Date Posted: September 30, 2024

As we enter October, a total solar eclipse occurs on October 2, approximately between 16:00 and 21:00 GMT. This eclipse will be visible in parts of South America and the Pacific Ocean. Known as a “ring of fire” eclipse, the moon will appear slightly smaller than the sun, blocking most of the sunlight and creating a glowing ring of light around the moon. In the United States, particularly in the southern regions, it will be visible as a partial eclipse.

On October 9, Jupiter turns retrograde in sidereal Taurus and remains retrograde until February 4. If Jupiter is currently active in your Gochar (transit) chart, you may experience a temporary slowdown in your material progress, but this deceleration is only temporary! You’ll need to exert more energy to achieve the same results as you would under a direct Jupiter. However, if your ninefold natal ascendant is Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, or Aries, you are less likely to feel any significant slowdown in your material progress during this retrograde period.

On October 20, Mars enters sidereal Cancer, a water sign where Mars is debilitated. As a result, the normally powerful and assertive energy of Mars may become improperly channeled, potentially leading to volatility and chaos, particularly in the context of the US presidential election politics. This period might include episodes of violence and unrest. On an individual level, those with Cancer, Aries, Aquarius, Sagittarius, and Leo as their natal ninefold (Navamansh) ascendants may face unwanted challenges and disruptions during this time.

One of the most significant and auspicious planetary configurations for this month and the coming months is the mutual aspects among Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Taurus Uranus and Capricorn Pluto are forming an auspicious sextile (within three degrees) with Pisces Neptune, and Uranus is also creating a spiritual trine (within three degrees) with Pluto. These configurations generate a powerful and positive spiritual energy that can promote harmony and a deeper sense of interconnectedness, even in the midst of material and personal challenges.

This energy will likely encourage collective compassion, fostering an environment where people come together to support one another. Furthermore, with all three planets positioned in sidereal feminine signs, female energy and leadership will become increasingly prominent across various sectors over the coming months, and potentially for years ahead.

According to 2024 astrological predictions, Uranus’s ingress into sidereal Taurus on May 31 has ushered in a turbulent phase for the U.S. political landscape. Recent developments—rising concerns over President Biden’s ability to govern effectively, his withdrawal from the presidential race, two failed assassination attempts on former President Trump, and the rapid ascent of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee—clearly reflect Uranus’s energies of change, surprise, violence, independence, ambition, impulsivity, and unpredictability. This period of volatility and uncertainty is expected to persist throughout the year.

On September 1, Uranus turned retrograde in sidereal Taurus, amplifying the potential for sudden, unexpected changes in financial and political arenas, particularly in the U.S. Uranus’s retrograde motion often brings disruptions, creating temporary shifts that can lead to surprises or upheaval. Meanwhile, Neptune’s ongoing retrograde transit signals a prolonged phase of confusion, deception, and twists in the Ukraine-Russia and Hamas/Hezbollah-Israel conflicts. The impact of Neptune’s energy suggests these situations may continue with slow, grinding developments and unforeseen complications.

Annular Solar Eclipse (October 2, 18:51 GMT)

An annular solar eclipse will occur on October 2, approximately between 16:00 and 21:00 GMT. This eclipse will be visible in parts of South America and the Pacific Ocean and is often referred to as a “ring of fire” eclipse. This is because the moon will appear slightly smaller than the sun, leaving a bright ring of sunlight visible around its edges. In the United States, particularly in the southern regions, the eclipse will be partial.

This eclipse is especially significant because the Sun and Moon will be within 3 degrees of Ketu, the Southern or descending node, in the sidereal zodiac sign of Virgo. According to Vedic astrology, this alignment is considered unfavorable, particularly for those with Virgo as their rising sign (ascendant) or Moon sign. People with this placement are advised to take caution, as they may feel the challenging effects of the eclipse more acutely. Additionally, individuals whose natal charts feature the lunar nodes (Rahu or Ketu) in conjunction with either the Sun or Moon should exercise extra care, avoiding new or risky outdoor activities during the eclipse period.

On the global stage, the eclipse’s path over South America and the Pacific Ocean suggests that this region could face a challenging period in the wake of the eclipse’s energy.

Retrograde Jupiter (Oct 9 – Feb 4) 

Jupiter turns retrograde on October 9 in sidereal Taurus and will remain retrograde until February 4. If Jupiter is currently active in your Gochar (transit) chart, you may experience a deceleration in material progress. However, this slowdown is only temporary. You will need to invest more energy and effort into your endeavors to achieve the same results that would come more easily when Jupiter is direct.

For individuals with a ninefold natal ascendant in Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, or Aries, this retrograde period may not significantly impact your material progress.

On the global stage, particularly in the religious realm, the conjunction of retrograde Jupiter with Uranus in sidereal Taurus may result in a period of “confusion” or uncertainty, causing things to move at a slower pace. The world economy could also experience a period of slower growth during this time.

Astrological Insights into US Presidential Election Predictions

The following article is intended for astrologers or those with an interest in astrology.

What do former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump all have in common in their birth charts? The answer is a close conjunction of the planet Uranus with the lunar node Rahu, within approximately three degrees.

In U.S. presidential elections, I’ve always found the Uranus-Rahu conjunction in a natal chart to be fascinating. Time and again, the characteristics of Uranus align with the spirit of the United States as a country. Political, financial, social, and life-changing events, as well as technological advancements that have made the U.S. a world leader in the past century, are closely tied to Uranus’s transit through zodiac signs. Interestingly, Uranus was discovered in 1781, just a few years after the United States declared independence.

In Vedic astrology, the transit of the north lunar node, Rahu, is considered karmic. This means that significant events, sometimes beyond logical explanation, can be tied to Rahu’s movement through the zodiac. When Rahu comes into close conjunction with Uranus, it can symbolize karmic events for the United States, and this happens roughly every 15 years. Individuals born during such a conjunction may find their destinies intertwined with the country’s fate.

Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump all have this Uranus-Rahu conjunction within three degrees in their natal charts. This configuration can be used as a litmus test for identifying individuals with presidential potential. Of course, a thorough analysis of the entire chart is necessary to make accurate predictions.

While Clinton, Bush, and Obama served two terms, Donald Trump only served one. So why did he lose the chance for a second term, and why did Joe Biden become president? Beyond the Uranus-Rahu conjunction, it’s crucial to analyze both candidates’ charts and transits on election day, which I did in my 2020 U.S. presidential election prediction.

Looking at vice presidents who ran for president after serving, like George H.W. Bush, Al Gore, and Joe Biden, only Al Gore failed to win. However, Gore came close in the disputed 2000 election, where the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of George W. Bush. It’s interesting to note that none of these vice presidents had the Uranus-Rahu conjunction within three degrees.

In 1988, neither George H.W. Bush nor Michael Dukakis had this conjunction, but Bush’s chart was better suited for political success, and he won. However, when Bush ran for a second term, he lost to Bill Clinton, who did have the conjunction. Similarly, Clinton defeated Bob Dole in 1996, who lacked this astrological pattern.

In the 2000 election, George W. Bush had a Uranus-Rahu conjunction within less than a degree, which helped him beat Al Gore. Bush later defeated John Kerry in 2004, as Kerry also didn’t have this conjunction. Barack Obama, with the conjunction within three degrees, won against John McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012—neither of whom had the conjunction in their natal charts.

In 2016, Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump, whose Uranus-Rahu conjunction gave him a strong edge. But why did Trump lose in 2020 against Joe Biden, who doesn’t have the conjunction? If Biden weren’t a former vice president, the outcome might have been different, and Trump could have easily won.

Trump’s natal chart holds further answers. In his natal chart Uranus-Rahu conjunction exists within three degrees in his 10th house, the house of profession. However, Rahu with a close conjunction with Sun within two degrees Trump was born just before a total lunar eclipse. His sidereal Scorpio Moon directly opposes Rahu, and in Vedic astrology, the luminaries (Sun and Moon) are considered adversaries of the lunar nodes. This combination, especially with the ruler of Trump’s first house (Sun) conjunct Rahu, indicates an inflated ego, self-destructive tendencies, and a “know-it-all” attitude. If the Sun weren’t so closely conjunct Rahu, the 2020 election might have had a different outcome in Trump’s favor.

Uranus Ingress Sidereal Taurus

An era of Material World Transformation and Female Dominance

After entering sidereal Taurus on May 31, Uranus stays in Taurus till Dec 16, 2024. However, with its retrograde motion Uranus returns to sidereal Aries. Then after transiting through Aries until March 16, 2024, Uranus finally reenters Taurus and will stay in Taurus for next seven years or so.  

Uranus being the planet of a sudden and uninvited change will certainly affect the matters related to Taurus in a big way. Taurus being the earth and fixed sign, the energy of extremely independent, ambitious, energetic, impulsive and capricious Uranus will be reflected in drastic changes in the material world (banking, stock brokers, financial institutes, the US Federal reserve and reserve banks all over the world) in next seven years.  World Financial markets would likely to be extremely volatile possibly dipping into a short term but severe depression. But the good news is we may not experience this severity at least until May of 2025, as it will be offset by Jupiter’s materially favorable transit through Taurus.

Business leaders, the wealthy, real estate magnates, and influential figures in the entertainment industry will feel the impact of Uranus’s transit most significantly. The period will witness innovations and breakthroughs in science and technology, driving rapid advancements and discoveries. A new wave of spiritually inclined leaders in politics and corporations will emerge, integrating compassion and human values into their approach.

In scientific and technological world expect a lot of positive changes as the emerging new ideas will find their way into innovations and discoveries.  The scientific and technological growth will continue to rise at a phenomenal rate.  A new wave of spiritually inclined world political and corporation leaders with their human and compassion laced perspectives will certainly transform our world in next 6-7 years to a new world that balances the material world with spiritual or non-material world.

The challenging aspect of the Uranus’s transit in Taurus is the painful transformation of the material world. The material norms that we are used to would likely to be altered and transformed to a set of new norms that will certainly reflect the direction of our spiritual growth and human evolution in line with and as outlined in past annual predictions by the energies of Capricorn Pluto and Piscean Neptune.

Other manifestations of Uranus’s transit in the earth sign Taurus are: economic wars that include cyber wars, currency manipulation, economic persecutions, agriculture wars, real estate meltdowns and intolerable and tragic situations for those who are economically deprived. In addition, natural calamities, especially wildfires, abnormal weather patterns, earthquakes of significant magnitude, unbearable summer and winter months, etc., will continue to occur more frequently. 

Another important aspect of Uranus’s transit in Taurus is the prominence of female dominance in leadership roles. Taurus being the female sign, more females will be replacing their male counterparts for leadership positions in both political and financial world. 

The timing of Uranus’s transit coincides with the next US presidential election, potentially leading to the election of a female president. However, the brief return of Uranus to Aries from December 16, 2024, to March 16, 2025, may introduce political chaos and instability, delaying the inauguration process and potentially impacting the outcome.

For those who have a reasonably well placed Uranus in their birth charts and have Pisces, Sagittarius, Leo or Cancer as a ninefold (Navamansa) ascendant will likely to experience a very positive period, especially during the time Uranus is active in their transit charts.

Russian-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas/Hezbollah war and senseless killings

According to 2020 predictions, “This era of Pluto in sidereal Capricorn (spanning the next 19 to 20 years) will be remembered as a time of material destruction and transformation into a new, different way of living that aligns with human evolution.“

Recent escalations in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, as well as Hamas and Israel, seem to be part of this material destruction, driven by Pluto’s transformative influence in sidereal Capricorn.

Additionally, with billions of dollars in aid from the United States, Ukraine has made strategic gains in its conflict with Russia, reclaiming territories in western Russia. However, the war’s intensity remains constant and is expected to persist, resulting in substantial human casualties and economic devastation.

Neptune’s ongoing retrograde in Pisces suggests that Russia will undergo significant internal changes, with increasing power struggles and political unrest. This could mark the beginning of a gradual weakening of President Putin’s autocratic control. Despite these challenges, Ukraine is likely to make further advancements in the conflict.

However, the influence of Rahu’s transit through Pisces, which began roughly twelve months ago, poses challenges for Neptune. This dynamic may temporarily allow President Putin to retain some control in the war over the next seven months, managing internal dissent and maintaining his position. Until his influence weakens, the conflict, along with civilian casualties, is unlikely to subside.

In the Israel-Hamas and Hezbollah-Israel conflict, violence remains particularly intense in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel. Gaza is facing severe shortages of essential supplies, worsening the ongoing humanitarian crisis. While short-term developments may offer temporary relief, this conflict is expected to continue unless a profound spiritual awakening transcends religious divisions and leads to reconciliation in the region.

President Biden’s challenges in October

Note:  This will be the last column about President Biden and his challenges.

October may turn out to be a better month than the last one as President Biden navigates the complexities of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Ukraine-Russia war and dealing with his domestic agenda.

Pluto’s influence suggests slow but steady progress, particularly on deeper, transformative issues, although the pace remains frustratingly sluggish. Venus offers a more favorable outlook, indicating that the President may find comfort and happiness in his personal life and family matters throughout the month.

The Sun’s energy brings out challenges, potentially bringing stressful situations, health concerns and increased friction with his adversaries. There’s also a likelihood of overseas travel during this more stressful phase.

Although until October 20, Mars’s energy, doesn’t quite provide much relief, adding to the strain, after October 20, his favorable period begins that likely to be reflected in successful activities and well deserved recognition

In summary, October may turn out to be a better month than the last one as President Biden navigates the complexities of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Ukraine-Russia war and dealing with his domestic agenda.

Global Insights……..

The important challenging planetary configurations for October do not include any significant aspects except the retrograde modern planets Pluto, Neptune and Uranus as well as the square of retrograde Saturn and Jupiter creating political, economic and social challenges around the world.

The important auspicious planetary configurations for October include Pluto-Rahu (Sept 24 – Oct 7) ninefold trine and Uranus-Saturn (Oct 16 – Nov 1) ninefold sextile.

The energy of the Pluto-Rahu (Sept 24 – Oct 7) ninefold trine may be reflected in a good period for economy around the world. This period is also good for progress in technical fields (new innovations and discoveries) and religious reconciliation.

The Uranus-Saturn (Oct 16 – Nov 1) ninefold sextile may become responsible for expansion of religious activities all around the world with new vigor and energy and conservatives will find ways to compromise with liberals on sticky issues. Democrats and Republicans will agree on more matters than the ones they disagree.  This is a good time to get those lingering bills passed in U.S. Congress and Senates. China and Russia are likely to experience some mild setbacks in their foreign policies, especially the ones that deal with the United States.

The countries that are more likely to be affected during this month are:  the United States, Ukraine, Russia, China, and Middle-East–especially Iran, Iraq and the Palestinian-Israel region.

Natural and Man-made Calamities……..

The natural calamities like extreme weather conditions, wildfires, hurricanes, heavy rains, snow storms, air crashes as well as manmade accidents are likely to occur during the enitre month.

Earthquakes:Based on a new Earthquake prediction model (the work is still in progress), the earthquake(s) of magnitude 6.9 or higher, if occur, are likely to occur on following dates and Times and possible locations: Earthquake Predictions 2024.  Please note that these hourly predictions refer to the Universal time (GMT).

While man-made calamities may manifest themselves in terrorism, unrest, violence, accidents, and air crashes, the natural calamities are likely to include extreme weather conditions such as severe cold winters, and equally intensive droughts, hurricanes or typhoons, thunderstorms, earthquakes and fires