It doesn't matter if we are looking at a birth chart, the chart of a nation, or a chart of the moment (prashna).  In all cases what the jyotishi is doing is interpreting symbols and synthesizing in their mind what that combination ofplanetary influences will produce.  This process proceeds according to the rules of jyotish, but is ultimately, as much art as it is science.

I will attempt to describe some of that process with regard to the planets where they are in the sky now and what that means for the coming year, and specifically now through February, 2006. 

To begin with, Saturn is in the sign of Cancer, Mars is in the sign of Aries, Rahu is in the sign of Pisces, Ketu who is always opposite Rahu is in the sign of Virgo, and Jupiter is in the sign of Virgo, but will move into Libra the end of September. 

What you see below, is a Jyotish chart (in the South Indian style) where all the signs have been marked and the position of these planets indicated as they are in the sky now.  Obviously, I've left out several of the planets because they are fast moving and not so relevant to the long term trends that we are going to look at right now. 

Next, I need to introduce the concept of "drishti" which in Sanskrit means glance.  All planets all have a way that they "look" at different parts of the chart.  You can think of it as where their light shines as if each sign was like a room in a house.

All planets shine on the sign exactly opposite themselves.  So, in the above chart you can start with any planet and count 7 squares starting with the one the planet is in.  Taking Saturn for example, you count 1 in Cancer to 7 in Capricorn and you'd say that Saturn is looking at, or has an aspect on Capricorn.  This holds true for all planets.

Some planets also have special aspects; Saturn looks at signs 3, 7 and 10 signs away.  Mars looks at signs 4, 7 and 8 signs away.  Rahu and Ketu look at signs 5, 7 and 9 spaces away.

When you start to consider all the possible combinations of these drishti's it gets complicated in a hurry!  So for purposes of this article, we'll confine ourselves to a subset of all the aspects that these planets have and focus on the ways they are interacting together right now. 

All you have to do is follow the red arrows.  Rahu is aspecting Saturn and Ketu, Mars is aspecting Saturn, and Saturn is aspecting Ketu and Mars.

Now, let's set aside aspects for a moment and talk about the division of the planets into malefic and benefic planets.  The benefic planets that give us blessings are (in descending order of their beneficience) Jupiter, Venus, Moon, Mercury.  The malefic trouble making planets are (in descending order) Saturn, Mars, Sun, Rahu, Ketu. 

Remember that all planets are ultimately beneficial and necessary for us because they deliver our karmas and thus move us along our spiritual journey.   So in one way, we might want to think of them as the planets that deliver blessings and the planets that deliver trouble.  Both are a part of life and each planet has its good side and bad side...it is all a matter of balance. 

For example, no football player would suceed without a strong Mars.  In balance individuals with strong Mars excel at sports; if out of balance by combination with Rahu, Saturn, or the Sun and when supplemented by other factors, can (not always...but can) be an indication of a tendency towards violence.

And ultimately the key to understanding jyotish is to understand how the planets combine with one another.  Here again we can apply a few simple rules:

• Mars and Saturn together are destructive
• Rahu magnifies in an external coarse way
• Ketu magnifies in an unexpected sudden way
• Sun adds heat
• Jupiter protects

With those rules in mind, we see that the sign of Virgo is receiving the influence of Saturn and Rahu, plus Ketu who is there in that sign.  Jupiter has been there for the past year and is now moving into Libra.  This move has already begun and will conclude later in September. 

It is interesting to note that as a planet begins to change signs and during that time its influence is weakened.  That just happened with Jupiter and it is interesting to note that the hurricane was big, but weakened as it came ashore and did not hit New Orleans as badly as it could have.  This is small comfort to those who were affected, but It is a fitting image of the astrological symbology of Jupiter's protection being lessened but not completely absent.

It is also interesting to note that Saturn is symbolic of a democratically elected government and it is (as you can see in the above chart) combining with Ketu.  Ketu is associated with misjudgement and cloudy thinking.  That is exactly what we saw in the response of the government to the disaster. 

So what can these symbols tell us about what is coming?  Consider that you have all the malefic troublemaking planets connected.  Mars is connected with Saturn and Saturn is connected with Mars,   Rahu is connected with Saturn, and Saturn is connected with Ketu.  Look at all the red arrows in the chart illustration above.

How long will it last?  Jupiter moves the 3rd week of September and that means that the configuration of Rahu/Ketu, Mars and Saturn will be together without the softening influence of Jupiter until February of 2006.  Of course Jupiter will be aspecting the Mars when he moves into Libra, and that will provide some moderating influence.

It is very likely that we will see sudden disasters of various sorts on the global scale until Mars moves in Feb, and then there will be fewer, but recurrent difficulties until Saturn, Rahu and Ketu are no longer connected so tightly.

It is also true that these same planetary combinations will manifest in your own chart/life.  Is there cause for fear?  No.  Don't jump to any conclusions!  Certainly these symbols will play themselves out, but it is relative to your entire chart, so it is difficult to make generalizations.  The effects depend on what your lagna (starting point) is, what planetary period (dasa) your are in, how these planets in their current configuration influence the various points in your chart. 

Certainly those with their Moon in Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn, or Aries will be feeling the intensity of the time most strongly.  Also those in their Saturn dasa or sub-dasa will be sensitive to this time.  In a general sense, each of us can probably point to some area of our life in which there is disturbance, obstacles, or frustration.  Of course that may be true at any particular time, but now it is likely to be strong and resistant to resolution.

Coping with these times requires patience and a few yagyas wouldn't hurt either.  I particularly recommend continuing with your choice of spiritual practices or starting one that includes Ganesha for removal of obstacles, Lakshmi for a little joy, and Shiva/Mrytunjya to protect health. 

If you are interested in having me take a look at your chart and discuss/explain what is happening, please feel free to give me a call.