Beyond the Mayan prophecies: Vedic Astrology world predictions for 2012.
Why is the world so out of balance right now? For starters, the United States has Capricorn as its ascendant, giving the country its tendency toward practical and material success. The Earth-oriented Capricorn influence also gives the nation's characteristic hard-headedness, or its difficulty considering the needs of other people.
The birth of the country was overshadowed by a restricting Ketu, the descending node of the Sun, which extended the nation's rise to prominence by almost two centuries, until after the Second World War. Other important signs for the United States are Gemini, the Sun Sign, and Aquarius, the Moon Sign for the nation. Gemini is a highly excitable, ever-changing sign, and Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and the Sun make their influence felt in the birth chart for the nation through the Twins. As a result, the nation appears by turns wise and warlike, vain and altruistic.
The Moon, a planet of devotion and beneficence, takes its place in Aquarius, a sign noted for its tendency toward self-deprecation and self-sacrifice. This shows a country still capable of making great contributions to the world, if only it can learn when and where to exercise its power.
In 2012, Saturn will bring the United States improved fiscal health during the month of January and in late July. Admiration for the country will also be at its peak during these periods. Key economic indicators will reflect a slow upward trend with these two spikes, January being less intense than July.
The year will not bring an economic boom for the country, but the general outlook will slowly improve. Diplomatically, ties with Pacific Rim countries like Singapore and Australia will strengthen in early spring, especially on technological and economic matters, and turn into a genuine friendship in the fall due to the influence of Venus.
Armed conflicts will escalate in April and May. Political leaders should seek to lay important plans in the winter of 2012 and spring, before Saturn and Mars come into full force in the summer. Wise political leaders will set aside major resources for dealing with natural disasters (possibly connected to the Mayan prophecies; this foresight will soon transfer into increased influence on the world stage.
Worldwide, the summer of 2012 will be one of the hottest on record, with possible large loss of life due to drought and heat. July 1-21, with the Saturn-Mars conjunction in Virgo, will be the worst days. The asterism suggests a lack of balance and a need for healing.
In August, the United States will re-affirm its commitment to a long-time ally, possibly siding with the United Kingdom in the fiscal crisis in the European Union. Many voices on the left and the right will call for the United States to isolate itself from world affairs, a product of the Saturnine nature of the country.
Although it might seem counterintuitive, modern China is actually Libra according to the Vedic ascendant, using the birthdate of October 1, 1949, the founding of the People's Republic. Remember that Libra has a slightly different meaning in the sidereal, or Indian, system. As the sign of revolutionaries and reformers, Libra reflects a kind of missionary zeal, which does reflect the goals of Mao.
In 2012, tensions with another country, possibly North Korea, will come close to boiling over in August. September promises to be a month of spirituality, humility, and service for the country. Expect some announcement that China will release political prisoners, undertake a big foreign aid project, or pursue some other major project to increase humanitarianism. China will be looking to preserve natural areas early in the year and will increase its economic dominance throughout the year.
By October, relationships with partners in Europe, like Germany, will stabilize, leading toward long-term solutions. The year will hold many ups and downs that will seem decisive, but Greece is still in its infancy despite its ancient history. Smart commentators and investors will take the long view and look for the country to meander toward greater peace and prosperity over the coming decade.
The surface clamor for a change in direction will not divert the country from its underlying tendency to avoid any sudden course of action. Saturn, Barack Obama's birth ascendant, will be prominent in his chart at around the time of the 2012 elections, suggesting greater strength for the president, though not without some drawbacks.
The year 2012 holds no special importance in the Vedic system, and the present age, the Kali Yuga, still has thousands or hundreds of thousands of years left according to most interpretations. The law of karma still holds, so those looking to improve themselves, the nation, or the world would do well to practice selfless service, which destroys the bad karma from the past and leads to a better tomorrow.
