Date Posted: May 31, 2016

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 Mars (April 18 – June 30)

On April 18, Mars turned retrograde in the sidereal zodiac sign Scorpio, via it’s retrograde motion it returns to Libra on June 18, and stays retrograde till June 30. 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, high ego, and less maturity usually make things worse with incredible speed. 

For those of you who have predominant Mars in their birth chart and if it’s influencing you through the current progressive 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.  In particular, engineers, designers, construction workers, people who work in military, leaders, managers and like are likely to be more affected than others.

On collective level, expect a political tension building among developed nations.  Destruction of wealth due to natural calamities or man made accidents 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.

Retrograde Saturn (March 25 – August 13)

Saturn became retrograde on March 15 in sidereal Scorpio and is going to stay retrograde till August 13, 2016.  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 rate.  In the political arena what may seem like progress will turn out to be a disaster.

Saturn-Jupiter square (May 16 – June 1)

Jupiter-Saturn square is going to be unfavorable for those who have such square in their natal charts.  Loss of motivation, insecure feeling, loss of direction in life, general unhappiness, difficulty in keeping the faith in God are some of the symptoms of this square. This is like a test period. A period that can be viewed a real positive from self discovery standpoint since it will require you to bring best out of you to deal with situations around you.  If you have such a square in your birth chart, and if any one of these planets is presently influencing you through your current progressive cycle then you need to look at the things with a different attitude. The best thing to do is to stay the course of present action without making new commitment. Remember the time when you felt the life is not fair and not worth living, very unsure of yourself, and unhappy with family.. well, that’s how you going to feel this time. Keep your faith strong!

On collective level, religions around the world will find difficulty in carrying out their activities, more controversies that test traditional moral values are likely to occur, and in general, religious authorities will have difficulty in keeping people happy.

Pluto-Rahu trine (and Pluto-Ketu sextile) (May 18 – July 20)

If through your current progressive chart influence of either Pluto or lunar node is active and if Pluto is favorably positioned with respect to lunar nodes in your natal chart expect a very favorable time. Such positive events will be related to the affairs signified by the houses these planets occupy or aspect. For example, if the seventh house is involved, expect a new and positive development in relationship area, 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 collective level, this is a good period for economy. This period is also good for progress in technical fields (new innovations and discoveries) and religious reconciliation.

Uranus-Saturn ninefold square (June 1-4)

Saturn-Uranus ninefold square is unfavorable for you if you have such a square or opposition in your birth chart. 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.  You should avoid taking any kind of risk at any cost during this period.  Such square or 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. 

Neptune-Saturn square (June 4 – July 4)

If you have a Neptune-Saturn square in your birth chart, and if any one of these two planets influencing you now through your current progressive chart, then during this period you might want to consider postponing your plans of expansion or any new venture, and just stay in a defensive mode.  This square has a tendency to ruin your plans in a very deceptive manner, and usually, there is very little you can do about it once the process begins.

On a collective level, countries like China and Russia may face some difficult time during this period.

Pluto-Uranus ninefold quincunx (June 4-15)

On an individual level, if in your birth chart Pluto makes a quincunx 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 quincunx.  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 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. 

At a collective level, the Pluto-Uranus ninefold quincunx means United States will go through a difficult period of international interaction.  This quincunx could manifest in the form of having the USA involved in international conflict or in a failed international diplomacy.

Uranus-Rahu ninefold quincunx  (June 9-15)

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 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 Republican Party is likely to run into some very difficult period. Also, USA and China may go through a crisis situation during this period.

Mars-Uranus quincunx (June 14-26)

Watch-out for bad news during these twelve days! Sudden and undesirable happenings are likely to occur if you have such quincunx in your birth chart.  It could be a sudden loss of money, unfortunate accident, or a bad news. Only thing I suppose you could do is be prepared and avoid taking any new risk during this period.

On a collective level, natural and man-made calamities are likely, especially in the United States of America.

Saturn-Jupiter ninefold sextile (June 15-18)

Jupiter-Saturn ninefold sextile is favorable for those who have such sextile 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 sextile 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. 

Rahu-Jupiter conjunction (Ketu-Jupiter opposition) (June 18-28)

While Rahu-Jupiter conjunction is likely to temporarily favor orthodox and ultra conservative religious authorities, it also is going to sow seed of self destruction for those authorities (Guru Chandal Yog).  Some sort of religious upheaval or conflict is likely to surface during this period.  

For those who have favorable Rahu-Jupiter aspect in their birth charts are likely to see some positive changes occurring in their lives during this period.  However, for those who have lunar nodes squaring with the Jupiter are likely to face some rough times during this period.

On a collective level, besides its influence on religion as stated above, Rahu-Jupiter conjunction may become responsible in slowing down social progress, humanitarian efforts, and charity work.  The morality, in general, is likely to take a backseat.  

Pluto-Jupiter trine (June 18-July 1)

This is an important planetary event for people who deal with religion, religious and academic institutes. This auspicious trine could become responsible for a unique transformation in the field of religion as the planet Pluto with its tremendous energy has a power of irreversibly transforming the field of religion and academics to a new level or setting with a new set of norms. 

In your birth chart if Jupiter and Pluto are either in conjunction or trine or sextile, and if either of these planets is currently influencing your life via your current progressive chart, then you are perhaps standing on the thresh-hold of a new era that’s about to begin in your life. Depending on the houses these planets occupy in your birth chart, you are going to have a totally new and a very different experience in that particular field. Be ready to accept this new settings with new challenges as well as the rewards that come with them.

On a collective level, religious and academic and to some extent social fields are very likely to see changes coming in their respective fields. Initial reaction to the change might appear to be a bit confusing and perhaps chaotic, but the majority of us are going to embrace this new wave of change and are very likely to enjoy it.