Date Posted: June 30, 2013

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 (June 27 – July 21) 

On June 27, the planet Mercury turned retrograde in sidereal Gemini. It will stay retrograde until July 21 in Gemini. Typically retrograde Mercury means anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, annoying experiences, missing deadlines, unforeseen obstacles and disappointment in daily chores. Mercury being the ruler of Gemini, retrograde Mercury in Gemini becomes more important.  It means more frustrating periods for air sign people (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius), academics, business people, especially the marketing and sales people; also for, speakers, communicators, interpreters, linguistics and people in showmanship business. This is the time not to start a new project or a 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 your current planetary cycle provides the results of Mercury 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.

Neptune-Saturn trine (May 24 – Aug 5)

If you have a well placed Neptune in your birth chart, and is in trine with Saturn, and if you are presently being influenced by any of these planets (Neptune or Saturn) through their current operating cycles, then you are likely to experience a very positive period in the areas signified by the houses these planets occupy in your birth chart. Strong intuitive power, very positive environment, and in general, feeling great about yourself and everything around you are some of the symptoms that you are likely to enjoy.

Collectively on a global scene, this period is very positive for Russia and China. In addition, most of the technological areas (especially biotech) are likely to make significant progress via inventions and discoveries. Spiritual and religious activities are likely to impart positive energy, creating a very healthy atmosphere around us.

Pluto-Rahu ninefold quincunx (July 2-24)

Unless these planets are favorably placed in your birth chart, such quincunx between Pluto and any one of the lunar nodes, in general, means drastic unwanted changes (transformations) pertaining to aspects of your life described by the houses they belong to. Usually such transformations are very painful if lunar node Rahu (or Ketu), and/or Pluto is affecting your life via your current progressive chart.  In my opinion, best way to deal with this situation is to (which is not easy to do) accept the inevitable change, and move on with your life. There’s no point in brooding over it, and not letting your past go.

On a collective level, an eruption of new waves of violence in the Palestine-Israel, Syria and  Afghanistan-Pakistan regions are likely. And perhaps, towards the end of this period due to Pluto’s transformation process, the resulting changes are likely to become irreversible. In addition, world religions in general, and religious leaders in particular, may experience themselves having to go through crisis that demand changes. In other words, the orthodox religious leaders may come under social and moral pressures to change the way they handle their responsibilities. 

Uranus-Rahu quincunx  (July 10 – Aug 29)

If in your birth chart Uranus is in the direct quincunx with the lunar node Rahu, and if any one of these two planets are influencing you now via your current progressive chart, then you might want to consider taking extra precautions in your professional and financial areas during this period and be prepared for unwanted surprises and obstacles.  This quincunx can become dangerous, and ruin your plans and bring about the unexpected disaster in every which way.  In short, during this period you are going to be tested and severely challenged. If you have very strong and positively placed lunar nodes and Uranus in your birth chart, then perhaps you need not worry.

On a collective level, the United States and in particular, the Republic Party is likely to run into some very difficult period. Also, USA and China may go through a crisis situation during this period.

Saturn-Jupiter trine (July 12-21)

Jupiter-Saturn trine is favorable for those who have such trine in their natal charts.  A proper balance between the optimism and conservatism will protect you from becoming over optimistic (or aggressive) as well as over protective.  If you have such trine in your birth chart, and if any one of these planets is presently influencing you through the current progressive cycle then you are likely to enjoy this period with full vigor and success as it would seem to come to you naturally. So enjoy! 

On a collective level, religions around the world will enjoy their activities with positive experiences.  People will likely to be convinced with the importance of moral values and will have no difficulty in maintaining their religious faith.

Neptune-Jupiter trine (July 13-20)

This auspicious trine is good for all world religions as well as for people who are engaged in activities that help us expand morally, socially as well as materially.  

For those who have well placed Jupiter and Neptune in their birth chart (conjunction, trine, sextile, opposition) are likely to have a very positive experience during this period.  People involved in the religious activities are likely experience a sudden boost in their daily activities, and religious authorities are going to be well recognized by societies.

On a collective level, religious, academic, and social fields are very likely to enjoy the new and positive changes occurring in their respective field.

Uranus-Rahu (and Ketu) ninefold square(s) (July 23 – Aug 7)

Uranus-Rahu (and Ketu) ninefold squares are going to be very unfavorable for those who have such squares in their natal charts.  Expect sudden loss of money, power, demotions at work place and/or tarnished reputation in professional and social fields. If you have such squares in your birth chart, and if any one of these planets is presently influencing you through the current progressive cycle then you need be very careful. The best thing to do is not to make any new commitment, and totally avoid taking any business or monetary risk. Remember the time when you felt financially very secured, happy with family, and suddenly the landscape turned against you and everything disappears. Well, if not exactly this way but something like this has a good potential to happen again …be careful!

On a collective level, United States and particularly the President Obama and his administration should take extra precaution in dealing with foreign matters. Terrorist activities are very likely to occur in the United States besides the volatile region of the Middle-East (Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Israel and Palestine). 

Mars-Pluto Opposition (July 25-27)

This short period of three days is likely to be very frustrating for those who have Mars-Pluto opposition, conjunction or square in their natal charts. Typically this opposition is very unfavorable. Unexpected problems are likely to occur with astonishing speed and without any notice.  For those who have such opposition or conjunction in their birth chart, and if they have any one of these planets influencing them through the current progressive cycle need to be on guard. Stay very low key, not make any new commitment, and avoid taking any sort of risk. Also, experiences like a sudden incident of fire, or an accident involving explosive material are likely. 

On the world scene, expect some sudden outbreak of an undesirable happening,  possibilities of both natural and man-made calamities. The countries that are most likely to be affected during this period would be the Iraq, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Palestine and Israel, and the United States.

Mars-Uranus Square (July 30 – Aug 1)

Typically this square offers very unfavorable results with astonishing speed and without any notice.  For those who have such square in their birth chart, and if they have any one of these planets influencing them through the current progressive cycle need be extra careful. The best thing to do is to lay low key, not make any new commitment, and avoid taking any sort of risk. Also, experiences like a sudden incident of fire, or an accident, or missing or drowning of a child are the doings of this square.

On the world scene, expect some sudden outbreak of an undesirable happening, and strong possibilities of both natural and man-made calamities. The countries that are most likely to be affected during this period would be the United States of America, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Palestine and Israel.