Following is a selection of published articles:
Jyotish and the 2012 US Presidential Election
Originally published on October, 23, 2012:
Namaste,
Many people have been asking my opinion of the upcoming US elections. From a Jyotish perspective, it matters little who has the best image, policy, strategy, funding, etc., as in the end, karma must dictate who will win or lose on election day.
In 2008, prior to Barack Obama having received the Democratic nomination, I had predicted that he would not only win the nomination, but go on to win the election, based on his Jyotish chart. At the time, I had further predicted that he would win for a second term in 2012.
In 2008, there was no way of knowing who his opponent in 2012 would be. Remember 4 years ago, when many people believed that the then Alaskan governor would make a run for president in 2012, her claim to (foreign policy) fame being that she could (almost) see Russia from her house?
2012 has arrived, and the election is two weeks away, so this is a good time to revisit the chart of President Obama, and his challenger Mitt Romney.
Obama has Capricorn Ascendant with Saturn in Capricorn, giving rise to Sasa Yoga, one of the Mahapurusha Yogas, which confer high status and position, kingship, etc.
On July 24, 2012, he began his 19-year Saturn Mahadasha, the time when his power will be consolidated further. On Nov 6, Obama will be in Saturn-Saturn-Saturn-Moon period;Moon is exalted in his 5th house (throne).
In transit, he will have 6 of the 7 planets passing through a Bindu (auspicious) point, in Ashtakavarga, a very positive sign.
On Inauguration Day, Jan 21, 2013, he will be running Saturn-Saturn-Mercury period; Mercury governs his 9th house (Dharma, luck, fortune) and is well-placed in his chart.
Mitt Romney has Taurus Ascendant, with Moon in Scorpio and Sun in Aquarius. His Ascendant plus 7 of the 9 planets are in fixed signs; this provides power and stability, but also gives rigidity, and inflexibility.
No Mahapurusha Yoga is seen in his chart, although a powerful Kendra/Trikona Yoga is present with Sun, Mars and Mercury conjunct in his 10th house. From Oct 2 to 20, he was in Sun-Mercury-Mars period, the same 3 planets which contribute to the strong Yoga in his chart. This gave him a clear victory in the first debate, and caused the gap to close between challenger and incumbent.
Sun-Mercury-Rahu, which began on Oct 20, will continue until after election day. Rahu is unlikely to keep this momentum going. On Nov 6, he will have 4 out of 7 planets passing through a bindu point (just above average).
By Inauguration Day, he will be in Sun-Mercury-Saturn; Saturn governs his 10th house (honor, status, reputation), however is weak in Cancer, in the sign of it's great enemy (Moon), and also in Mrityubhaga (fateful) degree.
Comparing the two charts, the case for President Obama winning re-election is overwhelmingly strong.
Significance of Dec. 21, 2012
Originally published on Dec. 7, 2012
Namaste.
Many of you have asked me to comment on the upcoming much-noted date, Dec 21, 2012, and it's association with the (supposed) end of the Mayan Calendar, and other various phenomena attributed to that date.
For those who have no time for, nor interest in, the details, I will begin with the conclusion:While it is good to pray and meditate on Dec 21, 2012, on Dec 22, 2012 the Sun will rise in the east and set in the west, just like any other day.
For those inclined to read on, I will explain in some detail. The long-count calendar is one of three calendars used by the Mayans, each differing in length and function. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, with it's three units of time (year, month, day), the Mayan long-count calendar has 5, namely k'in, winal, tun, k'atun, and bak'tun.
There are 20 k'in in a winal, 18 winal per tun, 20 tun per k'atun and 20 k'atun in a bak'tun. The other two calendars are the 260-day tzolk'in round calendar and the 365-day Haab' year calendar.
The tzolk'in calendar cycles through 13 galactic-tones and 20 star-glyphs, each changing every day, and repeating every 260 days. The use of this calendar is related to personal astrology, a description of each of the 260 combinations of galactic-tone and star-glyph gives insight to people born under that combination. People born 260 days apart, or multiples thereof, will have the same galactic-tone/star-glyph combination. This calendar was also instrumental for performing of traditional sacred rituals, and is followed to this day in certain regions of Guatemala.
There seem to be a couple reasons for the choice of 260 days. The 365 Haab' calendar will be out of step by about 1/4 day per year, a problem solved by the Gregorian calendar with the interjection of Feb 29 every fourth year, except for century years not divisible by 400 (thus 2000 was a leap year but 1900 and 2100 are not).
A cycle of 59 ritual (tzolk'in) years is almost exactly identical to 42 tropical years (59 x 260 days = 42 years of 365.242 days), so this was a way to keep the rituals locked into the true solar year. Another explanation may be that Venus is visible for about 260 days between one combustion and the next, which also closely aligns with the human gestation period. Venus figured prominently in Mayan astronomy, due to its association with fertility, and also because of the interlocking of Venus and the Earth's orbital periods (8 Earth years is almost exactly the same as 13 Venus years).
Returning to the main topic, the purpose of the Mayan long-count calendar was to record the number of days since the beginning of the "fourth world", with human beings in it. Legend has it that the first three attempts at creation failed, and the current fourth worldbegan on Aug 11, 3114 BC. Since that date, 12 k'atun have completed, and the 13th, which began Sept 18, 1618 finishes on Dec 21, 2012. On Dec 20, the Mayan long-count calendar date is 12.19.19.17.19, and on Dec 21 it will be 13.0.0.0.0, on Dec 22, 13.0.0.0.1, etc.
The third world was said to have ended after 13 bak'tun, and this has led to the erroneous conclusion that the fourth world similarly would end at this milestone.
However, none of the Mayan texts indicate that all worlds end at the completion of 13 bak'tun; only the third world apparently did. Recent discoveries show the Mayans plotted astronomical tables forward for 17 bak'tun, which implies they expected the world to be around, otherwise why bother calculating astronomical events far into the future?
The long-count calendar also has units higher than the bak'tun. 1 pik'tun equals 20 bak'tun, and in turn 1 kalabtun equals 20 pik'tun, then 1 k'inchiltun = 20 kalabtun and finally 1 alawtun = 20 k'inchiltun. One alawtun corresponds to 63,081,429 years, and there are higher levels beyond the alawtun; clearly the Mayan astronomers held a long-term view of the cosmos!
In the current cycle, 20th (last) bak'tun will be reached on Oct 13, 4772, which will be the start of a new pik'tun.
You may also have heard that the reason for Dec 21, 2012 being "special" has much to do with the Winter Solstice aligning with the center of the Milky Way, an event which occurs once every 26,000 years. This point requires an explanation of the Ayanamsha, the difference between the Tropical (seasonal) Zodiac used by Western astrologers, and the Sidereal (stellar) Zodiac, employed in Jyotish.
On the first day of spring, Aries begins, according to the Tropical Zodiac, even though the Sun does not reach the stars of the constellation Aries until around April 14 (Aries according to the Sidereal Zodiac), making the two zodiacs differ by about 24 degrees. This amount ofdifference is slowly increasing over time, at a rate of one degree every 72 years. Currently, the Spring Equinox occurs at about 6 degrees Pisces (the Earth is still in the "Age of Pisces", which is defined as the period when the Vernal Equinox falls in that sign.
The so-called "Age of Aquarius" will take another 400+ years to arrive, as there are 6 degrees left to cover in Pisces, at a rate of 72 years per degree). According to the Lahiri calculation, the most widely accepted measure adopted by Jyotishees worldwide, the Ayanamsha on Dec 21, 2012 is 24:02:32, meaning that the Winter Solstice will coincide with 5:57:28 Sagittarius in 2012. The supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, called Sagittarius A, is at RA 17h 23m 40s | Dec -29° 00' 28.00, according to recent observations by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. This converts to 266:25:00 or 26:25:00 Sagittarius, as measured from the Vernal Equinox (Tropical). Subtracting the Ayanamsha of 24:02:32, the location of the Galactic Center, in the Sidereal Zodiac, is 2:22:28 Sagittarius, or 3:35:00 degrees from the 2012 Winter Solstice point. At a rate of 72 years per degree, the true alignment of the Galactic Center with the Winter Solstice will be 258 years from now, in the year 2270.
Not that future generations should expect a cataclysm in 2270, as the amount of radiation coming from the Galactic Center is independent of where in particular our Solar System happens to be (ie, we are neither falling into, nor spinning out from the galaxy, merely revolving around the center, in the outer reaches of the Milky Way).
Any planet or asteroid passing within 100 million miles of this black hole at the Galactic Center, would be swept into it. As the Earth is 26,000 light years away, or 152 Quadrillionmiles (152 followed by 15 zeros), we have a wide safety margin! To put it into perspective, it's 25 times smaller than the width of a human hair of an astronaut on Pluto, as "seen" from the Earth.
People readily believe predictions of disaster, without question. In 1993 to 1995, several popular books were published predicting World War III in 1997, based on interpretations of the writings of Nostradamus (these books sold millions of copies).
On Jan 1, 2000, all the computers were supposed to crash, being unable to handle the year changing.
Now the focus has been on Dec 21, 2012 with the Mayan calendar turning over the equivalent of a new "millennium". 1997 came and went, without major incident. Jan 1, 2000 arrived without any disastrous consequences, and in the same way, life will go on after Dec 21, 2012.
There are no special planetary alignments anywhere near that date. Neither is there going to be a pole shift, nor the appearance of Nibiru (Planet X), or any other such far-fetched claims.
Many groups, teachers, healers, etc. are planning large gatherings to mark the event. If you wish to participate in these happenings, or "ascension" gatherings, by all means do so; the power of group prayer is inestimable, and formidable.
However, be realistic, and cognisant of the fact that the only real "ascension" on Dec 21 will be the bank balances of these group leaders.
You may participate in this event without leaving your home; tune-in, meditate and pray, knowing millions around the world are joined in bringing in a positive shift in consciousness. You may wish to arrange a group meditation in your home with family/friends.
Death of Sibling - a Research
This research was published in Journal of Astrology, K.N. Rao Editor, in the Mesha Sankranti Issue - April - June 1999 ( Vol 3-9) Read Article
Early Death of Father - a Research
This research was published in Journal of Astrology, K.N. Rao Editor, in the Karka Sankranti Issue - July - Sept. 1999 ( Vol 4-14) Read Article
Natural or Man-made Disaster?
The loss from radar of Flight MH370 this morning in Malaysia begs the question, is this a loss due to natural factors, or due to human error? As of this writing, all that is known is the plane is missing, presumed down, and that two oil slicks have been found in the sea between Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.
The chart for any moment, however, reveals the truth, more quickly than subsequent investigation may uncover. MH370 departed from KUL at 12:41 am local time (8:41 am GMT) on March 8, 2014. Less than 1 hour later, the last contact with the plane came at 1:30 am, 1 minute before entering Vietnamese air space. There are two charts to consider, that of Flight Departure, and Last Contact. For location, KUL airport has been applied in the Flight Departure chart, and for Last Contact, the coordinates of the flight over-water at 1:30 am.
In the first chart, for Flight Departure, the Ascendant is 13:53 Scorpio. In the book by the late M.C. Jain, The Stars & Your Future, the 14th degree of Scorpio is described as the "Degree of Distraction", showing a wandering mind, lack of focus. Thoughts are scattered, and details missed; we may conclude that the final screening of the plane, its cargo, and passengers, had a lapse.
In the chart of Last Contact, the Ascendant is 25:15 Scorpio, called the "Degree of Posey". At first this seems innocuous, until one reads the description of the degree, which suggests "suicide", if afflicted. The chart of course contains the triple conjunction of Mars, Rahu (North Node), and Saturn in the 12th house in Libra. In an earlier publication, "2014 - The Year in Foresight", this extremely challenging combination was mentioned as occurring from Feb 4 to March 24. Mars is the ruler of Scorpio, located in the 12th house (loss), with both Rahu and Saturn; it is difficult to imagine a more afflicted Ascendant. The crisis in Ukraine, and the mass-murder in Southwest China are also a product of this Mars-Rahu-Saturn alignment.
Other salient features of the charts include: Jupiter in Gemini in the 8th house (death), and Venus/Mercury both in the malefic 3rd house (Capricorn). Moon, which is the Badhaka (obstructing) planet for Scorpio is exactly on the descending degree in the Flight Departure chart.
Based on the above analysis, prepared on the morning of March 8, 2014, the inescapable conclusion is that the plane was brought down deliberately in an act of suicide/terrorism.
Posies are referenced in a well-known nursery rhyme: The first printing of the rhyme was in Kate Greenaway's 1881 edition of Mother Goose: Ring-a-ring-a-roses, A pocket full of posies; Ashes! Ashes! We all fall down. The "Degree of Posey" carries the sinister implications of that childhood rhyme.
Let us all pray for the peace of the souls, and the families who suffered great loss this day.
Jyotish and the 2016 Presidential Election
Namaste,
Interest in the upcoming US elections has been unprecedented. The US Independence chart recently began the major cycle of Rahu; when Rahu occupies the 8th house, its period will bring fear, phobias, and poor judgement; in a country's chart, the prevalent mood will be pessimistic. In such times voters are more likely to embrace a candidate that is advocating radical change.
In the race to the White House, Hillary Clinton will represent the Democrats, while Donald Trump is the Republican nominee; therefore we will consider these two charts.
Clinton has a very powerful chart, with Libra Ascendant, and Venus, ruler of Libra in the 1st house, giving rise to Malavya Yoga, one of the Mahapurusha Yogas (combinations for fame and influence). The combination of Mercury in the Ascendant with Venus is a potent Kendra/Trikona Yoga, as Mercury is the 9th lord (Dharma), and Venus is a Kendra lord; these yogas give her great authority, and fortune.
Clinton is in her Sun Mahadasha, which is debilitated in Libra; in fact her Sun is in the deepest debilitation, between 9 and 10 degrees of Libra. Within the Sun major period, she is presently in Sun-Rahu, up to and including the time of the election (Sun-Rahu period finishes March 9, 2017). Rahu is in the 8th house of Clinton's chart, and also in the inauspicious 8th from her Sun; Sun and Rahu are natural enemies, since Rahu is the eclipse of the Sun. Thus Sun-Rahu is the toughest part of Clinton's 6-year Sun period. On Nov 8, 2016, she will be in Sun-Rahu-Ketu period; Ketu is the other half of the eclipse, making this a doubly challenging period (Sun-Rahu-Ketu runs from Oct 23 to Nov 11). In the Bhava (house) Chart, Rahu slips to the 7th, and Ketu to the 1st (this is because Clinton's Ascendant is at 29 degrees Libra, and Ketu is at 0 degrees Scorpio; essentially conjunct the Ascendant, even though on the other side of the sign boundary). Whatever improvement this may provide, Sun slips into the 12th Bhava; either way, Rahu is still in the 8th house from her Sun. On election day Clinton has zero Bindus in Ashtakavarga, meaning not one of her planets is transiting a place of support.
Donald Trump has Leo rising, with Sun, ruler of Leo situated in the 10th house (best direction), conjunct with Rahu (Rahu in Taurus in the 10th house brings power). He was born on the Full Moon, with Moon in Scorpio, on the day of a Lunar Eclipse; energy is heightened during an eclipse. He is currently in the 18-year Rahu period, which began in November, 1998. Rahu and Ketu impact his 4th house (property) and 10th house (success); Trump has had tremendous growth in both these areas. Within Rahu period, the sub-periods of Saturn (6th lord from Leo), and Ketu would provide setbacks; in fact two of his most notable bankruptcies were in 2004 when he was in Rahu-Saturn, and 2009 when Rahu-Ketu was operating.
Since Oct, 2015 he is in Rahu-Mars; as Mars is Yogakaraka (most fortunate) planet for Leo, his rise to prominence is clearly seen in this period. The Republican Convention happened during his Rahu-Mars-Ketu period (June 30 to July 22), which was not without controversy; nothing could have stopped him from gaining the nomination to lead the party in the election. On election day, Trump will be in Rahu-Mars-Moon; although Moon is debilitated in his chart, there is cancellation of debilitation due to Mars being in the 1st house, in Leo. A few days later, on Nov 14, 2016, Trump enters his 16-year Jupiter major period, and will be in Jupiter-Jupiter-Jupiter on Jan 20 (Inauguration Day); Jupiter is the ruler of his 5th house (throne).
On Jan 20, 2017, Clinton will be in Sun-Rahu-Sun; although Sun also has cancellation of debilitation, the combination of Sun and Rahu cannot be good, particularly for Libra Ascendant.
On the whole, Trump's chart is a great deal stronger than Clinton's at the time of the election, which combined with the US chart being in Rahu-Rahu-Saturn (from July 24 to Dec 28), points to a surprise victory for Trump (at the time of this writing, 90% of the polls pick Clinton to win over Trump).
As a side note, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron was in the period Sun-Mars on June 23, 2016, the day of the Brexit vote; Sun is the ruler of the 12th house (loss) from his Virgo Ascendant, and Mars is located in his 12th house; had he consulted his Jyotish chart, he would not have chosen that date for the vote, as it was a period of double-loss; he could not have won. Clinton likewise is in a highly unlucky period at the time of the election, making room for Trump to triumph.
Unless the elections get cancelled for some reason, Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States.
(Published on July 25, 2016)
USA Chart and Divorce
Namaste,
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776 at 6:25 pm in Philadelphia, PA. Sagittarius is rising, with 4 planets (Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Sun) all in the 7th house. As the 7th house stands for relationships/marriage, if the USA was a person, it would be said about them that they had "many wives" or were promiscuous. As a country, it shows they have "partnered" with many other countries, somewhat indiscriminately.
Mercury rules the 7th house (Gemini), however, is located in the 8th house (destruction), with Rahu (the North Node or point of the eclipse). If USA was a person, the impact of Mercury in the 8th house would suggest divorce, and the presence of Rahu magnifies this impact.
The ripening of karmas depends on the dashas (planetary cycles) and also transits. USA is in the middle of Sade Sati (the 7.5 year period where Saturn transits the sign before the Moon, of the Moon, and after the Moon). USA has Moon in Aquarius where Saturn is currently located; just now is the middle portion of Sade Sati (considered a highly unfavourable transit). The Dasha of Rahu began Oct 20, 2015, and since then the stability of the country has been in question, with greater division, unprecedented upheaval, etc. More recently the sub-period Rahu-Saturn has been running, which brings hidden problems to the surface... On Oct 2, 2023, the period Rahu-Mercury begins, which is the signal for divorce to take place. Rahu-Merury runs to April 20, 2026, to be followed by Rahu-Ketu to May 9, 2027. Both of these periods show economic hardship, other countries turning against the USA, and also tremendous challenges for the leadership of the country (since Mercury also rules the 10th house, of government).
As the Sade Sati for the USA also will be running until June 2, 2027, the period from now to mid-2027 is one of the most tumultous phases in USA's history.
With other countries rallying together against the US, ceasing to use US dollars as the default medium of exchange, etc., the value of the dollar will fall, resulting in greater inflation. This will not happen overnight, though certainly in the next 4 years or so. In the meantime, China has been amassing gold reserves at an unprecendented rate (80 tons per month), in order to prepare for a gold-backed BRICS currency, to rival the US dollar. Once such a token of exchange is released, the price of gold will dramatically increase. To protect from the future devaluation of the currency, extra cash may be invested in gold, and silver (both currently undervalued).
The FED has printed money indiscrimatly at an accellerated pace to stave off the inevitable correction; now there are no good options left: if they lower interest rates, there will be a movement away from US treasuries on the world market, causing the dollar to fall. If they keep rates at present levels, the commercial real estate market will collapse, with banks holding trillions of bad debt on office buildings, largely unoccupied, causing more bank failures, or further bailouts, which again fuels inflation. The country is in a Catch-22 dilema, with no easy solution. A messy divorce is "in the stars"!
Published on Sept 28, 2023