Date Posted: April 30, 2015

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 (May 19 – June 12) 

On May 19, the planet Mercury became retrograde in sidereal Taurus. It will stay retrograde in Taurus until June 12. Typically retrograde Mercury means anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, missing deadlines, unforeseen obstacles and disappointment in daily chores. Retrograde Mercury in Taurus means more frustrating periods for people in construction work, farmers, business, architects, entertainment industries and restaurants. 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 Mercury is currently your operating planet, 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-Rahu quincunx (April 8 – May 2)

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

On collective level, social as well as economic turmoil in Russia and China can not be ruled out.  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-Rahu ninefold quincunx (April 19 – May 2)

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(s), 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. 

Saturn-Jupiter ninefold square (April 27 – May 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 a 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.

Neptune-Saturn ninefold quincunx (May 3 – 10)

If you have Neptune-Saturn quincunx in your birth chart, and if your current planetary operating cycle is influenced by either of these planets then you are likely to experience a subtle but serious financial or social setback or an unpleasant secret will be revealed to you. If you are planning to take a long distance (overseas) trip during this period, be extra careful for nasty surprises, or even being stranded in places you never dream of. You may experience situations totally beyond your control.

On collective level, covert activities will be on rise. Possibilities of natural as well as man-made calamities are very likely during this period. Places like Russia and China are likely to experience political and social turmoil. Non-democratic countries are likely to see shift of power from one faction (or dictator) to another. Religious activities around the world will likely to appear more secretive than open. 

Uranus-Rahu (and Ketu) ninefold square(s) (May 5-10)

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 likely to occur in the United States besides the volatile region of the Middle-East (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Israel and Palestine). 

Pluto-Jupiter quincunx (May 12-26)

This is an important planetary event for people who deal with religion, religious and academic institutes. This quincunx could become responsible for a unique stalemate in the field of religion as the planet Pluto with its tremendous energy has a power to oppose and eventually transform 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 quincunx or opposition, 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.

Pluto-Uranus ninefold trine (May 12-22)

Uranus-Pluto ninefold trine is going to be very favorable for those who have these planets favorably placed in their natal charts.  Expect monetary as well as power gains, promotions and improved prestige in professional and social fields.  The ideas that you always wanted to pursue 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 period.

On a collective level, this is an extraordinary time for technological discoveries and inventions.  Expect some new important technological breakthroughs during January. For the United States, in general, this month is going to be remarkable one.

Mars-Saturn Opposition (May 13-15)

Mars-Saturn opposition, for no apparent reason, changes a perfectly normal and healthy situation in to the one with a severe tension and friction. If you have such opposition in your birth chart, and if you have any one of these planets influencing you through the current progressive cycles, then you certainly need to be on guard. Simply lay back and do nothing.  If you must involve in an unwanted situation, be extra careful and try to minimize the damage. Experiences like fire burns, rape, accidents, loss of precious things, and monetary disasters are real possibilities.

On the world scene, a short term but very intensive friction between India and Pakistan is very likely. Terrorism and violence, especially in Middle East will be on rise. Outbreak of an undesirable happening, and strong occurrences of both natural and man-made calamities are real possibilities.

Rahu-Jupiter ninefold trine (Ketu-Jupiter ninefold sextile) (May 13-16)

Jupiter-Rahu ninefold 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. 

Uranus-Saturn ninefold quincunx (May 15-20)

When Saturn-Uranus ninefold quincunx occurs, it is not good for you if you have such quincunx or square 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 quincunx can make things very miserable and difficult for you. 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 social or political turmoil at home as well as tensions rising among them. 

Saturn-Jupiter ninefold trine (May 19-21)

Jupiter-Saturn ninefold trine is favorable for those who have a jupiter-Saturn 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. 

Mars-Neptune Square (May 24-25)

Typically this square is very unfavorable and unfortunate in general.  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.  

On the world scene, expect some sudden outbreak of an undesirable happening and greater possibility of both natural and man-made calamities. The countries that are most likely to be affected during these couple of days would be Pakistan and Russia.

Mars-Pluto Quincunx (May 31 – June 2)

This short period is likely to be very frustrating for those who have Mars-Pluto opposition, quincunx, square, or conjunction in their natal charts. Typically this quincunx is very unfavorable from the point of view of facing situations that are beyond our control. Unexpected problems are likely to occur with astonishing speed and without any notice.  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. Stay very low key, do 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 very possible. 

On the world scene, sudden outbreak of an undesirable happening,  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, Iraq, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Palestine and Israel.