Date Posted: January 31, 2001 

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.  

Mars-Saturn Opposition

The first five days in February Mars will be in the direct opposition to Saturn. Typically this opposition is very unfavorable and negative in general.  For those who have such opposition in their birth chart, and if they have any one of these planets influencing them through the current progressive cycles need be careful. The best thing to do is to stay low key, not make any new commitment, and avoid taking any sort of risk.  

On the world scene, expect a sudden outbreak of violence, political coup, and natural and man-made severe accidents. 

Saturn-Rahu and Saturn-Ketu ninefold squares (Jan 26 – Feb 3)

If you have lunar nodes in squares with Saturn in your birth chart, and if any one of these two planets influencing you now through your current progressive chart, then during January 26 – February 3 period you might want to consider taking extra precautions in your professional and financial areas. Staying low key is certainly the way to go.  These squares have a tendency to ruin your plans and bring about the unexpected disaster in every which way.  In short during this period you have been tested. If you have very strong and positively placed lunar nodes and Saturn in your birth chart, then after a great deal of struggle you probably would come out to be a victorious and stronger from this unique experience.  But it’s no way going to be a smooth sail.

On a collective level, the Republic Party and republicans including the republican president Bush are likely to face some severe difficulties during this period. Also, Russia and China may go through a crisis situation during this period.

Pluto-Saturn ninefold conjunction (Feb 19 -March 7)

For those who have Pluto in conjunction with Saturn in their birth charts, watch out!  If Saturn and or Pluto influencing you now through your current progressive chart your life is more likely to be shaken up, and depending on the placement and the strength of these planets in your birth chart, the severity of the outcome will vary. Although the experience that you might go through seem unbearable, this may prove to be the beginning of the next plateau of your life cycle that you are destined for. 

On a collective level, the outbreak of violence and terrorism around the world is very probable. Also, natural calamities like earthquakes, severe weather conditions, natural as well as man made accidents are more likely during this period.

Retrograde Mercury

On February 4, the planet Mercury becomes retrograde in its motion in sidereal zodiac sign Aquarius.  Typically retrograde Mercury means delays, frustrations, missing deadlines, obstacles, and disappointment in daily chores.  If you have dominating Mercury in your birth chart, and if your current planetary cycle provides the results of Mercury then you are more likely to experience the effects of the retrograde Mercury until February 25 (On February 26 Mercury becomes direct). The intellects, diplomats, philosophers, and social reformers may find themselves in a miserable situation during the retrograde Mercury period if they are currently being influenced by Mercury through their current progressive cycles.