Date Posted: January 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.  

Retrograde Mercury (Jan 29 – Feb 19) 

On January 29, the planet Mercury became retrograde in sidereal Aquarius. It will stay retrograde until February 19 in Aquarius (only for a couple of days) and Capricorn. 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, executives, managers and people who have very high business responsibility. 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 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.

Uranus-Saturn ninefold square ( February 1- 5 )

The time when Saturn-Uranus ninefold square occurs is unfavorable for those who have such square or opposition in their birth charts. In addition, if the planet Uranus 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.  Such people should avoid taking any kind of risk at any cost during this period.  Such opposition can make things so miserable and difficult for you that most likely you are not going to forget them in your entire life. Staying low key is certainly the way to go.  Avoid any new ventures and postpone the matters that you want to begin till this period is passed. 

On a collective level, the United States of America, Russia or China may experience a social or political turmoil at home as well as tensions rising between them. 

Uranus-Rahu ninefold opposition (and Uranus/Ketu conjunction)  (Feb 17 – 23)

If in your birth chart Uranus is in the direct opposition 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. Staying low key is certainly the way to go.  This opposition can become dangerous, and 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 Uranus in your birth chart, then perhaps you need not worry.

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

Pluto-Rahu ninefold quincunx ( Feb 20 – 28 )

Unless these planets are favorably placed in your birth chart, such quincunx between Pluto and 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 it (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, Iraq and in general the Middle-East 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.