Contents Shri Jyoti Star v6 Consultations

Some Clues for the Future from the Jupiter Saturn Conjunctions

About every 20 years there is a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Sometimes there is a triple conjunction. These conjunctions occur in the signs of a single element for about 200 years, and thus cycle through the 4 elements in about 800 years, and these longer and shorter periods have often been thought as markers for predicting the collective experiences of man. It is believed that the Magi who were the powerful astrologers of the Persian kings and their successors used this technique and interpreted the great triple transit in Pisces starting on the 29^th of May 7BCE as indicating the birth of a great king. The great astronomer Johannes Kepler also felt this was the famous 'star'. As an aside, our opinion is that this prediction was made because the 'Age of Pisces' represented by the two fishes, the great symbol of Christianity, was about to begin when the vernal Equinox would enter Sidereal Pisces. Thus the conjunction occurring close to this point would indicate the destiny for the next 2000 years. It is likely that the Magi expected the birth of someone who would create an impact for such a period rather than a mere rebel against Roman rule. It should be noted that, at that time, there was a lot of debate about the correct calculation of the Sidereal position of the Vernal Equinox and the Greeks and perhaps the Magi believed that it was around zero degrees Aries even though we now use a somewhat different value. Later, the great Italian savant Marsilius Ficino (1433-1499) wrote “To begin with, Saturn and Jupiter come into conjunction every 20 years, and in any such union these two are reckoned to prolong the influence of that conjunction over many years…”.

Hypothesis

In Jyotish Shastra (Vedic Astrology), Jupiter represents the establishment and Saturn, the AryaJana or citizenry. The combination of these two great planets is considered a Brahma or creator Yoga combination indicating the capacity to create or mould the direction of time. When two planets are in close conjunction, it is considered a planetary war in Vedic Astrologer. The winner is determined, in this case, by the one with the greater declination – furthest to the North (Surya Siddhanta, Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra). Thus, based on these ancient concepts and without knowing the planetary war outcomes for any of the conjunctions or any pattern that might exist in these, we put forward an hypothesis that when Jupiter wins, the rulers dominate and the people will feel relatively oppressed; when Saturn wins, there will be an upsurge of individual freedoms and the following period will be considered better from the point of view of the citizenry. This is in no way an implication that the effect of Jupiter, the great benefic, is negative but when in close conjunction with Saturn, especially in a planetary war, Jupiter absorbs qualities from Saturn such as heavy handedness, while Saturn, when winning, draws the optimistic and expansive energy of Jupiter. (For another example see the article on the Joplin tornado.)

Based on this, we predicted the planetary war outcomes for the last century. For earlier times, we did not feel confident to say how the people found their experience on this time scale. The borderline period from 1901 was also difficult to call as we had not at this time, studied this period sufficiently. This period included the first World War which was naturally oppressive and periods after wars are not happy times. On the other hand, the war was popular initially and it broke down the dominant monarchical system prevalent in Europe and sowed the seeds for greater freedom for women. The early part of the period was certainly an improvement for individual freedoms. In fact, Saturn won but was only 26' further North.

Predictions

1921: The roaring twenties was a period of great individual expansion. Saturn

1940-1941: The megalomania of multiple powerful world leaders led to the deaths of tens of millions of people and terrible oppression and suffering. Jupiter

1961: The '60s were a period of tremendous flourishing of individual freedoms and aspirations. Saturn

1980-1981: The '80s and 90s saw a surge in individual prosperity and choice. Saturn

2000: After the events of Sept. 11, 2001 restrictions were put on individual liberties and an unprecedented expansion in surveillance and security measures worldwide took place. Jupiter

Outcomes

Conclusion

The planetary war outcomes fully supported our hypothesis. A series of 5 correct predictions where there are two choices is statistically significant compared with random selection at the p=0.03 level.. We can thus make some comments on the next 50 years based on the 2020 and 2040 conjunctions. In 2020 Saturn wins but by a tiny margin, even less than in 1901. In 2040, Saturn wins by a much larger margin. We can suggest that the attempts by governments to control the population and the establishment structures themselves will decline, which is to be expected with the run-down of fossil fuel availability. 2020-2040 should see substantial upheavals but, overall, individual initiative will develop. After 2040, a great flowering of democracy should occur.

[Feb. 1, 2011] It should be carefully noted that now we are half way through the current period, the time when governments could suppress the aspirations of the people is passed. The overthrow of the Tunisian regime and the consequences in many other countries is all part of this process.

Note: I am indebted to Gordon Brennan for the Fucino quote and his scholarship on this subject.