Published on January 14, 2015
Namaste,
"Happy New Year", is an greeting heard all over the world, however, at different times in various places. In the Gregorian Calendar, followed predominantly in the Western World, Jan 1 is the start of the New Year. In other cultures, New Year's is celebrated on different days, as it is frequently determined by astronomical factors. For example, the Chinese New Year falls on second New Moon after the Winter Solstice; this occurs sometime between Jan 21 and Feb 20. In parts of India, New Year's coincides with the Sun entering Sidereal Capricorn, on Jan 13/14 (Makar Sankranti), whereas in other regions, the New Year is marked by Sun's entry into Aries, on April 13/14.
Traditionally, Vedic Astrology considers the New Moon in Pisces, occurring between March 15 and April 14, to be the basis of the Vedic New Year Chart.
The Varshaphala Chart is your own "Solar Return" chart, cast for the moment when the Sun returns to it's exact position in your Birth Chart.
All of these charts, however, are only an overlay to an existing chart. One's Varshaphala Chart may give clarity to the timing of manifestation, however, the events themselves must be visible in the Birth Chart.
Like people, countries also have birth charts. India's chart of Independence, is midnight on Aug 15, 1947. USA was "born", at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776, at 6:25 pm in Philadelphia. The Russian Federation may be considered to have begun at the raising of the new flag in Red Square, on Dec 25, 1991 at 7:25 pm.
When we enter a new mahadasha (major cycle) in our birth chart, there are significant impacts in our outer lives; so too with countries. Russia ended a 20-year Venus cycle on Feb 11, 2014, ushering in the 6-year Sun cycle. Sun is a Maraka (stress-giving) planet for Cancer Ascendant; in Russia's chart, Sun is located in the 6th house (enemies, debts, conflicts), with Rahu (North Node); the annexation of Crimea and subsequent instability in Ukraine, along with the economic impact of collapsing oil prices, is testament to the accuracy of Russia's birth chart. The trouble is far from over, as the more difficult sub-period, Sun-Rahu, begins April 7, 2015: more acts of desperation may be expected on that front.
Each time the USA enters a new major cycle, the markets respond, for good or bad. In Oct, 1929, the USA entered the 19-year Saturn period, abruptly ending the expansive Jupiter period (the Roaring 20's), and ushering in the Great Depression. Yet the purpose of Saturn is to make one strong, and by the time the Saturn period ended in 1948, US was the strongest country in the world.
From 1965 to 1972, US underwent the 7-year Ketu period, during which time the Vietnam War occupied much of the country's attention. US involvement peaked in 1968, during the Ketu-Rahu sub-period.
From Oct, 1998 to Oct, 2008, the 10-year Moon period operated; for USA's Sagittarius Ascendant, Moon rules the 8th house (upheaval, destruction). The start of this phase corresponded with major market corrections, while by the end, the real estate bubble burst. Rahu is in the 8th house of the USA chart, and it was in the last few days of Moon-Rahu that the events of 9/11 transpired.
Recently, the markets have reached new highs, due to the expansive Mars period. That period ends Oct 19, 2015, when the 18-year Rahu period begins. This will have major impact on the markets, and won't go unnoticed! Shocking events will occur as Rahu commences; pessimism will increase, and we may expect a major market correction, a fall in the US dollar, and a rise in price of gold.
Pisces is rising in the chart of the 5th Republic of France, Oct 6, 1958, at 6:30 pm in Paris. Venus, which rules the 8th house, is the major period from 2008 to 2028. A prominent feature of the chart is the Mars-Saturn opposition, with Mars in Taurus, and Saturn in Scorpio, both in the signs of their enemy. This combination indicates extremes; the period Venus-Mars-Saturn, which runs from Nov 25, 2014 to Jan 31, 2015, is one of the times this would manifest. We may look to the annual chart, for further clarity as to the timing.
The majority of the world's population recognize the significance of Jan 1, therefore we will use the chart for Paris, at midnight on New Year's Day. In that chart, Virgo is rising, with Rahu in the Ascendant. Sun rules the 12th house (loss) from Virgo, and the 6th house (enemies) from Pisces, the Ascendant of France. In the Paris New Year's chart, the period of Sun runs from Jan 3 to Jan 21. From Jan 7 to 9 was the Sun-Rahu sub-period (Rahu is the eclipse of the Sun), corresponding exactly the dates when the tragic events unfolded, in the attack on Charlie Hebdo. From this it is clear that the annual chart for Jan 1 is highly relevant to countries.
However, there are bright spots in the year, with auspicious days for new beginnings, including Akshay Tritiya (day of victory) on April 20. For each person, certain days will also be highly beneficial, as shown in their birth chart. Other days, which will be fortunate for most people, include: Feb 19, Aug 20, and Sept 24.
The year will feature one Total Solar Eclipse, on March 20; very few will witness the totality, as that occurs in the far North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. The partial phases will be seen throughout Europe, North Africa, and much of Russia.
A Partial Solar Eclipse falls on Sept 13, and two Lunar Eclipses round out the year, a Partial Lunar Eclipse on April 4, and a Total Lunar Eclipse on Sept 28, visible in most of the Americas and Europe.
The effect of any actions undertaken during an eclipse will be magnified; thus, these are good times to increase spiritual practices, and observe fasting, silence, or other austerities.
Wishing you abundant grace!