Date Posted: December 31, 2015

Although it’s very difficult to predict the influence of planets on a given individual without referring to his or her birth chart the following is intended only as a general guideline.  For confirmation, however, you must refer to your birth chart. Based on the assessment of planetary strengths or weaknesses in your birth chart, placement of planets in your current progressive regular and ninefold charts, and the current operating planetary cycles the following may or may not be applicable.  

Retrograde Mercury (January 6-26) 

On January 6, the planet Mercury becomes retrograde in sidereal Capricorn. It will stay retrograde in Capricorn until January 14. Then it will enter in Sagittarius and will remain retrograde till January 26. Typically retrograde Mercury means anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, missing deadlines, unforeseen obstacles and disappointment in daily chores. Retrograde Mercury in Capricorn means more frustrating periods for business people, researchers, philanthropists, and diplomats. During the period of the retrograde Mercury in Sagittarius, the activists, religious leaders, explorers, and researchers may find their daily activities and chores stalled. This is the time not to start a new project or venture, but rather reflect on what’s been done so far.  Also, this is the best time to cleanup that closet and do other chores that you have been postponing due to lack of time.

In addition, if you have dominating Mercury in your birth chart and if Mercury is currently your operating planet, then you are more likely to experience the pronounced effects of retrograde Mercury during this period with respect to matters signified by the house it’s transiting in your progressive chart.

Retrograde Jupiter (January 8 – May 10) 

Jupiter, which became retrograde on January 8, will stay retrograde until May 10, 2016 in the sidereal zodiac Leo.  For those who have a well placed Jupiter in their birth charts and if Jupiter’s period is currently in operation, such people are likely to feel the deceleration in their progress.  Remember it’s only temporary!  Need to put more energy in to whatever you do to achieve what you need to achieve.

On the world scene, particularly in business world, “confusion” will dominate and things are likely to move at much slower rate.  The world economy may experience a slower growth.

Neptune-Saturn ninefold sextile (Dec 25 – Jan 1)

Neptune-Saturn ninefold sextile is going to be favorable for those who have these planets favorably placed in their natal charts.  Expect a positive period that could include promotions and improved prestige in professional and social fields.  Also, a subtle shift in your attitude towards looking at the things would change for better, and thus help you understand your role in life. You will distinctly notice and feel positive about yourself and possibly far more relax and content.

On a collective level, religious activities all around the world are likely to expand with new vigor and energy, conservatives will find ways to expand their agenda without compromising with liberals on sticky issues. Republicans will have upper hand over democrats. China and Russia are likely to experience a positive and rewarding period in handling their domestic issues as well as improving the foreign relations through better policies.

Pluto-Rahu and Pluto-Ketu ninefold squares (Jan 4-10)

The ninefold squares of Pluto with the lunar nodes are generally have tendencies to destroy the present setting of life and transform it in to a totally new one. Those who have better placed lunar nodes and their connections with Pluto, are likely to adapt well to this new change and move to their next level of evolution, while others are likely to struggle and may find the change unbearable. Perhaps the best way to deal with this situation is to stay alert and be extremely cautious in dealing with your surroundings that affect you. Avoid taking any new risk during this period.  And probably be prepared for situations that are going to get worse before they get better with new direction in life. Staying low key is certainly the way to go.  Avoid any new ventures and postpone the matters that you wanted to begin till this period is passed. 

On a collective level, a new wave of renewed violence in Iraq, Syria, Israel and Palestinians, as well as outbreak of terrorism around the world during these days are real possibilities.

Pluto-Saturn ninefold sextile (Jan 4-13)

If through your current progressive chart influence of either Pluto or Saturn is active and if Pluto is favorably positioned with respect to Saturn in your natal chart expect a very favorable time during this period. Such positive events will be related to the affairs signified by the houses these planets occupy or aspects. For example if the seventh house is involved, expect a new and positive development in a relationship, or business partnership, or success in capturing the audience if you deal with masses. If eleventh house is involved it may financially prove to be a very rewarding period.

On a collective level, this is a good period for European and Russian economy. This period is also good for progress in technical fields (new innovations and discoveries) and religious reconciliation.

Saturn-Jupiter ninefold conjunction (Jan 17-21)

Jupiter-Saturn ninefold conjunction is going to be unfavorable for those who have both the planets, Jupiter and Saturn, are unfavorable placed in their natal charts.  Frustration, loss of motivation, insecure feeling, loss of direction in life, general unhappiness are some of the symptoms of this opposition. This is like a test period. A period that can be viewed a real positive opportunity from self discovery standpoint since it will require you to bring best out of you to deal with situations around you.  If you have such conjunction or opposition in your birth chart, and if any one of these planets is presently influencing you through your current progressive cycle then you need to look at the things with a different attitude. The best thing to do is to stay the course of present action without making new commitment. Remember the time when you felt the life is not fair and not worth living, very unsure of yourself, and unhappy with family.. well, that’s how you going to feel this time.

On a collective level, religions around the world will find difficulty in carrying out their activities, more controversies that test traditional moral values are likely to occur, and in general, religious authorities will have difficulty in keeping people happy.

Pluto-Jupiter ninefold sextile (January 24-30)

This is an important planetary event for people who deal with religion, religious and academic institutes. This auspicious ninefold sextile could become responsible for a unique transformation in the field of religion as the planet Pluto with its tremendous energy has a power of irreversibly transforming the field of religion and academics to a new level or setting with a new set of norms. 

In your birth chart if Jupiter and Pluto are either in conjunction or trine or sextile, and if either of these planets is currently influencing your life via your current progressive chart, then you are perhaps standing on the thresh-hold of a new era that’s about to begin in your life. Depending on the houses these planets occupy in your birth chart, you are going to have a totally new and a very different experience in that particular field. Be ready to accept this new settings with new challenges as well as the rewards that come with them.

On a collective level, religious and academic and to some extent social fields are very likely to see changes coming in their respective fields. Initial reaction to the change might appear to be a bit confusing and perhaps chaotic, but the majority of us are going to embrace this new wave of change and are very likely to enjoy it.

Saturn-Rahu ninefold conjunction (Saturn-Ketu opposition) (Jan 28 – Feb 1)

When Saturn-Rahu ninefold conjunction occurs, it’s not favorable period for those who have such conjunction or squares in their birth charts. In addition, if the lunar node Rahu (or Ketu), or Saturn is affecting your life via your current progressive chart, then you might want to consider taking extra precautions in the areas which are affected by these planets as shown in your natal chart.  The affected people should avoid taking any kind of risk at any cost during this period.  Such conjunction can make things difficult for you and make you feel miserable. Staying low key is certainly the way to go.  Avoid any new ventures and postpone the matters that require you to make a crucial decision till this period is passed. 

On a collective level, Russia, China and to some extent, Europe may experience social or political turmoil during this period. Also, for the Republic Party in the United States and for republicans, it may prove to be prudent to stay on guard during this period.