction was repeated on January 25, 2009 under the heading Political strain ahead and rephrased as Israel being "likely to have a setback, possibly in the area of foreign policy."
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The timeframe for the prediction was January 27-29 when the transit 8th lord Sun would become conjunct a transit stationary Rahu/Ketu at 15° Capricorn/Cancer and opposite natal Moon as 7th lord of foreign affairs in the 7th house. Such contacts are usually seen to be accompanied by significant strain and when natal placements are involved to result in a setback to their indications.

According to the System’s Approach (SA), the indications under strain are the 7th house which rules "cabinet and internal affairs, pleasures, pleasure and amusement resorts, tourism, bond of relationships amongst masses and business establishments, foreign affairs and agreements" and the Moon which rules "the Administrator, the Cabinet, resources, fourth and seventh houses."

During these three days the following things happened:

January 27
#1 Israel forces attacked Gaza Strip after Hamas broke the 10 day truce by killing one soldier and wounding 3. The objective was also to stop smuggling of weapons through underground tunnels by Hamas.
#2 US President Barack Obama uses his first formal TV interview since taking office to reach out to the Muslim world.
#3 Iran resumes claims the Holocaust was a lie conceived to insert a Jewish state in Palestine.

January 28
#4 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Wednesday for "profound changes" in US foreign policy - including an end to support for Israel .
#5 After the Pope rehabilitated a Bishop who has claimed the Holocaust was a lie, the Rabbinate of Israel severed ties with the Vatican.
#6 Israel expels Venezuela envoy and political relations between the two states come to a standstill.
#7 Israel government announced it has severly reprimanded a solider for distributing a booklet to troops that advised they show no mercy to enemies.
#8 Seven human rights groups accuse Israel of “inhuman” treatment of Gaza detainees.

January 29
#9 After the election of President Obama, the USA has begun to make overtures to Iran aimed at reducing tensions. This has raised the hopes of the Iranian government but frustrated “hawks” in Israel like Benjamin Nethanyahu who said at Davos that ‘disarming a nuclear Iran was more important for world peace than resolving the global financial crisis’.
#10 The US President’s Envoy to the Middle East met with Palestinian leaders amid continuing violence on Gaza Strip.
#11 Turkey's prime minister Erdogan storms off the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos after a heated debate on Gaza with Israel's president Peres.
#12 Spanish National Court names former government ministers as suspects in an official inquiry into if Israel committed a "Crime Against Humanity" when bombing the Gaza Strip on July 22, 2002.

News sources
(#1) Israel launches attacks in Gaza
19:17 GMT, Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Israel has carried out an air attack in the Gaza Strip and launched an incursion with tanks and bulldozers across the border.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7853803.stm

(#1) Israeli jets target Gaza tunnels
04:23 GMT, Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Tunnel smuggling resumed shortly after the cease-fires were declared
Israeli air strikes have targeted the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, as part of Israel's response to an attack on one of its frontier patrols on Tuesday.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7855086.stm

(#2) Obama reaches out to Muslim world
07:51 GMT, Tuesday, 27 January 2009
President Obama speaking to Al-Arabiya about Iran
US President Barack Obama has used his first formal TV interview since taking office to reach out to the Muslim world - saying Americans are not its enemy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7852650.stm

(#3) Holocaust a 'big lie': Iran govt spokesman
Jan 27 08:20 AM US/Eastern
Iran 's government spokesman on Tuesday branded the Holocaust a "big lie" created to place the Islamic republic's arch-foe Israel in the Middle East , the state IRNA news agency reported. "The Holocaust is a concept coming from a big lie in order to settle a rootless regime in the heart of the Islamic world," Gholam Hossein Elham told a conference on Gaza in central Iran 's religious city of Qom .
Flashback: Ahmadinejad -- Why Isn’t The Holocaust ‘Open To All Forms Of Research’?
Pope Reinstates Holocaust-Denying Bishop Who Believes No Jews Died in Gas Chambers
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.dcc1dae7280236f3833645ed9fa891cb.5e1&show_article=1

(#4) Iran: US policy must 'profoundly change'
Jan 28, 2009 18:24
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Wednesday for "profound changes" in US foreign policy - including an end to support for Israel and an apology to the Islamic republic for past misdeeds.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1233050195062

(#5) Israel's chief rabbinate severs Vatican ties
Jan 28 03:04 PM US/Eastern
Jerusalem (AP) - Israel's chief rabbinate severed ties with the Vatican on Wednesday to protest a papal decision to reinstate a bishop who publicly denied 6 million Jews were killed during the Holocaust. The Jewish state's highest religious authority sent a letter to the Holy See expressing "sorrow and pain" at the papal decision. "It will be very difficult for the chief rabbinate of Israel to continue its dialogue with the Vatican as before," the letter said. Chief rabbis of both the Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews were parties to the letter.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D960BMO80&show_article=1

(#6) Israel expels Venezuela envoy
16:33 GMT, Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Hugo Chavez had called on Israelis to stand up against their government
Israel says it has ordered Venezuela's diplomats to leave the country, following the decision by Venezuela to sever diplomatic relations.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7856612.stm

(#7) Israel 'no mercy' officer rebuked
15:12 GMT, Wednesday, 28 January 2009
The Israeli military campaign in Gaza lasted three weeks
The Israeli military says it has "severely reprimanded" an officer who distributed a booklet to troops that advised they show no mercy to enemies.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7856384.stm

(#8) Gaza detainee treatment 'inhuman'
18:17 GMT, Wednesday, 28 January 2009
It is not known how many Palestinians were detained during the operation
Palestinians seized during Israel's operation in Gaza faced "appalling" conditions and "inhuman" treatment, Israeli human rights groups have said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7856372.stm

(#9) Tehran 'can co-operate with US'
17:13 GMT, Thursday, 29 January 2009
“Real change in Washington's policy in the Middle East would enable Iran to have a "co-operative" attitude towards the US, Iran's foreign minister says.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/davos/7859070.stm

(#9) Netanyahu: Iran nukes trump global economy
Thu Jan 29, 8:19 am ET (AP)
BBC DAVOS, Switzerland – Israeli election front-runner Benjamin Netanyahu told a session of the World Economic Forum on Thursday that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons ranks far above the global economy among the challenges facing leaders of the 21st century.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090129/ap_on_re_eu/davos_forum_netanyahu

(#10) US envoy to meet Palestinian head
09:46 GMT, Thursday, 29 January 2009
Mitchell says it is critical to extend the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire
George Mitchell, the new US president's envoy to the Middle East, is to hold talks with Palestinian leaders amid continuing violence in the Gaza Strip.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7857398.stm

(#11) Turkish PM storms off in Gaza row
23:52 GMT, Thursday, 29 January 2009
Turkey's prime minister has stormed off the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos after a heated debate on Gaza with Israel's president. Recep Tayyip Erdogan clashed with Shimon Peres, whose voice had risen as he made an impassioned defence of Israel's actions, jabbing his finger. Mr Erdogan said Mr Peres had spoken so loudly to conceal his "guilt".
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Turkey is one of the few Muslim countries to have dealings with Israel, but relations have been under strain since the Islamist-rooted AK Party was elected to power in 2002.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/davos/7859417.stm

(#12) Top Israeli official blasts Spanish court's probe
January 30, 2009 -updated 1 hour, 47 minutes ago
Jerusalem (CNN) -- A top Israeli official named as a suspect in a war crimes investigation by Spain's high court has lambasted the move, claiming Spanish law is siding with terrorist organizations. The case names former Israeli Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer and six other Israelis. Israel's Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer is one of seven Israelis under investigation by Spain's National Court over a 2002 bombing in Gaza that killed 15 people and injured more than 150 others. He was then the defense minister.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/01/30/spain.israel.gaza.lawsuit/index.html

Conclusion
As can clearly be seen, there has been a sharp increase of strain in the area of foreign policy for Israel. Importantly, it seems that Israel has also suffered a setback in its foreign policy in terms of likely changes in international relations, notably involving the USA which may take a more balanced approach to participants in the conflict. The international community also appears to be showing less tolerance for the hard line reactions of the Israel government even if dealing with extremist elements in the Palestine community. Accordingly, the prediction may be considered to have been realised. This is raising the confidence in the 21° Capricorn rising chart.

Looking ahead

Given the charged and unresolved state of affairs, it will be interesting to follow the developments in coming weeks when transit 12th lord Jupiter will become conjunct the transit nodal axis and oppose the natal Moon. At that time, there could be further losses for Israel in relation to the indications of the Moon.

Political strain ahead

Around 2:23 am GMT on January 29, 2009, following a solar eclipse on January 26, the transiting Sun will become conjunct stationary Rahu at 15° 17' Capricorn (in the sidereal zodiac) and opposite Ketu at 15° 17' Cancer. This conjunction suggests serious strain in the political life of countries with 15° rising or planets placed at this degree in Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces. Israel is likely to have a setback, possibly in the area of foreign policy. The UK may also experience some setback. The strain is predicted to be most acutely felt around 24 hours before and after the conjunction becomes exact.

Rahu and Ketu are maximum and minimum points in the Moon’s orbit around the Earth that intersect with the Earth's ecliptic orbit around the Sun. The ancients followed the nodes in order to predict solar and lunar eclipses. The meaning of the planets becoming conjunct the stationary nodal axis is explained in the article the truth about eclipses.

The horoscope of the United Kingdom

Most astrologers are in agreement that the authentic horoscope for the United Kingdom is based on the Act of Union which took effect at midnight on January 1, 1801.

Below, the historical account of the 16° Virgo rising chart for the United Kingdom is presented. Based on this chart an accurate prediction was made on September 9, 2007 of many financial problems ahead, but especially during the Saturn sub-period from May 2008 to June 2009. This prediction has been realised.

Historical basis of the chart
“The Act of Union, passed in 1800, formed a new country ‘The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland’ by uniting England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. A new flag - the Union Jack - was created for it which had components from the flags of each member state. All regional parliaments were abolished, and instead the entire UK was to be ruled from a centralised London parliament. For most Irish, there wasn't a noticeable difference, but it meant the Irish government representatives could not pass laws on their own”[1].

Kingdom of Great Britain of 1707
The Act of Union of 1707 effected the union of England and Scotland into a single kingdom, called Great Britain, the "political term describing the political union of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland made on 1 May 1707 under Queen Anne of England - "the two kingdoms of Scotland and England shall...be united into one kingdom by the name of Great Britain"[2].

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
On January 1, 1801 in London, King George R issued following proclamation “as to the Royal Style and Titles and as to the Ensigns Armorial, Standard, and Union Jack.” In the act it was stated that “Whereas by the first article of the articles of Union of Great Britain and Ireland, ratified and confirmed by two Acts of Parliament, the one passed in the Parliament of Great Britain, and the other in the Parliament of Ireland, and respectively intituled, An Act for the Union of Great Britain and Ireland, it was declared, That the said Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland should upon this day, being the 1st day of January, in the year of our Lord 1801, for ever after be united in One Kingdom, by the name of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland…“ This act took effect at midnight on this day creating the entity still known as the United Kingdom (UK)[2]. Importantly, the formation of the UK replaced the union known as Great Britain. The time gives 16° Virgo rising in the sidereal zodiac.

Changes to the Union in 1927
Changes to the Union in the early 20th century did not alter the governing institutions or symbols of the country. In the early 20th century, the push for Irish independence accelerated. Following the 1916 rebellion, a separate parliamentary election in Ireland in 1918, elected the Sinn Fein party into majority with 66 seats[3]. On 21 January 1919, 27 of the parliamentarians (with 35 in British prison and 4 having been killed) gathered in the Mansion House in Dublin to establish an Irish Free State (Dáil Éireann). After the partition of Ireland into South and North Ireland on May 3, 1921, the UK agreed in principle on December 6, 1921 to the Anglo-Irish Treaty allowing the Irish Free State to secede from the Union. The Irish Free State created by the Treaty came into force on 6 December 1922 by royal proclamation after its constitution had been enacted by the Third Dáil and the British parliament[4]. The Dominion of Northern Ireland decided to remain in the UK. Due to this change, it was on 12th April 1927, over four years later, that King George R.I. issued the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act, 1927, which provided “…for the alteration of the Royal Style and Titles and of the Style of Parliament.” In the act it was stated that “It shall be lawful for His Most Gracious Majesty, by His Royal Proclamation under the Great Seal of the Realm, issued within six months after the passing of this Act, to make such alteration in the style and titles at present appertaining to the Crown as to His Majesty may seem fit.[2]” Hence, this change in the Union was not seen by the Crown to herald the creation of a new union but simply to be an alteration of the existing one.

Natal Potential
According to the Systems' Approach, the sign Virgo in the ascendant would give the British an "attractive and charming" character. Virgo is a “negative, human, earthy and barren sign and rules the power of analysis and discrimination”. This sign brings the qualities of “thoroughness and critical thinking” to the fore. The sign also gives realism to the approach, with the ‘pros and cons’ of each situation weighed carefully. The British would be lovers of art and literature and be truthful. They would tend to be “appreciative of events liked by them” and have a characteristic of being “practical and composed.” The advice given to British gentlemen to 'keep a stiff upper lip’ is indicative of this sign. Being worrisome or uptight is another characteristic of Virgo’s owing to frequent transit afflictions by functional malefic planets in the chart. The Sun, Saturn and Mars are functional malefic planets in the chart in addition to the Moon’s nodes, Rahu and Ketu.

Mercury is the ruler of the horoscope. With the planet of communications placed in the 3rd house, the British put an emphasis on good communication and transport. It also gives the country an entrepreneurial and ruling disposition. The aspect of Rahu in the 7th house to Mercury can bring periodic problems to these fields. With 2nd lord Venus well placed in the 5th house of creativity, entertainment and speculation, it is not surprising to find many world famous artists coming from Britain, including the Beatles. The placement of Venus is also consistent with a prominent financial management industry. The aspect from Ketu in the 1st house would imbue these areas with wit but also suggest sudden setbacks. The placement of Ketu in the 1st house also adds to the peculiar image of the British in the world, and seen in their dry and often surreal sense of humor, e.g. in the art of Peter Sellers and Monthy Python. The well placed Mercury and an exalted 4th lord Jupiter have given the British affluence and a high standard of living. The 11th lord Moon, while in old age, is well placed in the 10th house. Along with the placement of Mercury and Venus, this is consistent with the UK being one of the major financial centers in the world. The affliction of the 12th lord Sun on the 4th and 10th houses, bring setbacks to housing, automotive production and communal harmony, as well as the government administration. The weak and bad placement of 6th lord Saturn suggests the financial stability of the country is vulnerable to setbacks. Mars as 8th lord of easy gains but also obstacles and endings, is strong and well placed in the 8th house. This would give a strong military. However, the weak placement of the 6th lord Saturn in the 12th house, would suggest continual losses emanating from foreign countries. From there, Mars afflicts the 11th house of income, the 2nd house of wealth and 3rd house of initiative, which explains not only the easy gains in these areas but also major setbacks to these indications throughout the history of the country.

The rise and fall of the British Empire
The dramatic rise and fall of the British Empire is seen in the chart. Combined, the placements of 12th lord Sun, 6th lord Saturn and 8th lord Mars explain the fall of the British Empire. After establishing an empire on which the 'sun did not set', the British saw their empire gradually lost during the 20th century. Following World War II, the Pax Americana replaced the earlier Pax Brittannica. Hitler and the Nazis had also turned London into rubble with an endless bombardment with the V-2 rockets and India, the jewel in the Empire's crown, was lost.
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Interestingly, the '50 year rule' states that for each 1° orb of seperation in a natal aspect the full impact of the aspect is felt 50 years from the nation's birth. As the natal 12th lord Sun is at 19° 06' Sagittarius and it is conjunct the most effective point (MEP) of the 4th house at 16° 00' Sagittarius , we would expect this natal affliction to the 4th and 10th hosues to become fully felt 150 years from the founding, or around 1955. Moreover, as the aspect is natally not that strong, the impact is less than it otherwise could be, making it easier for the country to recover from setbacks. By comparison, the relatively wide conjunction of 8th lord Mars at 20° 40' to the MEPs of the 11th, 2nd and 3rd houses at 16° Cancer, Libra and Scorpio, respectively, would only be marginally felt around the year 2135.

Great Irish Famine of 1840s
One of the most trying periods for many people in the United Kingdom was undoubtedly the famine that afflicted Ireland in the mid 19th century. The famie resulted in mass starvation and deaths, and a decline in the population of Ireland by 20% from 1841 to 1851. The dire situation resulted in the desperate Young Irelander Rebellion (sometimes called "Famine Rebellion"), which took place on July 29, 1848 in the village of Ballingarry, County Tipperary, Ireland. The revolt was crushed by the British forces[5].

Interestingly, “1848 was a year of revolutions throughout continental Europe. In February 1848, King Louis-Philippe of France was overthrown and the Second Republic was proclaimed in Paris. This revolution sent political shock waves across Europe, and revolutions broke out in Berlin, Vienna, Rome, Prague, and Budapest. At least temporarily, absolutist governments were replaced by liberal administrations, near universal suffrage was introduced and elections were held to constituent assemblies to draw up new national constitutions. It was sometimes described as the "springtime of the people." A conjunction of transit Saturn with the nodal axis took place.

In the UK chart, the Ketu major period and Saturn sub-period was operating making this energy strongly felt. At the time of the uprisings, transit Ketu at 0° 39' Pisces was conjunct transit 6th lord Saturn at 3° 07' Pisces and 7th house making for an explosive crisis and suffering among ordinary people.

Battle of Britain in 1940
Another dramatic event is the the Battle of Britain which was a sustained strategic effort by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) during the summer and autumn of 1940 to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force (RAF), especially Fighter Command. The name derives from a speech made on 18 June 1940 in the House of Commons by Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He said: "The Battle of France is over. I expect the Battle of Britain is about to begin..."

The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces. It was the largest and most sustained bombing campaign attempted up until that date. The failure of Nazi Germany to reach its objectives - to destroy Britain's air defence or to force Britain out of the war by forcing an armistice or surrender - is considered both its first major defeat and a crucial turning point in the war. Had it been successful, the planned amphibious and airborne forces landings in Britain of Operation Sealion may have followed. As the Battle progressed, operations were extended to the strategic level: systematic destruction of aircraft production centres and ground infrastructure. Eventually the Luftwaffe and the RAF resorted to attacking areas of political significance and terror bombing tactics.

British historians date the battle from 10 July to 31 October 1940, which represented the most intense period of daylight bombing. German historians usually place the beginning of the battle in mid-August 1940 and end it in May 1941, on the withdrawal of the bomber units in preparation for Operation Barbarossa, the Campaign against the USSR on 22 June 1941. The Battle can be roughly divided into four phases: 10 July–11 August: Kanalkampf, ("the Channel battles"). 12 August–23 August: Adlerangriff ("Eagle Attack"), the early assault against the coastal airfields. 24 August–6 September: the Luftwaffe targets the airfields. The critical phase of the battle. 7 September onwards: the day attacks switch to British towns and cities.

Bombing of London
On 7 September 1940 a massive series of raids involving nearly four hundred bombers and more than six hundred fighters targeted docks in the East End of London, day and night…On 13 October, Hitler again postponed the invasion until the spring of 1941; however, the invasion never happened, and October is regarded as the month in which regular bombing of Britain ended [6].

Saturn major period and Rahu sub-period. Transit Rahu at 18° 15' Virgo conjunct most effecitve point of 1st house and natal Ketu at 22° 59' Virgo. Transit Saturn at 21° 38' Aries and 8th house conjunct natal 8th lord Mars at 20° 40' Aries and transit 4th lord Jupiter at 22° 38'. Transit Mars at 18° 53' Leo conjunct MEP of 12th house and transit 12th lord Sun at 21° 32' Leo.

Present economic crisis
The UK economy has been struggling with intensifying difficulties in the financial sector. This was foreseen based on the horoscope for the country.

Message #14035 on Sun Sep 9, 2007 5:25 am
"If we look at the UK 16° Virgo rising chart we can see that there are many indications of problems with financial stability in the months ahead, and even in the next year or two [7]."

Northern Rock goes bankrupt
On 14 September 2007, the bank Northern Rock sought and received a liquidity support facility from the Bank of England, following problems in the credit markets. On 22 February 2008 the bank was taken into state ownership[8].

Message on SAMVA list on August 30, 2008
"The outlook for the UK economy is not particularily bright at the moment. In the 16° Virgo rising chart, Ma/Sa period is operating. Natally, 6th lord SATURN is badly placed and weak due to also infancy at 2° 17' Leo in the 12th house. Its dispositor, 12th lord SUN, is well placed at 19° Sagittarius, but its strength is zapped by its own afflicting aspect to the 4th house where it resides and the 10th house. So, the indications for financial stability are not very good in the UK chart…Not surprisingly, during a period of the lord of financial stability (a 6th house matter) placed in the house of losses is operating and when the transits turn quite bad, the Chancellor the Exchequer (equivalent to a Minister of Finance in most countries or Secretary of the Treasury in the USA), Alistair Darling, has admitted to the grave difficulty.

Darling warns of economic crisis
07:50 GMT, Saturday, 30 August 2008 08:50 UK
The UK is facing its worst economic crisis in 60 years, Chancellor Alistair Darling has admitted. He told the Guardian newspaper that the economic downturn would be more "profound and long-lasting" than most people had feared [9]. "

Message on SAMVA list on November 12, 2008
"We can estimate that the UK, a major world economy, will see financial trouble into the second quarter of next year, and then in the fourth quarter things will begin to improve. In the UK Chart, from the end of November, the axis will afflict within two degrees of all odd numbered houses (Rahu/Ketu are in the 5/11 houses). After the end of Feb 2009, it separates by 1 degree. The financial health (amongst other elements) of the country will be especially shaky during this period. From mid year 2009 the subperiod changes very positively, and in September the Lord of financial solvency moves from the house of losses."

Recession
On January 23, 2009 it was declared by the UK authorities that the economy had formally entered recession.

Conclusion
The Virgo rising chart for the Union of Great Britain and Ireland gives an accurate reading of the natal potential of the country and of significant events. As such it serves as a basis of accurate predictions based on it.

Sources
[1] http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/history/18001877.html
[2] http://www.heraldica.org/topics/britain/britstyles.htm
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Ireland
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Irish_Treaty
[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Irelander_Rebellion_of_1848
[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Britain
[7] http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SAMVA/message/14035
[8] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalisation_of_Northern_Rock
[9] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7589291.stm

Financial concerns ahead

In the SAMVA USA chart, the transits in coming months suggest increased concerns about financial stability in the USA. One result could be a drop in the value of the dollar.

A review of the dollar shows that it has fluctuated quite a bit since 1973. Recently, the volatility has increased, with the dollar on a weakening trend from early 2003 to mid 2008. During the crisis in the fall, there was a well known phenomena of a 'flight to safety' as investors with positions in other international currencies moved their funds into the US dollar for safe keeping. This sharply reversed the earlier down-trend and the dollar strengthened. It is now predicted that the growing debt of the US government will shake the confidence of investors with potential ramifications for the dollar, which could again weaken.

Late 1978
In 1978 the dollar weakened and reached a trough in October of that year when transit stationary Ketu at 3° Pisces and 9th house afflicted natal Jupiter at 4° Scorpio and 5th house. Transit Jupiter also afflicted Mercury as 3rd lord in Capricorn and 7th house. As 6th lord Jupiter rules over financial stability in the chart and inflation became a growing concern during the latter part of the 1970s. In the closing months of 1978, transit Saturn as 8th lord of obstacles also became stationary on the most effective point of the second house of wealth. Even if the favourable Mercury-Sun period was operating, these stationary transit afflicitons increased worries about "stagflation" - a combination of sluggish economic activity and rising inflation.

Early 2009
A similar combination will occur in the first half of 2009, when the Venus-Jupiter and Venus-Saturn periods are operating. At that time, transit Jupiter will become conjunct transit stationary Rahu at 15° Capricorn and 7th house. The Jupiter sub-period is running until mid February. As Jupiter is weak in Capricorn, its sign of debilitation, its indications will likely suffer during such a time. Transit Jupiter will also afflict natal 3rd lord Mercury. This suggests concerns about financial stability will again become prominent among investors, which could reduce confidence in the US dollar. The cause will likely be the new and more expansionary economic policy of the Obama Administration, which needs to be financed by attracting foreign investments into US assets. In relation to the dollar, we should in particular note the transit of 2nd lord Sun which will become conjunct the transit stationary Rahu at 15° Capricorn and 7th house in late January, shortly after a solar eclipse. From February 13, 2009 the Sun will also pass through Aquarius and the 8th house of obstacles and endings. Until this time, transit 8th lord Saturn in late Leo is also receiving an afflicting aspect from natal Saturn at 27° Scorpio. Moreover, from April to July 2009, after the Saturn sub-period has begun operating, transit 8th lord Saturn will become stationary at 21° Leo and the most effective point of the 2nd house. At this time, economic activity could become sluggish with also concerns about the nations' wealth and the strength of the currency.

Cautionary note
It should be pointed out that it is relatively more straightfoward to predict financial stability concerns in a country than the value of its's currency. At the same time, such developments are sometimes linked. Ideally, when predicting relative strength of currencies the national horoscopes of other countries should also be studied. However, as this is time consuming it is skipped here. While this reduces somewhat the confidence in the prediction for the currency it does not affect the confidence in the prediction for changes in the financial concerns.

Predictions for the USA in 2009

The year 2009 will be marked by efforts to resolve major problems facing the USA, both in foreign relations and the economy. The trend is clearly towards populist reforms in the wake of the collapse and public rescue of the financial sector. While the financial crisis is due to excessive risk taking, the popular resentment is focused on the stunning excesses in the renumeration of the CEOs responsible for the crisis.

The trends and developments in the USA will influence developments in other parts of the world. While continued setbacks are seen for the US in early 2009, things are expected to turn more positive as the year closes. A discussion of the predictions and their historical and astrological underpinnings follows. In particular, there is predicted to be a strong similarity with the trends of the previous Venus-Saturn period 120 years ago.

Successful predictions for 2008
The predictions are based on an application of the System's Approach to the SAMVA USA chart (Perpetual Union). Most of the predictions for the USA in 2008 made on the basis of this chart have been realised, as documented in several articles, including Crisis in the Fall, A bad year for Venus and More accurate stock market predictions on this blog.

Saturn afflicted as year opens
The year opens with transit 8th lord SATURN at 27° Leo in the 2nd house under close afflicting aspect from natal SATURN at 27° Scorpio and 5th house. This aspect, which began in December 2008, signals setbacks for the indications of Saturn. Indeed, economic conditions are expected to remain cool in 2009 with working people faced with rising unemployment and stagnant incomes. Things mined from the ground, such as oil, have been affected by afflictions of Saturn since 2008, with slowing global demand putting a downward pressure on the price of oil. This trend is expected to continue into February. As explained in the article Riddle of the oil price resolved, the oil price has historically tended to peak during the transit of Saturn in Leo. The successive intense afflictions of Saturn during 2008 saw it sharply reduced. As Saturn remains in Leo until September 2009, the oil price could recover when the present affliction lifts.

Solar eclipse in late January
A solar eclipse will take place on January 26, which will be followed by the transit Sun becoming conjunct the transit stationary nodes on January 29. The effect of this conjunction has been described in the article The truth about Eclipses.

In the 20° Cancer rising chart for the USA, the stationary RAHU at 15° Capricorn will become conjunct the transit 2nd lord SUN on January 29, 2009, three days after a solar eclipse. The conjunction will bring difficulty to the President and highly placed persons, notably in the field of foreign relations.

[In late January], 6th lord JUPITER will be at 12° Capricorn conjunct the natal 3rd lord MERCURY at 12° Capricorn in the 7th house, suggesting conflict associated with US business intitatives abroad.

In short, this aspect notably influences those persons and countries with 15° rising in the chart or planets placed at this degree in the even numbered signs of Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces. One country likely to be affected is US ally Israel .

Setbacks to financial stability
In early February, a transit debilitated Jupiter will become conjunct transit stationary Rahu in Capricorn and the 7th house. At that time, sub-period of Jupiter will still be in operation. As Jupiter is 6th lord, it rules e.g. the financial stability in the country, while Rahu rules manipulation. The combination of two malefics is seldom good news, especially when one is weak in transit and the other one stationary. As a result, there may be setbacks related to these indications, with discoveries of illegal or unethical activities possible at that time. As the conjunction takes place in the 7th house, the events may have to do with international investors or foreign developments.

Saturn sub-period begins
On February 17, 2009 the Saturn sub-period begins and the indications of Saturn and the influences it has in the chart will become the basis of trends over the next few years.

In the 20° Cancer rising SAMVA USA chart, Saturn functions as the 8th lord. Due to its placement in old age in the sign of Scorpio it is of minimum strength. As 8th lord it contributes some disturbing influences of obstacles, endings and base desires to 5th house indications of creativity, intelligence, romance, entertainment and management in society. The aspect of Saturn to Sun contributes to other indications showing setbacks in the matter of wealth of the nation and the number of assassination made on the life of the heads of state.

During this period, the focus will shift gradually from the financial stability concerns of recent years during the Jupiter sub-period to issues indicated by Saturn. As 8th lord, there will be increased awareness of obstacles and endings in the national life during the Saturn period, but also on easy gains for the common people, such as through changes in the tax code or other reforms. As Saturn is a general indicator of the economy, working people and things mined from the ground the reforms and issues will be focused on these areas of the national life. The economy may become sluggish at this time. Moreover, as Saturn is natally placed in the 5th house, problems will tend to be found in the domain of national life ruled by this house. In other words, the focus will be on problems in the management of the economy or of ordinary or disenfranchised people. Obstacles will also be felt in the area of speculation on financial and other markets and in the life of institutions of higher learning or the software and entertainment industries. As Saturn afflicts the 2nd lord Sun in the chart, the period will be characterised by obstacles and challenges facing the wealth and status of the country as well as the US President.

Rhymes of history
Mark Twain once said "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Given astrological cycles or the recurrence of planetary periods, history can indeed serve as a guide to what to expect, such as in the Venus-Saturn period. This very same major- and sub-period ran for the first time in the SAMVA USA chart 120 years ago, from February 17, 1889 to April 19, 1892. As Saturn represents the common people, there were several themes prominent during the Saturn period involving the democratic rights of people, both in social and economic legislation. The national economy, however, had become sluggish as it struggled against the deflationary impact of the gold standard.

The role of transits
The transits during this period, however, were different, with transit Jupiter in 2009 about 15 months earlier in the cycle compared to the placement of transit Jupiter in 1889. Likewise, sub-period lord Saturn is about 32 months ahead (2 .5 years) of its transit placement in 1889. Meanwhile, the nodes are several years, or about 122 months, behind their placement 120 years earlier. As the sub-period indicates the trend of things while transits are helpful to time significant events, this may explain why unemployment is beginning to rise already in 2009 following continous afflictions to transit Saturn since 2008. By comparison, unemployment began to rise only in 1893 after the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad company went bankrupt on February 23 of that year, followed by bankruptcies of other railroad companies and a general panic on the stock market. The crisis broke as transit 8th lord Saturn stationary afflicted the 3rd house of transportation, 5th house of speculation, 9th house of luck and 12th house of losses. A month earlier, transit 6th lord Jupiter had stationary afflicted natal 8th lord Saturn. A few months before that, transit Rahu and Ketu were stationary conjunct their natal placements, reminiscent of a similar but closer contact in in the Autumn of 1929 when also the more malefic Ketu sub-period was operating from October 1929, making a significant difference for the overall trends at that time.

Trends and events during the 1890s
In 1889, the Oklahoma Land Rush took place on April 22, giving settlers a chance to obtain land for free. This is an expression of the easy gains associated with Saturn as 8th lord that also benefits common people.

That same year, the Native American Ghost Dance Movement began as an attempt of a group of North American Indian tribes to further separate themselves from the white man and the religious doctrines they were forcing upon the tribal peoples. This movement was brought to an end by the Seventh Cavalry of the US Army in December 1890 in the Wounded Knee Massacre. The famous chief Sitting Bull was one of the many Indians killed.

In 1890, the segregationist Jim Crow Laws became the law of the land and resistance to these laws by Black Americans and their supporters was highlighted in the Case of the Louisiana Traveler, but to now avail at the time. On August 12, the Mississippi Constitutional Convention began systematic exclusion of Blacks from the politics of South with the socalled Mississippi Plan. In 1891, the largest Mass-Lynching in U.S. History took place in New Orleans, involving the lynching of 11 Italians. This violent act provoked an international crisis as Italy formally protested and demanded restitution to the families of the victims.

In the Saturn period, there was a major reaction to the “Gilded Age” (1877-1890) , which refers to extravagant displays of wealth and excess of America's upper-class during the post-Civil War and post-Reconstruction era.

The Populist Party (originally the People's Party) was established in 1891 when the Knights of Labor and Farmers' Alliance joined forces. The party advocated the public ownership of the railroads, steamship lines and telephone and telegraph systems. It also supported the free and unlimited coinage of silver, the abolition of national banks, a system of graduated income tax and the direct election of United States Senators.

The Presidency of Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893) is best known for its economic legislation, including the the Sherman Antitrust Act and the McKinley Tariff , and for annual federal spending that reached one billion dollars for the first time. Democrats attacked the "Billion Dollar Congress", and used the issue, along with the growing unpopularity of the high tariff, to defeat the Republicans, both in the 1890 mid-term elections and in Harrison's bid for reelection in 1892. In 1890, the McKinley Tariff was introduced, setting the average ad valorem tariff rate for imports to the United States at 48.4% in order to protect manufacturing. In return for its passage, the Sherman Silver Purchase Act was given Republican support. The tariff raised import costs and prices in the United States, which is considered to have contributed to the Panic of 1893.

On July 2, 1890, the famous Sherman Antitrust Act was passed, becoming the first United States Federal statute to limit cartels and monopolies. The law was based on a public anger over the abusive business practices of the Robber Barons during the Gilded Age. The term is a reference to businessmen and bankers who dominated their respective industries and amassed huge personal fortunes, typically as a direct result of pursuing various anti-competitive or unfair business practices.

Paralells to our own time
It is now easier to see some historical paralells to our own time. President Obama was elected on a surge of populist resentments, including against business excesses. The focus of his administration is likely to be on reigning in and in preventing such excesses from taking place again as well as "spreading the wealth around." At the same time, it is likely that populist economic reforms will be associated with sluggishness in the business sector and that this may result in his administration not being reelected for a second term.

Transits from March 2009
Fortunately, the affliction by natal Saturn of transit Saturn at the beginning of the year will have begun to separate when its period begins in mid February. However, another important affliction will be felt by Saturn at 21° Leo during the middle of the year as discussed below.

In late March, transit 6th lord Jupiter will become conjunct natal 2nd lord Sun, suggesting conflict abroad becomes a temporary strain for the US President.

In April, when the nodes will be moving in retrograde motion at normal speed, transit Rahu will become conjunct natal 3rd lord Mercury. This could create some minor problems for the indications of Mercury, such as buisness initiatives, communication or transportation.

In the second half of April, transit 8th lord Saturn will slow down and settle into stationary motion conjunct the most effective point of the 2nd house in the SAMVA USA chart. This combination is expected to create problems for the stock market and relations with neighboring countries. During this time, there could be strain for the US President while transit 6th lord Jupiter is conjunct natal 2nd lord Sun.

From May to July, 6th lord Jupiter will be in the sign Aquarius and the 8th house. This suggests that the indications of this planet will continue weak and beset by problems. During the same time, the sub-period lord Saturn, as 8th lord of obstacles and endings, will transit afflict the 2nd house of wealth, 4th house of fixed assets and 11th house of income, suggesting problems for these areas of national life. The summer months will likely be the low point of the economy during the year.

In June, transit Rahu in Capricorn and 7th house will afflict the 1st lord Moon in Taurus and 11th house. This suggests that problems involving manipulation or deception in the business life or foreign policy will place a strain on the otherwise healthy self image of Americans. The problems will be felt while Rahu goes stationary at around 6° Capricorn during the summer months.

During the summer months transit stationary Ketu at 6° Cancer and first house will cast an aspect on natal 6th lord Jupiter at 4° 25' Scorpio and 5th house. This suggests that sudden revelations or problems concerning financial stability will aggravate the problems. There could also be sudden problems with terrorism.

After Saturn begins to move out of the most effective point of the 2nd house in July, a more favourable feeling will emerge concerning the economy. However, it is only in August when the nodal station begins to lift that the strains for the US and global financial system will seem to give way to more a positive outlook for the economy.

On September 10, Saturn will move into the sign of Virgo and the 3rd house of the SAMVA USA chart where it will remain for over two years. This transit is expected to be associated with improved employment conditions in the economy, but notably in sectors associated with the sign Virgo and its ruler Mercury, notably in high tech production and analytical activities.

From September to November, transit Jupiter, as 6th lord of conflict, will be stationary at 23° Capricorn and the 7th house. In this degree, Jupiter is conjunct natal 2nd lord Sun of SAMVA USA chart. This placement will place a grave strain on the US President, and the wealth and status of the country. Concerns over terrorism or financial stability may reemerge, prompting changes in the US foreign or economic policy at that time. In October, transit Rahu will briefly afflict transit 8th lord Saturn, while transit Saturn and transit Ketu afflict natal Jupiter. These aspects are likely to briefly revive concerns over the economy.

On November 3, transit Rahu will enter Sagittarius and the 6th house while transit Ketu enters Gemini and the 12th house. In these malefic houses, the Moon's nodes are expected to inflict more harm. However, it will only be in 2010 that this is felt in terms of the SAMVA USA chart.

In December, transit 8th lord Saturn will begin to settle into aspect to natal 10th lord Mars in Scorpio and 5th house. At the same time, natal Saturn will afflict transit Jupiter in late Capricorn. This could be a challenging time for the US military. With Saturn becoming stationary around 11° Virgo, the aspect to Mars would be felt into 2010.

Birth of Israel

There is an ongoing debate among astrologers about the birth of the State of Israel. Some view the founding moment to have been when a ceremonial meeting was held to unilaterally declare the establishment of the state of Israel while others have focused on the process set out by the United Nations for the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine culminating in the end of the British Mandate for Palestine.

Declaration of Establishment of State of Israel
During the morning of May 14, 1948 in Tel Aviv, members of the People’s Council were secretly called to a meeting for 16:00 on that day. At that meeting, David Ben Gurion read out the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel. The reading lasted until 16:16 and was followed by a signing of the declaration by the council members, which was concluded at 16:32 or 16:37. Many astrologers have erected horoscopes for Israel based on one of these times.

In the Declaration of May 14, 1948 there is the following revealing passage:

WE DECLARE that, with effect from the moment of the termination of the Mandate being tonight, the eve of Sabbath, the 6th Iyar, 5708 (15th May, 1948), until the establishment of the elected, regular authorities of the State in accordance with the Constitution which shall be adopted by the Elected Constituent Assembly not later than the 1st October 1948, the People's Council shall act as a Provisional Council of State, and its executive organ, the People's Administration, shall be the Provisional Government of the Jewish State, to be called "Israel" [1].

On May 14, the papers Ha'aretz and Yediot Achronot declared this day as

Last Day of Foreign Rule [2]

In other words, the common understanding was that British rule was in effect until May 15th. This implies a mutual understanding of the Israelis and the British that sovereignity would be established at midnight.

Proclaimed at midnight
The headline in the Palestine Post (published in Jerusalem) on Sunday August 16, 1948 in bold letters declares STATE OF ISRAEL IS BORN and the text immediately following the headline reads:

The first independent Jewish State in 19 centuries was born in Tel Aviv as the British Mandate over Palestine came to an end at midnight on Friday...[3]

Moroever, the US goverment at 11 minutes PAST MIDNIGHT (Israel time) announced:

This government has been informed that a Jewish State HAS BEEN PROCLAIMED in Palestine. [2]

This statement comes further to light in view of additional reporting in the Palestine Post edition of May 16th:

The creation of the "Medinat Yisrael", the state of Israel, was PROCLAIMED AT MIDNIGHT on Friday by Mr. David Ben Gurion...[3]

In other words, even if the ceremony was held at 16.00 and not at midnight this was due to the Sabbath, which requires Israelis of the Jewish faith to be at home from sundown on Friday to sunrise on Saturday [4]. Nevertheless, the proclamation was considered to be made at midnight, validated by the fact that the US government recognised the proclamation only after it had been made at midnight (Israel time) and contemporary newspaper accounts. The British also validated the midnight time with the timing of their formal withdrawal from Palestine.

Britain's last High Commissioner
There is one additional and crucial piece of information to be gleaned from the front page of the Palestine Post on this day in an article titled Most Crowded Hours in Palestine's History. The excerpt of interest reads as follows:

On Friday afternoon, from Tel Aviv, came the expected announcement of the Jewish State, and its offical naming at birth, "Medinat Yisrael" - State of Israel, with the swearing in of the first Council of Government. The proclamation of the State was made at midnight, coinciding with the sailing from Haifa of Britain's last High Commissioner.

In other words, an event took place at midnight that was recognised by the Jewish people as a symbolic act heralding the birth of their state. The significance of this event was not lost on the Arabs either. With Palestine no longer a British territory and British troops having effectively departed, the Arab states invaded Israel on May 15th.

While it is a fact that the declaration was read out and signed in the afternoon, it is also clear that the signed document was not completed on this day, as all the required signatures were not added until about two months later. To this we can add that the delegates signed a document that explicitly says the state came into effect at midnight. It should thus be amply demonstrated that the declaration specified the exact time for the state of Israel to come into being; at midnight on May 15, 1948. The understanding that this time was the symbolic time of the birth of the new state was then highlighted in the major newspaper, which was written by professional Jewish journalists of the time and whom we can assume reflected a correct understanding of this most important event of their day.

Summary
The main narrative of the events on that historic day was thus as follows

1. PURPOSE: The DECLARATION on May 14 was only about THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATE of Israel.
- This is clearly stated in the title of the declaration.

2. TIMING: The declaration explicitly specified the END OF THE BRITISH MANDATE that same night as the time for the STATE TO COME INTO EFFECT.
- This is also clearly spelled out in the text of the declaration.

3. CONCLUSION: The STATE of Israel was born at MIDNIGHT on MAY 15,1948 in Tel Aviv.
- The creation of the state becomes the defining moment for the birth of the nation.

GEOPOLITICAL CONTEXT
For the benefit of those still sceptical or beholden to other interpretations it may be helpful to look more closely at the larger historical context of the founding of the new state.

The Palestine Problem
The Palestine problem is considered to have begun at the end of the First World War with the disintegration of the Turkish Ottoman Empire [5]. Palestine was at that time one of several former Ottoman Arab territories placed under the administration of Great Britain under the Mandates System adopted by the League of Nations pursuant to the League's Covenant (Article 22) . At the heart of the problem was an exodus of Jews from e.g. Europe to Palestine due to anti-semitism. Given their historic origins and initial exodus from Palestine, the Jewish people began to push for the formation of their own state there. This push for the re-establishment of a homeland for the Jewish People in Palestine developed into an international political movement termed Zionism. Following the persecution and genocide of Jews in Europe during World War II a resolution of the Palestine problem went to the top of the agenda of the international community.

UN Partition Plan for Palestine
On November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution outlining the 'Future Constitution and Government of Palestine [6].' It called for the establishment of a provisional government for the Jewish State, which would be subject to certain constitutional requirements and guarantees. It required the inhabitants of Israel to take such steps as were necessary on their part for the implementation of that constitutional form of government. Moreover, the solution became intimately linked to the involvement of the United Kingdom in Palestine since 1922 on the basis of an agreement for a Mandate for Palestine.

End of the British Mandate for Palestine
In the UN Partition Plan, the ending of the British Mandate was stipulated as follows: .
1. The Mandate for Palestine shall terminate as soon as possible but in any case not later than 1 August 1948 [7].

In view of either the push for a Jewish state or the guidance in the UN Plan to end the mandate "as soon as possible," the UK advanced the time schedule for the end of the Mandate to take place at midnight on May 15, 1948. At the same time, the leadership of the Jews of Palestine acted quickly and with some amount of secrecy to ceremonially declare the founding of the new state on the very last day of the mandate.

In other words, we can say that the historical evidence is clear on the course of events leading to Declaration ceremony. It was unambiguously driven by the ending of the mandate at midnight on May 15, 1948. The fact that the Declaration makes explicit reference to this time

"with effect from the moment of the termination of the Mandate being tonight"

shows clearly that the founding was timed to coincide with it.

Significance of the ending of the Mandate
The significance for the founding of the new state by the ending of the mandate appears to override that of the ceremony. The founding process was completely keyed to the ending of the mandate as guided by the UN Plan of 1947. The reason for this appears quite straightforward. There was staunch opposition by the Palestinian Arabs and neighbouring Arab states to the founding of a Jewish state in Palestine. This is quite clear given the arab invasion of Israel immediately after the ending of the mandate on August 15. It was therefore highly important for the Jewish state to be seen to be founded within the auspices of the UN Plan for it to have maximum international legitimacy.

Conclusion of historical evidence
The historical evidence is clear on the importance of the ending of the British Mandate in Palestine for the timing of the founding of the State of Israel. The Jewish state in Palestine took effect at midnight on May 15, 1948. This time gives 20° 56' Capricorn as ascendant in the sidereal zodiac.

ASTROLOGY OF THE CHART
It is accurate predictions that ultimately resolve debates about the birth time of collective entities. In particular, when

a) the authentic birth moment
b) an accurate method of horoscope interpretation
c) the correct interpretation by the astrologer

are combined, repeat accurate predictions should result, unambiguously settling such questions.

Capricorn rising chart for Israel
The Capricorn rising chart has a unique placement suggesting strife with neighbors. This is the placement of Ketu at 20° 53' - exactly on the rising degree in the 10th house (of the vedic sign=house system). From this point, Ketu, the lord of separation and sudden, even explosive events, aspects the 2nd house of neighbors, 4th house of communal harmony and the 6th house of fixity of views and conflict. Of course, Ketu also afflicts the 10th house of the executive government, signifying the burden on the government of the often sudden and strange developments. The exact affliction is consistent with the problems that Israel has faced with its neighbors from 'day one'.

Contrarywise, Rahu, the indicator for manipulation, deception and diplomacy, is placed on the most effective point of the 4th house, from where it aspects the 8th house of obstacles and endings, the 10th house and the 12th house of foreign matters and losses. Indeed, there would be frequent crisis in the collective psyche due to conflicts with the indigenous population, the muslim arabs.

The dispute of the Israelis and Palestinian arabs centers on the encroachment tendency of the Israeli's on land in Palestine since the creation of the state six decades ago [8]. This is consistent with Rahu exactly afflicting the 4th house of real estate, land and natural resources.

With the 2nd lord Saturn on the most effective point of the 7th house of foreign relations, Israel has quite a bit of authority internationally. With the 7th lord Moon well placed and strong in its own 7th house, gives Israel, as a country, a prominent international dimension. As the Moon is debilitated in the Navamsa (9th divisional) chart, its strength is reduced, undermining the contribution of the Moon in this regard and making the country vulnerable to setbacks when the Moon is afflicted in transit.

Mercury, as 9th lord of fortune, is favourably placed on the MEP of the 5th house, giving a young and dynamic population. Through the aspect of the lord of fortune on the most effective point of the 11th house, there is a steadfast friendship with the powerful USA, which has generously shared its financial, military and diplomatic resources with Israel.

As the 8th lord Sun is well placed but weak in the chart, the authority of the leader is normally not strong - opposed to the strong Presidency of the USA, as seen also in the SAMVA USA chart.

Mars as 4th lord is badly placed in the 8th house and under an afflicting aspect from Jupiter as 12th lord of losses. Moreover, as Jupiter is in the 12th house the aspect becomes more difficult. The condition of Mars in the chart is thus expected to give much upset to the collective harmony from setbacks such as deaths, losses and allround difficulties.

The placement of Jupiter as 12th lord in its own sign and house, is helpful to its own indications of foreign matters, losses, etc. However, the exact aspect of Rahu to the most effective point of the 12th house, reduces its strength and involves its indications is continual strain, which can be amplified during Rahu or Jupiter periods and slow moving transit afflictions. As Rahu is the planet of manipulation, deception and worldly desire and Jupiter is the planet of religion and expansion, there could be a tendency for manipulation regarding the religious life, dealings with foreigners and in foreign diplomacy. Moreover, as Rahu simultaneously afflicts the 8th house of death, which houses Mars the planet of the military, which is directly afflicted by 12th lord Jupiter, the participation of Israel in wars and conflicts runs the risk of being associated with the tragic loss of lives of Israeli military and police personnel.

As 10th lord Venus is badly placed in the 6th house, the country´s government is continually involved in conflict. There would also be fixity of views with regard to administrative matters, including foreign trade. Moreover, this placement undermines the comforts of the citizens and the condition of women in the country.

Finally, we can note that the Capricorn ascendant fits well with the 'personality' of the Jewish people. It is a sign owned by Saturn, a planet characterised as being stern and representing old things. Indeed, the country is based on the history of the Jewish people in Palestine, stretching back into the hoary mists of time, and the Jewish religion spanning millenia. Indeed, the ancient morality of the Jews is highlighted in such dictums as an eye for an eye. In fact, this seems to be the approach taken by the Israeli government and military when dealing with frequent attacks by hostile elements in the neighboring arab communities or countries. The horoscope for Israel resonates strongly with the chart for the USA. While the US has the opposite sign, Cancer, in the ascendant. Both horoscopes have

- 20° as the rising degree
- the authorative placement of 2nd lord on the most effective point of the 7th house
- afflicted 4th and 10th houses combined with a bad placement of the 4th lord, even if the condition of Israel is much worse in this regard.

Prediction
The difficulties facing Israel are likely to escalate and reach a boiling point towards the end of January and in first half of February.

Currently, the Moon-Sun period is operating. This puts the indications of the Moon and Sun, as read from the chart, into prominence. The most significant transit in the chart at the present time is the conjunction of stationary Ketu at 15° 27' Cancer in the 7th house with natal 7th lord Moon at 15° 57' Cancer. This aspect began to be felt in early December 2008 and became exact on December 25. As this aspect will be closely felt until late February 2009, this suggests a grave strain on the indications of the Moon, including foreign relations, the public and the Israeli cabinet in the first months of the new year.

As a side note, this is also a potent factor to explain why the other charts don´t add up. In relation to other times proposed on this day, we can see that on May 14, 1948 in Tel Aviv, the Moon was (in the sidereal zodiac)

- at 4.00 pm at 11° 12' Cancer (29° 54' Virgo rising)
- at 4.37 pm at 11° 34' Cancer (7° 44' Libra rising)

Clearly, the nodes are not afflicting the Moon for these times. By comparison, on May 15, 1948 in Tel Aviv, the Moon was

- at 00.00 am at 15° 57' Cancer (20° 56' Capricorn rising).

In the Capricorn rising chart the affliction is clear.

Adding to the strain in the month of December is the transit of 12th lord Jupiter into Capricorn around December 11, 2008. In its sign of debilitation Jupiter becomes weak and from the early degrees of this sign it has afflicted natal 8th lord Sun at 0° 50' Taurus in the 5th house, placing a strain on the ability of the leader to manage the country's affairs. Moreover, on December 16, transit Sun entered the 12th house and on the 20th became exactly conjunct natal Jupiter. This combination resulted in a setback for the country in terms of increasing problems in relations with the neighbors. The Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip has been instigating bomb attacks on Israel. The violent reaction of the Israeli government and military from the 27th of December, while intended to strike at the source of the problem, may down the road only create more problems for the country.

While the problems may be reduced slightly as the aspect of transit Jupiter to natal Sun clears, the transit of the Sun in the 12th house into the aspect of Rahu in the 4th house, around January 5th, 2009, may result in additional acts of violence.
The nodal station harming the Moon is expected to keep things tense for some months and has already resulted in a setback for peace in the country and placed a strain on the country's foreign policy.

Around January 29, when the sub-period lord Sun becomes conjunct stationary Rahu in transit, thus adding to the affilction of natal Moon, there could be a significant event. When Jupiter becomes conjunct Rahu, some losses could materialise.

The upcoming Mars sub period is likely to bring increased problems and upsets for the country.

Source

[1] Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace%20Process/Guide%20to%20the%20Peace%20Process/Declaration%20of%20Establishment%20of%20State%20of%20Israel

[2] Historama on-line information resource

http://www.historama.com/online-resources/articles/israel/story_israel_first_independence_day_14_may_1948.html

[3] Palestine Post headline

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:19480516_PalestinePost_Israel_is_born.jpg

[4] Sabbath

http://www.backtoyahweh.com/

[5] Palestine Problem

http://www.juragentium.unifi.it/en/surveys/palestin/history.htm

[6] UN Partition Plan for Palestine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Partition_Plan_for_Palestine

[7] British Mandate for Palestine

http://domino.un.org/unispal.nsf/561c6ee353d740fb8525607d00581829/7f0af2bd897689b785256c330061d253!OpenDocument

[8] Israel, Palestine and the Occupied Territories: Land and Settlement Issues

http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/israel-palestine/occupindex.htm