Date Posted: August 31, 2020

On September 10, the mighty Mars turns retrograde in sidereal Aries, a fire and cardinal sign ruled by Mars. It joins Aries resident explosive retrograde Uranus creating tremendous uncertainty to the already volatile political atmosphere in the United States. It has been a drama of the decade.  Furthermore, the planetary impulses of both Mars and Uranus are likely to activate the force of nature that might appear to be very painful and deadly, and frequent occurrences of natural and man-made calamities.  More on the retrograde Aries Mars is below.

On September 28, the lunar node Rahu enters in Taurus and Ketu in Scorpio.  The lunar nodes on average enter in their preceding signs respectively once every 18 1/2 months.  The lunar node axis, in Vedic astrology, is considered as a karmic axis.  The times when things go sour and we can not explain why with any logic—-“why me? or why it’s happening to me?  What did I do wrong?”  fall in the realm of lunar nodes.  The idea (karmic theory or principle) is– it’s a process of karmic redemption or working out of Karma as they call it.  Thus, knowing the Karmic axis in the natal chart, one can understand why the related houses in the natal chart can be very challenging.  More on lunar node transits below.

The other important planetary event pertains to President Trump.  For him, the  most serious challenge for this month comes from the lunar node Rahu’s transit. 

Rahu conjuncts (with in a degree) to his natal Sun (the planet of his profession and ego) for at least the next two to three months. As reflected in his natal chart, Rahu-Uranus conjunction in the 10th house is closely tied his destiny with the destiny of the USA.  And the return of Rahu progressively becoming in conjunction with the natal positions of Sun (29 deg 54 min Taurus), Rahu (27 deg 44 min Taurus) and Uranus (24 deg 52 min Taurus) will certainly likely to bring that final blow to his karmic connection to this country’s destiny.  In addition, the opposition of the transiting Saturn to his natal Saturn will be very intensive and painful for him.  The details of the influence of Rahu’s transit and other transits for President Trump are provided below.

Retrograde Mars (September 10 – November 14)

From the planetary influence standpoint, one of the major events of 2020 is the retrograde Mars which on average occurs once every two years.  On September 10, Mars becomes retrograde in the sidereal zodiac sign Aries. With its retrograde motion it returns to the sidereal Pisces on October 4.  While in Pisces Mars becomes direct on November 14, and then with its direct motion enters Aries again on December 24, 2020.  

Astrologically speaking, what does the retrograde Mars mean? And what can we expect from the retrograde Mars?

In general, when a planet turns retrograde, the positive energy offered by that planet is expected to slowly diminish.  In case of Mars, being a planet of total independence, amazing energy, high ego, and less maturity usually make things worse with incredible speed. 

For those of you who have poorly placed predominant Mars in their birth chart and if it’s influencing you through the current Gochar (transit) chart, then you are very likely to experience a sudden setback in your professional as well as in other activities.  You may have to repeat things over many times to get it right, or you may have to deal with unfortunate and totally unexpected circumstances, and in general, you may end up in having a very frustrating experience. 

During Sept 10 – October 4, while in Aries, the retrograde Mars is likely to be unfavorable for those who have Aries, Taurus, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn, and Pisces as a rising sign or ninefold ascendant.  It’s going to be very intensive and frustrating period if you have Mars influencing you through the current Gochar (transit) chart.  Staying low key and riding this challenging period out may be way to go.  If you must take a risk, be on guard. In particular, politicians,  fire fighters, surgeons, metallurgical, electrical and computer engineers, designers, construction workers, people who work in military, leaders, managers are likely to be more affected than others.  

During October 4 through November 14, the retrograde Mars will be transiting through Pisces. The Pisces retrograde Mars is going to be unfavorable for those who have Aries, Leo, Virgo. Sagittarius, Aquarius and Pisces as a rising sign or ninefold ascendant. It’s going to be very challenging and frustrating period if you have Mars influencing you through the current Gochar (transit) chart. In particular, activists, social reformers, religious leaders, hospitals, doctors, psychiatrists,  psychologists, people in asylums and charity organizations are likely to be more affected than others.  

At a collective level, expect a political tension building among developed nations.  Destruction of wealth due to natural calamities (fires, flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc.) or man made accidents (social and/or political unrest) are also very likely. Other possibilities include a sudden rise in terrorist activities, escalation in a warlike climate between Israelis and Palestinians, and of course increased covert activities among nations. Since the US presidential election is during the first week of November, the retrograde Mars will certainly make its Mars in providing us a sensational political drama.

Rahu’s entry in sidereal Taurus (Ketu’s in Scorpio)

On September 28, the lunar node Rahu enters in Taurus and Ketu in Scorpio.  The lunar nodes on average enter in their preceding signs respectively once every 18 1/2 months.  The lunar node axis, in Vedic astrology, is considered as a karmic axis.  The times when things go sour and we can not explain why with any logic—-“why me? or why it’s happening to me?  What did I do wrong?”  fall in the realm of lunar nodes.  The idea (karmic theory or principle) is– it’s a process of karmic redemption or working out of Karma as they call it.  Thus, knowing the Karmic axis in the natal chart, one can understand why the related houses in the natal chart can be very challenging.  More on lunar node transits below.

If one looks at the bigger picture, the working (karmic redemption) of lunar nodes is in a way a necessary step for personal and spiritual growth.  Unless one goes through karmic experiences, there’s no potential to realize the significance of life (or life purpose or self).

For those who are born with Taurus or Scorpio as rising signs (or to some extent Taurus and Scorpio as Navmansa ascendant or Moon sign) are likely to feel the energy of these nodes for next 18 months or so.  It’s lot changes in life, and only through awareness one can transform to the next level of understanding of oneself (self-knowledge).

About President Donald Trump and his current challenges

President Trump’s operating Gochar planets (the planets that presently active for him) for August continue to be Saturn and Venus.  In addition, Jupiter, Uranus, Rahu and Sun continues to be the operating planet till September 19. 

During September the retrograde Saturn will be in the sidereal Capricorn, in the eighth house  of his Gochar (transit) chart. In his ninefold Gochar (transit) chart, Saturn will be in  in the 8th house for the entire month. The Venus will be in sidereal Cancer (the 2nd house of his Gochar Chart) till Sept 28 and then in the third house for last couple of days of the month. While the transiting Jupiter, Uranus, Rahu and Sun will be in the 7th, 11th, 1st and the 3rd/4th house respectively in his transit chart, in the ninefold transit chart Jupiter, Uranus and Rahu will be in the 6th, 3rd and the 5th house respectively. 

From Dasa standpoint, Saturn continues to be unfavorable, being in the eighth house of his Gochar (transit) and in the eighth house of his ninefold Gochar (transit) chart.  As a result,President Trump will continue appear to be self-destructive and face challenges in dealing with his friends and adversaries alike. In addition to be frustrated and depressed, he is likely to be in the company of wrong people. Despite the on going Coronavirus crisis, he will continue to misbehave by driving his own agenda with no evidence or proof and have friction with his cabinet members, members of the Coronavirus task force and political adversaries. Furthermore, he will be dealing with his self-created feud with congress men and women and others.  Overall chaos, fear,  confusion and disappointment will likely to dominate to describe his political experiences.

The manifestation of the 2nd house resident transiting Venus is likely to be favorable for him from the financial gains standpoint.  In addition, until September 19, Uranus is likely to favor him in figuring out the winning strategy as election date nears. While Jupiter will be unfavorable from the health and governing the country standpoint, Rahu will continue to be responsible for adhering to his lying strategy.   

The most serious challenge for him during this month, however, comes from the lunar node Rahu’s transit.  Rahu conjuncts his natal Sun (the planet of his profession and ego) for at least the next two to three months. As reflected in his natal chart, Rahu-Uranus conjunction in the 10th house is closely tied his destiny with the country’s destiny.  And the return of Rahu progressively becoming in conjunction with the natal positions of Sun (29 deg 54 min Taurus), Rahu (27 deg 44 min Taurus) and Uranus (24 deg 52 min Taurus) will certainly likely to bring that the final blow to his karmic connection to this country’s destiny.  In addition, the opposition of the transiting Saturn to his natal Saturn will be very intensive and painful for him.

Thus, during September and the following months, the challenging transit of Rahu and Saturn may prove to be a devastating blow to his presidency during this explosive political climate, his governing failures and mishandling of coronavirus crisis.

Retrograde Jupiter (May 15 – September 13) 

Jupiter became retrograde in sidereal Capricorn on May 15 and with its retrograde motion it returned to Sagittarius on July 1, 2020. It remains retrograde in Sagittarius until September 13.  

While in Sagittarius, being a fire and mutable sign ruled by Jupiter itself, Jupiter in Sagittarius deals with judicial matters, being righteous he believes in the cause of social reforming, and through the forces of activism and others, finds the way to meet those goals. 

For those who have a well placed Jupiter in their birth charts and if Jupiter’s period is currently in operation, such folks 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 religious world, “confusion” will dominate and things are likely to move at much slower speed.  The world economy may experience a slower growth.

Retrograde Saturn (May 11 – September 29)

Saturn became retrograde on May 11 in sidereal Capricorn, and is going to stay retrograde till September 29 in Capricorn.  For those who have a well placed Saturn in their birth charts and if Saturn’s period is currently in operation, then they are likely to experience slow progress. Best way to deal with retrograde Saturn is to put more energy in to whatever you do to work towards your goal.

On the world scene, generally, the projects that deal with expansion are likely to either stay on hold or experience sluggish progress.  In religious world, things are likely to move at frustratingly slow speed.  In the political arena what may seem like progress will turn out to be a disaster.

Global Insights……..

The important challenging planetary configurations for September include 

Saturn-Rahu (July 25 – Sept 16) quincunx, Pluto-Neptune (Sept 8 – Oct 8) ninefold quincunx and  Saturn-Mars (Sept 26 – Oct 2) square.

The Saturn-Rahu (July 25 – Sept 16) quincunx may become responsible for social or political unrest in places like Russia or China. Also, in the United State for the Republican Party and republicans including for the republican president, it may prove to be prudent to stay on guard during this period.

The Pluto-Neptune (Sept 8 – Oct 8) ninefold quincunx means a strong possibility of an outbreak of violence and terrorist activities in the Middle east, especially in Syria, Iraq, Israel and Palestine region. In addition, the occurrences of natural as well as man-made calamities are more likely. Some of the east-European countries, Russia, and China may experience political as well as social turmoil.

The manifestation of the Saturn-Mars (Sept 26 – Oct 2) square may be reflected in likelihood of a short term but very intensive friction between India and Pakistan. Terrorism and violence around the world, especially in Iraq and Israel-Palestine area will be on rise. Outbreak of an undesirable happening, and occurrences of both natural and man-made calamities are strong possibilities.

The important auspicious planetary configuration for September includes Uranus-Jupiter (Sept 4-10) ninefold sextile. 

The manifestation of the Uranus-Jupiter (Sept 4-10) ninefold sextile is likely to be reflected in new and positive changes in religious, academic, and social fields.

The countries that are more likely to be affected during this month are:  Middle-East (Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Palestine-Israel regions), Russia, China, United States, India and Europe.

      Natural and Man-made Calamities……..

      The natural calamities like extreme weather conditions, wildfires, hurricanes, heavy rains, snow storms, air crashes as well as man made accidents are likely to occur through the entire month, more specifically during September 1-16, 26-30

      Earthquakes: Based on the Earthquake prediction model V, the earthquake(s) of magnitude 7 or higher, if occur, are likely to occur on September 5-7, 10, 12-17, 23, 25-28. Please note that these dates refer to the Universal time (GMT). For your convenience, the earthquake predictions for the entire year 2020 are provided at Earthquake Predictions 2020. While man-made calamities may manifest themselves in terrorism, unrest, violence, accidents, and air crashes, the natural calamities are likely to include extreme weather conditions such as severe cold winters, and equally intensive droughts, hurricanes or typhoons, thunderstorms, earthquakes and fires