Date Posted: March 31, 2008

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.  

Neptune’s Entry in Sidereal Aquarius (April 16)

One of the important planetary events of 2008 is the transit of the modern planet Neptune from the sidereal zodiac sign Capricorn to the next zodiac sign Aquarius. It first occurs on April 16, 2008. Neptune stays in Aquarius till July 8, 2008 and then with its retrograde motion it returns to Capricorn and stays in Capricorn till February 9, 2009. After February 9, 2009 it will continue to transit through Aquarius for the following 14 years (till April 2022).  Although it is going to be in Aquarius for only about 3 months in 2008 before it returns to Capricorn, Neptune being the most spiritual planet of our solar system, it will certainly affect the matters related to Aquarius in a significant way. 

Aquarius being an air and fixed sign ruled by Saturn, some of its significant characteristics are: intelligent, mentally powerful,  artistic, talented, patient, persistent, strong willed and determined, humane, musical, open-minded, impersonal, intuitive, ascetic and introvert. These qualities complement very well with qualities of Neptune that include: spiritual, intuitive, divine, psychic, magical, highly emotional, moody, clairvoyant, inspiration, imaginative, compassionate and mystical. 

As a result, a subtle and slow change in our collective moral and spiritual perceptions are certainly going to be manifested in the way we never experienced before. This era (next 14 years) will be remembered as the period of spiritual inspiration and transformation. Interestingly, this era also complements well with the era of Pluto’s transit in sidereal Sagittarius (another spiritual sign) that runs in parallel during the same time. The way we have been used to deal with religions will no longer be our norms.  Our moral codes will be greatly influenced by our collective spiritual experiences. And in that sense a subtle but most effective transformation of world morality during this unique era of 14 years is likely to take us to a level where the norms solely based on spiritual experiences will dictate and guide our lives with new level of understanding.  

Aquarius, being the sign for academics, scientists, musicians, paranormals, and philosophers, these respective fields will go through significant transformations to reflect the new norms of morality and ethics, advances in science and technology keeping in line with steady progress in longevity, and creation of arts and music that complements our spiritual progress. 

In scientific and technological areas lot of drastic changes and emerging new ideas will find their way into innovations and discoveries.  The scientific and technological growth rate will be at a very rapid pace.  However, it will be the first time the scientific and technological research will be more focused in areas that will bridge the gap between the science and morality. The likely areas of research will be in biotechnology, medicine, spiritual healing, and life-force related activities. A new wave of philosophers with their new perspectives on living, in general, will certainly transform our world in next 14 years to a new level of understanding.  

On the downside, the return of a similar to sixties hippies era is very likely.  The increase usage of mind altering drugs, disregard for social and to some extent moral responsibility, rise in mental disorders, and losing the touch with reality are some of the likely manifestations of negative side of Neptune. 

On individual level for those who have Aquarius ninefold ascendant should get ready for a brand new and long lasting (14 years) cycle of change, especially a very pronounced cycle if Neptune is a dominant planet in your birth charts. The changes that might occur would be very subtle and would deal with your new or renewed interest in spirituality, openness, philanthropy, transformed perceptions and beliefs, and the way of living.  

Uranus-Jupiter sextile (March 16 – June 2)

This auspicious sextile 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 Uranus in their birth chart (conjunction, trine, sextile, opposition) are likely to experience very positive time 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.

Neptune-Uranus ninefold trine (March 25 – April 18)

Uranus-Neptune trine is going to be very favorable for those who have these planets favorably placed in their natal charts.  Expect some sort of spiritual awakening, monetary gains, promotions and improved prestige in professional and social fields.  The idea that you always wanted to pursue a non-material goal but somehow could never get started….now is the time to follow that dream. You will distinctly notice and feel the positive energy flowing through you during this period.  It’s time to jump in and enjoy this spiritual period.

On a collective level, this is an extraordinary time for collective spiritual growth, technological discoveries and inventions.  Expect some new important technological breakthroughs during this month. For the United States, in general, it’s going to be a remarkable and very successful period.

Pluto-Saturn trine (April 10 – May 11)

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.

Neptune-Rahu conjunction and Neptune-Ketu opposition (April 15 – May 14)

If you have a poor placing of Neptune and Rahu (or Neptune-Ketu) by being especially in the sixth, eighth, and the twelfth house in their birth chart, and have current operating cycles influenced by one of these planets,  then you are likely to experience instability caused due to a sudden change in activities and surroundings around you.  Such experiences might turn out to be very unfortunate and frustrating.  It would certainly be wise not to commit to anything new during this period and stay low key.

On the collective level, social as well as economic turmoil in Russia and China can not be ruled out.  Eastern European countries are also likely to be negatively influenced by this planetary configuration.  Covert activities around the world may find a new momentum (but because of Neptune’s secretive character we may never know) with regard to terrorism and other international conflicts.

Pluto-Uranus ninefold conjunction (April 17 – 28)

At a collective level, the Pluto-Uranus ninefold conjunction could bring a unique change in the way the current US administration deals with other nations with respect to its war against terrorism agenda, and also with its domestic matters. There will be a transformation of a political strategy that might become responsible of a change in the current political agenda, and foreign policy matters of the Bush administration as the planet Pluto with its tremendous energy has a power of irreversibly transforming the field of politics to a new level or setting with a new set of norms. Therefore it’s likely that the Bush administration could get tangled with some new serious issues.

On an individual level, if in your birth chart Pluto makes a square with Uranus, and if either of these planets is currently influencing your life via your current progressive chart, then you are very likely to be affected by this square.  Depending on the houses these planets occupy in your birth chart, you are going to have a sudden and a totally new and a very unpleasant experience in that particular field. Be ready to face this unwanted experience. Stay alert and try not to start a new venture that requires taking a risk. It’s like you are on a business trip or company assignment and you are immediately called off or caught in a situation that you find very difficult if not impossible to get out. 

Mars-Neptune Quincunx (April 26 -30)

This five-day period is likely to be very frustrating for those who have Mars-Neptune opposition, quincunx, square, or conjunction in their natal charts. Typically this quincunx is very unfavorable from the point of view of being deceived or becoming a victim of a scam or scheme. Usually one does not notice problems until it’s too late. For those who have such quincunx, 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 and absolutely not take any risk whatsoever. Stay very low key and do not make any new commitment. Also, unwanted experiences involving external forces, such as ghost or spirit, or a victim of a voodoo experiment are very possible. 

On the world scene, outbreak of covert activities among leading nations and possibilities of both natural and man-made calamities are likely. The countries that are most likely to be affected during this period will be: the United States of America, Russia, China, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Palestine and Israel.

Mars-Rahu quincunx (April 26 -28)

During this period Mars quincunxes Rahu.  Typically Mar’s quincunx with a lunar node is very unfavorable and unfortunate situation in general.  If you have such quincunx or opposition in your birth chart, and if you have any one of these planets influencing you through your current progressive cycle then you need be very careful about the matters indicated by the respective houses in your birth chart.  Probably the best thing to do is to lay low key, not make any new commitment and avoid taking any sort of new risk.  

On the world scene, during this period both natural and man-made calamities causing destruction and loss of lives, and perhaps a demise of an international level political leader is likely.